Recently a client of many years wanted to revamp her home to possibly accommodate live-in help. She thought she wanted to open the kitchen to the living room and bar seating for television viewing. However, we decided that expanding the kitchen would have taken too much of the living room space and the existing fireplace would have been less attractive with a television incorporated. Instead we put the television on the wall common with the kitchen. Then added a new sofa, two lounge chairs as well as a table and four chairs for bridge. We changed the draperies from dark to light and used a rug she already owned. The updated look is a refreshing change but the biggest impact was from the pillows! The client had an old, worn rug with perfect colors. The upholsterer based the pillow sizes on the pattern so they are varied. They are the most interesting accent and pull together the room colors. Instead of pairs or common sizes we used varying sizes. What was the media area is now the office and the former office an en suite for a live-in!
Adding new art?
It is so tempting to purchase a new piece of art, get it back to your home and wonder where it will fit in. During my design career I have purchased hundreds of pieces of art! Typically, if the client likes a particular style, the art follows through with their likes. My favorite method is selecting art first! The more open the areas of the home are the more necessary it is for the pieces to complement each other. As you get further into collecting, you consider what location the new piece will occupy and if others will need to be rearranged. Within an area, there should be a main focal point – the outside view, fireplace or a piece of art. While staying at the Peabody in Memphis, our room had a mirror with a scene painted on it in neutral tones. What a discovery! A space needs only one landscape, one floral, etc.
Here is yet another medium to add to the mix. While on my vacation, the client I was working with decided to part with the older bedroom furniture and complete the newer contemporary look. A large mirror was above the pop up TV chest. I suggested we use it in the living room. My miraculous painter added the tree and voila! We had completed the area!
One more option with variety over redundancy!
Creative Use of Tiles
Do you have your own personal tile collection? Samples for possible use or distinctive tiles like the Talavera pieces in this photo? Bring them out of hiding and use them to accent centerpieces on cocktail or dining tables. If it gives you joy, find a way to use it!
How To Select the Right Island(s)
What has happened to kitchens? Once we went to an island, it evolved into a single long counter in front of cabinetry. This looks great but real cooks need convenient appliance locations and ample countertops for assembling their dishes! We learned quickly and thoroughly during the COVID lockdown that it was important to eat at home! There have been more recipes published since then AND they have been more practical. So, back to kitchen design. From one island to two? How do you navigate two? Start with your appliance locations and go from there. Consider your preference for double ovens or a range. The spacing on this is a major determining factor. Restrictions also include doors and windows.
A recent photo I saw showed two islands and at the back was the Wolf range – between the islands. This range is a focal point and it is difficult to give it its due with an island covering it up!
Other designs show a prep kitchen separate from the show kitchen. Others have a spice kitchen for the separation of aromas! This is ever changing. Just work it out with function first as there are many options to make it look great!
Celebrating the most versatile sculptural design!
It has been uncommon in my 30+ years of interior design to use any resource more than once, but the record goes to John Gleason’s sculptures! These twisted, simple designs are so versatile that they always come to mind as adding to the space with great versatility that works with so many different types of art and design styles! This is the fourth installation I’ve done with John’s art. This time an office with curved walls where we used three sculptures. Artists often do custom designs to fit the space perfectly. Visit John at the Quantum Art Gallery on Main Street in old town Scottsdale!
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