Creating a Restful Master Bedroom Retreat in Signal Mountain, TN

Today I’m sharing a recently completed interior design project for some wonderful Chattanooga clients I’ve worked with for years!

For a frame of reference, here are a few other rooms in their home we’ve had the pleasure of transforming with them.

The foyer, seen below, was recently updated with architectural moldings, fresh white paint, a new light fixture and new furnishings.

Another fun project was this breakfast nook in the kitchen. We designed and custom built the window seat, updated the light fixture and furniture, and finished it off with custom window shades and pillows.

We then moved on to their living room seen above. New moldings, window treatments, a fireplace makeover and new furnishings all came together to create a welcoming space that’s comfortable enough for family but fancy enough for guests.

Our most recent project with this family was a makeover of the master bedroom. The homeowners were craving something light and simple. They were so pleased with the previous projects we had worked on together that they wanted to continue in that same vein.

Here’s quick photo of the room as it appeared before any work started.

We agreed that we would lighten the walls, add some interest to the bed wall with architectural moldings, and keep the palette light and simple.

Our clients also had a few pieces that were particularly meaningful to them and requested that we incorporate those pieces into the design of the room. And they love blue.

Here’s a mockup of the space I created to help them visualize how the finished room would look and feel. We were definitely going in a lighter, simpler direction with some textural elements. The mostly neutral bedroom would include accents of their favorite color too!

And here’s the finished product!

The moldings add interest and importance to the bed wall. We went with a custom upholstered bed in a soft shade of blue accented with silver nail heads. Gorgeous and restful! Our clients opted for these stylish wall sconces instead of lamps. I love a dash of the unexpected!

Did you notice the ceiling color? We brought a little more blue into the space by painting the ceiling a lovely sky blue.

We were also able to incorporate their painting for another shot of nature inspired color.

The turquoise pottery vase was another special piece they wanted to incorporate. It was a found on a recent vacation and brings those memories back whenever they see it.

We also went a little bold on our fabric selection for the curtains. They’re silk dupioni and really create a feeling of luxury in their bedroom. The curtains are lined with blackout and are mounted on a traverse rod for greater ease of use. These little details really go a long way to create an exceptional space!

We’re so pleased with how this bedroom came together and I can’t wait to work with these wonderful folks on their next project.

Thanks for stopping by!

Chattanooga Interior Design Project Reveal - Living Room

Today I'm sharing the final photos of a recently completed project here in Chattanooga for some lovely clients who trusted me to create a home that was both  sophisticated and relaxed. In my last few posts I shared the dining room, foyer and breakfast room makeovers.  Here's a shot of the breakfast room:

Could this space be any more inviting?  Fireside dining accented with nature inspired accessories is pretty hard to beat!  My client's love of Chinoiserie inspired decor guided most of our choices - and those whimsical roman shades provide the right amount of color and interest.

I shared the photo above so  you could see how the attached family room ties into the color palette and the feel of the breakfast nook.  

Here's a little peak from the kitchen into the family room.

The blues and greens found throughout the home's main level are repeated in the living room, along with nature inspired accessories and some textural rattan pieces.  The alabaster lamp was part of my client's personal collection, and it works beautifully in here.

Before we move on, I want to share a  "before" photo of the living room

It's a fantastic space with great bones and more beautiful symmetry!  We were missing color, texture, and some personality to match my clients' vibrant personality.

Here again we took advantage of the wonderful symmetry offered by the fireplace wall  and added some color and personality with vibrant furnishings and art. We kept the symmetry going with these fabulous opposing green velvet sofas and Louis armchairs. 

Colorful books and accessories could have made this area too busy, so we kept the rug and everything in the bookcases neutral. Their texture provides plenty of interest. 

Did you notice we changed out the chandelier too?  The gold  lantern fixture is a much better fit scale-wise and the open design keeps it from feeling too heavy.  

These framed Chinoiserie wallpaper panels are the star of the show, and they are completely gorgeous and timeless.  We had them mounted on foam board and custom framed in very simple gold leaf frames.  Since they are casual in style, my client's existing rattan side table and the natural fiber rug are perfect counterpoints to the dressy sofa and art. Using a mix of casual and sophisticated design elements creates elegance that is comfortable and livable!

This was such a fun project and I'm a little sad to see it end, but it's fulfilling to know how much my clients are enjoying living in these new spaces and how much joy it brings them every day!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and are ready to experience more joyful living at home, call Kim at 423.653.3186 and book your consultation!

Interior Design Project Reveal of a Chattanooga Living Room and Breakfast Nook

In my last post, I shared photos of a fun dining room project I recently wrapped up that really represents the type of work I love to do!  Here's the finished dining room:

We're so pleased with how it turned out and the rest of the home has a similar feel.

My clients and I share a love of classic design elements, antiques, and color mixed in with a few Chinoiserie accents.  As I mentioned in my previous post, Robin's Egg Blue is my client's favorite color, and since this dining room is right off of the foyer, we carried the Robin's Egg blue and red accents into the foyer's design - but in a more understated way.

Here's the foyer as it looked before:

So, I had a few things to work with when I started.  This altar table would remain as well as some of the small accessories. 

What was missing was color, and some personality.  Here's where we ended up:

I was able to re use my client's Chinoiserie inspired mirror that used to be in the dining room.  I think it looks great in the foyer over the Altar table.  And here's the blue and red from the dining room.  We used them as accent colors against the existing neutral wall color.

We swapped out the chandelier for something more whimsical,  and I just love the textural interest provided by those grasscloth chandelier shades.

The hand knotted, highly patterned runner is so forgiving - any little spots that are bound to happen just fade into the pattern.  I also like this type of rug because it brings a sense of history and tradition.  Don't you love it when form and function come together in such a beautiful way?

Finishing touches include a new lamp in my client's favorite color, the ceramic umbrella stand filled with a few of the their croquet mallets, and a lush fern to bring life and movement to the space. It's quite a dramatic change that was realized with a few simple changes!

Shall we move on to the breakfast nook?

Could this area be any more charming?  It's kind of hard to beat a fireside dining situation.

Again, we worked with the existing paint color and brought in tons of personality, beginning with these custom Roman shades.  A vibrant and whimsical print could have easily become overwhelming, but the simple tailored style of the shades keeps it in check. 

And let's talk about the symmetry for a sec.   When you have a perfectly symmetrical backdrop like this, I say you embrace it and keep the symmetry going as we did here.   Symmetry provides a feeling of calm and order - which is a good thing at the end of a busy day!

I have one more post of this home to share with you  - the living room - and you'll definitely want to stop by and see it.  It's one of my favorite rooms to date, so please stop by again!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and in need of some help with your interiors, contact Kim at 423.653.3186 to schedule your consultation today!

Chattanooga Interior Design Project Reveal

I'm so excited to share these images today!  This is a very recently completed project for some lovely Clients in the Chattanooga area who knew what they wanted style-wise, and completely trusted me to carry out the vision.  

The client and I share a similar design aesthetic - we both love color, classic design elements, and a little bit of whimsy!

When I was called in to help, my client shared that she had been working away at the dining room, and as you can see from the "before" photo below, the room was lovely!

Quite frankly, I wondered why she called me because she was already off to such a strong start!  It turns out she has an quite eye for great pieces, but she struggled with an overall "Big Picture" concept. 

My interview with her gave me lots of clues into her personal style and how to create the "wow" factor that was missing. I found out her favorite color was Robin's egg blue, and that when it was all said in done, she wanted the space to feel timeless but fresh.

She also wanted to retain the furnishings she had purchased up to this point, and I was happy to accommodate her request.  Her antiques are beautiful!

Take a look at the finished space!

As you can see, we managed to completely transform the space while working with the existing furniture - and a majority of her accessories!

We took a risk by painting her previously white woodwork in her favorite color - Robin's Egg blue.  We then took that color another step further by installing a fabulous sisal wallcovering in the same shade of blue. The contrast between the satin paint finish and the nubby grasscloth  provides just enough tension to keep things interesting - and it's such a gorgeous backdrop for her antiques!

Keeping her desired light and fresh aesthetic in mind, I had custom window treatments made up in a simple cream linen blend fabric with accents of cheery red.  The red is a little unexpected and adds a "happy" factor to the collected, layered look we were going for.

OK, extra points if you noticed that the mirror has been swapped out for this antique showstopper!  I spotted it at a local Chattanooga antique mall and knew it would be perfect in this space.  My client agreed wholeheartedly and it really makes quite a statement.

Did you notice the light fixture was replaced with an antique crystal chandelier?  It's definitely  an upgrade from the previous builder basic chandelier and adds some well pedigreed sophistication.

One thing I keep in mind with any space I'm working on is that a well decorated room is all about balance.  Crystal chandeliers and ornate mirrors create a feeling of formality, so we had the dining chair seats reupholstered in a playful animal print fabric to keep the mood fresh and youthful.

The spotted fabric is another unexpected selection that really updates these formal antique dining chairs.  Couldn't love it more!

I'll be sharing photos of the other rooms in this beautiful home, so be sure and check back in soon!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and looking for a designer to take your interiors to the next level, call Kim at 423.653.3186 to schedule your consultation!

Five Fabulous Foyers

Isn't that a clever name for this post?

Today I want to share five foyers that are from completed projects.  Two of them are from a few years ago, and I'm happy to report that they're still looking as fresh as they were the day we installed them.

Foyers are some of my favorite spaces to decorate.  They're like a calling card to the rest of your home.  Foyers provide a little introduction about what is to come, and since they're "pass through" spaces that you don't spend much time in, risk taking is encouraged - by me!  You're welcome.

Ready?

What do you think this foyer seen above and below says about the people who live here?

It's edited, collected, and proudly displays some personal items.

Obviously the risk we took with the overscale abstract art paired up with the rustic bench was well worth the reward.  This grand foyer is timeless and chic - just like the people who live here!

Let's take a look at another

Can you gather a few any clues about my clients from the design of this foyer?  They moved to Chattanooga from the Charleston area, and they wanted to bring some of their coastal roots to their new home.  Bleached woods, organic materials and a soft color palette create a relaxed, breezy feel to their newly made over foyer.  We love it!

What do you think this foyer has to say about my clients?  Their home is in a mountain setting and they wanted their home to reflect its surroundings.  They're friendly, down to earth folks and this foyer sets the tone for the mood of their house - which is a mix of rustic, casual elegance!

Side note:  that painting above the console table was done by my clients' son -we had it reframed and it's the perfect personal statement!

Here's another favorite project.  It's a foyer from an historic Colonial Revival home in Chattanooga.  We took a risk with the antelope print carpet on the staircase but it's one of our favorite design elements in the entire house!  Antiques , botanical prints, touches of a cheery red and a few modern touches reflect my client's happy, playful nature.

I got one more for ya.  This is a very recently completed project.

My client loves Chinoiserie (Asian inspired) decor.  It's timeless and little whimsical, which allows this foyer to perfectly represent this fun and family friendly home.  

I'll leave you with a of my best tips for creating a welcoming foyer:

A table or chest of drawers with a basket or tray provides a great place to drop keys and mail.

A mirror in the foyer allows you to check your appearance before heading out the door, and it allows visitors to check themselves as they arrive.

Whatever your aesthetic, nothing beats a statement light fixture .  Don't settle for builder basic!

Take a risk!  A bold wallpaper or color choice is a great way to infuse your home with personality and wow your guests!

Ready to take your Chattanooga area home to the next level? The Green Room Interiors is now accepting new clients for fall 2018.  Call Kim to reserve your space now before the holiday rush! 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Chattanooga Interior Design Project - Foyer and Dining Room

Hi again!

A few short weeks ago I shared a project I had just finished up for a chic young couple who hired me to help with the main living areas of their newly renovated home. 

Today I have the pleasure of sharing the dining room and foyer of their classic American home!  

Ready?

Ok so in the dining room we kept the furniture they already had, which was a custom rustic dining table and a set of upholstered Parson's chairs.  During renovation, they added a very smart looking modern gold chandelier, which offered a modern twist on a classic design.

Here's what the dining room looked like when I came on board.  (I love their darling vintage chairs in the corner too!)

So a pretty good start, right?  I may have mentioned this in the previous post, but the clients have quite an eye for art, and bought a beautiful abstract painting while on a weekend trip to Atlanta.

Here's another photo of the room with the new piece of art in place.

The art is so gorgeous, and we wanted to make a few changes that would really celebrate the painting and bring the whole room to the next level.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  Paint!!!  Those pretty white walls just weren't allowing this room to live up to it's full potential.

Here's where we landed:

Behold the power of paint!!  This complex gray wall paint was just what we needed to compliment the painting and we added a fabulous vintage rug and vintage candle sconces to flank the painting.  And that's it!  Isn't it crazy how just a few simple changes can make such a dramatic impact on a room?  

On to the foyer:

Here's what it looked like on my first visit to their home.  A super gorgeous foyer that just needed a few personal touches.

And after

We repurposed their cowhide rug which was originally in the breakfast nook, added a modern round table to fit into the pretty curve of the staircase, and added a few classic accessories.  (The bust and candlesticks belonged to my client too!)

My clients had this enormous painting commissioned by local artist Vesela Baker, and it's the perfect counterpoint to the rustic bench that was handmade by my client's grandfather years ago.  We pulled it out of the master bath to it's new home by the front door and it's so unexpected and yet so right!

And so there you have it!  

We're all so happy with the end result and I'm sure our selections will serve them well for many years!!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and would like to get on my schedule for Summer or Fall of 2018, contact Kim at 423.653.3186 and tell me about your project!

Project Reveal - Interior Design - Chattanooga Living Room

Today I have an exciting  project to share with you.  The clients are an adorable couple who have a wonderful sense of style, but they needed some help editing down their ideas and staying on track with the design direction.   

When I came on board, they had already done quite a bit of renovations on their Chattanooga home and had done a magnificent job!  The kitchen, master bathroom, and flooring were all new, and most of the interior walls were coated in a bright, clean white. 

However, when it came to furnishing their rooms, they hit a wall.  So much energy spent and so many decisions made on the renovations left them feeling tapped out and a little overwhelmed.  Sometimes having lots of options is just ... daunting.

Style-wise, we were a great fit.  They have love and respect for the classics, but they also wanted to incorporate some design elements with a modern edge.  Bring on the mix!!

Here's how the space looked when I saw it for the first time.  Iphone photography isn't doing it justice.

The furniture was a mix of new pieces - which are very nice - combined with the vintage occasional chair - a family heirloom - and that cute vintage lamp.  

Here are few more "befores".

Again, a nice layout with perfectly lovely furniture pieces.  But, my clients were looking to make more of statement with their interiors that revealed more about who they are.  

And so we collaborated on ideas and an overall direction.  In the end, we decided to create a pared down, clean, classic space that was chic, eclectic, and of the moment.

They have room for 2 full sized sofas, and I suggested we do 2 mismatched sofas for a collected look.  One is slipcovered, the other is upholstered, and the clean lines shared by both pieces made them perfect companions.  Personality would be added with colorful pillows, a vintage rug, and some unique art that would be sourced by the clients - who were up for the challenge!

As you know, design is a process, so after a few tweaks and adjustments, the final space was a little different than what you see in the Design Board above, and we couldn't be happier with the results!

Where there were once 2 chairs we now have a comfy sofa and a fabulous wall of art, curated by my style savvy clients.

This is a photo I took before professional photography seen below.  You can see the mismatched sofas together and that the layout is pretty much the same.

Would you agree that the art makes the space?  The clients did a fantastic job of sourcing the art for our gallery installation.  I had the fun job of placing the art above one of the gorgeous new sofas.

Here's our slipcovered sofa.  My clients had the art piece commissioned and we just love the simplicity of the floating glass frame, particularly combined with the ornate gilt candle sconces.  Those sconces were part of my client's collection and I couldn't wait to incorporate them into the design plan!

Yes, that is my client's vintage chair done up in a dreamy blue velvet.  And how cute is Wiley - he's such a ham and wanted to be in every photo!  Custom drapery frames the french doors to the fabulous veranda overlooking the golf course. We went the iconic Zimba from Schumacher for the fabric and trimmed it out in simple orange grosgrain ribbon.

While we were at it, we also tackled the little breakfast nook off of the newly renovated kitchen.

Here's a photo of how it looked when I came on board:

Again, they're off to a great start with those gorgeous floors, updated lighting and fun art piece!

Here's where we ended up:

We kept the modern chair inspiration, opting for the sexy and sculptural Panton chairs in white.  A rustic table keeps things interesting by providing textural contrast, and the zebra hide is a little unexpected and just. so.  chic!  My clients fell in love with the bold blue painting instantly and I knew it would work perfectly in this breakfast nook.  The previous painting got relocated to their swanky new master bath.

We're all so in love with the new look, but more importantly,  I feel like the room really reflects their amazing personal style! And isn't that what good design is all about?

Check back again soon - I'll be sharing photos of the newly designed dining room and the foyer. 

Project Reveal - Interior Decoration Of A Downtown Chattanooga Condo

Today I have a fun project to share with you. It's a recent installation of a condo in downtown Chattanooga and it's a good old fashioned decorating project, meaning there was no construction or renovation involved -we just made the space over with new furnishings and finishing touches.

The most noteworthy architectural features of the condo are the high ceilings and the huge windows. This is always a winning combination, fostering a feeling of light and spaciousness.

Before I was hired for the project, the owners had just had the condo painted. Normally I spend a good deal of time searching for the right color; the color that will help convey the mood we're trying to create. But since my clients just spent a small fortune on the paint job, and they selected a neutral, cool gray (Sherwin Williams March Wind), I decided to work with the existing color so we could utilize the budget for new furnishings and accessories. Luckily, the previous owners of this condo invested in custom curtains. With 13' ceilings and lots of windows, curtains alone could have been a budget buster. Thankfully, the curtains we inherited were an easy to work with creamy white and were beautifully made, so we decided to work them into the design.

Anyway, the main level is pretty open, with this particular area being the lounging/tv area. How gorgeous are those windows?!?!! Here is how this area appeared when I came on board.

And here's how it looks now:

Isn't it amazing how simply changing the furnishings (and a nice sunny day) can transform a space? I'm so crazy about that green velvet sofa. I love a single seat cushion - it's a nice clean look. It's also more functional because no one has to sit on the crack!

We utilized quite a few neutrals in the space, and I think the green adds some balance and life to the cool gray walls. The sofa color also helps bring a little of the greenery seen outside the windows into the space, making a subtle connection with nature.

The owners struggled with how to address the tall tv wall. This is a common problem. The armoire is tall, but that's about all it has going for it.

And here's the tv wall after:

We opted for a wider tv console to fill the space horizontally, and I flanked it with a pair of wide and low linen tufted chairs. The natural wood finish of the console adds some needed warmth and texture to this cool lofty space.

I hung a series of vintage garden maze prints above the tv fill up the tall wall. If you scroll down to the next photo, you'll see that just because you have 13' ceilings, you don't have to cover the entire wall. Keep things at a comfortable level.

The nearby dining area is completely open to the tv area, so we selected furnishings that would blend together. In a space that's so open, a limited color palette is the usually the best approach. Because you're seeing so much of the space at once, it's best to keep things simple.

The dining table is a mid century piece that was part of my client's collection. I selected these fully upholstered Queen Anne style chairs for an updated traditional look. I like how they straddle the line between modern and traditional. Looks like we're having pine cones for dinner. Haha.

Here's another traditional furniture piece that was culled from the homeowners furnishings. I found the mirror at an antique store and I just love the juxtaposition of the ornate gold frame against the modern architecture.

Below is another "before". I think my client did a fantastic job creating a symmetrical vignette, but I wanted to simplify the look and go with larger pieces. Can you guess which piece of theirs I repurposed?

Naturally, I reused their antique sideboard. I solved the awkwardly placed window situation by simply hanging a large piece of art over the window, and I edited down the furnishings and accessories. A pair of modern lamps and a floor plant in a basket finish off this area in a simple, sophisticated way. I'm crazy about the pinks and greens against the cool gray walls and I added a little more warmth with a gold floating frame around the abstract art.

Again, in the image above, notice that the painting above the sideboard is placed at a comfortable level.

I think this photo gives you a good sense of how open the floor plan is.

The coffee table is a textural mix of rough wood, slick ceramic coasters, and a touch of gold.

Thanks for taking the tour with me today! This was such a fun project with trusting, open minded clients.

As an aside, if you look at the "before" photos you'll notice that the trees outside the windows are dormant. This is because we started the project in very late winter and just finished up a few weeks ago. Not because there were any problems, but because things take time. Design plans have to be developed, custom sofas have an 8-10 week lead time, and design is a multi-step process. We all agree it was worth the wait!