High Point Mood Board

This past weekend, I was at my Disney World equivalent -- High Point furniture market in High Point, North Carolina.  If you follow me on Instagram (@6Wilson) you may have seen many of the gorgeous pieces I drooled over. 

I thought it would be fun to do a mood board with some of the things I didn't show.  I was inspired by the light fixture and the navy blue ceiling of the showroom it was hanging in.  To create this casual living room, I just pulled photos I had taken, and viola, some of them really made sense together...

I'll be back soon with more pictures.  In the meantime, I'll be working on a newsletter coming out soon, and putting together some new things for 6 Wilson.  Stay tuned!  I hope you'll come along on some new adventures in the coming months ;-)

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...

A Teenage Boy's Room

Teenage boys.  Hmmmm.  Decorating their bedrooms, trying to make them personal but not young, is tricky, I think.  But fun, too.

Here's one board for my client's 14 year old son, who had the bed and night table, but needed the rest.  I'm playing around with a few different options before I present it, so there will be another board to show soon.  My client wanted his son to be able to have a say, so options it is!

This young guy is a sports and basketball fan, so I found the cool artwork on Etsy, and I am soooo loving the baseball mitt inspired desk chair.   Next to the roman shade is the trim I'm thinking will be a great accent down the sides and along the bottom.

The next version of this room will put more focus on the bedding, less on the rug.  It's fun to play with pattern and scale in a space.  Remember, you can mix lots of patterns, but make one the large, dominant pattern (here it's the rug), and then vary the rest.  A space is never happy when the scales of patterns compete.

Stay tuned for version number two, and thanks for reading...

Carol

New Series: A Room from a Pillow

We all know that there needs to be an inspiration piece for designing a space.  Maybe it's art, or color, or furniture, but I've decided to do a series where the inspiration is, of all fabulous things, a pillow.
I hope you'll hang out and follow along :-)

First up, I'm starting with this citrine and white linen baby, found here...

In my head, I saw this in a room that was traditional with a twist (my favorite kind), and what I came up with was this...

The drapes are a Schumacher fabric, which has the same yellow-green of the pillow (which just doesn't show right in the picture - argggh), and for an "off-match" I went for a more true yellow in a modern geometric.  It's important to add some fresh, modern patterns in a traditional room, so the overall affect is not a big yawn  too staid. ;-)  Same with the iron side table, lamp, and rug -- mixing it up keeps the interest going and gives some much needed texture.  

For a pop of contrast, I added the bright persimmon silk pillows, also found here, for a bit of the unexpected. 

I thought it would be fun to challenge myself a bit and see how many looks I can come up with as a result of a pillow.   As you all know from 6 Wilson, I'm pillow obsessed, so stay tuned...

Hope you are enjoying your summer,
Carol 

Design Board Update

Remember this post, where I showed you the design board for a client with a new construction home?

When I went to visit and consult on paint for other spaces, I tweaked the colors for the family room.  I had put a color on her board just for looks, knowing I would get there to choose one on site when she was ready.  I thought you might like to see what we went with.

Here's the fireplace again, which really feels like a wallflower in the space -- awkwardly waiting for a deeper paint color to bring it into the party.  This room gets very bright sun until late afternoon, and a light color would completely wash out.  I chose Ben Moore AC Pismo Dunes.  Why?  It is a taupe with great purple undertones to completely harmonize with the fireplace...
  

 

Here's a close up...

That's the drapery fabric, by the way (I'm sure you figured that out, but if you are new to this story, a clue is always good).  The goal for this space is to achieve a room that hugs this family with warmth, comfort and relaxation.  

The dark little swatch on the Pismo Dunes is a Sherwin Williams color (my mind is totally blank on the name of it right now!).  Anyway, it is going in the coffered ceiling, which will add an element of drama to the space, but still maintain the harmony.  Imagine that color in all these ceiling "boxes"!

Before you get all weird about the color and furnishings in the room, keep in mind this is a just-moved-in picture, and the furniture isn't staying.  (Whew, right?  I know what you're thinking.)  Aside from that gor.gee.us  ceiling, you can also see the carpeting really well.  Critical that we keep the palette in harmony with that permanent element, too, as its pink tones talk to the purple tones in the stone.  Eventually, there will be an area rug in there to ground the conversation circle.  This room has SUCH potential.  

So that's my update on this project.  My client is in the process of stenciling her first floor powder room and I can't wait to share that with you.  (I have to be patient, she is a DIYer with 4 kids and a job!)

Talk to you soon,

Carol

Traditional Bedroom: Design Board Winner

Let me tell you, what a dream space my design board winner, Kitty, has!  She asked me for a neutral bedroom of grays and beige, with a pop of color.  Here it is, then I'll explain...

Kitty wanted something traditional, with slip covers for her existing chairs, maybe a sisal, and she has the round table that needs some refinishing (it's oak, and I'm suggesting she strip and wax it for a natural look).  She sent me some inspiration pictures that showed pops of color, but wasn't sure how to incorporate it.  Because she also sent me pictures of some beautiful 4 x 6 orientals she's collected in her travels, I went with red as the "pop."  What I see in this space is putting one of those rugs in the small area that you see behind that open door.  Then, the color gets picked up in the room with the pillows.

Here are some before pictures...

(This is where one of the beautiful orientals with red should go.)

How much would you love to have this ceiling??  A few of you asked, since you know I love to do windows, how I was going to handle the angles by the windows.  My answer to Kitty is to leave the rod she has, as is.  It really is the only option.  And, this room must have panels to balance the ceiling.

Being an avid DIYer, Kitty is going to be sewing the panels, pillows and slipcovers herself, along with redoing the table.  This will go a long way toward staying within her budget.

I hope you've enjoyed this process!  And, if you'd like me to tackle your space, click on Design Services here or next to my picture and let's get started.

Happy Sunday,
Carol

Slipcovers And A Great Door

The design board for my giveaway winner, Kitty, is going to involve some slipcovers and a great door.  Here's a peak at the entrance to her master bedroom, the space I'm helping her transform...
I

I love that door so much I can't stand it.  I can't even concentrate on the space because I just want it (can't take credit for it, but wish I could!).  I have door envy.  But moving on, this is the stretch of windows in the room that we'll be dressing with something linen, perhaps...

Doesn't it feel like a treetop getaway?  Kitty has asked me for something traditional and European inspired.  Stay tuned, won't you?

Thanks for reading,
Carol

PS Again... The blog is in the middle of a makeover, looking kind of identity-challenged.  But as you'll see, I'm going to go orange -- my favorite color to wear for as long as I can remember.  (And no, Tangerine Tango had no influence!)  Love is love, and I decided to take my signature color to my blog. :)

Design Project and A Giveaway Winner

What a great week this was, with lots of projects going on and a response to the design board giveaway that really blew me away.  I had so many nice emails from readers about launching my Online Design. I can't thank you all enough!
 
Just like any good cliffhanger on tv, I'm going to share a project before I get to the winner!

This dining room is on the opposite side of the family room that I designed online, here.  I am going through this entire home, main floor first.  Some online, some in person.

The rug is the inspiration, and I am tying in the entire first floor for great flow.  I don't want the rooms to match like twins wearing the same clothes, but I definitely want them to hold hands and get along.

Notice the wood floor -- a brown with a purple undertone.  This floor runs throughout the main level, except in the family room  (I'm going to digress a bit to show you my thought process).  Here's the family room, again from this post.  Notice the pink/purple undertones in the fireplace, and the pink undertones in the rug and paint.  The homeowner did a fabulous job coordinating her undertones when she chose the bones of this new construction.

Here was the Design Board (background color not the actual paint color we will use) that will get her started with the transformation of the family room...

Getting a feel for the first floor?  Back to the dining room. Here is the client's rug again, and here is the wallpaper I am suggesting...

Thibault Fiona in Bronze

Yesterday I found the drapery fabric, a silk with great texture and the perfect tones. I was so excited I jumped up and down, I really did.  I wanted a tone-on-tone look with great texture, so that no one thing in the room pops.  What do you think?

More details on this project are coming, but now for the giveaway winner!!

Using a random number generator...

 

True Random Integer Generator Min: Max: Result: 28 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Congratulations,  kdkmac!!!!!  Please email me at HouseandHomeDefined@gmail.com to get started.

Thanks again, to all who entered.  Have a great weekend, everyone!
Carol

Design Board Giveaway!

What better way to launch my Design Services and Online Design than a Design Board Giveaway... That's what I'm thinking!  Interested?

I'm going to give away two hours of Online Design to create a board for one of my readers (a $250 value).  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and subscribe, or let me know if you already receive House and Home Defined in your email or reader.  Tell me in your comment what space you'd like to re-do!

The deadline to comment, subscribe, and be entered is Friday, February 3rd at midnight. I will use a random number generator to choose the winner and announce it on Saturday.

C'mon, enter!  And I'll talk to you soon,
Carol

Design Board Part III. Done!

So, I finished the Design Board for my client who asked me to create a plan for her family room.  You can read about the progress of this board here in Part I and here in Part II.

Here is the completed Design Board...

Here is one of the pictures she sent me of the room, to give you an idea of the space...

 

This client has 4 children, two of which are teenagers and it is a very busy house!  She needs to maximize seating, so there will be another sofa at a 90 degree angle, to the right of the one on the board.  All family-friendly fabrics, of course. :)  Down the road, there will also be two small square ottomans flanking the media piece for extra portable seating as needed.

The sofa will be in the textured fabric in the upper right of the board, and the stripe in the lower left will go on the wood-framed chair and ottoman.  This client will receive a list of all the items I included in the room, how to get them, and an estimate of what they cost.  

When I post my Online Design Services, coming soon, you will see all the options available to you, and what they cost.  I can help you with anything from paint color to an entire room.  Your choice.  Of course, I always want to hear from clients who want to work with me in person! :) 

Stay tuned for more on this ahead.

What's up for your weekend?

Carol

Design Board. Part II

I'm in the "gathering ideas" phase of the design board I shared with you in Part I.  This is not glamorous work, people.  And, risking you saying "hmm, not so impressive," I'm showing you how I put my ideas together, try them out...

This looks nothing like what the client will see in the end, but as I am going to be offering online design services, I think you ought to know what goes into what you are paying for.  In this case, I'm furnishing an entire room, including window treatments and accents.  Online design is not about just grabbing images off the web.  As I said in Part I, the process is much like an in-person project.  Finding inspiration, and getting it done within a budget.  (Budget is a critical element, folks.)

Stay tuned!

Carol

Design Board. Part I

I'm putting together a design board for a client and I thought it would be the perfect project to show you how the process works.  I haven't "officially" opened for online business, but it's coming soon.

I'm treating online design much as I would any face-to-face client during my full-time work week.  I ask questions about the space, the home, the client's likes and dislikes.  And the list goes on.  In this case, I am designing a family room that is open to the kitchen in a beautiful southern home.  The client wants an updated, fresh take on a traditional southern feel.  She sent me two photos for inspiration...

 The very large fireplace has both cool and warm stone colors (love that combo, so much flexibility)...

And here's the media piece she wants in the room...

Pottery Barn

It looks like the finish on this media piece is brown with a red undertone.  That will work great harmony with the fireplace, as it has lots of red and pink undertones.  There is a wall of windows, which I will share in the next post,  needing both the softness of drapes, and the privacy of shades.  Here is the fabric I am considering...

 
The pattern is traditional, while the color palette is lively and bold.  In actuality, it is more muted than it looks here.  I'm deciding which woven wood shades (a great compliment to the style of the media piece on the opposing wall) I will use, but I am leaning toward this one...

I love the vertical "striping" of the dark chocolate threads on the shade.  It speaks to the brown wood floors throughout and the brown of the media piece directly across from them.  Now lets look at all three elements together...

Lots of work yet to do -- finding the sofas, chairs, accessories, etc.   I'll get to that this week. Stay tuned!

Talk to you soon,
Carol

PS  And if you live in New England, are you loving this weather, or what?

My Dining Room Design Board and Thanks...

You know how I've been thinking about selling my dining room drapes and moving on?  Well, plan B is to use them for a while longer, and just change the trim to tie them in with the new wallpaper.  Nix the valances.  Start anew.

This is what I'm going for -- a bit traditional, a bit dramatic, a splash of French, and a whole lot of home.  My style.

I'm on the search for some great host chairs to redo like above to break up my wheatback chairs a bit.  Some monogrammed "B" pillows, new wallpaper, perhaps a seagrass-like rug with some black specks.  A great mirror yet to be found (I love a mirror in a dining room, mostly to hang a wreath on at Christmas!).

If you'd like a room of yours done over on a board like this, I'll be offering online design services very soon.  You can have a room redo and shop for it as you can on your own.  Or, I'll be able to provide some of the items you need.  What fun is ahead!!!

Thibault Luxembourg Damask in Metallic Gold

Now for some thank yous...

To Abby at A Delightful Design, for highlighting my blog today.  Check out her modern, eclectic and sassy style...

And thanks to Shalon Estrada at Pretty Lovely Designs, for all her patience helping me with my blog redesign.  Check her out, too, she's done some great stuff (including Abby's, above.)   (Hi Shalon!  I couldn't grab your header!!)

Lots to look forward to in 2012...

Carol