Feeling Blue......

can you find the common thread in both rooms? what I find interesting is how the same artwork is used in each space and yet the vibe of the spaces are very different. one feels light and airy and other dark and moody. i have been using varying shades of blue lately in my designs but for very different reasons. cobalt blue and navy are great colors for a very masculine feel  & aqua and robins egg blue are great for a coastal vibe. what blue shades are your favorite? my readers please share with me below in the comment box, your feedback is precious to me!

Coral Inspired Dining Room Design

I having been working with the sweetest client in the NY area on a design for their dining room. They already have a warm dark wood contemporary dining room set with a sideboard and beautiful black and gold lamps. The walls have already been painted a soft taupe color and I really wanted to bring in color to the room! When I initially suggested a pink/coral color, she really didn't jump on the idea and expressed that she preferred a green or blue color. Well.....I sat on it for a while. I tried a few different options but when I came across this piece of artwork below my choice was sealed!

Coral it is and when I presented these choices below, she loved it! I am really glad I went with my initial gut instinct for this design and I can't wait to see the final result!

The artwork and gold panels are from Horchow. Horchow is running a 25-30% off the entire site until November 8th! So stop by soon!


Have a great weekend!

Pretty In Pink - Spring Colors For Your Home Series!

If you are in your thirties like me.....When I say "Pretty In Pink" do your thoughts go back to Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer in the classic 1980's film? I know I am definitely dating myself but today I want to use this phrase to describe these beautiful rooms below. From my own personal experience pink is a color you have to be committed to. It has such a feminine feel and is used in nurseries and little girl's rooms all the time but not often throughout the rest of the house. I hope the hues and touches of pink in these rooms make you reconsider pink as a great color to use!

Images via Decor Pad

Nyree & Bill's Dining Room Dilemma

A young family from the Atlanta area wrote me for some advice on three rooms in their home that are in need of some design attention. I am so happy to give them some ideas within the limits of some of their requests. I am going to do three separate posts on the redesigns. The first room I wanted to tackle was the dining room because they don't really have one yet! Although the home is traditional in style, I wanted to add a modern flare. This room below was my inspirational room!

So I would describe the design board as transitional in style. As you can see below the dining room has some beautiful features. The wainscoting, windows and hardwood floors are great. They love the dark red upper walls which they want to keep and prefer dark wood furniture if possible.

So here are some of my ideas!

I love this simple pendant for over the amazing dining room table. Add eight of these gorgeous chairs and the room is starting to come together.

Restoration Hardware

Dining Room Table in Mahogany by Z Gallerie

Eight Chairs in Putty by Overstock

I think this style drape in the fabric below would frame her windows beautifully. 

Fabric.com

I would use the this rod to compliment the drapes.

Restoration Hardware

She also requested some extra storage so I thought a pair of my favorite lamps by Nate Berkus would look amazing on this chest with the mirror by Pier 1 Imports. What do you think?

I would like to ground the entire room with an area rug like this one at Anthropologie.

It ties together the putty color in the drapes and chairs and the black and red accent colors in the room, my favorite piece of the room by far!

Finally, for some finishing touches that would complete the room.......

Art work for the walls, take your pick from these pieces from 1stDibs, I just love them!

A framed antique Turkish wedding dress and a framed collection of antique italian wax seals. I would have them reframed in gold.

Then a few more accents and the room is done!

Vases from 1stDibs

Succulent arrangement by Spruce somewhere in the room for greenery.

Tray by Restoration Hardware

So these are some of my ideas for their dining room. Some of the items may be a little pricey but hopefully readers these can give some ideas if you have a similar room in your home. Stay tuned for the next room I will work on which will be the formal living room. Thanks for visiting my post today! Cheers!

Bold Colors!

I am loving some of the bold colors being used in interior design lately! These inspirational rooms below highlight the use of blue, navy, yellow and black. What is noticeable is that white is used in all the rooms either in the linens and on the ceilings and walls. The pictures are compliments of fellow blogger Caitlin Creer and others! If you need any source information for these rooms, leave a comment for me! Enjoy your weekend!

Accent with Wall Paper!

Wallpaper is a huge commitment and I have to be honest with you all and tell you that not one wall in my home has wall paper on it. I tend to be more conservative in my choices for my home but I do love the color and variety that is out there right now. Wallpaper is back and it is being used by many designers as an accent instead of doing every wall in the room. It is making me reconsider my fears of using it and just maybe I might become brave enough to do it. When I do, you can be sure that I will share with all of you! Do these images below inspire you like they do to me?

Delectable Dining Rooms!

Cold and blustery winter months brings to mind comfort food around the dining room table with family and good friends! Is that how you have been spending your weekends? I sure hope so! Good food and good conversation go hand in hand. Today, many home owners comment that dining rooms are for special formal occasions and  they end up going unused for long periods of time. So, why not make that gathering place in your home as inviting as it can be and start using it more this month! Below are some favorite dining spaces that inspire me!

This dining room perfectly reflects both its owners' tastes. Clean lines, a cool color palette, and minimal accessories please the husband's contemporary leanings, while heavy drapes, a dripping chandelier, and rich wood tones satisfy the wife's traditional interests.

Are you stuck with a table that's no longer your style? Take heart. This dining room surrounds a neutral contemporary table with French Country style. Tones of white and cream on the walls are reflected in the creamware collection and the chair fabric as well.

Devoid of frills, this dining room adopts traditional elements displayed with an eye for contemporary simplicity. Diagonally installed wood flooring mimics an area rug, while up at the ceiling a crystal chandelier stands out against the casually rough brick fireplace.

• The floor's diagonal lines draw the eye into the space.
• Vaulted ceilings add height and volume to this small room.
• White walls and upholstery contribute to a contemporary feel.
• The absence of accessories keeps the look simple.

Fine antiques and rich fabrics give this dining room a heightened sense of grandeur. The Louis Philippe dining chairs were upholstered in an orange-melon hue pulled from the antique Oushak rug. A gold and crystal French chandelier continues the high-minded style overhead.

Highly reflective, the tabletop contrasts with the matte textures of jute carpeting and linen draperies.

All Photographs by BHG