Abby's Living Room

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's. Abby sent me pictures of her living room as well. I wanted to address four things to work on in here.

1. Focal Point. Can anyone find a focal point? Anyone? Without a fireplace or terrific view- it is up to you to create a focal point. In this room, I would have the focal point be the wall that currently has the one picture on it over the sofa. To begin with though- we need to move the furniture.

Pull the sofa that is on the window wall away from the wall about 18 inches or so- and put the other sofa opposite it. Then put the two chairs on angles at the end of the seating area by the entry. You could have them square or on an angle- try both ways and see which you prefer. Now we have positioned the furniture to frame the focal point. Now- go buy the focal point. On a large wall like that- I would get a large piece of display furniture- like the one below.

2. You need a larger rug. A much larger rug. At least an 8 x 10- even larger perhaps.
The one below is from Martha Stewart's new line.

3. Add some drapes. They don't need to be anything with a pattern- but definitely add texture- like the cream velvet drapes from Pottery Barn below.

4. Finish off the space with a beautiful grasscloth like the one at the top of the post. BTW- I love the large mirror- not crazy about the torchier lamps. ;) Also- I would do a series of prints going up the stairway- or a cool patterned wallpaper. One more thing- I introduced a little terracotta in the rug- repeat that somehwere- perhaps even just in a small throw pillow- or a tape on the drapes.

I want to also add a comment about your trim. In your entry- stair area- it looks nice. I have no doubt that it is the same size as the moulding over your fireplace that I said yesterday was way too small. Whereas I still think it would all look better with larger molding- the fact that you have little to no contrast in your paint color really works to your advantage. With it all being an off white- you don't have the contrast that draws attention to the size of the moulding. Your fireplace itself- which I also think is on the small side- would look MUCH better in a color pallet like you have in your entry. That dark red next to the white MAKES it look small. Lower contrast is your friend. In previous posts I have mentiond to people to paint their ceilings a different color than their crown moulding. All of this is the same idea. When it is great- and you want to show it off- have contrast- when the size is small- go with less contrast- it will look nicer to NOT draw attention to it.

I was much nicer than yesterday- huh?

XOXO

- Christine

How to Create a Pickled or Ceruse Finish

I have discussed in the past what I called "today's white wash". In this discussion I had several readers ask me how to create it. To which I reply- I am not that kind of designer- I am not a "Martha Stewart" do it yourselfer. Instead- I am the kind of designer that knows where to purchase wonderful pieces.

However- this morning I was reading my August Martha Stewart magazine- and read an article that I thought some of you might appreciate- on creating a "pickled" or "ceruse" finish. I thought I would go over the 7 step process.

1. Strip the original finish.
2. Fill in small holes and chips with wood filler.
3. A light torching begins to open the filaments inside the grain. (be careful :)
4. Before staining- go over the furniture with a wire brush to further open the grain.
5. Apply a black alcohol based stain with a bristle brush- and use a rag to smooth it out. The number of coats will depend on the wood.
6. When the stain is dry- rub in a transparent water based sealer that locks in the color.
7. Rub on a white wax by hand and then force it into the grain with a bristle brush and terry cloth. Rub off excess with steel wool.
8. Remove the white from the surface- but it stays in the grain- so the wood pattern remains.

Compare these nice step by step directions with these or these. I especially like the response that begins, "I'm guessing." Who would write in if they have to guess? Anyway- I am inspired to try it myself. If any of you do- take some pictures and let us know how it goes! Now- where do I get a torch? Do you think my creme brulee one would work?

I'm sure if we wait a month- there would have been a nice link to Martha's site for this info- but I wasn't able to find one today- I think you are all supposed to go buy her magazine. ;)

Bed Making 101

I want to take a break from Sonia's bedroom to address in detail- how to make a bed. There are many good and "correct" ways to make a bed- and putting into words "how" to do it has taken some thought. I am not going to discuss the specifics of hospital corners- Martha Stewart can teach you that- click here. But rather- I want to show you what to do with your bedding. There are a few little things that can help you to have a really beautiful bed- in many cases without purchasing anything- but rather just making your bed differently.

1. Puffy Pillows. I already went into detail on your pillows in this post. In addition to that advice on pillows- I also want to mention that your pillow puffiness makes a huge difference in the overall look of your bed. Look at Sonia's pillows. Those are what I call "dead fish" pillows. (No offense Sonia- lots of people have pillows like yours.) Now look at the pillows above- what a difference. I hear people say- "Oh, but I love that pillow- I can't sleep without it.. blah blah... " If you insist on keeping your pillow- but still want your bed to look better- you could hide your flat pillow under a more significant pillow. If you have "dead fish" pillows- new ones are the place to start.
2. While we are talking about puffiness- let's go to your duvets out there. My sister-in-law is a "stylist," meaning that she makes beds for Pottery Barn and other magazines to prepare for the photographer. She told me once that they frequently will use two inserts in a duvet cover. Let me tell you what I did- and let me know if it sounds at all familiar to any of you. My DH and I moved up from a queen to a king. With this came the expense not only of the mattress, but also the furniture, and of course, the bedding. When it came down to it- I had spent and spent- and when it came to the down duvet insert- I had no money left- and so I went to Target and purchased an inexpensive one. This was about two years ago. Today- the down is mostly at the end of the comforter. Even with pounding- it doesn't last a week. The down is also shrinking-(at least it seems like it)- there is no padding at all on the left eighteen inches of the insert. I need to go out and get a nice quality insert. A little trick I learned from my mom is to sew little ribbons onto the corners of the insert- and also on the inside corners of the duvet cover- tying them in place so you don't get the undesired movement of the insert- leaving a flat left side, or top side- etc. OK- now that we have fluffy pillows and comforters- let's go on.
3. Wrinkles are not pretty- ever. I used to have some "Calvin Klein" sheets that I hated. Let me describe them to you. They had a thread count of 275 (not especially high). I personally am not really concerned about thread count- but rather the look and comfort of the sheets. Anyway- these sheets were chronically horribly wrinkled right at the top of the flat sheet- where you wanted it to look good. They were not especially inexpensive, and I loved the color and pattern of them- but the wrinkles... UUGGHHH!! I hated it. I found myself trying to take them out of the dryer sooner- still wrinkled. I would flatten them by hand and then hang them to dry- still not really flat. I would frequently find myself ironing them. I have four kids, a house to maintain and a job. I don't have time to iron sheets. My new sheets are great- I love them. They have a higher thread count- and whereas they are not perfect- I don't have that unhappy "I need to iron these sheets" feeling. You do not have to pay a lot of money for sheets that don't wrinkle- jersey knit and Kimlor sheets don't wrinkle- and they are very affordable. Now you have the correct pillows, your have a fluffy bed where it is supposed to be fluffy, and your bedding is not wrinkled. OK- now let's go on.
4. The rule of thirds. Many of you are aware of the rule of thirds. Wainscoting- I have addressed before- looks better at 1/3 up the wall or 2/3 up the wall. The third looks good. It is visually calming. It doesn't draw attention to itself in an unpleasant or uncomfortable way. You don't have to divide your bed into thirds to make it look great- but it is something that I frequently do with clients, and have done in my own home. Let me show you a few ways to do this. Keep in mind that we don't need to pull out the tape measure with this- approximately 1/3 is fine. Sometimes this is done by pulling down the top third- this can be done by pulling down the sheets and everything, the blankets, just the spread or duvet- it depends on your colors and patterns of your bedding- and what look you are going for- but the point is you pull it down 1/3. The second way to do this is by folding a quilt, duvet, or matelasse, and laying it at the bottom 1/3 of the bed. Look again at Sonia's bed. The quilt at the bottom of the bed is more like 1/4- whereas being exactly 1/3 is not important- it is important to be close to it. Can you see how her quilt is folded too narrowly? Compare hers to the picture below- where the quilt is closer to the 1/3. Can you see how it is nicer visually? You can also divide your bed into thirds by doing both of these things- 1/3 down from the top- AND 1/3 placed on the bottom. Look at the bed at the very top of this post- here is a good example of the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3. So- look at the beds in this post- are they 1/3- 2/3, 2/3- 1/3, or 1/3- 1/3- 1/3. Sometimes your 1/3 at the top can be all pillows. I love the look of lots of pillows- but have found that most people don't really want to deal with these on a daily basis. I like to use this look in a guest room.

   

Check out the photos in this post. Notice how Caitlin's folded piece at the base of the bed is too small, and notice also how the Land of Nod bed has a terrific 1/2 - 2/3. The photo above- 1/3 - 1/3 - 1/3. I think that in the photo below- it is a little too close to 1/2. I would pull the turquoise up a little.

Check out Laurie's bed in this post. There is no break up of the bed at all. I would say that 95% of the time- that is not the ideal. Check out the same situation in Sara's bedroom. The photo below is 1/3 - 2/3 with the top 1/3 in pillows.

Would I ever break this rule- and not break up the bed into thirds? - Sure- there are definitely exceptions. Daybeds are always exceptions. And then there are custom spreads like the ones below- you can take one look at it- see that it is a fantastic look, and yet also note that there is no break in the bed at all.

So- there you go- my longest post ever- and on something as every day as making the bed. I hope I don't have you snoring. :) Congratualtions to all of you who made it to the end of the post. To me- this is like the difference between just throwing forks and plates on the table and actually taking the time to set a beautiful table. Create something beautiful and instead of a chore it is a creative beautifying experience. Look at the photos in the post and see what speaks to you- do you have a favorite look? Now- go make your bed.

XOXO

Christine

Photos from Elle Decor and Veranda

Easter Time Already?

Do you decorate for Easter? If you plan on getting any new Easter decorations- now is the time. I thought I'd give you a few ideas. I love the bright pink plate added to the white above- as well as the ribbons. Start with some good white basics- and then a little Easter goes a long way.

A ceramic bunny, fresh flowers, and a homemade garland. I like the use of the velum.

If you have a modern interior- use more modern looking decorations- a more provincial or traditional interior- be consistent. These top four photos have been from Family Circle.

Nothing says spring like fresh flowers.

The lace eggs above, as well as the next five photos came from Martha Stewart- so you can get instructions from her site on how to pull it off .

I don't have the patience of a "Martha Stewart" type decorator- maybe when the kids are older. Something like this would be a fun project for "girl's night."

The monochromatic look is so sophisticated. I went all green on my Christmas tree a few years ago- it was great- but my family revolted. They all wanted to see some red...

Those little bunny silhouettes are fabulous. So simple- but so great.

I really liked these votives- what a great addition to the Easter table!

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers. (along with peonies :)

The photo above, and the two below it are from Country Living.

Do you have great handwriting like this? I wish I did.

OK- so I know this one has nothing to do with decorating- I just liked that chick. :)

For those of you that don't have the time or desire to make your own decorations- I thought I'd show you a few from one of my favorite sources- K& K. I'll start with a couple of wreaths.

They have a whole line of fake chocolate decorations- lots of chocolate bunnies to choose from, and this great chocolate wreath.

Stacked boxes, wood lettering, and charming resin rabbits.

They also have great faux flowers and a lot of cute signs.

Their moss collection is wonderful. They have a couple of oversized pieces that I especially like.

Hey- Happy Easter! I know it is still February- but it really is the time to prepare. What else is there to do the second half of February anyway?