The Ranch: Dining Nook to Hearth Room

<br />Have you ever heard the term Hearth Room? Back in the day, this was the space where the family gathered, the true heart of the home, all centred around the fireplace. Now we generally have the family room, which is larger, located well off the kitchen, and tends to centre around the television. Those small intimate rooms had such a welcoming, come-home feel, and sometimes we lose that in todays larger spaces.<br /><br />I recently had a client contact me with an interesting space. She had an open kitchen, with a space located off the cooking area that was surely meant as a dining area by the original builder. In this home, however, a mature couple with grown children and grandchildren, they dined in the dining room, and used the space as a hearth room.  It contains a wood stove which is lit daily, is fairly narrow in proportion, and the design must include a large cabinet that was a family heirloom.  The current furniture layout did not provide a conversational area. The home is situated on a working ranch, and gets lots of use by the residents, visiting family and friends, and their furry friends! This where they most often entertain guests and relax at the end of a long day of hard work.  J suggested most often the space would be used by two or four adults, and little ones that visited. The current furniture had seen better days, and the lady of the house was ready for a change! I came to see very quickly that J embodies the term gracious, and I wanted to give her and her husband a space where they could truly recharge, and that worked well for conversation with guests.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtEUFHzA4H1QcWYob-OW3e4uUsbYs5D4urXHoM2nt4dTK198lVU8y_kp6hio312qOJ5Yl1T_kCBOlUOSKcQPW4zt-2XnJWFJsXnH8zab1XWmoQulCenSVEKSiQiFmrfh4bU9BQyERGU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.56.59+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJtEUFHzA4H1QcWYob-OW3e4uUsbYs5D4urXHoM2nt4dTK198lVU8y_kp6hio312qOJ5Yl1T_kCBOlUOSKcQPW4zt-2XnJWFJsXnH8zab1XWmoQulCenSVEKSiQiFmrfh4bU9BQyERGU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.56.59+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEEBP-7ZJdLpOrvEZJ4BsgoVuI87L8bDEguj1HvMQgS2wjmp07ofSjaKjdxZwlsm4581ezEkBaG2OAaLDfKd5-BMOzg6c1S-idHtmdIkLVTCnbHmBGqLemN49N1XISlrEkwMeI2A07Xk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.58.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEEBP-7ZJdLpOrvEZJ4BsgoVuI87L8bDEguj1HvMQgS2wjmp07ofSjaKjdxZwlsm4581ezEkBaG2OAaLDfKd5-BMOzg6c1S-idHtmdIkLVTCnbHmBGqLemN49N1XISlrEkwMeI2A07Xk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.58.32+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />The first layout I suggested involved moving the large cabinet to another wall of the space, creating a different proportion in the room, that allowed for a sofa and two chairs to be paired facing each other.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnYTpluu7Mdnz3chDlwfzlZCF9tdKK0sAckDAyGp1gwnbNNuRSLEh37PFIPUnq6rev7p0Y8keP_-idTZGBNOoroJksJnKA7Mi3z3bAmUPKrAo9FdqS-2f7o7vfikg4bI8W82_KOK7-Pw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-08+at+10.00.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnYTpluu7Mdnz3chDlwfzlZCF9tdKK0sAckDAyGp1gwnbNNuRSLEh37PFIPUnq6rev7p0Y8keP_-idTZGBNOoroJksJnKA7Mi3z3bAmUPKrAo9FdqS-2f7o7vfikg4bI8W82_KOK7-Pw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-08+at+10.00.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>J had struggled with the colour of the wood stove for many years. A true fan of warm earth tones, the navy stove was not working with the other colors in the space. J has gorgeous pine plank floors, wood kitchen cabinetry, and black stone counters with a warm neutral tile backsplash. We are working with yellow/orange tones in the woods, and slightly cooler neutrals on the tile. J had suggested she was open to bringing in greys here, however the rest of her home is warm and earthy. The large cabinet is a true antique barn red, which must be incorporated here, with the blue. Grey wasn't ring to work, but the walls could go a cooler beige, heading into the greige category, which would provide a soft backdrop. As the walls are similar in tone to the kitchen cabinetry, they don't divide the space visually, creating a more cohesive, larger feel.<br /><br />Leather is perfect for the sofa, in a warm rich caramel, which is durable and will only look better with age and use.  Two wicker chairs add some texture and a little interest. An small black bench J already had would work as a coffee table, and we would bring in some pattern in textiles to work in the blue and red.<br /><br />A large photo positioned over the sofa would ensure this was the focal wall, and we could now add two wall mounted sconces, in a flat black iron finish, to address the need for softer evening lighting. A ranch needs horses, right? I had a particular piece in mind from a very recent art consult, which I will share shortly.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPbJU4X1vmTHvXL7ydet3fSY8bUm3dgMajsJ9cL6X6VHays1UpQsDkkGhZj26iNLhLMcLTgo37VvgT4SEo_vi5Qspa-llZ3_IqWBkP17TMbavkN1VJZYpA8_73BDhkcGLWpl8hfIOcLE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-09+at+2.01.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPbJU4X1vmTHvXL7ydet3fSY8bUm3dgMajsJ9cL6X6VHays1UpQsDkkGhZj26iNLhLMcLTgo37VvgT4SEo_vi5Qspa-llZ3_IqWBkP17TMbavkN1VJZYpA8_73BDhkcGLWpl8hfIOcLE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-09+at+2.01.20+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />J responded that she loved the palette and finishes, but that she had tried to place that cabinet on the side wall previously, and it did not work. She was completely right, it was far to large for that wall. This is where the back and forth comes in, something I love about the online process, we can work to find the best solution, instead of you just receiving a single design. J said that it could be moved to another space if need be, but I knew that in her heart she wanted it there, as it reminded her of her Grandfather, clearly a man she had loved dearly.  I needed to find a better layout that would allow the cabinet to remain in place.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFc9NPefQgRWM416BgMPhwMDNXvglm687jyrBe3mJ-vNTMvStihOWz5u5GTnuN6wOkd2sSISuJ6s6MBykou4-B0eM8WcBmR9ch2ctNlXcZb4tzcbkUbq2p1Qh-LYWZMzh_YvW-4H5HI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.59.56+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSFc9NPefQgRWM416BgMPhwMDNXvglm687jyrBe3mJ-vNTMvStihOWz5u5GTnuN6wOkd2sSISuJ6s6MBykou4-B0eM8WcBmR9ch2ctNlXcZb4tzcbkUbq2p1Qh-LYWZMzh_YvW-4H5HI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-29+at+9.59.56+AM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />I suggested something a little less conventional, placing four chairs in a grouping in the centre of the space, circling and round coffee table. By using this type of floor plan, we could provide seating for four very comfortably, and would include some ottomans tucked into the coffee table for footstools and as occasional seating for little ones. We would add a low bookcase on the side wall, and place lighting and the artwork there. J could display some of her favourite quilts on the shelves, as well as the games and books that would be used in the space. This is a great solution because the room remains open and inviting, but allows for intimate conversation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz92uf6qPStSFe68Iax3XzGpIX6nI5ERcU7FSmlpbDynreJknZagdKoI78MYu1dQl8cvy4ndRk5WEfgod5HXX55BXjLA6d8XbG-BBJJ-C5UWPDn1jfI00HivWQ4CiaZcxIzFxYWdJxI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.00.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lz92uf6qPStSFe68Iax3XzGpIX6nI5ERcU7FSmlpbDynreJknZagdKoI78MYu1dQl8cvy4ndRk5WEfgod5HXX55BXjLA6d8XbG-BBJJ-C5UWPDn1jfI00HivWQ4CiaZcxIzFxYWdJxI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.00.50+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Four matching leather chairs, in the warm caramel tone, form the base grouping. The key to this working, proportionally, is choosing chairs with wide seats, for comfort, and narrow arms, to keep their footprint fairly narrow.  The round table works for ease of movement, and a piece with reclaimed wood top and metal base keeps it light visually, and would tie in the countertops and lighting as well as the more rustic pieces in J's home.  J was very happy with everything, and went to to get a paint sample. Although she did not love the color on the paint chip, once she got it on the walls she loved it :) J painted her walls right away, and began to look locally for the leather chairs.  Once she those she will move onto ordering the other pieces.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz4yPNl81rZ39nJ9bLn1q0LKWjm3j1pjijvA1XsWrk_qSsdUH4_nFl5kyCFFF_uv793OAJjAHGu6a4rHKtbp4YrT46E2sXwdq24fJLBtryB0_1By0lIqJK6f6riLzVh1CbAkGd_jynZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.55.08+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz4yPNl81rZ39nJ9bLn1q0LKWjm3j1pjijvA1XsWrk_qSsdUH4_nFl5kyCFFF_uv793OAJjAHGu6a4rHKtbp4YrT46E2sXwdq24fJLBtryB0_1By0lIqJK6f6riLzVh1CbAkGd_jynZs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-14+at+9.55.08+AM.png" width="522" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The paint colour used here is Benjamin Moore <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/cc-90" target="_blank">Natural Linen</a> 966.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The beautiful photograph is from <a href="http://shop.kararosenlund.com/product/wild-horses-photographic-print" target="_blank">Kara Rosenlund</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;">The <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/round+wood+hairpin+coffee+table.do?&from=fn" target="_blank">table</a> and <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/antique-black-verona-two-shelf-bookshelf.do?&from=fn" target="_blank">bookcase</a> are from World Market.</span></div><br /><br />Nothing beats the moment when a client goes from "what do I do with this space?" to "I can't wait to get started on this space!".  It happens during every consult, and to hear the excitement and happiness that my clients are feeling is the reason I love my job! Our homes should make us happy, right? That's my goal, making sure they do...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Have great day! Will try to post about a few other consults shortly :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Am always getting requests for examples of the online process…  x am</div><br />

The Ranch: Dining Nook to Hearth Room

Have you ever heard the term Hearth Room? Back in the day, this was the space where the family gathered, the true heart of the home, all cen...

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January Blues: Navy

<br />It's January, and with January always comes the return of blue. Why is this? Perhaps in response to the glut of red we've just surrounded ourselves with for the holidays, perhaps because of the yearning for the warmer days and the sea… I'm not sure, but whatever the reason, blue is the colour of January.<br /><br />Feeling inspired, thought I may put together a few design boards based on nautical blues, island blues, you get the drift (pardon the pun, couldn't help myself!)…<br /><br />The painting by Jennifer Latimer got the board started. Such gorgeous texture! Generally, unless you have a space drenched in warm light, navy and pure white are too harsh a combination. Navy works beautifully with soft whites, warm woods and grieges, and that's where I took this space.<br /><br />The humble rattan chairs are so sculptural that they can hold their own against a Milo Baughman sofa and brutalist sconces. That carpet provides a much needed textural element against all those sleek surfaces. Imagine a wall of glass behind that sofa, graced by flowing linen panels...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJey2p0tOR_P1Dcfmt3wA0DIWK4I6Uawyi8XkCrIbUgTAKYZlwuiBi0TSE35yvRHEjb_WVctuVHXOOc7N1URv-8xW6QqgeEI8bpw0Owt3je4jWnp36m56VZ3MhXEa020OC9GerwsD9YM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-05+at+7.05.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJey2p0tOR_P1Dcfmt3wA0DIWK4I6Uawyi8XkCrIbUgTAKYZlwuiBi0TSE35yvRHEjb_WVctuVHXOOc7N1URv-8xW6QqgeEI8bpw0Owt3je4jWnp36m56VZ3MhXEa020OC9GerwsD9YM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-05+at+7.05.32+AM.png" width="544" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/48264/2585123?cat=72" target="_blank">1</a> <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-furniture/32100224.jsp#/" target="_blank">2</a><a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/sofas/blue-leather-milo-baughman-cantilevered-chrome-bar-sofa-circa-1970s/id-f_1355328/" target="_blank"> 3</a> <a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/sideboards/1970s-belgium-sideboard/id-f_1558123/" target="_blank">4</a> <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-rugs/32317539.jsp#/" target="_blank">5</a> <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/home/Jonathan-Adler-Lucite-Table-14538117" target="_blank">6 </a><a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/lighting/sconces-wall-lights/pair-of-brutalist-hammered-brass-wall-sconce-tom-greene-feldman/id-f_783661/" target="_blank">7</a> <a href="http://www.nest.co.uk/product/diesel-with-foscarini-pipe-floor-lamp-white" target="_blank">8</a><a href="http://sanderellascrochet.com/alpaca-pillow/" target="_blank"> 9 </a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">What do you think? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Does this combination of navy paired with soft, warm, neutral layers appeal to you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">x am</div><br /><br />

January Blues: Navy

It's January, and with January always comes the return of blue. Why is this? Perhaps in response to the glut of red we've just surro...

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Happy New Year

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy New Year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFNohDopevt5Ggpsmjw06VKpmeXmIxweRGxPJ-zT-RB-rpmaMhWTLvP80ikZUUI0_AjKslNhcefJmwPirVUEuOVQgLKHd4xpkr6V6OzUNXCIaKFEEFgFVhWnj27uJumBTdXD4YUgP9Lk/s1600/the-world-is-your-oyster-illustrated-art-print-16r-01_2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFNohDopevt5Ggpsmjw06VKpmeXmIxweRGxPJ-zT-RB-rpmaMhWTLvP80ikZUUI0_AjKslNhcefJmwPirVUEuOVQgLKHd4xpkr6V6OzUNXCIaKFEEFgFVhWnj27uJumBTdXD4YUgP9Lk/s1600/the-world-is-your-oyster-illustrated-art-print-16r-01_2.png" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://riflepaperco.com/the-world-is-your-oyster-illustrated-art-print/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">link</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What are you all planning for 2015? Any exciting changes? Perhaps less change?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are still pursuing simplification around here, trying to find more balance.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As the kids get older, we realize how precious our time with them is, and how fleeting.</div><br /><br />If you been reading the blog, you may know we downsized last year. We had bought and sold for many years, each time buying a larger home. We finally ended up in our "dream" home, a huge house on a huge property, only to find we were overwhelmed by it. Not only is the upkeep enormous, but we lived separately, all off in different corners of the house. Our sense of family got lost in all the square footage. People could not believe we were selling to downsize. Everyone asked why we would leave such a beautiful house. The problem with that house was that it never became a home, it remained larger than life the four years we lived there. Going from over 4000 square feet to 2800 square feet meant losing a few perks, like an amazing kitchen, but we realize how lucky we are to still have such a gracious home. I love that we are all shoulder-to-shoulder here, snuggling on the sofa at night, one kid working on a laptop, a card game going on, the tv in the background. It's in that chaotic togetherness that a family thrives.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPyXqNw7hpsVOuSBq9HUKscGanhARnsvdDaFtr7kser60lKy4v7P-ZbSVoRpSEJM2HiELmoa8etRaPRKp0fGXhOpsmkVQTxvNyM1t6vqqj-HLceImB1ox3ngSOL4cY77OqOskVBjrsME/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+9.58.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPyXqNw7hpsVOuSBq9HUKscGanhARnsvdDaFtr7kser60lKy4v7P-ZbSVoRpSEJM2HiELmoa8etRaPRKp0fGXhOpsmkVQTxvNyM1t6vqqj-HLceImB1ox3ngSOL4cY77OqOskVBjrsME/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+9.58.36+AM.png" width="468" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://onmyowntwohands.tumblr.com/page/4" target="_blank">1</a><a href="http://goodmemory.tumblr.com/post/34750181916" target="_blank"> 2</a> <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1808285841"></span>3<span id="goog_1808285842"></span></a> </div><br />A year later, I look around this home and realize that there are far too many "things".  I had purchased so many accessories in the last home, trying to warm it up with layers. Here there is no need for all of those layers, it's time to embrace a more simplified home. Are any of you feeling this? We all blog about more, more, more, but really it's about meeting our needs in beautiful way. Anyone else ready to get back there with me?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljgKRYbppwJ7UbilYR6xPwURrcTwhNIZ-pGDy8VblO8x-5WUWo1u87PATva4UhLupnxxzXE2Ivr1BiQCoH-9u4OzQ5FXOwhr0RbOG0SN5pMMyPSIBAH0SfqTm1s6Rj58TzMkwqA4Hps8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.47.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljgKRYbppwJ7UbilYR6xPwURrcTwhNIZ-pGDy8VblO8x-5WUWo1u87PATva4UhLupnxxzXE2Ivr1BiQCoH-9u4OzQ5FXOwhr0RbOG0SN5pMMyPSIBAH0SfqTm1s6Rj58TzMkwqA4Hps8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.47.35+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlZG-icyGPcFJaN-dxmduYQvgfBiiPhCQO0w_d-XrWZ5VneD8MKZf8bT1fzcRUU3_vgOlNJi-_GhHvzR2jusMNhdLiFXYQ0NpW2YrKi0d9EqoQcU7soq7eQ9qzEFa32QVJlxE1fLQ3zc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.43.31+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlZG-icyGPcFJaN-dxmduYQvgfBiiPhCQO0w_d-XrWZ5VneD8MKZf8bT1fzcRUU3_vgOlNJi-_GhHvzR2jusMNhdLiFXYQ0NpW2YrKi0d9EqoQcU7soq7eQ9qzEFa32QVJlxE1fLQ3zc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.43.31+AM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV3Mwmyjnri6laOxkvIJK7ORxGd5dIKH2B6FMmT-1GSybNDJrH1yOVRSePWrzZg5jjq-kHmpX_8Q9t9QAp_2Z7yIo-xL2PoIxBLz5CnSrWD5UI_OjDlQfGOsXDBavRqAO68gwo7vEd5c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.44.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOV3Mwmyjnri6laOxkvIJK7ORxGd5dIKH2B6FMmT-1GSybNDJrH1yOVRSePWrzZg5jjq-kHmpX_8Q9t9QAp_2Z7yIo-xL2PoIxBLz5CnSrWD5UI_OjDlQfGOsXDBavRqAO68gwo7vEd5c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-02+at+10.44.46+AM.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.homeadore.com/2014/08/18/wine-country-retreat-andrew-mann-architecture/" target="_blank">1</a> <a href="http://houseandhome.com/design/photo-gallery-beautiful-homes-gorgeous-floors?page=14" target="_blank">2</a><a href="http://indulgy.com/post/sqd7K09q71/rooms" target="_blank"> 3</a> <a href="http://claudiaclobes.com/?s=fashion" target="_blank">4</a></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br />This year on the blog I will try to focus on quality over quantity, on enduring style rather than trends, and things that help us to live a balanced life. Happy New Year, everyone!<br /><br /><br /><br />

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! link What are you all planning for 2015? Any exciting changes? Perhaps less change? We are still pursuing simplification aro...

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how to incorporate bright pink paint into a girl's room

<br />So a little while back I had a client email me for an online consult. He had just moved into a new condo in the city with his daughter. We worked on choosing two grey paint colours for his main space, and then he asked for help with his little girls room, shown bottom right in the floorplan below.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-N2ytj4mB2E64e1U56XTYQWF8a-tLBB1Y2ge2IzNUhFoBNtiQD74YcJUAtGGUi1YU8g9Krrk09CbnY3vc04E7EdNZ7vcy28PrQQd_Rb12ssOw9ackZQUeewJxMaFa4AjO02UFqbkOpE/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-N2ytj4mB2E64e1U56XTYQWF8a-tLBB1Y2ge2IzNUhFoBNtiQD74YcJUAtGGUi1YU8g9Krrk09CbnY3vc04E7EdNZ7vcy28PrQQd_Rb12ssOw9ackZQUeewJxMaFa4AjO02UFqbkOpE/s1600/image.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />It seems like most young girls request a pink room at some point, and it's almost always fuchsia, or another shocking shade of this colour that they like. The question is how do you work this colour into their rooms without it becoming garish?<br /><br />My client asked me to find a way to tone down the colour, and work in black, which is what his daughter had asked for. This is not a large space, and so we needed to incorperate the pink without it overwhelming the space. Thought maybe some of you are struggling with the same dilemma in your own homes, and would be interested in the options we discussed.<br /><br />First of all, I asked him to show his daughter the photo below - was it really bright pink she wanted, or just pink? A softer pink could be paired with black and used on all her wall space and the effect would be soft and lighthearted.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyaAnlBURjQubURMcmKvkJ5091Yv4Hch0akluEqAXDWhlUAHs6PG5S7zU3doGgLGM8PuXj96g6OqgfMxDZgNfPqjooUW-Rz-9aWl7VQZTFsNvwS_sg3803nst7rIxDt-IKrGNXbnVkAo/s1600/20547742020050557_XYl6OL1D_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyaAnlBURjQubURMcmKvkJ5091Yv4Hch0akluEqAXDWhlUAHs6PG5S7zU3doGgLGM8PuXj96g6OqgfMxDZgNfPqjooUW-Rz-9aWl7VQZTFsNvwS_sg3803nst7rIxDt-IKrGNXbnVkAo/s640/20547742020050557_XYl6OL1D_c.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Nope. MUST be bright pink.<br />How about bringing the bright pink through accents?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUFk_rdXc1qHXThygNBh4OSMyhXJ4MZJCItNZ11TcOmJ6Neln8_KxbpE0amTYnQHvCx6P6SKr1qnUCTYR9bni23LwSu81h-9UQl1gjQksu-MVTaK-vAXzBt7q65NKXyqhvJ41sEJ0S9c/s1600/102105116521368075_cVHJ1wal_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUFk_rdXc1qHXThygNBh4OSMyhXJ4MZJCItNZ11TcOmJ6Neln8_KxbpE0amTYnQHvCx6P6SKr1qnUCTYR9bni23LwSu81h-9UQl1gjQksu-MVTaK-vAXzBt7q65NKXyqhvJ41sEJ0S9c/s640/102105116521368075_cVHJ1wal_c.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />No dice. ON THE WALLS. Right. This girl knows what she wants! Moving back on track...<br /><br /><br />First of all, there is the accent wall. I'm not a huge fan of accent walls, but in a child's room, on the headboard wall, they can work. I suggested a white bedding, warm white on the other three walls, and adding the black accents on those walls via picture frames. This striped treatment can be achieved by using a high gloss and flat paint in the same shade.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97v3579N9hoRKbPE2KMMTuH38ax12Pw5OFEsIPKWmkUIQQrznu_QqoszlmMu6dZDP2XaLp3hiqZkSA9k1CBUcfl0Cam7H4CsIO6Q2yG1SbANBPD86vsDE-yl8FkrfWNvC2rKnbOQOEsc/s1600/106819822382293597_QtuVVJEe_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97v3579N9hoRKbPE2KMMTuH38ax12Pw5OFEsIPKWmkUIQQrznu_QqoszlmMu6dZDP2XaLp3hiqZkSA9k1CBUcfl0Cam7H4CsIO6Q2yG1SbANBPD86vsDE-yl8FkrfWNvC2rKnbOQOEsc/s640/106819822382293597_QtuVVJEe_c.jpg" width="493" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and while we are on the topic of stripes, this is cute as well....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D50-cdPw3ynYXsZNHPhuCQWazkMia3Rf3pmS5MO9KHoKQ-RJH2D8mYAomuaxDP-FS-Va3NCMVHtvJKnH_SqC3kSUab8MolYI9O0ogXH1iwKuJMg-KO-jjF4Dbily6MdXFQRQPqEgYdQ/s1600/190980840419732743_6kuNlvjr_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D50-cdPw3ynYXsZNHPhuCQWazkMia3Rf3pmS5MO9KHoKQ-RJH2D8mYAomuaxDP-FS-Va3NCMVHtvJKnH_SqC3kSUab8MolYI9O0ogXH1iwKuJMg-KO-jjF4Dbily6MdXFQRQPqEgYdQ/s640/190980840419732743_6kuNlvjr_c.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Second, the partial wall options - these emphasize the horizontal and thus make the room feel larger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woVu2l0U31u19vPQa9DQ-eQ00LinsOulJqOKkL2OEt8LTECHIpthkqZx4Glu3MNTqH76U3CsDyydid83OZDlSBntCNpSJ5ueEOO-m2sDoWhRKtlTjNBTNxsg2Y57UByyhFUuNPEQuUQ/s1600/188447565628109090_5A4NUOqU_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woVu2l0U31u19vPQa9DQ-eQ00LinsOulJqOKkL2OEt8LTECHIpthkqZx4Glu3MNTqH76U3CsDyydid83OZDlSBntCNpSJ5ueEOO-m2sDoWhRKtlTjNBTNxsg2Y57UByyhFUuNPEQuUQ/s640/188447565628109090_5A4NUOqU_c.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">love the black pinstripe detailing on this version....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrZIO4gqaQ4wS4NVYbl0v5vGi6oyFZ1v7w-ZJ9GnYXf8EvLWMrD9oyYh3WncjaHLKzj9b3jVkVOhCDDF-8rCjjO5KnCHqd97gioT7uo0qaAkZu0RAQ5fD1S99PlmOqZZX4VaE8fzfHxA/s1600/84442561734582874_ndeqOciq_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrZIO4gqaQ4wS4NVYbl0v5vGi6oyFZ1v7w-ZJ9GnYXf8EvLWMrD9oyYh3WncjaHLKzj9b3jVkVOhCDDF-8rCjjO5KnCHqd97gioT7uo0qaAkZu0RAQ5fD1S99PlmOqZZX4VaE8fzfHxA/s640/84442561734582874_ndeqOciq_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next look brings in slightly more pink on the walls but still allows for some visual relief - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">three tints of pink in an ombre horizontal stripe. Darling, isn't it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCC1kPvCaYHD944bzIqN7x4mrLmKc3pwuXvm-YAxWnUJWRPSXVhD4rX-2NAp9koeTxjhDZevNlFNCrNS-tjOeR_lOqc8a5-B5_2smsMhEQrxxR8yidHamPqkS6SHzyNlR3E3O7z65vRVc/s1600/32088216066378724_LuWHBODY_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCC1kPvCaYHD944bzIqN7x4mrLmKc3pwuXvm-YAxWnUJWRPSXVhD4rX-2NAp9koeTxjhDZevNlFNCrNS-tjOeR_lOqc8a5-B5_2smsMhEQrxxR8yidHamPqkS6SHzyNlR3E3O7z65vRVc/s640/32088216066378724_LuWHBODY_c.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But what if we NEED to have pink on all the walls, to bathe ourselves in the very brightest pink out there? Well, you can always cheat a little - bring the ceiling colour down a few feet and have the pink meet it (I did this in my son's room when he insisted on royal blue walls in a space with north facing windows). You'd be amazed what a difference this 20 - 30" makes...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwGAE8VyIO6dXuidWQXl-OsRAxrYcoNGIHqQheAlw58PuHKE-2S1g4s7Bk_b36IuYuBFA7l_PVNGP-nlZ2E7oDHCFqnks2IvocnworlVdw4mr6p8bKyX74SQ_DN2WH-_ItuWO_uXIAzg/s1600/268104984036851771_HPhezRll_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwGAE8VyIO6dXuidWQXl-OsRAxrYcoNGIHqQheAlw58PuHKE-2S1g4s7Bk_b36IuYuBFA7l_PVNGP-nlZ2E7oDHCFqnks2IvocnworlVdw4mr6p8bKyX74SQ_DN2WH-_ItuWO_uXIAzg/s640/268104984036851771_HPhezRll_c.jpg" width="602" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My client and his daughter mulled these over, and in the end she fall in love with the striped headboard accent wall idea. I suggested Benjamin Moore Peony 2079-30 on the headboard wall in a semi-gloss and matte to create the striped effect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWXWB8I6vvB0JT9_aoIEshoXRTxcLzhSw6JpYqDK3C_C9o1FVkrY2GdWbAzibCE914D-Ak2HWJUtzP81f9KdYGQrhRI72tFQQld_Z57O2II7ys27lqIjHgnTWlT_ybnLCMmCioVB_JSw/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWXWB8I6vvB0JT9_aoIEshoXRTxcLzhSw6JpYqDK3C_C9o1FVkrY2GdWbAzibCE914D-Ak2HWJUtzP81f9KdYGQrhRI72tFQQld_Z57O2II7ys27lqIjHgnTWlT_ybnLCMmCioVB_JSw/s400/Unknown.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are working with white furniture, like my clients, you want to ensure that the walls are a warm white, because white furniture is seldom a true white. If the white on the walls is too cool then the furniture will look dingy. Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117 is soft and warm with out being too yellow, and works well with Peony on the three remaining walls. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5siUZCkw8PsSNgUyZsnr_yIR3N7OMcTJefjObreYVqJuny1tvqT6sB8_D5m1LNjfXnH6RWlpPqBsiePo-YX4YAvl33JIXidD8JLW0BgN3HGWXx5eTCvDJ7XN0nhwWlO2QCSq_c4KhAKI/s1600/1620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5siUZCkw8PsSNgUyZsnr_yIR3N7OMcTJefjObreYVqJuny1tvqT6sB8_D5m1LNjfXnH6RWlpPqBsiePo-YX4YAvl33JIXidD8JLW0BgN3HGWXx5eTCvDJ7XN0nhwWlO2QCSq_c4KhAKI/s400/1620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I suggested black be used sparingly, on picture frames, desk accessories and a pillow or two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This keep contrast to a minimum and doesn't create a lot of visual distraction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm happy to say that both my client and his daughter love her finished room, so my job is done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you ever used an option like these to tone down the impact of a vibrant colour in your home?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Which one would you choose?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

how to incorporate bright pink paint into a girl's room

So a little while back I had a client email me for an online consult. He had just moved into a new condo in the city with his daughter. We w...

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Feng Shui in a Family Room

So this fall a really interesting client emailed requesting an online consult. K and her family have just recently moved into a new house, and are working toward creating a harmonious home incorporating Feng Shui.<br /><br />I was at once intrigued. I have a very loose knowledge of the Feng Shui principles, having applied certain bits to my own home. Even if you do not specifically subscribe to the belief that our homes have energy passing through them, and we can funnel that energy in ways that are beneficial to us, I think that anyone who is consciously working to create harmony and order in their home to better their life is probably applying this same effort in other areas of their life, and this will likely bring them some great results. There are also some facets of Feng Shui that simply reflect good design principles, such as incorporating mirrors to bounce light (or energy :) around, eliminating clutter and restricting your colour palette. There is also the familiarity factor: it may bring a certain sense of peace to a person knowing that specific areas of your home are always going to contain certain colours, for example.<br /><br />The first room K wanted to work on was her family room. A traditional modern family two-story, the family room is open to the kitchen/eating area.<br /><br />Here are some of the before shots:<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8sk7paok0t_-R1uqHRezn2XmBkIyka8aVOwZVyQZE1AEL7h97b7p0AGhfkEUQXsReJSRGA_KwjgXzk0LBuhUuiF9oyDZRFibzNNPpV6GxgxFQc2dWui8CIrLXh9qjf4maHqQv3hqQvA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.04.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8sk7paok0t_-R1uqHRezn2XmBkIyka8aVOwZVyQZE1AEL7h97b7p0AGhfkEUQXsReJSRGA_KwjgXzk0LBuhUuiF9oyDZRFibzNNPpV6GxgxFQc2dWui8CIrLXh9qjf4maHqQv3hqQvA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.04.55+PM.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gfybzKdRUJiajwLYzHYVIKoaT6X8WKJWt_utODXzU9mAyNhQX4gW-HE-AnXhFn3Nl-0iWgYwMP66Go6ujsVNUkA8H2sCOhE5qwTp9tmp7ODzW019TQp19uRpGLLcA7iSwXfLfGHAbjw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.06.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gfybzKdRUJiajwLYzHYVIKoaT6X8WKJWt_utODXzU9mAyNhQX4gW-HE-AnXhFn3Nl-0iWgYwMP66Go6ujsVNUkA8H2sCOhE5qwTp9tmp7ODzW019TQp19uRpGLLcA7iSwXfLfGHAbjw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.06.10+PM.png" /></a></div><br /><br />Beautiful wood floors that complement the cabinetry tones, a lovely fireplace with built-ins, a breakfast nook and plenty of natural light and space - this home has great bones to work with!<br /><br /><br />K wanted to work with blues or greys, to bring the best fang shui for the particular positioning and placement in the home found here. I agreed that cool-toned walls would work, as her space receives warm southern light and has all that lovely warm wood for balance. Blue pairs effortlessly with orange-toned woods because they are complements on the colour wheel, and blue brings out the richness of the wood. K has bold colours present throughout her home, and wanted this space to have some character.<br /><br />After working out that K quite liked modern furnishings, we needed to find a way to mesh those styles with her home, which is much more traditional. She had already ordered a white leather sofa. The first thing to work on was the floor plan. By placing the sofa against the wall we opened up the room, creating a better flow (for Feng Shui and design purposes!) I suggested K purchase two chairs to face the sofa, thereby adding comfortable seating without blocking the doorway off. A low bench positioned where the sofa had previously sat provides additional seating for larger gatherings but still allows the two areas to be connected.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U-X_WN8CCn6ZgQAKgWDjJwQ-NGpGP3HxmJtzMF4_8kee5X4VfI1TxL3gD_uNlWFAUWg6PGsQgy7E0y3Kj4Xssr5uu4l9lUzwWtWYjJNLViQGlHkHU-WAcYruANW18EUJL8O1LmFvjTc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+3.17.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3U-X_WN8CCn6ZgQAKgWDjJwQ-NGpGP3HxmJtzMF4_8kee5X4VfI1TxL3gD_uNlWFAUWg6PGsQgy7E0y3Kj4Xssr5uu4l9lUzwWtWYjJNLViQGlHkHU-WAcYruANW18EUJL8O1LmFvjTc/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+3.17.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since we are planning to move onto the living and dining areas next, I suggested adding a warm orange in small accents to give us another colour to pull out in the adjoining rooms. The wall colour you see here is Benjamin Moore 1626, Gentle Gray.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">DESIGN TIP: When working with pale blues, you really want a grey with a blue undertone, rather than a true pale blue, or your room will look like a baby boys nursery :)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVaW5LMud1mTVFaVJUWD7WS9_gTIF6wrkHDjJFn-j-S7viBZBCfQdBmIq7xg8J1xkoxTbwzbwwHEhUp7BnC4ZIFsXNqfaYPAuCTznWpePGKBr_kORTA5XASDQqBc-EWmfMyPMr1VOXuU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.30.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVaW5LMud1mTVFaVJUWD7WS9_gTIF6wrkHDjJFn-j-S7viBZBCfQdBmIq7xg8J1xkoxTbwzbwwHEhUp7BnC4ZIFsXNqfaYPAuCTznWpePGKBr_kORTA5XASDQqBc-EWmfMyPMr1VOXuU/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.30.30+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chunky chairs in the same espresso finish as K's table and chairs help the two spaces to relate to one another, and of course we need a round coffee table - this is a major Feng shui principle - avoid corners whenever possible, they are thought to create disruptive energy within your home. a selection of carpets allows K to choose exactly how energetic she would like this space to feel, and of corse, the art references the Feng Shui water element we are channeling here.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWttz7M7VD1hSVLLmNiEK32iH6ts9qKbqIZSBUOHB_Lo_6pEGAqjokhENKzi-g3zQ82y2q5dO2DGS0rHvjRvOTcz2WYw4KdvmAnBIm_ZPZZZ4foXZszqUp4nb4Hu3PaKF8eyb9QAimG8I/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+2.35.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWttz7M7VD1hSVLLmNiEK32iH6ts9qKbqIZSBUOHB_Lo_6pEGAqjokhENKzi-g3zQ82y2q5dO2DGS0rHvjRvOTcz2WYw4KdvmAnBIm_ZPZZZ4foXZszqUp4nb4Hu3PaKF8eyb9QAimG8I/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-21+at+2.35.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">K responded that she wanted to replace her dining set with something lighter and more modern, and that she was wary of making such large commitment to blue with the leather chairs. She sent a link to the dining set she was considering, and asked me to create a board incorporating that and the large floral carpet. These chairs work with the wood tones present, and the modern abstract back picks up on the legs of her new dining chairs. Having just the seat upholstered blue allows for that hit of colour without the commitment - it would be easy to swap out this fabric down the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4RUHcakmYXVSJE1M0efWYIxT0lrH18-Enhaw1sdOxMuplqR3yslOSUjAMKsqr5_SnP-T7cGoUAVWK5v4wc-MP83ypqVOEReaQ2oWy2RmS0kPo0ksy6YvC8kmWfiEWz40wiGshAU2rPA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.43.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4RUHcakmYXVSJE1M0efWYIxT0lrH18-Enhaw1sdOxMuplqR3yslOSUjAMKsqr5_SnP-T7cGoUAVWK5v4wc-MP83ypqVOEReaQ2oWy2RmS0kPo0ksy6YvC8kmWfiEWz40wiGshAU2rPA/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-01-22+at+1.43.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After receiving that board, K mentioned wanting a more neutral option to show here husband, who wasn't sure about the blue. She had used Benjamin Moore OC-52 Gray Owl in another room in her home which faced north, and had thought it was a bit too cold for the family room. I assured her that in the warm southern light at the back of her home Gray Owl would appear more neutral, and suggested she try a swatch out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hXKWk0tOVItJKjdDgjOn4yNpcXXxISybjyx5-4P0QT5jhQX2yguIWZUikBuZ84NPI6zObkIQb_D6jdPcGYgeEKx5fvKIpLPe4F47357uWAPum4sxuEzvCeSFmH44Pu-p-cbNPhPoBs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.08.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4hXKWk0tOVItJKjdDgjOn4yNpcXXxISybjyx5-4P0QT5jhQX2yguIWZUikBuZ84NPI6zObkIQb_D6jdPcGYgeEKx5fvKIpLPe4F47357uWAPum4sxuEzvCeSFmH44Pu-p-cbNPhPoBs/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.08.10+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I sent her another board illustrating this neutral palette option. I'm in love with that carpet. LOVE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2hPB9ei6d7PJv_nSt66y8hzHkvgzCQbhNzYl6t68gab_49KCPkrXcQo0qKcgXYAuP8CaFvvtmJk1Xj74iNETf4wMwBFSIkxj28P7YY8SYq2wYynbASke3PsoBNkI9dE3wohiRZ-gMxQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.32.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2hPB9ei6d7PJv_nSt66y8hzHkvgzCQbhNzYl6t68gab_49KCPkrXcQo0qKcgXYAuP8CaFvvtmJk1Xj74iNETf4wMwBFSIkxj28P7YY8SYq2wYynbASke3PsoBNkI9dE3wohiRZ-gMxQ/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+5.32.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point we were nearing the beginning of holiday season. K wrote that she loved both options, but that she was leaning toward the more neutral version. After New Year's I got an email that made me smile :) K and her husband tried the Grey Owl on the wall, and found it did nothing for them, but the bluer option, Gentle Gray, looked wonderful! They decided to go ahead with the second blue design option, and were very happy with the progress so far. I'm hoping for some pics of the finished space to share with you...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and that, darlings, was my first official Feng Shui Design Consultation! Something of an adventure, and I learned a lot along the way... as side note, I may try to tackle how to bring some basic Feng Shui principles into your home in some future posts - would you ladies like to explore with me? I'm thinking a little cleaning a re-organizing can't hurt anyone.... my house could definitely use some love! x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Feng Shui in a Family Room

So this fall a really interesting client emailed requesting an online consult. K and her family have just recently moved into a new house, a...

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Retro Mix First Home

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />A few months back E. emailed me asking for a design consultation for her first home. Being a military family, this couple has moved and travelled extensively, but after receiving a long-term posting had just bought their first home. I LOVE working on a first home with a client - they are always so enthusiastic and appreciative of their space. E described her loves as mid-century style, and the colour red.<br /><br />Sounded intriguing!<br /><br />When E. sent me the photos of her home, they brought back a flood of memories - their home is a raised bungalow, and the layout actually almost identical to the first home my husband and I bought, almost fifteen years ago. The open living space is lovely, and E. already had some great mid-century furniture and unique accessories from living abroad that she wanted to incorperate. The challenge was to make it all work together.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" width="490" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />E. decided to replace the vintage orange chairs with Ikea Poang chairs, and the existing sofa and console were to remain. She wanted to work on tables, lighting and accessories for the living room. In the dining room, the table and chairs were staying, so we needed to find a way to make the dark finish work with the rest of the space. E. wanted to update here kitchen by painting the cabinetry and adding a new countertop and backsplash.<br /><br /><br />We started with the living room space. Here is an inspiration room that best summed up the feel we wanted to achieve.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_6IYBZjOrdyODQqScnuPDR5WaIMsvABnrUOxnhL7_7bP1_eUT4-O0Bru-g-868ZTy15P8uXEErFNLy_m8X9iLfz2OhhWSgeQoNo9j6fQi9IN8gbfSa51TqX41yUVW51gDanhPtBBbug/s1600/Cozy-Living-Room-with-Retro-Mid-Century-Style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_6IYBZjOrdyODQqScnuPDR5WaIMsvABnrUOxnhL7_7bP1_eUT4-O0Bru-g-868ZTy15P8uXEErFNLy_m8X9iLfz2OhhWSgeQoNo9j6fQi9IN8gbfSa51TqX41yUVW51gDanhPtBBbug/s640/Cozy-Living-Room-with-Retro-Mid-Century-Style.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span id="goog_1451080067"></span><br />The caramel tones in E's sofa and console really set the palette. She and her husband plan to replace the beige carpeting in the living room with hardwood down the road, and so we decided to lay an area rug down over the carpeting now that will work over the hardwood once it is in place. Since E and her husband both like bold, saturated colour, we incorporated red and small amounts of green as accent colours, against a clean backdrop of walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Moonlight White.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsasxL8oIEl_98BKT3cHTC98cKk73UC4sM9q9e6XzSCfrvNf-yKAfPHNpDh6B3ZaQ1HQ8sg4nzuuuwTbAHCmIx_YzYjJRs0FzkRjTdg_q0NxDcZ4TzSrM2cwM-J8D4nFda0bsQvxZeiU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+11.40.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsasxL8oIEl_98BKT3cHTC98cKk73UC4sM9q9e6XzSCfrvNf-yKAfPHNpDh6B3ZaQ1HQ8sg4nzuuuwTbAHCmIx_YzYjJRs0FzkRjTdg_q0NxDcZ4TzSrM2cwM-J8D4nFda0bsQvxZeiU/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-07+at+11.40.05+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />E has a handy husband, lucky girl, and he reconfigured the small cabinets that go with the console into side tables by mounting them horizontally onto some vintage legs he found. The console will serve as an entertainment stand, with the television placed on top. The only things we were really missing were <b><a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/50148848/">lighting</a></b>, a carpet and a coffee table. I found the vintage inspired surfboard table on<b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/8982064/eliptikal-coffee-table-surfboard-eames"> Etsy</a></b> - E had it custom made in a glossy red. A moroccan inspired <b><a href="http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-moroccan-shag/ivory/200MTVS28A-8010.html">carpet</a></b> adds some softness to the design, and the diagonal pattern will lead the eye across the entire space, corner to corner, visually expanding the living room.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-4cXcFyhlsWuaF7UVx6c8QuBIeGs97DGWrNVbFGsu3fq7-l8-0oE1K1MRh8nV-q-M2Krp0qiMlhPQWgs0DqZ2l3FxrwGZEXTZ0t0T3751rMimxLV_dOPnYiL6GKxqL5Fg8_fg6CHmgY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+11.34.00+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-4cXcFyhlsWuaF7UVx6c8QuBIeGs97DGWrNVbFGsu3fq7-l8-0oE1K1MRh8nV-q-M2Krp0qiMlhPQWgs0DqZ2l3FxrwGZEXTZ0t0T3751rMimxLV_dOPnYiL6GKxqL5Fg8_fg6CHmgY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+11.34.00+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As always, there is a plant tucked in here. This is a fiddle leaf fig, the tree to end all trees :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's large size will fill in the space beside the console, and if it were real it would bask in the light from the large window. The couples frequent travels don't allow for plants, so <b><a href="http://www.amazinggreen.com/collections/frontpage/products/fiddle-leaf-fig-tree">this</a></b> very good quality imitation will work for them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you know me at all, you know I'm an art junkie! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The sofa needed tone grounded into that large blank wall, and defined as the focal point here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since we are on a tight budget, I suggested E purchase a canvas and try an <b><a href="https://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=art+diy">art DIY</a></b>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9m0u9hAgTMNVFPXDlmSWV3DIya0SxCu15FGYIrGOFg73nZYWJMPSxRrB66wG05l__aOpfNXex4fZQq_n0h_rpG2Rw_rskRI_ou_qdXSLtIeVIJnERwdZlldvUKgK7ly39YMmzAb2erk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.35.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="614" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9m0u9hAgTMNVFPXDlmSWV3DIya0SxCu15FGYIrGOFg73nZYWJMPSxRrB66wG05l__aOpfNXex4fZQq_n0h_rpG2Rw_rskRI_ou_qdXSLtIeVIJnERwdZlldvUKgK7ly39YMmzAb2erk/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.35.06+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In the end, however, she decided to add some bold red wall cubes above the sofa and place some of her treasures collected through the couples travels - </div><div style="text-align: center;">perfect for remembering all the previous homes they have lived in.</div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1OybtCFFQWGP8endS8VxOJLEA391n_-9yX_GV9TayEpZclc3ZtiT0RivLNd2Dd15w55m-HIKNYiiSp3fd5tztMqlC6G4RworMsIFaPml2p6FH_LRATCZdWwyacL810zf93mwaCw6gEY/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-12-08+at+11.37.43+AM.png" width="490" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Let's look at the changes the kitchen are currently undergoing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The cabinets are in good condition and so will be painted out white to freshen up the space.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I suggested adding a butcher block countertop in beech from <b><a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40057853/">Ikea</a></b> to bring some of the wood tones from the living room into this space, and keep it warm -</div><div style="text-align: center;">don't you love the way they have stepped the end of the breakfast bar, below?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.woodworkershdwe.net/servlet/the-497/Amerock-Hardware-Cabinet-Kitchen/Detail">Hardware</a></b> with a retro feel in brushed stainless will work perfectly.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBqTm-ONCTDh-_OzmaKvM_YEppWZSsQayU1yC04A198wO83UZmnnUzeXeUAMnLEd0VHQwM3mlbKDXao8u_XIWAgts741zRRv0OXbrjHl8u2_7kUsuGWwX9De74bxdN00_gcYKBAufVRk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.48.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBqTm-ONCTDh-_OzmaKvM_YEppWZSsQayU1yC04A198wO83UZmnnUzeXeUAMnLEd0VHQwM3mlbKDXao8u_XIWAgts741zRRv0OXbrjHl8u2_7kUsuGWwX9De74bxdN00_gcYKBAufVRk/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.48.30+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc5HoGZAL49seztveQBo67ZarDauUWfdYoe3T4StcEas9jt80PB0tWuzQAP9SP1IJphX9-6G-5uX_N69P_70Sd6htYtsu9sCyXdb5yxx3UP98nLoGV1B6aY8ksEIiTeXNNeyEo92cvVs/s1600/wood+counters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc5HoGZAL49seztveQBo67ZarDauUWfdYoe3T4StcEas9jt80PB0tWuzQAP9SP1IJphX9-6G-5uX_N69P_70Sd6htYtsu9sCyXdb5yxx3UP98nLoGV1B6aY8ksEIiTeXNNeyEo92cvVs/s640/wood+counters.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">E wanted to add a backsplash. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A subway tile is a classic look, but we wanted something a little edgier. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How about a square tile, with dark grey grout.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This echoes the retro vibe we've got going on, </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and adds some graphic lines here without overwhelming the space.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx3cHWhtau23Ue9RIdojH-iBjLFTWfrXoJoA1xx1WGXF5vu9spx5I_NJ9hwfQw0GjjsTJem-6Kp5M-meRlaNYh_n6Zb1AAStYt_hdPt-9fLT_ZI2xzXhhgnPQ2pfH2YBXeT8sOhBxdW4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+10.56.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMx3cHWhtau23Ue9RIdojH-iBjLFTWfrXoJoA1xx1WGXF5vu9spx5I_NJ9hwfQw0GjjsTJem-6Kp5M-meRlaNYh_n6Zb1AAStYt_hdPt-9fLT_ZI2xzXhhgnPQ2pfH2YBXeT8sOhBxdW4/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+10.56.23+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since the back wall of the kitchen is the first thing you see when entering from the living room, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we needed to add some interest to this spot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I suggested E remove the wall cabinet between her sliding door and kitchen window, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and add open shelving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After considering various options for the shelving,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> she decided to use the leftover Ikea countertop and install wood shelving here, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">creating a beautiful place to display a collection of colourful ceramics, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7MbUSmjgkrDzQSDCsXNyELMq7JLIxWrsxh6_H1qQIoKv0mpkh-I4t159sdhp2sHe9ftiUiYy93Rt8cCkzS6yQWlta1mx3YIAb4kW14hsruFB1yWzs65GNHIFtS76AQpdRvEz0BkL7AE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.13.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7MbUSmjgkrDzQSDCsXNyELMq7JLIxWrsxh6_H1qQIoKv0mpkh-I4t159sdhp2sHe9ftiUiYy93Rt8cCkzS6yQWlta1mx3YIAb4kW14hsruFB1yWzs65GNHIFtS76AQpdRvEz0BkL7AE/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.13.07+AM.png" width="592" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7fImFjSi5-J4Rr3WCxwoE6hAcO0ruR_qXp08UGQElhhrMWewrO2Lvqd3QAoDJaWzjhuR4g-2kG-aNXFit3nUX1vT2AmSiCBgUIXOnyO0Anbvte-ObMC9ZHqmgFea9fbwQ04udFfcP0M/s1600/11822017741932788_mcnjvBVc_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7fImFjSi5-J4Rr3WCxwoE6hAcO0ruR_qXp08UGQElhhrMWewrO2Lvqd3QAoDJaWzjhuR4g-2kG-aNXFit3nUX1vT2AmSiCBgUIXOnyO0Anbvte-ObMC9ZHqmgFea9fbwQ04udFfcP0M/s640/11822017741932788_mcnjvBVc_c.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although E will be keeping her dining set for now, a change is not far down the road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A table in the same wood tones as the countertop and some interesting red chairs will keep this space light-hearted and consistent with the rest of the home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJxXQRK8KgNJxirzJDXGu6uMHmIpd7IqWeCuSuHfG8FsCW-VWx9lG_NDe5JsVp3RmF_usCYXoQQvW2fftNW__FEHm14BLtzO-eKPhL6INi7rZSQAWPkj4362XX2kcDWSWRa4epDBEo_o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.23.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJxXQRK8KgNJxirzJDXGu6uMHmIpd7IqWeCuSuHfG8FsCW-VWx9lG_NDe5JsVp3RmF_usCYXoQQvW2fftNW__FEHm14BLtzO-eKPhL6INi7rZSQAWPkj4362XX2kcDWSWRa4epDBEo_o/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+12.23.39+PM.png" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and, of course - art again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOVE these <b><a href="http://www.allmodern.com/Danese-Milano-Art-Edition-Due-La-Pera-The-Pear-Poster-DEDZ002-AMO1034.html">Enzo Mari</a></b> prints for the dining room wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfYINzZioWKwZ89WlG-48psSahVpNr1U46bMAyZVqexfuk5WspPioS_EtbAam3lVJoGnjHjLSZZnXhhOS9ZqVEoXOR2kEaiXxY0W2EInKspuAolqkYJNNkIpuKA9KhIkvPzot1Gn_bDo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.17.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfYINzZioWKwZ89WlG-48psSahVpNr1U46bMAyZVqexfuk5WspPioS_EtbAam3lVJoGnjHjLSZZnXhhOS9ZqVEoXOR2kEaiXxY0W2EInKspuAolqkYJNNkIpuKA9KhIkvPzot1Gn_bDo/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-01+at+9.17.06+AM.png" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">E has been wonderful about keeping me up-to-date on her progress, and the work here is nearly complete. She is loving the way the changes to here home have brightened the space up, and unified her furnishings and all the treasures from the couple's travels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hopefully I'll have some pictures of the completed space to share with you all soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Retro Mix First Home

A few months back E. emailed me asking for a design consultation for her first home. Being a military family, this couple has moved and trav...

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Design Boards: Elegant Club House

It's been quite a busy fall, my online client list has almost surpassed my local client list! Thank you so much to all of you ladies who have entrusted me with the design direction for your homes - it's been a wonderfully creative couple of months around here, and it shows no signs of stopping...<br /><br />I thought perhaps some of you would like to see some examples of the design boards I have been doing up. Colour consultations have been few and far between, with more and more clients requesting design consultations. This is exciting because I get to put the whole look together, rather than just a part of the puzzle.  Many of my clients this fall have had dramatically different taste, and that is what keeps me challenged and loving this job!<br /><br />Let's begin with the Elegant Club House Client. This client's home backs onto a golf course, and she would like to combine her love of the outdoors and neutrals to create a country club feel within her great room and kitchen. This home was built in the seventies, and has great soaring ceilings and a large brick fireplace  which need to be left as is. The walls, kitchen cabinetry and built-in's will be painted, and the countertops, furniture and lighting replaced. The ECH Client requested a space that was up-to-date but had a timeless appeal, with a soothing atmosphere. She liked the idea of grey, and had just purchased a white and black ottoman that she loved.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxKrs_W2dSda04bpWpv-X3LiqFagUy2M3SeIKI8683LvoIUd5EQguicX_mjwB-6e6cYIs-8scECt4ns4XzVcMK_n5jAmf-2UZCFfyfIv2G928MogYwym3CWUaXQL_cs9iH1Nx7pvKC6w/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+6.28.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxKrs_W2dSda04bpWpv-X3LiqFagUy2M3SeIKI8683LvoIUd5EQguicX_mjwB-6e6cYIs-8scECt4ns4XzVcMK_n5jAmf-2UZCFfyfIv2G928MogYwym3CWUaXQL_cs9iH1Nx7pvKC6w/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+6.28.17+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Many rooms like this were considered...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPBnXH9oVWFbUpkR3edwd2QjQpfXMKHupSnr_QB-V0Y97Cv4BYW0KM_cLcAJonmCjV1SJMtsBbAzZqY34AOE_hNnRkh3ktJkDWvrqDrq8vI5XTLczCP-Ncb8o7lHVUwoNOZvGxYEN-zg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.14.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPBnXH9oVWFbUpkR3edwd2QjQpfXMKHupSnr_QB-V0Y97Cv4BYW0KM_cLcAJonmCjV1SJMtsBbAzZqY34AOE_hNnRkh3ktJkDWvrqDrq8vI5XTLczCP-Ncb8o7lHVUwoNOZvGxYEN-zg/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.14.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuSMKmU_rT7TVI0GtKonTQOzJUKOP7OtCi0yiQw8G6HoQaH9nMbLkCJ9Mwf-022mA-C_G8gDL1vMXTK93ZVKhclSHI3fiJD9ZXjROMwonD7v21lqGAaABpwBF1_ReX36TD33E2SeRe04/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.12.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuSMKmU_rT7TVI0GtKonTQOzJUKOP7OtCi0yiQw8G6HoQaH9nMbLkCJ9Mwf-022mA-C_G8gDL1vMXTK93ZVKhclSHI3fiJD9ZXjROMwonD7v21lqGAaABpwBF1_ReX36TD33E2SeRe04/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.12.13+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKvViNyn_dGvSwF_RpoLMbbJEkQtu9OqOkp23hF3AhpaKetZWphncJaup7t6WNIc-n3CGi-KJRHEJR_WZ3x2t3gh2ONXqM9DQJNuLo9__4Kk5s6NTsz0_cyNWtgEP3AQIRL1IURJvYIA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.13.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKvViNyn_dGvSwF_RpoLMbbJEkQtu9OqOkp23hF3AhpaKetZWphncJaup7t6WNIc-n3CGi-KJRHEJR_WZ3x2t3gh2ONXqM9DQJNuLo9__4Kk5s6NTsz0_cyNWtgEP3AQIRL1IURJvYIA/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.13.06+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC-9t9wiN4xgu5gNzrrfZN6FNMuUOk4eKx4h9UPO1NBvI_EgiZOjrMmEL3kzyT0iNCdy1C2suxEydO7AOWp6dY4EAIKIsYdf7tDf-A0eJpm5etU62pjzG7wrU7JAwdXw-ujavz7OKRqg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.18.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC-9t9wiN4xgu5gNzrrfZN6FNMuUOk4eKx4h9UPO1NBvI_EgiZOjrMmEL3kzyT0iNCdy1C2suxEydO7AOWp6dY4EAIKIsYdf7tDf-A0eJpm5etU62pjzG7wrU7JAwdXw-ujavz7OKRqg/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-02+at+8.18.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These were on the right track, now the space must be fully considered before deciding on a personalized colour and design plan...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The pale grey-white brick of the fireplace meant grey was already part of our scheme, which works against the warmth of the hardwood floors and the sun from south-facing windows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So we had it:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steel grey upholstery balanced by warm grey paint on the walls and cabinetry, warm wood floors and furnishings. Black accents add some crucial contrast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4UsMZoG9Qqo-IZnWQYvsb9L_c21SveYaMfyHPAC4XMHnY0QKG3mWeu0ZL17y_7I8D65zsbTYaaE0Y7V7fFylqJUu3R2fnS1Hpth_kAE94SXuQl20A5iYWL8azUg-fb3tl4wECHOiByQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+6.24.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4UsMZoG9Qqo-IZnWQYvsb9L_c21SveYaMfyHPAC4XMHnY0QKG3mWeu0ZL17y_7I8D65zsbTYaaE0Y7V7fFylqJUu3R2fnS1Hpth_kAE94SXuQl20A5iYWL8azUg-fb3tl4wECHOiByQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-11-01+at+6.24.58+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />A television will be placed opposite the window of the great room, and so placement of the sofa under the window works well. A matching armchairs provides a cosy corner by the fire for relaxing and conversation, while two smaller armchairs provide additional seating and define the living area without blocking off the view to the fireplace.<br /><br />The dining table is placed across the room, so that the dining views are the fireplace and into the kitchen beyond. Four chairs will serve for everyday meals, and two additional chairs for guests are tucked in alongside a small cabinet. This sideboard provides a place for display or to set up a bar/buffet for larger parties. It also grounds the dining table, making it part of a distinct area rather than just a table floating in the room.<br /><br />In all pieces, clean lines are tempered by graceful curves and pattern is used sparingly to keep a restful atmosphere. The board below does not show many accessories, but the china that will be displayed inside my clients built-in's will offer plenty of eye candy on our focal wall.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjoa3B1BHbor219ZezBxI5C6XKiJUcG-tVIWOQeN9Bbc8oop1eDX5yKVzYn4Bt6GW0FuSUlQnWti3siPnEsBSVgS5OkfPGBMU58Lg7pWSz-3w-tWVQKXdy1_D837ufxoqCQBh2ONboWA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-08+at+6.34.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjoa3B1BHbor219ZezBxI5C6XKiJUcG-tVIWOQeN9Bbc8oop1eDX5yKVzYn4Bt6GW0FuSUlQnWti3siPnEsBSVgS5OkfPGBMU58Lg7pWSz-3w-tWVQKXdy1_D837ufxoqCQBh2ONboWA/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-08+at+6.34.54+PM.png" width="512" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxIKdIdT03nI3WYI5ONDMkr5gRJpxP5BcU8xecFgiAHuq4MWx-cOWzh7BUVQ8WrNyRZUYW4vnL4opJuuwh4mTX4xqpocz5z3KAU8SlKBxN-48MpTKVA0KDbSHKkinMfxFepAGRp1LP8c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-09+at+7.43.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxIKdIdT03nI3WYI5ONDMkr5gRJpxP5BcU8xecFgiAHuq4MWx-cOWzh7BUVQ8WrNyRZUYW4vnL4opJuuwh4mTX4xqpocz5z3KAU8SlKBxN-48MpTKVA0KDbSHKkinMfxFepAGRp1LP8c/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-09+at+7.43.31+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ECH fireplace is a bit of a conundrum (don't you just love that word?!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's asymmetrical placement in the fireplace facade had my Client baffled by how to decorate this area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the built-in's a painted out in the pale grey we've chosen, this will be even more obvious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The client is considering adding a mantle, which isn't really necessary, and may even take away from the simplicity that makes this fireplace wall work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I suggested two solutions:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One, place a pair of baskets like these beside the opening, stacked with logs, for balance,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> and centre some art above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adding art above a fireplace where it may be subject to heat requires some care - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">metal sculture is ideal here, and the organic forms of these pieces work well in this space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrNplDJ3SXrlO5wznS_sTnTgfS61qWXIxCy_rybOJvV91IkHAp3M3Ot-UtEW_R5ULjpPwJpxu07wgn4E3BzvT7asJWbTB3PH3oxVzGsKu6xsfTXYsDCodcXK2qKgilN2CoRQOuqE8WGM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-18+at+10.39.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrNplDJ3SXrlO5wznS_sTnTgfS61qWXIxCy_rybOJvV91IkHAp3M3Ot-UtEW_R5ULjpPwJpxu07wgn4E3BzvT7asJWbTB3PH3oxVzGsKu6xsfTXYsDCodcXK2qKgilN2CoRQOuqE8WGM/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-18+at+10.39.56+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />The second option is simpler, and my favourite. Gather some tall branches into a glass vessel like the one shown below, and place them beside the hearth. This look doesn't require any additional accessories. I think this is a softer approach, and looks less "decorated". My client has decided to try this out before making any other decisions.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlMzLTBdiRWxZtJHMX1ghCCik2Huivlq8Jy-OTdguSUKF5K0G1CzIqLGb4jJB_w32fUz8pgxgRp4sbQbscO9XYSZ3h33uhNPIZ2oOFp4Gm-HDZ0oFOA8fjM7QLVgPr9XxbX0BYbEO42c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-10-18+at+10.41.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlMzLTBdiRWxZtJHMX1ghCCik2Huivlq8Jy-OTdguSUKF5K0G1CzIqLGb4jJB_w32fUz8pgxgRp4sbQbscO9XYSZ3h33uhNPIZ2oOFp4Gm-HDZ0oFOA8fjM7QLVgPr9XxbX0BYbEO42c/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-10-18+at+10.41.41+PM.png" width="434" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the walls we've chosen Classic Gray, Benjamin Moore 1548, in the Ulti-Matte finish, which will minimize the textured walls.  Nimbus, Benjamin Moore 1465,  will be GORGEOUS on the cabinetry in the kitchen and built-ins. Happy to say the client has tried these out and loves them :) In the kitchen , I've suggested a dark countertop, perhaps soapstone or honed marble, to draw the eye around the room and create the illusion of space. My client has said this may be a challenge for her - she usually goes for "safe" neutrals, but likes the idea more each day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that, dear lovelies, is the Elegant Club House I've been working on in a nutshell.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Would you like to hear about the Rock & Roll Baroque Home? How about a working to create Feng Shui Harmony in a builder home?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll post about those soon, promise - 'til then - a big MWAH, miss you all - x</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Design Boards: Elegant Club House

It's been quite a busy fall, my online client list has almost surpassed my local client list! Thank you so much to all of you ladies who...

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