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.

Beach House Mirrors

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's. (Debra's Beach House) I didn't address the large wall opposite the wall of windows. On this wall- I wanted to suggest mirrors. Your view is fabulous- so let's double it! I would use a set of mirrors- or collage of different mirrors. Remember that you are loosely trying to balance the large windows on the left, with large mirrors on the right. Don't go too small. I like the idea of using some interesting frames. The shell frame can give you that beach feel- or go with some ornate mirrors- like the others in the post. These are all from Oly- but sometimes you can pick up cool mirrors like these at flea markets or yard sales. You can get some bright gold frames- or other unwanted finishes and paint them. I can see them in different colors- pulling in the different tones in the rug- or all in white- or all bright yellow. Remember though- not too small- even if you had a large enough volume of small mirrors to give you balance- you lose your reflection- which we don't want to do. I can picuture your place- and it looks great! Now- I need to get myself a beach house!

Sonia's Bedroom Part II- the Night Stands

Today's post is a continuation of this one- for Sonia's bedroom- where she asked: "What do I do with the empty wall spaces above the nightstands?"

What would I do? I would add a decorative mirror above each. I feel like different art would compete too much with your horses. Mirrors will not.

Remember to have a little overlap with your lamp shade- don't hang them entirely over the shade.

These mirrors (from Uttermost) range from between 18 and 21 inches square. Anything in there would be a good size.

You could also do four mirrors- with two on either side- like the way the art is hung below. You just want to make sure that you are well below the top of the horse picture- so I would measure it and draw it out before purchasing.

Also- check out this post on decorating the night stand. One thing that would be good to add to yours is a vase of sticks or pussy willows or something like the arrangement below. Add them on the left- away from your plant.

See the pictures above the lamps below? See how they just barely hit the top of the lamp shade? I think they are hung too high. Make sure your mirrors are below your shade by about four inches.

Adding the mirrors will give more balance to your wall, which right now is a little too high centered. You will really like the feel of the addition. Thanks to House Beautiful and Veranda for the photos.

Christine

Form and Function

Christine,
I saw your design blog and wanted to enlist your help. I have a space in my entry way that I want to decorate. I'm also limited on space in my house so I was hoping to make it functional as well. When you walk in my front door you see our stairway that curves around and the white wall below it. The first picture shows the wall from the front door. In the 2nd picture I've turned around showing you the front door with the stairs so you can get a sense of the space. I was planning to put some kind of table with plant/decorations on the wall below the stairs it but what I really need is a place for coats/boots etc. I have six kids and the house has no coat closet. We live in Utah so we use coats or jackets a big part of the year. I thought maybe I could put a wardrobe there but that seems so boring and I have no idea where to find one. The wall is 5' wide and 63" high from it's lowest point going up to the 2nd story. I want the entry way to be inviting but I also need the space to be usable. Do you have any ideas? Thanks for being so generous with your time,
Michelle

Hi Michelle,

Let me start by saying that that your entry has a lot of potential- but it is untapped potentential. The wall with the entrty door is very symetrical. Remove the picture- and go symetrical on your wall decor- with two matching mirrors. The one above from Uttermost is 30 x 60. This would also be a fantastic location for two generously sized sconces.

I found a storage chest from Decorize that had a lot of "functionality" for you. But with more style than an armoire. This is the first look that people get of your house- this is your focal point. Also- armoires are usually more like 80 inches in height. This piece could give each child a spot for mittens and hats, as well as an "inbox" for paperwork. The small door could house a stray coat or pair of boots.

Your walls are really putting me to sleep. I selected some wallpaper for you from York. This deep bluish gray would be beautiful.

For your rug, consider a "runner" size. It appears that you have the length for it, and whereas the entry is not deep, it is also not small, and the little rug is out of scale for the room. The rug above is from Momeni.

It will be gorgeous!

The Blingy Bath

Hi!

I found your blog when I searched google for ceiling tile paintable wallpaper, lol. I was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice on my powder bathroom. I'm having a hard time taking the plunge. (Heh. plunge.) I have a small powder bathroom. 5' 8"x 5' with 8 foot ceiling. We have a sconce-type light above the mirror, and a recessed light to one side above the toilet. No windows/natural light. Here is my idea for the room - you tell me if it could work without looking like a cave, or too top heavy. I wanted to put paintable ceiling tile wallpaper around the bottom half of the wall, like a wainscot, paint that a creamy or shimmery white, and add a chair rail molding, then paint the top half of the walls black. Then add crown around the ceiling. I'm still not sure do I leave the ceiling white? Then I wanted to hang a small traditional style beaded/crystal chandelier from the recessed light fixture. The fact that it's to one side makes this possible because that way the door doesn't hit it. I don't think i can do candle sconces on either side of the mirror because there is no room on one side and the only fix would be to move the sink. My husband won't go for that, lol. In my head it seems beautiful, but because there isn't any natural light, and it's small, I'm afraid that I'll get it done and realize the room looks too dark. But then again I keep thinking white "wainscot" white fixtures and white accessories should help offset the black. I really hope you have some advice for me, lol. My husband makes me feel like there is no room for trial and error when it comes to projects around the house, and it has made me a nervous wreck. I feel bad asking for your expert advice for nothing in return. I can help you add some bling to your blog if you'd like. I make "Blogicons" which are the little icons that appear in the address bar or tab of your browser. I noticed you have the blogger orange "B". I could make a custom one for you in exchange for some decor advice! :) Here is a better explanation of the blogicon. http://yourblogicon.blogspot.com/ Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from you!!
CaraStarr

Dear Cara,

Let me help you plan more of a fail-proof plan for your room. I do worry about the black walls. I appreciate powder bathrooms that have dark wall color- but if I were to go with your plan- I would bring the wainscot up to more like a five foot level.

Want a safer plan? Add texture and pattern in your wallpaper- and have it go all the way to the ceiling- no black at all. The paper below is from Candice Olson's wallpaper book, Dimensional Surfaces. It is hard to tell how fabulous it is from this picture- but you should go check it out- or send me your address and I will have a sample sent to you. It is a faux wood grain- with a reflective mirror type texture to it. Very Cool.

I like your idea of bringing lights down in more of a side by side sconce look- check out this bathroom below- the lights are installed right on the frame of the mirror. Maybe you have more room than you thought. Install them on the frame- install them on the mirror itself. It is a great look. (Make sure your lights are small enough).

Consider a unique pendant light like the one above from Uttermost in lieu of a chandelier. I am here to keep you on the cutting edge...

And for your ceiling. I couldn't find a picture of this- so just follow me here. Use 12 x 12 or similar sized mirrors on the ceiling- adding metal tiles (2 x 2)- like the ones above- at intersecting tiles. This will give you some pizazz and bling that will make the room a showplace in your home.

For your wall- you don't need a towel bar with no shower or tub. I don't have a pictue of your room- but if you are wasting a wall with a towel bar- remove it and add art- like the art I posted at the top. This alone will go a long way to making a beautiful room.

Finish with crown molding and a decent sized base board.

If I haven't given you too much work to do already- I'd love a blogicon- thanks :)