"Project Banquette"

Hey there!  I'm moving full steam ahead on my latest client project.  I was able to get so much done this weekend.  It's always so exciting to get things checked off of the list.  It's even more exciting when you get those things at a great price. 

I think I may have mentioned that I proposed a plan for my current client's eat-in kitchen and she fell in love with the idea of a banquette.  If you know anything about banquettes, you know that they're not exactly cheap.  Most are designed custom and can be pretty costly.  As usual, I'm working on a budget-friendly solution that will have the same feel as a banquette. 



via Ballard Designs

I think what makes a them so appealing is their length and comfy upholstery.  It puts you in mind of a nice restaurant where you like to linger with family and friends.  I think they're the perfect option for a growing family and work well in eat-in kitchen spaces since they are often the most used dining space in the home. 

We're going to achieve the same level of comfort and a similar look by transforming a vintage settee.  I love a settee.  In fact, I did a whole blog post on them called "Settee Pedigree" HERE.   You've heard my opinion on vintage furniture before, but it's worth repeating.  I think you get far more for you money when you restyle a vintage piece instead of opting for the "budget" version of a higher end piece.  In the long run, you'll end up with a custom piece that will stand the test of time and still have something that's within the budget. Yes, it may be a little work, but it's worth it. 

Traditional Dining Room by Greenville Design-Build Firms Dillard-Jones Builders, LLC

 

 

Traditional Dining Room by Bellevue Interior Designers & Decorators Marianne Simon Design

 

Traditional Dining Room by New York Architects & Building Designers

Comfy right? 

Here's the space we'll be working with.  It has tons of potential and is currently underutilized.

I'm going to refrain from sharing pics of what I've selected, but this gives you a good idea of where we're heading.  Now I just need to decide on fabric and the details.  Nailheads, tufting, contrast piping... oh my!

"A Love of Lamps"

I love a lamp.  I know, it's a little weird but I do.  It's rare that I ever even use an overhead light.  I just love the light that a lamp casts.  Whether it's a task light on a desk top or a dimmed lamp on a side table, there's just something about lamps that makes a space take on a whole different mood. 

One of my favorite types is a swing arm lamp.

They can be classic or modern,

Traditional Bedroom by Little Rock Interior Designers & Decorators Tobi Fairley Interior Design

Eclectic Bedroom by Other Metro Media & Bloggers sarah & bendrix

formal or fun,

Traditional Living Room by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Sean Michael Design

Transitional Bedroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

...but whatever the style they are super functional. 

When I pass them thrifting, they're hard to pass by.  Such was the case this Spring when I scored this antique brass number at the Habitat ReStore in Hickory. (See top of pile)

I intended to use it in a client project, but I ended up keeping it for myself.  It began in my office, but after I scored the Chinoiserie lamps at Goodwill...

P.S. This faux bamboo chair is currently getting dressed in fushia velvet!

...it has since found a new home next to my bar cart.

 

 

I'm loving the way it looks.  It highlights the bar cart and provides a little task lighting for the chaise lounge that's nearby. 

 

It's amazing what a little musical lamps can do for a space.  Do you move your lamps or decor around for a fresh look?

Client Project: Grown Up Glam!

Hi there!  Hope you're having a great week.  Things are really starting to pick up over here.  My calendar is filling up quickly and I'm starting to feel like the holidays are upon us ALREADY! 

I thought I'd pop in to share with you my plans for my latest project.  I'm SO excited about this one.  The clients are a young family that I actually met at church years ago.  The best part of this one is the fact that my style is extremely similar to theirs.  Surprisingly enough, that doesn't happen very often.  I'm usually more focused on creating a look that is in line with the style and preferences of the clients, but this time it's a lot like designing for myself.  I suppose that's why it's been a little difficult getting started. 

 

After my little creative block that I blogged about HERE, I was able to land on this beautiful gray and orange floral as a jumping off point for the design. 

I love that it has this beautiful celadon green and muted teal mixed in.  They'll be great colors to pull out for accents.  I'm always looking to mix it up and try things I haven't already done before. 

We're starting with the main living/family room and this is the direction we're heading.

They had me draw up a plan for the eat-in kitchen, not really sure if they were ready to tackle it.



I put together a mood board that completely cozied the space up and now looks like we're moving ahead with that project too.  Love it when that happens!  I'm so excited about the prospect of doing a custom banquette and potentially adding an electric fireplace.  I have one in my bedroom and LOVE it!

Lastly, I FINALLY get to do a formal dining space and we're going for grown-up glam. 

Someone is finally going to let me use wallpaper.  Can't wait!!! 

So, what do you think of the orange and gray color scheme?  I'd love to hear for you. 

"Overcoming Designer's Block"

Hey y'all!!  I'm back....

I have to say, while it was nice to not have to worry about blogging, I kind of missed you guys.  And of course, wouldn't you know the ideas for posts started to flow immediately after I announced that I was pulling back a little. 

Today, I thought I'd share with you what happens when I hit a creativity block.  Yep, it happens.  Sometimes, thankfully not often, I find myself at a complete loss for ideas.  Unfortunately, I experienced this past weekend I pulled together the final pieces of a living room design plan I've been working on for a client.  The more I worked on it, the less I liked it.  It's not that it was a bad plan, it just didn't excite me. And  I knew that if it didn't excite me, it would be a hard sale to the clients.

Needing to break away, I decided to go to a place that often provides me with the greatest inspiration for projects; the fabric store. 

 

Yes, I have sample books at home and of course there's the web, but I was in desperate need of a change of scenery.  I hit the road one afternoon and boy was I glad I did.  In a matter of moments the juices were flowing again. 



I don't know what it is about fabric that gets me, but I can just see rooms jumping off the vibrant prints and patterns.



Even walking through the notions section gets me day dreaming of ways to dress up standard pieces.

Within thirty minutes I had an entirely new direction for the project.  I totally scraped what I was working on and used a fabric swatch that I purchased to build a completely new plan. 

 

 

I'm putting on the final touches now, I'm loving it.  I can't wait to share it with you once it's approved.  I'm praying they like it as much as I do. 

It just goes to show you that sometimes you have to go back to the drawing board.  That's  hard for my left brain, more analytical side to understand, but I'm learning that creativity truly is a process.  Not to mention, one that often takes time.

Wish me luck!