Interior Design Newton, MA

The Greatest Product in the History of Mankind!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 19:49:00 +0000

Last winter in Newton Massachusetts, our bedroom was so cold at night that the simple act of getting into bed was absolute torture. Allowing your skin to touch the freezing sheets felt close to bracing yourself for a firing squad. I love our bed and after 10 minutes of swearing and an hour of warming up we sleept soundly. But seriously an hour of warming up - NO just NO, I could not take it one more night- my feet were turning into permenant flesh popsicles. I had dreamed of a better solution, maybe we could put an old fashion bed warmer under the covers or a hot water bottle- but that just takes care of your feet, what about the rest of your goosebump-laden body?

Then I found this (see amazon link to left) The Sunbeam Electric Heated Mattress Pad. This is the best invention I could ever imagine- it's absolutly perfect in every way. It has dual controls- yup thats right we can each control our own sides of the bed seperately. It also has three areas on each side that are controled individually- if your feet need a level 5 warm but the rest of you needs only a level 2- you got it! And Just when you thought it couldn't get better- there is a pre-heat setting! Push one button 30 minutes before bed and the bed warms up then automatically shuts off 1/2 hour later when you're ready to hit the hay. Now we look forward to getting into bed, we slip under the covers and lay there litterally saying the same words every night "Oh My god this is SO AWESOME, who knew life got this good" We literally giggle like little kids who just got away with stealing a pound of candy.

Now I want you to notice that the cost is under $100- seriously this is the best money I have ever spent. Had to tell you about this! I owe it to the interior design obsessed world to announce that the best money spent was not on designer fabrics or wall paper but this humble, inexpensive, never to be visually noticed product. Happy warm feet to all- Cheers!

Anything But Boring. Great Bathroom Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 16:46:00 +0000

I am sick of boring bathrooms- actually I am sick of boring everything. You all know I encourage the personalized, original, inspired, unique. This has nothing to do with style- I just want individualized anything. The bathroom is a particularly fun place to design, you can do a lot without getting sick of it- you're only in there for a minute or two. Think of it as a little jewel box.
Check out these interesting spaces:

Apartment therapy
Notice that many of the bathrooms (not all) used simple classic plumbing fixtures and then added character that could be changed without calling the plumber or costly construction.

Enslaved by Possessions

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 01:21:00 +0000

So who wants to be held hostage by your possessions? I think no one! No one enjoys worrying 24/7, whether the silk covered sofa will survive another day.
What about the white carpeting? (I’m enough of a stress case, that would put me way over the edge!)
The kids, the dog, the sun- oh my!

If you’re like me (I need to think someone is), you yell at your kids enough. Some days more than enough. Why add unnecessary things to yell about (silk sofa, for example). We do have rules in our house, all food stays in the kitchen or dining room, no arts and crafts in the living room and NO SPORTS in the house. Other than that we are pretty lax (the house is drip dry)- my kids have lived with beautiful things all their lives and have a healthy respect for them (read: fear of me) as long as most of the stuff in our house is more carefree.

The things kids, dogs, and in my case messy husband, tend to stay clear of are: Window treatments, light fixtures, art, mirrors, accessories on mantles (occasionally on tables) and case goods (side tables,bookcases,secretary's,sideboards etc.). These are areas where I can have my Interior Design fun and splurge.
With all this said, to keep stress to a minimum and not sacrifice style, here are some areas where you should consider going almost industrial: Coffee tables, carpets and upholstered furniture.

Coffee tables

These vital pieces should not be so precious that you can’t put your feet on them, my advise is to look for something upholstered (ottoman with tray), weathered, painted (you can always repaint), metal and defiantly distressed. Wear and tear on distressed furniture only adds character but a scratch on a slick piano finish table – it’s ruined! Don’t set yourself up for constant care and militant discipline of your family if you’re not that type of person. This is also a piece that does not need to “match” the other tables- it should be interesting- have fun with it. Even if you already have polished wood just accept that you will have to refinish and let it go- Live!

Carpets

1. Sea grass- durable, chic, affordable and can be layered upon with other area rugs like zebra hides or orientals (certainly to hide stains if they occur, but no need admit to that motivation). It also looks great and takes on character when worn.
2. Another work horse is hand-knotted, 100% wool carpets. The more pattern the better, but stay away from adding silk to the pattern (cleaning nightmare). These carpets have been getting the job done for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Literally, you can’t kill-em.
3. My last suggestion is something for traditionally more casual spaces – (However I used really fun ones in my formal foyer- LOVE THEM) they are Flor carpet tiles. We live in New England so there’s always mud, snow, rain, etc. (plus I have two dogs in addition to my kids) and these carpet tiles kick serous New England Butt! You can even pull one up and wash it in the sink- really! I chose a great texture and colors and threw them under formal antiques and love the playfulness.

Upholstered furniture

The big one - sofas , chairs, ottomans etc.… these get major abuse! Some hints to help are:
1) SLIPCOVERS that can be washed- ok really this one is huge and has saved my house. Slipcovers are no longer big sloppy loose, baggy sacks over furniture, but tight beautifully made covers that fit like gloves. You may not even be able to tell that something is slip covered anymore. This may seem crazy but the real work-horse of slip cover fabric is pure white denim or linen. It can not only be washed but bleached as well (think of the possibilities). If you used yellow or green or blue you can wash but we all know some stains just don’t come out- UNLESS you can bleach it. If you plan to wash your slipcovers please be sure to wash and dry the fabric prior to having them made in order to pre- shrink it. There is nothing worse than slip covers not fitting after washing.

(country living)
2) Leather! Leather is so great and if already slightly distressed it will only take on more character when used. You can wipe offending spills and dirt right off and dog hair doesn't stick- hooray!

3)Other fabric options some more and/or less expensive and fab than others: wool mohair (you can find antique chairs with the original wool mohair still intact- seriously tough and deliciously fabulous stuff), Toray Ultra suede (the real ultra suede- not the cheap micro suede version) and finally some manufacturers are introducing indoor outdoor fabrics that are finally not like sand paper- these do the job incredibly well.

(Ryan Korban)
When I grew up my parents didn't decorate the way people do today and I dreamt of the beautiful house in which I would someday live. I love beautiful things and need spaces that are visually appealing to mostly adults but not at the cost of my kids and dogs not sharing them with me. Keep some things easy care and go fabulously nuts with the rest without the stress of being held hostage by your things.

Kitchen Obsession: Great Out-Of-The-Box Kitchen Inspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:09:00 +0000

I would LOVE to renovate my kitchen- both my husband and I love to cook –(actually Kevin is the cook and I play cook on his off days) In our house we have a formal living room, formal dining room, formal foyer and kitchen - that makes up the first floor. We are really BIG on family dinners and try to have a sit down dinner with our kids every night. We eat in our formal dining room and we play games like: high/low, what's the best “high” part of your day and the “low” the worst part of your day. This is the only way we get more than a grunt from our kids about their day. This also involves them in our day and shows them that grown ups have great parts and not so great parts of their life too. I feel we are really missing the casual eat in and family room part of the kitchen of my dreams. I do love the look of my eclectic, totally out of the box kitchen but we need to take it up a notch in functionality.

I am constantly scouring images in magazines and on the web for interesting kitchens. Spaces that are done differently, kitchens that wouldn't date as quickly, kitchens that maximize drama and functionality. I want a space with a ton of personality (our house has a ton of character- that's code for old piece of crap!)

I want warm, friendly, personalized, sunny, happy and carefree.

Metropolitan home
Like most kitchens ours is the heart of our home and needs to help keep our super busy lives organized and clutter free - everything needs a place.

Sun is so important to me- i want to open the back of the house up to our Awesome backyard that no one uses and that visitors don’t even realize is there. I want a wall of windows in the kitchen - the morning sun!

MS Living

Apartment therapy

House Beautiful

Coastal living

Jill Kantelberg/ Angus Fergusson

Jonathan tuckey

Richard powers

www.decoriz.com

Desire to inspire

Gianetti designs

www.junkinescapeds.com

Some of these kitchens are quirkier than others, but all challenge the way to think about kitchens. The hardest thing to juggle when your wanting out of the box is resale value. Do you do it for yourself and hope in 10 years someone else will appreciate your vision? In 10 years will that new person rip out any kitchen you put in place anyway. Hummmmm, what to do? Everytime I think I’ve found the perfect idea, I find a new picture of something more interesting. in the end I’m so fickle I might just have my current kitchen forever. If I were my client, I would have to fire myself.

Media- the perfect storm

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Ok, so I want you to know I am not trying to make you vomit by patting myself on the back (you say: yada yada yada here it comes- eyes rolling). My life is usually fairly (correction: completely) boring and I am just so shocked at whatever this freak Twilight-like stuff that's happening in my life- I wanted to share my thoughts and thanks.
The past year and a half has been nothing short of amazing (no really- freakishly amazing)! I put up my website, I started writing my blog (something I never thought I could do or had the time for), I started tweeting (ditto, and I suck at it), I got photographed for Country Home magazine, I (my house) appeared in Kitchen and Bath Makeover magazine, I was hired to be the Interior designer for This Old House TV show, My work was in This Old House Magazine a couple times, An article about me was published on the front page of the Newton Tab newspaper (Thanksgiving week no less), I have been quoted in Better Home and Gardens magazine, I was in New England Home Magazine, I did a piece for HGTV Blog and website, This month my house is in a four page spread in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine and I am guest Blogging for New England Home Magazine. All of this after 12 years of obscurity, keeping my head down, working hard for clients and living on word-of-mouth referrals.
Holy shmoly!!!!!!

Last night at my book group someone asked me why all this is happening now? Was it the TV show, was it the blog? What was it and how did it start? My answer???? I have no flipping idea! (I am surprisingly eloquent at times). My grandfather used to say “luck is when hard work meets opportunity”. Is that it? is this just good luck or hard work meeting opportunity (notice I put luck first)??? Over the last 12 years of working in this industry I must say I always try to do my absolute best. I am honest to a fault, straight forward, happy and friendly. I believe in making my client’s feel good about their taste and choices and hopefully they love the design process. I am by no means perfect, I am a small company and if one of my kids, husband or I get sick, the world stops. I try to return phone calls and emails within 48 hours (I get hundreds of emails everyday) Could I be speedier- yep, absolutely, but there is only one me and I do my best. I am 15 min late for everything and the hip outfits for the first few appointments degrade into just shy of my gym clothes as time goes on (you think I’m kidding- you’re lucky I shower most of the time). Of all the amazing designers out there, I am as good as others at some stuff, and I am far worse at some stuff than many, but I do try hard and I really care. I just can’t believe that after 12 years of designing people’s homes- I am finally getting noticed. Ya freaking hoooooo!!!!!!!

For all this I want to thank all of my wonderful, incredible clients who have made my job so amazing- I adore every one of you! I also want to thank all of my vendors, you are the backbone of my success. In an industry that Designers work alone or with a very small staff, it is the wonderful relationships with my vendors and clients that make my job so amazing and supremely satisfying. I love that my kids see that mommy loves what she does for a living- I wake up and can’t wait to start working. I hope they find the same passion for their careers in life.

High Points of High Point

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:30:00 +0000

Last week I spent 4 days in High Point North Carolina at Furniture Market (that’s right ladies although it was work- I didn’t have to put anyone to bed or yell at anyone to get to school on time- HEAVEN!). I went with two great friends, we toured 6 huge showrooms in-depth (Hours and Hours) and did drive-by’s on dozens more (maybe hundreds- my aching feet would have guessed thousands)- really fun! (Design Porn as my husband calls it) High Point is a town in NC that comes to life for two weeks of the year with huge showrooms in fantastically enormous buildings to show each companies latest and greatest furniture, lighting, carpets, accessories and fabric. It is most frequented by furniture showroom and furniture store owners, buyers and employees. Increasingly Interior Designers have been going, this gives you a much more in-depth understanding of various lines you can offer to clients and a greater more macro understanding of the industry at large. Plus, it keeps you on the pulse of what trends and directions the industry is going in and how to creatively use various looks in clients homes. Going with friends (other interior designers) gives you additional eyeballs to see the bevy of ideas. The two friends I went with - Fabulous Designers Heather Vaughan and Betsy Bassett - were so much fun. Both have a different way of looking at and applying each thing we saw, thus heightening all of our takeaways from the experience.
If I had to boil it all down to common threads I would say- the Restoration Hardware “greige, distressed, vintage, flea market” look was in full force (weren't we done with that by the second or third Restoration Catalog? Apparently not, they saturated us to death with the look). There was a ton of deconstructionist looks from lighting to furniture to rugs and accessories in all aspects of urban-industrial and somewhat organic (which was refreshing).

Aiden Grey

Aiden Grey

Great organic rusted metal sconce from Currey and Company

Currey and Company- comes in many sizes and shapes
On the flip side, there was also more of the clean “Modern” look of paired-down case goods with no molding, clean lines and contemporary hardware only this time in colors. Color, color everywhere.

Global Views

Hard to tell this is an amazing “stop you in your tracks” Aqua glass covered night stand at Worlds Away.

Great fun side table from Worlds Away

Color Color everywhere at Worlds Away- notice the great Yellow lacquer coffee table- they came in every color.
In the middle of the two deconstructed/distressed and the clean lined contemporary colorful there was something else……. Mid-Century and Art Deco styling in lighting, upholstery, case goods and accessories (this seemed new and interesting to me).

Mid-Century styled chair (uber comfy) at Hickory Chair- the great thing this photo illustrates is the mixing of styles in the showroom scene, everything goes with everything- well done HCC!

Channeling Dorothy Draper at Hickory Chair

Retro styled chair at Bee Line by Bunny Williams

Very Deco club chair at Century- it’s huge, comfy and it swivels!
The thing I really liked in the larger showrooms we toured was an emphasis on comfort (finally), cleaner silhouettes (not so much contemporary but I would say clean traditional to transitional) and comfortable (worth repeating)!

Chairs at Hickory Chair – clean, classic and beautiful (comfy as can be)
There was also a dotting (as well as the literal plopping) of ethnic in the styling of traditional,transitional and contemporary- Asian, Moroccan, African, and European (English-although for me this does not necessarily suit the ethnic category as much as the “I'm well traveled look that abounds)

Union Jack perch at Pearson Company- Absurdly comfortable!!! (Union Jack was absolutely everywhere)

More from Pearson- the scale of these chairs was so cool!

Hickory Chair stools (Mayan inspired)

Asian inspired side table by Hickory Chair

Chinoisere meets out of Africa at Hickory Chair

Asian Eterge at Bee Line

Great Safari fabric at Pearson- also terrific chair!

Absolutely Fab tortoise chair at Century

Century does it again- unbelievable table, can’t wait to order this!

Century
About 8-12 years ago some of my clients wanted me to basically make there houses look as though they were very wealthy (fancy, over-designed stuff-yuck!). I thought this so strange and often misguided, in New England the real way for your friends and coworkers to see you as “loaded” is to use thread bare antiques, oriental carpets that your golden retriever chewed and books “Old Yankee”. Never talk about or mention money and keep ‘em wondering. Now the world has changed (thank god) and the new posh is not about having fancy and expensive, it’s about looking relaxed, well traveled, worldly and well read. Anything that looks as though you tried too hard is OUT! but unlike the “Old Yankee” look- comfort is most important.

Hickory Chair (English trekking chair)
Basically- “CASUAL and COMFORTABLE” in any form or style that represents who you are.

This Old House Auburndale - Final Episode. The Big Reveal!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:33:00 +0000

Well, my husband might not forgive me for a while, but he finally figured out how to get the This Old House videos edited and published so we can show them here on the blog (and my site - http://www.melissagulley.com). I figured we would start with the last episode. Thanks to several late nights and a lot of swearing (apparently the swears make him feel better), this video shows just the interior design focused segments.

In this show, we go for a tour of a custom carpet making factory where we made some custom carpets for the house. We also go on a tour of the finished product with Norm (love him!) and take a look at the first floor, the master bedroom and the completely transformed basement. If you haven't had a chance to see the show yet, please let me know what you think.

Honeysuckle. Pantone’s color of the year

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:47:00 +0000

Yes, another post about the color pink. Ok, so you know I like pink- yeah yeah yeah. So I was tickled (yes I’m about to say it) pink when Pantone picked it as color of the year.
What a fluke that I start writing my blog in 2009 when pantone picked Yellow as the color of the year, then in 2010 they picked Turquoise (as I type that color name the heavens are parting and I can hear an audible AHHHHHH…in opera no less) then lo and behold, they pick Pink for 2011. What are the chances my three favorite colors in three years? Pantone must know I need content! This is my good karma hitting home.

All of you who know me know I’m blond with blue eyes, and so I can wear yellow, turquoise and pink….and I happily use all of them as accents in my house. Maybe 2012 will be green- Kelly, lime, chartreuse, hunter, jade- think of the possibilities??? The colors I can’t wear are mustard, olive, burgundy, greige, mauve and orange- they make me look like the walking dead (however I do like decorating with those colors in other people’s houses).

Often, I start with a new client who really does not know what color direction to go with in their house. I go immediately to their closets. Both the husband and wife's closets- the house is shared and needs to reflect both people. People often know what color looks good on them because of the compliments they receive when they wear those colors (positive feedback and reinforcement). So even if the client states they are not creative or into color or aware of color, they always have favorites to wear.

People may not know what colors they want to go with but they always know what colors they don’t like. The are usually the same ones they don’t wear well. It starts at an early age when they receive negative feedback on a certain color when worn or they hear Mom or Grandma saying “Melissa just can’t wear mustard- she looks so washed out” Tah Daaaa!   Thus starts the path to not liking a certain color- the groundwork is laid.

Color can also be strongly liked or strongly disliked due to association. My husband’s Grandmother always wore a Mauvy/pinky/purple – to this day I have never seen anyone in his family buy anything in that color (it didn't look so great on her and she wore too much of it- also association with it being matronly). When we moved into our first house, our kitchen was painted that Mauve color- Kevin was quick to correct that with a nice light blue (he went out and bought a Wagner Power Painter so he could take care of it FAST). On the flip side- my grandmother LOVED light blue, Aqua and turquoise.   She wore it so beautifully and it decorated most of her gorgeous home. This has been the most impactful, positive color influence in my life. Color can be as strong an association for people as the association they have to certain smells. This is why it’s so imperative to listen to your clients, get to know them and honor their likes, dislikes and experiences. It’s not whether I will like the finished product, it’s whether my clients like the finished product, it’s really all that matters!

Hey Pantone, give me a call when you are ready to announce the 2012 color of the year.   We should talk!

This Old House, Newton, MA - A case study in design decision making.

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:27:00 +0000

Well tonight (Saturday Jan 22 2011) is the airing of the final episode of This Old House Auburndale project. Here at home in Newton, MA it’s on at 5:00 pm on PBS channel 2 (check your local listings for the time in your area) It was an incredible project to be part of and an honor to be chosen to participate. The cast and crew are terrific and absolute masters at what they do – they’re pretty funny too!

I was hired to be the Interior designer for This Old House somewhere around June 1st. I was immediately thrown into this very exciting project - literally I hit the ground running. The crew has regular weekly meetings in which everyone is present. This was really great! All issues are quickly looked at, deadlines discussed and responsibilities allocated….I wish all construction jobs did this. Every week Allison, Raveen and I have poured over plumbing and lighting catalogs, visited show rooms and attacked all decisions head on. As you know the number of decisions to be made is both daunting and dizzying (check out this post on the This Old House blog to see what I mean) and to keep the job on track they must be systematically discussed, researched, analyzed and finalized on schedule.

With any project, you need to start with some sort of inspiration or a road map that starts the ball rolling for visual decisions. This can be a carpet, fabric, piece of art, existing furniture or even a picture from a book or magazine. This gives you visual context, and even the most creatively challenged person can start to imagine or dream about the outcome with this in place. Once you have this and the house starts to get a bit more mapped out as to how it might look, all other decisions start to be easier to make. Sometimes, as in this case, you find that inspiration just by starting and it organically grows from there.

For This Old House, I knew Allison and Raveen Sharma liked color - reds, oranges, yellows, greens. Allison had started a file for magazine pictures she liked - this is incredibly helpful and the first thing I have my client's do if they haven’t started already. They had an existing green cabinet that started the inspiration for accent color in the kitchen. We went to gather various paint chips (many bright greens like their cabinet) and then took the chips tile shopping. Allison likes white kitchens, clean, bright and fresh. This and the green from their cabinet inspired our tile choosing experience.The kitchen came together quickly. Allison and Raveen started having fun! I think they saw that it was not impossible to nail down and suddenly they were really excited about the possible outcome.

Next came the color for the rest of the first floor. Raveen showed me a book opened to a spread he LOVED- reds oranges/yellows and yummy chocolate browns. We need to then delve into fabric and carpet to connect this white and bright green kitchen to these other rich colors for adjoining spaces. As you will see, we were working towards a VERY open floor plan(hmmmmmm??????). We needed flow and we found it with fabric! Osborne and Little had this incredible red linen, printed with a contemporary flower pattern - the flowers were chocolate, green, rich orange and yellow- Slam dunk!

From here the look of the first floor was born.

The foyer turned out to be incredibly warm, inviting and very personalized

My favorite thing we did during this project was to frame the kids art work in these similar frames to create the best gallery around- how can you walk by this without smiling!

The second floor didn't need to be as connected in color as the first floor. The kids rooms are very unique and reflect the kids that live in them.

The kids bathroom is a simple classic black and white bath accented by a fun Turquoise (I had to leave my stamp somewhere)

For the Master bedroom, Allison and Raveen wanted a sanctuary, peaceful and serene (as tranquil as it can get with two elementary school age kids, a bunny and two full time jobs) The limited pallet of cream and blue with varying textures was the perfect fit.

Finally the Basement- one of my favorite spots. A large colorful bright open space with two seating areas- one for TV and one for reading by the fire or playing games.

This house really turned out great- it absolutely reflects the homeowners Allison and Raveen who are nice, kind, fun, warm people and who made doing this project an absolute joy- Cheers!

Celebrate Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:54:00 +0000

I want to highlight what should be my mantra for my clients “Commit to irreverent luxury, you’re worth it!”.

Do you have grandma’s fab china packed away? That’s fine if you hate it, but if it’s totally great then USE IT!!! If you take a tray upstairs and eat in bed, is the tray silver or that “good” one (no you say, those are for special occasions. If you don’t think you’re special then who will? USE the damn tray!).

Is your living room still for company (clearly you have not been following this blog closely enough. Go back to post #1 and start reading). What’s more of a bummer than someone who saves all the good stuff for impressing others? You and your family count the most!!! Can you imagine how exhausting it would be to coordinate your whole life so that other people will think you’re fabulous, stylish, well-bred, and wealthy? OMG kill me now. We all know people like that…fake, fake, fake (the saddest thing is they don’t see how clearly transparent it is)! You are the only person who needs to be fabulous for yourself- “BE FABULOUS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC”!!!

Learn what allowing yourself to be Fabulous means to you and only you, then show the world. LIVE AUTHENTICALLY!!! On your death bed I don’t think anyone has ever reflected how happy they were that the world saw them as perfect, sophisticated, restrained, and appropriate at all times. (oh I’m snoring again) FACT: people like that are not likeable! Lose the veneer, it’s cracking anyway!!!. Practice having some inappropriate fun! Show people how awesome it is not to be perfect! Laugh at yourself!

Now I am not saying have no filter and say anything- no no no! The whole idea behind manners and etiquette are not to leave people in Awe of how perfect you are. They are to look out for the feelings and well being for others - that's all - so simple. We all need to use manners and basic etiquette to help make the world better and more enjoyable for all, but not to the point of restraining you so much you’re not yourself- don’t take it too far.

My absolute passion in helping others design their homes is this: To use my experience and design ability to help give permission to my clients to have the confidence to be themselves and have their home reflect just that. To actually learn to celebrate being themselves on a daily basis. Repeat after me “truly being yourself is FUCKING AWESOME!!!” Shouldn't your home reflect all things awesome about you and your family (including kids and pets). Live Authentically!

Truth be told I do have grandma’s china (that I love)- packed away. Honestly, I personally am on the same journey as everyone else. So easy to see the world clearly and give advice- so hard to swallow the same medicine (so hard to take the time!!!). I did eat breakfast on one of Grandma’s trays recently, though. I am working on it- I promise!

My First Time on TV! Holy Smokes!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 16:57:00 +0000

Well, the time has finally arrived. I’m going to be on This Old House for the first time this weekend. I can’t believe it! I have to tell you that I am so nervous to see myself on TV. Am I going to come across like a idiot (most likely)? Does the camera really add 15 lbs. (because that would be totally unacceptable)? Is the segment a snooze-fest (it would be me that made it that way if it is)?
The thing that really freaked me out was when I was looking at the guide on cable to record the show and I WAS MENTIONED BY NAME! Someone pinch me!

I’ve been working on a couple of posts to give you an update on the overall project from an interior design perspective, but we’ve done so much, so fast that there is a lot to cover. Hopefully, I’ll have the first installment up soon.
In the meantime, check out the show this weekend (Friday or Saturday on PBS- check your guide for time), and let me know what you think (but please be nice, I’m a wreck as it is!).

Guest Post - Rocking This Old House

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:58:00 +0000

Hi there, this is Melissa's husband, Kevin. You may have noticed that Melissa has not been posting a lot lately (despite my consistent pestering), so I decided to jump in and brag about her for a bit (get over it honey....you can't really brag about yourself, but when it's true, your husband can!)

She has been missing-in-action because she has been busting it out with a bunch of interior design clients in Newton, Wellesley, Weston, Boston and Belmont, as well as putting in a Herculean effort for This Old House. To give you an idea of a very small portion of the work going into the TOH project in Auburndale, the homeowner wrote this post about the mammoth number of decisions that must be made during the project and how working with Melissa was making the project so much easier and more fun. My favorite part about this post is that she never even knew these pictures were being taken, and yet she is smiling and having fun in every one. I never get to see her working on site with clients, but when you like your job this much and you are really good at it, it is no wonder her clients write such incredible testimonials. I mean, these things made me blush and they weren't even about me.

Last week she was down in Fall River, MA at the Merida Meridian carpet factory filming an episode for the show. I'm not sure if you've ever been involved in the filming of a television show, but it was a full 8 hour day for about 10 minutes of actual programming on the show. Because the Sharmas (the clients for TOH) love rich warm colors and are eager to reflect that in paint and fabrics, they would find it hard to locate carpets that worked with the color palatte for the house. Merida was great at allowing Melissa to custom color the carpets for the entire house so they connected all the colors and made the rooms truly come together. The episode will walk viewers through this process and how carpets are manufactured (who knew they still made carpets in the US...yea!)

Her weekend project was pulling together, organizing, labeling and shipping all of the paint colors, samples, fabrics, carpet swatches, etc. for the entire project to This Old House Magazine so they can start writing up the article about the finished project. Of course, being her, she couldn't just send them along, she had to pull together and photograph room schemes for the entire house, label each item with a key (i.e. living room wall = A1 paint color, window treament = A5 fabric), tie that key back to each sample, put the entire list into a spreadsheet documenting everything. Needless to say the editors were blown away. As Melissa said, "hey, a little OCD goes a long way".

I am hoping she does not either kill me for posting without telling her or erase this beacuse she feels too modest.(both very real possibilities) Many of our friends are wanting to have viewing parties for the first episode she's in but if I know her she will be watching from under the covers and one eyeball sheilded to brace for possible horror if she doen't like the way she comes across. OK, I could go on all day, but I need to get back to work. I've been noticing that she's been devouring a ton of magazines lately, so don't be surprised if the posts start picking up again soon.

Social Media 101

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Today at 4:00 I had the pleasure of representing Kravet on a panel discussion on social media at the Boston Design Center. I am a big fan of kravet- great product all around and I adore the staff at kravet, Lee Jofa, FDO showrooms! So I was thrilled to be invited to be part of this amazing group of experts. Leading up to this event I must say I was very nervous, I don't usually speak in front of 200 people- whoa! So needless to say I only slept 3 hours- I was walking around West Newton Hill at 4 am with my two dogs trying to get my brain to shut OFF! During this active brain time I reflected on what social media has meant ot me.

My husband Kevin has begged me to write a blog for about 6 years. During this economic slow down and the quietness of the last December, I finally got down to business. I do not sit still very well at all and realized that I needed to put my time to something productive (blog, twitter, facebook, linked in) not something EVIL (shopping, lunching- general spending of $$$) So I decided to give all this a shot, and it was still really scary to me. I was convinced that there was not a minute left in my day to dedicate to this. I got over that really quickly when I realized how easy and fun it was.

Kevin (social media expert and business consultant) was very encouraging and technically helpful. What was most amazing about starting this was that I joined a blogging group. I highly suggest doing this for anyone wishing to start dabbling. Find one, two, or three other people who also want to give this stuff a try. We named our group "Coffee Shop Bloggers" and were initally four woman who were all muddling through this together. We met once a week at a consistent time, helped each other with technical issues, made each other commit to what we would accomplish by the next meeting (meetings were every thursday at a coffee shop nearby), and listened/ supported each other the whole way through this process. I cannot say enough how valuable these meetings were to me accomplishing everything I have so far. Furthermore I bonded with these woman and really adore and respect them...so much good came from this.

Two of the woman in this group- Mia from http://www.pragmaticmom.com/ and Nancy from http://www.capabilitymom.com/ compiled all that we struggled with and muddled through on another blog called http://www.coffeeshopbloggers.com/ you can go to this blog and read the advice, help and tips on how to do this for yourself. What I sensed about the lovely audience in this presentation today is that they were wanting to try this- wanting to jump in, but not convinced that they either can do it easily or that they have the time to keep it up. What hit home about the presentation that Beth Green from Kravet did is the fact that you must start somewhere and must do it now. This is not a fad that is going away and you risk looking unprofessional if you don't try. Beth explained, facebook, twitter, linked in and blogging. Beth clearly is an expert in B to B social media and did a great job detailing each of these social media platforms. The other women on the panel - Designer Rachel Hazelton, who blogs at http://rachelhazelton.blogspot.com/, Designer Julieann Covino, who blogs at http://www.creategirl.com/, and Jennifer Powell who spearheads Kravat's social media efforts on a full-time basis, were AMAZING! I felt like a complete newbie in their presence and their stories and anecdotes were terrific.

I think a lot of people were looking for some more intimate B to C tips of how these platforms could tie into their businesses and actually make a difference. I also think they needed to hear that it really isn't that hard or scary and maybe some real life stories about how we did it. They needed to sense that we were just average people who made this work. We were reffered to as social media experts (my husband sitting in the audience tweeting live for me under my name thought this was very funny) just because we jumped in and did it - thats all. You just have to jump in and try. I cannot begin to tell you how many wonderful things have come to me by just doing this!

What makes for the best living room?

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:26:00 +0000

“The chicest, most inviting living rooms spark lively conversation, yet never sacrifice comfort for style” Elle Decor

Melissa Gulley Style

So what makes the perfect living room? This is of course, different for everyone. Maybe we should start by looking at what the living room is, and what it’s used for?

People are far more casual today than ever before…but many people already have a family room which is very casual. So what to do with the living room? For myself and most of my clients, it becomes another, nicer (by adult standards) family room where TV is not necessarily the focus (but not completely abandoned, either). Concept introduction: Living Room as the adult sanctuary! Basically the adult family room. I know the term “family” room means family togetherness - Please, don’t kid me. You need to escape those little buggers as mush as I do (especially teenagers, who pretty much hate you anyway).

The fabrics may not have to be as stain proof or durable (indestructible for my house) as the family room, the carpet can be more expensive without the worry of it being ruined. You can also have some accessories and art that may be valuable and not worry that the errant football (banned in my house yet still found constantly) could break and ruin the things you so enjoy living with.

Cote De Texas

So what are the components of the Living Room going forward:

1) TV

I find for most people (not you people who won’t admit to watching TV – as if) placing a fabulous TV in a clever or hidden spot is important in the living room. This becomes the luxurious place to watch something adult and escape the blare of cartoons emanating from the family room (the place where my husband can nap quietly on the super comfy sofa and watch the ball game in peace). I find when there is no TV in this room, it gets used far less- if at all.

Melissa Gulley Style

2) Amazingly comfortable furniture

I recently splurged on a 110” all down sofa in a yummy velvet - best money I’ve ever spent!!! This sofa makes my husband and I so crazy happy - who knew all that down was the key to happiness!?! Gone- really LONG gone (in fact banished) are the days of the uncomfortable, uptight furniture for perching with guests who you want to impress (can you imagine - kill me now – how did our grandmother’s do it?)

Melissa Gulley Style

3) A completed seating area designed for lively conversation

This usually means comfortable seating for 6-8 adults, placed facing each other around a coffee table. This can be two sofas and a few chairs, or one sofa and a couple pairs of chairs. One secret weapon that I find very handy (I personally use them on an almost daily basis) is a pair of upholstered stools that are super comfortable and easy to move around. Keep in mind that you need tables to set drinks down on, every seat in the room needs a table handy enough to set a drink down on easily.

4) Great lighting

Do not- repeat after me DO NOT - put only ceiling lights in a living room (or any room for that matter). Lighting in living rooms needs to take a layered approach. First, outfit the seating area with warm, soft lamps. Three way switches and dimmers help for multi-function (reading vs. soft glow for conversation) You should be able to read from any chair or sofa in the room. Then, softly light the perimeter of the room with a combination of sconces and art lights (either wall or ceiling mounted). Sconces are great to put in pairs on either side of doorways, windows and fireplaces. Art lights can add tons of drama to your fabulous art or even great window treatments. Add over head lighting as needed after all above has been accomplished.

Melissa Gulley Style

5) Your stuff

Stuff that represents who you are, what you love, where you’ve been. People look for social cues when entering a house - who lives here, what are they like? You need to show them, and most important, you need to live with things that really make you happy. Without this stuff or social cues, your house looks cold, like a furniture showroom…..Boring! By stuff, I mean decorative accessories - pictures, books, magazines, instruments - anything that you like.

Jane McGarry

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:42:00 +0000

'Mirrors have come to mean much more than the original 'looking glass.' They are now a part of the decorative scheme of a modern home. By using them, there are no dark, gloomy corners, no drab caverns for halls. There can be a feeling of freedom, light, air, space.' Quote from designer Dorothy Draper - 1942

bluetramontanastyle

History Lesson from Patricia Grey Interior Designer
“Everyone has either seen or heard of the famous Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV in 1678. The principal feature of this famous hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors for a total of 357. In the 17th century, mirrors were among the most expensive items to possess, and at the time, the Venetian Republic held the monopoly on the manufacture of mirrors. In order to maintain the integrity of the French philosophy of mercantilism, which required that all items used in the decoration of Versailles be made in France, several workers from Venice were enticed to make mirrors at the Gobelins Factory in France. The expense in manufacture of mirrors has come a long way since those days, and now mirrors have become a staple in every home.”

Decopad
Add a little twinkle in the kitchen- bounce the light around- give an airy feeling to a small utilitarian space.

Domino
Why leave the back splash in shadow- with great under cabinet light you create a truly magical space.

A little windex goes a long way!

Lisa Epley

Atlanta homes and lifestyles
Antiqued mirror add just the hint of age and mystery this space needs.

Use mirrors to reflect an incredible view- why only enjoy it from on direction?
Patricia Grey

lovinglivingsmall
A teeny tiny bedroom get some needed drama.

Janet Lohman

Steven Gambrell

Theglamlamb
Ok seriously – I would kill for this room, beautifully done. For my This Old House clients, Allison and Raveen, we went for a similar effect in their “dressing corridor”.

Southern Accents

Emma Jane Pilkington

House Beautiful

Carrie Hayden
The silver mirrored pieces and the gilded gold on the mirror marry perfectly in this high drama space.

Huntley & Co.

This is one of those amazingly creative ideas that’s pure brilliance!

Before- dark boring, gray and just sad!

Huntley & Co.
After, albeit closer up- warm, twinkly and sensational!

Rajeesood
Mirrored dining rooms however beautiful are a little hard. Diners tend to catch and hold their own reflections without meaning to. If you want to use them in a dining room, keep them well above eye level for diners.

Miles Redd
Ok – other than the enormous crush I have for Miles Redd and the fact that I think he is one of the most amazing interior Designers of this time- his bathroom rocks (as does everything I have ever seen him do- a blog post in itself)

How to Hire the Right Design Professional. Decorator vs. Interior Designer

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:34:00 +0000

A couple of posts back, I tried to answer the question “Why hire an interior Designer?”. Now I would now like to go into the natural follow up to that question. What type of Design Professional is right for you and how do you find the right person?

TV Show Designing Woman
There are a few different types of Design Professionals you could hire for your job. The decision of who to work with is very important, as it is a very close relationship based on many levels of trust. This is someone with whom you will work with for at least a few months and usually more like a year or two (I have many clients that I have been working with going on 10 years). You have this person to your home and they work with you to make decisions about how you want to live. It is a very intimate working relationship.

The first decision you will need to make is do you want a “Decorator” or an “Interior Designer”. A Decorator is usually someone who handles the finishing details of a project: color, window treatments, furniture, rugs and accessories. An Interior Designer does everything a Decorator does but also can be involved in the architectural design and building process (not in place of architect or builder but in conjunction). An Interior Designer reviews architectural drawings, lighting plans, molding, millwork and built in plans, bath and kitchen design, tile layout and design, flooring decisions….then they finish with the color, furniture, carpets, window treatments, accessories, art, etc.. The Interior Designer can provide a soup-to-nuts solution, from construction design to finished house, or help you with any point in between.

Not to confuse you more, but there is another decision to make when it comes to hiring a Design Professional. Do you want to hire this person for their style, or do you want to hire someone to interpret your style?
There are many Decorators out there who have incredible “signature” styles and your house can look just like that with the guidance of this type of person. Sort of like, if you know that you love Ralph Lauren clothing exclusively - you love the look and fit and the store is your only “Go to” destination for your wardrobe, then you might find someone who’s “signature” style you love and go for it! Look at their portfolio- it will likely reflect slight variations on a single style and be very consistent.

Ralph Lauren Home
If you want your house to reflect you, then look for someone who has the ability to listen and understand exactly what you want. Most people in this category may know they want their house to reflect them and their family but they may not know exactly what they want or how to achieve what they’re imagining. This is where the Designer proves their value. They will guide you and your family (always balancing the individual needs of all members of the family… can you say design therapist!) through the process of decision making and learning about your likes and dislikes. This type of Designer must learn who the clients are, how they live, work, relax and entertain, where and what they study, their hobbies, ethnicities/family history, where they’ve traveled, etc…the complete identity and function of the family. Then the Designer sets forth to help make all design decisions through the filter of this client’s identity.

When looking for a Decorator or Interior Designer ask your friends, neighbors, co- workers, relatives. Word of mouth is the best way to find a designer. When looking at a portfolio (keep in mind unless you’re hiring this person for their style) the pictures represent the client the Designer was working with, not the Designer’s taste or your project. You may really like a room but hate the weird chairs flanking the fireplace- naturally you would doubt the Designer’s judgment. But don’t - most likely those chairs were the client’s favorite grandmother’s and the Designer needed to use them to make the client happy. The best way to vet a Designer after you’ve gotten their name is to not only look at the portfolio, but to ask their former client’s if they are happy with their home. Did it turn out how they wanted, did they have a good trust relationship with the designer, did they have fun and enjoy the process? Secondly, meet the designer. Do you like this person, do you think you could spend a lot of time with this person, do you feel listened to and heard, can this person make you feel confident in the decisions you need to make (all 300 million of them).
At the end of the “finding a designer process” the final decision comes down to a gut reaction. There is no science here - is this person likeable and good at what they do, do they make their clients happy?

I have never actually had clients do this but I have received very nice notes of gratitude.

Minimalism SUCKS!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:03:00 +0000

As I’m sure you’ve gathered from the title, I am not a minimalist. I personally think minimalism is cold, boring and just plain no fun! I need to borrow some quotes from the USA’s resident fun decorator, Jonathan Adler. In his manifesto he says, “We believe in irreverent luxury,We believe that your home should make you happy, We believe minimalism is a bummer, We believe handcrafted tchotchkes are life-enhancing, We believe tassels are the earrings of the home, We believe in being underdressed or overdressed always, We believe dogs should be allowed in stores and restaurants, We believe colors can't clash.”
Back to me. Now I must stress- the opposite of minimalism is clutter and that is also something I’m not into at all (AT ALL- it really makes me crazy!)

I advocate controlled vignettes that allow personality to permeate your interior. Achieving this, however, is something of an art form and is personal to the people who live in the house.
You also need a place for the eye to rest, so be sure there is empty space.
A vignette is a still life arrangement on a table, mantle book shelf, nightstand etc., that is balanced with tall and short, textured and slick, color and lack thereof.

Most of all it’s a collection of things that make you happy and mean something.

Cote de Texas

Lindsey Harper

Melissa Gulley Portfolio

Jane McGarry

Ludwig Interior

Melissa Gulley Portfolio

House Beautiful

Lindsey Harper

Branca Interiors
Here are some links to articles on how to create the perfect table top Vignette:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10820?utm_campaign=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery5
http://www.ehow.com/how_5143987_design-tabletop-display.html
http://www.thelennoxx.com/?p=4713
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/8-tips-for-making-beautiful-vignettes/index.html
http://interiordecorating.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_style_and_accessorize_a_coffee_table
I will leave you with a little more Jonathan Adler. Here are a few of his “10 commandments of a happy chic home” totally Hysterical- go to his web site www.johathanadler.com for more fun!
#1
Thou shalt embrace maximalism. Thou wilt find minimalism to be something of a bummer in thy abode. Thou wilt grow tired of an endless sea of beige and thou wilt long for a splash of color & a dollop of pattern! Bargello pillows, Furnace bottles, and rustic modern lamps - these shalt be the accessories that add some panache to your pad. #3
Thou shalt buy an X-Bench. Then, thou shalt buy another. Thou shalt use them in pairs, perfect under thy console or placed near thy sofa. Thou shalt rest thy feet upon them & so will thy guests. In fact, thy guests might even fight over who gets to rest upon them. Therefore, thou shalt establish house rules about thy X-Benches. Perhaps thou should consider a sign up sheet. #5
Thou shalt mix fancy with frisky. Thou shalt not be overly formal, for if thou art, thou will be sad. Conversely, thou shalt not be overly whimsical, for if thou art thou will not feel chic. Therefore, thou shalt embrace a mix, pairing the chic classical foundation - excellent proportions, classic furniture - with a layer of playful punctuation. Then thou shalt rest.
#6
Thou shalt honor the funsters of yore. David Hicks, Alexander Girard, Piero Fornasetti, Bonnie Cashin, Bjorn Wiinblad - if thou dost not knoweth them, thou should. Thou can use Google Images to learn more about them and thou shalt channel their fun, idiosyncratic, playful spirit in thine own interiors. Thy home will be fun, happy, and chic.
#7
Thou shalt not commit murder, unless thou art murdering for a decorative accessory. If thou should find thyself at one of our stores and seeth the last bird bowl on our shelf, thou shalt feel free to use whatever means necessary to obtain that special something.

7 Tips for the Perfect Powder Room

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:50:00 +0000

This (below) is your basic run of the mill powder room. Seriously boring- actually painful! But, you go in quick, you get your business done and you’re out. Utilitarian, no great experience, just getting the job done. But why just ”Get by” when you can really “LIVE”. Spiffing up a powder room can be very affordable and easy due to it’s small size. It the perfect room to “LIVE LARGE” even if you don’t have the courage to go big in the rest of the house.

Virginia sweet pea
I think Powder rooms are one of my favorite rooms to design. They are usually small, cozy and you are generally only in them for a few minutes at a time. Thus you can go all out and a few minutes of appreciation a day is not long enough to get sick of anything. I think of them as the little jewel box in a house, they almost demand high drama and decadence.

Elle Decor

Veranda

Melissa Warner

Poebe Howard

Brook Giannetti

Brook Giannetti

Alina Apteker

Domino

Desire to inspire

The advice I have for you when thinking about Powder room design is:
1) Lighting- go crazy! An awesome chandelier looks so fun in a tiny space (if you have the ceiling height). Use a fixture over the mirror only as an absolute last resort (it makes you look like an old hag even when you’re not, highlighting all your bags and wrinkles) First choice for sconce placement is 66-68” from the floor at the sides of the mirror- lighting the sides of the face evenly.
2) If you are limited on space don’t go for the elongated toilet- get the regular/standard bowl or even an in wall or tank-less option. You can also find a plethora of ultra tiny sinks (you’re not washing your hair in it – just washing your hands, tiny is more than fine)
3) Big color or big/wild prints on wallpaper do well in a small powder room. Make the experience really fun, let your imagination run wild!
4) Don’t forget about the ceiling- does it need wall paper? How about a bright lacquered paint? Or even better, how about a mural on the walls and ceiling?
5) Storage- you need storage (under the sink, over the toilet???) Try to find somewhere to stash the basics- extra toilet paper, tampons/panty liners, room spray, dental floss, breath freshener- you get the gist.
6) A fan… preferably a loud one. You read the book ”Everybody poops” right? Well, you know where I’m going with this. When you have to do your business the last thing you want is for anyone to hear. Most people are so concerned with finding the quietest fan made - What?!? No, No, No- wrong thinking! You want loud. Now I’m not talking jet engine loud but loud enough to drown out other mild noises without driving you crazy or sounding like the house is falling in.
7) Last but not least- stay away from rugs and carpets right by the toilet (bad memories of the 1970’s with the shag toilet covers and matching toilet surround rugs). I have an eight year old son - so cute but the worst aim. We do want the room sanitary and fresh smelling.

funny thing….

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:53:00 +0000

When I walk into a house of someone I don’t know, I’m always looking for social cues for who lives there. Who are they, what do they like, where have they traveled, what are their hobbies and interests, who else lives in this house? Are they passionate, humorous, happy, fun loving and silly, or maybe serious, cerebral, professional and quiet? Hopefully there are clues to tell me the answers to my questions – often (usually) there aren't. A house without these cues is simply a furniture showroom, void of any soul. My favorite thing to see as I walk though a house is a sense of humor- almost everyone has one. Sometimes it’s just a small little detail, hardly noticeable, but when seen it gives a little chuckle to whoever is the viewer. Some people have great courage to put it all out there and the funny things in their homes are front and center. I myself go for a balanced approach with some fun, funny and crazy, balanced with some tame, sedate and beautiful. Below check out some ideas (some funny, some absurd and some mildly interesting) that give instant character to a home:

Front door lock- you might not even notice it.

Jonathan Adler Pillows- he always puts a spin on tame.

Great night light

Absurdly large hand on a kitchen island, made from a solid chunk of wood- who would take the time to carve something like this?

Clearly the pantry should be Flavorland!

Ok, so this is a public bathroom but how funny!

I think this is hysterical- especially in a minimalist loft.

another hardly noticeable detail.

Much more amusing then carpet.

You know this is from the 1970’s, when is the last time you referred to an Album?

These tables would keep you grinning!

Below a little man made from tin cans monitors the kitchen corner.

Potty humor is so funny no matter how old you are!

Does your sense of humor show itself in your house? Send me pictures and I’ll do a follow up post. Send to designtrackmind@gmail.com . You can also send me pictures of a friend’s house or tear sheet from a magazine you’ve been holding onto. Can you guess which pictures above are from my house?

Picking Paint Colors

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:03:00 +0000

The number of paint choices is infinite!

Melissa Gulley Portfolio

You can choose from Benjamin Moore’s substantial pallet, or Sherwin Williams, California Paint, C2, Pittsburgh Paints, Fine paints of Europe, Donald Kaufman, Farrow and Ball, Muralo, Behr, Ralph Lauren, Martha Stewart, Valspar, Dutch Boy, Glidden, Pratt and Lambert (are you dizzy yet, there are still dozens to go) or simply have something matched for a custom color. As custom colors go, you can have almost anything matched - fabric, a toy, a cutting from a magazine, etc. - and the best part is, it’s free to have a custom color made. You just pay the price of the paint. You would think that with the amount of paint choices out there you would be able to find the perfect color quite easily. Not. I can’t tell you how many times I have gone the custom route after searching high and low. Now granted, I am pickier that the norm (I think even for designers).

Habitually chic

When working on a project I like to pick paint last. I work from the least choices- the rug – and end with what has the most choices - paint. When I sit down with my fan decks to finally pick colors, my client - usually right next to me - is thinking “this is so fun! In a minute or two I will see the perfect color she picks”. Not so quick. Watching me pour over colors is like watching paint dry. It’s long and boring and I am often quiet (I know you didn't think it possible), lost deep in thought! I am studying the minute color nuances and comparing them in different lights. It takes a while, and it should. Then when I have three fabulous options, we need to put them on the wall. I need 2’ x 2’ color samples on each wall of the room and a minimum of two good coats. I look at the colors in different lights – morning , noon and night, rain and sunshine and dark outside with the lights on. My client is usually skeptical at first, but is always amazed at how the color that was the first choice changes drastically in various lights and is sometimes not the final pick. The absolute right color always reveals itself after this test. The right paint color can literally “MAKE” a room!

Michael Partenio

People sometimes say to me “what’s the best color for living rooms or hallways etc…?” There is no “go to” fan deck of the best colors for a specific room - not even close. What looks good in one space will look completely different in another and it’s an BIG mistake to pick without swatching. Click on the link below - I copied and pasted a post from one of my absolute favorite blogs www.maison21.blogspot.com about just that SWATCHING:

http://maison21.blogspot.com/2010/07/good-swatch-bad-swatch.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DecorativebutnotSerioustheMaison21blog+%28maison21%3A+decorative+but+not+serious%29

Cote De Texas blog

Catch more bees with honey

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:40:00 +0000

I have been absent from the blogging world for a month, and I know you all thought I was in the hospital with a terminal case of “Awe” from meeting Tom Silva. Well, almost! Not only have I met Tom Silva (my hero- sigh), but I have actually sat next to him at a few This Old House team meetings. I know, pinch me! I have now also met Norm Abrams. He was wearing a long sleeve plaid shirt, jeans and work boots on a black rubber roof in 95 degree heat (total stud, the average man would have melted where Norm held strong and looked good) The This Old House project has been so fun, interesting, and rewarding. So far we have worked on tile selection, plumbing valve and trim selection, lighting plans, kitchen plans, furniture layout, and we are starting to get into color and flow. My clients, Allison and Raveen Sharma, are so unbelievably nice and appreciative of this entire effort.

The Sharma’s -Picture from This Old House web site.
It’s amazing how motivating it is when people are so nice. The Sharma’s personalities have mobilized the entire crew to put forth an effort of good will that is rare in the renovation world. It goes to show: you catch more bee’s with honey. While speaking with the producer the other day, we both remarked on how much we want this house to be perfect for this wonderful couple, as they make us feel so lucky to be part of the project.

Before picture- from This Old House web site.
I know, I know, you’re probably think I’m blowing sunshine up the skirts (pants) of the TOH crew and clients. I’m not. I have already been hired, so there is no need to say this kind of stuff to land the job, or even keep the job. I want to drive the point home that being nice is an incredible motivator – especially on a renovation and design project. Some people are motivated by money, fame, power, but I am so motivated by making people happy. I’m a people pleaser by nature! Often you work with clients who do not express happiness or gratitude for a job well done. Honestly, those clients are usually not the ones for whom I call in the “once a year favor” from a key vendor. Obviously, it goes without saying that you do your best work for everyone - each client gets 100% (that’s how we keep our reputations). But we all know those people who - without asking for it or expecting it - end up getting 110%, just by being wonderful.

Proposed plan for the front of the house- Drawings by Newton Architect Chris Chu via This Old House web site.

Why Hire an Interior Designer?

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:31:00 +0000

Last Tuesday I was offered the job of Interior Designer for the TV Show This Old House on their new project in Auburndale (a Village of Newton), MA. I am so excited! I have watched this show for as long as I can remember and have an inventory of the magazine in my office that would astound you.

In addition to being an Interior Designer I am a construction/renovation junkie at heart (certainly a serial renovator). I wish I had the skill to do finish carpentry like Tom Silva (have not met him yet-I might pass out in awe- that would not be good for my current standing with these people). The architect on the project: Chris Chu, also from Newton, is the person who set this in motion for me. Chris is wonderful and we have worked together on past projects. The clients who own the Auburndale House Allison and Raveen Sharma are so great! Actually everyone I’ve met so far has been amazing to say the least, as I guess you’d expect.

The reason for this blog post is that my new clients have never worked with an Interior Designer (congratulations you’re normal- most people haven't). Thus, I thought of the masses out there who share their position as first time designer clients.

My experience tells me that there are two schools of thought when considering hiring a designer, ‘needs’ and ‘fears’.

Needs: “we’re downing in decisions, too many things to pick, too many choices, I don’t have time for this, what do you mean you need colors picked by this afternoon? I want the house to flow but there is just too much to think about- I can’t see how to do this, I’m stuck in a rut- maybe someone will have some new ideas, If I do what I like today how will it age- I don’t want to spend all this money only to have it go out of style in a couple years. I don’t want to make mistakes- there too expensive and permanent.”

The secondary thoughts (fears): “What if this person forces “her” look on us, I don’t want a poufy “Decorator-ish” house, what if she makes us feel bad about what we like, what if her choices are totally impractical for our kids/dogs/life etc…, what if this kills our furniture budget, I don’t want to live in a museum/hotel looking place.”

Whew!

So why hire a designer?

Well, many reasons, but five (ok maybe six depending on who you hire) are on top of mind when writing this:

1) To have an incredible looking house that you feel completely comfortable in for years to come.

2) To save to incredible amounts of time, stress and money.

3) To help make unemotional decisions based on style, practicality, durability, and budget while keeping the big picture of the total project always in mind.

4) To be presented with the absolute perfect items for every aspect of the job without having to do one bit of research or hunting yourself.

5) Renovation therapist!!!- a neutral person to balance the different needs and tastes of the whole family, while balancing budget and and over all style.

6) To have the process of decorating a room or building a house be as fun as possible!!!

There is no doubt that an Interior Designer is immensely helpful and that the project will be easier, quicker and come out completely different looking with the help of one. I laugh when I hear someone say “I need” something- whatever that item may be. Define “need” especially in this economy? Does anyone absolutely “Need” an Interior Designer- NO! In fact using an interior designer is a complete and utter luxury (when you’re in the middle of a nightmare build out- it might just be the absolute best luxury money can buy). If it was something everyone “needed” then there would be a bazillion of us and we would be priced more as a commodity (instead of health insurance there would be design insurance HMO vs PPO). But the reality is that an Interior Designer is very, very expensive. And yet, believe it or not, we can save you a lot of money and ten times that in personal time and headaches. Let’s face it, there are a ton of mistakes that could be avoided if you knew every option out there and what about your choices would make it good or bad for each decision. Unless it’s what you do for a living, why would you know all the choices and in’s and out’s for interior options?

When you’re too close to a project (the home owner) you lack the natural perspective to make the best unbiased/unemotional/balanced decisions. When I’m stuck designing my house (happens constantly- minute to minute truth be told- you all know what i mean) I seriously panic and call in the troops (usually this involves my sister Kim, who’s a doctor…I know go figure, but a doctor comes in handy with the heart palpitations from the impending expense I’m contemplating) and at least three or four of my design friends. They ride to the rescue and help me make the choices I’m too emotional about to make myself. And with us, it’s quid pro quo - they call me in for their houses too. You can’t do your own house, or perhaps you can, but not well!

So, last Tuesday I started with my new client, studying the wonderful plans Chris Chu has designed for the Sharma's and walking through the property with my new client Allison. Next appointment is an inventory of what the Sharma's currently own and wish to use in the new house. I will keep you posted on the design process and the excitement as it flows. Thank you This Old House for this wonderful opportunity!!!

Please follow along, here is a link to This Old House website: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tv/house-project/overview/0,,20387317,00.html

I believe the 16 episodes will start to air in October on PBS but will be touched on with the website and blog before then.

Here are some incredible articles and blog posts that are must reads if looking for an interior Designer or Decorator:

http://abhomeinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/03/1-question-of-interior-designerwhat.html

and

http://abhomeinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-to-design-room-where-do-you-start.html

and

http://blog.beasleyandhenley.com/archives/799#more-799

and

http://www.askthebuilder.com/B238_Benefits_of_Hiring_an_Interior_Designer.shtml

It’s all Greek key to me!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 31 May 2010 22:54:00 +0000

The Greek key pattern (sometimes called meander) made up of repeated vertical and horizontal lines is recognized as a Greek symbol representing infinity and unity. It is seen as ornamental relief on architecture all over the world. As a decorative element, you see it used on furniture, accessories, trims, clothing, fabric and endless other items.

As much as I thought the roots of this symbol were Greek- as the name implies - I dug into researching its origin and found roots in many different countries. I found examples in ancient Egyptian civilization, all over the Mediterranean and in China symbolizing good luck. In fact, the Greek key pattern has been found by archeologists as a decorative element with dates preceding ancient Greece by thousands of years. One such find in the Ukraine dates from 18,000- 15,000 BC. It seems most cultures it adorns have a unique version of its meaning and its origin. Some believe the pattern derives from the twisting, shifting path of the meandering river of Phrygia in the Mediterranean region of present day Turkey. Thus my confusion, the deeper my research dug the more opinions I came up with on its origin and meaning. Suffice to say “I love it” and think the geometric formality of the pattern is amazing in interior design.

This is what happens to me writing blog posts, I sit down to write a quick post on an idea and hours later I emerge as a haggard research obsessed lunatic who still couldn't find that one last photo (not that I am usually short on photos). Then I am so (self) abused that I simply cannot sit and write another post for a least a week. Thus my inability to post frequently enough to keep up with my over achieving blogging group. I am not worthy!

Here are those big gorgeous Greek key photos you’ve been dying for me to shut up and show you (like where’s waldo- find the Greek key variations in each picture):

The house we live in has an interesting past, we are the third owners. It was built in 1890 by a wood carver, he would carve houses in the area then go travel. When he ran out of money he would come home and carve parts of this house until his next gig. My house reads like a bit of a travel log, Ireland here , England there, a little India, and a lot of Greece. Below please find some photos of molding in my living room, third floor office and play room- my love of Greek key continues!

Above: (hopefully not too hard to see) is the Greek flower corner block to a doorway and the Greek key ceiling molding in our living room.

Above: Another Greek flower/sun corner block for a doorway and the Greek key relief running around the room. This room has vaulted 14ft ceilings and an original Victorian skylight that's 8ft tall x 6ft wide (so much for keeping in the heat). This skylight has a different Greek key (similar to the living room) running around the glass panels- see below.

The third floor playroom has the feeling of a church rectory. It’s the top of the turret and the ceiling is an octagon, the Greek key Below- runs around the room at about 7ft with interesting corner blocks like my office. I was able to find drapes from Pottery Barn (shush quiet- don’t tell my work room I bought off the shelf drapes) with a Greek key.

Kitchens With Character

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:15:00 +0000

Let’s generalize here for a minute and look back:
In the 1990’s kitchens had honey wood cabinets, full overlay doors, highly speckled – probably green granite, undermount stainless sink, tumbled stone back splash, ceramic 12 x 12 tile floors and black, white or some stainless appliances.
Since the end of the 90’s the HOOD has arrived, the kitchen of the 2000’s have the big mantle hood, white cabinets (inset doors if high end) or painted cream with glazing, stainless commercial looking appliances, Carrara marble or absolute black-honed granite, different color cabinetry for the island- counter top too, porcelain farm sink, subway tile back splash, picture framed tile motif behind range, wood or limestone floor.
How crazy is it that the most expensive room in the house is so easy to date. I have done kitchens for clients on the cheap for $20,000 and high end kitchens for $300,000.00 and both can just as easily look completely dated in 10 years or less. I do love a white kitchen (Christopher Peacock and the movie “Something's Gotta Give” have totally changed what kitchens look like) and I must say my heart skips a beat for a custom mahogany kitchen with inset doors. A French range can stop me in my tracks and make me giddy with happiness. But these things are obscenely expensive. I’m also sick of all kitchens looking the same, I need to see some character in future kitchens. Below I have compiled a group of kitchen photos that are slightly different, it’s not that they don’t have any of the standard things mentioned above but they have a special feeling that makes them unique. Please note that I am in New England so most kitchens are traditional although I have done and truly LOVE contemporary Kitchens - these photos are not.

Now let’s talk about things I think are really great and in my world necessary: Double sinks and double dishwashers- in our family we all cook, my husband is the main chef but I do love to get in there and tinker actually more than tinker, my kids are also cooks in their own right- so double sinks is a must. For anyone who entertains often the double dishwasher is a great luxury/necessity. (I have neither)

My kitchen is not in anyway ideal- we had a week to put together a kitchen to move into the house. I didn't want to spend much due to only having a week to plan so we went to IKEA for their stainless cabinets. I thought within a couple years I would redo the kitchen and have something I loved- 4 years later and we have no plans to redo. The bummer is that not only do kitchens look dated but they also look shop worn so easily (anyone with chipped dented cabinets knows what I mean). As much as the stainless cabinets I have are cheap and a pain in the butt to clean (finger prints!- think stainless fridge) They are almost indestructible, they don’t dent, chip, crack- if they were hammered stainless so you didn't see the finger prints I would never look back.

Ok the French stove is something I lust after (sorry honey, you turn 40 and it’s the French range that does it for you!) But look at the matching cabinets- my heart be still!!! Indestructible, smudge proof and classically freaking fabulous! (Although I need to sell my house to afford them)

I wish I knew who made these stainless cabinets (above)- so classic.

Great towel bars (below)- check out the French range in the back ground- my heart: thump thump thump!!!

Things I like: Pantry's, corner angled drawers, cement- Lava stone and wood counters, accessorizing with paintings- sconces and lamps, wood floors, radiant heat, French ranges, indestructible cabinets, timeless design, inset cabinet doors/drawers, big drawers for lower cabinets- not doors, tons of storage, as few as possible upper cabinets, seeing all food at one glance, seeing all dishes at one glance, Fabric or bamboo/textured window treatments, Deep window sills for herb gardens, mirrored back splash for pantry’s, Under cabinet lighting, Hanging lights, un-lacquered brass hardware, kitchens to coordinate with the age and architecture of the house, character, personality, quality and the final must: a bar with stools for people to chat while you work.
Things I don’t like: Open shelves (your dishes are constantly dusty and greasy), cabinets that don’t go to the ceiling (all I can imagine when I see that is dust bunnies the size of golden retrievers and people always try to put stuff up there- think fake ivy from the 1980’s Yuck!), tons of recessed lights- I feel like I have spaceship beams on my head, Tile floors (ice cold and too hard), Clear refrigerators (seriously if your fridge is always that clean and organized- you have too much time on your hands and you need to volunteer or get a job!), dido for clear cabinets unless your dishes are perfectly matched or for glass wear- don’t set your self up for constant maintenance if your not the type.
So what isn't going to date??? that’s the big question! What’s next in kitchen trends? I have always been a fan of the eclectic look but I am even sick of that due to companies like restoration Hardware mass producing items that you used to only find at antique shops. What’s unique and desirable that can’t be mass produced and isn’t obscenely expensive- maybe that’s a whole blog post in it self. Finally, here is my quirky crazy kitchen or at least parts of it and me, photo taken from a photo shoot for Country Home magazine (it’s not usually styled for the country look- usually more eclectic):

going postal doing laundry

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa) — Wed, 05 May 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Doing laundry is like being a mail man, or I’ll say mail person and keep it PC. The mail just keeps coming everyday, no matter how much you delivered the day before there is more again today. Even by the time you’ve walked your route and get back to the post office, lo and behold, there’s more already. I TOTALLY understand how someone goes postal!!! The laundry just keeps coming every day no matter what - gather it up - wash - dry - fold - sort - put away. Sometimes I’ll announce to my family that as of this very minute everything we own is clean. But then someone changes and BAAM it’s over - more laundry to do. I must admit I have a really crappy laundry room- basement- cement floor- yucky. This is something I plan to change. I wanted to show you some dream laundry rooms. Would laundry be more fun if you did it in one of these rooms? Probably not but I’m going to believe it would be.

For me it’s about doing it as fast as possible, so the idea of two washers and two dryers is terrific!

I have a friend and wonderful interior designer, Nanette Ambroze Chandler, that keeps a proper hamper in each person's room. When that hamper starts filling up, she puts just that load in the washer when she gets up in the morning. Then switches it to the dryer before leaving the house and folds when she gets home. All the clothes go to only that one person's room, so no sorting. That person puts away their clothes once a week. Great idea!

For my clients I traditionally use kitchen cabinets, big sinks (so they can also wash the dog), some closed upper cabinets and some open shelves for easy reaching of the detergent. I often do a flooring that can get wet, wallpaper and a great roman shade - sometimes a cute chair. There are some great wallpapers and often matching/coordinating fabrics for laundry rooms- this gives a super cute instant fun touch. A little kitsch goes well in this room.

Check These Out

And These

Really the wallpaper and fabric don’t even have to do with laundry to give you that more sophisticated, “pssst, I’m secretly doing laundry” effect!