Home Takes Time

Home wasn't built in a day.

Jane Sherwood Ace

I love that quote.  It fits the 200 year-old home of one of my favorite clients, who really has become like a long lost friend rather than a client.  (I love when that happens.)  I did most of her first floor four years ago, and it struck me while visiting today that "home" is a word we ought to reserve for a sanctuary; one that has taken on a  warm patina from the lives that it holds within its walls.  Home tells a story.  And when you walk into this home, you know exactly what kind of people live there, even if you never were to meet them.  That's a home. 

Sometimes, I think we can get caught up in the make-it-beautiful-now emotions of decorating (especially when you do it for a living!).  But keep in mind that taking your time can be the quickest route to home. (Hey, can I quote me on that? lol)

Thoughts?

Talk to you soon,

Carol

Let's work together for the home you've always wanted.  Email me at

SofasandSage@gmail.com

 

Antiquing with a Mission

Steve's house, An Urban Cottage

I told Steve from An Urban Cottage today that his style, to me, is "eclectically  perfect."  (If you read his blog, you know what I mean.) Or maybe it's just perfection.  Anyway, it resonates with me, and when we went antiquing at a new place to both of us, in Cambridge, I understood why his home is so pulled together.  This guy understands his style and he can focus.

This is where we went, list of desired things in hand...

I had my camera with me today, but I was so engaged in the four-story antique mart that we were exploring, that I didn't bother to take pictures.  (Sometimes -- gasp -- a blogger has to just be in the moment, not photograph it, and I was having way too much fun on the hunt for treasures to stop for the call of the lens!)  Check out Steve's pictures for a peek at the place.

We left with several things for Mr. Urban Cottage, and I, thankfully, went with an empty wallet (oh,but the most gorgeous French mirror with the reasonable price tag is haunting me..)

It was a great day, but I think the best part of it was something Steve said as I was pulling out of the driveway, when he saw some decorating books in the back of my car.  When he commented about the books, I asked if he wanted any of them.  He said...

"I've stopped reading decorating magazines and books, it makes me just want to copy the looks I see.  If I don't read them, I can stay focused on what I really like and do my own thing."

How's THAT for great advice? (And, undoubtedly, the secret to his cohesive, eclectic style).

Talk to you soon,
Carol

Let's work together for the home you've always wanted.  Email at SofasandSage@gmail.com

Outdoor Living to Match or not to Match?

We hear about "bringing the outdoors in" all the time in decorating.  So I ask you, do you think your outdoor living spaces should coordinate with what goes on inside your home, or do you prefer a totally different look?

In my opinion, the most successful outdoor living spaces coordinate with and reflect the personality of their environment first, and the interior of the home second.  What's that I'm saying? Decorate to the colors and mood of the landscape, the garden, the ocean or lake view (lucky you), and then choose furnishings that speak to the style of the furnishings in the house.

BHG

Check out the example above.  The chairs and the tablecloth in this lovely little setting coordinate so effortlessly with the blue and purple in the garden that it just belongs there, doesn't it?  It beckons you to sit and stay a while. You picture the kitchen that leads to this slice of heaven to be a bit rustic, maybe it has an old farmhouse table as an island.  Wouldn't you be so disconnected if I said it was the yard of a very modern home?  Of course.

Now this outdoor shower area below is so fun, and it just screams happy summer color.  You can see the interior -- it just has to be full of white slipcovers and bold, beach ball colored art and stuff -- wouldn't you be surprised if it wasn't?  I'll bet there are oars hanging on the wall.

Coastal Living

Here's another one I picture having white slipcovers, but more sophistication inside, like sisal rugs, lots of glass, maybe some dark wood pieces, etc...

Coastal Living

In this next image, the color palette is all about coordinating with the garden and I love the connection.  And you can feel the vibe of the house it must belong to.  No formal Federal style home here...

BHG

Here a two images from the interior of a house in North Carolina.  Look at them for style.

Veranda

Veranda

Now, check out the next two images of the outdoor living area of this home.

Veranda

Veranda

You expect the outside rooms of this house to look like this, don't you?  What if they were decorated in the bold colors of the outdoor shower image -- wouldn't you just die and say 'what were they thinking?"  Instead, you want to go sit and look at that gorgeous view because it is all so harmonious.

So, what is your take?  Is your outdoor area a free-for-all departure from your home?  Or are you like me, and seek a bit of flow inside to out?

Talk to you soon,

Carol

Window Wednesday: An updated Tudor

A few weeks back I posted that I was at a client's house measuring for dining room window treatments, and showed part of their family room here.  I thought you'd like to see what we're considering for the drapes and roman shade.

First, here are the windows up for a new look.  Is this the most gorgeous molding ever?  The homeowner and his buddy did it themselves.  Impressive.

Now, a look at the plan I'm proposing.  The bump-out window will be dressed in a Roman shade in a flax-colored linen with a slate blue crewel pattern.  It will be "held up" by straps of a flat braid Robert Allen trim.  The crewel linen is a gorgeous-in-person Telafina fabric.  I am in love with this one, people.  I wish you could see the quality of it.  The windows will wear drapery panels, done in a blocked design of a solid flax linen on the top portion and the crewel linen as a bottom boarder, divided by the same braid, and starting at the window sill height.  (Sounds like I'm describing the red carpet, doesn't it, lol?  Well, this room deserves that kind of treatment.)  The goal is a relaxed formality, and I believe this achieves that look.

First, here on the fabrics.  I promise they are dead-on coordinated in person.  The lighting was weird today, and the colors are a bit off, but you get the idea...

Here are the sketches of what it will look like all done-up.  My scanner was cranky and low on ink, so the second image is a bit more lame than the first.  (Work with me, it's late at night as I post!)

Hmm.  These sketches don't look that great, but this is all I've got in me tonight!  The end result, though, I can't wait to show you.  Different treatments in the same room, you might be asking?  Read my thoughts about that here.

Oh, and please remember...

If you would like me to solve a window issue, suggest a treatment, critique what you have, or anything window related, please send me an email and picture to SofasandSage@gmail.com. The only requirements are that you 1. Become a Follower in the right hand column, or let me know that you already are, and 2. Leave a comment on this post.

What are you putting on your windows these days?

Talk to you soon,
Carol

Let's work together for the home you've always wanted.  Email at SofasandSage@gmail.com

An Opinion on Bedding?

Gorgeous bedding.  Luxury?  Necessity? Something you dream about?

You all know by now that I've joined the design team at Perfect Touch Interiors.  We're now carrying this to-die-for line of semi-custom bedding to give our clients more choices than ever when designing a bedroom, and I'm just curious...which would be your favorite?

Now mind you, these are not bedding sets -- any style can be done in several different fabrics, it can be mixed, layered or done simply.  And the linens, the sheets, oh my, they are wonderful. 

In my dreams, I would have several sets of bedding to mix and match because I love beautiful bedding.  I always have.  What about you?

Talk to you soon,
Carol

Deer Baby and My Garden

Hello gorgeous Sunday!  Just had to share this picture from my sister-in-law.  She was in her garden this week when the plants rustled and a brown head popped up, scarring the ba-jeepers out of her.  After her heart beat returned to normal and she realized what it was, she ran in the house to get her camera.  Amazingly, this sweet morning gift was still there...

Does that make you say "awww..." or what?

While I didn't find such a treasure in my own garden this Sunday morning, I thought I'd share a few shots from the front of my house...

He may not be a baby deer, but he is my baby, my gardening partner, and the official deer chaser....

What's the biggest surprise you've ever had in the garden?

Have a great day everybody!

Talk to you soon,
Carol

Before and After: Challenging Style

Traditional meets fresh Southwest.  Quite a combo, huh?  But this describes my clients perfectly.  They love Southwest style, and wanted to incorporate some rustic bits of it with some fresh color and their traditional furnishings.  I thrive on a challenge.  And I love eclectic mixes.

I visited this client today to measure for the living room window treatments, which are in phase two of the plan.  The chairs and sofas have arrived, the walls have been painted, (the rug was existing), and the coffee table and custom pillows are due to arrive any day.    Forgive the re-scanned copy of this before pic, where the walls are white and the two old silver-green chairs got the boot!

Here's where things stand now.  The color is off a bit -- the walls are blue-green, not so blue, but you'll get the idea. 

 The two soft white sofas will have a rustic pine-topped, strong and clean-lined iron coffee table in between them.

The front foyer in this open home is at the entrance to this room.  Here is what it looked like before (again, a crummy re-scanned copy...)

To introduce the eclectic, rustic Southwest feeling and tie it to the living room, I put in a significant pine piece and suggested the wall be a darker accent color.  The artwork was the homeowners, and the lamps we added gave the space much more presence.

In the background of this foyer picture, you can see the first project I did for this client -- the family room window treatments -- the colors of the foyer are echoed in the textured pattern and the color of those panels.  We all know flow in an open plan is critical.

I can't wait until the living room becomes more complete and I can show you the rest.  In the meantime, what would you say your most challenging eclectic mix has been?

Talk to you soon,
Carol

For professional help with your home, please email me at SofasandSage@gmail.com