Shifting Style Gears In Interiors

I’m often asked about my preference for a particular interior design style.  I suppose, growing up in the South and also being around a mother who loved to find antiques, I developed a real appreciation for timeless classics.  I know with the right touches, classic designs can be updated with color, fabrics, patterns and accents and they will stay fresh for years to come! 

On occasion, I’m asked to step into a more modern world and it’s great fun to apply the principles of design, in a different way.  If a designer knows his or her trade, personal preference doesn’t get in the way of creating a client’s desires.

I’m working on a lower level “man space”, where my client asked for me to transition away from the upper levels of the home and to create a personalized living experience for an escape from his normally hectic world.

Here’s a peek into the progress:

A rug is forthcoming and I’ll get those pictures, later.  It’s going to be the piece that pulls this all together.  I’m still in awe that my client and his family installed the cork flooring, all on their own!  It’s a great solution for a sublevel space.  A fun design, on the ultrasuede ottoman, hints of some color accents to come.

Leathercraft was the maker of this super cool recliner.  We wanted to get rid of the bulk of a traditional style and my client, who is 6’4”, needed the height.  We had them add two more inches for a better fit.  It just goes to show, it doesn’t hurt to ask a manufacturer if they can customize their products.

The more rustic fireplace could have pushed us into another design direction.  We decided to wrap our brains around a modern, Arizona lodge.  A little Mission meets Modern vibe.  The side walls are wrapped in American Clay and the remaining walls were painted with Mythic flat paint.  We focused on being as eco-friendly as possible.

The stone and brick gave us some direction for our leather color palette.

Another portion of the area has been devoted to a media function.  A super comfortable sectional, from the Norwegian company, Ekornes, fits the space perfectly.  (Thanks to Rick at Innbo Furniture for all of his great help!)  Another rug is on the way to round out the space and to provide a soft texture.  Eventually, the remainder of the space will be finished with the wainscoting you see in the backdrop.  The larger cabinet, in the background will be moved and a bookcase will take its place.  The client’s original art provided us the inspiration to have some custom pillows done, by Leathercraft, in brilliant Ultrasuede tones. 

I love the top stitching!  The weight of the filler allows the pillows to rest in place on what could be a slippery surface with the leather.  Lightweight foam pillows would be all over the place.  I’m going to say it out loud. . . details are what I think I do best!  I really try to anticipate the cause and effect of product specifications.

I suggested my client might like to consider using some photography in the opposite space.  My wonderful photographer, Whitney Gray, just happened to be in Sedona, last week.  You should take a glimpse of her heavenly views.  I think they would mirror the brick in the fireplace, don’t you?

While some might feel it’s better to see a room in total, or in one big reveal, I like to share some of my projects as they are being layered and personalized.  Each addition has a story and a reason for why it fits. 

. . . And I do love sharing my stories with you. Tell me about yours! ~ Wanda

A Day of Interior Details

Yesterday, I visited a project that was about three years in the making.  (I’m talking about from the blueprints to the finished home.)  We keep adding little layers as this home is like a special woman who enjoys having a little extra attention.  It makes for an extra glow!  It is also the type of place where the words “simple” and “minimal” just can’t be applied.  There is also a fine line to the process of layering.  Too much, too soon, can be overwhelming.  My philosophy always is, “It’s easier to add than subtract”, so with clients who can embrace that concept, we create not only magic but memories, as well.

 

Sometimes I have some pieces in my treasure trove, of which I’m not sure where they’ll eventually be placed, but I have a “feeling” they will certainly land in a lovely spot.  This Belgium tapestry was one such item.  It was a little small so I had the workroom add an aged velvet with cording.  I ordered custom iron rods from Helser Brothers.  They do beautiful work and made the brackets so that I could reverse the acanthus leaves, from top to bottom.  The tabs and rods allowed for the tapestry to be stretched out in order to prevent wrinkling in between.

Here’s a close-up of one of the brackets.  Beautiful!  (Since I’m only 5’1”, I was so happy my new Canon G-12 camera zoomed to capture that shot.  Just wanted you to know I didn’t climb a ladder to get the photo and risk ruining my career with a broken neck!)

The groin vaulted ceilings are a magnificent architectural detail.  If we had only allowed for a flat painted surface, the depth would have been lost.  Adding soft texturing, which compliments the marble floors, let the lines pop forth.  After standing back, just one more layer did the trick . . . the hand-painted leaves are a reference to the light fixtures. 

We’ve decided to build a couple of custom wall-mounted tables for the walnut paneled library.  My inspiration will come from the cast stone fireplace supports. 

The scroll pattern will be repeated in some corbels.  My fabulous craftsperson, Phillip Stapp, will make these pieces seem as if they have been in place, from the beginning.  He was so pleased he had just acquired some reclaimed walnut boards! We changed the original function of the room, from an office to a retreat.  It’s now home to a pool table and some comfy chairs. 

Here is the area we’re going to address.  I can’t wait to show you the finished results.  Stay-tuned, in late March, for some new photos!

It’s always so nice to step back into a project.  Not only am I able to enjoy seeing the work we’ve accomplished, I enjoy catching up with clients to share their latest events.  Even in a few months, those events can change the focus of their home and I’m happy to be there to make the tweaks.  I call it “planning with flexibility”. 

“Love the home you’re in and allow for the details to honor it well.” ~ Wanda S. Horton – Interior Design

All my best! ~ Wanda

Christmas Countdown Day 15

The Clock Is Ticking!

I’m usually not an alarmist, (smile), when it comes to Christmas.  Things usually fall into place.  Perhaps because I decided to put together this aptly named series, I feel a bit like the sands of time are slipping through the hourglass.  All of a sudden, I’m imagining being in a long hallway, with a huge grandfather clock clanging away at the eleventh hour and scolding me about waiting so long to get my holiday list checked off!   

It’s all about perception, though, and I should think of the clock ticking as the calming rhythm of a heartbeat.  A symbol of life and a joyous looking forward to times to come. 

What a clever idea!  Antique and vintage clock faces turned into ornaments.  (Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens)

The finished tree!

 

I’m enamored with clocks . . . especially those of the floor version.  Grandfather or Grandmother, they make me feel right at home!  (Courtesy of:  Between Naps on the Porch)

This is a winning combination of a mantle clock and an over door piece.  (Courtesy of: Traditional Home)

Ah, Etsy, you never let me down!  At $90, this vintage Italian Tole clock will ring in the hour, beautifully!  (From:  unExpectedParTie)

I won’t even mention what’s right around the corner!

Thanks for spending your time with me! ~ All my best! ~ Wanda

12 Days And Counting!

Christmas Countdown – Day 5

Marvelous Mantels!

At the holidays, one of the architectural features, of which we tend to turn our decorating attention, is the fireplace mantel or chimneypiece.  Due to today’s building codes and the creation of well-vented, gas burning logs, the mantel, (if used at all), has become more of an aesthetic architectural addition, as opposed to its original function.  In medieval times, they were created as a hood piece, which went over the grate, to prevent smoke from pouring into a room.  Up to around the twelfth century, rooms were heated by a fire placed in the middle of the room, under the flooring area, called a hypocaust.  (Think of a complex, ancient version of a heated tile floor.)

History lesson aside . . . let’s look at some marvelous, holiday mantel embellishments!

Dwarf Alberta Spruce,a mixture of greens and berries, along with sugared pomegranates make for a fabulous mantel line-up!  (Courtesy, Better Homes and Gardens)  PS – I sure would be happy to receive this mantel from Santa!  Think it would fit in his sleigh?

Christopher Hyland, a NYC interior designer, and creator of a couture home-furnishings line, showcases blue and white antique porcelain on a stately mantel from Chesney’s.

I recently helped a client get her home ready for holiday entertaining.  We had an extra garland so it was brought to the master bedroom where some French-wired ribbon and metallic ornaments added a twinkle of light.   A very romantic touch, don’t you think?  (Interior Concepts by Wanda, Arcadia Custom Homes)

A stand of tin trees dance across the mantel where a pair of topiaries rise up to greet them.  When bookcases are flanking a fireplace, it works well to carry the decorations over to them, as well.  The focal point becomes broadened.  (Courtesy of Canadian House and Home.)

A mantel doesn’t always have to be over a fireplace.  In this dining room, the wall shelf provides for garland and vintage stockings to be paired with the homeowner’s collections.  Brilliant!  (Courtesy of Country Living)

A piano also becomes a lovely substitute for a fireplace.  The verdant green and a peak of turquoise aren’t too shabby for a chic display!

Mantel, mantel on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?  I would love to hear how you decorate your mantel for the holidays!  Thanks for leaving a note!

21 Days and Counting! ~ All my best! ~ Wanda