Five Ways to UP-STYLE your Dining Room

Hello and Happy Monday!

I hope you weekend was great and that there was sun in your neck of the woods.  Here in Atlanta we had rain which made for a good weekend to stay indoors and “try” to catch up on work.  One of the projects I’m working on is a dining room revamp for a client and the entire project got me thinking about different ways to give a dining room added style. Furniture is always the first element that defines a dining room but beyond that, there are some other ways to enhance the style and make your dining space a bit more personal and unique.

 

1.  MIX and MATCH CHAIRS

Adopting this look can be done pretty easily just by painting different styles of chairs in the same color or color family so that they work with the textiles and color you have in your dining room.  I love this look for eclectic and vintage styled homes but it can also be done with more traditional styling as well.

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The neutral colors along with the grey tones are used in different applications giving each chair a unique look while keeping the entire statement coordinated.

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In a more traditional space, variations of the same color keep the color palette tight and classic.

2.  REPLACE CHAIRS WITH A BENCH

A bench is a fun way to break up a dining room set while still providing the same amount of seating that chairs would.  Using a bench also allows you to incorporate a strong pattern statement with the upholstered seat and helps to lighten the visual impact of a heavy wood dining set.

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With the bench finish the same as the chairs, it feels like it is part of the set.

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Fully skirted benches add softness and provide a contrast against the legs of the table and chairs.

3.  USE A NON-TRADITIONAL CHANDELIER OPTION

Switching out your traditional chandelier for something that is unique in style, material or shape is one of the easiest ways to up-style your dining room.  I also like the idea of hanging double chandeliers instead of one for a more personalized look.

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These uniquely shaped hanging glass pendants grab your attention and help define the style of this dining room.

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A popular trend of late is turning vintage wire and wicker baskets into chandeliers.  This look works great for more casual dining rooms.

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I love this cluster of round lights, shaped to form a unique chandelier.  Keeping the chandelier white allows the shape to command attention and not a color.

4.  BUILD YOUR DINING ROOM AROUND ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

I’ve always wanted a house where the rooms were such that the dining room and living room could switch places.  If your home gives your this option, move your dining room into the living space where there is built-in architectural features or a fireplace.  These elements will add instant character to your dining space.

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I’m seeing bookcase walls being used in dining spaces more and more.  This look adds a personal feel and in a pinch the lower shelves can be cleared and used as a serving station.

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Opt for open shelving in a dining room versus a china hutch or closed cabinets.

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Glass front cabinets will keep your dining space open and airy while still adding an elegant touch.

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With open shelving, your serving pieces become decorative objects that help style the room.

5. DO SOMETHING TO THE WALLS BESIDES PAINT

Yes paint is the easiest and cheapest way to dress up a space but in a dining room think about doing something different to your walls like adding a fun wallpaper, stencils or mirrors.

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A unique wallpaper will immediately define the style of your dining room.  Be bold and use it throughout instead of just on one wall.

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If you have lots of windows in your dining room, use your drapes as the decorative statement.  Double up the panels to make the curtains plush and full and drape them back to add visual movement and shape.

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A wall of antique mirrors is a great way to add style without your dining room looking like a dressing room.   And check out those unique light fixtures above the table.

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If your room doesn’t come with built-in architectural detailing, you can always add it.  Cut a niche into the wall and using a wide molding, create a dramatic frame.

Beyond these 5 Ways to Up-Style your Dining Room, make sure your centerpiece is also something that stands out and defines your space.

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Happy Decorating!

Do you have a design challenge you’d like help tackling?  Contact me about my design services!

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Decorating Inside and Out

 I’ve been busy working on a design project that involves several rooms of a home.  The homeowners want a front porch space that is welcoming, cozy and filled with personality.  Here’s a peek at some of the design elements for the space.

The client already has white rockers which work beautifully with their craftsman style home.  We are looking to keep the space fairly neutral and bring in depth through strong patterns, warm colors and lots of natural finishes. 

As you move into the living room of the home, the colors will become richer and more saturated, again using textures and patterns for visual warmth and interest.  I’m loving the mix of rich red and grey paired with antique gold and warm wood tones.   

It’s always fun to create a design plan that will truly transform a house into a home.

If you’d like help creating a home you absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my design services.

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Two Lights are Better Than One

One of the best ways to infuse style and personality into your decor is with unique lighting.  Used in pairs, lamps and chandeliers not only help to add sufficient lighting to a room, but when doubled up impact they make on the style of a room is powerful.

Here’s some lighting inspiration that will have you doing a double take, plus I’ve thrown in a little design wisdom too!

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I love the look of oversized lamps on a console table.  So many times people lean towards tall, skinny lamps thinking they will be a better balance for a console table.  In many cases larger, bulkier lamps will create a more impressive table vignette.  Even though this table is relatively short, the lamps are a great balance against its chunkier lines.

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Adding a contrasting color in your lamp shade is one of the easiest ways to give your lamps personality.  The round shade plays up all the curved and rounded details in this space, adding to the style rather than contrasting it.

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Double pendants are not uncommon over an island but what makes these work so well in this space is the color contrast.  The black upper of the pendants draw your eye up and tie back to all the other dark details in the kitchen (chair legs, cabinet knobs and cooktop).  The white lower part of the pendants keep the lights feeling too heavy and overpowering.  I also love how the copper details play against the nail head trim on the chairs and the brown/copper undertones of the tile.

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The matchy, matchy look is not for everyone but it works in this vignette.  The color tone of the mirror, chest and lamp bases are all very similar which create a higher end look.  The black shades and dark walls are just enough contrast to make the entire look pop.

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So what’s not to love about these red pendants?  Red is obviously the accent color for this kitchen and pulling that color up to the ceiling makes a strong impact.   I love the exposed chain detail, adding a bit of a rustic vibe to an otherwise refined kitchen.

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I’m personally not a fan of most wall mounted, swing arm light fixtures but when the shape is unique and when positioned over the bed (versus on the side), I’m all for it.  These lamps are as much a design element as they are a functional element.

p.s.  Take note of the bed cover detail.  Fab!

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A great alternative to traditional table lamps in a bedroom are double chandeliers over each nightstand.  I love how these chandeliers have just the right amount of detail to be noticed but almost fade away into the background of the room. 

 

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Lamps in a bathroom are such an unexpected and elegant touch.  When space allows, go for two lamps versus one and keep the other accessories to a minimum.  Use lamps that are the same color as the fixtures so the lamps become part of the architecture!

 

For even more lighting inspiration, be sure to check out my Pinterest board, This Little Light of Mine!

 

 

If you’d like help creating a home your absolutely love, CONTACT ME about my in-home design services or my DOOR-TO-DOOR e-design service!

 

 

 

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Food & Friends

Happy Monday.  I wanted to pop in again and share a great evening I spent last week with friends.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of having dinner with some dear friends at one of Atlanta’s newest restaurants, Southern Art and Bourbon Bar, and boy was it an incredible experience. 

Southern Art is located in the InterContinental Hotel and is the latest restaurant from renowned chef Art Smith.  If you know anything about Art Smith, you know that he is an incredible chef with a flair for Southern inspired foods.  His cooking credentials have earned him personal chef roles for Martha and Oprah and are showcased in his 4 restaurants around the country:  Art & Soul in Wash. DC, Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, LYFE Kitchen in Palo Alto and Southern Art here in Atlanta.

I was so excited for the evening and it didn’t disappoint.

 

First let me tell you about the decor at the restaurant and then we’ll move on to the yummy food.

 The decor at Southern Art is simply stunning.  Very comfortable but full of high style.  One of the features I loved the most were the blown glass chandeliers and artwork ceiling.  Each of the chandeliers are adorned with colorful glass spheres and pendants and are flanked by commissioned pieces of artwork which are suspended face-down for the ceiling.  The ceiling is so colorful and Looking up was really magical!

 

 There were several styles of seating in the restaurant, but my favorite were these chairs.  A silver-grey leather was used on the interior of the chair and a beautiful orange and grey flocked damask was on the exterior.

 The wallpaper used throughout the restaurant mimicked the chair fabric with an added pop of yellow.  So beautiful.

 One of the most unique details of the restaurant was under foot.  In the areas where carpet was used, the carpeting showcased one of Art’s recipes woven into the rug. 

 Here’s a look at one of the private areas within the restaurant.  What a great way to spend an evening with friends.

And, here is a look at the main dining area.  See the heart artwork on the left?  Well, it is said that Art’s partner, a very accomplished artist, painted those on the fly when it was determined that artwork was needed for that wall.  Let me tell you, they really gorgeous.

Also notice the open back balloon chairs  and banquette below.  The balloon chair was another chair style used in the restaurant, upholstered in a vibrant red fabric.

One of the truly custom features of Southern Art is the meat carving station.  The station sits at the front of the restaurant and houses a great selection of dried meats carved on site.

 Next to the meat station was the dessert bar.  Each of the desserts available on the menu is showcased under beautiful glass domes.

The dessert menu is fairly extensive, so if you’re looking for a place to end an evening with dessert and coffee, this is it.

Mockingbird Cake and Banana Pudding Pie above and  Chocolate Cake below (a work of art)

Cake Pops

Peanut Butter Pie

And a peek at the dessert menu.

In looking at the main menu you can see that it is a personal reflection of all the food Art Smith loves… southern inspired dishes.  As a starter for the table, we were treated with Rosemary Cheddar biscuits and a mini dish of sautéed veggies. Then it was on to the main course.

My friend Shannan had the Southern Fried Chicken which was served in a stylish ceramic “bucket”. 

I had the braised short ribs which were melt in your mouth yummy!

And, my friend Robyne had the New York Strip and Chris has the Catfish.  We also shared a special treat at the table…Arts Mac-N-Cheese.   To-die-for!

Dinner was really good, but we did save a little room for those desserts.  Here’s a peek at what we shared at the table.

That Chocolate Cake with a huge chocolate fan on top.  If you love chocolate it doesn’t get better than this.

Apple Pie–loaded with crisp, crunchy apples and the perfect blend of spices.

Peach Cobbler.  This is what I ordered and oh my gosh was it good. 

And the 12 layer Red Velvet Cake.  And, if you’re wondering, each of those wafer thin layers is cut by hand, by the pastry chef.

All is all, the dinner at Southern Art was incredible.  I had so much fun spending the evening with great friends, taking in all the beautiful decor and eating some of the best food Atlanta has to offer.

After dinner, I snapped a few photos of the hotel lobby.  The InterContinental just changed out all the furnishing and I loved the color and details used in the space.

This balloon chair is gorgeous and the nail head detail is stunning.

The area rugs are a mix of grey, cream orange and gold. 

The nail head trim is repeated on the oversized ottomans used throughout the lobby.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the little recap of my night out with friends.  If you live in Atlanta or are planning a trip here,  make sure to stop by the InterContinental Hotel and enjoy a wonderful meal at Southern Art.

 

Southern Art and Bourbon Bar

3315 Peachtree Road NE in Atlanta, Ga 30326

404-946-9070

 

images via Southern Art and ConfettiStyle

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Room of The Week

Happy Friday!

Today is the start of a new series I will be doing here on the blog called Room of The Week.  Each Friday, I’ll be showcasing a room that has taken my breath away and give you my design insight as to why.  I hope you enjoy!

In  my book, this space is the perfect definition of “eclectic” decor.  I love the touch rustic with a few refined elements thrown into the mix.  Encompassing different  finishes gives this space character, visual interest and dimension.  And that yellow beaded chandelier is the most amazing focal point!

 

 What’s your favorite part of this room?

 

via pinterest–original source unknown

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Daily Dose of Design–Unique Lighting

Have you ever noticed how lighting can change the feel and look of a space?

  Above and beyond the physical light that a fixture gives off, the style of the fixture you choose can enhance or detract from the look of a room.

I always look for lighting that is compatible with the style of room I’m working on, but with its own character.  Lighting that is too similar to the overall style of a room can sometimes blend in and go unnoticed, versus standout and enhance a space.

Here are a few looks I love.

Colored chandeliers are a great way to add a splash of color to a room.

Paper lanterns are being used in design a lot these days and are an inexpensive way to add unique lighting to your home.

Ever thought about using outdoor lighting indoors?  It’s a great option, especially is spaces that need more causal, oversized ceiling fixtures. 

Double hung chandeliers are great in bedrooms or dining rooms.

I love when I step into a room and see a light fixture or lamp that is unexpected.  Not only does the room feel more stylish, but the lighting adds a point of  interest that gives the room character.

What lights up your life?

images via:  1) laylagrayce 2) decorpad 3) unknown 4) dreamhouse.onsugar 5) housebeautiful 6) lightingever 7) mochatini 8) laylagrayce 9)decorpad 10) gracefullyvintage

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Accessories–The Key Ingredient

In the process of setting up my home design office, I came across the handouts I created for the design workshops I conducted in my store. 

As I looked through the files, I found a handout for a workshop entitled The Ten Decorative Accessories Every Home Needs.  This was one of my most popular workshops, and reading through the material reminded me just how important accessories are to the overall feel of a room.

 

via My Home Ideas

With the re-decorating of my master bedroom in full swing, I know I need to accessorize the right way, in order to achieve the look and feel I want. So, as a friendly reminder to myself, and a bit of inspiration for you, here is a condensed version of  my workshop….

 THE TEN DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES EVERY HOME NEEDS!

Just like a recipe, every design plan has key ingredients that are needed to make a complete design statement.  Without these key ingredients, the recipe or design of your room will not hold together. While not every room in your home will incorporate the essential accessory items, most should!

1.  Picture Frames–Whether you hang them on the wall or use them on tabletop surfaces, frames are a great way to personalize a space.  As a general rule of thumb, I always like to use frames of the same color, but vary the shapes and sizes for visual interest.  Uniformity of color will give your photo arrangements more impact.

 via Easy Peasy Chic

2.  Baskets–Nothing breaks up the flow of  a well designed space more than clutter.  And, baskets are a great way to contain clutter.  Use baskets to hold the things you use on a daily basis, while providing a decorative statement and a touch of texture to your space.

via My Home Ideas

I must admit, I am the basket queen.  I use them in every room, and especially like lidded styles so my “stuff” is hidden.

  via Inspiring Interiors

3.  Greenery–It doesn’t matter whether you are a “faux” or “real” greenery person as long as you use greenery as a decorative element when you decorate.  Not only does greenery provide an element of nature, but it also provides visual softness to a space.   And remember, if you’re not a plant persons, flowers can substitute for greenery any day.

Cottage Living via Cozy Cottage Cute

4.  Books–The wonder accessory!  Books are such an easy, practical and stylish way to accessorize your home.  I love the personality that books add to a room and the subtle structure they can give to a bookshelf or tabletop. Stack ‘em high  or stack ‘em love, leave them raw or cover them in a beautiful paper!

Books also serve as the perfect riser upon which to display a decorative object.

via Tobi Fariley

via All Things Home

5.  Pillows–One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to add style to your bed or furnishings is via pillows.  When decorating with pillows, grouping different shapes, patterns and/or textures will provide the most visual impact.

Coastal Living via My Home Ideas

via Trendszine

Elle Decor via Decor Pad 

Quick tip:  If you sew and want to make pillows quick, try using decorative dinner napkins as your shell.  They are already square and many measure 12″ x 12″ , the perfect size for a small accent pillow.

6.  Blankets & Throws–The perfect layering element.  To really make a room come to life, you need to incorporate layers throughout the space. A throw draped over a sofa back or chair arm is a great way to add layers within your decor.  Use a bold accent color or one that has a wonderful texture to bring your space to life.

Check out the pattern mixing going on in this room…Lovely!

7.  Artwork–Every home needs wall decor/artwork to give a sense of personalization and visual interest for the eye.  To achieve a stylish and eclectic look, mix traditional framed art with 3-dimensional wall decor or mirrors.

 via Decor Pad

8.  A Unique Furniture Piece–While most rooms have a defined style, every room needs an unexpected element to make it stand out.  A unique piece of furniture (the shape, the color, the material) will give your space character and sass!

I love the use of  oversized accent tables as night stands in a bedroom. 

via House Beautiful

 9.  Candles–Candles are luxurious, provide ambience, add light, infuse scent and are mood enhancing. Using scented candles in your home will engage all your senses and create a feeling of relaxation.

via Coastal Living

   10. Great Lighting–Nothing makes a room feel sad more than a lack of lighting or the wrong lighting.  When it comes to decorating, position lights in three corners of the room, so that the space can function well and provides a warm wash of  light over the entire space.  And, don’t think your light fixtures all have to match–mixing styles will make your room feel more vibrant and stylized.

via Decor Pad

via Decor Pad

Remember, when it comes to decorating your home, the big picture definitely counts, but it’s the details that really matter!

 

Do you have a favorite accessory item?

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Atlanta Home & Gift Show–Part 2

Here’s a look at some of the other hot items I spyed at the Atlanta Home & Gift Show.

Mercury Glass statements were everywhere and are literally getting bigger and bolder.  These lovely containers and vases from Go Home Ltd. were oversized and dynamic.

The vase measured about 18″h and about 12″ in diameter and was simply stunning.

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In the Lighting arena, larger than life was a key theme.  I saw oversized pendants everywhere and tabletop lamps were taller, with larger shades.  As for the color and material of choice, rustic, aged and worn were the trends.

This pendant was crafted from an antique apple barrel and weathered and worn to perfection.  I can just imagine this beauty over the dining table in a Nantucket cottage.

This industrial looking pendant was forged from iron and had the perfect rusted patina finish.

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Furniture statement at the ATL show were grand.  Again, weathered and washed finishes took center stage, right along side distressed white surfaces.

 

This antique book cabinet was breathtaking.

Guildmaster is one of the most innovation furniture companies out.  These stylish chairs were one of many new introductions they had at market.  I love the interlaced back and the distressed finish.

Iron details were incorporated into alot of the furniture pieces being show at market.  This cabinet had decorative iron cross-bars framing the upper doors.

I wish I had more photos to share with you, but camera control was in full force.  Regardless, just know that there are lots of incredible products that will be on store shelves near you real soon!

 

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