Great Greens

Hi, Christine!

Excellent advice, as usual. I have a question and I don't know if it merits an email or not. I remember reading a post of yours a long time ago about greenery, and how you really get what you pay for in fake greenery. The thing is, I never see any nice, expensive greenery! I must not be shopping at the right places, because I've been keeping my eye out for them for a while. Where do you buy good fake plants?

- Jenn

Hi Jenn,

Well- I will tell you that if I were looking for nicer plants, I would go to some local wholesale sources, or to the design center in San Francisco.  However- that probably doesn't help you, or the average person living some place across the country.  Here are a few ideas:

1.  Check furniture stores.  Pottery World is a local boutique style furniture store- not your "Ashley Furniture" type- but rather your boutique type. For those that live locally- it is a great source- for others- look for similar shops. 

2.  Find a local interior designer, and ask him/ her. 

3.  Look online.  Like anything else- they can be purchased online.  I have purchased some of Uttermost's silks for clients before.  Also try Laura Ashley brand.  Their plants are pretty good looking, but I still think their containers are small.  I think large plants should have very large containers.  Big pretty containers are as important as the plant. 

For the REALLY good stuff- I'd ask a designer.  We have our sources.  ;-)

I feel like my answer needs some help.  Dos anyone out there have some good sources for Jenn?

Greenery Do's and Don'ts

Hi Christine!
You helped me a while ago with my family room, and I'm so glad you did. It is still a work in progress, but it looks and feels so much better. We made some of the changes and I am working on fixing the rest. If I've already made a mistake, I'm sure you will let me know. I finally bought some fabric for curtains for the family room and kitchen. It is a burnt orange color that ties in with the rug (much more bold than the temporary drapes I put up). I'm trying to decide if I want to add a border to the top or bottom of the floor length curtains in a light color. I looked through several of your postings and can't find any curtains that have that, so is that not a good idea? Should I just use the one fabric for all of the curtain? If you think a border would be okay, would you put it on the top or bottom? and how wide should the border be (1/3 rule)?
My last question is about plants. I have tried to keep real plants alive and I just don't have the hang of it. I would like to add greenery to my house and don't know where to start. I don't have many shelf spaces to place small plants on, so I was thinking of getting some larger fake plants or trees. Do you have any guidelines for adding greenery? The first place I would like to add a large plant is in the corner by the curtains and the black chairs.
I just love your advice. Thanks in advance!
Wendy

Hi Wendy,

Fist of all- adding a border to your curtains is a fine idea.  Should you go with the one third rule?  That is a good question.  When I have done a second fabric in a panel for clients, I have always kept it to around 12- 18 inches for my accent fabric.  One third seems a little large to me for this kind of treatment.  However- it is bold and not necessarily a mistake to go that way.  Don't make the break in fabrics line up with other strong lines in the room- like the fireplace mantle- etc.   Last week I received an ad from Ann Taylor Loft in the mail that discussed the "new proportions"- describing the one third rule as it applies to fashion.  Funny how I consider it in interiors all day long- but never gave it a thought as I dress myself.  I tell people not to cut their walls in half all the time and realize that I sometimes cut my own body in half.  (I'm gong to stop doing that!)

On to your not- green thumb greenery.  I suffer from the same lack of green thumb myself.  My grandfather gave me a plant when he came over for Christmas dinner and it's still alive.  That's downright shocking around here.  (I didn't say healthy-- but still alive...  )  I say it must be the type of plant.  (Of course I have no idea what type it is)  Which brings me to thought #1- get plants at a nursery where people that know a thing or two about what's most hardy- and can tell you how to care for them- to help you make your purchases.  I used to buy plants at the swap meet down in Orange County when I lived down there.  I literally did not speak the same language as the nice folks selling me the plants.  No wonder I killed them all so quickly. 

#2- Number two is for when you really give up- which- other than the plant my grandfather gave me- I have.  I am just too busy at this point of my life to introduce one more living thing into this home that I am responsible for.  Topiaries look fake when they are real- so I say- they look real when they are fake.  Check out the nice topiary below.  Is it real? Is it fake?  Who knows?  That's what we like about them!

#3- Cut flowers.  Whether from your yard or your grocery store- I love simple cut flowers.  If arranging them nicely when you bring them into your home is hard for you- go with all one flower  (say- all Gerber daises, all  sunflowers or all hydrangeas) rather than a bunch of mixed flowers- it is super easy- and just as pretty.  Whenever I have anything blooming in my yard- I love to use those as well.

#4  Grass is a popular look in the past few years- and also a good looking fake.  Of course if you do have a green thumb- this would also be great for juicing.  ;-)

#5- Just go cut some branches off of your tree outside and bring them in.  A fantastic look. 

#6.  Greenery doesn't have to be green- branches that are both not green and also not alive qualify as greenery in my book.  Keep the dust off, and enjoy your brown branches.

Specificaly you mentioned that you wanted a large plant in the corner.  My advice there- if you are getting a fake one- spend the most you can afford.  The plants that are over $1000 are terrific, over $300 aceptable, and under $100...   yeah- I am not going to go there- I will start offending my friends and neighbors again.  Check out this post on greenery in the bathroom- and this post on green centerpieces.

Photos today from Pretty Stuff.

The Fabulous Dining Room

I got my new Town and Country magazine today- and just loved this beautiful dining room. Take a close look at the gorgeous details. The large mirror is a fantastic example of perfect scale in wall decor. I love the upholstered chairs and bench. The variety this gives the room over wood chairs paired with a wood table is huge to the success overall of the room. Another element that I love is the Roman shades. The sheer fabric and light texture is great- and having them half closed gives the room another important design element- rhythm. What I really wanted to show you- is what a difference the fresh flowers make in the room. Look at the top photo and then the bottom photo- they are both photographs of the same room- but only the lower showing the flowers. They bring the room to life! So- go- get some fresh flowers! bring your dining room to life today.

Wallpaper Wednesday

I wanted to show you a beautiful paper that I saw in my new Elle Decor magazine. It is from DeGournay. The treatment is a hand painted silk. While we are looking at the room- I absolutely love the brass table. The table is custom made and the chairs are late 19th century antiques- really the perfect combination. I have mentioned before, and want to bring to your attention the difference that fresh greenery makes. The simple arrangement of cut branches really brings this room to life. Imagine the room without it- big difference, huh? Go cut some branches from your yard and bring them inside.

What do you think?

Kentucky Mama's Bedroom

Christine,
I'm attaching pictures of my small bedroom for some decorating help. The size of the bedroom is 12x12. Things I love about the bedroom is my bedding from Restoration Hardware, which is a paisley print in Celery, and my print above the nightstand. I love the look of upholstered headboards, but right now it's not an option. I had this furniture before I moved into the house, so I've done my best with making the flow work best.

My questions for you are:
1. What kind of lighting would you recommend? I want to get rid of the ceiling fan. I attached a picture from overstock of a light that I'm really liking right now.
2. What about bedside lighting? Would you replace the lamp with something bigger to scale or a sconce on each side of the bed? Would that be too many shades with the ceiling light too?
3. Do I need a rug? If so, what kind and what size? How would you suggest placing it?
4. What are your other ideas for art work? Like I said, I really like my print I have in there. Should I get the other one that is included in the set for the other side of the bed to balance things out?
5. I need help with window treatments. I have no idea though.
6. At the end of the bed, i have a cheap flimsy mirror and a basket that holds my "morning routine" I get ready in my bedroom every morning to avoid waking my daughter. I attached a couple of pictures for some ideas I came up with. One is a floor length mirror from Ballard Designs. It is called The Stella. The stacked basket idea came from Velvet and Linen blog. This would be great for extra storage and hide my blowdryer, etc.

I'd love to hear your ideas. I also posted my bedroom on my blog with more images if you are curious
http://elizabeth-kentuckymama.blogspot.com/2009/11/blah-blah-bedroom-decorating-advice.html

Thanks for a great blog!
Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth,

You are off to a good start in your bedroom- and I will help you finish. Consider these things:

1. Furniture Arrangement


2. Texture


3. Lighting

First of all. You need to re-arrange your room. I don't want to hear any excuses- or reasons to keep it where it is- because it needs to move. Your headboard should not be on that wall. Move your headboard to the wall adjacent to the wall with the door. I only see three walls in your pictures- I assume the fourth has a closet. Put your headboard on the wall with no window, and no door. Put your large dresser piece on the wall where your headboard currently is. There. That's better.

Now, let's add some texture- look around your room- it is completely void of interesting texture.

I also really like your art work. It is about the right scale to be above your night stand. I only see one night stand. Don't get a second piece of art without getting a second night stand. You are fine with just one. You do need something large above the bed. Your headboard is too low to go without. Don't get another piece of art- they would compete with each other on the same wall. I selected a piece of alternative wall decor for you- the piece above is from Uttermost. It is 44 x 44- and would fill the space perfectly.

The mirror you like from Ballard Designs is great- and adds some shiny texture. I like your idea of the silhouettes- use those on another wall- and a plate collage on the last wall.

In addition to that- add greenery. I'd get a nice large piece and put it on top of the dresser. Also- get a good plant in a large pot- put it in a corner- add an uplight and put it on a timer.

Yes- add an area rug. The one at the top of the post is a faux sheep skin. It would seriously up the style factor- as well as the coziness factor. Rug from Homedecorator.com

Texture can also be brought in with your bedding. Your bedding is nice- but incomplete. Add a fluffy blanket at the base of the bed, or put one on your bed and fold back the duvet. Now add at least one accent pillow with a different texture.

The sixth place I'd like to see you introduce texture is with a bolder window treatment. Now that the bed is moved- add full length drapery panels. I would lose the cornice- but then I am not a big cornice fan. Add at least two more patterns while you are at it- you have one- and need a minimum of three. One on the drapes- one on the accent pillow.

Thirdly- we need to improve lighting. Put your small lamp on the tall dresser. Put it on a timer and consider it accent lighting. Replace your ceiling fan with a chandelier like the one above from Uttermost. (This alone will make a huge difference in the room.) Add a larger table lamp on the nightstand. As I have said before- it is such a common mistake to have too small a lamp on your nightstand. The bottom of the shade should be above your head when sitting in bed reading. I'd say a minimum height of 36 inches. (generally speaking.) The lamp below is similar to the one from your post- but coordinates with the chandelier I selected. Your two choices were "OK"- but mine work together a little better. (and yet they are not part of a matching set.)

There you are- furniture arrangement (do that today), texture, and lighting. Your room will really look spectacular. Send us some after pics!

As a post script- I don't like your ceiling color with your wall color- I would change the ceiling color. Make it a darker shade of your wall color- not too dark. It will be cozy.

Happy New Year!

XOXO

Christine