Client Project Reveal - Classic Blue and White Dining Room and Powder Room Refresh

What an exciting day!  I have a recently completed project to share with you, and this dining room is one of my favorite projects to date.  If you're visiting today from The Pink Pagoda, surely you're a fan of classic blue and white interiors. I'm so glad you stopped by and thank you Jennifer for featuring my work!

First, I want to share a little background info.  We've taken the slow, steady approach to decorating this home.  It's a big brick Georgian style home - very traditional - which suits my clients' aesthetic.  They love classic design elements and the husband has a keen eye for antiques.  One of the concerns and challenges we addressed was their desire to keep their home from feeling too formal. They're a young family and they wanted their home to have a relaxed, fresh feel.

Here's the inspiration photo.  The only inspiration photo. The wife knew exactly what she wanted.

 

No argument from me..This is gorgeous!

When the project began, I had this antique china cabinet and their dining table to work with. Here's a "before", as a reference point.

And now:

Blue and White Bliss.

My clients loved the Farrow & Ball Lotus wallpaper but were hesitant to wallpaper the entire room.

So I had the walls painted (Benjamin Moore's Niveous), which is the same color we used in their entry  - it's a pretty, ivory white.

And then I had the walls professionally stenciled with this pattern.  The blue we used for the stencil design is Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue.  If you look in the top right corner of the photo above, you can catch a glimpse of  Palladian Blue on the ceiling. 

The antique sideboard is a Scott's Antique Market find, as is the Persian rug.  My workroom made the sheer linen shades and I sourced the Italian silver candelabra, lamps and other accessories for them.

The husband found the chairs at auction (10 of them!) and, after some debate, I had them lacquered with Benjamin Moore White Dove and had the seats recovered with blue faux ostrich.  The fabric choice was met with a little hesitation, but with 4 small children it's a practical choice that they should enjoy for years to come. The ironstone pots and pitchers and the silver tray they're sitting on are family pieces.  I love their simplicity and pretty form.

We also recently refreshed their powder room off of the foyer.  My client loves blue and white, so again we went with this classic color combination - but in a modern context.

In this room we added a chair rail with box molding below and a fun blue and white geometric print wallpaper. They opted to keep the white pedestal sink and brass fixtures. 

There was just enough room behind the door to add this lucite console and a few baskets under it for easily accessible storage.  I think every room needs something natural so the baskets and the framed pebbles add some soft, organic texture.  I love the juxtaposition of the natural elements against the modern print of the wallpaper.  Do you agree that contrast creates interest?

Once again, I thank you for stopping by to have a look at this fun project.  And thank you to Jennifer at The Pink Pagoda for featuring the dining room on her blog.  Have you visited her online shop?  Lots of opportunities to add some classic blue and white!

Have a great week!

If you live in the Chattanooga, TN area and are looking for an Interior Decorator, please visit my website to learn more about the services I offer and to see my recently completed design work.

When my schedule won't allow me to post to my blog, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Follow along!

Revisiting Red

I blame it on the (late) 90's, when everyone and their cousin had a red dining room.  Including me. Since then I haven't looked back or considered painting a room red.  In fact, red is a color I seldom use or suggest to clients.  Unless it's in small doses.

Ok, I did choose red as a teensy accent color in my hall bath makeover.  I think it looks great with the turquoise walls.

I love how Meg Braff used red trim with this Chinoiserie wallpaper.  Such an unexpected and bold choice.

And then I saw a snippet of this fabulous room by Kim Macumber in my sidebar as I was putting this post together. I haven't had a chance to comment on her blog yet, but I am so proud of Kim! This space is cozy/gorgeous!

One more:

Amazing red lacquer walls.  Interior Design by Ashley Whitaker

Are you ready to incorporate a little red into your design projects?

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN.  If you'd like to discover how a well designed home can improve the quality of your life, call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

When I'm not on my blog, you can find me here: Instagram  Facebook  Pinterest

What's Your Tolerance for Marsala

Hey what do you think about Pantone's choice for the color of the year for 2015?   It's Marsala, or as we common folk call it - burgundy.  I personally have nothing against this color but I think their choice is strange because my mind always goes to the burgundy of 1992.

Who else sees this when they think of burgundy Marsala?

Well, the truth is you can use Marsala and have it look chic and current.  Perhaps you prefer your Marsala in small doses.

Now that's not so scary.  I rather like that rich burgundy against the white slipcovers.  It's a welcome change from the obligatory turquoise, gray or black & white geometric that's getting so tired. And I kind of feel like burgundy and velvet are made for each other.

Ok here's a bold burgundy statement on a modern chair in an otherwise neutral space.  I like this Marsala.  And it's in velvet. It's a winner for me.

Can you even handle this gorgeous room with that sofa??   Burgundy. Velvet.  Pink walls. And that gold leaf coffee table is so pretty against the Marsala sofa. This is a home run for me!

So what do you think?  Does Marsala has its place in 2015 or do you prefer it stay in the 90's (and earlier).

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN.  If you'd like to discover the joy of living in a well designed home,contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

When I'm away from the blog you can find me here: Instagram      Facebook     Pinterest

A Collection of Easy DIY's for a Gold and White Christmas

First a disclaimer: I didn't do any of these crafts myself, but given the popularity of gold and white, I thought these ideas would be an easy way to get the look for anyone!

here

I love to decorate with bare branches. Year round.  The textural contrast  between the branches and the ornaments works perfectly.

You can also glam up your branches with a little gold spray paint.  I can think of a million places to use these.

here

It doesn't get much easier than this.  Grab a few gold and/or white ornaments and put them on a cake stand or in a bowl. Done and done. 

here

White candles, gold glitter, gold candle holders.

Find the super easy tutorial for these gold dipped feathers here.

And my personal favorite

Tutorial here.

Nine more shopping days.

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN. If you'd like to experience the joy of living in a well designed home, contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Client Entry Before and After - in Neutrals

Hello out there readers of design blogs!  Today I have a postlet to share with you of a recent foyer makeover.  This is one of the "afters" because I think it best to open things up with some pretty.

So now we'll back up to where it all began.

The thing is my clients' home is at the top of a mountain on the most gorgeous wooded lot, and we didn't think this particular arrangement honored the natural loveliness of its surroundings. Although the console table was a step in the right direction, the three shelves with the two mirrors and chairs felt busy.

My clients wanted something rustic and sophisticated.  And they did not want to repaint the walls.

Sorry for this horrifically blurry shot, but its the only one I have the shows the "before" of the feature art piece painted by my client's son.  I immediately knew we should make this painting the focal point of the long wall of the entry.  I had the painting reframed with a wider creamy white mat and a simple black frame for a cleaner, more updated look. (see below)

Here's what else.  We added some whitewashed planks to the aforementioned long wall, hung that pretty painting, put a long chunky console table under it and styled the whole thing up. With some nature-inspired stuff like those twigs I got out of their side yard. And, to keep the look from going all Cracker Barrel on us, we added some modern glam with that amazing Drexel Heritage glass prism lamp and crisp white accessories. 

We also painted the French Doors to the outside living area a rich charcoal gray, which we repeated in the family room on the book cases and exterior doors.  It gives them such presence, doesn't it?

Before

 In this slightly wider shot, you can see we also replaced the fussy wool rug with a black & white cowhide.  Oh how I love it!  And we replaced the generic chandelier with something a little more whimsical. A tall leaner mirror further simplifies the look and is perfect for checking out your head to toe look before heading out the door.

And that's the end!  Thanks for stopping by and having a look.  And did you know if you were following me on Instagram then you would have already seen it? Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and on Facebook!

One Room Challenge Linking Event - It's Reveal Time!

Okay, okay.  I know you have many blogs to visit today so I will keep the written part short and sweet.  It's been a tough 6 weeks and I didn't accomplish everything I had hoped to get done for the reveal, but I think you'll get the picture - actually you're about to get lots of pictures.

First, the obligatory "before" shot.  (If you'd like to catch up on the posts leading up to today's reveal, you can do so here.)

Oozing with charm, right?   Sure it is!  See the "afters" below.

Please don't judge my photos too harshly - I took them myself because my room is not yet totally done (as if that will ever happen)  and I worked on it up until it was time to post the photos. Oh, and some of my DIY projects might be a little rough around the edges.  Still working on those finishing touches!

I'm still playing musical chairs around the dining room table.  Bench and chairs or just chairs?

Do you recall the Chinoiserie fabric that inspired this entire space?  

Sadly it's nowhere to be found in here - yet.  Due to unavoidable circumstances, my upholsterer was not able to get my host dining chairs done in time for today's reveal.  Sad face  :-( . As you read this, my chairs are getting upholstered with my Chinoiserie print fabric on the backs and they will flank the ends of my dining room table.   Kind of a bummer they're not here yet but I'll be sure and take photos when they arrive.

And lucky you!  This reveal is a 2-for-1 because I did my living room too!

Leopard pillows - I'm all in.

Most of the items I used in both rooms are vintage and "found" items. People always ask me about decorating with vintage finds, and I always give the same answer.  It takes time, people!  And patience too.

Just look at how excited Ellie is over this new space!

And that's where we are today!  I owe a giant "Thank you" to my Mom who spent a weekend with me placing  furniture and accessorizing. And a big thank you to everyone who's followed my progress along the way and taken the time to comment with such kind words. It's much appreciated!

UPDATE:  At the 11th hour, the upholsterer that was redoing my chairs emailed me to tell me he got one finished up.  Hurray!  Here's a look at that

Finally, a Super Sized thank you to Linda for providing the motivation and for hosting the One Room Challenge and The One Room Challenge Linking Event.  Make sure you head over to Linda's blog where you'll find the links for everyone who participated in this round's event! 

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in  Chattanooga, TN.  If you'd like to discover the joy of living in well designed home, contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com