Wow Them With Wallpaper

If (like me) you are of a certain age, you probably made a pact with yourself during the 90's that you would never ever have wallpaper anywhere in your home again. Ever. Wallpaper was big in the 80's, and it was all well and good until it fell out of favor. Oh how we suffered through the monumental task of stripping it away and dealing with the carnage that was left behind (wall damage.)

But (as with the pain of childbirth), time has a way of softening the blow and allows us to reconsider that which we thought we had left behind. And so I ask that you cast your fears aside and revisit the possibilities of the wonderful world of wallpaper!

I mean do you really want to hide your head in the sand and miss out on the opportunity to enjoy something like this? I didn't think so.

I too thought I was "done" with wallpaper, yet here it is in my own guest bathroom.

Have a portion of a look at the wallpaper we used in a powder room in our Monteagle cottage renovation via my amazing Iphone 4S (hangs head in shame). Oh how I love the contrast between the white ship lap walls of the hallway and the patterned paper in the powder room. Tension = interest.

This is a powder room I designed for some wonderful clients on Signal Mountain. It has kind of a groovy vibe but the blue and white colorway is classic!

And in this sweet nursery I used wallpaper to make the crib wall the focal point of the room. Can you make out the Foxes in the wallpaper pattern?

I also have a few in process projects involving wallpaper.

The guest bathroom in our Ridgeside renovation is getting a bold floral wallpaper in neutral tones that has a watercolor effect. I paired the modern wallpaper with vintage style gray penny tiles for a look that's appropriate for the era of the 1920's but still feels current.

UPDATE: Here's an instagram photo of the above bathroom :

And I designed this nautical themed bathroom for a boy's bathroom at The Father Of The Bride House. (See previous blog post)

The bathroom design above is going in another 1920's era home. The pedestal sink, subway tiles and penny tiles work perfectly in older homes, and the navy and white color palette is so fresh!

And this just in - I got a few new books from my wallpaper rep a few weeks ago and there are some fantastic papers that I would LOVE to use somewhere.

This cheeky goblet print in black and white would be wonderful in a lackluster kitchen.

I adore this classic botanical themed wallpaper - complete with butterflies. It has an 80's Mario Buatta feel, doesn't it? Perfect for a powder room

This is the same wallpaper in another colorway. Pretty is back!

Are you ready to get back on the horse? Contact me at 423.653.3186 if you're ready to make those wallpaper dreams a reality!

What I'm Working On Now - Project Father Of The Bride House

Sometimes I get so excited about a project it keeps me up at night. Not in a stressful, anxious way (well, maybe a little of that too), but mostly it's visualizing the completed space, obsessing about the details, and just the anticipation that builds as the project progresses.

One project that currently has me giddy with excitement is the one I affectionately call "The Father of the Bride House". Why, you ask? Because this house is a classic American beauty, built in the 1920's, and just oozing with period details and charm.

If you've never seen the Father of the Bride movie, here's what the movie house looks like.

You know that dream house we all keep in our heads - the most perfect house you can ever imagine? Well the one in my head looks like this, and I am so grateful that I've been given an opportunity to work with these clients on this project. And speaking of the clients - here's a little background info. They're long time clients who I adore. I worked with them on their first house and I'm so honored and humbled that they asked for my help on this project too. They're just an adorable little/growing family and the house fits the wife to a "T"!

Now you know what I'm talking about. It's classic American Colonial Revival - and it's a D.R.E.A.M. project!

Oh, and amazingly, my clients are the home's second owners. How rare and wonderful is that? It hasn't been stripped of it's abundant architectural details and it was loved by the same family for decades. So special!

Here are a few photos taken from my first tour of the house, immediately after it was purchased by my clients - in other words, the "before"s.

Here's what you see when you walk in the front door. Those doors on the left side are the coat closet and the teeny tiny powder room that will be super special.

Definitely not original, but here's the circa early 1970's pristine kitchen. The footprint of the kitchen will remain the same, but it will have a completely different look.

The master bedroom, seen above and below, is on the main level and has a fireplace with a white marble surround and the most beautiful natural light.

Just look at those windows!

Also on the main level, there is a fully paneled library with a wall of bookcases and a wall of windows (not pictured, but completely gorgeous!). We decided this cozy library would be perfect for family time in the evenings and on weekends. Think comfy luxe sectional, an antique rug, a mod light fixture, lots of reading material and a flat screen tv.

Here's the original fireplace in the living room proper. You can see the entrance to the master bedroom on the left side of the photo.

Happily, all of the original solid wood doors complete with crystal doorknobs are still in the home. These types of details add so much character!

Below is linen cabinetry in a small upstairs bathroom. This was probably added in the 1960's, but we are keeping it and we'll be updating it with new paint and hardware. This little bathroom is shaping up to be one of my favorite spaces in the house.

So this is what we're working with. It's honestly all so good and I'm so excited with where all of this is going.

Over the next few weeks I'll share our plans and some progress photos room by room.

You'll definitely want to check back in -it's going to be good!

It's Fall Y'all!

Fall is probably my favorite time of year. Summers in Chattanooga are long and hot - so when the temperatures and humidity finally begin to fall in late September, it's such a welcome change!

Is there anything cozier than the first fire of the season?

Would you be surprised to know that I'm not a big seasonal decorator? I really don't do much to change my decor at home with the seasons, but there is one thing I love to incorporate into my decor -particularly when fall rolls around.

Tree branches. I love how they bring a little of the outside in.

In the image above I gathered the bare branches from my clients' property on installation day. I love how sculptural branches are - nature always gets it right!

Branches in a vase are even prettier with their fall leaves still attached. I love that shot of vibrant yellow!

About this time last year I made over my guest bathroom as part of the One Room Challenge (an online decorating event). At the end of the makeover, when money was tight (gone), I shopped my house for accessories and added a much needed touch of nature with the red maple leaves. Not only were they free (!!!), they were the perfect counterpoint some of the formal design elements. It's all about the mix!

So what do you think? It might be nice to take a break from college football this weekend to take a walk in the woods and gather up some branches for your home. I think you might be surprised by how much impact they have in your space.

I hope some beautiful autumn weather is happening wherever you are.

Happy Fall!

***Hey Chattanooga! You know what comes right after fall? Yep - Holiday entertaining season! If you'd like to give your home an update before company comes, you need to get on my schedule asap! Call me at 423.653.3186 for an appointment or email me for a copy of my rate sheet.

Chattanooga Interior Design Project - Downtown Condo On The River Part 2

Today I want to share more photos of a recently completed project in downtown Chattanooga. The condo makeover was cosmetic in nature, meaning we didn't do any extensive remodeling. The new look was achieved with paint, some new furnishings, lighting and styling. If you recall from last weeks post, when I first visited this condo it was decorated with lots of browns, golds, and reds, and my clients were ready for a brighter, happier aesthetic.

Last week I shared the "afters" of the main living area:

Today, we'll have a look at the rest of the rooms that were transformed - mainly with paint and fabrics.

I had the guest bath (below) painted Benjamin Moore Aegean Teal (ceiling too). A custom upholstered cornice and custom shower curtain panels were made for the tub area. The mirror was repurposed from another area in my clients' home, and the vanity, granite, flooring and shower tile are original to the space.

Below is guest bedroom.

I had the walls painted Benjamin Moore Stratton Blue. The color palette of the guest room is similar to the colors in the guest bathroom to help tie those two spaces together. Most of the furniture in the guest bedroom already belonged to my clients. The transformation was achieved with paint, new bedding, reusing furniture pieces from other areas of their home, and restyling the accessories.

Ready to tour the master bedroom?

In the master bedroom, we wanted to achieve a feeling of quiet luxury. Walls are painted Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. I can't say enough good things about Revere Pewter! It's gray but still has some warmth. I had the headboard and bed skirt custom made in an oversize medallion print in silver and lavender. The night stands were repurposed from my clients' previous bedroom, and I like the warmth of the wood tones against the gray walls. The faux fur at the end of the bed is a fun and unexpected addition.

Some of the details are more easily seen in this photo. The polished nickel nail heads inset into the headboard, the satiny finish of the mother of pearl lamps (with lucite accents) and the charcoal mohair lumbar pillow all contribute to the feeling of luxury. Did you notice the lavender piping on the pillow shams? They're from Restoration Hardware. The Lladro figurines are part of my clients' collection.

The book case is on the wall opposite the bed. We added all of the mill work around the bookcase and painted it white. Previously the shelves were just inset into the sheetrock with no trim whatsoever. The addition of the trim gives the book case a stronger, more important presence. The backs of the book case are painted Benjamin Moore Elephant Gray, a subtle shade of lavender. The chair custom and sits on a swivel base.

The upholstered bench is custom and offers easy access to storage inside for extra blankets and out of season items.

This was such an amazing opportunity for me and I'm so thrilled with the results! I think it also demonstrates that big changes can be achieved with furniture, paint and fabrics.

Thanks for taking the time to visit me today!

If you live in the Chattanooga area and need some design assistance, please contact me. I'd love to help!

Completed Interior Design Project In Chattanooga - An Open Living And Dining Room

Hello friends!

Today I'm thrilled to share a project that I recently had photographed. We (mostly) completed this installation over a year ago, but due to scheduling conflicts and a few last minute projects that were added, photography was delayed. Finally, I have pictures to share!

Sadly, there are no "before" photos. Well, I took some photos with my phone and when I changed phones I forgot to transfer the photos! What I can do is give you a little background on where we started and what we planned to accomplish.

The condo is located in downtown Chattanooga, and it's home to a lovely, energetic couple. They are empty nesters, and they were craving a big change (music to my ears). When I first visited, the rooms were painted a rich gold and decorated with browns and reds - and while there's nothing wrong with those colors, it just didn't feel right for a space that's flooded with light and offers scenic views of the river and surrounding mountains.

We all agreed that we should try and capture some of the outdoors with a lighter, brighter and more youthful color palette. That being said, my clients still wanted some sophistication - nothing rustic. As is common, there were also some family antiques to be incorporated into the design. This was a bit of a challenge because the antiques are dark and somewhat formal in style, but it was my job to make it all work.

Below you see my clients' antique china cabinet I styled with their Asian figurines (I love them!) and a mint and gold platter (also theirs).

The main living area is completely open and features a wall of windows, so there is an abundance of natural light - my absolute favorite design element to work with. In order to continue the feel of the sky and water right outside the windows, I chose Benjamin Moore's Gray Wisp for the walls.

My clients requested sophistication, but they wanted to live casually in this space, so we chose a comfortable sectional with clean, classic lines in a neutral color. Sunbrella fabric was specified so they don't have to worry about stains or fading. A mix of prints on the pillows keeps the mood light. Also, take note of the nesting tables at the end of the sectional. I recommend a set of nesting tables for all of my clients because they're so handy for entertaining.

The dining area got a new round table in an updated finish. A few leafs can be added to accommodate dinner parties, but for daily use, the small size is perfect for two. We went with an oversize wood bead chandelier over the table. I absolutely love statement lighting and this one certainly delivers! The dark and light tones of the chandelier repeat the dark and light tones in the table and chairs. And speaking of the chairs, my client has had these for years. We gave them an update with new fabric - the chair fronts are outdoor (spill and fade resistant) fabric in a subtle green and blue woven pattern. My client loves red and I accommodated her preferences by using varied shades of red throughout the living area.

In the photo above, the mint and gold combination seen on the platter in the first image is repeated on the buffet lamps. It's hard to tell in this image, but instead of using a traditional sofa table behind the sectional, I moved my clients' antique sideboard (originally placed in front of the windows) to do double duty as a sofa table and as a sideboard.

You probably didn't see this coming. A modern concrete console with leopard print stools underneath? It's fun, it's functional (those benches pull out lickety split for parties), and very unexpected - and that's a good thing.

Thanks for taking the tour of the main living area. I hope you like what you saw today, and if you did, you'll want to come back next week when I'll share the master bedroom, guest bedroom and guest bathroom makeovers.

If you're in the Chattanooga area and thinking about changing things up at your house, give me a call at 423.653.3186. I'd love to help!

My "Signature" Style

As a designer, it's my job to focus what makes each of my clients feel the happiest in their homes. I pride myself on having the ability to work within a range of design styles, but - and this is true with all good designers - I have to put a little bit of myself into each one of my projects. Today I thought it might be fun to share a little insight into what you can expect to see in any room I've had a hand in creating.

1. There will be classic design elements. Particularly the anchor pieces. Classic pieces that have been around for centuries and will continue to be relevant as time marches on.

Here is a perfect example. The antique sideboard and gorgeous Persian rug are timeless design elements that will never ever go out of style, and they provide the foundation for the direction of the space.

2. While I strive to incorporate timeless classics into my projects, I have a reputation for mixing different design styles. There is no formula I use for mixing design styles - it's an intuitive thing - I just "know" what types of seemingly unrelated items would bring out the best in each other.

In my kitchen (above) I've mixed a vintage dining table in a French farmhouse style with sculptural modern dining chairs, and it works!

3. Everyone thinks decorating and design are such serious, high falutin' business. And while it's important to get the scale, mood, and functionality of a space right, I also firmly believe that decorating should be fun, so I like to bring a little whimsy to a space. In my kitchen (below) I've done just that with some unexpected art over the dining table. It makes me smile every time I see it!

And (below) in a client's family room, the Greyhound statues are a whimsical accent that's also personal ( my clients are dog lovers!) My client loved these statues so much that she went to 4 pet stores to find collars small enough to fit them!

4. Color. I can't begin to describe how much I adore working with color - and I think it shows. Color is everything to a room! Not only is it important to get the backdrop of your space right with the perfect paint color, it also creates the mood you want your space to convey - whether it's tranquility, exuberance, or comfort - color is a major player! Working with pretty color combinations makes my heart happy.

but neutrals are colors too, and I enjoy the challenge of working within a neutral palette.

5. And finally, there's a feeling of comfort and familiarity to the rooms I design, and yet they feel newer, and younger - fresh!

So to summarize, if I had to describe my signature style with just a few adjectives, it would be something like "Fresh, Comfortable and Classic with an Eclectic Twist".

If you're in the Chattanooga area and struggling to find a design direction, I can help you define your signature style too! Call me at 423.653.3186.

Thoughts On Creating A Successful White Room

They're everywhere - those bright, beautiful, clean, airy spaces with white walls. Even though I love to work and live with color, I can see why white rooms are so appealing.

You want one too? I say you can do it, but there are a few things you'll need to keep in mind to have a successful white room.

1. The biggest player in a white room is natural light. What makes white rooms so special is that they feel bright and airy, and without a lot of natural light your white walls will feel dingy and dirty no matter how bright your white paint is. And nobody wants that.

My family room (above) is the only room in my house I painted white. It has a southern exposure and it is bathed in light all day long! The paint color I used is Benjamin Moore Moonlight White. It has just enough yellow in it to keep it from going cold.

2. Size matters. Especially where white rooms are concerned. A white room just works better in a larger space because it naturally lends itself to a feeling of volume and airiness.

My family room is also the largest room in my house, which really gives the white walls an opportunity to bounce the light around.

3. Add in some texture.

Sea grass rugs, iron coffee tables, and natural wood tones all work beautifully with white walls.

Considering white walls but worried you might miss having some color? Don't be concerned because

Art - it looks fantastic on white walls.

so do fun, colorful fabrics,

and rugs! Particularly the aged, highly patterned variety.

If you're in the Chattanooga area and in need of some design assistance, contact me. I can help!

Not All Neutrals Are Beige!

I get it. You're paying a lot of money to have your home professionally painted (or perhaps investing your blood sweat and tears a.k.a doing it yourself).

You: "If I'm going to shell out my hard earned cash, I want something that's going to look good with everything until the end of time!"

Me: "Okay, but can we look at neutrals that aren't beige? Or gray?." Or greige?"

You: (Crickets....)

It's true! There are lots of neutrals that are NOT beige or even kin to it.

Allow me to enlighten you.

Can you even imagine a more gorgeous color? It's soft, it's tranquil, it's timeless - it's pure happiness in a can! This is Benjamin Moore's Palladian Blue. I wish I could take credit for the room - it was done by Caitlin Creer Interiors. Palladian Blue looks good with EVERYTHING! I dare you to find a color that won't work with it. It can't be done.

Here is a color I have used over and over and over again. I don't have any information on specific paint color or brand used in Stephen Fuller's entry above but you could get this look with Benjamin Moore's Guilford Green or Fernwood Green. YES, green is neutral, particularly this fresh hue. Think about all of the lush greens found in nature and how well they marry with everything from bark and stone to the most vibrant blooms of spring and summer. (#greenisneutral)

Okay, this one may be a stretch, but hear this - a subtle shade of lavender looks good with everything! (As demonstrated in this Martha Stewart space.) And she knows a thing or two about looking good. Need more convincing?

TIP: if you're one of those people that has lots of brown wood furniture, lavender looks phenomenal with wood tones! If you take my advice and incorporate a pale pale muted lavender, all of your friends will wonder when you got so smart and so stylish. (#paintchangeslives)

And just because I love you and because maybe you really just want a beige that looks good with everything, here are a few that I've used and wouldn't hesitate to use again.

This is Benjamin Moore's Bleeker Beige in a 1905 downtown Chattanooga home we restored over 12 years ago. I like Bleeker Beige because it's warm and toasty without those oppressive gold undertones. Side note: I'm all kinds of proud that even though I decorated this room over a decade ago, it still feels current. PS - that's Palladian Blue on the ceiling. Bleeker Beige loves blue!

And below, my other go-to beige, although it sometimes reads a little gray - Benjamin Moore's Grant Beige. Here you see it in a staircase in a 1920's historic home restoration we completed about 8 years ago on Lookout Mountain. Grant Beige is a chameleon, changing from beige to gray depending on the light. If you look at the top of the photo and the bottom of the photo you can see how different it looks because of the lighting. One thing that's consistent about it is that it always looks great!

Here is Grant Beige in the living room of the same house on Lookout Mountain. It's slightly grayer than Bleeker Beige, and it's a great neutral!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and struggling with paint color selections, I can help! Contact me at 423.653.3186