Decorating around a Piano

This past weekend, I moved our piano to the opposite (and smaller) wall in our living room.  It makes more sense and felt like a huge breath of fresh air to finally have it moved.  This is how I quickly styled it (using everything I already had).....

sorry for the bad iPhone pic!

In my opinion, you can choose different approaches to decorating around a piano depending on your personal preference, style or need.

Since my piano sits in our living room, I wanted a simple and formal look.  However, if our piano sat in our family room, I might consider something like this using family photos:

If you want more of a casual approach, I would do a gallery wall.  Adding a gallery wall helps soften the rather large piano and also helps to fill the blank walls around it.

If you want a casual look, but are not up to the task of hanging a gallery wall, consider a layered look.  I really love this look too....

Have a piano, but you don't want to make it the focal point?  Consider painting the room a bold color....

OR add an oversized mirror or an oversized piece of art....

(BTW, love how this piano is a matte black!)

And, if by chance, you happen to be renovating and want to include your piano in the design, I really like this idea of adding a built-in or molding details to distract your view from the piano, but add a great display of accessories!  

One Room Challenge - Week 5

One more week left for the One Room Challenge (ORC) and still lots to wrap up!  With a chest cold and 20% of my voice left, I got sidelined this past week but slowly getting back in the saddle. (I hope)!

I finally hung up my Serena and Lily mirror  above (that I've had for a while) and some art (that I have also had) above the desk that sits on the opposite wall of the bed!  Since the mirror is small, I need to balance the size of my desk with some artwork around the mirror.  I want to keep it simple and not have a cluttered look.

My desk is a black french inspired desk from Ballard Designs that I got long ago that I will pair with a white slipcovered parsons chair from Ikea.  Desk style similar to below minus the gold detailing.

I finally hung up my  DIY bulletin board (a huge piece of homasote that I reupholstered with ticking fabric) and this will sit above the bench. 

Hanging this was a lot trickier than I originally thought and planned!  Below you can see the bulletin board hung on the wall above the bench with the bed's euro sham and bolster!

So, where am I now?  Oh yes, the headboard.  The headboard has been the most interesting component of this challenge.  I have a new found respect for all the DIY-ers who have made one of these before.  Here is the headboard upholstered with the raffia fabric (bad picture). 

I'm 70% completed with the nailhead and I'll be honest I am not sure I love the headboard with the nailhead.  I know - the horror!!  

I can't put my finger on it as to why, just yet, but I'm hesitating whether to move forward with completing the nailhead or not.  It breaks my heart because I want to love it and after five hours of your life that you won't get back, that is a hard pill to swallow. 

But, that is where I am and I guess both you and I will have to wait for the reveal to see if I decide to keep the nailhead or not.  

But, I know one thing, I'm ready to get this room done!!!  Looking forward to next week - see you then!!  Go here to check out what my other fellow ORC-ers are doing!!  

Two pieces of Artwork: which goes on top?

I believe I was reading an interview by Albert Hadley when I learned of his penchant for hanging the larger of a pair of artworks above the smaller of the two to create an appealing and sophisticated energy in a room.  - Rachel Krauskopf (via design sponge).

Lonny

Lonny

Design Sponge

Design Sponge

Pinterest

Pinterest 

I like this look, it keeps things interesting.  It is funny how once I read that quote, how often I noticed pictures of interiors where the larger piece of artwork was on top.  I guess Albert Hadley wasn't the only one who thought this was a good look! :)

Sectionals

The other day we were invited to a friend's house in the countryside, about 25 minutes from Vienna.  It was a beautiful area and our friends have an equally beautiful house, which they have been renovating for a number of years.  With the kitchen and baths updated, they're now working on the living room decor.  Of course, I wanted to hear all of their plans.  One thing that struck me was that she was looking to incorporate a sectional.  Most people I know have strong feelings about sectionals, one way or the other.  Personally, I like them provided they don't overwhelm the space.  They make a lot of sense for family rooms and can make a room feel super cozy and intimate.  Lets take a look at what I mean:

Source: cecyj.com via Fran on Pinterest

This first image is very, very similar to (though a bit smaller than) our friend's living room.  They have hardwood floors, exposed beams, white walls, a large window on the far wall, etc.  I think this sectional really works here.  

Source: cecyj.com via Fran on Pinterest

I like how sectionals can be used to frame the focal point in the room - in this case, the fireplace and television.

Source: decorpad.com via Fran on Pinterest

Source: thingsthatinspire.net via Fran on Pinterest

I like how the velvet fabric really ups the "cozy factor" for this sectional.

Source: thingsthatinspire.net via Fran on Pinterest

Here, the sectional helps frame the conversation area.

Source: thingsthatinspire.net via Fran on Pinterest

This Pottery Barn picture is gaining a lot of steam on pinterest.  Since I pinned it, it has been repinned 21 times.  I added it because of its neutral color.  However, the room is too beigy for my taste and in my opinion, needs more contrast.

Source: designserendipityinteriors.com via Fran on Pinterest

Love love love this room!  Though I just endorsed neutrals ... don't be afraid to go for the color (especially if you have kids).  It will hide the dirt.  I love this color palette: eggplant with the burnt orange.

Source: cecyj.com via Fran on Pinterest

Check out the lucite legs on this one, a very nice custom touch.  Have you heard about Pretty Pegs?   They offer different types of legs to update your Ikea furniture.  Pretty cool.

So, what sectional camp are you in?  Did you like these examples?

A Chic Brooklyn Heights Greek Revival!

  

I stumbled across this incredible Brooklyn Heights Greek Revival via CWB Architects.  This project entailed a complete structural and mechanical gut renovation of this four story, 3200 sq. ft. row house and extension.

The designer?  Jennifer Eisenstadt Design and Decoration, LLC.  Why have I not heard of her before?  Check out this incredibly chic home (I believe this might be her home.)

I am completely speechless....

Keep a look out for her use of modern and vintage light fixtures.  I believe this and the kitchen's fixture might be Lindsey Adelman's bubble light which I posted about here.  I am in love!

Pocket doors, brass fixtures, modern lighting, oh my!

For real? A leopard print runner!! Brilliantly done.

Black and white graphic wallpaper and mirrored furniture - I love it.  Do you notice the ruffle trim on the curtains?  Such a nice feminine detail.  And, the brass doorknobs?  I love the dark walls in the adjourning room.  I just wish I could see more of this bedroom.  

How chic!

The marble veining in the shower, the vanity's lucite legs, hexagonal floor and wall tiles and the brass hardware are all so wonderful!

I am so using balloon shades in our next house.  Remember this post?

So tastefully done.

Do you notice how glossy the trim is?

This is probably her office, no?  What an amazing space to work in!

And, just when you thought you were done with the surprises - she throws this into the mix!  Holy Cow!  She is incredible!  The mix of the chinoiserie wallpaper with the inlaid wooden chevron floor - crazy good!

I love the primary colors and the kilim rug!  

Oh my goodness!!  So amazing!

Okay, how incredible is this home?  I can tell you that I will be studying each and every one of these pictures for a long time.  I haven't felt this inspired in a while. 

Can some magazine publish her space so I can get all the sources, please??

Jennifer Eisenstadt is my new hero!

Tara Guerard: Champagne and Pink

Have you seen how Tara Guerard's set her dining table for Thanksgiving in this month's issue of Southern Living.  I'm head over heels for it and am loving this color combination of champagne and pink.

via

Don't you love the bench with the pink pillows?  How fun and unexpected!  In fact, I love this color palette so much it will be the inspiration for my daughter's quilt that my mother in law promised to make for her.

So pretty.

I love this tablecloth with the wide contrasting band!  So dramatic!

Ironed on monograms - brilliant!!  Love how the Lindt chocolates add the pop of pink!  Great styling. 

Love the self serve bar!

So, now I'm on the mad hunt for champagne colored fabric for Elizabeth's quilt!  If you have any recommendations, let me know!  

In the meantime, I wish you all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.