The Shiny Pebble

Taking a Little Break

2010-07-27T10:29:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

I will be taking a little vacation from blogging just to smell the flowers. I hope you all are enjoying the Seasons. I won't be gone for long -- and probably won't be able to stay away from some of your blogs. :)

See you all in a couple of weeks.

Hugs and kisses!
Catherine

Welcome Will from Bright Bazaar

2010-07-21T00:01:00.001-05:00

Help me welcome to The Shiny Pebble Designer Challenge Living Room Edition, the super handsome and stylish Will, from Bright Bazaar. I first ran into the blog of this English vibrant writer a few weeks back while he was reviewing one of the bazillion shelter magazines he covers. What a treat, let me tell ya. The energy of his blog keeps me coming back asking for more. I am so happy to present a guy’s vision for my room. Enjoy!

~~~

My background
Well, to start with, I certainly can't take credit for being a real life proper designer! I'm a young guy in my twenties who has a serious love of good, colourful design. I studied Journalism at university and have since been working in the corporate world in the UK, but let my creativity surface in a number of ways...Firstly, I write a daily blog on all things colourful in the world of interiors, and then I write freelance on interiors on an ad hoc basis. I'm an advocate of making rooms fun, personal and unique - often through colour (and bright hues at that!). I have met so many wonderfully creative, talented and inspiring people through blogging and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to be here creating a fictional space for Catherine's living room!

How do you define style?
Style for me is all about letting go. I guess that's why Jonathan Adler is my favourite designer; I like how his creations and interior schemes are fun, relaxed, tongue-in-cheek, but all the while ever-so stylish. That said, I don't think style can be defined, well not to me personally, because each and every day I see new spaces that inspire me and scream style!

What inspires you?
I am inspired by shelter magazines, stationary designs, fashion, patterns, fresh flowers, the colours of the sea and sky, photography and music.

What life experience has shaped your design aesthetics?
This has to be when I was a child; I had a bright yellow cover for my bed and I remember how happy it used to make me - especially seeing it when we returned from family holidays. Given I was always rearranging the furniture in my bedroom, I think it was a dead cert that I was going to love design. Once I left home and went to uni, this was when I finally fell in love with this great world of creativity.

What is your go to source?
It has to be Etsy, especially for the beautiful photography and prints that some of the sellers stock. I love vintage, colour enhanced images - their warmth and uplifting nature always appeals to me.

What were your thoughts for my room?

Catherine explained that her favourite colour was blue so I knew that I wanted to incorporate some blue hues in the scheme. The starting point for the room was the bouquet rug, which featured the fab blue and pink colour combo, which I felt was perfect for the living room. From here, I added bright pops of pink in form of a high gloss table lamp, which I echoed in the striped cushion, with simple grey hues to ground the scheme. I echoed these softer, grey hues in the second throw cushion and chose it for the delicate illustration it held. This was to ensure their was visual interest in the room beyond the bright colours. I think the wallpaper would look great on two of the four walls - I like the causal nature of the blue stripes, with the splashes of paint, it creates a laid back and unique look, which is perfect for a living room.

I chose a simple grey sofa to tie the blue and pink colours together. Plus, it also acts as a base through which to add pattern - namely in the form of some fun, graphic cushions and throws. I chose graphic patterns to add a touch of masculinity and balance out the poppy pinks. The vibrant coffee table has a detachable tray, which I thought would be practical for guests and when Catherine's little one wanted to play on the floor! Plus, the lacquer nature of the piece ties in with the high gloss pink table lamp. Graphic notes are continued with the angular mirror and 50's style clock, whilst the deeper blue hues from the 'links' cushion are drawn out in the side table. To finish things off I felt two of the chandelier pendants would look fantastic hanging side-by-side in the middle of the room - their subtle pops of different colours add interest and prevent the room from looking too set.

~~~

I think that coming home to a pair of those fabulous chandeliers would evoke the same feeling of happiness that Will described about his Yellow bed covers. I hope you all enjoyed seeing my room thru the brilliant eyes of a shelter magazine addict. I was also glad to see stripes being used, Will’s signature pattern. He did a fabulous job carefully selecting just the right print and scale with the perfect balance of color throughout the room. Very youthful, very energetic, very Will.

Thanks to all my readers for stopping by today. If you would like to view the other entries in the challenge, including the Dining Room designs, please click on the names of the designers at the top right corner of this page under the Designer Challenge buttons. You will be taken directly to that designer’s post. Below I have also included the designs done so far for your convenience:

Designer Challenge – Living Room

Kellie Cashon’s (Cashon & Co.) Continental Eclectic Chic

Elie Fournier (Punctuation Mark) Elegant Flexibility

Designer Challenge – Dining Room

Raina Cox's (If The Lampshade Fits) Boho Contempo Style

Christina Fluegge’s (Greige) Transitional Eclectic Mix

Beth Connolly’s (Chinoiserie Chic) British Colonial Style

Amy Forshew’s (Pemberley Style) Soft Tones Traditional

Charlotta Ward’s (Space for Inspiration) Elegant Nordic Conceptualizations

Leigha Oak’s (Elle Oh ) The Belgian Look with a Twist

Kellie Collis (Ada and Darcy) An Aussie’s Interpretation

Gwen Driscoll (Ragland Hill Social) Dramatic Glamour

Hurry over to Splenderosa to see what a fun post and gorgeous outfit she has picked up for this room!

More About Lacquered Walls

2010-07-16T09:10:00.001-05:00

Last Friday’s post sent emails a-flashing in the background here. Apparently not only are lacquered wall hot right now, they are also by most people’s opinion, the hardest wall treatment to get it just right. There are different options, however, that might not be ideal, but will give you some bang for your effort buck.

Option 1: Add Swirls

Marty from A Stroll Thru Life added texture over her imperfectly lacquered walls and came up with a texture that she found was quite pleasant. Sorry, no pictures.

“What I used was just a water based semi gloss poly that I got at the hardware store. This was several years ago, but I know there are a lot of products out there. I don't have an exact product name. We used a large brush and applied it in a swirl pattern on the wall. We practiced on a board first to get the pattern that was pleasing to us and then just went for it. We had already painted the wall, so this was an attempt to salvage it, and the result was really pleasing. I know you see a lot of cross hatching, however, I didn't like the effect of that, so we just applied it in a swirl pattern. I've even seen them do similar things on HGTV with a rag and swirl it around. Sorry I'm not more help than this. My painter also suggested that we could tape it off and do a strip in the gloss and this would help to camouflage the imperfections in the wall, however, if the gloss hit a spot that wasn't perfect, it just seemed to enhance the imperfections. The swirl pattern just gave the overall appearance of sort of clouds if you can picture what I mean. Hope this helps.”

Option 2: Add Stripes or Patterns to Minimize the Impact of a Imperfection

Ann Onnusko, from Rose et Lis, a professional faux painter (see a previous guest post here) has a few recommendations:

“Measure the stripes with metric. It's easier to divide and is smaller increments than inches.
After you tape off the stripes, seal the edge of the tape ( inside the stripe) with either a fast drying glaze ( like they sell at HD) or the base color. This provides a barrier for the stripe color that prevents feathering and leaking under the tape- a real bummer when you remove the tape.
I usually use the same paint color in a semi-gloss or gloss rather than a gloss poly- it looks richer. “

Option 3: Apply a Similar Treatment

If you have textured wall, like I do, there is a treatment that is quite pleasing. Of course you will not get the watery feel of a truly lacquered wall, but the effect of being enveloped in a gorgeous casing, like my friend Splenderosa so beautifully puts it: “it is like being inside a jewel box”. This is a closeup of our WC walls. Multiple shades emphasize the imperfections and the glossy paint adds a touch of glamour to the treatment.

If you would like to see the actual how to on lacquered wall, please go visit the pro. Ann has written a post on it today over at Rose et Lis.

Welcome Elie Fournier

2010-07-14T00:01:00.002-05:00

Please help me welcome to the Living Room Edition of the Designer Challenge, Elie Fournier. This powerhouse is quite the entrepreneur. She is the force behind Punctuation Mark (a blog), Fournier Papel (a stationary collection designed by her), Vanille (a patisserie business of sorts) and the label Elie Fournier (accessories line designed by her). Last year, Elie’s stationary made it to the Secret Room Events 2009 Academy Awards Red Carpet Style Lounge gift bags.

Background:
I am a licensed interior designer (in the state of Florida you cannot call yourself an interior designer if
you don’t have a license) and have practiced commercial design for about 8 years mostly hospitality and
some corporate because I like the environment in which these types of projects happen. I’ve been very
lucky to say that I’ve worked with some of the most influential designers in the world on boutique hotel
projects and some of the largest hotel companies. Additionally, I am a LEED Accredited Professional
which has helped in the way I design because the products that we put out there have an impact both
on our planet and on the people that get to live in them.

How do you define your Style?
My personal style is simple and light. My home has large windows all over and the whole layout centers
around letting it coming into the house and being able to see outside.
At work my style is the style of my clients and all I do is translate their style into a tridimensional space. I
have worked on traditional projects in which I have given the clients the possibility to adapt their space
to different situations and to change it easily or if their personal style changes. The modern project I’ve
been involved with had the characteristic of looking that they don’t feel cold allowing the people living
in them to always feel comfortable.

What designer or life experience has influenced your design aesthetics?
I am heavily influenced by the local environment of where a project is located. When I work on a project
I like to talk to the people who will be working there and take a good look at what city or place it will be.
The reason for this is that this project will create an impact on the local community and it is up to the
designer to make a positive or negative impact.

What are your go to resources?
I have sooooo many that I don’t think there is enough space here to name them all. I do have to say that
I usually start the process with images of anything that is related to the project… cities, flowers, art
work, maps, city grids, fashion, etc… so I guess one of my first sources would be Flickr.
As in material resources they are a collection of manufacturers that I have worked with time and time
again throughout my career that usually deliver good product value at the right budget so the client is
always happy.

What are your thoughts of my room?

My idea for this space is to open it up and create groups of seating that can be changed depending on
the occasion without altering the total look of the space.

The colors used are neutral but also have a touch of elegance in them. Leather is the material of choice
for the sofa because it is the largest piece of furniture in the space that ties it all together using one of
the fabrics used in the other pieces as accent cushions. Also, it is used for the ottomans that can be used
as side tables and seating.

The fabrics have dynamic prints with dark backgrounds and accents in blue and tan picking up the colors
from the area rug and the leather. The chairs that are upholstered with these fabrics are smaller in scale
and allow free flow in and out of the living room area. Additionally they create small intimate spaces
within the larger space itself making conversations amongst people easier.

The area rug is made with wool and silk to give it both body and luster taking advantage of the stripe
patterned in which it is woven.

The furniture selection is contemporary with a retro influence so each piece can blend with each other
but also stand on its own. The lines of the furniture are soft and have unique accents like the lounge
chairs that have a back with a wood piece carved in a sort of wave bringing added comfort to whoever
sits on them. The same can be said about the side chairs that feature a rounded back and low arms
enhancing the comfort level of the chair.

The niche next to the fireplace will be filled with a bar/credenza type of piece that will serve as
additional storage or as a bar to fix drinks to the people seating at the living room. Above this piece will
be a mirror that will make the space look bigger but will mainly reflect the outdoors and the
environment from the windows facing the covered patio.

Several accessories and decorative elements will be placed all over the living room.

The wicker lamps will add warmth and texture to the space but also have a color similar to all the colors used on the other materials.

The artwork above the fireplace will be more modern to add dynamism to the space.

Finally, barstools placed on the bar area connected to the kitchen allow the space to become part of the
dining and kitchen area but also serve as sculptural pieces because of their unique construction and use
of materials.

~~~

Thank you Elie so much for contributing to this series. I am particular impressed by two ideas: the mirror reflecting the outside and the bar!!!! Fantastic.

Thanks to all my readers for stopping by today. If you would like to view the other entries in the challenge, including the Dining Room designs, please click on the names of the designers at the top right corner of this page under the Designer Challenge buttons. You will be taken directly to that designer’s post. Below I have also included the designs done so far for your convenience:

Designer Challenge – Living Room

Kellie Cashon’s (Cashon & Co.) Continental Eclectic Chic

Designer Challenge – Dining Room

Raina Cox's (If The Lampshade Fits) Boho Contempo Style

Christina Fluegge’s (Greige) Transitional Eclectic Mix

Beth Connolly’s (Chinoiserie Chic) British Colonial Style

Amy Forshew’s (Pemberley Style) Soft Tones Traditional

Charlotta Ward’s (Space for Inspiration) Elegant Nordic Conceptualizations

Leigha Oak’s (Elle Oh ) The Belgian Look with a Twist

Kellie Collis (Ada and Darcy) An Aussie’s Interpretation

Gwen Driscoll (Ragland Hill Social) Dramatic Glamour

Hurry over to Splenderosa to see what a fun post and gorgeous outfit she has picked up for this room!

And Yet, The Sun Still Shines Today…

2010-07-13T11:04:00.004-05:00

“Every life must have its sorrows and its pain
Yes it will
Where there's sunlight there are shadows and sometimes rain
When you're down and can't get up
Lay both hands on a lovin' cup
Make each teardrop like a diamond
Just look up
Just look up when storm clouds block the sun
(Just look up)
Just look up when there's nowhere left to run
(Nowhere to run)
Remember how the trees must bend
And the mighty rivers went
There's a rainbow waiting for you
Just look up
For each promise of forever
There'll be times, yes there will
When you crawl 'til you swear you've had your fill
Keep your heart right on your sleeve
Stand your ground when you want to leave
There's a love that'll last forever
Just look up
Just look up when storm clouds block the sun
(Just look up)
Just look up when there's nowhere left to run
(Got nowhere to run)
Remember how the trees must bend
And the mighty rivers went
There's a rainbow waiting for you
Just look up
(Just look up)
When you 've lost that light that guides you from despair
(From despair)
And the memories of dear ones fade with earthly cares
Know the spirits burnin' bright
Throughout all you're darkest nights
Make your life a testimony
Just Look Up
Just look up when storm clouds block the sun
(Just look up)
Just look up when there's nowhere left to run
(Nowhere to run)
Remember how the trees must bend
And the mighty rivers went
There's a rainbow waiting for you
Just look up
(Just look up)”

“Just Look Up” by Eric Bibb

Please leave a note of encouragement to Marija’s family at her blog: Holding Court

Wall Treatment for My Private Oasis

2010-07-09T17:03:00.002-05:00

This weekend, Susan Fox from Love Where You Live will be featuring moi and my little private space: my office. I invite you to pay her a visit to check out my digs. While you are there, look around a bit. Susan is a field editor for publications such as Traditional Home, Better Homes & Garden, Remodel, Renovation Style, Kitchen & Bath Ideas, and as such she has access to some fabulous properties.

View Full Album

Meanwhile, in Shiny Pebble land, I have compiled a few ideas for my office. Its color came with the house -- standard builder’s blah. I originally thought about painting it a deep deep rusty brown, to make it nice and cozy. Then, this Summer, I was reminded of the hot, stuffy, humid days of Houston and decided I needed something cooler. Heck, I need something downright wet! Lacquered walls!!!

View Full Album

Notice how this treatment requires that the trim be also painted in the same color and shimmer as the walls. I am loving that! I think I would do the wood just one shade darker. But that is just me, it might not really be needed.

View Full Album

I probably would pick a tad teal-ish shade of an acqua blue, as I love peacocks and hopefully the look would turn out more regal than retro. The Peacock Blue from the first picture in the above collage is not much en Vogue in newer homes being built in my area, but I think it would look AMAZING! When paired with a lighter color, so I read, it takes its cues from the coast and becomes a bit more casual.

View Full Album

Or I could go with Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue a la Miles Redd, as it appears to reflect just the right amount of yellow when the sun hits its lacquered form.

View Full Album

Regardless of the actual color I end up choosing, the real problem with this type of wall treatment is the prep required for a flawless effect. The cost effectiveness of getting a masterful artist at my home to do the deed will have to be balanced against a commercial product like Phillip Jeffries Ltd lacquered wallpapers. I am in love with the striated version (top right) of these vinyl wallpapers. But I am thinking I could get away with Graphite (below) as well.

View Full Album

Now, if any of you have had a chance to work with either method (vinyl wallpaper or lacquering of walls), I would love to hear from you. I am open for any color choices as well. And for a better view of my space please go visit Susan at

Love Where You Live, and tell her I said hello!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Welcome Kellie Cashon

2010-07-06T23:21:00.001-05:00

Hello all, please join me in welcoming the fabulous, the talented, the funny and adorable Ms. Kellie Cashon from the gorgeous blog Cashon & Co. to The Shiny Pebble Designer Challenge – Living Room Edition. Seriously, you guys, get ready to be WOW’d out of your computer loungers. This girl has talent and she likes to share. So go ahead: get a refill and cozy up… This will be an amazing trip!

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?

I graduated from College in the early 1990's with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Arts (Painting). My secondary studies were in Art History and Metal-smithing. I was (and still am) happiest in the workrooms of an art building. I love the smell of turpentine, wood, metal, ink, you name it…. I spent my fifth year of art school at another University and dabbled in printmaking, which I TRULY enjoyed: especially etching. A few years after school, I made my living by being a commercial photographer --on staff at a newspaper, in the business and sports sections. Unfortunately, this type of photography is not where I was able to express my creativity and I soon burned out. I went back to school in my late twenties and got an education degree, in art and elementary education, and briefly taught 5th grade. Once my children were born, I took almost a decade "off" and had fun running a small jewelry hobby/business as well as decorating for friends, and myself. Soon the decorating part just kind of took on it's own life, and when both of my kids were in elementary school, I decided to take it full-time. And here I am!

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR STYLE?

Well, I guess the best words to describe my own design style would be "Continental Eclectic Chic"….Yeah, that sounds good. Let's go with that.

"CONTINENTAL" because I don't truly identify with one type of style-- I find most of my inspiration from English sources, but would not categorize myself as having a typical English style…..I like modern furniture and cubism, but would not say I'm mid-century modern or a contemporist….. I find myself drawn to Italian and French architecture and furniture, but I don't think those countries define me…. So I guess you could sum it up by saying I like everything - but mostly antiques- from every continent, and not just Europe.

"ECLECTIC" because I think that as long as each piece is unique, you can put anything together and it will look good. In my opinion, an eclectic style shows personality, as it is a style that is most easily obtained by years of travel and collecting. The theory of this is that you buy what you like --no matter the provenance, genre, or brand-- and as long as the colors, composition, and scale work together, the pieces will marry perfectly. That is basically how I shop and how I decorate, at least for myself. I buy what catches my eye, what intrigues me, what makes me happy and I will eventually find a place for it. Having everything I love in one room together is what works best for me. I find that if you decorate in this manner, that even when trends come and go and your tastes change (which they will)-- you will have not locked yourself into ONE certain style. So my theory is that if you stick to what you like, not to what a style dictates you to buy, you will never have to "totally redecorate" your space. This way you can eliminate bits and pieces as your tastes change and supplement over time, and have fun doing it. Think: Bill Blass & Yves Saint Laurent….

"CHIC" because I'm young and I want it to look fresh, right? I love history and I tend to be drawn to everything Victorian and Edwardian as well as a lot of "old-fashioned" objects… so the trick is how do you make old-fashioned items look fresh? By introducing contemporary and modern objects in the same space…. A little bit of tension to me is essential for an interesting room - one sets off the other. Think: Chanel jacket with t-shirt and jeans….. slubby wrinkled-linen upholstery on gilt furniture…. Jeff Koons balloon dog sculpture on lucite base in front of a 17th Century Venetian Mirror ---to me, these are CHIC…. and ECLECTIC…. and CONTINENTAL…. My goal is to get this look, but on an attainable budget. That's the fun part. That's the challenge.

Chic to me also means "imperfect". I never strive for pure-perfection in a finished space -- I think "picture-perfect" sometimes conveys an "unwelcoming" and an "unlived-in" feeling. I also think the reason European homes have that "je ne sais quoi" that we Americans are always striving to achieve is because families over there pass so much down to future generations. Their homes are full of inherited pieces, not newly purchased furniture suites. Rarely does the furniture they inherit come in perfect condition, and instead of selling it and buying pieces to match, they work with what they have. This gives the homes in Europe that carefree-collected look that I think we here really try to emulate. I remember reading a book about Old English Style and one thing it said really stuck with me. This book said that the English people of the past were so concerned about things looking "perfect" or "new" that they purposely would knock a lampshade askew so there was that sense of tension in the room. I cannot tell you how freeing that was to me. As I was reading this, I looked across the room to an old warehouse stool I bought. It had it's original tapestry upholstery, but the ends were frayed and the trim was hanging off. At that moment, I realized that I DON'T have to fix this. It DOESN'T have to be perfect. I have learned to embrace certain flaws and to be proud of the unpolished nature of things. Now I gladly purchase those old paintings with chips that no one wants. We're not perfect, why should we hold our homes to that standard? I mean, how "chic" is that philosophy, right?

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

English movies and series set in the 1930's and 1940's, especially Poirot with David Suchet (I can't get enough of him, the houses, AND the costumes--exquisite), learning the history behind a craft, how art intermixes with the history of it's time, music, fashion and jewelry, politics, textures, layers, family history, collections, paper, sculpture, technology, relationships, photographs….

WHAT LIFE EXPERIENCE HAS FORMED YOUR DESIGN AESTHETICS?

I think what has most greatly defined my aesthetics is my education in art. At an early age I was exposed to classical paintings by my parents, who have always been art appreciators. I grew up going to galleries and museums, and naturally those experiences helped lead me to my art studies as an adult. I have always been fascinated by art and decorative items that cause you to pause and "think"… I like using drawings, books, or "found" objects that promote conversation and invoke feelings. Although I've grown up to be a person that routinely likes to "play it safe", there has always been that part of me that likes to shock people a little. I would never want to be mistaken for boring, and the same goes for my design aesthetics. I consider myself a living example of "opposites": Wild but Conservative, Spontaneous but Hesitant, Formal but Laid-back…. I think these dichotomies are reflected in my design tastes: 19th c antique paintings in gilt frames -- but with big chips and tears…. 17th c marble Italian sculpture fragment on a $10 garage sale table…. Wedgwood jasperware plates next to a grotesquely primitive street-art etching… Your design style can't be anything BUT what your personality and life-experiences have made you to be.

WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO RESOURCES?

FABRICS: Shumacher is my favorite source for linen prints, with Cowtan & Tout and Lee Jofa coming in second. Usually I like to buy my solid-linen at discount fabric places where you buy off the bolt. That way you don't spend a fortune on something that is going to get washed a lot, and you can afford to buy extra material to make supplemental covers for emergencies. I also like Pottery Barn's linen pre-made curtains. Ebay is a good source to find designer remnants for pillows. Rutherford's is great for trim and passemainterie.

LIGHTING: Circalighting.com, Mary Cates & Co., and making lamps from found objects. Lamps Plus has some good looking pre-made lampshades.

FURNITURE: Outdoor: Pottery Barn & Restoration Hardware
Indoor: Consignment Stores, Restoration Hardware for upholstery items, Quatrine for slipcovered furniture, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Room & Board

ANTIQUES: Consignment (Brant Laird's Consignment Heaven), Antique Malls (Forestwood Antique Mall), 1st Dibs, Antique Row, Milton Kent Antiques, Uncommon Market, V&M.com, Ebay

ACCESSORIES: Ebay, consignment stores, Jayson Home & Garden, Mecox Gardens, 1st Dibs, Local Antique Warehouses & Estate sales

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS FOR MY ROOM?

Well, my first thought was "remember, she has a child…. and big dogs!" I have to keep that in mind, as I have kids and pets too, and that means you need options for floors and upholstery that will wear well and hide stains. My inspiration for your room were the 3 Chinese porcelain vases on the breakfront in your breakfast room. Seeing those combined with the doors on your tv cabinet immediately made me think of "elegantly ethnic"…. So my first search was to look for the KEY fabric for the room. This is where I get the color scheme and the inspiration for the rest of the room. I went with blues since I was using your Chinese blue & white porcelain as inspiration, and you had mentioned it is you and your husband's favorite color. Then the layering began.

I wanted to make the room warm, comfortable, elegant and timelessly sophisticated. I guess those are my goals for every room, and I hope to bring enough contrasts in patterns, styles and objects that whatever pieces you add, right away or over time, will blend in seamlessly. I tend to incorporate a few "dressy/show-stopper" pieces in family rooms because I think you shouldn't save your "good stuff" for the rooms you never go in. This way you will have a bit of beauty and glamour in the room you spend every day in.

Schumacher

Lee Jofa

Zoffany

So, the first thing I do for a room when I am planning a design is start with the fabric. Not "a" fabric, but "the" fabric. Usually I ask the homeowner what their style is, and we go together to the Design Center OR I give them tons of options and I ask them to pick out that one fabric that "wow's" them. Literally, they have to be in love with it. At that point I don't know where we'll use it, but usually the piece they pick out dictates the style and colours and textures for the room.

Since I had already decided to go with the blue palate for your living room, and an "elegantly ethnic" type of pattern, I picked out three main fabrics and some accent pieces and put them on boards.

The top board has a Schumacher linen modern floral print in bright colours on a cream background. I think you could pair almost any colour with it, but it would be nice to play on some of the bright colours in the pattern either with supplemental fabrics OR in furniture and decor choices. Or both.

The middle board has a rich coloured ikat by Lee Jofa that is a velvet cotton. Because velvet is usually too heavy for drapery in hot climates, I would do solid curtains and use this as the main accent in the room or even as an upholstered chair. The geometric print looks great with this ikat and this fabric also has a strong colour pallette that would be fun to play with.

The bottom board has a more traditional pattern of a blue abstract-floral on a dark linen. Because this fabric is so subtle, I think it would be nice to keep the room's whole look subtle as well. To me, the Pierre Frey asian fabric takes this traditional print to a new level. And to make it more transitional, I would do more tone-on-tone fabrics but with graphically different patterns. Because this board is more subdue in it's tonal quality, the use of textures in this room will be very important. I would like to see contrasts in this room; like more richer looking and formal antiques to off-set the casual nature of the texture and patterns in these fabrics.

Once I pick out the main fabric (or in your case, the main 3 fabrics) I start having fun by playing around with different art/furniture/lighting options to see what looks good. Because I am not there to find out which of the three fabrics are your favourite, I decided to give you 3 different designs. In all three designs, I tried to make it where all the different art, lighting, rugs, furniture and accessories will work with any of the designs you choose. Hopefully you can take an object from one board and use it with the fabrics and furniture from another board and they will all work together.

On this design, labeled "Living Room 1", the Schumacher linen is the inspiration. This is where I think about just where I intend to use it. I think these would look great as curtains and would choose to use solid linens/cotton/blends on the furniture.

While playing around with thoughts on the "Living Room 2" board, I thought it would be great to add some gold/gilt to the room. When I see it next to each other on this board I consider it more seriously, because I think it looks good! Used either as a modern lamp OR as an antique mirror, they both work beautifully to me. Throwing a little modern art on this board looks good too. "Very sophisticated and Well traveled" is the feeling I get from this board.

On the "Living Room 3" design, the ikat pattern is strong so I think the rest of the items in the room need to be strong too - whether graphically or in size. I reconsider mixing too many patterns in here, but I find I like the way some of the shapes of the accessories look -- like the convex mirror from Paris Hotel Boutique and the rustic lanterns. Maybe I use wall lanterns on the wall above the console instead of lamps? I like the idea of the tassel trim with this fabric. (Maybe use it as a trim on the base of an upholstered chair or ottoman?) It has an almost Moroccan feel to me, especially with the lanterns. Maybe throw an antique French chair in here to mix it up?

After I come up with general ideas of what looks good together, I am super-inspired! I spend a long time shopping the local stores (and taking snapshots while there, as well as measurements and prices) as well as on-line resources and compile them all in a folder on my desktop so I can start shopping from my own folder. This is the folder for you! 272 photos is a reasonable amount to give us plenty of options. Now I have to figure out the logistics of how the furniture will fit and where it should go.

I might work a little backwards by just now getting to the logistics of how the room will work, but I find that I have to be inspired and have a "vision" first in my head, and by going out and seeing what's out there -- art and furniture/antiques -- I usually come back with an idea of what to use and how to use it.

For this room, I feel a sectional would work wonderfully in the corner and give the room more seating. It seems like this room was almost made for it! But I need to look at the floorplan and the dimensions to confirm all my ideas before getting carried away with myself. This is where I get picky with the details considering the depth of the seating and the space for paths in the room. You really do have to know the exact measurements of a space, so no mistakes or "surprises" are made. Trust me, I know. I mis-measured by about 18" when we moved in our house, thinking FOR SURE our piano would fit. Yes, even that small amount makes a big difference, and needless to say, the piano had to go "bye-bye". *sigh.... This is one of those moments when your kids/students ask you (like you asked your teachers at the same age) "When am I eeevvvver going to use math in real life? I'll never have to use algebra or geometry in the real world!" Well kids, unless you want to waste a lot of money on a piano that won't fit in a house, trust me, you'll use your math when you get older.

View Full Album

I am assuming your family has the television in the armoire, so I would keep it where it is. I love it! I would consider staining the wood a darker, richer walnut color like the similar piece shown here. And also, I would have a carpenter put the doors on a tracksystem so they can fold back completely into the recessed space. If you wanted it might be nice to paint the back of the cabinet in a complimentary colour to the room, for some contrast and interest so you could add extra shelves and display items in there also.

On top of the TV cabinet, I would group several blue & white chinese porcelain vases and ginger jars to fill up that gap and bring in more blue.

View Full Album

On this focal wall, which you see from the entry, I would put a console table and some lighting, preferably matching lamps with custom linen drum or rectangle shades. (Similar to the examples shown here from Lisa Luby Ryan in Dallas.) Over the console I would hang a mirror for reflection and to extend the space as you enter the house. Underneath the console I would have an upholstered ottoman on casters or an antique gilt stool covered in a yummy mohair.

Here is a quick crayon-sketch of what the space could look like, using the brighter colour palette.

View Full Album

For the furniture in the living space, I would do a linen slip-covered sectional in a neutral colour. Slipcovers are GREAT for kids. It's so easy to rip them right off when a chocolate millk disaster happens and throw them in the washing machine. I had a client recently who was reluctant about putting light coloured slipcovers on her kitchen chairs. I cut a sample of the fabric, which was very, very light, and told her to do this: take it and give it to your kids and have them use it as napkins with a spaghetti dinner, then treat it with a stain-lifter and throw it in the machine. She did just that, and ALSO took her make-up off with it, and said that they came out perfectly clean! I'm not going to lie, you have to treat it and let it soak, but that is a great test to do if you are hesitant about any fabric. Also pre-wash your linen/cotton before you slipcover anything, to allow for shrinkage, or it won't fit after you sew it.
On the sofa, I would do a flat-flange in either a matching linen or a soft contrasting colour, similar to the examples from Quatrine shown below. I would bring in my coordinating colours in the pillows on the sectional. On either end of the sectional, I would place a small end table with two table lamps. But another option would be to forgo table lamps and use floor lamps for height.

View Full Album

For a cocktail table, I think a square shape would work best for the sectional, as it would give some room to add an upholstered arm chair to the space too. I think a modern OR a rustic style table would look great with any of the designs we picked!

As far as the lounge chair goes, I would put that chair on a swivel base so the person sitting there has the option to watch tv from a better angle.

Across from the sectional, and basically directly across from the tv cabinet, I would put a backless bench so the seating area is now set as a square. And some one who sits on the bench can have the option of facing into the seating arrangement for conversation, or have their back to the seating and watch the television.

Here is another quick sketch by crayon to show what the living space could look like...

View Full Album

Directly in front of the fireplace, I would place two diminutive chairs, such as this tub or slipper chair, facing each other with a small garden seat/table in between them. I think it would give some special notice to the fireplace, and I think that it would make the room seem more cohesive... especially with the floor covered in wall-to-wall sisal. I think you said you had already done this here once before, and I like the idea still!

View Full Album

For the fireplace, I would place a guard that was made of frameless glass. Maybe this comes out after the baby is past the baby-proofing stage? But I think it would make the fireplace box clean-looking and open up that part of the room a bit.
On top of the mantel, I love how you have your art leaning, instead of hung. I do the same thing, and I would find a piece, whether traditional or contemporary/modern that has some colour or graphic quality that mimics the style/colours of the room's design. Or compliments it.

View Full Album

For the finishing touches, I would cover the entire living area in a custom sized natural fiber/sisal rug. You could do wall-to wall and take it from room to room, or you could do a rug that leaves about 15" of space around the entire perimeter.
I have a favorite that I like to use called Mozambique, but any weave that has a big pattern instead of a small loop/weave works best in high-traffic areas. Smaller boucles are hard to clean, especially where food may fall. I've had great luck with Tanzania also, shown here. Stains are almost invisible on it. And it makes a great, smooth tricycle platform!
I would center a hanging light fixture over the living area, directly over the cocktail table.

View Full Album

For additional decorative touches, I would place an architectural element or a sculpture atop the console against the wall. I would fill in the blanks with art work on the walls, natural elements such as shells on display, and window treatments of course! And I think it would look fantastic to layer an antique mahal or caucasian rug on top of the sisal carpet, but only around the seating area.

So I compiled groups of furniture, priced from High (1st Dibs) to Low (Target) and I think that with all of the different furniture pieces I picked, you can truly mix and match and almost all of it will work with all three designs I planned for you.

And to give you an idea of how they all work together (feel free to enlarge each image, as there are so many gorgeous goodies on each board! The detail in the fabric textures and the art/sculptures are brilliant!), I shopped from the choices I saved in your file and laid out 3 more-detailed options for choices in art and accessories for each design. Have fun mixing and matching mis-matching and THANK YOU Catherine for asking me to participate in The Shiny Pebble Designer Challenge. It was such fun, and I am honored to be contributing my designs along with the other talented and fabulous designers you featured! I'm flattered to share such company and humbled that you included me.

~~~

Now was this a fun trip or what?! I know you are just as excited about Kellie’s talent as I am and can’t get enough of her style. So here are a few of her best posts (not including this one of course!) over at her blog. The first time I visited her I fell right onto a towel bar shelf DYI, and I thought “oh no! that never has a happy ending”… and then I saw this:

And it just got better from there. Make sure you check out the Shells on Display entry, the bit about Salt Cellars, a peak at her fabulous home here and here. I could go on and on… Just hop on over to Cashon & Co. and become an avid follower of this fabulous designer. One can’t help but appreciate the work and eye of an artist. Kellie’s photographic talents have sure enhanced the experience as well. I am absolutely smitten by her work!

Please, don’t forget to see what my dear friend Marsha at Splenderosa is up to…

Make Up Help from the Tropics

2010-07-05T21:31:00.001-05:00

Dandara, the second from the left, applied all of her friends makeup for a celebratory night out.

My brilliant niece, a young lawyer who lives in Brazil and has a fabulous sense of style and a penchant for everything ‘maquillage’ has come up with her top 5 essential make up products in order to achieve a flawless and sophisticated look.

Face Primer by Make Up Forever ($32) – This lightweight, oil free concoction enhances the texture of the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and soft. It can be used by itself or before applying foundation, concealer or powder.

2. Concealer pallete by Make Up Forever ($36) – “ I’m desperate to get this palette!”

Green concealer is a good tool to hide any red blemishes, specially acne marks.
Yellow concealer is a great ally to combat any dark circles under the eyes.
Mauve concealer is perfect to hide those little broken capillaries around the nose.
Apply your skin tone concealer or your foundation on top of the colored concealer to blend in the color

3. Dior’s Airflash foundation ($60) – A mist foundation that delivers an ‘airbrushed’ effect. This foundation leaves a polished look. Perfect for weddings.

4. Chanel’s Particuliére, Tendresse and Inattendu nail polish ($25)– (these are fabulous shades, and you all have seen the particuliere all over blogland I am sure)

5. Givenchy’s Phenomen’Eyes Mascara ($29)– one of the best mascaras ever once you get used to it. Works really well even without using the Curvex aplicator. Believe me – it really works!

I am loving these products and am totally digging the mist foundation. It sounds divine. Have you all tried any of these products? If so, I would love to hear some feedback on them.

The Freedom that Binds Us

2010-07-02T08:46:00.005-05:00

View Full Album

May you all celebrate our independence from all that binds us however you may wish! As much as I’d enjoy to spend my day in the beautiful care free pictures above, my heart still chooses to be bound to this little corner of the world. Thankfully, in America, Freedom is still a choice!

Loudon Lake, Tennessee

And Now... A break from our regularly scheduled program

2010-06-30T03:57:00.003-05:00

Hello all:

The lovely and very busy Crystal Gentilello from Plush Palate had a surreal week and was unable to submit her entry for this Wednesday's challenge. I am thrilled to announce her newest venture. Crystal, along with the writers of The City Sage, Live Creating Yourself, and Sacramento Street have just launched an online magazine, Rue Magazine. Its first issue will come out September 16th, so keep your eyes peeled. These ladies have been travelling all over the world in order to put together a fabulous piece that will cover all aspects of fashion, design and more!

Next week we should be back with our regularly scheduled program. I am dying to introduce you to Kellie Cashon from Dallas based Cashon & Co. If you haven't met her, get your little eyes there as soon as you can. Not only will you be impressed by her amazing talent, her energy and humor will have you coming back for more.

Now for your entertainement, I want to leave you with this enthralling presentation of The Riverdance Monkeys... Enjoy!

The Newest Kid in Town

2010-06-29T13:05:00.005-05:00

"Just make yourself at home! If the sheets on the bed aren’t gray enough there are grayer ones in the drawer. And we just got the latest issue of Wallpaper magazine!" (via Catalogue Living)

A dear friend and reader just sent me an email about this site (blog). It is hilarious, unique and original. I think they are brand new (only 22 posts - all of which in June). The writer, with the aid of a catalogue image and a few poignant lines seems to take a stab at catalog styling and consequently a nudge at the design blogs. The format is simple and brilliant: a little skit about a couple, Gary and Elaine, and their everyday dialogue about what is going on in their world. The whole thing is funny and pretty harmless, unlike some of the anonymous snark we are all aware of. I think I'm a big fan already!

Go check them out: Catalogue Living

The writer is also an actress of Sonic Commercial fame. : D Those always crack me up! Her name is Moly Erdman, here is her website. At the risk of putting myself in her crosshairs, I am going to have to give her my Favorite New Blog Award. And mind you, those don't go out very often.

My New House Plant

2010-06-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

BEFORE

Do you all remember this corner of my living room mentioned earlier this year on this post? Pretty desolate, I know. Well, a few weeks back I found just the plant to grace this spot. Unfortunately this poor giant Bird of Paradise was looking like it came straight from Hades. So I waited until it leafed out a little and here it is. Still not perfect but getting there.

AFTER

I find it amazing what a difference in the warmth value of the room a little house plant will make. This spot is H.O.T. -- in a good way! Now hop on over to the ubber cool blog Chic Modern Vintage to read my guest post on House Plant Containers and Decorating Styles.

Linking to Metamorphosis Monday

The Living Room Edition

2010-06-23T17:10:00.005-05:00

If you read my blog, than you already know about the Living Room Edition of my Designer Challenge starting next week. If you are new to The Shiny Pebble, welcome! Pull up a chair and visit a while, we have lots to share here. A few months back we started a series geared towards showcasing the design work of some fabulous designer bloggers. Eight such talented people came up with a version of my dated dining room, representing THEIR design aesthetics. Along with their design, they submitted the answer to some questions I posed to them. All very insightful and inspirational stuff.

Now the challenge has been re-issued for my Living Room. The designers for this challenge may be familiar to you:

6/30 Crystal (Plush Palate)
7/7 Kellie Cashon (Cashon & Co.)
7/14 Elie Fournier (Punctuation Mark)
7/21 Will (Bright Bazaar)
7/28 Laura Ingalls (Decor to Adore)
8/4 Marija Stephens (Holding Court)
8/11 Cassity (Remodelaholic)
8/18 Erica Cook (Moth Design)

Here is what the room currently looks like. We moved to this house eight months ago, and have not done a thing to the inside. I have, with the exception of a $10 dollar mirror, bought nothing for the house. All of the furnishings were transferred from a very different home in Tulsa.

My current living room

This living room is actually our family room. It is part of a casual great room floor plan, with the breakfast room to the right and access to most parts of the house. We keep the furniture close to the wall of windows because of the weimeraners, who love to stand on the windowsills if they see something of interest on the other side.

When we moved into this house, it was time to replace the large glass top and wrought-iron coffee table with something more toddler friendly. So we just used the ottoman and chairs from my old bedroom.

Old bedroom

Old bedroom - I had to add this photo so you all can meet Kitty Kate. She is very shy and doesn’t make an appearance very often.

You will find that many of the pieces from my old bedroom made it to the living room at our current home. I had a formal living room at the old house, but I also redistributed the furniture from that room because its Tulsa/French Country style and scale did not belong in my current Modern French home near the TX gulfcoast. I am trying to streamline the look of every room in the new place. My bed currently has next to zero pillows on it. :)

But back to the Living Room Edition…

My current Living Room

The room configuration is open and uneven, which makes it for a challenge when placing the furniture. Add to that the fact that my husband insisted that we keep the dogs away from the windows, and we end up with this. A huge void in two sides of the room – which honestly works for us as the little man loves riding his tricycle in this room, unencumbered. You may have noticed the baby gates… mostly they are there (all 6 or so of them) to keep the dogs from going into the wood floors in the house. What can i say… I live with an engineer.

I can’t wait to see what the designers come up with. So come back Wednesday, June 30th and see what fabulous Crystal from Plush Palate has in store for us.

An inspiration

2010-06-21T12:23:00.002-05:00

It is funny how inspiration works in twisty little ways instead of always in a direct line. I have been in love with this room from John Saladino’s interpretation of a NY apartment based on the movie Girl with a Pearl Earring. For a peek, go here.

Ever since I first saw the Astrid Mirror from Oly mirror that Christina from Greige used on her design for my dining room (see here), I have become enamored by it and have vowed to have at least one sunburst mirror in my house. I must be the last person on Earth to get one!

BEFORE

So there is this little corner of my house with an empty spot right above the two turtle prints. There was a little convex ornament that I had planned would go there. As luck would have it, as I was about to hang it the little rascal jumped out of my hands and laid in halves on the tile floor below. Needless to say, this little corner has been ‘hanging’ since last Fall.

As luck would have it, today I found this little convex mirror on Etsy that should fit in very nicely. And y’all, it cost me all of $10 bucks plus shipping. I think it will look like a million bucks! I might even rub some black stain on it. Will see after it gets here.

AFTER - artistic interpretation

Do you guys find that inspiration is not as straight forward as some people would think, but rather an extension of what is going on in your life? It is a hodgepodge of ideas that seem to just fall into place, fit and mold to your current need.

Linking to Metamorphosis Monday

This Just In!

2010-06-18T17:35:00.001-05:00

You all don't ever tell me I never do anything for you... :) I just found out about this awesome giveaway and there are only a few entries thus far so the chances are pretty awesome that one of us might win this gorgeous black pearl necklace valued at $1200. Hurry on up to This Photographer's Life in order to enter.

Have a Great Weekend!

Hugs and Kisses
Catherine

If I lived in Arizona

2010-06-18T07:04:00.002-05:00

If I lived in Arizona, I think I would be happy here. Please come see my guest post over at the Housewife Bliss. While you are there, check out her fabulous new site!

The Finale Party – Texas Style

2010-06-15T19:30:00.007-05:00

Dear Diary,

It is six o’clock and I am getting ready for tonight’s event. I feel so giddy and just know everyone will have a wonderful time. I am so glad Marsha helped me put together the outfit for this party. So much time was spent on the preparations that I hardly had any time to get the ensemble together… No worries, the bubbly will calm me down.

View Full Album

My guests should be arriving just at dusk, when then temperature will be perfect for a Texas Summer Soiree. Good thing I planned on the air conditioned tent that Ann Onnusko recommended. It will be so dreamy to see the lights shining thru it as they arrive. I wonder what Yvonne will be wearing. She said she is bringing friends. I can't wait to meet them all.

View Full Album

I know the designers will enjoy the goodie bag I have put together for them as a token of my appreciation for all of the fabulous work they have done. Let me see… There were 8 designers, plus my dear Amanda, and Marsha, and I can’t forget Cynthia or my dear reader Angela …

Raina Cox's (If The Lampshade Fits) Boho Contempo Style

Christina Fluegge’s (Greige) Transitional Eclectic Mix

Beth Connolly’s (Chinoiserie Chic) British Colonial Style

Amy Forshew’s (Pemberley Style) Soft Tones Traditional

Charlotta Ward’s (Space for Inspiration) Elegant Nordic Conceptualizations

Leigha Oak’s (Elle Oh ) The Belgian Look with a Twist

Kellie Collis (Ada and Darcy) An Aussie’s Interpretation

Gwen Driscoll (Ragland Hill Social) Dramatic Glamor

When mentioning the personalized stationery I must remember to say S – my-thson, not S-myth-son. And I hope they find Clive Christian’s Imperial Majesty to their liking. I know they will be delighted to receive a couture hat from Anya and one of Marsha’s fabulous bespoke creations. The group trip to Monte Carlo staying at the Hotel de Paris should top it all off nicely.

View Full Album

The guests are going to be ecstatic when I announce the line up for The Living Room Edition of my Designer Challenge. I must toast celebrating the past designers and welcoming the newest team:

6/30 Crystal (Plush Palate)

7/7 Kellie Cashon (Cashon & Co.)

7/14 Elie Fournier (Punctuation Mark)

7/21 Will (Bright Bazaar)

7/28 Laura Ingalls (Decor to Adore)

8/4 Marija Stephens (Holding Court)

8/11 Cassity (Remodelaholic)

8/18 Erica Cook (Moth Design)

I better make haste, the guests will be arriving any minute now… Oh, I almost forgot the parting gifts for all of my wonderful blogger friends: their own iPads with a gorgeous handmade Vaja case. I hope Mary Ann makes it to the party.

Images Credit: Chanel, Don Peringnon, Cartier, MiuMiu, Preston Bailey, Braborne Farm, Almas Iranian Caviar, Dooby Design Group, Splenderosa, Hotel de Paris, Anya Caliendo, Clive Christian, Smythson, Vaja.

linking to: silly little sparrow , transformation thursday

I cannot wait to see what all of my fabulously stylish guests are up to!

Five Fun Filled Facts

2010-06-14T09:01:00.003-05:00

I have come to realize that everybody enjoys a measure of good gossip… In my case, not so much the tabloid type, but the kind of "news" that makes our heart beat just a little faster and our ears perk up a bit to make sure we don't miss out on all of the intricate and tantalizing details. So… Listen up, because I have quite a few tweeting news from my side of the blog neighborhood:

Topping my List: Did you hear about Décor to Adore's Oprah Audition? That's right, our own Laura Ingalls Gunn has submitted a fantastic show idea for Oprah's new network. Her show will transform drab to fab finds in a very budget friendly way without sacrificing style and excellent taste. Here is the tipper: Every day a new fabulous blogger will be featured. How fun is that?! Now, this is a popularity contest. So let's help out our sister blogger and go vote for her. Watch her lovely video and click that big green vote button!!!

Here is a good one for all of us who love dishes and china! Our dear Susan from Between Naps On The Porch has opened up a vintage china Etsy shop, In The Butler's Pantry. I am sure we will all find some fabulous treasures there. She is in the process of stocking up her shop right now -- apparently having a really hard time letting go of some of her new finds. Can you blame her?

Now what good gossip list wouldn't include cute babies? Our sweet little Sage has arrived. Sage is the second child of our dear Carissa from lowercase letters. And what a cutie! You are going to have to stop by her blog to take a look at that sweet little baby, as I am not in the habit of posting kids in my blog. Ok, so who looks this good right after having a child?! No fair.

Here is one to keep you coming back for more: multitalented Susan Fox of Love Where You Live, blogger, business owner and editor for Home and Garden magazine, is starting a fantastic new series. It will be a Saturday post called "Her Favorite Space - at Home with ( the featured blogger)" . Yours truly will be featured. I am soooo excited about this one! This Saturday is the first post of the series. Don't miss it!

And of course! If you haven't heard it yet The Shiny Pebble is having a party this Wednesday, June 16th, to celebrate the finale of my Designer Challenge. Fabulously stylish bloggers from all over the world will be linking up to the party and sharing their secrets and insights on throwing a successful party. You are all invited. Pick a dress and join in! It will be lots of fun and fabulous!!!!

You Are Invited to The Designer Challenge Finale Link Party

2010-06-11T09:04:00.005-05:00

Hello friends,

If you haven't heard it yet, some fabulous friends and I are throwing a very stylish soiree this Wednesday, June 16th to celebrate the Finale of our Designer Challenge. All sorts of fun things are planned out for the event. Atendees will be revealing what they will be wearing, drinking , eating, what music will be played and what our surroundings will look like. It will be so much fun to see what everyone comes up with!

I figured some of you may not know what a link party is or how it works, so here is a very quick run down on the kind of link party this one is. A link party is when several bloggers write about one specific post, usually on the same day. In order to easily access all of the info in one neat package, each blogger will go to one place (in this case here at The Shiny Pebble on Wednesday June 16th) and put a link to their post in my blog, under the post that I write. For an example of a very successful link party, stop by Between Naps on The Porch and look at their Metamorphosis Monday and Tablescape Thursday posts. If you are new to blogging, this is a great way to build up your readership.

So, there are several ways to accomplish this, but here is how I am setting up this party. Follow the steps below:

Write a post that is party related. Please add a link on your post to my blog so others can learn about the party (Thanks Struggler!)
Come to my blog on Wednesday after 12:01AM Central Time and scroll down to the bottom of my post (You might want the read the post so you don't miss out on anything fun!)
At the bottom of the post you will find a link gadget called Mr. Linky.

Click on it and follow directions. They are pretty self evident. You will need your URL, which is the line that starts with http:// in the address bar of your post. It will tell Mr. Linky where to go fetch your article.
Go look at the other bloggers posts linked up to the party and be inspired.

It's that easy. But just to reinforce the exercize, I am adding the link down below and you can try linking today's post to it to see if it works. Let's call this a dry run. I will come over and check your post. :)

Also, if you are stuck and can't get it to work on Wednesday, just shoot me an email at theshinypebble@gmail.com and I will try to do it for you.

I would love to thank some very generous friends: Marsha from Splenderosa, Mary Ann from Verbena Cottage and Yvonne from Stone Gable . These fantastic ladies are helping spread the word of this fun event. I love you all! Please, go pay them a visit. All three have absolutely gorgeous and creative blogs!

Welcome Gwen Driscoll

2010-06-09T00:01:00.086-05:00

Gwen Driscoll and Family, Ragland Hill Social

Let us welcome this week to the Designer Challenge, Gwen Driscoll from Ragland Hill Social. Gwen is a fantastic designer whose work is admired and respected by the interior design enthusiasts in the blogosphere. Her business, Gwen Driscoll Designs, is a full service design firm located in Memphis, TN, specializing in residential, contract and hospitality projects nationally. If you are not familiar with her work, please visit this home , one of her latest projects and this fantastic Sophisticate of the South piece. You are sure to be smitten by this designer’s unique talent.

~~~

Tell us a little bit about your background?
I'm a Southerner through and through. I split my time growing up in Bowling Green, KY (a small town one hour north of Nashville) and Memphis, TN. I had the advantage of living in a city and a rural environment. My family has always owned a beautiful farm in Kentucky and we spent lots of time there as children. My time in Memphis allowed me to interact with sophisticated environments and people. I'm a woman who is comfortable with people of all walks of life. I can be equally inspired by a highly educated, sophisticate or a farmer who loves the land. I believe all people who are good and wholesome can teach me something always. I'm not afraid to ask any question, regardless of how elementary it may seem. I love my cowboy boots as much as my Jimmy Choo's!

I do not have a formal education in design, my degree is in English Literature. I believe a liberal arts education is the absolute best a person can have. You can always hone your skills in a certain field later in life but learning about many, many subjects in college, I believe, is the best base for a well-rounded person. I wouldn't trade it for the world. It's made me thirsty for knowledge in so many different fields, I'm constantly in search of educating myself with something new and interesting. My mother was a teacher for 30 years and both my fathers have the patience of Job, leaving a child open to explore lots and lots of subjects. We were always encouraged to ask questions. I was told many times, "It's the only way to learn. Speak up!"

I also believe I was given a gift from the heavens above. I can see a space instantly as it should be (in my opinion, of course). When starting out in this business I took it for granted, not realizing others didn't have the same ability, even other designers. I now drop to my knees daily and, with humility, give thanks. It's been a major key to my success.

I love family and friends (I consider clients both). They are the main emphasis in my life. Without all these special people I interact with daily I wouldn't be me. They are part of my daily tapestry and make me who I am, past and present.

How do you define your style?
I don't consider my design as a style but more a set of guiding principles that I use in every project I work on.

Guiding Principles

Architecture I always respect the architecture of a space I'm working on. This architecture never dictates or limits my design plan but is a place I start with every project.

Client Input
I spend lots of time with my clients initially to determine what their desires and dreams are for the project. I consider designing a space a collaborative effort with my clients and me. It's important to know how the space will be used, how it should look and feel and then I like to know why a client chose me to work on their project. If they have seen a space I've designed and concepted it's helpful to know that. It gives me direction. Most spaces I design are unique to the client I'm designing for but I use a lot of the same concepts in my work so knowing what inspired them to hire me is important.

Research & Development
I spend a great deal of time researching products and finding new and innovative things to do in every project I work on. I think this is what keeps my design fresh and exciting. I do use a lot of the same sources again and again but never the same items from a source.

Products & Artisans
I couldn't do my job without the beautiful things I use to create wonderful spaces for clients but, most importantly, my team of artisans that make my design a reality are a huge part of my style and process. I always focus on what the best design is for a space and then pull together my talented team to make it happen. I've worked with many of the artisans for more than a decade so we speak the same language and know each others strengths and weaknesses.

Respect Tradition & Quality I love the tradition of design, antiques and unique items that are found in my travels and research. I'm always looking for objects and special pieces for each space I design. I believe a huge part of my job is to educate and assist clients in starting collections they can cherish forever whether it's antiques, art, lighting or quirky things that make a space exciting.

Quality is of utmost important to any design. To me, quality doesn't equate to expensive. It can be a piece of art from an artist just starting out who has immense talent. I think a strong designer is able to spot quality a mile away and, quite frankly, that is what you are paying a designer to do: steward your money to best of his/her ability. Having a designer involved in your project will elevate the budget a bit, but your money will be spent in a more diligent, educated way. It's smart to bring in someone who does this every day (and night) in my case. How in the world could a lay person keep up with the current design world? There are so many options, products, opportunities. A designer can narrow it down and focus your process instantly.

Process
Many times clients come to me and don't fully understand the importance of the process of designing a space. As good as I am, the longer I work for a client or work on a project the better my design gets for that client and respective project. I think about what I do as a profession constantly, so a fabulous idea may only occur to me after we've had time together and I've had time to live with the project. Rushing the process is an absolute NO NO. You must have patience and enjoy the process to really get the best product in the end.

Element of Surprise
I like spaces that are alive and exciting. This doesn't mean that every tabletop or inch of wall should be covered but it does mean that every space should have something that is unexpected and different.

Restraint A space must have order and a common language to be fabulous. My spaces are layered and interesting but that doesn't mean things just land and aren't properly planned for. My design may appear that way and I hope it does but everything, and I mean everything, has a purpose and is part of the plan. I'm certainly not saying a client shouldn't purchase an item without my approval but I am saying I deserve to have input in a space that I've concepted and decide where to place each item.

What inspires you? Everything!

Which designer or life experience have shaped your design aesthetics? I really think growing up in a home where I was allowed to express myself let me grow as a creative being. My parents (I have three: my Mother & Step-father & my Dad) all appreciated and allowed me to be me. I was encouraged to explore my artistic talents my whole life. My first love was clothes. I was always experimenting as a child and teenager with different compilations of clothing, jewelry, shoes, etc. I did receive "Best Dressed" of my high school senior class. I'm not sure I deserved it, but "Most Creatively Dressed" I did deserve.

I love all different types of design so my guide with other designers and their work is GREAT DESIGN. It doesn't matter if it's traditional, modern, eclectic, bohemian, etc. If it's well done it gets my attention. I have great respect for all that practice design of any kind.

What is your go to resource?
I have so many! I love Osborne & Little, Holly Hunt, Clarence House, Scalamandre, Schumacher, Kravet, Quadrille, C & C Milano, Niermann Weeks, Formations, Dessin Fournir, Gracie, Leontine Linens, West Elm, Z Gallerie, Target, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma Home, Crate & Barrel.

And, I love antiques and art. I have great relationships with so many dealers. I typically shop in Memphis, Atlanta, New York and New Orleans. I love 1st Dibs too. Some of my favorite dealers are: Karla Katz, Shane Robuck, Amy Perlin (so sad she is gone), Amanda Talley, David Lusk Art, Linda Ross Art, Vicente Wolf, South of Market, Jerry Pair Antiques, Travis & Co. Antiques and Frankum Antiques in Memphis.

What were your thoughts when designing my room?
I love Catherine. I've been reading her blog for many months now and it isn't hard to see what an interesting person she is. Though I haven't been in her space, personally, I think it can be a wonderful room for her family to enjoy, both formally and informally. In all my design, I'm interested in creating a mix of styles and price points. I'm always looking for something that will be the lead, in this case, the Gracie wallpaper, Julie Neill chandelier and Holly Hunt chairs. And then, everything else can be secondary. I hope everyone likes it. I LOVE IT!

THE DESIGN PLAN

I'm so excited Catherine asked me to be a part of the collaborative team giving design ideas for her Dining Room. First and foremost, when designing a project for someone, I create the absolute best option for a space, usually, starting as if it was an empty room.

Many times it's challenging for a client to get excited and inspired in a space when repurposing items. I usually propose doing projects in stages if the budget doesn't permit an entire overhaul. So, if the space is designed from scratch in the beginning, a client can see the vision clearly and we can decide what should happen in phase I, II and even III.

Catherine's Dining Room is a nice size room, not too large or small. I do think the room would be more important and dramatic if it was furnished more sparingly. So, move it all out (mentally) and envision a blank slate.

Because this room has multiple doorways and windows, I propose painting all the trim to include, base and crown molding, windows and door trim Benjamin Moore's Coastal Fog. It's a beautiful color that reads as a neutral but isn't dreary and dismal, it has some life to it. See this beautiful image board of Gracie wallpaper below. Let's wrap the walls with Gracie and let it sing openly.

I love a Dining Room to have drama and presence. It's typically a room that you aren't in every day, it's usually a room you celebrate holidays, special occasions, elaborate family dinners and we always have dinner in our Dining Room on report card day (at least so far it's been a celebration). Therefore, I like a Dining Room to have its own feel, emotion, a space that doesn't fall flat, a space to be remembered.

Gracie was founded in New York in 1898 and is still a family run business today. Isn't that amazing? Mr. Gracie had a friend, a textile trader, who showed him a roll of spectacular hand painted wallpapers he had discovered in Beijing. As any great entrepreneur would see, Mr. Gracie felt he had found his unique product for the design market. Decades later, Gracie Wallpaper is truly a beautiful product that, most anyone, would love to have in their home.

This is the Gracie paper I've chosen for Catherine. It's sophisticated without being stuffy, it's interesting without being too busy, it's perfection! Now, for those of you thinking, "Yeh, right, who can afford Gracie?", I have a solution. I would never contemplate copying Gracie exactly, that just wouldn't be professional or ethical. But, I would show a local artist in Catherine's area our Gracie inspiration board and ask him/her to create a dramatic original plan for us. Or, I have several artists I work with on a regular basis who have created masterpieces for my clients. Finding the right artist is key. This could go beautifully or could be a disaster. And, my eyes guide the entire process. That is really what a great designer does for a client, takes a concept and turns it into a reality seamlessly.

Here is my paint selection board for the Dining Room. Benjamin Moore's Coastal Fog will be the trim and molding color (as stated above & here above right), everything except the ceiling. I think Catherine's ceiling, actually, could be an interesting opportunity for this space. It calls for a fabulous chandelier & special treatment to create drama. I propose painting everything above the crown molding, Benjamin Moore's Texas Leather (see above left). If the budget permits, I would love to see Catherine mirror her entire ceiling in this room. So, we have two options for that. Which do you prefer?

And then, we will hang this beautiful Julie Neill Designs chandelier. Have you ever seen anything more simply gorgeous? My two favorite things in juxtaposition: simple and gorgeous.

Because our walls and ceiling are going to be spectacular and dramatic, I think the drapery should be simple. My favorite drapery always is a beautiful silk used in an informal way. I like to use crusty iron rods & rings for drapery, sewing the iron rings directly on the panels for a look that is casual and beautiful. The silk for this project is Schumacher's Bellini Silk in Mocha.

All of these elements stated above create the first layer for this room. A layered approach to design is what I believe makes my design unique and inspiring. It's what puts people at ease and lets them feel like they're home. How a room feels is as important as how a room looks and layers are what make it feel real and comfortable.

I've selected this beautiful Grand Louis XV buffet from Uptowner Antiques in New Orleans. I always love to use sterling silver in a Dining Room, something like this beautiful tray will sit on the left side of the buffet. The turquoise faience vase turned lamp will sit to the right of the buffet (it needs a new shade that isn't so starkly white). It's from H.M. Luther Antiques in New York. And, our element of surprise is this David Comstock painting from Linda Ross Gallery in Memphis. This painting is a graphic, modern element to balance our traditional pieces in the room.

If a Dining Room's size permits, I always like to create a comfortable seating area that can be used when entertaining for large groups or you can sit and enjoy your morning cup of coffee, so it doubles as a Morning Room. I love this banquette, modern pole lamp and a pair of these ceramic garden stools to sit in front of the banquette. And, everyone knows of my unusual interest in antlers...I love this mirror from Mecox Gardens to hang above the banquette. This will all go on the wall where the China cabinet originally was placed. It can be centered or banked in the corner by the window.

A Dining Room table can be a huge investment. I haven't purchased a "real" table for my own Dining Room because, at age 40, I can't yet decide what style I want to commit to for a lifetime. I have a table similar to this one from Z Gallerie in my Dining Room and I love it. It's beautiful for buffet serving for a large party with its strong architectural and modern feel or looks great with chairs around it for a dinner party.

For Catherine, I've chosen these fabulous Holly Hunt chairs to be upholstered in Edelman Leather's Luxe Calf in Rootbeer. A very chic way to finish her Dining Room project.

I also love to use beautiful tablecloths, napkins, placemats, found sterling silver and fabulously simply china that lets a beautiful meal be the show. I think Catherine's table would be perfect for white or lavender hues in flowers. And I love horn anything: bowls, drinking horns, silverware with horn handles. I think this could also be a great addition to her Dining Room table.

My go to source for beautiful heirloom linens is Leontine Linens. See these beauties below.

Everything about Leontine Linens is custom. They have thousands of combinations of monogram styles, colors, borders, fabric types for you to create your special heirloom. And, best quality of all, wash and dry at home to perfection.

The founders of Leontine Linens, Jane Scott & Philip Hodges, are great friends and clients. As a thank you gift for decorating their beautiful home, I received a set of 12 placemats and napkins for my Dining Room. I wept because they are truly exquisite and something I will leave to my precious Lucy one day.

I hope this design scheme is something Catherine likes and you all have enjoyed having a bird's eye view into my design process. I'm passionate about what I do, love it dearly and I'm energized daily with the lovely people and places I encounter because of my profession. And many of those are my blog friends, who now, have become a part of my daily tapestry. Much love to you all.

Gwen

~~~

Wow, if I didn’t love Gwen before, I would have fallen in love with her all over again. Her design philosophy as well as Gwen’s captivating persona truly shine through in her design work and writings. Sophistication personified! It did not go unnoticed the little touch of lavender in the flowers, Gwen’s design signature. And oh my goodness, I have been eyeing that Julie Neill chandelier since I first saw it in her blog, Bayou Contessa, right after moving into my new home. I think this post might just have closed the deal on that transaction!

Now, please go visit the fabulous Splenderosa to find out what she has selected for this week’s soiree.

If you all enjoyed this makeover as much as I did and would love to see more entries and related posts, please check out the links below:

The Shiny Pebble Designer Challenge, or: Please, Make This Pebble Shine Again!

Amanda Burdge's Creating a Hip Space from a Traditional Place

Raina Cox's (If The Lampshade Fits) Boho Contempo Style

Christina Fluegge’s (Greige) Transitional Eclectic Mix

Beth Connolly’s (Chinoiserie Chic) British Colonial Style

Amy Forshew’s (Pemberley Style) Soft Tones Traditional

Charlotta Ward’s (Space for Inspiration) Elegant Nordic Conceptualizations

Leigha Oak’s (Elle Oh ) The Belgian Look with a Twist

Kellie Collis (Ada and Darcy) An Aussie’s Interpretation

Next Wednesday, come back for the very stylish link party we are throwing to celebrate the finale… More details on this Friday’s post.

Once again, thank you The Daily Basics for helping us spread the word of the challenge.
Hugs and Kisses!
Catherine

Linking to: Trendy Treehouse , A Stroll Thru Life, Tablescape Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Show and Tell Friday, Remodelaholic, Metamorphosis Monday

A Glam Summer Lemonade

2010-06-07T09:17:00.009-05:00

Since when lemonade has to be ordinary right? This weekend I served a special lemonade recipe for my husband as a treat after his hard work on a gardening project we have in the works. I developed this recipe after drinking something similar in Calgary at the River Cafe in Prince’s Island Park a couple of Summers ago.
It is a really simple recipe, but sure to impress your guest. Here is what you need per glass:

Juice of half a lemon
One tablespoon of honey infused with rosemary
Crushed or small ice
Sparkling water
A couple of raspberries
A straw to mix it

You will have to pour the honey and the juice at the bottom of the glass first, then fill it with ice, pour in the water, then pop in the berries. The idea is for the guest to experience the honey lemon sweetness first as they sip thru the straw. It is like sunshine in a glass…

Enjoy!

Linking to: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Making the World Cuter Monday, Made it Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Keeping it Simple, Toot your Horn Tuesday, Tip Junkie Tuesday, Take a Look Tuesday,

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

2010-06-05T08:25:00.012-05:00

Father's Day is coming up (June 20th here in the US, Canada and UK) and I have been doing some ~~soul~~ searching on what to get my dear husband . I must admit a twinge of jealousy as I leaf thru magazines and click thru some fancy sites and recall that the past few weeks he's been wining and dining all over the world while I've spent a good part of my days picking up after the four poopy machines I have roaming around the house. So in typical Calgon take me away fashion I have come up with a few gift ideas for us him.

I have organized them by price points- least to most expensive. Click on the pictures and it will take you directly to some really cool sources.

For Him: Fishing License (cost: less than $50 bucks)
For Me: License to re-Finish that expensive piece of furniture he won't let me 'destroy' (cost: free)

For Him: Magazine Subscriptions (cost: about $100 for three)
For Me: European /Australian ones for me (cost: considerably more)

View Full Album

For Him: Travel Tote (cost: $385)
For Me: Tool Tote – so I don’t have to look at that mess in the garage! (cost: $155, hey you’d still come up ahead)
OR

For Him: Travel Wallet in Croc (cost: $565)
For Me: Travel Clutch in Cerulean (cost: $675)
OR

For Him: Set up a Bar (cost: about $1000)
For You: Set up a Bar (cost: a little more)
OR

For Him: 3-D TV get him ready for the new technology available later this year (cost: it won’t be pretty)
For Me: Iron Man in 3D (Robert Downing Jr., need I say more?)
OR

For Him: 2010 Ryder Cup Experience (cost: $8,600 per person)
For Me: Esperanza Spa Experience (cost: how can one put a price on happiness?)
OR

For Him: Safari via Abercrombie & Kent (cost: If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. I had to ask!)
For Me: Shopping Trip through the Antique Markets of Isle sur la Sorgue (cost: the sky is the limit, so who is keeping tabs?)
OR

Poof! Time for me to wake up and clean up some poop! Maybe I will give him what he really needs: a comfy clean bed and quiet room with lots of time to rest and recoup from his mad crazy schedule and different time zones.

I am always open for suggestions…

~~~

Now, on a different topic all together. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 16. To celebrate the Finale of the Designer Challenge I will be hosting a very stylish party. Everyone is invited. Designers and friends will be linking in with their ideas and suggestions on how to throw a smashing soiree… from what to wear to what to serve to what to bring your hostess. It should be lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Splendid Willow for letting me use her beautiful blue chest on this post!

Many Thanks

2010-06-03T11:02:00.003-05:00

Gosh, it has been so long since I last wrote a post of my own that I almost forgot how to do it...

I hope you all are having a wonderful Summer. Things have heated up considerably here in Texas... thank goodness for neighborhood pools! Is it me or is there a gusto for life in the real world when the weather gets nice outside? Blogging is best enjoyed in colder or rainy days...

My Mister Darcy has been gone for a good month, globetrotting while I was taking care of the fort solo. With his return, I have had time to do some major housecleaning which is now extending to a little bit of dusting around here at The Shiny Pebble as well. Nothing major. There will be a couple of fun announcements soon, both related to the Designer Challenge. Come back Friday for some sneak peeks.

Today, I would love to thank all of my lovely readers and friends, who have kept up with me thru these past few 'absent' weeks. My heart is filled by the generosity of the lovely bloggers whose efforts filled these pages with such fabulously creative material. Thank you to all of my designer blogging friends and artists for their talented work portrayed here. I am also thanking my dear friend Kelly at Out of Colorado for a couple of fun awards she has sent my way.

To thank you all, I would love to pass along these awards to all of you fantastic bloggers who have helped me thru these weeks. You may choose not to pass on the awards or not to post them in your sites, but I just want to acknowledge you all right here.

Holding Court

Verbena Cottage

Bramasole

All Things Paint and Plaster

Struggling to be Stylish

Please, pick one of these links from my list and go visit them. Tell them I sent you as a way to say thanks to them - spread the love. You are all wonderful, creative people.

Hugs and Kisses!
Catherine

Welcome Kellie Collis

2010-06-02T00:01:00.008-05:00

Kellie Collis from Ada and Darcy

This week at the Shiny Pebble we are welcoming the gorgeous Kellie Collis from Ada and Darcy to the Designer Challenge. Kellie’s interpretation comes all the way from Australia. I am so excited to share her bright, sunny twist to my dreary dining room. I am sure you will enjoy it too.

~~~

Hi I am Kellie from Ada & Darcy. By day, I am a corporate girl, by night I have my blog, an interior stylist and soon to be owner of an online store full of stylish and pretty home décor.

How do you define your style?
I am a girl who loves colour through and through. My personal preference is a white backdrop with splashes of beautiful bold colours with a special love for pink, blue and turquoise. I tend to not mind reds but I find that I never naturally lend myself to that tone.

I also adore pattern on pattern on pattern. And I’m really not a “matchy, matchy” kind of girl, which goes against everything my mother (and my mother in law know). My style it appears has been a learning curve for my family as well who really never understood why I would want florals with stripes with geometric!

In homes, for me, flowers are such an important element and can bring a room to life. I also like a softened, warm look and flowers achieve that look amazingly well. My weekly Saturday joy is the flower markets whereby I can potter around thinking about how I will play with them in my home that coming week.

What inspires you?
I tend to be inspired mainly by colour and pattern. When I see a new fabric a adore, I cant help but think how I could build it into an interior, how I could make the room a dream around it.

Being located in Australia whereby interior designers and stylists just don’t have the same edge that you often see in the USA (nor the same budgets) means that the Internet is a lifesaver for opening my eyes into the beautiful world of interiors. I adore to explore blog after blog, seeing how designers are challenging the norm and making use of all the beautiful resources out there.

I do love the flea markets as well, and sourcing something beautiful and old gives me so much excitement and invigorates me with new ideas if I'm ever feeling as though I'm stuck in a rut!

Which designer or life experience has influenced your design aesthetics?
I adore Windsor Smith and Kelly Wearsler are my favourite designers, I adore both their use of colour and taking design to the absolute edge. What I also adore about their work is their sense of femininity and glamour, something that are so important to me.

Over time my style has evolved and changed. I initially had a love for fashion, which has extended into interiors and I think my interior style is very much reflected in my fashion style as well. My Mum’s philosophy is it’s better to be under dressed than over dressed, for me it’s the opposite and I feel the same about a room I style. More is more and always incredibly important.

Interestingly whilst my Mum and I have pole opposite style, she does have a sense of order which is a must have for me as well. Whilst I adore patterns and colour, I cannot stand clutter so making a home stylish, fresh and clean is essential.

What is your go to source?
Magazines and blogs mainly. I adore Lonny magazine and think that this has possibly replaced what a gaping whole Domino left in the design market.

I also do love fashion and enjoy using those ideas and transforming them into something lovely in a room.

What were your thoughts on designing my room?
I thought, that perhaps you wouldn’t mind me being completely selfish and turning Catherine’s room into my room. A designers dream of course that they can impose totally their design aesthetic onto their client…
Firstly I would start with paining the floors, ceilings and walls white. White to me is the perfect canvas for creating a perfect room that can be changed, updated or modified with the drop of a hat. Then I would add some beautiful wallpaper to the back wall, in a stunning print that lights up the face of everyone that walks into the room. I’m thinking Imperial Trellis would be perfect!

Once we have the base right, I would then introduce a stunning light fitting such as a large French antique chandelier with lots of old school glamour. And, a lovely large rug, perhaps a darling black and white stripe to give it a bit of boldness.

I would then source a beautiful big French antique dining table and paint some gorgeous Chippendale chairs in a gorgeous high gloss aqua blue with my favourite pink floral with ginger jars fabric. Of course on that table would be a giant glass round vase full of stunning blooms.

I would source a beautiful antique console and on the top would style it with gorgeous ginger jars, silver antique trinkets and source two large lamps with custom made shades in a beautiful bright fabric.

Then in the corner I would paint a gorgeous old chair in white paint and cover it in a stunning fabric in the pink floral with the ginger jar print that is on the stunning Chippendale chairs. And perhaps some gorgeous books stacked with a gorgeous vase on top full of pretty roses.

Then I would source 3 antique mirrors and paint them, I’m thinking white, pink and blue would be delightful.

Wow that was fun, an endless budget and endless colour palette.

~~~

I simply adore Kellie’s cheerful aesthetics. The bright, crisp colors and patterns juxtaposed with a few antiques and touches of glamour lend a youthful tone to any stuffy old room. It is hard to pick a favorite piece, rather the general gorgeousness of the youthful palette is my favorite part of this design.

Now is the time for you to skip over to Splenderosa to see what the talented Marsha has put together for me to wear.

If you all enjoyed this makeover as much as I did and would love to see more entries and related posts, please check out the links below:

The Shiny Pebble Designer Challenge, or: Please, Make This Pebble Shine Again!

Amanda Burdge's Creating a Hip Space from a Traditional Place

Raina Cox's (If The Lampshade Fits) Boho Contempo Style

Christina Fluegge’s (Greige) Transitional Eclectic Mix

Beth Connolly’s (Chinoiserie Chic) British Colonial Style

Amy Forshew’s (Pemberley Style) Soft Tones Traditional

Charlotta Ward’s (Space for Inspiration) Elegant Nordic Conceptualizations

Leigha Oak’s (Elle Oh ) The Belgian Look with a Twist

Mark your calendars for next Wednesday, when the much anticipated Gwen Driscoll from Ragland Hill Social will be doing her interpretation of this room. I see sophistication and glamour wrapped up in a gorgeous package here…

Once again, thank you The Daily Basics for helping us spread the word of the challenge.

Hugs and Kisses!
Catherine

Linking to: WooHoo Wednesday, Make it Yours Day, Tablescape Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Show and Share Day, Show and Tell Friday, Remodelaholic, Metamorphosis Monday

The Art of Decorative Painting

2010-05-27T23:46:00.006-05:00

In the spirit of celebrating everything that is Art, I would love to introduce you to Ann Onusko of All things paint an plaster. Ann is one of those lovely ladies whose touch transforms mundane things into beautiful art - be it an unloved piece of furniture or a patch of dirt. I stumbled upon her blog a few weeks back and just fell in love with the fact that all of her posts clearly reflect who she is and what she loves. The blog is written from a gardener/faux finisher point of view. You will see images that seem to be unrelated and at the same time define an idea behind her creation (see here and here). It is a fantastic opportunity for people like myself who are in awe of what goes on in an Artist’s mind. For the interior designers in the bunch, as well as architecture buffs, I guarantee you all will enjoy spending hours perusing her posts looking at a wall, a piece of furniture, a pediment thru the eyes of an artist.

~~~

Ann Onusko

All things paint and plaster….

Background

I am the second oldest of sixteen children and was raised in a very loving, active environment. As one of many children, I had to learn very young to speak up and be direct if you wanted to be heard at all! Consequently, I am a rather straightforward person, although I admire those who can wax poetic, as the saying goes.

After graduating with a BSRN degree from St. Louis University, I worked as a home care RN on and off for ten years while I was beginning to raise my three children. I fell in love with gardening during the times I was home with my children and spent their nap time hours outside tending the flowers and vegetables. Eventually I began drying the flowers and creating arrangements and wreaths. I went to work in a flower shop and moved on to working for a special events decorator who opened up a whole new world for me. As the need for creating props increased, I began to study faux finishes and decorative painting all over the country. I couldn’t get enough! I now plaster and paint with my own company, Great Lakes Decorative Arts Studio and do freelance container gardening and other special projects.

My blog is All things paint and plaster….

The Shiny Pebble: How do you define your style?
In my home, eclectic and European. In my dress, more traditional, although it is hard to say as I am usually dressed down for painting and gardening. In my beliefs, rather liberal.

TSP: What inspires you?
Excellent design, others with a passion for what they do and love, creativity, colors, textures and scents.

TSP: What designer or life experience has influenced your design aesthetics?
In the painting world, Raphael and Michaelangelo. In the modern times, I love Mark Rothko and Marcia Meyers. There are so many “unknown” painters in our contemporary world who I have met through online forums and conventions, and I have the utmost respect for them.

In the design world, I very much admire John Saladino and Axel Vervoordt.
As far as gardening and flowers go, I was inspired by two books: Earth on Her Hands and The American Woman’s Garden. Both demonstrated to me that a woman can do anything she sets her mind to do.

TSP: Where is your go to source?
Books: from one of the best libraries in the country, the Cleveland Public Library in downtown Cleveland. It has a huge Arts and Garden section and it is very rare not find what I am looking for there. Of course, magazines and the internet also.

These sources allow me to find the professional painting products and flower and herb vendors with the most unusual offerings. I prefer to do what others are not doing!

My decorative painting projects range from lots of furniture finishes and cabinet re-dos to custom commercial applications, such as two large Art Deco screens, office and studio backdrops and finishes and two Italian domes with eight columns (see it here). While I enjoy most types of finishes, I prefer the more modern, contemporary finish. Gilding is also a favorite.

When working with a client, the key is to discover exactly what they are looking for. Often, they are not able to actually define that, but through visuals, such as photos, samples, botanicals, etc., we determine together which direction I should take. I will then create samples until we nail down the finish. It is very much a road to travel together. And, of course, changes often need to be made as I am working on site.

This first photo is a replication of a 1924 Art Deco screen by Edgar Brandt:

Here are a few before and after photos of various projects:
This gold painted and peeling mirror was re-finished to coordinate with the client’s more contemporary décor:

This hutch went from a 1960’s paint finish to a French gray:

This fireplace was in need of major repair, so the client decided to lighten the look and remove the gray overtones:

The cement floor in this studio was awful, as you can see. I repaired and refinished it with water-based products that will stand up to the abuse that it will receive. It lightened the whole area:

This office had been painted a lime green that needed updating. It is now a shimmery, off white metallic that can be scrubbed and is accented with an eggplant gray:

Last, but not least, this is my French Indochine finish. It was inspired by a client’s Pierre Frey pillow that she wanted to use in her powder room. I have done it two ways: the middle photo shows a topaz Venetian plaster background with a shimmery orchid metallic used to fill in the Chinoiserie design. The far right photo shows a different shimmery amethyst background with a topaz Venetian plaster filling in the design:

Thank you, Catherine, for this opportunity to explain a little of what a decorative painter does!

~~~

I absolutely adore her French Indochine work and would love to have a whole room covered in this finish! And now, because I am so jealous of her green thumb, I will leave you with a few fabulous garden pictures from Ann’s bountiful Eden…

Linking to: Favorite Things Friday, Show and Tell Friday