Deliver Unto Me....

A flat screen T.V.!

I promised some finished pictures of this project, and we're almost there. The new cabinet fit like a glove, and looks like it was meant to be in the room all along! Wiring was run for the antique sconces, which will be installed later, along with the rest of the wall decor.

Once the T.V. and the components are installed in the new space, this homeowner will have the pleasure of closing the doors, and hiding the electronics from view. I can't think of a better way to make this happen.

In the adjacent dining room, notice how we installed trim around the arch that connects the dining room to the kitchen. The trim matches trims from the rest of the home, and really creates a "picture window" into the kitchen. In our minds, it would be hard to over-trim a bungalow style home! Generous mill-work will generally greatly enhance the original architecture.

Before
After
All-in-all, this was work worth waiting for.

A Solution for all Seasons

You may remember this "problem" fireplace from last week. Well, the plot thickened when the client called to say he had decided he wanted his flat-screen TV at the fireplace. In fact, this made me very happy because though the TV is currently housed in a beautiful antique armoire, which I've always felt was a little too large and heavy in the living room. Moving the TV will mean we can move the armoire to another room in the house, and open up a corner in the living room for a couple of wonderful chairs.

Luckily, the client was okay with completely covering the fireplace. So, I've designed a cabinet treatment that will be built-in to the room, with a new piece of false wall above to accommodate electric for the sconces.
The flat-screen doesn't need a lot of depth to enclose it, so the total cabinet depth won't appear too deep and cumbersome in the room. A deeper portion of cabinet will be built to fit into the fire-box, which will house the cable box, and other electronics, and power outlets will be built right into this box.

This cabinet will be painted to match the new room colors. It will also keep the TV at a comfortable height for viewing, as opposed to being mounted above the mantel. And for "future generations", should someone desire to bring the fireplace back to life, the cabinet can be removed and the fireplace will look just like it does today.

A Solution for all Seasons! (I think I see a new Broadway show in the making!)

The Next Challenge

Here is my next challenge at our European Chic home.



The owner has never been happy with the original fireplace detailing. It was pretty much bungalow-standard. He re-built a mantel, and painted the brick, but knows that it is still a project for help.

I actually love the idea of the ornately framed mirror in front of the fire-box opening. But I intend to do a plan that will re-face the entire fireplace, covering the brick, and a new deeper mantel, simply trimmed with mouldings that will add richness and elegance to make the fireplace fit better in this wonderful room. Will keep you in the design loop!

All In A Day's Work...(Well, Maybe A Few Days)

We saw some pictures of this wonderful home last week. Well, this owner is a type-A over-acheaver, and really gets his homework done! We spent some time picking out new paint colors, and a few days later, the first room painting was almost complete! Here are the results.

Here's the before.

And the new paint colors.

These rich, dark colors really bring due attention to the museum-quality furnishings. As we move through the rooms and add new paint colors to the walls, trims and ceilings, we'll work in this same color family, though the other rooms will start to lighten up the pallette.

I have termed the decorating style in this home "European Chic". It makes me think of the Literary Salons I've read about. This is one I'd love to be a part of!

It Is An Honor

Each and every time a new client asks us to help with a design project in their home, it is truly an honor. To place that kind of trust with us-a trust that we can turn their own home into a more comfortable and enjoyable space-is ever reassuring as designers.

I recently received a request to come into a home to help with some design aspects that were stumping the owner. Well, what a pleasure to step into this charming bungalow, and find it filled with exquisite furniture and art...each piece more wonderful than the last. This collection of finery had been accumulated over years, and is continually added to. The stumbling block was "putting it together".

This is exciting to me! We began by talking about what they liked about the space and furnishings, and what they felt wasn't working. That allowed me to lead the design in a direction that I believe will really finish off the space beautifully.

We're starting with some careful editing. (The homeowner loves each and every piece-with good right-and they like the fullness.) For instance, in the first photograph above, you see a fantastic large mirror, and a beautiful console table flanked by the quirky little side chairs. Unfortunately, because they're all spread out on the wall you don't get focus on anything. I suggested hanging the mirror above the table, removing what is on the other side and pushing the two chairs a little closer to the console. The design should be all about creating vignettes. Well, a couple of days later when I went back for color consultation, the moves had been made and it looked great!

I'll be posting more before and after pictures as the work progresses and new color goes up on the walls. You'll enjoy following this project along!