Murals Add Signifcance

A few months back I was rummaging through some books at my grandparents house.  I ran across a Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Book from 1961.  What a treasure it is!  While trends have changed, the basic concepts found in this 400 page book stand the test of time.

One of the suggestions given was using murals to dress up a space.  It is a misconception that murals are meant only for children's rooms.  Some of the most elegant dining rooms I have been in contained a hand-painted wall mural depicting a hunt scene.  Think about restaurants that use murals to create ambiance.  O'Charley's is painted with items of local significance, Logan's mural places you in a saloon.

One of my clients wanted to create a Tuscan feel in her kitchen.  She had a blank wall that screamed out for attention.  I painted a stone niche with various elements in it to evoke that Tuscan feel she desired.  Most recently I was in a workout facility that has a wall mural of a canyon.  It served as scenery to let those using the facility feel less contained.

All of the examples I shared were spaces used mostly by adults. Wall paintings don't have to be cartoonish.  When used appropriately, a mural can push out the walls of a room and make the space feel larger.

All Things Love

Ah Valentine’s Day is upon us.  In honor of tomorrow’s holiday centered around all things love I thought I would highlight things I love.  Specifically, the 5 things I love most in my house.  

5 Window Seat- It serves as additional storage which the anti-clutter part of me adores.  I also love that it gives a purpose to the bump-out in the wall.  The fun patterns and textures on the pillows help to tie the area in to the rest of the room.

4 My damask print pillow-  When we first moved here over two years ago I volunteered to host a New Year’s Eve party.  Keep in mind, we moved in mid- December.  I had all the furniture taken care of and was trying to bring in new accessories for the finishing touch.  As soon as I laid eyes on this pillow I knew it was perfect for one of our living room sofas!  I have always been drawn to damask patterns and this pillow uses it in a modern way.

3 Pewter “T”- I picked this piece while on vacation in Myrtle Beach a few years back.  I’m of the school of thought that anything to represent your initials is a must-have.  This accessory can double as a bookend or just something decorative.

2 Glasstop table-  I’m a huge fan of glass tables.  When you can see through a furniture piece it creates the illusion of invisibility thus making the space feel larger.  I love a room to be full and complete but hate when it feels cramped.  Using a glass table keeps the cramped feeling at bay. 

1 Striped Foyer- I spent hours thinking over what to do in this area.  The problem with a decorator trying to select something for herself is she knows too much.  There were so many ideas I had for the walls- I toyed with changing the paint to a bold color, adding a grasscloth wallcovering, putting in a dramatic rug.  Ultimately I was inspired by a photo I found online that showcased a wall painted in a similar striped pattern.  I chose to leave the base color the same since that’s what ran into the living room.  I used an off-white and charcoal gray to keep the color scheme sharp but modern.  I love walking in the door each day and being enveloped in these bold stripes.  Now if I could find time to paint a portrait of Mr. Wendel (my dog) to hang on the wall, the space would be complete!

What do you love about your space?  Make a list, then celebrate those things.  Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Not your Grandma's Fireplace

This is the time of year I really miss not having a fireplace!  Since I don’t have one, I start admiring other people’s and take note of how their surrounds look.  My favorite fireplace surrounds tend to be the ones that aren’t plain Jane and ordinary. 

This surround was painted by a local artist and friend of mine, Natalie Brockman.  The intricate carving, metallic accents and creamy marble-look make this surround a piece of art!

Simple and clean is what comes to mind when I see this fireplace.  I love the miniature tiles running around the hearth and up the wall.

Another faux painting job done by yours truly.  This surround had tile on the hearth and up the inside of the built-ins.  However, the builder chose not to put any on the wall between the fireplace and mantle.  It looked so awkward!  My savvy client simply called me in to paint squares that mimicked her tile.  Now you can’t tell the difference.

Life's A Beach

Are the cooler temperatures and rain are getting you down?  Turn your house into the beach!  This bathroom has walls the color of a tranquil ocean.  When you look closer you see shimmering, iridescent jelly fish swimming about.  Capped off with silver and white accents, it's the perfect setting: surrounded by marine life with no danger of being stung.