So many inspirations... Just one house...
Just because I may not have the guts or creativity or simply because I put my stake in the ground and it's rustic and barn-like with a touch of industrial chic and a few european antiques, doesn't mean my heart doesn't skip a beat when I see you...
A new series I'm starting... for all the inspiring rooms out there and their creators...
I want to know you...
via swedish interiors
Before the holidays and after my pop-up store was over, I worked on a few small projects. The clients wanted to refresh a few things here and there in their homes, and to do it in phases. A new paint color or new fabric on a worn chair is sometimes all that's needed to breathe life to a room. It can really lift spirits too!
Project #1
For this client, the first phase was a small dining room makeover in time for the holidays. The chairs were the most in need...
The budget was not huge, but since the rest of the furnishings were all higher end, I wanted to choose something that would stay consistent with that level. The Design Center has so many fabric showrooms - most of them pricier than we wanted to go. But some have GREAT close-out fabrics that are under $50/yd (down from hundreds)!
Such was the case with this beautiful Pindler and Pindler vine pattern. We backed the chairs with a beautiful lapis blue velvet.
Here they are leaving the upholsterer. He did such an amazing job making sure the vines all went the same way on each chair. We had the wood refinished and wobbly legs fixed.
Project #2
This client has a space on her lower level that her four teenage kids and their friends use heavily. She is the most easy-going mother ever as evidenced by the holes in the wall due to various sports being played indoors.
before
The kids didn't seem to use the sofa as much since video games are better played closer to the tv.
before
This room is also where sleepovers take place, so the goal was to find pieces that could be rearranged depending on the activity and that are INDUSTRIAL strength!
after
We tried to keep the budget as low as possible and we succeeded! Target slipper chairs were around $150 ea (she had two already) recovered in chocolate ultrasuede - an extremely forgiving and durable fabric. And yes, new fabric and reupholstering was still less than new chairs from a big box retailer!
The ottoman was hers, but needed new upholstery. I used a Sunbrella fabric - almost indestructible. These outdoor fabrics are perfect for kids spaces since they're made of acrylic, but feel like cloth and now come in gorgeous patterns and colorways. There were a few more things added to the room, but I wanted to get a quick photo before kids got to it!
after
New beadboard painted in Benjamin Moore Navajo White covers the damaged walls and (hopefully) protects them from future run-ins with lacrosse balls! And walls were painted in BM Dorset Gold.
Just getting started on Phase II now...
If you are thinking about giving your home (and yourself!) a fresh start for the new year and need some help, send me an email and we'll take it from from there!
Last but not least...The American Pickers dvd and pillow winners drawn from the random.org selection widget that I unsuccessfully installed but was able to use, are numbers 1 - Tricia Z and 11 - Gina! Thank you to all who entered!!! I loved hearing from you and wish I had dvds for all - hint hint History Channel :)
Hello and cheers to a brand new year! I hope your holiday season was filled with great times as well as ample time to recharge!
For the past few days we've been in Seattle (were blessed with gorgeous, crisp cold sunshine) and stayed in a hotel since we were only in town for a short time. I always look forward to checking out the decor details in hotels, don't you? They can provide a wealth of design inspiration or be lessons in what not to do. This hotel, while it's contemporary style is not something I naturally gravitate to, provided some great take aways.
Starting in the lobby, the first thing that catches your eye is this long fireplace...
I love the rough hewn wood slab ledge in front of the fireplace! The right angles of the stone paneling on the wall and tiles on the floor are warmed by incorporating an element with soft edges and warm textures. It keeps the space from feeling austere.
It's hard to tell from the photo, but the fire is coming out of a bed of crystals that look like chunks of ice. The fire/ice, wood/stone, warm/cold contrast was used throughout the hotel.
Hotel floral arrangements are another thing I always get inspiration from, and even if I'm just walking past a hotel that looks interesting, I often go in just to see what the flowers arrangements look like.
It being the holidays, everything was pretty traditionally themed, but I did notice this pretty little arrangement off to the side.
What I got from this (and will attempt next time I see orchids at Trader Joe's) is using branches as support posts for the droopy orchids. I can picture a larger arrangement with many orchid stems tied to branches for a dramatic look. Again, another example of warm/cold with the tropical flowers paired with the wintry birch.
I took this photo more for the inspiration it sparked than the actual execution done here. I'm about to start on a couple of design projects - one contemporary and one modern, so I've had to switch gears design wise and pay attention to things I typically don't. My idea (and maybe it won't work, but ...) is to inset an area rug (like an Odegard) into the flooring (could work with anything - concrete, wood, stone, etc). I even got thinking that it would be cool to break up a long hallway with pieces of carpet the way pavers are set into grass or ground cover. What do you think? Anyone tried it?
And then this fantastic concept below. Looks pretty blah in the photo, but in real life the lighting framing the bathroom mirror is fantastic. I love the light it casts from all around. This is the lobby bathroom so it was dim, but in a home setting could be made much brighter. This is a great idea for a more modern/minimalist bath, since there is no need for sconces. Would be perfect for surrounding a medicine cabinet.
More lighting is typically needed in bathrooms, so I included a photo of the small cans that could make a home bathroom as bright as desired.
Last but not least, there is still time to enter my giveaway here. The dvd's are perfect for these rainy cold afternoons! It ends tomorrow (Tues) at midnight!
Just a touch of green and a sparkle or two...
Ralph Lauren's Ranch - Architectural Digest
midwest living magazine
Emmasdesignblog
succulents wreath - flora grubb
log cabin homes
Ralph Lauren's Ranch - Architectural Digest
Keeping it simple this year - yet, I still have a ton to do. If only...
Felted Wool Baby Booties
sunflower express
Holiday Gift Tags
rubyvictoria
VintageDye
Hand Knit Shawls and Caplets
tickled pink knits
Still Life Paintings
Michael Tupek
CarolAnneMonroe
Two weeks til Christmas... Some holiday ideas from Etsy. Have a great week!
One of the most hip sofa styles appearing these days in all types of decor from modern to industrial to traditional is the Chesterfield. The richly detailed diamond tufted upholstery and rolled arms are it's most distinguishing features.
While the exact origin is a little ambiguous, I found that many sources credit the Earl of Chesterfield who commissioned a cabinet maker to design an elegant yet masculine piece. The Chesterfield was in demand for most of the early 19th century, and became symbolic of British aristocracy and wealth.
"This icon of the furniture world is widely thought to have been commissioned by, and consequently named in honor of, the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Dormer Stanhope, in the 18th century. Aside from being a much-admired politician and writer, the suave Earl was a known trendsetter. When the Earl requested a cabinetmaker to construct a piece of furniture that would allow a gentleman to sit upright in the utmost of comfort, thus was the inception of the Chesterfield sofa with its characteristic deep buttoned upholstery, rolled arms, equal back and arm height and nail head trim. There has never been any solid confirmation of this noble beginning. However, this namesake is certainly appropriate."
I have long loved this iconic style (and have blogged about it here and here), so when I spotted a vintage Chesterfield sofa that originally belonged to Clark Gable (seriously!) at an estate sale this summer, I nabbed it! It was transformed from the bottom up...
I have been collecting images for years and my file of inspirational photos featuring Chesterfields is pretty thick. Here are some of my favorites in a variety of decor styles.
commune
cote de texas
House Beautiful
Joanna Henderson
greige
Joanna Henderson
above two photos - nest
There are many Chesterfield options available out there these days. Before you commit to purchasing one, it's important to know that this sofa style is not of the sink-into-fluffyness-take-a-nap-on-me sort! As the quote above refers, it was designed "for a gentleman to sit upright in the utmost of comfort". My husband, who is 6'1" loves it for that reason. He prefers them to overly stuffed sofas in rooms that are used more for socializing, so you don't sink way down and have a harder time getting back up, especially if you're tall. I recommend lots of down filled pillows to both soften the look, but also to add something soft to lean against.
I've found in my own married life as well as working with couples on interiors, that most of the time with couples, women choose based on what they connect with emotionally, whereas men are more about practicality. In the case of the Chesterfield, I think it satisfies both.
I noticed that Restoration Hardware is now offering their Chesterfield in linen. As much as I am a fan of RH as well as of linen, I don't think it's a good choice for this type of upholstery.
I took this photo at our local RH. The slouchy wrinkled linen just looks kind of sloppy and worn out to me. I prefer tougher fabric that can be pulled taut like leather, velvet or heavy weight wool. RH offers those options as well.
With mixed emotions I must part with my handsome Chesterfield. The sad part is that, try as we may, we just don't have room in our house at this time. But the good news is that it's available to grace someone else's lovely home! It measures 88" long and is upholstered in charcoal velvet. The estate sale owner told me that it (as well as a few other pieces I purchased) came from Clark Gable's Aptos mansion that he shared with Carole Lombard. Apparently the estate seller's father - a prominent San Francisco physician, had purchased the home partly furnished from Gable in the 60's. There were only a few remaining pieces left at the estate sale. Please do email me if you are interested or would like more info!
A couple of weeks ago I was reading a post from one of my favorite blogs - Trouvais where I learned about the gorgeous bedding company; Bella Notte.
a little aside story: I found Trouvais before our trip to Paris last summer when I was all about everything French. I was mesmerized by the garden belonging to the author Trish (picture pea gravel paths and stone steps lined with lavender). After a few emails back and forth, I discovered that Trish doesn't live in Provence as I had thought, but merely blocks from me! If six degrees of separation is true, it's got to be three in blogland.
Anyway, Trish posted that Bella Notte was having a warehouse sale nearby. Even though I really didn't need anything, I had to check it out. O.M.G.
Before I show you my pretty new bed, here are the before's. Starting with the day we moved in...
bedroom before
The blue carpeting was pulled up revealing beautiful oak floors. We stained them a dark brown, took the curtains down and put on a coat of Benjamin Moore Atrium White.
bedroom after
The windows and door on the left lead to a sunroom. It's really more of an enclosed porch since it has no insulation and appears to have been added on more recently.
sunroom before
We put a subfloor down (I think it was just plywood) over the decking which is what was under the old carpet, carpeted with an inexpensive remnant, and gave the wood paneled tan walls a fresh coat of paint.
sunroom after
I love this space - a quiet escape. I have no idea why I took this with the sheepskin on the floor, but it's too dark now to take another photo!
And here's our newly outfitted bed in Bella Notte...
I've been loving the new look - so feminine and frou frou! A friend even asked if my husband was ok with it! haha (He is). I bought it to go on the guest bed, but now re-thinking.
More dreamy Bella Notte...
To learn more about Bella Notte and to be transported to France, visit Trouvais by clicking here.
Happy new week!
I decided to take yesterday 'off' from my computer and relish in the pleasures of domestic activities that only Thanksgiving can offer. We hosted this year - a total of 12. Everyone brought lots of things so the cooking responsibility was evenly spread and the feast even bigger.
So I'm a day late, but hopefully you aren't completely sick of seeing Thanksgiving tables?!
Just one quick thing first. A day of gratitude would not be complete without a tremendous thank you to you readers near and far, who on a daily basis remind me through emails, comments, and subscribing to this blog, that the world is indeed a much smaller and better place than it often seems... I love hearing from you! Without those connections, it would feel a lot like I was talking to myself!
I hope that regardless of whether or not yesterday was a celebrated holiday, that each of you are surrounded by people who love you, good health and positive feelings are abundant, and of course, that wherever you call home brings you peace and restores your spirit.
I received an email from a reader; Polly, who kindly sent me photos of her warm and inviting Thanksgiving table mentioning that she looks forward to setting the Thanksgiving table almost as much as the stuffing. Ditto! She also explained that she moved her table to the adjacent living room so it could be in front of the fireplace. I love that idea!
I love the persimmons - fresh as well as sliced and dried - they are such a gorgeous color! The fabric for the table runner is so pretty too! Thank you Polly for sharing your wonderful table!
And our Ina Garten inspired table came together...
And the kid's table, if you can call it that since the age range was 11-16. I still opted for no candles!
Enjoy your weekend and here's to spending our first holiday season together!
Just as I was starting to cave to the temptation to watch tevo'd Martha holiday episodes, Ina Garten came to the rescue in the form of her new cookbook 'barefoot contessa: how easy is that?" (I love Martha, but I simply do NOT have time this year to make individual pie dough leaf cut-outs to rim my pumpkin pie!)
I picked up a copy last week at Costco and have been savoring each glossy page ever since. I could go on and on about Ina and her fabulous cookbooks which are so user friendly and appeal to all levels of home cooks, but this post is about setting the table, so I'll cut to the chase. Here's what Ina has to say...
"We've all seen some pretty over-the-top settings with a million crystal glasses, ceramic dishes filled with candy, lots of flowers, candles, napkin rings, place cards and chargers. Frankly I've never known that kind of party to be more fun; in fact it's usually just the opposite --it's intimidating!"
Whew - what a relief! And just to prove she means what she says...
table by Ina via Town and Country
table by Ina via House Beautiful
photo via 'barefoot contessa: how easy is that?'
Ina goes on to explain that when she sets a table for a special occasion, she starts with a 'one-color theme'.
Recalling what I said here last summer about being inspired by this...
and this ..
Villa Bordoni - Greve in Chianti Italy - urban farmhouse photos
I've got my 'one-color theme' picked; mustard-y yellowish. Gray pairs so well with this color, so I'll add that with silver pieces - candlesticks, vases. etc.
A start - big linen napkins.
Then I spotted something I almost threw out last week and am so glad I didn't...
For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, a girlfriend gave me a box of Kiehl's products and this is what was in the box for stuffing instead of tissue paper or cardboard! Dried (unscented) flowers!
Not sure quite yet how I'll incorporate them, but the raspberry color looks so good with the other colors and kind of reminds me of this rustic yet festive table setting.
photo via sweet paul
My only purchase other than flowers which I'll probably get at Whole Foods when I pick up the turkey, was some unscented candles and a piece of satin ribbon.
It will be fun to play around with how to put it all together. My daughter, who's almost twelve, is starting to really enjoy these kinds of projects, so I'll enlist her help and see what happens.
What color combinations inspire you? Email me your photos and I'll post them! And if you haven't bought the new barefoot contessa cookbook - put it on your holiday list! It looks like one of her best.
A few months ago, I posted about this beautiful kitchen designed by Tracery Interiors featured in Food & Wine magazine and how curious I was to see the rest of the house... The next day, I received an email from Doug of Tracery who told me that this house, located in Lake Martin, Alabama, was about to be featured in Birmingham Home & Garden and photos would be available shortly!
Well, finally I am getting them to you...
Can you believe these windows and beams? That fireplace is incredible! I'm also loving the floor and wondering if is it new and stained or reclaimed and naturally worn? The open floor plan reveals the soft color palate which is used throughout the house...
As are painted paneled walls -another design trend that seems to be gaining momentum.
The combination of traditional decor sprinkled with a touch of modern here and there was done to perfection.
This home seems to ooze peace and tranquility - don't you think?
