DESIGN PLAN: Tuscan Dining Room

June 29, 2017

I had the pleasure of creating a design plan for a young couple who have just purchased their first home. The goal for the dining space was to merge his traditional style with her love for rustic yet refined decor. They both love natural rooms with pops of color and wanted the overall feel of the dining room to be warm and inviting.

After dissecting their design styles, I came up with the theme, Tuscan Dining. My vision was rich, warm colors with a mix of dark and light wood tones. I also envisioned a mix of classic and transitional furniture, colorful textiles and lots of texture.

TUSCAN DINING ROOM: Design Details

No.1 & No. 5–A traditional dining room set will work best for this couple who loves to entertain. The oval table maximizing seating and helps with the traffic flow in and out of the room. The dark wood stain on the table adds depth and contrast against the lighter tones in the room.

No.2–To bring in a more modern touch, I suggested an upholstered settee for one side of the dining table. This larger piece of furniture will add softness to the room and can easily be moved to other areas of the home when needed.

No. 3–All of the lighting for this dining room is in a bronze finish which adds even more warmth to the space. The chandelier has lots of curves to it which create visual movement for the eye. And if the couple wants an even more traditional feel they could add shades to each arm.

No. 4–These patterned drapes are the wow factor in the room. The all-over damask pattern have a traditional vibe but the bold colors will help the room maintain a sense of playfulness. I also like that the drapery pattern/colors will give the couple lots of options when it comes to accessorizing.

No.6–A sleek round mirror over the rustic sideboard keeps the wall decor statement simple. Plus a round mirror has a more modern feel than a rectangular design.

No.7–Instead of lamps, wall sconces are another way to add lighting to a dining room and expand the wall decor statement above a buffet. These double arm sconces will provide ample lighting and visually draw the eye up.

No.8–I love a neutral colored rug with lots of texture. The subtle diamond pattern of this sisal rug adds a cozy and relaxed feel plus lots of visual interest.

No.9–A good way to create dimension and depth within a room is by mixing furniture with different finishes. The blonde wood finish on this sideboard ties into the lighter tones in the drapes and the rustic finish adds the dimension.

No.10–I wanted to pull in some navy to coordinate with the drapes and a pair of ceramic garden stools flanking the sideboard will do the trick. Plus I love the raised vine design which adds more visual interest.

Design Idea: Contrasting King & Queen Dining Chairs

June 27, 2017

Years ago when we bought our first house in Seattle, I wanted a cohesive and consistent look with my decor. I hadn’t really defined my design style and fell into the trap of buying an entire room grouping from a local furniture store. I thought the furniture group would give me the consistency I was looking for and I could then use accessories to add the personality. Over the years my style has evolved, my design skills have been honed and today I would never think of purchasing a package group of furniture. It’s also something I steer my design clients away from because there are so many other ways to create a cohesive design statement in your home.

The point I’m trying to make is that your decor should be just as multi-dimensional as you are. It should be a combination of things that give your home its personality.

There are lots of ways to add unique flair to your decor and one of my favorites is with mixing up your dining room chairs. If your style in eclectic and whimsical you can use a mix of different chairs around the table. Or you can replace your king & queen chairs with pieces that make a statement.

DESIGN PERSONALITY USING KING & QUEEN DINING CHAIRS

I love the look of this dining room with oversized king & queen chairs in a neutral fabric that works with the wallpaper and other textiles in the room.

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Contrasting king & queen chairs are an easy way to introduce bold patternwrok into the dining room. Using a similar chair shape as the side chairs creates a sense of balance and symmetry around the table.

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Upholstered end chairs help to anchor a dining table especially when the table is oversized or the side chairs are sleek and see-thru.

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These dining spaces just ooze personality with a mix of chair styles and banquette seating. If you’re considering switching out your king & queen chairs, upholstered club chairs are always a good choice.

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Just like drapes, upholstered end chairs will help to visually soften the hard surfaces within a dining room.

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Here are a few other inspiring spaces with contrasting king & queen dining chairs…

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I love the look for contrasting dining chairs. It’s a great way to put a personal stamp on your gathering space.

Design Chat: Sectional Styling & A Family Room Refresh

June 16, 2017

I continue to get emails from people who have read my blog post or found my pin How To Style A Sectional Sofa. I wrote the original blog in 2014 and there are over 25,000 re-pins on Pinterest. And when I wrote the post, I didn’t realize so many people are challenged with decorating around a sectional sofa.

My most recent email was from MJ who is looking to update her family room. She wants to trade in her current sofa and loveseat for a new sectional with chaise. And she wants to replace the recliner with two accent chairs. Here’s how MJ posed her design challenge to me…

“Hello, I came across your article on Pinterest and was hoping to get your advice. I have attached two pics of my great room as I want to purchase a new sectional (would love a chaise), but with a corner fireplace, I am not sure how or if that would even work. Also get confused on how to determine if I need a right arm facing or left arm facing chaise. One picture shows the wall across from the stairs where the chaise portion of a sectional would be placed with the longer sofa portion obviously along the area across from stairway. My plan is to purchase two complementary accent chairs to be placed in front of window wall. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Here are the photos of MJ’s family room now. As you can see, MJ’s family room is not large and the brown/beige color palette that takes it cues from the carpet and wall color.

After studying the room layout, I created an inspiration board and outlined a few suggestions that will help MJ execute a new look for her home.

The Inspiration

Family Room Refresh: Design Suggestions

FIND FURNITURE THAT FITS: With the size of MJ’s family room, a large sectional will fit with ease. I recommend a left arm sectional which will position the sectional on the long wall opposite the TV. Selecting the right size sectional will allow for side tables and lamps on each end creating a cozy sitting arrangement.

tip: When looking at sectionals, left facing and right facing refers to the arm placement when looking at the sectional sofa head on (not when sitting on it).

CREATE A COLOR STORY: The foundation of every room is its color palette. The current color scheme in MJ’s family room is somewhat flat. The main color in the room is brown with a little deviation in tones form one brown to another. What I recommend is combining more shades and variation of tan and brown which will give the room depth, dimension and visual interest. Since the sectional will be the largest piece in the room, a lighter color fabric will provide a contrast against the walls and carpet.

PUMP UP THE COLOR: I also recommend pumping up the use of accent colors in the room. Right now the only significant accent color is the teal lamp shades o n the table lamps. Using the teal as the accent color I would bring in more of this color with patterned pillows and drapes. Curtains will add softness to the room and define and create a focal point around the windows.

tip: when adding patternwork to a room, combine patterns in different in scale so they don’t fight with each other and each individual design stands out.

tip: hang your drapery rod as high as possible to maximize the visual effect of taller ceilings and a more open space.

MIX UP THE MATERIALS AND FINISHES: Another way to add depth and dimension to a room is by using pieces that are made of different materials and/or finishes. My suggestion is to replace with wood side tables with tables made of iron and glass. The glass will not take up any visual space and the iron will keep the tables from looking whimsy. For additional contrast, I’d place a painted wood accent table between the chairs in front of the window. Painted furniture will introduce even more color and another finish in the room.

ADD STYLE WITH SHAPE: Having little to no variation in the shape of furniture within a room is a common decorating mistake. Having too many elements in one shape (i.e. square or rectangular) can result in a room that feels heavy and overloaded. A combination of square, round and other shapes creates visual interest and movement for the eye. In MJ’s room I’ve suggested round side tables to add that needed contrast.

PERSONALIZE YOUR STYLE: In addition to new furniture and a pumped up color palette, here are the other suggestions I had for MJ…

Hang the mirror over the mantel versus leaning it. Hanging the mirror will balance the fireplace and create separation between the mantel and the mirror.
Hang a larger piece of artwork on the long wall facing the TV. A larger piece of art will add color, visual interest and create a secondary focal point within the room.
Replace the lamps with a style that has more substance and shape. Your lamp base and shade should feel proportion to the scale of the furniture in the room Lamps are also an easy way to introduce more color into a room. Note how the lamp shade color in my recommended style picks up the lighter neutral in the pillows and curtains.
Upsize the TV cabinet with a larger piece. The current TV console is a bit small and makes the entire TV arrangement feel diminutive. A larger tv cabinet will work better with the scale of the fireplace and furniture within the room.
Paint the inside of the front door an accent color. Painting MJ’s door will add so much visual interest within the entire entrance/family room space. And the color will visually link the two areas together. The inspiration photo for the door is below.

One other thing I wanted to point out is that while MJ’s room could benefit from a patterned area rug, I wouldn’t recommend it because of the plush wall to wall carpeting. It’s fine to layer a rug over a low pile carpet with plush carpeting an area rug tends to crawl.

Do you have a design challenge? Leave me a comment and your space just might be featured here on ConfettiStyle.

SHOP THE INSPIRATION BOARD:

Sectional Sofa // Round Pedestal Table // Floral Pillow // Teal Velvet Pillow // Plaid Tattersall Pillow

Abstract Art // Brown Accent Chair // Glass Table Lamps

Geometric Blackout Curtains // Round Glass and Iron Side Table // Black TV Cabinet

Favorites Of The Week | Beautiful Things

June 3, 2017

There are questions in life that we may never has the answers to like “why does a four day work week always seem extra-long?” While you enjoy your weekend and ponder this question, also take some time to enjoy my Favorites Of The Week.

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FAVORITE POSTS

The summer home tours have started and I loved touring Kris’ beautiful home. Her family room is so bright and crisp and I love all the special details she’s styled the space with.

I’m at the stage in life where I’m wanting to purge and live with less. Apartment Therapy posted an article on minimalism recently and this quote by Joshua Becker, author and blogger at Becoming Minimalist grabbed my attention–“Desiring less is even more valuable than owning less.” It’s a great read if you’re feeling the urge to lighten your load too.

Framed textiles are such a unique way to create custom artwork for your home.

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FAVORITE PINS

This Dip Dyed Stationery is a project to add to your DYI to-do list. So cute!

This bathroom is just one of the amazing room designs in this designers portfolio.

Kitchen perfection…black + gold + white. And notice the wood apron and legs on the island extension.

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FAVORITE PRODUCTS

Floral patterns are always a big trend for spring and summer but I’m loving all the textured pillows I’m seeing on store shelves. If you’re not a pattern person, textured pillows are a great way to add visual interest to a chair or sofa. These Fringe Diendra Pillows are from Anthropologie and they are beyond beautiful.

If you’re planning on doing a lot of entertaining this summer, you might want to pick up this chic Leaf Print Tablecloth from H and M Home for only $24.99. And if you need some tablescape inspiration here’s a gorgeous party table styled using the tablecloth.

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Anyone else out there have sunglasses scattered around your house? I just can’t seem to come up with a workable storage option to keep them all in one place. That is until now. The Emily & Meritt Sunglass Holder from Pottery Barn Teen is the solution to my problem. I love that it can also be used to hold jewelry.

Before I sign off, I just wanted to say Thank You for all the wonderful comments here on the blog and on Instagram on my Bohemian Inspired Tablescape. In case you missed it, you can read the full post here.

I hope you enjoyed my Favorites Of The Week. Have a fantastic weekend and I’ll see you back here Monday with an awesome Father’s Day Gift Guide.

Home Tour: A French Provencal Farmhouse In Atlanta

June 2, 2017

One of the things we love to do on the weekend is to head out for a drive and explore new areas of Atlanta. Even though we’ve lived in Atlanta for 17 years, there are still so many areas and neighborhoods that we have never visited.

Our afternoon drives usually include lunch at a new-to-us restaurant and lots of oohing and awing at all of the beautiful houses in Atlanta. From mansions to small homes, the city is filled with some of the most charming properties I’ve ever seen. Last weekend we spotted a gorgeous home in Buckhead even though we couldn’t get a close up look without trespassing, I knew this house was amazing. The house happened to be for sale so I did a quick search and found the listing photos. Are you ready for a virtual tour? Hold your horses because this French provencal farmhouse is gorgeous!!!

Just check out the entrance to the house. The tree lined gravel driveway and the lush landscaping is breathtaking. FYI–it’s very common here in Atlanta to see light illuminating trees around a property. #sosouthern

Can you imagine hanging out on this lawn during the summer–crochet anyone?

And then when night falls this fire pit is the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

No words for the stunning French inspired garden!

I’m in love with this covered patio and check out the glass panel behind the chair that serves as a wall. #designdetails

Just give me a flamingo pool float and a cocktail and I’m all set to spend all day at this pool. Anyone else want to know what’s in that stone outhouse behind the pool? My guess is a potty and shower.

Let’s move indoors. You’d think the stone floors, whitewashed wood stairs and neutral color palette would feel cold but I just love the European charm of this foyer.

The main living room in this farmhouse has beautiful wood beams and a massive fireplace.

fyi–even in a mansion, curtain rods should be hung as high as possible

Living space #2. Maybe the most beautiful reclaimed wood floors I’ve ever seen. And that metal bookshelf behind the sofa is so unique.

Living room #3 has high-gloss black paneled walls that are breathtaking.

The sitting area off the master bed/bathroom really makes a statement. Love the barn doors, wood window casing and black slate floors.

Gorgeous master bedroom with wood planked ceilings and those herringbone floors again.

Every master bedroom needs a sitting area to enjoy your morning coffee or tea.

.The closet in the master bedroom is the closet of my dreams although there might be one too many mirrors for my liking.

Just like the rest of the house, the kitchen is expansive with a rough luxe design style. That arched metal framed door is a beauty.

The dining room is pretty charming with grey washed wood paneling and stone floors. The chandelier looks like an art piece and really makes a statement in the dining room.

Here are a couple of the guest bedrooms.

And the upstairs family room/game room looks like a great spot for lounging or entertaining. The wood beams and white walls keep the space from being dark and drab.

For all you wine lovers, here’s a wine cellar to admire.

And just in case you needed one more fun space to hang out, how about a basketball court?!

Designed by William Litchfield, this beautiful home was inspired by a 17th-century French Provencal farmhouse. The house sits on 4.2 acres of land and has 5 bedrooms/ 7 full bathrooms / 4 half baths and a total of 9955 sq. feet.

This beautiful home is located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta and can be yours for just under $10 million. You can see more of this beautiful home here.

Design Crush: Banner Day Consulting

May 22, 2017

Last week I shared this beautiful sunroom space with you. One click on this image led me to the designer that created the space, Clara of Banner Day Consulting.

Clara’s story of how she became a decorator is like so many other people these days…she followed her passion. After realizing that her legal career wasn’t satisfying her creative desires, Clara left that profession to follow her love of design. Today, she works with both corporate and residential clients helping them to create spaces that are comfortable and inviting.

In looking through the Banner Day portfolio, it’s obvious she has a knack for design and an art for infusing the rooms she works on with style and personality.

From statement wallpaper to the artful use of reclaimed wood, Clara adds unexpected touches that bring her work to life.

Design Profile: BANNER DAY CONSULTING

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To see more of the Banner Day design portfolio, click here and be sure to check out the blog here.

Design Inspiration: The Chaise Lounge

May 18, 2017

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DESIGN INSPIRATION: THE CHAISE LOUNGE

The term ‘chaise lounge’ refers to a long reclining chair whose roots date back to Egypt. Back then, the chaise lounge was looked at as a mix between a chair and a daybed. Today, it is viewed as a long chair and is used in decor as an alternative to a traditional chair or sofa.

Over the years I’ve been a bit indifferent to chaise lounges mostly because the only styles available were the Victorian designs. I don’t have anything against Victorian designs but this style of chaise can feel stagnate and old if it hasn’t been updated with fabric.

In the last 10 years, the look of chaise lounges have evolved and the designs are sleek and modern with a traditional undertone. And when it comes to decorating with a chaise, there is so much inspiration out there.

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I love the idea of using two chaise lounges to create a relaxing sitting area especially if you have a view that can be enjoyed from the perch.

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In a sunroom or covered outdoor space, a chaise lounge (or two) creates a more relaxing retreat than a sofa might.

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A chaise is a great option for a reading nook and can nestle into a corner but still feel connected to the room.

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In an oversized bathroom, a chaise adds the ultimate touch of luxury and glamour especially when upholstered in a luxurious velvet fabric.

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My friend Erika of Erika Ward Interiors used two chaise lounges in a master bedroom sitting area. This type of seating is perfect for creating cozy space to relax or for that Saturday afternoon nap.

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I love a backless chaise as added seating in a living room. Because the design is open on both sides, this style is a great filler piece in large rooms.

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In smaller rooms that don’t get use often, two chaise lounges can be a unique seating option.

Style At Home

What to put at the foot of a bed? is a question I get a lot. A chaise lounge is something I often recommend because they add style and a functional to a bedroom.

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Inspired? Now let’s go shopping..

My Favorite Chaise Lounge Chairs

#1–The Alton Roll Arm Chaise from Pier 1 is a modern take on a one arm chaise. I love the squared off back and the grey velvet fabric. This item is on clearance for $429.98 so you’ll need to act fast to snag it.

#2-–Crate and Barrel has several chaise lounge styles but the Montclair Chaise is my favorite. The design is clean and simple and there are a multitude of fabric options so you can customize the look for your home-$1299.00. For a more masculine space, check out the Garbo Leather Chaise.

#3–The Iris Chaise Lounge from Joss and Main has beautiful lines and the tufted back gives it a classic touch. I can envision this space as part of a library or it a ladies lounge. $464.99

#4–Another great option from Joss and Main is the Kiera Tufted Chaise. This piece has a smaller scale making it ideal for a small room or corner sitting area. $659.99

#5–The Carlisle Upholstered Chaise from Pottery Barn would look great in a sitting area off a bedroom or in a bathroom. The rolled arms and tailored profile along with over 50 fabric options are just some of the reasons why I love this piece. $1449 to $2649 depending on fabric.

#6–If you’re looking for a budget friendly option, the Kivik Chaise from Ikea is an option. At only $350 this piece has a removable cover which will make cleaning easy. And if you want to change the look down the road, the Kivik is a great candidate for a custom slip-cover.

Design Guide: 5 Rules of Space Planning

May 15, 2017

Have you ever struggled with creating the best furniture layout for your home? Well, you’re not alone. So many people struggle with how to arrange their furniture so that it looks good and works with the way the family lives.

In my latest Design Guide post, I’m sharing the 5 Rules of Space Planning. These are the rules and guidelines you’ll want to use to create a pleasing arrangement for your furniture and decor.

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Don’t Hug The Walls

One of the most common mistakes people make when decorating their homes is to push all the furniture to the walls. The thought is that by keeping the center of the room open, the room will feel larger. I hate to burst the bubble but the opposite it true. When you push all the furniture against at the walls, a room actually feels disconnected and unwelcoming. Make better use of the space and create a cozy vibe by arranging furniture within the room instead of against it.

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Create A Layout With Function In Mind

A truly great space is one that functions well for you and your family. Before you begin decorating, analyze how you plan to live in and use the room so that you can arrange the furniture and decor to support that. As you being space planning, think about how each area of a room and each furniture piece will be used.

Caitlin Creer Interiors

Create Pathways In and Out

You’ll want about 30 inches to 36 inches of walkway between pieces.This is what you need to be comfortable, without knocking into furniture and bumping into walls. Any type of furniture with doors or drawers also needs three feet of space to open properly. And keep in mind how you access a seating area within a room. Where possible you want to have more than one way to enter and exit.

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Create Conversation Areas

There is nothing less intimate than a gathering of people within a room and them having to yell to have a conversation. Arrange furniture so there are cozy groupings where conversations can easily happen and people can easily engage with each other. There should be no more than 10 feet and no less than 3 feet between people seated around the room to optimize intimate conversation and everyone’s personal space.

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Create Balance

An easy way to create balance within a room is to find the center point of the space. In some cases, this isn’t necessarily the middle of the room but most of the time it will be. Generally, this is where the coffee table or center table should sit. Arrange furniture around the center point to create a good flow and visually pleasing balance within the room. If your home has a very long, or very large living room, consider having two center points with two separate furniture groupings.

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These guidelines will help you get started with space planning but you should adjust your decorating according to your own tastes and preferences. Use these rules to get started, but don’t be afraid to break them and go with your instincts if something feels right to you.

For more helpful decorating tips, read Key Measurement to Know When Decorating Your Home!