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April 2013

These are not your Grandmother's Traditional Rooms

Unless you are a red carpet personality you are not expected to show up with a new outfit every time you appear in public. In fact all of us would be reluctant to give up our favorite pieces of clothing. At the same time we love to freshen up our look with a new jacket, the latest pant style, a trendy pair of shoes, or fabulous jewelry. And, then there are years (often when marking a new decade) that we need to treat ourselves to a total makeover.

It is the same with adjusting the décor of your rooms to accommodate fashion or a change in lifestyle. If you are fortunate you made some wise choices to begin with, but as in the case of your wardrobe there comes a moment for an assessment of what to keep, give away, or replace. Updating a room might require the introduction of a different color, replacing worn out furnishings, or discarding things that no longer give you pleasure. There will also be periods when you need to shake things up a bit and come up with an entirely new decorating plan.

Here are three stories about the ways Decorating Den Interiors' decorators not only uplifted their clients' rooms but their lives as well.

TRADITIONAL MEETS MAD MEN

The decorator described her client's master bedroom as, "tons of room and tons of problems." It had (80's) bed-in-a-bag bedding with matching window treatments, hand-me-down nightstands with tiny lamps, and icy blue walls. To satisfy her husband the client said the bed had to stay. She asked for the luxurious look the decorator had created in several of the other rooms in her home, but as a lover of the TV series Mad Men the client was intent on adding a few 60's retro items in the mix.

After previewing current rooms featured on Decorating Den's website the client liked the idea of going with a mid-tone blue, and pairing it with serene taupe and cream colors. At the windows the decorator chose the sheerest of fabrics for the fully operational roman shades, which she paired with Moroccan embroidered stationary panels. The custom bench provides a great seating area and makes the window seem not so wide.

To bring the old four poster canopy bed up to date the decorator dressed it with a custom designed comforter that has a woven multicolored damask insert. The luscious array of pillows includes a trio of Euro shams covered in the same stripe as on the window seats. New night tables and tall sculptural lamps add extra panache to the bedroom's revitalization.

The addition of the faux Eames chair and ottoman rescued from the throwaway pile of the client's mother saved the space from being just another traditional room. Recovered in velvet, these iconic mid-century look-likes truly give the bedroom its NOW vibe.

CLASSIC REINTERPRETATION

The homeowner's main request was for a lighter look that would balance the formal antiques she already owned with newer more contemporary pieces. Repainting the wall a creamy color set against crisp white trim instantly brightened the space. The decorator's introduction of a beautiful squared arm sofa, sans skirt, upholstered in an informal white woven fabric defined the new uptown look. In addition, the transitional patterns she chose for the floor covering, drapery and accent pillows lend a fresh spin to the room's revival.

Covering the client's existing antique French armchairs in a neutral dragonfly embroidered fabric helped relax the formality of the room. Her selection of a black ground for the pillows and the choice of an oversized, mink colored, tufted leather ottoman provide the eye with a break from the lighter hues while reinvigorating the homeowners' treasured dark stained antique furnishings.

REFINED TRANSITIONAL

In this case the client wanted to convert her small unused space into an elegant dining room where she would feel comfortable entertaining family and friends. A place for serving food and a way to seat eight people without crowding the room were important considerations. While the client described her style as traditional, she was in favor of a collection of furnishings that would be in sync with today's trend towards transitional with a sophisticated edge.

Together the client and the decorator decided on a round table, in a beautiful sienna finish, that maximizes seating and softens the space. The graceful lines of the lyre back chairs complement the table. Picking up on a popular trend, the decorator chose a rug with a large-scale stylized floral and leaf pattern, in deep tones of espresso brown, gold, and rust. To address the challenge of the serving space, they added a large buffet which has a substantial area for serving dinner and desserts. The bold chandelier and impressive pair of Oriental inspired lamps add drama and much needed lighting to the space.

The windows were perfectly framed with rich toned drapery panels that pick up the colors in the rug. At the bottom of the tailored diamond pattern valances she added a little bling with dazzling beads. The clients are thrilled with the way their new dining room turned out... warm and comfortable, yet elegant and stylish

Whether it's your time for a room update or a more extensive makeover, you owe it to yourself to call Decorating Den Interiors.

This month's decorating tips brought to you by:
Carol Donayre Bugg, ASID DDCD
Vice President and Director of Design

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