Q and A: Five Top Decorating Questions Answered
joy of nesting
above KELLEY WEARSTLER
Everyone loves intriguing spaces. Whether
it’s a windowless, jewel box of a powder room with red lacquered walls or a
glass walled living room with mountainous views, we love being “transported”.
it’s a windowless, jewel box of a powder room with red lacquered walls or a
glass walled living room with mountainous views, we love being “transported”.
above JEFFREY BILHUBER
Perhaps this comes from our days as children
with forts and tree houses. Or maybe it’s a deeper nesting instinct. I’m not
sure about the psychology.
above JAMES HUNIFORD
You can choose all the paint colors, carpet, fabrics
and furnishings you like but designers will tell you the challenge is choosing
elements that look fantastic “together”. It’s much more than choosing color and
styles. It’s like telling a story: there are lots of words in a book but it’s
the order in which the author puts them that makes the book interesting.
and furnishings you like but designers will tell you the challenge is choosing
elements that look fantastic “together”. It’s much more than choosing color and
styles. It’s like telling a story: there are lots of words in a book but it’s
the order in which the author puts them that makes the book interesting.
above PATRICK WADE and DAVID DEMATTEI
I’ve compiled a list of questions people
frequently ask during our consultations and provided a number of solutions
below.
frequently ask during our consultations and provided a number of solutions
below.
above KATIE RIDDER and PETER PENNOYER
Frequently Asked:
are so many decisions to be made. Where do I start?”
above via DOMAINEHOME.com
A: Start with the elements already present in
other areas of the home such as flooring, molding, doors, casing, and windows.
Think about the year the home was built. Think about future plans for remodeling
other rooms. Plan your kitchen to blend in with all of the above. If your home
is relatively new and modern, cherry wood cabinets, recessed lighting,
contemporary brushed stainless steel pulls, and granite counter tops might be in
keeping with what is “already there”. Or, if it’s an older home, consider white
painted cabinets, a polished marble tile back splash, and old fashioned black
porcelain pulls.
other areas of the home such as flooring, molding, doors, casing, and windows.
Think about the year the home was built. Think about future plans for remodeling
other rooms. Plan your kitchen to blend in with all of the above. If your home
is relatively new and modern, cherry wood cabinets, recessed lighting,
contemporary brushed stainless steel pulls, and granite counter tops might be in
keeping with what is “already there”. Or, if it’s an older home, consider white
painted cabinets, a polished marble tile back splash, and old fashioned black
porcelain pulls.
above S.R. GAMBREL
I find clients sometimes want to go in a
completely new direction with their kitchen remodels just to be “different”.
That’s a mistake unless you plan on redesigning the entire home. Never try and
make your home appear to be something it’s not. Consider the architectural
style, geographic surroundings, maintenance issues and THEN your style
preferences. Aim for flow and continuity.
completely new direction with their kitchen remodels just to be “different”.
That’s a mistake unless you plan on redesigning the entire home. Never try and
make your home appear to be something it’s not. Consider the architectural
style, geographic surroundings, maintenance issues and THEN your style
preferences. Aim for flow and continuity.
Q: “My sofa is getting dingy. Should I
recover or replace it?”
recover or replace it?”
condition of your existing sofa. How is the frame? Is it wobbly or stable? How
are the cushions? Are they misshaped, lumpy or uncomfortable? How much did you
pay for the sofa? If it’s a good quality piece it’s worth having it recovered.
Prices for recovering sofas vary dramatically due to the wide range of fabric
costs. Most upholstery fabrics begin at $80 a yard.
above via DOMINO
Q: “I need window coverings throughout my new
home. What is the solution to a home with many sizes and styles of windows?”
home. What is the solution to a home with many sizes and styles of windows?”
A: Most homes do have many types of windows.
My favorite go-to solution in three words is draperies over sheers. Depending
on sun control and privacy needs, you can opt for functioning or
non-functioning draperies and sheers on traversing decorative hardware.
above via DOMAINEHOME.com
I also love stationery draperies over wooden
blinds on decorative rods and rings. They make virtually any unattractive
window look fabulous and are a great investment for most traditional style homes.
blinds on decorative rods and rings. They make virtually any unattractive
window look fabulous and are a great investment for most traditional style homes.
fabrics with your existing design scheme. Wooden blinds,
shutters and drapery hardware are a great investment. The drapery panels can be replaced or changed out (for a different look) with a relatively small
investment. This also makes them a great selling point for potential buyers.
above via ELLE DECOR
Q: “What are my window treatment options for
French doors and glass sliding doors?”
French doors and glass sliding doors?”
A: I prefer traversing draperies for both French
doors and glass sliding doors. In some instances valances and stationery
panels can be nice for glass sliders depending on what’s on the neighboring
window/s and how much space is available side to side. Like most window
treatments, these require professional workmanship to be functional and
attractive.
doors and glass sliding doors. In some instances valances and stationery
panels can be nice for glass sliders depending on what’s on the neighboring
window/s and how much space is available side to side. Like most window
treatments, these require professional workmanship to be functional and
attractive.
I’m familiar with the mass-produced
window treatment options for sliders and French doors like vertical shades,
honeycomb shades, etc. but I’ve never cared much for them. They are outrageously
expensive for what you get. If you’re going that route at least choose
styles and colors as neutral as possible.
above via MICHAELPENNEYSTYLE.com
There is one mass-produced option
I’ve used and loved and that’s the Hunter Douglas Nantucket sheer shade with
internal rotating louvers. When the louvers are “open” they give the room a softened light while still allowing you to see outside. When closed they provide maximum privacy and sun control.
Q: “I don’t like contrived decorating or a
lot of accessories but I’d like my home to look special. What can you
recommend?”
lot of accessories but I’d like my home to look special. What can you
recommend?”
A: There are some very nice ways to make your
home more festive without being overly decorated. My favorite way is to keep on
hand a wide variety of quality vases and fill them on the weekends with fresh
flowers or greenery from the garden. Sans flowers, they are a fine table top accent as long as they are kept clean. I also love having lots of hard bound
books and baskets around the house. They
add a homey, useful touch. Lastly, high quality lamps, simple throw pillows and
lap blankets add texture and bring a home to life.
above via INDULGY.com
Feathering your nest is quite often about
finding ways to play up
the positives and detract they eye from the negatives. Start by filling a binder or file with pictures of the homes,
rooms, and individual furnishings you love. By educating your eye, you are much
closer to getting what you want from your project.
finding ways to play up
the positives and detract they eye from the negatives. Start by filling a binder or file with pictures of the homes,
rooms, and individual furnishings you love. By educating your eye, you are much
closer to getting what you want from your project.
above via MYPINKSKETCHBOOK.BlogSpot
If you haven’t
already done so, go to Pinterest and build boards for your projects. It’s fun, easy and a great way to
find inspiration. If you need help finding interesting images, to get you started, follow me on Pinterest here.
The images in this post are from Pinterest boards “Kitchens, the Hub of the Home” and “Living Well at Home“.
already done so, go to Pinterest and build boards for your projects. It’s fun, easy and a great way to
find inspiration. If you need help finding interesting images, to get you started, follow me on Pinterest here.
The images in this post are from Pinterest boards “Kitchens, the Hub of the Home” and “Living Well at Home“.
above via VERANDA
above via SWEETSTROLL.tumblr
July 20, 2014
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