Lighting – When Fab Meets Function

“I just I need a pair of lamps” . . . said the client to the designer.  At first thought, and rightly so, addressing the functional need is the client’s request and the designer’s charge, but when you lay your eyes on this bejeweled, rock crystal duet . . . it less about need and all about desire. 

Oh, they had me at “hello!”

1950’s Carol Stupell Rock Crystal Lamps (From:  Galere as shown on 1st Dibs $9,900 – pair) 

Come a little closer for the love of crystal.

The original shades are still intact.  Just look at the pleating.  So feminine.

Getting back to reality . . .

Not everyone might decide to delve into as deep of a lighting investment in order to add some luminosity to end tables.  In fact, there might have been a simultaneous gasp at the beauty of these pieces, as well as the price tag! 

The point I’m making is that lamps can be beautifully structured additions to your interior space, while offering great functionality.  The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive of one another.  I’m always amazed when an investment has been made in a gorgeous rug or a stupendous sofa and then some languid lamps are expected to live up to the expectations set by the afore mentioned.  Just think of some times where extra accessories had to be brought in order to jazz up the room.  Great lamps can eliminate some of the excess clutter.

Did I mention these were from the 1950’s?  It just goes to show, good taste remains!

Have a brilliant day! ~ Wanda

Interior Design ‘Intention’ Deficit

Many individuals, couples, and families have found themselves battling the syndrome, ‘Interior Design Intention Deficit’, also known as ‘IDID’.  This syndrome is not uncommon and it can create great obstacles for the completion of a rewarding interior design project.  Without defining the intent, establishing priorities, or creating a plan, the project can quickly derail. Take a look at the following questions for a quick, self-test.

 Have you . . .

. . . ever begun thinking about projects, for one area of your home, then totally switched gears to another space?  

. . . fallen in love with every changing color and design style because you thought it was more important to be “trendy” rather than to honor your actual lifestyle and design preferences? 

. . . waffled on decisions because you listened to everyone else’s “expert” opinion of how your home should be designed and lacked the confidence to say “No, that’s not for me”? 

. . . suffered from “analysis paralysis”, by over-thinking every minutia of detail and ended up not moving forward?

. . . ignored important details which ended up costing you more, in the long run?

. . . stopped the process, before completion, because no project plan was in place, and a realistic expectation of your investment in time and finances had not been established? 

(Analysis paralysis is one of the identifiable symptoms of IDID.)

If you answered “yes” to any one of the previous questions, you could be heading down the path for “IDID”. 

I’m sure, by now, you realize this post is somewhat in jest.  Clinical psychologists haven’t officially named this series of behaviors as a true syndrome, but as an interior designer, (who happens to have her minor in psychology), I believe there deserves to be a “cure”.  A bit of extra focus, (tunnel vision), and some professional help to administer some “tough love”, can go a long way in breaking the cycle of ‘IDID’.

Watch for the solution, coming in my June blog posts:  “One Room At A Time”.

Experience the best about design!  - Wanda

Gratitude, A New Blog Series, & Simple Solutions

Wow!  There must be something in the air as my May calendar has been packed with meetings and projects.  Thank you to all of my lovely clients!  I’m humbled and honored to be asked to be a part of the process of creating the place you call home.  One of you contacted me to help with your new home, after being away from our area for five years.  Welcome back!

For those who might be considering utilizing an interior designer’s services, (perhaps even mine), I’ll have some upcoming posts where I’ll share how this process can be a joyful experience, even through the bumps which can occur, when you are living in the world of custom design.  Expecting HGTV?  No offense, but it’s not on my radar when I create my posts.  However as they say in TV land, stay-tuned!  “A Room at a Time” will debut in June.

Meanwhile, just so I don’t loose your attention, while I’m working on my next series, here’s a quick and simple solution for taking a cubby space and making it magnificent:

By adding corbels, on either side of a built-in desk-top, the design goes from plain to “pow” and it allows for plenty of extra leg room, too.  Even the closet door benefits from some applied molding.  Trim details can take a box of a space and add a distinctive personality.  For those who do like fast results, this might be a great place to start!

Experience . . .  the best about design! ©  . . . Wanda

The Finishing Line

A High Point Market Countdown ~ “Details in Design” ~ #3

It has been my experience, if I ask almost any man about painting over a stained wood finish, it will elicit a facial expression somewhere between shock and horror.  I’ve witnessed this, firsthand, in my own household – and I’m an interior designer!  (I emphasized the “I’m” as it doesn’t seem to carry much weight in the opinion department.)  Nevertheless, if one sees it already applied by the manufacturer, well then, it must be perfectly acceptable.  I do want to offer a disclaimer . . . I’m not suggesting painting over any precious antique or artifact.  I would certainly defer to the advice of the Keno brothers before lifting a brush to Napoleon’s grandmother’s Recamier!

I did notice, at the fall High Point Market, painted or special finishes were popping up all over the place.  I would imagine we’ll see this trending even deeper at the spring show.  People are long past the concept of purchasing suites of furniture.  It’s more about the process of collecting and layering rooms.  Painted pieces, or even pieces incorporating exotic woods and finishes, are a way to add interest and whimsy.  We always can use a bit more whimsy, in my opinion.  Who wants to live in a stuffy space?

I love this line-up of chairs from Century’s Oscar de la Renta collection.  Wouldn’t you just expect to see a rainbow of colors against the “Cloud” finish?

This étagère from Councill Furniture sizzles in the color “Pepper”.

Metallic finishes will continue to be strong.  This French style chest, from Currey & Company, would be so “oooo la la” against lacquered walls in aubergine. 

These chests from Shine by S.H.O. demonstrate how a change of finish gives a whole new vibe to the same design.  One is in a lacquered white and the other is in a natural cerused white oak veneer.  (A cerused finish is very much the same as a “limed” finish.  An open grained wood has a special finish applied, in white or grey tones, where the remainder of the wood tone is allowed to show through.  See my recent newsletter tab for an article on this technique.)

Here are some examples of finishes and wood species, which are used to create little jeweled pieces of furniture.

A spoon foot, cabriole leg is often found in more traditional furniture pieces.  Look at how this splash of sunshine changes ones perspective!  Even with a deep, mohair cover, whimsy lives on.  (And you know how I feel about whimsy!)

Wishing you colorful cheers!  Wanda

A Bird’s Eye View

A High Point Market Countdown ~ “Details in Design” ~ #2

Most of us are familiar with the expression, “a little bird told me . . .”, and we understand the bearer of the news just can’t contain their excitement.  They just have to give us a tid-bit of information so we’ll be in the inner loop. 

So – without keeping you in suspense, I’ll have to share “Details in Design ~ #2.  Here is my prediction for one of the recurring motifs which should be seen at the High Point Spring Market:

 

Pearson Furniture is offering it in a subtle pillow accent.

 

CR Laine upholstery pops it, in this chair, with a bit of green.

Then, they offer a different accoutrement in aqua.

Starting to get the picture?  (Courtesy from CR Laine.)

Maybe this little “nest” of a room, from Thibaut, will help.

 

Perhaps a visit from “Edgar”, by artist Robin Maria Pedrero, would open your “peepers”.

Sedgefield by Adams has carried this “flock of friends” for the past few years.  I never get tired of stopping by to visit their roosting spot.

This Barbara Cosgrove porcelain lamp is a “tweetrific” example of transforming a traditional design with a modern shade.

Yes - if you’re an admirer of all things avian, this should be your season!  I’ll be sure to put this on my trend watch list, and will tweet, (report), back to you.

Cheerful chirps your way!  ~ Wanda

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A Plan, A Market Map, and Good Shoes!

A High Point Market Countdown ~ “Details in Design” #1 

It’s just about a week before the world’s largest home furnishings’ industry trade show will be brought to the small, southern town of High Point, North Carolina.  The official Spring Market opening date is April 17th, but many buyers make a point to arrive a day or two earlier, as there are some showrooms who provide sneak previews and special buy-ins.

The IHFC – International Home Furnishings Center – Building ~ This is where it mostly began.

Being located in the Charlotte, NC area, (just a couple of hours away), is an advantage which I never take for granted.  I’m even able to scoot to the designer showrooms, which are open to the trade, in between markets.

During the week of market, the High Point population almost doubles, due to the over 80,000 visitors who make their way to the show.  While not quite NYC, there is still a bit of an urban excitement and anticipation, as shuttles scoot you from building to building, and industry “high rollers”, make their way around the showroom floors.  Some celebrities have been created, by the market, while other celebrities bring their existing fame, caché, and branding to a manufacturer’s line.  Ever the people-watcher, it’s a fascinating time for me!

One thing is certain, I don’t think I’ve ever been to every single showroom, after over twenty-something years of market attendance!  It’s almost impossible to fathom.  The market has grown immensely, since I was a design student at East Carolina University and one of my professor’s created a senior field trip.  Even in this blog post, I can’t begin to show you all of the different buildings.  Major furniture manufacturers, such as Lexington, Drexel Heritage, and the like, have offsite campuses, too. 

Just a few of the major buildings at the market:

Showplace

Transportation Central – Buses, Trolleys and Vans, Oh My!

 

Market Square and Suites at Market Square

C&D Building

 

200 Steele

 

Hamilton Square

200 North Hamilton

The spring market is typically a time for a lighter introduction of new designs and styles, as it mainly reinforces some of the trends, introduced in the fall market.  Over the next few days, I’ll be working on my lists of showrooms to visit, and I’ll be doing some short posts, about “High Point - Details in Design”.  Yes, even in with the vast amounts of showrooms and product lines, sometimes its a specific element, which will capture my attention.

Be sure to check back as I share my predictions of what we’ll see in the showrooms.  After I return from market, it will be fun to see how close I came.  Now it’s back to work!  Lists, catalogs – oh, and shopping for comfy shoes!

 

Cheers to you!  Wanda

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Great Beginnings – Part 3 – Thinking and Creating “Inside” of the Box

During the month of January, I’m continuing my Great Beginnings series with a post I think is so appropriate for this time of year. While we are in the midst of winter, and may be feeling a little lackluster about our immediate surroundings, it’s a great time to take stock of interior projects and to begin the process of planning, before spring’s arrival, and the outdoor living spaces begin to divert our attention.  (And the local craftsmen!)

(While not always the “pretty” part of design, detailed measurements let you know what you can and cannot create, “inside of the box”.  This is how I began the design for a client’s bonus room.  I later added electrical and trim detail notes.)

First, it’s imperative to take a good analysis of a particular room or space to determine how it could be optimized.  There might be areas you can identify as problematic because of traffic flow, space use, inadequate lighting, high maintenance requirements, energy inefficiency, or discomfort.  Do you wish you had the ability to push back the walls and open up the areas in order to be able to “breathe”?  Or, maybe you have the opposite problem of feeling as if you have to shout from one chair to the other, in order for someone to hear you speak.  Perhaps, there’s an “it” factor missing and you can’t identify what the “it” is.  I have a fascination with how our immediate surroundings make such an impact as to our sense of well-being, focus, or boost in energy – or – a lack, thereof.

(If I can see several solutions, I offer them as part of the overall package.  We all love to have a choice!  This was option 1 and showed a sleeper sofa for extra guests, as there is a bathroom off this bonus room.  The pool table, football table, bookcases, and TV were a must keep.)

Interior refreshing and remodeling can be a way to accomplish several goals, at one time.  Many solutions may not necessarily require a major overhaul of your space.  By having a professional interior designer take a good assessment, an inventory of the room, and by really facing the quirks or challenges, you can team up to create a smart plan, literally, from the ground up.  Having a function and priority list on hand, makes it so much easier to bring in the aesthetic desires, too!  As mentioned in a previous post, utilizing multi-functional furniture may confirm you don’t need to bump-out wall space, as you might eliminate a piece from the room’s footprint.  In making wise investment selections, you no longer have the burden of hanging onto a “white elephant” purchase because of the impulse of a “good deal”.  You’ll be able to make confident, quality decisions, and with a professional’s guidance.

(This was the 2nd option and the one my client selected.  The television had to stay where it had been originally placed, and having the full view, from the sleeper sofa, was even more important than playing a game of pool.  You can see, if we didn’t have this directive, extra furniture pieces would have been unnecessarily purchased.)

Retrofitting an area – meaning – keeping the existing footprint but reworking it “inside of the box”, will amaze you with the results!  It’s always beneficial when clients allow me to offer this experience to them.  Sometimes, it’s as simple as removing a door, never used for privacy between rooms, and creating a wider, arched opening.  On other occasions, we’ve reworked cabinets, changed furniture layouts, or added a larger, cleaner piece of furniture, rather than multiple little ones.  I often get positive feedback on how window treatments can make a space seem larger, rather than smaller, if done correctly.  The bottom line is, the more cohesive and complete the overall room plan and implementation can be, the better the outcome for the client. 

Cheerful beginnings to you!  Wanda  

Text ‘Haiti’ to 90999 to donate to the American Red Cross – Click on below, for more details.  Thanks for giving them a new beginning.

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like . . .

I had really promised myself I would slow down and let each holiday be given its own due.  Halloween? That was pretty easy.  The pumpkins, gourds, and harvest accents were properly placed and enjoyed, as the month of September rolled into October.  November?  Well, that’s a different story.  Christmas Carols are already playing on several radio stations - and non-stop, I might add.  It goes without saying the stores have been decked out. In Charlotte, we are also in the midst of the Southern Christmas Show. 

I looked at the calendar and calculated the days before my Wyoming in-laws will be in town, for Thanksgiving week, and then the number of weeks, in between, when my folks will be arriving for Christmas.  Okay, I give up!  I guess it’s just time to crank up the music and warm up the wassail.  It IS beginning to look at lot like Christmas and I’ll share with you some sights to help you get in the spirit, too!  

Give your guests a sneak preview as to what to expect, inside.  This is the entry to a client’s home and we honored her mountain-inspired retreat with cones and long-leaf pine – a tree indigenous to North Carolina. 

I love white ironstone for its versatility.  (And, I can’t help it, I still love clocks!  See my previous post on the subject.)

I’m a fan of Carolyne Roehm and her Christmas Canine wreath is so “bow-wow-tiful”!  (A good sense of humor goes a long way towards maintaining the holiday spirit, don’t you think?)

This Colonial Candle display certainly gets the message across regarding what they are all about.  What happy color combinations and you’ll always be prepared for a power outage! 

There’s something about a farmhouse table, laden with goodies, graced with topiaries and crowned with a chandelier.  Red is definitely one of my favorite colors . . . Like a moth to a flame, is a pretty accurate description, for me!

The decorations, on this mantel, are a lovely extension of the wintery scene.  Couldn’t you just get lost for hours, here?

A contrast of textures, to the previous mantel photo.  The asymmetrical groupings of potted conifers and obelisks compliment the rustic fireplace.  A comfy, casual spot!

A gathering of pinecones, accented by either a pile of apples and magnolia leaves, or placed around a planted amaryllis, are a quick and easy way to add an earthy touch to your seasonal greens and flowers.

What?  Never heard of the Christmas Bunny?  If your storage space is limited or you can’t bear to put your favorite everyday decorations away – go ahead, break the rules.  I “triple dog dare you”! 

I always say, the holidays are like the Bermuda Triangle of sweets.  Who could resist saying no to this? 

Speaking of treats, I do enjoy spreading the seasonal joy to the kitchen.  This is not a case for “less is more”.

For those of you who prefer an option to the traditional reds and greens, Carolyne Roehme offers up her version of a blue and white Christmas.  So wintery and magical! 

How about a “green” Christmas?  I can see this room being an homage to an eco-friendly holiday.  Recycled floors and stone from an old farmstead.  The antique coffee table, had a previous life as a kitchen table.  Organic linen slipcovers placed on the sofa and chairs made of soy foam and renewable frame materials.  Even the tree is sustainable as it is a live version, to be planted later!

 Finishing touches can be created from a bit of this and a bit of that!

 

While this post may be longer than the Twelve Days of Christmas, I hope you’ll enjoy my gift to you and will take away something to inspire you for a season, merry and bright!

“It is not our things which make us happy, but rather the people with whom we share them.”  Wanda Horton

(Thanks to:  House Beautiful, Home and Garden, Traditional Homes, Colonial Candles, Veranda and Interior Concepts by Wanda for the photo sources.)

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