Palette shopping? How about an afternoon at your local museum….

On a recent visit to  Washington DC, I enjoyed an afternoon at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, visiting one of my favorite paintings, The People of Chilmark by Thomas Hart Benton.  I have always been enamored by this painting as the artist’s uses of color and rhythm can so easily be transcribed into good design and a beautiful interior.

The most striking aspect of this 1921 painting is his use of color and the suggested roundness of the forms.  The most pleasing aspect is the rhythm and melody present in the movement of the forms. Perhaps the least pleasing aspect is the difficulty in understanding the narrative.

At first sight the picture is interesting for both its design and subject matter.  The design is composed of nine figures in a triangular format.  There is a flowing rhythm from one to another.  The most conspicuous element in this painting is the use of red in a triangular movement; a red ball in the center, a red cap on the right and a geometric red shape on the lower left.  This triangular shape is once again repeated in the use of light, illuminating the painting from the center with shadows around the perimeter and separating the figures.

What attracted me to this painting was the use of the vibrant array of colors, and I love color, both vivid and intense.  Although scholars have interpreted the colors and textures in this painting to be entirely unrealistic, its colors tend to add spirit to this composition, just as they would in an interior space, or even a garden.  The colors add vibrancy to the melody.  The array of colors is both warm and cool, containing many different values of that particular color and repeating in separate locations.  The overall result is pleasing because the colors continually dance around one another and involve themselves in each other.

If you are contemplating the perfect palette, the layout of your furniture, lighting your space, or just adding an accent color, I recommend visiting a museum, spend time learning from the masters, observe color relationships, composition and lighting.

As I have mentioned before in the Top 10 Decorating Essentials,  great painters are terrific colorists, so they are a wonderful reference point when you are searching for the optimal palette.

photo credit:  Shelby Elsbree

We have come a long way over the centuries in terms of comfort and functionality. On a recent trip to Denmark I had the opportunity to visit the furniture department of Illums Bolighus, a wonderful shop specializing in Danish home furnishing.   I so appreciate the methodology of our mid-20th century designers who were rightfully influenced by the German Bauhaus School.  The emergence of their ideology is still prevalent today in the work of our contemporary furniture designers.

Today, designs initiated by Hans J. Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, Finnish designer Eero Saarinen just to name a few are being replicated at all price points.  Availability makes it advantageous for anyone to  incorporate the artistry of these great designers into their home.  More than just popularity, it is important to remember where these significant designs originated.

Assimilating a furniture plan that supports the combination of what is currently owned with a special piece of furniture from the mid century modern period can be done without difficulty. Whether it is a chair, light fixture or a decorative accessory that you are adding to the mix, consider it an artistic element, make it a focal point!  It may clearly become a piece for conversation and inspiration.  Enjoy the art of good design.

photo credit: Shelby Elsbree www.tutusandtea.wordpress.com

From Fiestaware to furniture, vintage lighting and plumbing fixtures there are many ‘must haves’ for that special space waiting to be filled.

It helps to have an open mind and a foresight of the untapped potential hidden deeply in some of these special finds.  My husband and I recently spotted a numbered Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair at at roadside flea market and paid $5.00 for it.  A little chrome polish and steel wool brought this great mid-century modern chair back to it’s original splendor.

Most interiors don’t lend themselves to a whole houseful of flea market treasures, therefore arrange wisely.  For example, a single chair can be added to an existing furniture grouping, a delicate chandelier can adorn the ceiling of a powder bathroom and reupholstering and painting an otherwise great find is always an option.

Interesting and timeless pieces can be the accessory that puts the finishing touch on a well designed space.  I like to think that they add ‘soul’ to your space, they come with an untold story, usually one of a kind and ready to begin a new chapter of their life in your home.

photo credits by Shelby Elsbree

With the help of the internet and HGTV,  most people are getting an education in design trends;  what is popular, what is functional, what countertop would best fit their personal needs as well as fit their design aesthetic.  What I have found lately is a growing interest in solid surface material, of which there is much to choose from.  It could be quite confusing but what it really boils down to is, design choice and functionality.

Current trends in solid surface material lead us towards acrylics and quartz products.

Corian®, LivingStone®, Wilsonart® Gibraltar and Staron® are a part of the acrylic family and Silestone®, Caesarstone and Zodiaq® make up a portion of what is available in quartz.

Before making a decision on what is right for your project, consider the following:

Acrylics

• Seamless appearance (seams are not noticeable)
• Non porous
• Does not need to be sealed
• Finish options – Gloss, Semi-gloss, Matte
• Edge profiles – more options and shapes
• Less imperfections
• Consistent color
• Many color options
• Stains and scratches can be rubbed out/easily repaired
• Material warranty
• Integral sinks
• Cove backsplash
• Not recommended for outdoor use

Quartz

• Non porous
• Does not need to be sealed
• Finish options – Gloss, Matte, some leather finishes
• Less imperfections
• Consistent color
• Many color options
• Harder then granite (93% quartz, 7% filler and coloring agents)
• Heat resistant

When you visit your solid surface showroom be sure to bring a sample of your cabinetry and any other important object that may dictate your design solution.  Remember, I am here to help and I would be happy to direct you to my favorite solid surface showroom.

For more information on countertop selection,  please see my article “Leave no Stone Unturned for the Perfect Countertop”.

These great memories confirm my career path!  So thank-ful to love and respect the profession of interior design.

There are many benefits to dressing your windows, such as:

• Maintaining privacy
• Eliminating a view that is perhaps, undesirable
• Regulating light
• Reducing the cost of cooling and heating
• Injecting pattern, color and texture
• Improving the scale and proportions of a room
• Controlling sound

Selecting the right fabric for your window treatment is one of the most important aspects in creating a drapery that hangs well and holds it shape.  The weight of the fabric will determine its abilty to drape properly.  Lining your drapery will add weight and provide insulation and black-out. Interlining, which is either a thin flannel or a heavier “bump” fabric  can be placed between the lining and the face fabric to add even more fullness to the drapery. Some fabrics are more suited then others for lining and interlining and of course it will depend on the look and function you are trying to achieve.  For the face fabric, be sure to select a fabric that that is cohesive with the rest of the rooms design.  You don’t want to get tired of it, important also to avoid the seasonal design that lasts about as long as the season.

A quality window treatment is like a fine piece of furniture and does so much to bring the room together.  It finishes the room and adds warmth.   With the  help of our professional workroom, we can design and construct beautiful window treatments for your home or office.

I grew up thinking that there was only one white, and  was so happy to learn that there was a whole world of whites out there!  I am a purist, and love a classic white anything.  Even my home exterior is white, Benjamin Moore’s Winter White OC-21 and it is so beautiful against the blue sky and the green landscape.  When properly paired, you can’t go wrong with the right white.

As for the interior white, Benjamin Moore’s  Linen White 912 makes a wonderful canvas for art and furniture, as does BM China White I-74.  If you are in the market for trim paint Benjamin Moore’s White Dove OC-17 is a beautiful warm white as is BM Bavarian Cream 2146-70 which has a soft lemon appeal.  Benjamin Moore’s Moonlight White OC-125 is a warm white that lacks specific undertones and pairs well with neutrals and super-neutrals. Sherwin-Williams Dover White SW6385 seems to work universally (with its gray and yellow undertones) with just about any color. Pratt and Lambert’s Ancestral 20-1 is soft and also inviting, a not too cool and not too warm white that will be classic for walls or trim.

I was recently called to “color rescue” a client.  They had painted sixteen different colors on the wall and nothing seemed to work. It was not that the colors were wrong, it was really about the trim paint.  It  looked to me like a marshmallow fluff white, far too stark and far too cool.  We warmed up the trim and painted the walls a beautiful soft neutral for a cohesive result which was warm, open and airy.

The finish of the paint will also affect the outcome.  For the walls I prefer either a matte, flat enamel or eggshell and for the trim a semi-gloss or smooth satin oil based paint .  Be sure to ask your paint dealer if your selection is available in a low-VOC (volatile organic compound), a much healthier alternative!  Lighting can affect the the shade of white and change the temperature of what you are trying to achieve, this is another pairing that needs attention.

I would love to hear about  your favorite whites, and feel free to ask for color advice!

graphic design – Cheryl Elsbree

Let’s change that period into an exclamation point. The possibilities are endless.  For example, travertine tiles are quite popular sprinkled with accent tiles like glass or granite inserts that coordinate with the counter top.  I have used metal, antique glass, mirror, vintage tin and full height granite.  A four inch granite splash usually accompanies a granite counter top however, this tends to make the space appear to be smaller.

On a trip to New York City, I visited the wonderful vintage wallpaper shop Second Hand Rose.  They describe themselves as  ”rare wallpapers from the most avant-garde designs of the period”.  Wallpapers spanning the era from 1860 to 1970. It was there that I found my back splash.  A beautiful vinyl paper from the turn of the century.  The adjacent wall is painted with black chalkboard paint.  My daughter and I stenciled a favorite quote and topped it off with a marble shelf supported by brackets from a local architectural salvage yard.  And voila, a $369.00 back splash.

There are so many ways to add that wow factor to your kitchen using these non-traditional materials. I’d love to hear your comments about things you have tried.  And if this is all too overwhelming, don’t be afraid to get professional help.  If you do choose an interior designer, make sure to get one that specializes in kitchen and bath design like  me.  Of course, if you are in Florida, I would be happy to help you!

photo credit – Amanda Elsbree

illustration by Sabrina Cho

The powder room is generally a small space with a lot of possibility.  I really enjoy designing a powder room.  This is is place to make a luxurious presentation and offers a gesture of gracious hospitality. Because they are usually small, you can make them spectacular, packing in quite a design punch.

Generally, the powder room is one of the first rooms your guests may encounter and surely the one they will spend the most time scrutinizing. Design it well, and make a great first impression.

Of course your powder room will serve its basic functions but there is no reason why it can’t do so with the charm of a little jewel box.  Most likely this will be a small space lacking windows and therefore lacking natural light.  This is an opportunity to layer the lighting.  A beautiful light fixture, preferably a chandelier that is scaled properly for the size of the room and wall sconces to balance the mirror will add sufficient lighting and create a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Powder rooms are a great place to put wallpaper.  Wallpaper allows us to give in to our so called “ephemeral values”.  Wallpaper can easily go wrong and can be difficult to pin down.  Try to make a selection that tastefully differentiates between being overdone or being chic and cozy.  I appreciate a larger scaled pattern even in these smaller spaces.  Select a color of paint for the ceiling that accentuates the wallpaper.  Display artwork that is more suitable for close range viewing.

Antiques can look quite luxurious in a powder room.  Antique cabinets can be retrofitted for the sink and fixtures.  Vessel sinks work well on an existing furniture piece also.  A marble counter top, elegant mirror and if there is room, a small lamp  would add warmth and character, and above all, make a statement.

A Few Tips to Consider

• Talk to a master plumber – Before you move a sink or toilet, ask the plumber if pipes can be run through the wall and if old pipes are up to current building codes.
• Consider the door – Powder room doors generally open in.  The door swing can be reversed considering of course not to block traffic flow in the hallway.  Consider a pocket door if you are very short on space.  Be sure to consult a licensed contractor.
• Place the toilet where it is not visible from the front door when the powder room door is open.

photo credit – Amanda Elsbree

• Reading Who Loves Edwardian Houses reminded me of a game I’ve played frequently with my family “what style is it”.  How satisfying to see a 1900 Maryland townhouse so elegantly decorated with 18th and 19th century Swedish furniture.  I especially love the breakfast room!

• Summer is a perfect time to pick up a good book and get inspired about a new project.  Check out this wonderful book list for new additions to your design library.

• The relationship between a print ad and its meaning is not always quite clear.  Here you will find three great print ad’s that do their job well!

illustration by Sabrina Cho