Old Decor - New Decor

As you know from my last post, I am planning to make some changes to my decor. The two pictures in that post have led me on a merry search for my "style". And I have to say that your comments were all very helpful! I am going to lighten things up, but try to take the elements that I love most from each room and use those ideas.

If I change to a more neutral background, then by using accessories in that dreamy blue and other cool colors in the spring & summer and the warmer rusts, golds, etc., in the fall, I should be all set! And Mary Ruth's suggestion about lighting...why didn't I think of that?

I am posting some pix of the room (living/dining combo) as it is now. These were taken as I was setting up for a Tupperware party, so you'll see boxes and bags and extra chairs that aren't normally there. At least, these will give you an idea of my current color scheme, window placement and layout.

Some furniture will stay, some will go. For sure the dining room table & chairs are staying. I'm also keeping the black occasional chairs & the gateleg table. I love the table that my husband made from the brass gong that I got from my parents. It is too small where it is, but I'd like to find a place for it, maybe in another room. The rest of the stuff can go or stay, depending on whether I can paint, repurpose, or move it.

The sofa is too fussy. I might have it recovered/reworked to have a neutral fabric & a tight back. Probably cheaper to buy a new one...

My girlfriend Patti the Painter is bringing moulding samples today; crown, window, baseboard & door. We'll be discussing color too. I should have some more to say about this in a few days!

I'm getting inspired! Chris

How to Decide?

I am conflicted! I SO love this room! (it's taken from the Thibaut Fabrics & Wallpaper website) It is warm, uber traditional and full of elements that are "just me". Or at least they have been in the past.




Then, I look at this room. Light, cool, and not-so-traditional; transitional maybe? (Mary Ruth, where are you?) I really like those window treatments. I DO have a view afterall! For some reason, the colors speak to me.




I want/need a change. My red, green & gold color pallet, which has always been my favorite, isn't making me as happy any more. I just don't know, darn it!

Which room do you like better? I know it won't help my decision much, but I'm curious!

Confused, Chris

3 Good Ideas and a Dud!

Although I don't do it as often as I'd like, I LOVE to visit model homes. It's fun to see the color schemes, window treatments & accessories. I especially like to see how designers re-use and re-purpose elements that you know came from a previous model complex. These folks are really creative, and with few exceptions, I always enjoy their work.

My master bedroom isn't "done". In fact, it isn't even started, because I can't figure out what to do with my headboard! So that is one of the things I always notice in model homes. Most are just headboards of one type or another. Occasionally I see something really grand or especially clever that goes into my inspiration file.

Here are 3 examples that I thought were great. And the 4th, you be the judge!


First we have a girl's room. This simple bookcase, fit snugly between two free-standing side tables creates a built-in look and a perfect place to layer pillows as the headboard. I love the hanging pendant lights which free up the table tops!

This second example uses moulding, paint and a great piece of art to create the illusion of a headboard.

In this third room, the whole wall behind the head of the bed is covered in tongue & groove paneling, unexpectedly placed on the horizontal. This would be great in a cottage-style room.




Now...for the dud! What is this all about? I walked into this room and stared at this wall thinking, "what are they trying to cover up there"? The fabric wasn't special in any way, the pleating was messy, the whole thing reminds me of hospital bed curtains! The art is too small, even in a group, and the chains gives the room a "dungeon" flair! Ugh! I could hardly believe it was done by the same designer.




What do you think? Am I way off base about the last room? I'll admit the idea has possibilities. But for me, this room is just ugly!

Note: (The bedspread was "arranged" by the two little boys whose parents weren't paying any attention as they jumped on every bed!)

Chris
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Which One?

I just cannot make up my mind!

I am going to make some changes in my kitchen. I love the layout as it is, but it is time to do some updating. Below, are a couple of photos of my kitchen taken right after we moved in, which gives an idea of the layout.

I have been saving these two inspiration photos for ages. Could they be any different?

The windows in my kitchen provide plenty of light, even with the stained glass going into the transoms. More about that here. That means that the red, black & white with stainless appliances scheme would work without fear of creating a too dark room. The white with white scheme, sans the wallpaper though I do like the colors, using the appliances I have now, is just so bright & cheerful...more of a "country cottage" feel. We are in the country after all.

Which ever style I decide to follow, the cabinets will have bead board wallpaper applied into the insets and then be painted, either red with a darker glaze or white/off white. The wall color will be changing; the counters & floor will also be replaced. All of these choices depend on which style I choose. Aye, there's the rub!

I have always been drawn to very traditional decor. I'm a red, green & gold girl. But as I get older, I seem to be finding lighter, more neutral rooms, (still containing colorful accents of course) very appealing.

After knowing for several years that the red & black inspiration kitchen was what I wanted, I am now actually leaning more toward the white on white example. Were it just paint on walls and cabinets, I wouldn't be so cautious. Although it is work, paint is a "cheap" commodity in the redecorating arsenal, counters & flooring not so much!

I'm anxious to get started! I need to make a decision, somehow. Maybe I'll ask my husband what he thinks.

Good grief! Can you believe I even said that?! I need help... *Ü*

Chris

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Walls in Black

My husband & I have been watching HGTV's Design Star. I did not think we would bother. After the first night, there wasn't one of the designers I liked, one that I thought had any "star" qualities. I did however discover a couple of the wannabes that I really disliked!

I think I watched on the second week, hoping one of them would get the boot. That did not happen, sigh... What did happen is that a couple of the others are growing on me! One of those is Matt. I have to say that I thought the black-walled living room that he and Michael designed was beautiful!

That room reminded me of some pix I have saved in my inspiration file. If I remember correctly, these were posted on the HGTV message board. Sadly, I don't know who designed the room, because I would love to give them credit!

I am not sure whether I could live with a black room, but this one is certainly stunning! It seems to me that I would love it in the colder months, but that it might be oppressive in the warm/hot summer!

What do you think of this room? Are you watching Design Star? Did you like Matt & Michael's room?


I really like the way the bed drapes created a "room within a room" in this large space.


The panels & moulding are beautiful & the red accents (especially the coral) are just WOW! Somehow, the shell fabric and sea-themed accessories help to add life to the room, don't you think?

Enjoy! Chris

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This is Clever!

I was browsing some of my Décor “sources” websites this morning and found this cabinet/desk/table. This is not only a space saver, but it looks like an attractive piece of furniture, as well.

I can see it used in a small studio apartment, office or craft/sewing room. It would even work in a standard or large size dining room as additional serving space. Then there are the times (Holidays, reunions, etc.) you have more guests than your dining table can accommodate.

Yep! I like this one!



Please visit the mfr's website for more views.
http://www.themanhattanclam.com/