A Dining Room Refresh

I recently completed a design for a client's dining room who I have been very lucky to work with for a while now!  She wanted to update her dining room and wasn't sure where to start. We initially talked about just changing the paint color and well, one thing led to the next, and you know how that goes! :)

Here is a breakdown of how her space will get a new look:

1) The things that couldn't change were the aqua colored window treatments and her mahogany chippendale dining room set.  To start, I wanted to break-up the all the brown in the furniture and so my client boldly agreed to PAINT her dining room chairs a creamy off-white!  The dining room table and chairs pictured above in the design board are actually hers (after she painted the chairs)!!

2) My clients LOVES audubon artwork.  I suggested a large framed audubon print over her buffet table.  It's the perfect spot for something dramatic because you immediately see it in when you enter through the front door.  The audubon's colors are fantastic and determined the rest of the color palette for the space.  Below is a more detailed shot of what I was envisioning....

3) We decided to go bold and paint the walls a beautiful blue green teal.  

4) She also has a beautiful hutch I suggested that she re-paint in a chalky, plaster like off-white color with distressed edges.  The hutch will be flanked with two Ballard Designs Louis chairs upholstered in green velvet with some contrasting welt.  

5) I suggested the Brunschswig and Fils Les Touches fabric for the pillows on her Louis chairs and a warm peacock hue check for the seats of her dining room chairs.  

6) Lastly, we will be accessorizing with a lot of blue and white accessories and bamboo accents as a nod to the hollywood regency look!  

Summer happenings….

Hi Guys!  Remember me?  I apologize for the radio silence!!  Summer has been 'happily' full-on with my kid's daily swim practices, baseball games, ballet and hanging out with friends at the pool.  Moreover, I've been up to my eyeballs in client projects!!  With my kids home full time, I'm doing my design work part-time and am so thankful for these opportunities.  Here are some snapshots of what has been going on….

My local client has moved into a new house and we will slowly be tackling one room at a time, starting with her powder room!  The minute I mentioned and showed her Farrow and Ball's color Hague Blue, she fell in love.  Here is the inspiration for her powder room….

Painting to start Thursday…….I can't wait to see it in person!!

We also are working on her home office, dining room and kid's rooms.  Hence, the recent order of Mally Skok purple, pink and orange fabrics.  I love her textiles!  I am looking forward to using one or two of these fabrics in her youngest girl's bedroom.  I think it'll be the perfect complement to BM Silver Bells.

I'm also working with a wonderful, repeat client, in South Carolina on her foyer and den.  You might remember my post on hexagon table skirts; well, her dad has graciously agreed to make her a hexagon table top for her foyer table.  Below are the fabric and trim samples I recently sent her for the tailored table skirt.

We are also working on her den and I love it when I get to work with clients whose design aesthetic I just 'get'!  I love her sense of style and every inspiration picture she sends me, I get so excited.

Recently, she sent me the below inspiration she spotted on OKL and you know you 'understand' your client when you have the same exact picture saved on her 'pinterest' design board!

And, lastly, but certainly not least, there's my newest client from Birmingham, AL.  She's a long-time reader and one of my first followers.  While we've never met, I already feel like she is a good friend!  She has always left the kindest and supportive comments on my blog and IG posts.

She contacted me over a month ago to help her with her guest bathroom. She wants it to be timeless;  using classic elements suitable for guests, but she also wants it to be suitable for her 9 year old daughter who will be using it on a daily basis.

The design plan I forwarded to her includes subway wainscoting for a truly sophisticated and classic look, but it also includes a bit of fun and whimsy for her daughter.

This is where Galbraith and Paul fabrics enter the picture to give the bathroom a youthful and fresh feel!

But, we didn't stop at the fabrics and the plan is to include light blue hexagon tiles for the flooring!  It'll be a lot of fun watching this take shape!

So, lots of fun and pretty projects.  This summer has been so great and I'm particularly looking forward to the end of this week when we leave for vacation!!  Two weeks!!  Whoohoo!  Happy Summer!

A Hexagonal Table Skirt for a Client's Foyer

You might remember my Palmetto State client when I worked on giving her living room a new look?? Well, she has asked if I could help her with her entry and family den!  Thank you Kim for the vote of confidence!

My client has a beautiful foyer where she currently has a mahogany pedestal table in the center of it.

I do love a beautiful table in a foyer.  It is the perfect piece to display your treasured collections of photographs, coffee books, topiaries, and blue and white ginger jars.  It's also a wonderful way to make a great first impression when people walk into your home.  Moreover, you can tailor your vignette as the seasons change.  They are also just very functional, it's a place to set your keys and sunglasses as you walk through the door.

When putting together thoughts for her entry, I wanted to keep the table in the foyer, but I wanted to do two things specifically, 1) soften the look of the round mahogany pedestal table and 2) modernize it.

So, to achieve that, we are going to do a table skirt to soften things, but we are going to modernize the skirt so it has a tailored look.  We are going to think past the typical round shape and do a hexagonal shape.   Here is some inspiration.

I love how clean and tailored the look is and you have so many options when it comes to designing the skirt.  So, how do you achieve this shape?  One way is searching for a hexagonal or octagonal table.  They are out there, but you will need to do some digging.  If you do a search on 'card' or 'poker' tables on ebay or craigslist, you can find inexpensive tables in this shape.  See below.

Or, you can try the DIY route.  This is the route my client will most likely take and it's all about having fiberboard or plywood cut into the hexagonal shape and securing it to the top of your table.  This article comes in handy if you are considering this route.  

I will certainly share pictures when it's all said and done!!  It's going to be so pretty!!

Visiting Draper James

My husband and I escaped for a one night getaway to Nashville this past weekend and it was exactly what we needed (other than more of it, but I will take what I can get)!  It took a combination of friends and neighbors to watch my little ones at home, but I guess that is what they call, 'parent life', huh?

Nashville was great!!  First time there and I absolutely LOVED it.  The beautifully manicured residential areas with pea gravel driveways, the cool/hip stores on 12th Ave South, the pedestrian shopping areas, Franklin's downtown, Leiper's Fork, and it's very down to earth, southern hospitality and friendliness.  It all was so good.

Of course, I visited Reese Witherspoon's flagship store, Draper James.  I love Mark D. Sikes, interior designer who designed the store, and his use of all things blue and white!!

It was so MUCH better in person and I truly was inspired.  I  'geek-ed' out ALL over this store and it wasn't until I came home that it struck me why the interiors of this store really left an impression on me.

It had every element of design that I love (and I mean really, really love when creating a home).  It was one of those Oprah 'A-Ha' moments where you get to experience everything you love in one space.

The store is designed much like a home which is such a brilliant idea and concept.  When you walk in you're greeted with a large table similar to a large round pedestal table in a foyer and a beautiful plaster chandelier that hung in the store's entry.

I am obsessed with the store's lighting choices and this chandelier had a Stray Dog Design feel, but I don't believe it is from them.  It was large, beautiful and made a statement.  And, I LOVED that it was whimsical.  It seriously was the last thing I expected as one of the design elements in this southern store and it was so perfect (in my humble opinion).

Next, your eyes are immediately drawn to the back wall where dark navy grasscloth hangs showcasing gorgeous artwork and serves as a backdrop to the store's countertops which are meant to mimic a kitchen island.  And, yes, the counters are thick slabs of marble!! 

Here, the built-ins are meant to mimic kitchen cabinetry or a butler's pantry.  I adore the antique brass utility latches on the glass fronts (I recently recommended this style of hardware to one of my clients) and the style of brass hardware pulls used for the drawers.  The combination of white and gold really speaks to my love for things a bit feminine, but the brass keeps things grounded which is classic and timeless.  The library boston sconce installed above the built-in cabinetry ties in the gold and white and looks brilliant next to navy. 

Pictured above are the modern counter stools pulled up to the store's countertop.  Another element I love is the bit of California thrown into an otherwise traditional, classic and all-American mix!  

This beautiful brass and navy lantern hanging near the vibrant blue whicker chairs imitate the 'family' or living room.  

Pictured above is the 'family room' and I love how Serena and Lily's blue tonal striped dhurrie is layered over a natural fiber rug coupled with the blue Bielecky Brothers wicker lounge chairs. The chairs were SO comfortable!!

I saw dentil molding, vertically planked walls and beadboard.  Above, an example of the store's full length mirror encased in beautiful molding!  The store's walls were either pristine white backdrops or wallpapered in either beautiful paper or fabric, as shown below.  

Above is Quadrille's Palampore Stripe fabric draped on the walls with navy grosgrain trim.  Beautiful!!

Above was another favorite spot of mine. It did the perfect job of resembling a kitchen nook.  Obsessed with everything about this space.  I love Carolina Irving's Palermo (whimsical) print and Patmos Stripe on the banquette.  All these fabrics work beautifully together!  

A close-up of the gorgeous textiles with the beautiful navy and brass sconce!!  LOVE!  

The store's fitting rooms - gasp - obviously, resembling a home's bedroom and/or closet area.  I am dying to use Farrow and Ball's closet striped wallpaper in someone's home!!  Again, dark navy doors with brass fixtures!! Here, we see a repeated design element of stripes.  

I love the play of vertical and horizontal stripes in the same space!! So fun!  And, the closet hooks!!  I need these!  I found a similar type here, but not in the brass finish.   

I've used the sconce's shade fabric in a client's project before and I love it!!  Perfect for a fabric covered lampshade.  

The color scheme was definitely blue and white, but I love how Mark Sikes threw in 'yellow' to keep things fresh, young and modern.  He has such an amazing eye and love all his touches of playfulness.

I will have to save the artwork for another post - it definitely was a highlight of the store as well as, the store's bathroom, believe it or not!! 

Visiting this store did not disappoint and it confirmed all the things I love and would like to emulate in my own home.  It gave me loads of inspiration and perhaps the little shove I need to finally finish some projects. 

Case in point, I immediately purchased this rug to go in my kitchen nook! :)

Spring Vibes...

Here are some things that I'm loving this spring season…..of course, all blue and white.  I couldn't resist.

1. This gorgeous white Visual Comfort pagoda-esque lamp is on mega-sale on OKL.  I completely envision two of these flanking a console/desk with a bold mirror or a fun piece of art.

2. I love John Robshaw's new fabric, Sata, for Duralee and I could see this fabric upholstered on a Cisco Brother's Piper loveseat with this paint color on the walls!

3. This pick is a departure for me, but hang with me for a moment.  I saw this wallpaper used here and I just loved it!  I think it could look fabulous in small doses and I can't believe it is from Thibaut!

4. This is such a fun desk at a reasonable price that comes in SO many colors!  Would be fun as a console!  It reminds me of Blu dot's strut console, but with a lot more color options and for a lot less.

5. Lastly, who doesn't love a good audubon print!  Seeing these prints in the latest HB issue reminded me how much I truly do love them and need to find a spot in my home for one! 

Dreamy

I'm sure many of you have already seen Rebecca De Ravenel's sunny abode in Domino, if not, you're in for a beautiful home tour.  If you've already seen it, I am sorry you have to see these pictures again, but I couldn't resist not sharing on my blog.  It's that good.

I have to admit this room's paint color has me completely rethinking the paint color I picked for my living room (FB Blackened).  I was all set for a very pale gray with blue undertones, but now I see this and I am rethinking my decision.  Ugh.  I hate when that happens.

If I ever win the lottery, I would love to own Paule Marrot's piece of art called 'Clouds' seen above over the tortoise looking console.  In my dreams, I know.   It is so beautiful, calming, serene and feminine.  

Back to Rebecca's home.  I love the white octagon coffee table and bits of rattan.  Hillary Thomas' shop has a gorgeous white lacquered octagon table (just like this) (on super sale) here.  If I had the space, I'd snatch it up! 

Of course, I spot all my favorite designer's fabrics in my favorite colors.

So much goodness - woven shades, Lulu DK art, ticking slipcovers, awning stripes, raoul textiles…..the list goes on! I love how the decor is so effortless and eclectic.  

Ahh…the bedroom.  Blues and pinks.  Love it all!   So many things to study and to look at.  Do you remember her NY apartment published in Vogue?  See below.  This is how her bedroom looked back then.

And, here is more of now.

Raoul's blue and white Kashmir delft gets me all the time!  How wonderful does it look on that little tufted settee and in her bedroom!  And, the pink shaded sconce?   I remember that settee in her NY apartment which was in her living room.  See below.  

It's always fun to see how designers re-purpose their furnishings.  The settee looks great in both settings.

If you're interested in seeing her NY apartment in Vogue, go here.  It's always fun to see how her style has evolved and how she switched things around!  

Mixing It Up

It's funny how certain things that you are currently loving can be randomly thrown together and work quite effortlessly in a room.  Kinda like a blender drink, no?  Throw all the things you love in a blender and bam, you got one fabulous smoothie or a great frozen cocktail!

I realize that isn't always the case and editing is involved, but I was playing around with things I am currently loving lately and this is what I came up with.

Paint: Happy St. Patrick's Day! Loving emerald green lately probably because I used a darker hue in a client's living room, but I want to use this color more.  So classic.  I would love to paint a den or study in this rich, classic color.  It has me questioning my own LR and DR color schemes! Ugh!

Drapes: I've been a long-time lover of Brunschwig & Fils classic print, Les Touches and would love to use it in a project.  It's SO classic but fresh at the same time.  I can see them in a dining room as drapes - they would make such an impact.  And, if, that isn't in your budget, buy a yard or two for your chairs or as a tablecloth!

Rug: I guess I've been hiding under a rock, but just recently found out that Fibreworks is based in Louisville.  I recently met with a representative to get some of their Bakari samples.   Love this oversized graphic diamond pattern and it would look super chic in a dining or living room.  It keeps the room from feeling too formal or stuffy.

Pillow: Another fabric I'm just dying (DYING) to use and I might need to get it for my own home.  Brunshwig & Fils Chevron Bar silk warp print.  They have a beautiful blue colorway too!

Tortoise:  I NEED more tortoise in my home.  I realized I don't own a single piece.  What is wrong with me?

Lamps:  While I love me a beautiful gourd, these super chic lamps are so gorgeous, no?  They have a beautiful crackle finish.

Lastly, I apologize for the absence from this blog and IG.  Both my kiddos got hit with the flu these past two weeks and when that happens you go into survival mode.  Thankfully, we have a healthy family again and this will be our first week back to school!

Friday Favorite: Brooke Crew Interiors

It's not often when you stumble on a designer's portfolio and you say scream 'Yes' to everything in her/his portfolio.  I found Brooke Crew Interiors who is based in Greenwich, CT while perusing IG and was SO, SO inspired.  If you don't follow her, you are missing out!

I am in love with her designs and I'm particularly infatuated with the work she is doing on Catherine Tompkins' home in Greenwich.  Her home is beautiful!! Think Sister Parish, Elizabeth Eakins, Raoul Textiles, Bennison, Quadrille and Dune and Duchess.  I don't think it gets much better, does it?

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To see more of this beautiful house and of Brooke's feed, go here!  Enjoy the weekend my friends!!

Perfection

Where has this week gone?  It's flying, I tell ya.  This week I received a photo of my client's new art in her living room!!  I can't wait to share some pictures!!  In the meantime, this room below has my name ALL over it.  Seriously, there isn't an element in this room that I don't love!

I love how fresh (and not dowdy) Colefax and Fowler's bowood (fabric on the sofa) feels in this room!!  Love the touches of pink, ticking club chairs, morrocan tables, candlestick lamps, rattan ottoman, animal print rug, that drum pendant and Quadrille's Persepolis wallpaper!!  I mean it all works!!  So genius.  I found this picture via I Suwannee.  I'm dying to know the designer!

Anyone know??  It reminds me of Hillary Thomas' work??

Go Big or Go Home

When you have a small area with not much wall space, wallpaper is a great way to make a statement.  One thing I've learned about design is that not every element needs to take center stage, but when an opportunity presents itself where you can make one big statement, you should do it.

Working with my client in transforming her brown kitchen to an all white kitchen (see here), we are also making small tweaks to her kitchen nook which sits to the left of her kitchen.  I stumbled across this picture recently (which I remember from years ago) and I was immediately inspired!

Don't you remember this picture?  I love the boldness of Quadrille's Bali Isle wallpaper with the white wainscoting.  Love the rustic trestle table paired with the white hostess chairs upholstered in Quadrille's petite zig zag fabric and Madeleine Weinrib's Mandala flat weave rug.  Love it all and when I saw I immediately forwarded it to my client.

I knew she'd love the whole feel of it and she absolutely did.   Here is her kitchen nook below, can't you see it??  I can! ;)