My Design Secrets

To me, a dining table’s value is directly linked to the many uses it can provide with a minimum of maintenance and worry.  This is especially true if your dining table is your “everything” table like it is in our home. It’s used for eating, artwork (including glue and paint with my niece and nephew), wrapping and occasionally a pedestal for our thunder scared dog (don’t ask). The table we currently have it made of reclaimed oak and the more scratches and wear it gets, the better it looks.

But if you’d like to take it a step further and not even worry about scratches, stainless steel is a great option and this one fits the bill.  It’s the Quentin Dining Table  by Bernhardt Hospitality, which means it made for restaurants and hotels, another tip-off to its durability.  I enjoy the contrast of the traditional weathered driftwood finish trestle bottom with hammered top. Modern and classic all at once.  It retails for $1,210 which is pretty reasonable for this unique look.  Do you think you could make it work in your home?

Potential clients often ask what my “Style” is.  While I am happy to share how my home is furnished, the important thing is how I will use my expertise to express their style.  After all, this is about my client, not me.

There are some designers and decorators who have a “look” and they use it over and over again.  That works for people who are unsure of what they want and feel more secure in just pointing to a photo.  Personally, I think the real value of hiring a designer is allowing them to use their talent to translate your style into a wonderful new design.  As a designer, my job is to help you identify a style that you find beautiful and comfortable for you and your family; and then, bring it to life!

When I was still in design school, I started working as a decorator.  Fortunately, I have some very trusting friends and family members who allowed me to test my talents in their homes.  For the most part (barring a few mistakes that were promptly fixed) the designs came out very well.  Over the years, it’s been my ability to translate the tastes of my clients that has brought me much success.

Today I am sharing some photos with you of my mom’s home.  I am very thankful to her for allowing me to renovate (once) and decorate (multiple times) her home.  I have noticed that when it comes to family and friends it’s tempting to make assumptions about their personal taste.  But beware, this can put you in dangerous territory.  To make sure my mom got the home she wanted, I asked a lot of questions (What did she want to keep? What colors did she love?  Which ones had she grown tired of?) and gave her many different options. 

The result: a home that possessed sentimental elements of her personal history but at the same time expressed the wonderful person she has become over the years.

So whether you hire a designer or decorate your own home, give it the time and attention it deserves.  My designs take time, patience, and careful consideration.  Tastes change over the years, so let your home be a reflection of where you have come from as well as where you are going.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

With the holidays just around the corner, now is a popular time to purchase a new dining table.  Before you fall in love with that modern mahogany number on sale at West Elm, it makes sense to assess your wants AND your needs.  Many people shop for a style and then make due with the size which is not a good idea.  A “too large” table has guests plastered against the wall trying to make a discreet exit to the ladies room and a “too small” table has one of the kids sitting in the extra chair at the corner.  So let’s go by the Goldilocks rule and find one that’s just right!

The guidelines:

• Each person requires about 24″ of width so they can comfortably eat and avoid bumping elbows.
• Allow 32″ between the table and wall to allow people to get up and sit down easily.
• Allow 38″ if people are also going to be walking back and forth behind the table.
• Allow 42″ if you are going to serve people from behind their chairs.
• If you have a china cabinet or buffet table, take your measurement from there, not the wall.

The Fredericksburg Oval Dining Table from Thomasville is a great classic style. I love the contrast of the darker chairs.

Here is a rundown on popular table sizes, the number of people accommodated and the recommended minimum room size for round and rectangular tables. I would advise against square tables unless you have a very large room because you need a little more space in the corners to make it comfortable.

Base your decision on the number of people you usually have at dinner and then add two.  It’s nice to have the extra room for impromptu guests.  Of course, things change when the holidays come and there is always room for everyone.   The rules are easy, your dining area will look welcoming and your guests will be comfortable.

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Any day is a good day to pick up a bargain!

Many of the websites I include in My Secret Database have a “Sale” or “Clearance” section where they feature items that have been marked down.  This is a fabulous place to find some incredible value for your money.  Whether you are searching for the finishing touch or seeking a treasure that sets the tone for your room, you are bound to find some awesome deals that are hard to resist.  Here are a few incredible items that are easy on your budget:

First is the Tenpo Open Console Bookcase from Room and Board.  I love the simple lines of this piece which could be used in many settings.  It would be at home in your office, dining room or at the foot of your bed as a bench/storage piece.  $499 (was $999)

Second, while browsing through the Horchow website I found this beautiful Cherry Blossom print that is textured to look like a painting.  The vivid turquoise sky against the delicate pink cherry blossoms would be a fantastic focal point in any room.  The frame alone is worth the price.  $299

Lastly, these elegant Portico Crystal Lamps from Restoration Hardware are one of those great design classics.  Crystal lamps are at home in Modern and Classic homes and I can guarantee you will hang onto them for a long time to come.  Pop a new lamp shade on and you have a whole new look .  They offer two shade styles in ten different colors!  $214.99 (was $444) At this price you can get two for the price of one.  (A little feng shui hint - try to accessorize in pairs in your bedroom to enhance harmonious energy.)

Make sure you read the fine print. Sometimes marked down items are not returnable.  Also, don’t wait too long to make a decision as many of these items are in limited quantities.

This is affordable luxury at its best!

Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach

1. Good looks – These chairs only make a few appearances a year but it’s most often on holidays.
2. Comfort – I want every guest to stay seated as long as they please, not getting up because their bottom is numb.
3. Easy to store – Stackable is my preference. The folding chairs seem to get creaky and easily scratched when they are leaning up against one another.
4. Low maintenance – Something that will not stain and can be wiped clean easily.

My favorite is the one shown above. It is the Bellini Chair from Design Within Reach. They say it’s suitable for commercial use which means it’s super tough and easy to clean. The design has such clean lines that it would work with anything from traditional to modern. White, charcoal, dove grey and black. $110 each.

Another great option is the Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn. These are also stackable and are reminiscent of a great post-modern design. It comes in black, mahogany and white. One chair for $79 and there are volume discounts for sets of 6 and 8.

Plan ahead for your next large gathering!

Morrow Chair from Pottery Barn

Holiday entertaining can be a challenge as we try to store all the food and spirits we share with family and friends. Wine coolers are great but often it’s hard to find a convenient location for them if you did not have one built into your kitchen. The Wine Enthusiast is a company that is the Ultimate Source for Everything Wine. They have all sorts of wine coolers including furniture that does double-duty as a wine cooler. The TriBeCa Wine Credenza above holds 60 bottles of wine. It can serve as a nice sideboard in your dining room or foyer table in your front hallway. They also have simple table-top coolers that carry as few as 6 bottles to fit into the tightest spaces.

And what’s better with wine than chocolate! VivaTerra is a company that carries some very cool Eco-friendly furnishings. They also carry great gifts such as these Organic Chocolate Bonbons. Beautiful on a party platter and I am sure taste as good as they look. Yum!