Artisan Pieces -- cocktail table

One of my favorite resources is using local artists for bespoke (custom) products in my room environments! They add a strong personal, unique touch like nothing else! Usually the need arises from not finding the particular piece I had in mind for the space, whether that be the exact style, color, size, timeline, or price. Lately, I have been able to do quite a bit and it's a real treat!!

Below is a piece I designed for a recent music room/library. I collaborated with Asa Hoyt of A.W. Hoyt Metal Arts discussing the particulars of my design combined with his expert opinion in metal working so we could create a stable and interesting piece. I knew I wanted the piece to have an aged gold, retro, yet clean feel. Since the client has grandkids who roam the house at will, I wanted to make sure the top was resistant to scratches, stains, etc. but still giving us that clean Carrara marble look. Hello Cambria! And Voila'! Asa's fabulous metal table base with a Cambria Torquay top!

On to the golding: I had the table delivered to Candice Simpson of Textural Hues. Candice has worked on oodles of my projects, whether it is a decorative paint finish on a wall, accessory, or piece of furniture. We selected the color of gold (there are many!) for the legs, one part being base and the other a metallic paint finish, percentage of metallic to base and location of distressing. When all was completed, it was delivered!!

I think it's perfect!!

Art~~It's a good thing!! Later, Susan

Eclectic Vintage Color, Part 2 -- the Dining Room

Hi, and happy holidays to all!!

Welcome to Part 2 of my "Eclectic Vintage Color" home showcasing the Dining Room. I discussed the KITCHEN as well as project goals in Part 1 here, so check that out if you want a refresher.

For the BEFORE PICS:

And the AFTER PICS:

We started with an existing blue/gray handmade paper wallcovering we chose to keep. As in the kitchen, we continued the bamboo floors and painted the trim white. My client had inherited a beautiful vintage Henredon dining set I thought would be lovely and fulfill her vintage-love, so we reupholstered the chairs with a modern yet vintage inspired F. Schumacher fabric. We selected orange to bring in warmth, contrast with the blue walls, and give the room energy. We kept the existing and truly amazing chandelier. I believe it is a vintage Venini! Definitely a keeper! 

Bringing in more light and dark orange to coordinate with the chair upholstery, custom silk draperies with a darker accent trim were incorporated. For the wall, my client fell in love with a textile art piece found on Etsy, utilizing hand dyed fabric strips, and strengthening our blue/orange concept.

My client had purchased the artist made metal mirrors quite a few years earlier while traveling. At that time, we put them in the dining room, knowing someday when we revamped the dining room, they would be incorporated, and they worked out splendidly!

The small pillows made for the two extra arm chairs incorporate all of our colors...light and dark blue, light and dark orange, and tan hues from the floor.

For the floor, the perfect wool rug...again incorporating all of our colors. The beautiful artisan vase my client loves, now blends in with the new color scheme back at front and center in the middle of the table.

I hope your holidays have been pleasant and your New Years is fabulous!! XXOO Susan

Eclectic Vintage Color, Part 1 -- the Kitchen

Hi All!

Time for after pics!! This post is focused on a kitchen from a multi-room first floor project.  I'm calling this project Eclectic Vintage Color because those are three adjectives the homeowner really wanted to incorporate into the finished designs.  The entire project included the kitchen, laundry room, powder room, family room, living room, and dining room.  I think I'll do different posts for each room.  How's that sound? First up -- is the kitchen -- which probably isn't as vintage, eclectic or colorful as the other rooms.  After all, we did need function here.  I posted before pics of the below kitchen here and did progress posts as we were selecting finishes, etc. here and here.  So now, drumroll please...check it out!

Eclectic Vintage Color

Maple cabinetry, granite countertops, mosaic style backsplash with glass, stone, and marble, stainless fixtures, stainless breakfast table, vinyl chairs

I absolutely adore the backsplash/granite combo.  The swirl of the granite combined with the structure of the tile is just divine!

I really like all of the coordinating textures in this image, particularly the charming basket shelf.

In addition to the island, there is a large peninsula -- see the three pendants -- with three stools for additional seating or to watch TV in the family room.

Didn't my client do a fabulous job finding baskets for the shelf with the perfect shade of grays and cream liner to tie in with all of the varying colors we brought into the kitchen?

A little personalization with knob icons for the four family members:  grapes, baseball, books, and butterfly

But wait, we can't forget about the adorable family dog, Milo!  He gets a personalized knob too...

I know, not the best pic, but it's a dog head knob identical to Milo's breed.  How fab!

And of course he also gets his own little eating/food storage station!

Stay tuned for Room #2!

Susan

GUEST BLOGGER FROM DESIGN SHUFFLE: Decorating in Technicolor!!

Hi, I'm Susi, a writer for Design Shuffle, a great site that showcases the work of designers around the world. I'm happy to be visiting Susan's blog today as a guest blogger. My guest post is all about decorating in Technicolor. Glorious Technicolor makes me think of old movies with intense color palettes like Wizard of Oz. Here are my eight choices for Technicolor decorating ideas. Enjoy!

A rainbow of Technicolor ruffle pillows fills this classic sofa.

Gorgeous color next to more gorgeous color gives this seating tons of style.

Bright Technicolor accents pop in this living room.

Painting a small side table a bright color, adding colorful throws and pillows are great ways to bring Technicolor to your room.

Fabulous colorful art work brings the Technicolor to this room.

Big, bold colorful artwork looks best against white walls but can work with other wall colors as well.

The Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach, CA is full of Technicolor vintage beach dÈcor.

Technicolor stripes and bright walls give this bedroom design in the hotel room a nostalgic feeling.

A large vintage photo (too bad it's not in Technicolor) sets the vintage tone for this eclectic loft.

Tons of colorful furniture, lighting and accents work together in the Technicolor space and offer lots of interior design ideas for those who can't seem get enough of this style right now.

These shimmering turquoise tiles make the brightly colored accents really pop in this colorful kitchen.

White cabinets and trim balance the brights, including red and a bit of green in addition to the brilliant blues.

Mixing colors creates a Technicolor room. Yellow, aqua, fuchsia and pale lavender are all happy, cheerful colors that work well with vintage style furniture and dÈcor.

These are great ideas for your living room designs.

Kelly Wearstler does Technicolor probably better than anyone.

Her fearless mixing of colors is one of her signature interior design statements.

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Have you used any Technicolor in your home decor?

Head on over to Design Shuffle where you'll find great color inspiration and find brand new interior design guide!