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Creating Architectural Details

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

One reference book that I look at often for ideas and inspiration is “Decorating With Architectural Details:

arch details

I love this book because it is a great reference for architectural styles, resources and well written, easy to follow basic information to help the homeowner understand everything from your basic trim work to how to make add-ons look built in.

Most of this book deals with more elaborate architectural details such as mantels, window seats, shelving, passageways, shutters, staircase accents and so many other ideas. Plenty of photos and directions to follow. Check it out if you can.

arch3

source

So you can imagine my delight, when a lovely reader, Kathleen, sent me a few photos of her home showing me her living room before & after:

living room (3)

Wow! Doesn’t it look so great? I am really impressed with her originality and unique molding ideas that she built by herself. And also look at what a huge difference she made in the room by painting the balustrades white. Now they do not stand out and seem to actually make the room look larger. Beautiful!

I asked if I could share her photos and how she made them and she said,

“ Hi Kelly…

Sure go ahead, I don’t mind at all, you may use my name… I share my tips all the time … if you’re somewhat handy with tools and have a place to do it, I would say : Go ahead, it’s fun and worth it… just always make sure you start with a plan, measurements and … calculate everything twice I’m sure it will turn out beautifully… share pictures.”

Directions:

“I knew how much of that wall I wanted finished, so I paneled and painted that bit white (Benjamin Moore, Dune White). Then I went to Home Depot and bought a big board of MDF and had the men cut it in strips of 12 cm height each. When I came home I started with the horizontal beams first (screw in the studs), followed with the vertical ones (glue in place). I had some beadboard left over from our stairs (that’s another project we did with success) and used that to bring some interesting architectural texture in place. Then I filled in the cracks with caulking and had the whole thing drying for a day… next day, I painted the whole paneled wall… 2 times. I bought 3 mirrors in a hardware store and glued them in place, this way it was reflecting some natural light into the place. I guess the whole project took me a weekend (and no hubby and was very cheap….”

panelwall living (3)

Bravo Kathleen! I would be so proud of myself. Thanks so much for sharing.

after

In either a contemporary or traditional home, just a few separate pieces of molding can create a spectacular and original architectural design in your home. What do you think of Kathleen’s project? Do you have any questions for her? Very creative and original idea! Love it! Thanks again Kathleen!

More beautiful architectural detail:

arch4

source

arch5

Lauren Leonard Interiors

Look at how this five-color paint scheme plays up the architectural detail of this home:

happyhouse

source

So pretty, don’t you think? A very happy house!

If you need help designing your next project, contact me today.

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Posted in Dear Kelly, Decorating Hints & Tips, Interior Decorating | 6 Responses »
Tags: decorating, Decorating ideas, detail, dramatic, focal wall, living room, molding, trim work, update, wallcoverings

Pretty in Paisley

Wednesday, March 9th, 2011

Don’t you just love a gorgeous paisley print?

Seacrest Luxe Paisley Ties

Resembling a twisted teardrop, the kidney shaped paisley is Iranian and Indian in origin, but its western name derives from the town of Paisley, in central Scotland.
In Tamil the design is known as mankolam and has long been used in India. It resembles a mango and has sometimes been associated with Hinduism.
In Persian, the design is known as “”boteh jegheh” and has long been used in Iran since the Sassanid Dynasty.

-Quoted from wikipedia.

Paisley is a timeless classic. The South Asian tear drop-shaped motif is based on mangoes of the region and suggests bounty and fulfillment.

The bold, spiral pattern may be an intimidating choice when decorating a home, but the contemporary versions of paisley are not even close to the pattern on a grandma’s shawls.

Pottery Barn

Whether it’s wall art, wall covering, or wall decals, adding paisley to the walls is a fun way to incorporate its allure.

Try to avoid pairing paisley with other patterns – the pattern print is statement enough without adding anything else.

As far as color goes, though the traditional shades appear in reds, burgundies and golds, don’t be afraid to try paisley in unconventional colors like blue, yellow or even pink.

Bel's Nook

You can hang oversized paisley-patterned wallpaper in an office or study for a modern feel. Or you can choose to go with soft colors or tone-on-tone patterns to keep the space clean and distinctive.

: Graham & Brown

Get playful, whimsy or sophisticated with pops of paisley in jewel tones or in a pastel palette.

Still feeling a little intimidated by the power of paisley? Here are some tips to help you use the bold pattern in your home:

• If a large surface is covered in paisley,
keep the rest of the room’s decor neutral.
Beige and gray are safe bets, or pick
one shade from the pattern to use as an
accent.
• Whether it’s a little paisley or a lot, try
to limit a room’s paisley quotient to one
general location: one piece of furniture,
one accent wall, etc.
• Paisley patterns range from very small,
which appear more conservative, to exaggerated
and bohemian versions. Consider
the scale of a given space, but don’t
be afraid to use a bold pattern in a small
room, such as a large paisley print in a
powder room.

Houzz

Another way to bring just a ‘pop’ of paisley in a room is using art work for the walls:

Just beautiful! Do you like working with paisley prints? Which pattern/colors above is your favorite? I really love that first dress, the second photo and the last pastel picture. Wait!! I like them all except the traditional print with the burgundy and gold. Comments?

If you need help making your home beautiful and happy, contact me today!

Bringing Back Your Dining Room, part 2

Tuesday, March 1st, 2011

Continuing with quick and affordable ideas to help bring your dining room back into real time.

Number Five:

Crown Molding:

myFinishCarpentry.com

Crown molding today can be done quickly and inexpensively with all the many available resources that we have today. Just take a look at your local lumber yard for example, where there are so many different styles and prices in molding. Here at HGTV, you can learn how to install molding, how to make faux molding, how to use molding for shelves and mirrors and many other helpful ideas. It really dresses up a room, don’t you agree? If you have been considering adding crown molding to your home, this is a perfect room in which to start.

Amanda Nisbet

Number Four:

Your chairs and seating. As you know, chairs do not have to match with the table anymore. If you can not afford brand new chairs, why don’t you give your old, used chairs a chance? Paint them, change the old fabric in the seats, or you can use a slip cover for a fresh, new look.

RMSer ebonie.

Crate&Barrel has an extensive collection of slipcovers at great prices. You can always find dining chairs at yard sales that can be brought back to life. Think of how you will smile every time you walk in you knowing you did them yourself. I love to see mix and matching chairs, but I always suggest to have pairs in the mix (For example, 4 chairs= 2 sets, 6 chairs= 2-3 pairs).

House Beautiful

Number Three:

That Old Fashioned Hutch.

image 2235029691-3

I am not talking about antique, I am talking just old and outdated and top heavy. I know, I know… you need it for storage. But I am only talking about the top. Did you know that most all of the hutch tops can be taken off? It will be like a new piece of furniture. A flat top where you can make a beautiful tablescape! I would look into this option if I were you to help really lighten the room up.

Number Two:

Painting the walls! Paint is the quickest, least expensive way to completely transform a room. How long has it been you have painted? If the walls are white or beige, why not try bringing in some color?

Gary McBournie

( I know I use this picture above a lot, I just love it!) Or, if your room is painted a darker color, maybe a soft neutral would be a beautiful transformation.

Bunny Williams

Number one:

Your dining room table centerpiece. Nothing will make the room more chic and stylish than a beautiful center arrangement.

Barry Dixon

I am not talking about laying out the whole table for everyday (I think the full table settings are beautiful for guests, but for everyday? More to dust. Forget that!) . I am suggesting a beautiful centerpiece that does not have to be complicated, just a thoughtful, simple arrangement that makes you smile when you look at.

Pottery Barn

This is a look I love below: fresh flowers, stack of small plates, colorful napkins.

Allison Caccoma

Look how fun this arrangement is below with flowering branches:

Chris Barrett

Just a beautiful bowl of fruit looks pretty.

Myra Hoefer Design

Betsy Burnham

Use your imagination with cool pieces you already own. Try with one piece or three or five. Another way to bring back your dining room to a fresh, new space you love.

Comments? Other ideas to share?

If you need help bringing back you dining room so that you can enjoy again, contact me today!

The ‘I Can’t Get It Right Wall’

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Have you ever painted/papered a wall that you immediately disliked the moment you were finished?? This is my wall:

That was my second attempt on this wall. At first, when we started the basement project, I wanted to just hurry up and paint it to be done. I painted it BM Raisin Torte 2083-10.

It was ok, but I thought it was just too boring. So then I convinced my husband to help me wallpaper which was a BIG mistake on my part. As I told you at the end of my last post here , I disliked the wallpaper the minute it was up. Too loud for me. My husband did not like it either! He refused to help me with the wall anymore (but honey, it has been about 5 months already! haha). But I knew how bad I wanted it off so I began to scrap off the paper:

And scrape:

Bringing back any memories of your own scraping? And then 11 hours later, the wall was finally clean and clear!

Ta Da! My hands hurt really bad even as I type this , but I was very happy to get it done over the weekend. The painting came next- that was the easy part!

This is the new Ben Moore ‘Color Stories’ baltic sea cs-310. I wanted to use the new paint and check out the results for myself. I had it mixed with the Aura formula and as usual, the paint went on so smooth and easy. Drying time was only one hour between coats. And with the promise of a rich, beautiful shade here, the texture and depth was better than I could have imagined. It is a beautiful color product.

The first painted picture above is a more accurate color representation. It is more of a tealy blue. It is beautiful! I am done with this wall! (for now… )

Have you ever disliked the color that you were painting right away? Did you paint/paper over it right away? Or did you live with it for awhile like me and tell yourself it is not so bad…

I just loved the new BM ‘Color Stories’ paint. It really is a step beyond what we expect in a paint, very rich and gorgeous. Hope you get a chance to use soon!

Comments? Bad wall stories you would like to share?

If you need help choosing the right paint color, contact me today!

Peek At New Ben Moore “Color Stories”

Help Selecting Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore Introduces New Color Palette

A Warm or a Cool Room?

Would you like that Shiny or Flat?

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Posted in Before & After Pictures, ben moore, color, Interior Decorating, Paint Color Selection Help | 4 Responses »
Tags: babel's, baltic sea cs-310, ben moore, blue, color, contemporary, decorating, do over wall, new products, paint selection, painting, update, wallcoverings