The Acupuncture Clinic Part III

Today's post is a continuation of this one and this one- on Julia's acupuncture clinic. Today I wanted to go over the wall decor in the waiting room. I was thinking about something like my rough sketch below. I would add some dimension to the wall by building out a 30 inch band around- having it extend from the front door to the door to the hall- along all three walls.

I would wrap the band in a grasscloth or burlap. Then I would hang on it some photography. (You would have to build a support underneath the burlap to hang pictures on.) I like Kurt Schaffer- whose pictures I have below. I liked the idea of having white flowers primarily- but a mixture would be needed to fill the area.

I would get the photographs printed on canvas and wrapped. I would order them in all different sizes- starting with the large 36 x 48- but then going smaller. Use a nice mix of different sizes.

Can you picture it? The art that you had selected was nice, but not enough for a large area like you have. There needs to be more interest in a waiting room type situation.

Peonies are my favorite... At then end of your hall- that is the perfect place for a wall fountain.

For the furniture- my first instinct went to items that would far surpass your budget- but then I found this vinyl chair at Scandinavian Design. I like the crisp white, and dark wood. I would use your dark wood reception desk.

On your walls I would use this Mica Chip wallcovering. I also liked it in a light blue. This would be your element of the unexpected. It brings in nature, but also has a contemporary edge to it.

For your flooring, I would do a fusion bamboo- like this one from Green Wood. The high contrast in your room, dark colors mixed with the white will be a sharp modern feel.

I liked your idea of the darker walls in the treatment rooms. I would add the large bamboo wall decor at the top of the post in the rooms. It is from Padma's Plantation.

If you have any money left when you are done with this... I would add a large rectangular concrete or metal planter to the center of the waiting room and plant some zebra bamboo...

Good luck with your new location!

Thank you,

Christine

Jennifer M needs to Bust a Move

Dear Christine,

I've been reading your blog and loving every minute of it! You are so awesome to give your advice so freely. I am really embarrassed to send you pictures of this room because I know it has so many problems. But, I know you are honest and will give me good advice so here goes.

I have been wanting to decorate my living room for awhile now and honestly I just don't know where to begin. It is the room you see when you first come into our house, but we are still in there quite a bit so it needs to be liveable. I want new furniture, a new light fixture(s), carpet, accessories, and wouldn't be opposed to painting,but I'm not sure how to do that without having to paint the whole kitchen too since they share a wall... You will have to- never stop the paint in the middle of the wall. It's no big deal- just one Saturday :) I will likely have to do it in stages too for financial reasons so I hope you can still help me. Almost everyone does this kind of thing in stages- the important thing is to plan it all out before you begin- this keeps you from making mistakes. Where do I start? What should I choose first? I don't know where the focal point should be since there's no fireplace or other obvious focus to the room. Good job recognizing that you need a focal point. By process of elimination- I would have it be the wall adjacent to the window wall. That means that we need something really "cool" on that wall. It isn't a very large space and I have young children so it needs to be family friendly as well as affordable. So, I'm coming to you for advice and inspiration and hopefully enough bravery to actually do something. I guess I'll start by describing the room. The room is 13feet by 14 feet with a banister for the stairs on one wall and a window on the opposite wall. About 4 feet of the longer side is wood floor and really more like the entry way than part of the room because of that. The "dining area" is also visible from the front door if that makes a difference. I want it to feel welcoming and cozy without feeling small or crowded. I would like to get new furniture and I was thinking of a couch and two chairs unless there is a better combination of furniture you know of for this space. (I'd also love to know the best way to arrange the furniture--the piano has to stay in this room) I made a floorplan according to your description and you do not have enough room for a sofa unless you put it along the window wall- which I don't recommend- or along the wall that should be your focal point wall- which would be bad- as it would face the entry wall- go with a love seat. (photo below from Pottery Barn) Keep the scale of your furniture small. In my diagram- I used a 64 x 36 love seat- and two chairs- that are about 32 x 32. The chair above is from Padma's Plantation- I would use different fabric- here is one from Beacon Hill- This type of chair would also be super easy to re-upholster if little kids give it more wear than you would like.but the chair is great- it is only 30 x 32. The taller back gives it the visual weight, however to balance the love seat nicely. Sometimes a smaller footprint takes you to chairs that are visually too small. I also like how this chair gives the room texture and style. This is not very large- make sure you do not purchase pieces that are too big.I have looked at the local furniture stores in my area and just haven't been able to find anything I love enough to buy. I scanned a picture of something I got out of a magazine awhile ago, but the store is no longer in business(see attached). I like the colors in this picture and the shape/feel of the couch. (would you consider that picture contemporary?)A sofa like this can be very transitional in style.- You could find a love seat in a similar style- keep it under 64 inches in width- but also not too small- you want it as close to to 64 inches as you can find. I've been thinking that I'd like to keep the furniture more neutral so it will be more lasting, but still allow me to change things up with accessories. A nice safe way to go when you are not seriously confident about what you love. I'm not sure what to call my style because there are so many different things I like. I don't want it to be too trendy, but I do want to love it. I am open to consider any ideas you have for me.I like all kinds of different colors besides those in the picture too,but I don't have any pics of them. How does the crown molding effect what will look good in the room? Every room looks more polished and finished with crown moulding. My biggest problem is fear that whatever I do is going to look bad so I just don't do anything. Do what I tell you to- and it will look great! If there's anything else you need to know from me feel free to ask. Sorry this is so rambling...Thanks in advance for your help!

Jen M

Hi Jen- where to begin? Let's start with the focal point wall. We are going to turn a plain wall into a beautiful focus of your room. People will walk into your home and their eye will be drawn to the fantastic view of this wall. Start with a furniture piece. I would use a chest- 48 inches wide or so. Here is an option from Decorize: Wouldn't that look great with your two striped chairs next to it? Yes it would. I would say that the chest should be really beautiful- something worth looking at- and eye-catcher- remember- this is your focal point wall- spend your $ here. I like this chest because it introduces a number of different colors- which will keep you from being tied down. Above your table put a mirror- this one is from Uttermost- 37 x 37- way "cooler" in person. I love the nine smaller mirrors. The size is perfect. Put a cool photo gallery on the entry wall- giving the mirror something to reflect. Add two sconces to the wall with the window- one on either side- Add two buffet lamps to the chest. Put them on a timer- have them come on every evening- this will be the ambiance that will make you love this room. You also need a floor lamp on one side of the love seat. These are from Uttermost also. In between the two lamps put some greenery. Put a plant in the corner with an uplight while you are at it.
Move your end table that is next to your piano over by your new love seat. Never put two case pieces next to one another. Of course you need a new ceiling fixture- make sure you don't hang it too high- your current one is way too high. The fixture at the top of the post is from Shades of Light.

Can you picture it? I can- and your room will look fabulous! Go do it! Do it with confidence! Bust a move!

Make Your Home a Vacation of its Own

Kelly was on vacation and saw a Padma's Plantation chair that she liked. She sent me a couple of photos for me to figure out exactly what chair it is.

Hi Christine-

Thank you for checking on this. I am going to send you two photos. The photo with two of the same chairs are for sure Padma's (#BHM11) This number was on the bottom of the chairs. The second photo-is of a single chair. It's in the background with the blue/white pillow on it. I don't know if this is Padma's or not. But, I like this one also.

Thanks, Kelly

This is the chair you saw. It is called the Bahama Breeze Arm Dining chair. It runs $599. I could not find the second chair, but found some that were similar from Padma's Plantation. I thought I'd just show you all of the similar chairs that you could choose from:
I love to use Padma's Plantations pieces here and there in a lot of my jobs- it always adds just the right amount of texture and interest.

Bahama Breeze Chair

Miami Breeze Chair
Urban Chair

Baltimore Occasional Chair

Emperor Dining Chair

Santa Lucia Chair

Outdoor Bay Harbor Lounge Chair

So- everybody, which chair is your personal favorite? I am going to vote for the Emperor Dining chair. I am loving that one!

Thanks Kelly. Let me know if you have any questions about price or availability on any of them.

-Christine

Leigh's Question #1

• Hi,

  I just found your site and it looks great! I’m needing some direction. We just purchase a house that was renovated about 3 years ago and has a Tuscan feel to it because of fixtures, tile, wooden floors, and faux finish walls. But, in the kitchen (photos attached) I’m wondering what could be done to really give it that warm, Tuscan kitchen feel, even more than it is? Or is anything else really needed?

  Can you help me??

  THANK YOU!!!!

Leigh

Dear Leigh,

Let me start by saying that you have a beautiful home. I have broken up your questions, to answer them in different posts- this one is just for your kitchen. What a good question. You can look at your kitchen and see that is has beautiful cabinets, lovely granite counters, gorgeous wood floors, a beautiful travertine backsplash, and faux painted walls. And yet, even with all of that, you still don't look at it and say, "wow! that is a fabulous kitchen!" And so, you ask, "What am I missing?"

Contrast, Texture, and Scale. This is what we need to really make the room look amazing.

• Contrast. Your cabinets are a medium tone, your counters are a medium tone, your backsplash is a medium tone, your walls are a medium tone and your light fixtures are a medium tone. Your floors, thankfully, are dark. Let's add some contrast!! The wallpaper below is from Ronald Redding, Designer Backgrounds. (Did I mention thta I am in LOVE with this book?) A rich dark tone like this would make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!! Get rid of the chair rail. It is too whimpy :)


• Texture. You have a nice texture in your backsplash, but your room could use some more. This could be done with furniture, like the table below from Padma's Plantation. Also- a nice big plant on the table adds a lot.

• Scale. Your wrought iron is too small for your wall when you don't have furniture against the wall. Your wall art should have a relationship with the wall size itself. The piece below is from House in the Country. It is available in a lot of different sizes. Even their largest won't be quite large enough for your wall- I would add a sconce to each side. A piece like this is also a nice choice because the wrapped canvas will CONTRAST with the dark wall. (A wrought iron or dark wood frame would not.) It has some of the cooler tones of your cabinets and backsplash, and some of the warmer tones of your granite.

Your kitchen is beautiful- but you can make it fabulous! Contrast, texture and scale!

For My Husband's Cousin's Wife

A few weeks ago, I went to a family reunion in Idaho, on my husband's side of the family. The reunion was at my husband's cousin's beautiful home. I got to talking to his wife about their basement, which she was wanting to make some changes to. I have been working on it this week. Today's post is my advice for her. She has a large open basement. It is used in part for her Pilates. (she has her own reformer- how cool is that!) The basement is also used for TV watching, children playing, and sometimes the entire area is used for large gatherings.

In a large area like your basement, it works well to visually break it up. One way to do this is with an area rug. Under the seating area, put an area rug (get a nice large 9 x 12). This is also a good place to start with a color pallet. Find an area rug that you love. The one pictured above is from Momeni's Odyssey collection. This is a great place to start. From here you have colors and a style to use in furnishings, wall color, wall art, everything else.

Hang the TV on the wall in between the two windows. (OH- yeah- first get a flat screen TV if you don't have one already.) Under the TV- put a media cabinet like the one above, from West Elm.

Find, or have made, some nice, simple drapery panels. Pull them to the outside of the windows, farthest from the TV- so the wall will go like this: drapery, window, TV, window, drapery. Use the SAME drapery to create a room divider, where your room separates. Get a drapery rod that is ceiling mounted, in an L- shape, like the floor plan that I drew for you. Here you can have the drapery pulled, to create a more intimate, spa atmosphere in the Pilates section, but easily pull it open along the wall when you want to open up the room, and use it as one. Make sure the drapes are to the floor- otherwise this look will be more like a shared hospital room, :) rather than a luxurious spa, and soft living area. You can also partially open it and draw it back on a hook for a great look on an everyday basis. I hope that was clear; let me know if it wasn't. Select a fabric that looks good from both sides, or have double sided drapes made. The photograph is of Restoration Hardware's textured Belgian Linen drapes. Frequently a linen material looks good from both sides, and would work well in a situation like this.

At the end of the room, where the wall angles, mimicking the shape of the bay window on the floor above, have a built-in bench made, to follow the line of the wall. Have it be chair height, with lift up storage for children's toys, blankets, etc. When you use the room for large gatherings, a bench can serve as a good amount of seating. In front of the bench, put two 36 inch tables, side by side, like the drawing. Use two tables instead of one big one for a few reasons:

1. It is a different, unexpected, a cool look.


2. One table can be pulled out and all four chairs put around it for a great card game.


3. When you need to clear the area of the tables for large gatherings, it will be less cumbersome, and easier to move.

This table (above) pictured is from West Elm. It also comes in chocolate.

At your two tables use this Legato Tub chair from Padma's Plantation. Isn't it great? When you walk down the stairs, and look across the room- this is what you are going to see- the back of these chairs. and your large piece of art- what a great view. (I would have them upholstered in a more practical fabric color.)

The far wall, above the built-in bench and two tables, will need a nice large piece or collection of art. This piece below is from Uttermost, (Landscape with Trees) and is a large 80 x 42. Something this size would be great.
Select a great sectional- the largest one you can comfortably fit. You want it to seat a lot of people, as well as fill the space. Check out the Bixby by Nathan Anthony. (I can send you fabrics if you want). Nathan Anthony is a great source for sectionals. They have a lot to choose from- and very cool styles. (as well as great prices)

For a "coffee table"- use two Congo drum end tables, from Padma's Plantation. Approx- 24 x 24 x 28 each. This will add texture and be a great height for your large sectional.

You have a long wall to your right, as you enter your large room. Long walls are just asking to be "broken up". One way to do this is by putting a console table on part of the wall. I am suggesting the portion of the wall in the "Pilates" area. (The one above is the Tanner Console table form Pottery Barn.) I liked how it had stools under it, giving you extra seating for your large groups. You then hang something (perhaps a mirror- the one below is Bahari- by Uttermost 39 x 43) above the console, and then treat the other part of the wall separately, perhaps with a grouping of family photos, like I talked about in this post. Notice that I have a single item above the console, and a grouping on the wall beside it. This can be reversed, with one large picture on the wall, (make sure it is large enough) and a grouping over the console- but don't have two groupings on the same wall.

In your Pilates area- you have a set of bookcase wall-units that you said were keepers, as they were built by a family member. Perhaps, however, you could have them painted, and update the hardware. (Wood guys cringe at this- is the family member still alive?) This would give the unit a more updated clean look, consistent of our "spa-Pilates" atmosphere that we have created. Decorate the wall unit with candles, pottery, well-chosen clean books, plants, and sculpture. Give it a very deliberate, beautiful spa type look. This is the type of thing I feel like I need to do for my clients. Maybe I need to come back to Idaho for a visit :) Also- add a comfortable chair and floor lamp, giving a more intimate area for reading or studying. Add some plants: a large one in the Pilates section, and two matching ones on the two tables in the other are. Add a floor lamp next to the sectional, and two sconces above the console table. Add directional eyeball lights: two above the wall unit, one above the art by the two tables, and one above the collection of photos. For the best look, replace your florescents with can lighting (on a dimmer- for best TV watching) Put an up-light by your large plant, have it on a timer, so it comes on and goes off every evening. Your lighting MAKES your atmosphere! Don't just have overhead lighting. Feel free to ask any questions, or call me. (since you're family and all :)