Cool Off

It is hot. Today will be the fourth day in a row that we were in the triple digits. UGGHHH. I wanted to cool things off with some cool shades of blue. Today's blue is going to be found in the gray section instead of with the "blues" in your paint deck. Combine it with mirrored surfaces to Glam it up. Use it with a gold or yellow to make it have a French flair. Bring it out with greens and browns for a trendy or retro feel. Use it with a crisp white trim, dark wood furniture and soft taupes for a comfortable opulence. Cool gray blue- the color of the day.

Mistique Blue by Martin Senour

Soft Chinchilla by Benjamin Moore

Photo from Southern Accents July/ August 2007

Attention Everyone That Has Written In...

Hey everyone. I have had some computer issues the last while- and I finally had to remove everything off my hard drive and put it back on.(when I say "I" what I mean is "my husband".) I had a folder in my e-mail that had about fifty e-mails from my readers with questions for me to answer. Yeah... he can't find them. I keep asking him to "check again...." All of my e-mails older than June 16th are gone. To make it a little harder- we recently changed from comcast to surewest- so what would have been my back up copy is also gone. SOOO- what I am saying is- if you still had a question- please re-send the e-mail.. sorry. :)

The Unexpected Twist

My new Metropolitan Home magazine had this great article on a renovated 19th century home in upstate New York. I thought this bedroom was a great lesson in the "element of the unexpected." Although they don't have to be as bold as this headboard above- I think every room should have an "element of the unexpected." Look around- do you have it? Go get it!

On another note- my friend and I were talking this morning as we ran how our husbands didn't like fabrics with birds. Are all husbands like that? Do I have any male readers out there that don't mind a bird or two in your upholstery? Come on? What's the deal?

A Few of My Favorite Things

I love herringbone floors., herringbone fireplaces, and herringbone fabrics.

I love Neirman Weeks. Above is one of their adds. I also love mossy brick. I adore the use of the screen outside. I like the juxtaposition of crisp white with the green earthy feel.

I love these drapes from Anthropologie. I love the attention to detail- the pleats- the tucks- the whole thing.

Of course I also love frozen yogurt with marshmallow sauce and Rascal Flatts. :)

So there- what are a few of your favorite things?

Priceless Art

After seeing this post- Carol left this message:

Here's my question: how much is too much to spend on artwork? I see this piece for the wall costs more than the sofa. I guess I'm surprised by this, but maybe that's why my house never looks professionally done. I'm pretty cheap when it comes to things on my walls. Is there any rule of thumb?

- Carol

I would never put a rule of thumb on the price. There are rules on the size and scale. I once heard of accessorizing being 1/3 the job cost. I think it is great when you are starting a job from scratch, and have finite amount of funds to reserve an appropriate amount to decorate the walls and accessorize. Most of us decorate as we go along. I can tell you that I personally saved for a year for a hand painted screen in my family room. It did cost about the same as my leather sofa. Sometimes, however, you can find the coolest items at a low cost- like a plate collage. These plates I found on Etsy- a set of three for $16. You could search out some cool plates- raid your grandmother's house- go to flee markets- TJ Max- and make a fantastic collage on your wall without ever having to write out a large check. Oftentimes people purchase items that are too small- probably to save money. The cool mixed media art at the top of the post- also from Etsy is only 6" x 12"- Most walls would need a set of about 16 of these :) Sometimes- to make your art affordable- you could start with , say 4 pictures- (on a smaller wall) and slowly get more as time goes on- until you have the amount you need to fill the wall you are working on.

In this post - the wall art is the glue. All of the other items are natural- or black. The art is what pulls it all together. It is also the element in the room that will make it not just functional- but "cool" and pleasant. This piece is what gives the room "atmosphere." The wall art is also the "focal point" of the room. It is a pivotal vital piece. Spending some money here will prove to make all the difference in the room.

Your attitude is not uncommon. I run into it a lot- and people diminish their beautiful homes by purchasing their wall art at @X&^%$ and *X%&^%&^ . (I mentioned actual places- but thought I would offend a bunch of people... :) Those places are great! For when you are in college- or just starting out.- But when you are a grown up- it's time to get some grown up wall art. ;)

Cool New Source

1.

One of the things I like to do on my blog is introduce my readers to new and different sources. When I first started doing this it was actually pretty hard for me. I felt like I was a cook giving away my best recipes. But then I'd tell myself- "Relax, you only have like fifteen readers and three are relatives." Even as readership has grown, I have kept giving up all the good sources, as I really want this blog to be a resource. I want readers to go to it when they are needing a new rug, click on "rugs" and have a selection of beautiful unique sources. Today's source is "The New England Collection."
2.

Their hooked rugs, rag rugs and gross point needle rugs have the classic look that assures you they are a timeless style, and not a trendy phase. I was considering them today for a job I am working on as they will make custom sizes- which is sometimes necessary. Do you have a favorite from my selection that I am posting?

3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.

Emily's Walls- Wallpaper Wednesday

Last week I let Emily know that she needed more pattern in her room. I made a few selections for her today: These wallpapers are from Wallteriors.

I just love this manufacturer. They will custom cut your papers into squares - and you can install them in different directions- like a quilt- the effect is amazing! In the showroom that I saw the paper in, the pattern was a large damask pattern, and it was cut into 12 x 12 squares and installed in a random pattern.

What Emily needs is not a strong bold pattern- she has that in her rug- and I suggested some additional patterns for her windows. What she needs is a more subtle pattern that will add interest and balance to her room- which paper is your favorite? 1, 2, or 3- starting from the top.

The computer monitor does not do the paper justice- find a dealer near you to check it out- it is really beautiful.

Wallpaper Wednesday- The Proposal

With it being Wednesday and all- I wanted to tell you about the paper in The Proposal. (I went to see it for the second time last night- great interior design in this movie!) They had a LOT of grasscloth. They had it throughout the main floor- in at least two different colors- a neutral shade, and a blue/ neutral mix. Can you see it in the background of these pictures?It was beautiful! Just picture the difference in the feel of this home if this had been just painted dry wall. Wallpaper rocks- that's what I'm here to tell you.- That- and Sandra Bullock has great shoes and Ryan Reynolds is pretty hot. :)

BTW- my sister wrote a movie review if you'd like to read more about it :)

Cool New Source

There is something about summer that makes me love the "cottage style." For this look there is a fantastic source called" Cottage and Bungalow." In addition to furniture they have some really cool art, lighting and home accessories. What do you think? Do you like it as much as I do?

The Break Room

I am working on the new design for an employee "break room" in a nursing home. The staff had a "vote" for the elements they wanted in the room. The results included- a long table, a sofa, beige walls, and a TV. I based my design around these items, as well as incorporating room for two microwaves and two refrigerators.I will have a small bar built- with microwaves above, and three of these barstools. (spacify $450) The counter will be finished in Formica Black Lava- the shelves will be in Beech.
There will be a sofa in the room- the sofa is from Costco- Sofa dimensions:75“W X 31“D X 37“H. Cost: $599- includes shipping.

I have three chairs picked out- (which is your favorite?) I prefer the round top- but price might win over.. :) Has anyone seen any round top chairs for around $100? Crate and Barrel used to carry them- but I can't find them there anymore....

From Spacify- $90
From Topedq $149.

Sometimes an item is almost "too inexpensive- this chair I found from stackchairs4less.com is only $22... would that worry you- or would you run out and get it- assuming that all others are over- priced? I would hate to have an item selected by ME- falling apart... But I am on a limited budget- and I would like some mirrors above the sofa :)

This table is from Spacify, and I will order it with a fusion maple top and black legs. It has a high pressure laminate top and steel legs- so it should hold up very well. It is 96 x 44 x 29

This is the wall decor that I am specifying. It will be as pictured above- 106 inches wide and 59 inches in height. This runs $1000.00


This is my wallpaper selection for the room. It is from Ronald Redding Designs, Divine. This will give the room a contemporary atmosphere - and will also be more durable than just paint. The room itself has very little natural light- so keeping the walls light will give the room a bright feel- even for the night shift.

Any ideas for the break room? What do you think would make the dream break room?

Update- well- the breakroom is underway- the sofa was no longer available from Costco by the time it was approved for purchase- so I have re-selected from Scandinavian Designs- it is a couple hundred more- so we'll hope it can be worked into the project budget. I sat in this sofa yesterday in their showroom and it was very comfortable. I think the employees will love it! Cost: $795 plus $69 for delivery. It is also wider- 82 inches- so we'll have to make sure it will fit.

Kelli's Kitchen.

I broke Kelli's questions up into a few different posts- Catch up with Kelli here and here. Today's post is for her kitchen. I will interject in olive green :)

Kitchen: Is my wall color too blah with cabinets? (Sherwin Williams Blonde) No- your cabinets are too blah with your wall :) Look at your art and accessories- it is not your paint color that is wrong- it is the cabinet color.Should I do a faux finish? Absolutely not. Paint your cabinets black- like the kitchen at the top of the post- (photo from Western Interiors)or even red and green- like the photo above. (photo from Metropolitan Home Jan/ Feb 1998) I might like that better with your black counters. Another good option would be to have your wall color on your cabinets- and paint your walls a khaki color. (Hey everyone- which do you prefer ?) A distressed black finish with a golden undertone would also be terrific. Your kitchen will look incredible. Keep your island if you want- or have it painted a distressed red.

What kind of tile or stone should I do with the fireplace surround? I would use a hand painted tile that incorporates your blond and black- like the tile above from Walker Zanger. Add a small mantle- I can tell that you do not have a lot of room- but I would still add a small one.Should I paint kitchen table black? No- but I would re-stain the top of it a dark walnut. Does it have to be on an angle? I would straighten it out. I need new appliances should I get black or stainless steel? Stainless steel- or even a red.

I would also add a soffit and a larger crown moulding while I was at it. :) I also would do a full length drape instead of just a valance. There you go! Good luck with your kitchen! It will look great!

- Christine

The Antique Door

I am looking for a set of antique doors for a client- like the door in the photo above from Country French Spring Summer 2009. I found the set below- which are great- however- they are in Italy. I am sure that shipping would make them out of control expensive. So- have any of you seen any? They do not have to be real antiques. They do, however need to be full size. Help!