Tomorrow we begin the renovation of a small hotel in “up state” Mississippi. This one will be fast and furious.
OK – Wiggins, MS has a new hotel! – and it is getting lots of praise. We, as the designers, are very happy. A few days ago we went down to the site to do a punch list and look at accessories. The owners had to put artwork and accessories in to officially open for business on a tight schedule. I will now send notes with my suggestions for the final accessories and artwork. some of the items used are just fine and will work for them. Some of the pieces do need changing. But here is a peek at the hotel – without the final items. We will have professional photos taken when all is done. Then they will go on our website. Will have it done by March and take the photos….mid March.
I seem to be posting mostly on my Designer Diner page. Please check it out.
Fabulous! Antiques Road Show is coming to the Gulf Coast! I’m such a fan. And I will be there. Can’t wait to see my teacher, Nick Dawes. He was my favorite antiques teacher when I took classes at Parson’s in New York in the mid 90′s. He was clear, practical and he made it facinating. I’ll tell you all about it after the show. – July 24th
The Jackson Gang
I had an interview yesterday with LaRaye Brown, the columnist for the Clarion Ledger here in Jackson, MS.
She is doing an article on me as a successful woman business owner. That is so cool! I’ll post it when it comes out.
These are difficult times for small businesses. I’m very proud my firm is still going strong after so many years. Our new intern Anna, started this week. She is a graduate-to-be from Mississippi State. Their interior design program is now in the School of Architecture. I think she is going to work out just fine.
11. Pillows. Aren’t pillows lovely? They are so seductive and comforting. I love them as lush and plush as possible. If they can pick up a tone that is in the room in a pretty brush fringe or tassel, it works. I often add a big soft ball pillow in an accent color to the bed, in front of shams. And if you are placing them on your sofa, try to use a down and feather insert for the luxury look and feel of it. They can be pricey, but if you can find an epoch insert, they are a good bit less and have a similar plushness.
12. Found objects. My bonus tip is on found objects or unusual use of daily objects. This can bring an attractive freshness to a space and a departure from the norm. If you find an item in a garage sale that has a sculptural quality, but is really a car part or a kitchen utensil, use it as artwork or a center piece. Some of the best pieces of sculpture are made from found objects.
Some of my favorites to look for are old skeleton keys, natural items like coral, broken pieces of marble, architectural remnants, collections of odd things like antique fans(the hand held kind), old toy cars, or old metal boxes, old commercial signs. It could be anything unusual with a decorative quality.
I could go on and on about accessories, and the decorative arts. It is a subject I truly enjoy.
Special pillows can add the finishing touch
I love the history of items and the specialness of accent pieces. But the important thing to remember is that they will bring personality to your home. They are the finishing touches. Try an unusual object, just because you like it.
Traditional Room/Contemporary Art
9. Garnitures. I like saying the word. Garniture. It is a French term meaning a set of decorative objects. It is, typically, how you place objects on the top of a tall chest, armoire, highboy, a breakfront or even a mantle. It is always in an odd number, 3, 5 or 7. You often find them in antique shops as a clock with two matching vases. Or you might see a set of 7 varying sizes of Chinese import blue and white pieces. Can be very beautiful.I like to make my own sets using the same principal. The client may have a tall single vase or urn. I place that in the center, and add a pair of shorter, matched decorative items on each side. In the photo I’ve used two pieces of painted pottery with dried arrangements in them. Int the same dining room, I used an English antique garniture set as a center arrangement for the table. The odd number with a central focus has a formal feel to it. I like the gracious feel of the placement. Yet using more casual elements gives you a less stuffy look.
10. Artwork. This is an entire segment by itself. But briefly, one of my favorite looks is a traditional home with contemporary artwork. And a great mix of paintings, sculpture, antique prints, art photographs and decorative items are all essential to complete a home. A standard rule of thumb is to hang the work at eye level or just slightly higher. Keep the base of the painting or mirror at about 4 inches to 8 inches above a sofa back. This depends on the size of the piece, of course. I like the English cottage look of hanging small paintings on the rails of bookshelves. But it does make it difficult to reach those books. Oh well, it looks charming. Does form always follow function? We can break the rule for a little pleasantness.
In this living room, the client had such a surprising and wonderful art collection that we hung it in a salon style, being careful to keep them somewhat organized.
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I love long runs of bookcases
Introduce the personal. This is a home. Who lives here? What are your favorite things? Use them. I know you have items that were your favorite gifts or that have sentimental meaning. I’m a sentimental sap, actually. I love whimsical items that make me smile to remember when I received them, or favorite photos of a moment in time that I’ve framed in just the right frame. Items that have a personal meaning will also make your guests feel comfortable and at ease in your home.
- Look at the options. Sometimes I like to have my client pull out all the items that they are considering, spread them out on the floor or in an adjoining room. Then you can see what you have that will fit in that blank spot on the bookshelves. Or you can see that you don’t have the right item and it is time to go shopping.
- Bookshelves. Let’s look at those bookshelves. All those shelves seemed like a great idea when you designed them. Now you have to fill them with something.
- Books are one of my favorite accessories. Start there, of course. What do you have? I found a fabulous collection of classic novels in a flea market a few years ago. I love those books. They look great across the top shelf on the right side of my living room fireplace. The next set of books of a similar size and weight I then placed, not on the very bottom, but on the next to the bottom on the opposite side from the first series. These two larger groups gave me a base structure for the shelves.
- Taller books are next. I then took the taller books that did not fit in the height of the shelves and lay them in a central shelf, a little off center and to the left. — A stack laying flat.
- More books. I do feel the main item in bookshelves should be ….books. So place several more groupings in our shelves leaving only a few blank areas.
- Decorative objects – I like to find a few items that have weight to them, boxes, vases, small sculptures, that can be used to hold the books in place. They also bring interest to the shelves.
- Potted plants – The quintessential ivy in a pot or basket – it brings an attractive texture to the shelves. Just make sure it is real and alive AND that you take care of them.
6. Photos – finally, I like to add a few smaller framed photos of family and friends. It is that personal touch we need.
