Category Archives: Rooms

Decorating specific spaces.

Biddy Baby Boy

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Posted by Denise Smith on May 13, 2010 – 11:44 am
Filed under Bedrooms, Individualized Advice, Rooms

My friend-for-life, Betsy, is having her first baby.  She just found out yesterday that it is going to be a boy.  Here is my Congratulations Gift to her: a virtual consultation.  She wrote me yesterday to tell me she didn’t want any kitschy character crap and her hallway upon entering the baby’s room had chocolate walls and vanilla trim.  (Hint Hint, right?)

When I give a client a Design Recap, the copy is formal.  But Betsy is my friend, not my client, and I am posting this on my blog for the world to see.  So just imagine me standing in room with her…

Run out NOW, Betsy, and get the DwellStudio Space Baby Bedding Collection because it is really really super cheap at $64 for Designer Bedding.   They have it at your Target (I checked) but in limited quantities. Plus, its blue and green and should remind you of my dorm at Westminster. (Readers, Betsy and I went to college together, but we go back  waaayyy  before that…) And space stuff is cool, not dumb like trucks or trains. The world needs more scientists. 

The paint swatches are from Benjamin Moore’s new Affinty Colors mixed exclusively in Aura paint.  Aura paint is scrubbable, which is good since you are having a boy, and is environmentally friendly.  It is more expensive, but take my advice.  This high quality paint is worth the few extra dollars.

An outdoor rug will protect your light carpeting, and can be hosed off when the baby has an explosion poop or barfs all over the place.  It doesn’t look like an outdoor rug, does it?  I have had great luck with Home Decorators Collection.  Go for as big as you can afford, but try not to get any smaller than the 5 x 7, which is more than I wanted to find at $169, but remember I saved you a bunch on the bedding.

I love this earth decal.  It’s pretty big at 27 x 27, only $30 and is removeable, so have no fear.  You can use it to point out where mommy and daddy are from.  And teach Biddy Baby how important it is to clean up after your oil spill.

Brown furniture will coordinate well.  I tried to find  something for you on CraigsList, but I wasn’t too successful.  The good thing is you have time to keep checking.  I do love this $99  small dresser from Ikea.  You can use it for a changing table, and buying it will give you a reason to come and see me. I found this crib at Target and it looks pretty nice  for only $149.

NO GLIDERS!  Get a Poang instead.  Plus I really want you to make an Ikea trip so I can rub your baby bump.

The drapery panels are from Pottery Barn Kids.  They are clearanced priced at $49, and if you have only one window, you will need two.  (A panel for either side.) They are Blackout, and if you have a baby that sleeps better in a dark room you will love me forever for suggesting them.  Choose navy in order to avoid Matchy Matchy Syndrome.

Last but not least, understand that every baby’s room needs a little kitsch.  It’s the American Way, Betsy.  This Rocket Lava Lamp is the bomb diggity and only $23!  The green goo sparkles as it warms up.  And when Biddy is the first man on Mars, you can tell him to thank his Aunty Denise.

Barstool Choices

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Posted by Denise Smith on May 10, 2010 – 5:42 pm
Filed under Current Projects, Kitchens, Rooms

Cinde’s backsplash and counters are now installed.  The new rug we ordered has arrived and the Garland Casual Dining Set is on sale and will be purchased this week.  She gave me some options for barstools that she is considering.  My choices are in order from best to worse:   1   2   3   4   5   6

Decorating Dangerously

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Posted by Denise Smith on March 19, 2010 – 2:54 pm
Filed under Current Projects, Kitchens, Rooms

The threat of bodily harm was everywhere.  Booby traps lie at my feet, missiles hurdled across the ceiling, flails dangled just above my head.  I tiptoed between hundreds of domino lines of tenuously balanced boulders.

I was a natural born klutz in a warehouse stocked with hundreds and hundreds of 7 foot slabs of granite. 

My client is having her Kitchen counters redone and I accompanied her to Marble Systems Showroom to choose her slab.  We had one of her cabinet doors, and I had selected the paint colors in most of her house, so it was easy work.

…outside of how ridiculously dangerous the place was.  It was soon very clear why we were not able to enter the warehouse without signing a waiver.  Long metal bars projected out at very different lengths from each stack of stones, so navigating the aisles was difficult.  To make it worse, the paint on the metal had worn away, leaving them camouflaged against the concrete floor.  In spite of the recession, the warehouse was bustling with activity.  Workers moved stones on hydraulic cranes all around us.  Big black boxes hung from the ceiling right at our heads.  One of the slabs we considered was only feet from a huge pit that had been dug right in the center of the space, with little railing around it.  In the middle of the pit, workers loaded a truck with slabs.

Beyond fearing for my life, I loved it there.  Each huge slab was a work of art fashioned with nature’s fancy.  I especially admired the pieces with Labradorite.  For Cinde, we chose Shivakashi Gold with a 2 inch Copper Slate tile backsplash.  It’s going to be perfect and definitely worth the jeopardy.

Guest Bath Three Ways

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Posted by Denise Smith on March 4, 2010 – 1:21 pm
Filed under Bathrooms, Current Projects, Rooms

I gave Bette three choices for her guest bath. The wall color and new shower curtain will be determined after we choose these permanent items. 

Light 1  Mirror 1  Vanity 1  Light 2 Mirror 2  Vanity 2  Light 3  Mirror 3  Vanity 3

Updating the Master

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Posted by Denise Smith on March 3, 2010 – 3:39 pm
Filed under Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Current Projects, Rooms

Bette asked me to help her update her Master Bedroom and Bath.  She wants to keep her custom bedding, drapes and furniture.  I suggested continuing the deep brown, wide plank hardwood we put in the public spaces of her home two years ago into the bedrooms, and she agreed it was a good idea. 

Just a few changes will make a big difference.

Counter Choices  Rug  Rug  Mirror  Fabric for Roman Shade  Bench  Wallpaper

Way Back

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Posted by Denise Smith on February 23, 2010 – 12:15 pm
Filed under Bathrooms, Kitchens, Rooms, Uncategorized

 I don’t know why I have an urge to post these photos.  They are so old that all of them but one were taken with a  camera with film.  They were scanned so long ago the quality is horrible.  They are so ancient they predate ubiquitous stainless steel and granite, in fact.

I created all these mosaics.  I remember at the time thinking the red tiles were so cutting edge.  I used to spend hours milling around showrooms.  So much so some of the employees began giving me broken tiles that were brightly colored or patterned.

I remember the first time I saw glass tile.  I was blown away.  I still am.  Just wait till you see what I’m putting in the Rooftop bar….

You can't see it from the poor quality, but some of these tiles had navy flowers on them. The rest were solid in ice blue, pale butter yellow and emerald green.

This mosaic features at least 20 different tiles in earth tones. There are even a few with a mettalic finish, which was really funky at the time.

Not a backsplash. This fireplace was in my old townhouse. It had been horrible builder grade brick. Most of the tiles had been recycled from another project.

Above a bathroom sink. Some of the tiles were periwinkle with a slight squiggly design.

This was my first. My friend saw how to do it on tv and called me to watch it. A few hours later I was done. I remember her freaking out that I would do something so quickly.

This one was done with the same colors in the same proportion to a huge piece of art in the sitting area opposite. I think the painting was of poppies, but I honestly don't remember.

 

 

Way Beyond Beige

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Posted by Denise Smith on February 17, 2010 – 4:05 pm
Filed under Bathrooms, Color, Design Principles, Rooms, Trend Spotting

There must be a lot of pink bathrooms still hanging around.  A 10 second Flickr search hit almost 3,000 and that was specifically typing only “pink toilet”. 

Pink, blue and green porcelain was enormously popular in the 50s and 60s.  It’s pretty shocking how many still remain and are in mint (lol) condition.   

Brightly coloring the place you poop seems like the oddest trend.  I wonder how it gained such popularity. It is so amazing that America bought this trend with such exuberance. Especially in light of today, where homeowners are paralyzed with fear even considering any home addition that isn’t beige.   This is not hyperbole, folks.  My clients LITERALLY clutch their hearts when I suggest carpet that is not tan, or tile that isn’t vanilla.

Pink toilets are frightening.  I understand that.  But so are plain, boring houses devoid of personality.  There are millions of other options out there.  Try one. No need to fear, because unlike the durable and well constructed toilet of the 50s, today’s products need to be replaced in 10 years anyway.

Well whatayaknow.  In researching this post I found a whole website dedicated to pink bathrooms!

Happy Darwin Day

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Posted by Denise Smith on February 12, 2010 – 3:57 pm
Filed under Friday Collage, Office, Rooms

Happy Birthday, Charles!  If the President won’t proclaim today in your honor, than I will.  I designed an office any Esteemed Educator would enjoy.  Be it a he or a she, this professor would need to have published a best seller to afford the $170K copy of  Darwin’s book, and the $14K armoire to keep it from getting dusty.   

Houndstooth Wallpaper  Desk  Armoire  Sofa  Bookcases  Rug  Chair  Lamp  Side Table  Bookbag  Origin of Species

Choosing Furniture

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Posted by Denise Smith on February 11, 2010 – 6:13 pm
Filed under Color, Design Principles, Living Rooms, Rooms

To continue yesterdays post, the second thing to bring home from the furniture store-besides measurements–  is the fabric samples.  It is vitally important to view fabrics in the place where they will eventually live.  Just as it is difficult to judge size in the massiveness of the shop, it is also difficult to accurately assess the color. 

The light in your home is different from the florescent glare of a showroom.  Color is influenced by what surrounds it.  Samples should be viewed near the flooring, paint and other objects in the room.  I have seen furniture that appeared blue in the showroom look green in the home. 

Step back and view the sample.   Has your impression of the color changed?  This can happen with tight, small patterns.   For instance, a fabric with a background of yellow and a pattern of small red checks can appear orange from a distance. 

In the photo above, the neutral swatch on the bottom right appears beige.  It’s actually a weave of green and coral.

Where Even Professionals Can Fail

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Posted by Denise Smith on February 10, 2010 – 1:17 pm
Filed under Living Rooms, Other Dilemmas, Rooms

Nothing can strike fear in the hearts of homeowners like the need to purchase new furniture.  Analysis Paralysis often results, and so many of my clients live with furniture they HATE for years before venturing into the Land of Confusion.

 The easiest cure is to hire a decorator, of course. :)   And a good one at that—I personally know a decorator who purchased a sofa for her Living Room that was too big. Because it is impossible to judge the size and visual weight of an object in the showroom.  Furniture stores are huge. Your perspective is off as soon as you walk in the door.  My advice? Don’t even think about making a purchase before you take the dimensions back home. 

My recommendation is to get some painters tape and mark off on the floor the area of the item you are considering.

There is more to study than the footprint. Add items inside the marked area so that you can visualize the space in three dimensions. (If a sofa is in question, two Dining Chairs can be placed at either end of the tape marks.)  Is there enough room to pass by?  What about the height?  Will something be blocked by the piece visually, like a window or door?  Does the piece just feel too small or large for the scale of the room?

Drawing a floorplan is always a good idea, but if you are a woman, don’t rely on just that.  Was this the problem with my decorator friend?  It is no secret that I am less “traditionally feminine” in a lot of ways than my colleagues.  I’m not afraid to admit it.