My Design Secrets

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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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You have a favorite sofa that you’ve snuggled into comfortably for the past 8 years.  The style is perfect and the size is just right.  But the fabric leaves a bit to be desired.   All the good things in life….kids, dogs, eating, drinking and being merry are reflected on your sofa.  Many clients ask me whether it’s worth it to reupholster their sofa or chairs.   It really depends on a few factors.  So let me step you through it and perhaps the decision will become clear…

Condition

How is the sofa or chair holding up?  Does it creak each time you sit down?  Is it sagging in the middle?  Or is it just the cushions that are shot?  If the frame is weak, then it’s time to move on.  If you just need new cushions, that’s an easy fix.

Style

How attached are you to the style of your piece?  Because if you really like the certain small details, it may be very difficult to find them again.  Styles change over the years and if you are looking for a duplicate piece, you may be searching for a needle in the haystack.

When the fabric is fastened directly to the frame, you need to apply welt to cover the staples. Click on the photo and you will see it's a much more involved process.

Budget

Reuphostering  a sofa or club chair is probably not going to save you money. The truth is that except for higher end furnishings, most furniture frames are not very well made.  Instead of kiln-dried hardwood and 8-way hand-tied seats, they are made with sofa woods and inexpensive metal coils.  So even when a company makes a brand new sofa, most of the money goes into the fabric and labor.

While you might be able to get a great deal on fabric, the labor costs to reupholster is significant.   If you’d like to get a quote from a local vendor, some may give you an estimate based on the sofa measurements, but they will have to come and determine the exact fabric yardage needed and take a look to give you a firm quote.  Don’t forget to ask about new cushions if yours are deflated!

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DIY

I do not recommend tackling a sofa or club chair unless you have expert guidance or an enormous amount of patience.  Most homemade jobs I have seen are very sad looking.  There is an exception to this rule.  Dining Room chairs that have slip seats are a snap to redo.  Check out the great video below for some helpful guidance.

If you are saving for a new sofa but cannot stand the look of what you have right now, then be sure to consider a slipcover for the time being.  When the time comes to purchase a new sofa, you certainly don’t want the old one to wind up in a landfill.  So if you are ready to move on from your old sofa, please explore your options to donate it to a worthy cause.

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask me below!

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This design dilemma seems to be on a lot of people’s minds these days.  So much so that I was interviewed recently for Better Homes & Gardens Remodel magazine recently about this topic.  To demonstate a solution,  I wanted to share a design question I received the other day from Marygrace:

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The problem, I’ve been told, is that I want to have two different focal points….a fireplace on one end and a flat screen TV on the other….(I really dislike TV’s above fireplaces) I am going for, what you have coined “mod-tique”. The room is 13.5′ x24′. It leads off from the kitchen. The door way is opposite the windows near the bench in one of the photos. I would like to locate the flatscreen on the wall that now displays all the family photos (And find a new place for them somewhere in that room) I already have a large shelf on that wall that I would add to or rebuild if needed.
My question is what furniture placement would you recommend to accommodate the two focal points I described; what type of furniture placement would you suggest to watch TV and also read and converse by fireplace.
Thanks,
Marygrace

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• Select upholstery with traditional lines but more modern fabrics.  Focus on color and texture and stay away from small prints and stripes. (Willams Sonoma Home has some great upholstery styles.)
• Whether you have wood floors or Berber carpeting, add area rugs to define each space.  Choose rugs with simple patterns or interesting textures with colored borders instead of Oriental rugs.
• Go a bit more modern with the coffee table and media cabinet.  Choose clean lines but go with a weathered finish if you prefer.  (The Crate & Barrel Bungalow Collection has a nice feel)
• Bring in pops of color with pillows and select a wall color with some guts.
• Look for lamps with clean lines and simple shades but a more rustic finish to them.

I hope this gives you a good start on designing a space that works for everyone.  Remember, if you are stuck and need some professional guidance, just send in some clear photos and Ask a Design Question.  I may feature you in an upcoming post!

Good luck Marygrace!

~Lorrie

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Is it OK to use brushed nickel pendant over a kitchen island with a different finish on the dining room fixture? 

Ann has provided us with a photo of her kitchen and dining area.  On the right, she has an iron 5-arm chandelier that has some traditional details such as a weathered finish, carved elements and bell-shaped shades.  She is looking for a fixture to hang above her kitchen island and she is considering the fixture below.

My Design Advice:

Selecting lighting for an open floor plan is challenging.  First of all, I applaud Ann for thinking outside of the box and resisting the impulse to select a fixture that mimics the one she currently has.  That takes guts!  While I love the shape of this two-arm pendant and I am a proponent of mixing finishes, I don’t think this one is the best solution.  When you have two fixtures in an open area, it’s important to make a connection between the two.  Just like good friends, they can each have their own personality but they should have something in common.  The two most striking elements of a light fixture are its style and finish. 

Chandelier – Traditionally detailed design with a weathered finish.

Pendent – Modern/Transitional design with a cleaner finish.

In this case, since I know you like these cleaner lines, I would suggest linking the finishes.  Here are a few suggestions for you to consider:

Choice A: This first light has a very similar shape to the one Ann chose but the Bronze finish and the small details link it to the chandelier.

Choice B - This fixture has a lighter, more transitional style to it but still has the lantern look that Ann had first selected.

Choice C - This would be my first choice because it has a bit of a contemporary edge but the soft colors of the fixture and glass link it to the chandelier tones.

A few tips for installing a fixture over a kitchen island:

• The bottom of the fixture should hang about 30-36″ above the countertop.
• The width of the fixture should be at least 2′ less than the island.  This allows for head room when working at the island and will keep the elements in scale with one another.
• If you have the space, choose a pendant with an odd number of lights.  It just looks better!

Everyone please chime in and let us know which one you would pick by making a comment below.  And don’t forget to send me your questions. I am here to help you!

~Lorrie

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