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?

The latest CB2 catalog features some really cool end tables that will easily give your room the shot of color you’ve been dying for.  End Tables are super handy and can easily travel from room to room. While you certainly want them to be sturdy, you don’t need to spend the money you would on a cocktail or dining table which both take a lot of abuse.  This opens the door to bright colors and funky design which are a breath of fresh air and some of them are indoor/outdoor for easy summer entertaining. The ones shown here are available with free delivery right now, so jump on it!

Enjoy your weekend!

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At first glance, a well-designed bedroom allows you to  just settle into the whole space.  The colors, the furniture and the tiny details all work togehter harmoniously.  Ahhhh, the cohesive loveliness!  But as a designer, my next step is to start breaking it all down… the bed, the pillows, the window treatments and lamp.  Why does it all work and how can I learn from this?  I want to help you develop the same critical eye because this is the difference between a so-so decorating job and a room that comes alive.

I designed the room above for two teenage girls about 10 years ago.  They liked feminine details but were growing up and did not want anything too cute.  They loved horses but did not want the whole room to go “horsey”.  It’s always a balancing act between “this” and “that.” So these are the steps I took to pull together this great little design without breaking the bank. 

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Color – We went with a warm peach because it was feminine, bright and fun.  It’s a more complex color than pink or purple which spoke to their sophisticated tastes (yes teenagers now have sophisticated taste!)

Beds – These iron beds are classic and budget-friendly.  The choice of many finishes allowed us to select one that tied in our coral, ivory and green palette.  (I don’t usually recommend iron beds for master bedrooms but for kids or guest rooms they do the job at a great price.)

Bedding- Custom bed-skirts and shams echo the colors with a designer look but we saved some money by using a matelasse coverlets.  These could easily be replace by down comforters and duvets when it gets cold.

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Some Ladder Tape options from Smith + Noble. Simple wood blinds step up the style with this designer touch.

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Windows - Simple 2″ wood blinds.  The big slats work with the scale of the large windows.  A color-coordinated ladder tape covers the strings that hold the blinds together (the ladder).  Now instead of plain old blinds that control light they ARE the window treatment.  Plus Ladder Tapes cover route holes so sunlight won’t poke through when blinds are closed.

Chair – We bought this wicker chair new but any old wicker chair can be painted for an instant face-lift.  You can also just wrap the fabric around the cushions and safety pin them on the back if you are a not a seamstress.

Lamps – Two simple and affordable lamps that could be found at a local home store.

Artwork – I love to use colorful and interesting artwork in kids rooms and posters are an easy answer. The pieces in this room are prints of famous horse paintings.  By going with more modern art, it gives the room a more updated feel and the white frames are simple and fresh.

I hope this helps you see, once again, that good design results is more than the sum of its parts.  Consider the look you want and then approach it one step at a time patiently and thoughtfully!

Let me know if I can help you with any design dilemmas by commenting below or contacting me here!

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Step stools that the kids have outgrown or that you use in the kitchen find a new home. This vibrant "Rules Step Stool" from Viva Terra is made of old yard sticks and soda crates.

Sometimes it’s a challenge to find that perfect end table.  You don’t want to buy the one that came with the set (too matchy-matchy) yet you want something interesting to hold your drink, glasses or a book.  The answer?  There are many.  You can turn just about anything into an end table if  it’s the right size.  Why, you may have something in your upstairs closet that does the trick.  Let me show you…

Oriental Fish Bowls are a super versatile accessory and you can customize the height with a beautiful stand.

Some Hints to Help your Search

• Anything about 18″-24″ High will do
• The shape and style are up to you.
• If it has an open top or you want some more table-top space, pick up a piece of glass from Pier One.  Choose a size a couple of inches larger and use acrylic adhesive dots to protect the surface.
• Plant containers, garden elements, trunks and stools are good candidates.
• Browse around Flea Markets and Antique stores for hidden treasures.

I found this wood storage trunk on ebay. A great place to stash the stuff...and we all have some stuff!

This gorgeous garden stool from Target. Love the color, the pattern and the price at $55.99. Most garden stools are in the $200 range.

The tripod planter from Chiasso has a cool modern edge. I would nix the bonsai, keep the stones and add a glass top.

It’s easy to find an intriguing end table.  You just have to look in the right places. 

~Lorrie 

 

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Selecting several complementary end tables for your living room can be a huge challenge.  You don’t want them to match but coordinating table legs, sizes and finishes can be daunting.  A simple and often overlooked solution is a skirted table.  They are a great way to provide additional table-top space while adding some softness to your room.  And the great thing is that you can change out the table skirt seasonally to give the room a fresh look. 

A sturdy table is a very important place to start.  Cock-eyed, wobbly tables are often what scares people away from skirted tables.  A good one is worth the extra money because you don’t have to worry about what you put on it and some designs also double as hidden storage.  This is where I bunk all my magazine piles when I am having company.    Here are a few models to consider.

This nice, sturdy table also features great storage.

Tables that are 24-30″ in diameter are appropriate as end tables or night tables.  Generally, you want the table to be a couple of inches higher than arm of your sofa or your mattress.  36″ Diameter tables can stand by themselves in a foyer or in the corner of your room.  They can also be used for dining tables in tight quarters.  Of course, you can use any table you already own but it may be more challenging to find a table skirt. 

Standard tables and skirt sizes:

24″ High and 24″ Diameter Table with a 72″ Tablecloth

30″ High and 30″ Diameter Table with a 90″ Tablecloth

30″ High and 36″ Diameter Table with a 90″ Tablecloth

I recently saw that Ballard Designs had a nice selection of tablecloths.  They are also featuring the Terrific Trio which includes a table, tablecloth and glass topper.  The glass gives the table a really polished look and keeps the tablecloth safe from stains and wear.  If you purchase your own glass, go with 3/8″ with a beveled edge.

I don't care for this style which tends to wobble on carpet and uneven tile floors.

This Mission Style table is solid and could be used with or without a table cloth.

Ballard’s tablecloths come in a variety of styles and patterns.  They have a great selection of fabrics that ranges from florals to solids and stripes. (Make sure to take advantage of their swatch program where you can order 10 free swatches and only pay $5.95 for shipping)  You can also send them your own fabric and they will create a custom item in 8-10 weeks.  I feel you can go two ways when selecting your fabric:

• Choose an accent fabric that you don’t use for much else in your room.  Something eye catching like a velvet, floral or animal print.
• Choose something neutral that will provide a great backdrop for anything you put on the table and will work with future fabric selections.

I prefer for the tablecloth to just graze the floor.  Go a little longer with extra fabric puddling the floor if that’s your style but never ever use a skirt that’s too short.  It looks skimpy and totally ruins the luxurious effect.

This table has ample storage and can be ordered from 24-32" high.

With style, color and storage, a skirted table may be just the thing you need to finish off your room!

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Ask A Free Design Question!

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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The Wood Line with Walnut finish and Navy cloth.

Games rooms are in the spotlight as families are doing more entertaining at home.  Some of you have enough room in your home to dedicate an entire room to games and entertainment but others have to compromise.  This reminded me of a client I had a few years back who wanted a pool table that converted into a dining table.  At the time, they were too clunky looking but things have changed.  A great example is Fusion Tables whose modern designs will complement your interior and bring the family together for some fun! 

The metal line has options of Aluminum or fingerprint free Stainless Steel.

Converts to a pool table in seconds.

Some other cool features:

• No one would guess the a pool table is hidden in this sleek design.
• The pockets are made of high-tech stretch nylon that stretches when it collects balls and shrinks back up when you take them out.
• Cues and balls can be stored under the table top.
• Optional Easy-Lift system raises the table from 30″ dining height to 33″ playing height.
• They offer coordinating chairs and leather benches to match.

Optional card, family and casino game cloths and accessories can be fitted on the table top reverse side.

Dining Elegance once again.

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Cocktail hour is making a huge comeback and I can see why.  It’s a relaxing and affordable way to spend time at home with friends and family.  I enjoy a good cocktail as much as the next person but I am a bit of a light-weight, so I usually nurse the same drink for 2 hours.  This gives me ample time to take in my surroundings and come back to you with inspired ideas. 

Butler tray tables are enormously useful pieces of furniture that can float from room to room because they are light and mobile.  Here are some of my top picks in a variety of styles: 

The Bauer Stiles Brothers Butler Tray Table is made from mahogany and rattan. It converts easily into a coffee table and has an Exotic edge.

Here are my top recommendations on how to use this multipurpose piece:

1. Bar table
2. End table
3. Night stand
4. Out on the deck near the BBQ grill
5. Holiday dinner overflow table
6. Hors d’oeuvre tray
7. Holiday wrapping, ribbon and tape station
8. Breakfast in Bed

A beautiful side or accent table design with a white lacquer tray, from Jonathan Adler.

Cherry Blossom Tray Table in Ebony and Gold from Horchow

Tray tables are a sensible and useful addition to your home furnishings collection.  A great investment piece that you will use time after time.  Search My Secret Database to find one that’s just your style!

A lightweight option from CB2.

The Maitre D' Table from Pierre Deux is made from alder with a distressed walnut finish.

***Note of clarification! Butler Tray tables are quite different from the TV tray tables that typically come in sets of 4.  They are purchased singly, are a lot more stylish and most times the tray can be removed from its stand.

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