Dining by Design – Six Smart Solutions & A Bonus Idea!

Aside from the chill in the fall air, I get an extra little shiver when I calculate the fast approach of the holidays!  Thanksgiving is merely a few weeks away, and I know the dining room, often a room no one even walks into until Halloween has passed, becomes the emergency phone call many interior designers receive. 

At this date, while I may not be able to offer “major surgery” options, I can share six ways to “resuscitate” your dining room, depending on the availability of your resources.  I hope the Question and Answer format will address some of the more frequently sought solutions.

Question:  Do you always need to use a rug under a dining room table? 

Answer: There are no iron-clad rules for needing to use one.  I do; however, consider several factors before guiding a client in one direction or the other.  If, in the case of this room, there were no window panels or fully upholstered chairs, (and the entire room consisted mostly of wood), it would be my recommendation to add a rug for color, texture, and to soften the edges.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I have found some chairs, I really love, but I’m still searching for the perfect table and I have guests coming for the holidays.  Help!  Should I cancel?!

Answer:  Keep those guests on your list!  There are many online sources, with fast shipping, for inexpensive folding, round tables.  Some even go up to 66” or more.  You may also find some plywood table rounds to convert an existing table top.  Oversized table cloths can be ordered, online, and you can customize your look with a topper square or other layered linens.  I like the burlap/linen textures, as they can be dressed up or down.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I bought a new table and it has a heavier base.  Now my old chairs look too delicate.  They were antiques, given to me by my grandmother, so I can’t get rid of them.  What can I do?

Answer:  Slipcovering is a wonderful solution to help visually enlarge and “fill-in” the backs of chairs, without affecting their integrity or design structure. In the oval back chairs, above, the added “skirt” makes the seat seem fuller, thus creating a better balance with the table base.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I have a collection of mismatched chairs, an antique chest, and a table that is not really so pretty.  I’m limited with what I can do, right now, because other rooms need more attention.  Should I just ignore my dining room and leave it empty?

Answer:  Often, the dining room is one of the first rooms we see, when we enter a house.  If it’s left empty, it can give the impression that no one is “home”.  Some chairs styles are compatible and are made even more so by using the same fabric.  Eclectic mixes are often very interesting and can be quite nice, if some rules are observed.  Keep the color palette simple, so the eye will have a place to land and not be overly distracted.  Notice how the walls and trim, in the photo above, match the chair fabric.  The table is covered in a simple linen and the antique door chest acts as a server.  A natural fiber rug can be easily found and it adds a soft layer to the mix.  (Photo courtesy of House Beautiful.)

Question:  I have a larger, open dining room and it really is a rare occasion that I use it.  What are my options as this feels like a waste of space?

Answer:  As a designer, I think this is one of those rooms that can be missed, during family gatherings or special events/holidays, if it doesn’t exist in some fashion in your home.  I do like to see if I can figure out creative ways to multi-purpose rooms so their square footage has been captured and not lost.  One of the easiest solutions is a “dining/library”.  A library cabinet has similar lines to a china cabinet, and a combination of books and china can offer a nice balance.  The room above, has a console table tucked to the back wall, which can be utilized as a desk.  With today’s wireless connections, a laptop can be easily hidden when folks come over to dine.  (Photo courtesy of Traditional Homes.)

Question: I made a wise decision in selecting very durable fabric.  My chairs almost look like new.  I say, “almost”, because the legs have gotten a bit dinged up. I know if I have them refinished, the fabric will have to be changed.  Is there anything else I can do?

Answer:  Often, great furniture technicians can do some touch-up, if the damage is minor.  If that’s not the case, you might want to consider carefully painting the base frames.  To help with the natural wear, a light touch of steel wool, in areas where feet might brush against the chair’s base, will give a beautifully aged look.  I love how the bases of the chairs, above, really pop the fabric color.  This room needed that extra “oomph”. (Photo courtesy of Traditional Homes.)

An added bonus question:  I never have time to get to the florist to put together a centerpiece and I always feel like I’m missing that key element.  Do you have suggestions?

Bonus Answer:  If you have scheduled a party, weeks in advance, it is a good thing to make a checklist.  Let’s just assume; however, you are one of those generous souls who offers to host a dinner at the drop-of-a-hat.  I would always try to keep some unscented candles and open vessels or cachepots on hand.  They can be mixed in for that much desired ambiance.  From there, it’s amazing what you can achieve with things from the garden and the fridge.  If you look at the contents of the tablescape, above - clippings of foliage, architectural garden accents, as well as fruits and nuts bring the harvest home.

I hope this has given you the inspiration to send out the invitations, whether engraved, emailed or by phone, as the most important ingredient is the sharing of your time!

Cheers to everyone!  Wanda

Technorati Tags: Dining Room Design,Interior Design,Holidays,Interior Concepts by Wanda

A Matter of Time

As much as I love being able to have a longer amount of daylight, I have to admit I do enjoy the one day, each year, an extra hour is gained!  I know it’s a manipulation of the hands on the clock, (or a digital update), but it still feels like a wonderful luxury, to me.

I’ll also share, I have a weakness for clocks – and not so much for the digital kind.  I think it’s a combination of the form and function as I enjoy the craftsmanship of each case and dial set.  For me, the tick-tock rhythm is like enjoying the presence of a comforting guest. 

I do love Swedish antiques and this clock and cabinet combination is no exception. A clever craftsman must have decided their customer needed to conserve space. What a great bedroom piece!  (You can find this at A.Tyner Antiques in Atlanta.)

Mora clocks from Sweden.  No, this isn’t a typo . . . it’s the name of just one of the styles of tall case clocks, which can be found in the town of Mora, near the border of Norway.  Production on the clocks began in the late 18th century.  What a smörgåsbord! 

These French Louis XV clocks have similarities in the use of ormolu, or a method of heating and pounding metal to various shapes and forms, and it is often gilded, as well.  The clock, on the left, is referred to as a boulle design, as it contains inlay or marquetry to its wood case.  The clock, on the right, has been hand-painted with figures, often considered very fashionable, for the time. (King Louis XV of France, 1710-1774)

 This English Folk Art Dove Cote with Clock conjures up visions of fairy tales and cottages.  Just look at the detailed carvings.  Don’t let the term “Folk Art” fool you.  This piece stands at 74” high and commands a price tag of $28,000.00!  Should this be your heart’s desire, it can be found at Antiques on Old Plank Road.  Circa, early 20th century.

These Art Deco Clocks, (circa 1825 – 1940), showcase the use of Vinylite, (Plaskon) and celluloid materials.  This period occurred during a height of an international art and design movement.  Designs were considered to be modern, elegant and functional.  The clock, in the upper left corner, is commonly referred to as a “skyscraper” clock, as it exhibited a popular architectural design, such at that found in the Chrysler Building in NYC. 

A few years ago, I spied this beauty being advertised at a South Carolina auction.  It’s an English Tall Case Clock, (circa mid 1800’s), with a hand-painted face and simple inlaid details. I loved that the base was shallow so that it wouldn’t take up too much space in my foyer.  Well, a few flips of my auction number and you can see where it landed!  Does it keep the best of time?  Probably not.  Does the chime make me a little crazy at times?  That’s why I sometimes stop it.  Does it make me feel like I’m home, when I walk through the door?  Absolutely!

One extra hour of time? . . . What a gift and a treasure!

Wishing you cheerful moments!  Wanda

Technorati Tags: Clocks,Floor Clocks,Mantel Clocks,Time,Decorative Accents,Interior Concepts by Wanda,Interior Design

Happy Halloween Wishes!

 

 

 

 

High Point, Here I Come!

Twice a year, a smaller city, in North Carolina, resembles a much larger one as the High Point Furniture Market comes to town.  (Well, the showroom buildings are there, in between shows, but the transformation occurs when the downtown area becomes the epicenter to the home furnishings and fashion industry.)  Fast-paced industry executives, furniture and design icons, vendors, manufacturers, mom and pop operations, and interior designers all converge for a week’s worth of unveilings of new introductions and to revisit tried and true best sellers.

As I am packing up my bags and checking off client wish lists, I thought I would give you a peek into some of the many showrooms I’ll be visiting, during my trip.  I could fill the entire blog with entries, so this will be just a sampling.  As I return, I hope to have photos of great finds!

Global Views – This grouping hints at a transitional to modern approach.  Notice the backs of the chairs and the mirror top.  A Chinese influence is a great way to make the transition, without going to the “ultra” category.  Love the mix of poppy and stone!

Bungalow 5 – Is it a table or is it sculpture?  Casegoods, which are chosen to share both attributes, are a lovely way to keep spaces clear of clutter.  This could work well in a smaller scale apartment, as well as in a larger urban loft.

Bungalow 5 – This is a popular shape in table lamps.  I’ll see this in many versions, as I travel the showrooms.  Bungalow 5 added their own twist of color and pattern.  Elegant and fun!  (I think I have a thing for orange!)

Soicher Marin – I have been a big fan for several years. (I’ve also enjoyed sharing Tweets with Ed Marin, the owner, as well as Jennifer and Tracey!)  Art is such a personal choice and I am sometime hesitant to speculate for clients.  With all of the custom services they offer, if we can’t find it at Soicher Marin, we haven’t looked hard enough!

 Taylor King – An NC based upholstery manufacturer offers a complete line of custom product and they are embracing the eco-friendly approach to their products.  Consumers are much more interested in not only watching out for their exterior environment, they want that way of life to translate to healthy interior spaces, too.

Pearson Furniture – I can’t say enough about their fine upholstery, the attention to detail, the customer service – and they are another NC manufacturer.  They are so accomodating in allowing me to create special options, in order to meet my client’s needs.  Aside from the way they handle their manufacturing process, what makes them more eco-friendly is that the distance of shipping from their door to yours, is much shorter than by boat!  Pearson furniture proudly “lives” in the White House and the Vatican.

Regina Andrew - This lamp is a lovely mix of rustic and refinement.  The shape of the hammered zinc base is finely repeated in the fabric shade.  Couture is not only for apparel!

Regina Andrew – Gold and brass finishes are peaking back into the scene.  If you shudder to think of some of the fixtures of yesteryear, this hanging lamp, with it’s delicate design and fabric lining, should allay any concerns.  Notice how it has been paired with a scrubbed furniture finish?  That’s what I love about market – great design is never predictable.

Company C – I love a showroom with a cause!  Because I have so many friends and acquaintances who are breast cancer survivors, and October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’ll have to stop by to give them kudos for this display.  (And I have to confess, this combination makes me think of berries and chocolate – truly yummy!)

Scott Thomas – This showroom is lovely, not only because of their fabulous furnishings, Shannon Hamed, the manager, has done so much to support interior designers, both during market and in between.  I can pop by, most days, with a client, and she is there to help make their wishes come true.  I think this nest of tables could even find a home in the Horton household!

Well, there you have it!  Just a quick peak of what I’ll be seeing, this week.  Wish I could take you with me!  Oh, did you know I really can?!  Several of the showrooms, I’ve featured, are open to interior designers, by appointment, after the market has passed.  I have taken several clients on special product sourcing day trips.  We’ve had a great time finding the perfect pieces, they get to see the “inner sanctum”, we have a great lunch, secure the items, and head back home to wait for delivery and installation day to arrive. It’s one of the perks of working with a designer who has market privileges!  It also saves valuable time.

Before I go, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who makes the market happen . . . manufacturers, vendors, the Market Authority, showroom managers, delivery staffs, design teams, maintenance staffs, caterers, shuttle drivers, you name them!  It’s all about team work, and you, the consumer, are also a big part of what keeps us going!  Thank you!

MarketCheers! - Wanda

Cheers to Fall!

During this time of the year, interior designers often overlap the process of getting your homes completed for holiday entertaining with – well – holiday entertaining.  I have often double-dutied as both interior designer and event designer and have learned it’s all in the details of making your home feel warm and inviting for guests.  While the glitterati might go to the extreme in making it an E-V-E-N-T, most of my clients want their guests to enjoy the scenery, but also not feel as if they should be traipsing down the red carpet.

I am assisting with an upcoming event, for the Red Cross Tiffany Circle, and these photos offered up some inspiring ideas. I hope they help you, too!

Who wouldn’t be welcomed by a pair of beautiful urns, filled with of a bevy of autumnal colors?!  I love the contrast of the white and rich tones.  You can use aged urns, but if you prefer a more classic or modern touch, get that spray paint out and go to it!

I wonder if the buttercream icing on the cake was the inspiration for this tableau?  The white pumpkin gourds replace the traditional cornucopia of fruits and vegetables.  The console table, while cottage “chippy” in nature, takes on a splendid air.

What to do with cornhusks left from your dried corn cobs?  Wrap them around votives for a blush of color in the candlelight.  I love the combination with the lavender roses.  So unexpected and yet, so right!

Not much time to get it together?  Grab some fruit, dip in egg whites, drain the excess and roll in sugar for a frosted effect.  These seckle pears are just the right size.  (Remember, due to the raw egg material, these are not for consumption.)

I am in love with these white, (or also called, albino), pumpkins!  They offer so many combinations of color palettes and can carry you on through the Thanksgiving season.  I still love the traditional orange pumpkins, as well.  I suppose we always like the latest and greatest in everything related to design. 

If you have a narrow tabletop or mantel, an elongated container with dried flowers, plums and pumpkin gourds, can be a lovely addition of visual texture.

Fall design consists of simply combining lots of the elements found in your garden, along a wooded path, in your local grocery or farmer’s market or in things you may have tucked away in your china cabinet. If you keep it loose and fun, there is no telling what you might be able to create. I hope you’ll send over some of your own ideas. They would be my pleasure to share!

I’m off to the pumpkin patch . . .

Fall Cheers to you!  Wanda

PS Just had to add in a photo of my pumpkin finds. Never knew about “blue pumpkins” . . .

Saturday – 10/10/09 A local farmer had pumpkins of many colors.  A fun side trip produced just what I needed for a party event!

Top photos courtesy of Martha Stewart and Better Homes & Gardens 

Technorati Tags: Interior Design,Fall Entertaining,Color Palettes,Floral Design,Interior Concepts by Wanda,Martha Stewart,Better Homes & Gardens

The Secret Formula for Age Reversal

Every now and then, I’m able to release my “inner child”, through the eyes of another.  My most recent experience was with a client, with whom I have been acquainted since she was anticipating being introduced into the world!  (I met her mother when she was expecting her.)  Twelve years later, we are watching as she is becoming a lovely, soft-spoken, smart and generously-spirited “tween”.  After patiently waiting for her birthday, she was given the gift of my time and design concepts, along with the talents of Whitney Preslar Bayer, a fabulous decorative artist, who translates those concepts to reality.  Add into this special mix, artistic photographer, Chanda Pope, and I am able to share with you a front row seat to the world of fantasy and frivolity.  It’s a coming of age, for one young woman, and a return to the past, for a slightly older one.  I think I have discovered the secret formula for age reversal!

The process began with a blank canvas – literally.  Neutral window treatments of sheered Austrian shades with clear crystals, off-white furnishings, purchased five years ago, and cream walls.  (These pieces had been selected for a previous residence.)

In order to honor the choice of the favorite color of orange, I was a little concerned about too much stimulus not allowing for a restful night.  Since one of her other favorite colors is aqua, I suggested we bring that down to eye level in order to calm the flow of energy.  I also wanted to be sure the doors didn’t pop out like two large white “teeth”, so Whitney painted the panels and added the monogram accents from the chair back.

The ceiling fan was enhanced by hand painted “streamers” and applied “confetti” crystals.  Her dragonfly seems happy to be suspended beneath such a party of designs.

Happy harlequins march across the chest top, where once, a solid color reigned.  “Mirror, mirror on the wall” . . .  were you plain, too? I can’t recall!

Bath time is far from boring, as the party streamers and confetti are tossed on the wall. 

The Pindler & Pindler fabric, in the shower curtain and shade valance, marry the circles, from the bedding and the diamond/harlequin shapes in the chest painting.  We reversed the wall and ceiling colors, from the bedroom.

Little details make all of the difference.  The crystals, on the painted metal shade, add the bling every girl loves.  The candle cover “drips” with aqua and green.

Even this white wood lamp received the “full” treatment.  The tulle Fabricut trim is appropriately named “TuTu” and was added to the top and bottom of the shade.  The base was painted to pop the colors.  Even the little lamp pull was covered in crystals!

Yes, we, (and I mean, Whitney), can “handle” just about anything!  Crystals, painted accents and drawer hardware all receive the artist’s touch.

Hand-screened damask squares allow for a play of pattern and color, without distracting from the graphic wall pattern.  The bookcase, with shelves and practical storage bins, was painted to bring some weight to the larger wall area.

At the end of the day, when my “tween” client returned home from school, she couldn’t contain her delight, in regards to the outcome of the project.  They say a smile takes years off our faces.  If that’s true, I can hold off on scheduling that nip and tuck, for a while!

Cheers to all!  Wanda

(All photography credits go to Photography by Chanda.)

*Note, this is a sneak preview of a magazine shoot, going to press in November 2009.

Technorati Tags: Girl's Rooms,Tween Rooms,Designing with Color,Decorative Painting,Wanda S. Horton,Whitney Preslar Bayer,Chanda Pope,Interior Design

Orange Hue Happy?

People either love orange - or they severely dislike it – or, at least they think they do.  Sometimes, if you just say the name, you can see a scrunched up nose, in response.  Before you pass over this post, let’s open your mind to the possibilities!

I do have to say, orange, in my opinion, has received a bad reputation.  So many people associate it with its use in: industrial safety, a color used in a prominent home improvement store, the color code for the 2nd highest level of alert for terrorism by Homeland Security, or a not so healthy alert for the ozone levels.  Even in some studies on packaging and labeling, orange has been considered a color to be used by discount variety stores and it changes the perception of the consumer as to the level of product quality. 

There is just the right balance of white to offset the jolt of a citrus splash, in this room.  Can you say “Dreamsicle”?

  Photo and wallpaper, courtesy of Thibaut – Pattern:  Bandanase

As a designer, I have never really had a true dislike for any color – maybe just the tones and tints or combinations.  I think if I remember orange, in a less favorable way, it’s because I’ve associated it with the era of burnt orange, olive green and harvest gold and the advent of some pretty scratchy synthetic fibers, which went along with the whole theme.  (Grandmother B. thought this would be a bullet-proof solution to her family room sofa.  I get hives recollecting the texture!)  I have developed a love of the introduction of a newer, cleaner and clearer palette of orange.  I’ll bet, after seeing some beautiful examples, if you are an orange naysayer, we will see that scrunched nose transform to a rounded, mouthed “ooooh”!

The right combination, of a color compliment, can take this hue to a whole new level!

Courtesy of Thibaut – Papaya Pattern – Sure to stimulate the appetite.

Courtesy of Colefax & Fowler – There would be no gray days in this room!

Just look at what this touch of coppertone paint adds to the ceiling.  When considering painting the “fifth” wall, keep eco-friendly paints in mind, like Benjamin Moore’s Aura. Not only will you have a a happy palette, your house will be happy, too!

Having a low energy day?  A bunch of orange Dahlias might help.  Orange increases oxygen to the brain and stimulates mental activity. 

Even gold is considered a member of the orange family.  Gold often symbolizes high quality.  That must be why I “heart” this Kate Spade bag, so much!

Okay, let’s say you are “warming” up to the palette but can’t get past the name, o-r-a-n-g-e.  Peche, coral, tangerine – you call it as you see it and just maybe it will be your new BFF!

Cheers to you!  - Wanda

Technorati Tags: Orange,Design Trends,Eco-Friendly,Fabrics,Wallpaper