Middlebury Consignment and Some Decorating Inspiration

I've been dying to go to Middlebury Consigment in Middlebury, Connecticut for quite some time, and when I finally got there today it did not disappoint!  It's huge. 

They not only do an amazing selection of high quality consignment, they mix in new pieces as well.  Here are a few pieces of consignment that I really liked...

There were four of these David Francis chairs that were just gorgeous (I'd opt for changing the seat fabric).  Then there was a beautiful farm table and rustic/classic chairs that I was ready to throw in the back of my car...

I was just nuts for the casual elegance of them, and I had my entire dining room redone in my head by the time I walked away. (hmmm... I think a design board may be in order...)

I was crazy for this washed oak number, too, for a client I've yet to meet.  I can see it in a kitchen breakfast nook, with two of the chairs on one side and a built-in banquette under lots of windows on the other side of the table.  Long, linen blue and white large-patterned drapes flanking those windows.  Squishy down pillows on the banquette.  A more modern chandelier.  Are you with me?

There's a section full of new and interesting kitchen gadgets and such.  I almost passed out I love it so much...

I thought these little votives would make a great addition en masse to a fall table...

I must confess I snapped this next picture as inspiration for my Christmas table decorating...

I'm thinking of making something similar (these were all wire branches and very cool).  I'll post it when it's that time ;-)  Are you with me on this one, too -- can you see it?  Oh yes, it's going to happen.  Can you say pinecones and lights and candles...

Really, the store goes on for 4 floors, with a beautiful design center, too, where you can do custom bedding, wallpaper, and more.  I own the place in my dreams.

And if the shopping weren't enough, they have an outstanding cafe, and there is an amazing kitchen next to it where you can eat at the "kitchen counter" and watch the cooks (the dining room is off to the right)...

I can't help but share a great place when I find one.  Really, if you live within driving distance (off Rt 84 in Waterbury Ct), it's totally worth the trip.  I was not, by the way, asked to blog about this.  I was completely moved to do it!!

Hope you all are having a good week.  Talk to you soon,
Carol

Client Design Progress

I've been tossing around some ideas for finishing this room, while the drapes are being made and the grasscloth is on backorder.  Perhaps I shouldn't show this board yet, because I am not at my final presentation, but I thought you might like to see my thought process.

Here is the living room, where I am now...

While I love the textures shown on the board, I really need to choose between the ottoman and the bar cart -- they really are too similar in feel, especially given the grasscloth on the walls.  I could use an ottoman like this in a fabulous fabric...

or a bar cart in a metal...

I also have a thing for this table lamp, which would give the room a bit of depth, and tie it to the adjacent dining room and the suggested artwork.  In my heart, thought, I'm feeling it's too modern...

This might be a better choice, especially with the floor lamp, if I don't do a metal bar cart...

A room can go in so many different directions, which hopefully you see a glimpse of here.Too much of the same texture, and it becomes redundant.  Too many different elements, and well, chaos can take over.  Yikes.

I really do know what I want to present, but I thought it would be fun to show what I've been considering.  The rug is a meaningful mate to the drapes, I believe, so that's definitely part of the final plan.  And I do love the chair on the board, but I suspect the husband may find it a bit too neutral. 

Done in the right fabric, this stunner below could steal the show...

I don't usually begin a design  with window treatments and wallpaper, but my client's wanted to address that first, as the walls had been redone and were at sheet rock, and they wanted to go slowly in completing the room.  So, these elements, which do work so well with the rest of the house, are now the inspiration.

I'll let you know how things end up, and I will show you my next version of the board.  What would be your choice -- woven ottoman or rattan bar cart?

Talk to you soon,

Carol

Oh, and I've gotta say, Instagram is my favorite social media of late, and I am constantly "chatting" design, food, dogs and other inspiration there.  To follow me, click on the Instagram in the right column.  See you on IG! @6Wilson...

Finding Great Design on Vacation

I've been on vacation since the 4th, with reality making a strong comeback Monday morning.  I'm actually excited about getting back to work, because I have so.much.going.on.  But before that happens, I want to share some pictures I've taken, first in Rockport, Mass, and then in Newport, RI.  I love seeing design everywhere I go, and I thought you might like to see it, too...

Whether design is grand or humble, in a home, restaurant or garden pot, there is always something to learn from the way a caring hand or thoughtful mind has put together color, texture and materials.

Is it a stretch to find design in the asymmetrical balance of a raspberry floating in champagne?  I think not ;-)

Now, on to Newport.

 
These copper pots in a fudge shop speak to my inner cook/designer every time I see them, from their beautiful form to their fantastic arrangement on the wall.

These two front doors just begged to be included in this post, because really, are there prettier colors for two antique colonials in a very summer town?

There were two restaurants that had me snapping my camera.  The next few are of 41North.  The design is spectacular...

These two images are in the same space, an outdoor function/lounge area...

All the white was so crisp and high-end nautical.

The next several shots are from Midtown, a new place in a totally refurbished building.  LOVE.IT.

There are three bar areas, and this my favorite, because the mood the high gloss red walls added to the entire place was just fantastic and unexpected...

Here's more of the first floor dining room...

Great texture and tones, yes?

I even though the ladies room was well done...

Great lighting, too.  Kudos to the design team on this restaurant.  They paid attention to every detail.

And, just because I love garden design, whether in a landscape or pot, I'm ending with this one of a pair of hanging pots on a beautiful store front...

I love when attention to detail is so obvious on the outside, you just have to see what's on the inside!

I hope you all are enjoying your July.  I will be back soon with project updates and other fun happenings.

Till then,
Carol


PS  To my blog friends who don't see yourself listed in my reading list, I promise it's coming!

I've Launched Carol Beck Interiors and What I've Been Up To

A little over a month ago, I made the decision to go back into business for myself as Carol Beck Interiors.  Woohoo!!  What a ride the past few weeks have been!  So why did I do it?  Well, it's that "now or never" thing that had been nagging at me.  A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...

Here's what's been keeping me busy...

I had been working on this small sitting room for some time, with these fabrics having been selected, and the grass cloth below having been put in the back of the book shelves.  A chaise in the Manuel Canovas fabric will soon be delivered, with a pillow in the silk suzanni, and the geometric (finally off back-order) is currently being put on two gorgeous chairs...

Today, I brought my client this rug sample, and I think it is a great solution to the need for something to keep the room monochromatic, with a small scale pattern.  (You know computer colors are always a little wonky.)

After that, we move on to tables and accessories.  (I always try to respect the pace at which my clients wants to get things done.)

On another front, I had done the drapes and roman shades in another client's dining room two years ago, and now they are tackling the adjacent sitting room.  Here's the dining room...

With a roman shade in the inset long window...

I had done their living room maybe four years ago, and I think it's still looking pretty fresh...

So, when they called me to handle this sitting room space, I was thrilled.  I love working with this couple, they make my job so easy...

Their first priority is grass cloth on the walls and window treatments.  Here's what's been approved...

My plan is to bring a mix of blues with some subtle coral accents into this space in the furnishings.  On this wall below,  it will be roman shades in the same fabric, and I'm looking for the perfect bar cart or cabinet...

Can you see it?  I say I respect my client's pace, but inside, I'm dying to get it all done and see it come together, no matter what the project ;-)

Off the sitting room is the newly renovated kitchen (they did a kick-butt job, on their own, with the finishes).  We've decided on the fabrics below for the windows -- the embroidery on cornices and the sheer on the slider (if they decide to do the sheer, which they initially wanted, I will be custom staining a traverse rod to coordinate with the cornice of the sink, and nixing the slider cornice).

On yet another front, I found this gorgeous chest for a client's foyer, which will compete with an antique I found this week, and I can't wait to see what she thinks of these pieces.

In addition to client work, I've been working on new pillows in designer fabrics for 6 Wilson, my home accessory shop on etsy, along with collecting some one of a kind pieces to offer in the near future.

I want to thank all of you who have followed me, both as clients and readers, as I have moved from blog to blog and place to place.  It really means a lot.  I love what I do, and I hope to continue to share that passion for a long time ;-)

In the coming weeks, I will be tweaking the blog (it's not perfect yet, but if I waited you'd never hear from me!), sharing my design life and whatever moves me along the way!

Talk to you soon,
Carol