Wonderful Wide Wood

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Katharine Mast

Chevron Hickory Floors by Carlisle

Interior design is a step by step process.  Well before painting, furnishing and accessorizing ever happens, there’s the part where you consider the bones and materials of the empty room itself.  One of the MOST important elements to select is the flooring!  We beg you not to overlook it.  Trust us -  the right flooring adds depth and dimension to your room, no matter what style it may be.  Changing your flooring can change the whole feel of a space!

Brown Maple Flooring by Carlisle

One of our favorite flooring options, being from New England, is hardwood floors.  Wood floors are warm, natural, durable, practical and can even be quite dramatic if you opt for something other than the ubiquitous red oak.  A local hardwood floor company we really love is Carlisle Wide Plank Floors of Stoddard, NH.   Carlisle sells nearly every species of wood – including ash, birch, cherry, hickory, maple, walnut, and red or white oak.  Their wide plank offerings are either new solid wood planks, reclaimed boards or engineered pre-finished flooring  – so they can meet pretty much any wood floor desire you have.  They even offer a weathered reclaimed barn wood that looks fantastic on walls and ceilings in a rustic setting.

Carlisle takes its top quality wood from the central heartwood of the tree.  Heartwood is the densest grain and contains the least moisture.  Then they hand mill the wood into the long, wide boards.  (Wider planks translates to fewer seams on your floor!)  Their wood flooring is first air dried for up to one year and then kiln dried in small batches.  As a result, it doesn’t shrink or warp.  (This means the wood can easily withstand being installed over radiant heat or concrete slabs!)  Their expert flooring staff can guide you to which species of wood and stain would best meet your aesthetic needs.  Do you want to see grains and streaks?  Do you want the room to feel contemporary, traditional, rustic or refined?  What color stain would best suit the  wood you chose? Do you want a smooth or rough hewn surface?  Below are some of their flooring products.  Take a peek and check out their website as well.  You just might be inspired to pull up your tile or wall-to-wall carpet and go with natural wood!

Handscraped Hickory

Barnwood Siding

Red Oak, Oatmeal Stout Stain

Eastern White Pine

Ash

Walnut

 

 

 

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Lovely Lucite

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Susan Falls

Tobi Fairley

Clear. Clean. Light. Airy. Sculptural. Versatile. Elegant.  Lucite furniture is all these things and more.  It’s a designer’s little trick for adding a bit of chic coolness into any room.      We love it!

La Reina chair by Pedrali

So what exactly is lucite?  Basically it’s a form of plastic – a strong, shatter resistant acrylic  (polymethyl methacrylate to be specific!) introduced by DuPont in the 1930s.  Once furniture designers got a hold of the material, its use in home decor took off and reached a frenzied peak in the 1970s.  While people aren’t doing whole lucite rooms anymore, impressively, lucite has never gone out of style.  That’s because lucite works in any style decor  – and that explains its wide ranging popularity and longevity.   Lucite furniture is now found at varying price points so that it easily fits into any design budget.  (Of course you get what you pay for – higher end lucite pieces are thick, sturdy and crystal-like.  Worth every penny!)   One source for lucite is Design Within Reach.  DWR carries Kartell’s iconic Louis Ghost chair designed by Phillipe Stark in 2002.  Arguably the king of lucite furniture is Plexi-Craft, a New York City manufacturer who has been creating custom lucite pieces for over 50 years. Not only will they produce custom pieces as per your specifications, but the Plexi-craft website is also chock full of exciting designs you can purchase immediately.  (You can pick up a classic waterfall cocktail table there for a mere $420!)   Finally, Spectrum West is another outstanding source for unique, top quality acrylic furniture.  We recommend you check them out.

Samantha Pynn/Virginia Macdonald

So, while it’s nearly invisible, a lucite piece packs an unmistakeable design punch.  It works with any color scheme and the smooth surface is a perfect foil for other textures and natural materials.  Lucite furniture is perfect for light airy interiors needing a clean look.  For both neutral decors or vividly colorful ones.  A clear coffee table will let a gorgeous rug underneath be the star.  A single chair will become an unexpected conversation piece.  A crystal clear dining table will make your room feel more spacious.  A lucite storage piece will magically allow objects to “float” in space.

“Clearly” lucite has a lot going for it.  We hope you’ll consider adding a piece to your home!

Plexi-CraftHouse BeautifulCraig Van Den BrulleHickory Chair

Hickory ChairCraig Van Den BrulleHouse Beautiful

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All Dressed Up

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Katharine Mast

Near the end of a design project Sue and I really love selecting the finishing touches and accessorizing.   Then the room is truly done!  Believe us, when people skip the accessorizing step you can tell!  Something subtle but important is missing.  It’s like going out for the night wearing a beautiful outfit without any jewelery.  Accessories make a room look lived in and interesting!  They’re a chance to add more of your own personality to your home by displaying objects that mean something to you.  They’re also a way to showcase any collections you might have.  And, accessories simply make a room more beautiful and comfortable.

So, what constitutes an accessory?  Books, pictures, dishware, flowers, plants, vases, pillows, throws, art objects, boxes, candles, cool baubles picked up in your travels, etc.  In short:  things that are pretty, unique, and tasteful.  If something is useful and also meets these requirements, all the better!  We admit sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between unnecessary tchotchkes and worthwhile accessories.  When it comes to accessorizing, it’s just one of those “you know it when you see it” situations!  Once you figure out what is a worthy embellishment, you may need some guidance on where to place it.  Horizontal surfaces like coffee tables, mantels, bookcases, and built-ins are the obvious places.  But also window sills, kitchen islands, dressers and desks need items to break up their bare flat surfaces.  Plump pillows and soft throws can grace your upholstered seating and beds.  Soft items with color and pattern will make any room more cozy.

Jean Allsopp Photography

Strategically place these items in your room.   Always vary the height, shape, size, finish and color of objects that go next to each other.  Make sure object colors complement what’s happening in your room.  Stack and layer items for visual interest.  If you have multiples of the same object, place them in odd numbered groupings.  And go for impact by corralling similar type things together rather than scattered throughout the room.  (For example, a collection of antique salt cellars will be most interesting when you can see all the cellars together in one place!)  Play with the placement a bit until it feels just right.  If necessary, live with a vignette for a couple days – you can always move things around as much as you like later!   As for bookcases, most of your books should be vertical, sorted by height, but a few horizontal stacks of books will break up the monotony and give your eye somewhere to land.   Mix the books with objects or small framed pieces of art for fantastic looking bookcases!

Remember, we’re not suggesting that things get cluttered  – there is most definitely a happy medium between a bare room and an overly accessorized one.   And for all our talk about placement, we still hope for things to feel natural and not contrived like in a furniture showroom.  Real people live there after all!  You’ll know when it’s done right when you and your guests will all feel comfortable hanging out in the space for long periods of time!

Milk and Honey Home

 

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La Casa Mexicana

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Jen

I’m just back from a blissful week in Tulum, Mexico, a super casual beach town on the Mayan Riviera.  The turquoise water, the sun, the food, the language, the people – all contributed to a fantastic memorable experience!  And of course, any trip to Mexico is chock full of lush visual inspiration for a designer.  The country has a vibrant style that is definitely all its own.  While the unique look of Mexican interior design is embraced by South Western homeowners in states like Arizona and New Mexico, it’s a trickier style to incorporate wholeheartedly into a traditional New England home.   But, if you are looking for an upbeat, casual, colorful interior you should consider adding some Mexican elements to your decor.

The first thing you notice about Mexican style is the universal use of bold, saturated color.  Cobalt blues, deep reds, golden mustard yellows, cactus greens and terracotta are the mainstays.  Walls are painted in these lush hues – often the very same room will sport walls of different colors!   Mexicans are not shy about color – they use it in a carefree, spontaneous, generous way and the resulting interiors are warm, relaxed and joyous.  And the color doesn’t stop at the walls.  It’s layered on – in the textiles, the patterned tiles, the artwork and furnishings.   All interior elements traditionally incorporate lots and lots of  happy color.

Mexican furnishings have a distinctive rustic look, often handcrafted from either pine or mesquite wood.  The finish is left natural – or sometimes dark stained.  Pine pieces are often painted colors.  Pieces are constructed in simple, sturdy shapes with straight lined profiles.  However, the simple forms are often just a canvas for further ornamentation.  Carved details – like scalloped edges, zig zags, entwined flowers, stars – turn each piece of furniture into a work of art.  Dark iron hardware details embellish drawers or doors.  Hinges, knobs, rings and pulls are usually hand hewn and show the hammer marks.  Antiques in Mexico are valued not for being pristine.  Instead imperfections that come with age show that they’ve been well used and loved.

You can’t get far in Mexico without encountering the ubiquitous tiles that sometimes seem to cover every available surface!  A traditional handmade Mexican tile is covered with painted patterns and used with abandon.  The same painted designs you find on tiles, will also appear on other things like sinks, dishware and pottery.  Multiple patterns are routinely mixed together and this makes for a festive, spirited interior.   You can certainly find places in your home to incorporate a hand painted piece like a tile or pot.

Finally, fabrics in Mexico continue the use of color and pattern.  Textiles are woven in the time honored tradition and if you’ve ever seen a poncho or Mexican blanket then you know the look – big swaths of bright color.  Many designs come from traditional Aztec or Mayan patterns.  Another popular look for fabric is the use of embroidery with thick yarn-like thread, which gives simple white cotton fabric a folk art touch.  These woven and embroidered fabrics make authentic and charming pillows, upholstery, and bedding.

So, if you’re looking for a truly spirited and casual interior, consider some of these Mexican design elements and the ways you might add little South of Border spirit to your own home.

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Geometry for Grown Ups

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Susan Falls

Hexagons, triangles, octagons, rectangles, cubes, cylinders…… We thought the last time we’d be contemplating those shapes was back in high school geometry class.  But geometry is back in our lives again in the form of geometric prints.  The last few years have seen these patterns emerge as a very popular interior design trend and we must say – we’re loving geometry so much more this time around!

Dwell

What’s great about geometric patterns is that they are unexpectedly versatile.  They obviously make sense in modern spaces with clean, simple lines.  And yet they work surprisingly well in traditional homes too!  The patterns inject an energy and vibrancy wherever they go.  There’s something undeniably timeless about them – after all, these shapes have been around forever.  It’s a clever trick – any room with geometric patterns is decidedly not dated and definitely has personality!   Think of the Greek key – a motif that’s shown up for literally thousands of years – and consider how hip it still looks today as a border on a rug or bedding.  Quite a mathematical achievement.

One worry is that repetitive prints like these are too busy to live with, but we find the result is actually the opposite.  A large area (like a wall or floor) covered in the same repeating shape turns the pattern into just another background element.  In that scenario, a solid will be the piece that stands out!   Yet if you use a geometric the opposite way – in just a small concentrated dose – on a pillow perhaps – it cleverly draws the eye there!

Geometrics are also versatile because they mix so easily with other prints.  They pair up fabulously with all kinds of florals, strips, and other non-geometric prints.  Just be sure that they are of a different scale and all should be fine.

Given all this, it’s no surprise that we’re seeing these absolutely everywhere in the design world.  From stationary products at Staples to every home decor item imaginable.  Area rugs, tiles, fabrics, wallcoverings and furniture are all showing us the beauty of measured lines and curves.  Every smart home has a place for some geometry.  And we don’t mean in just in your kid’s textbooks!

Nate Berkus

Massucco Warner Miller Interiors

Kishani Perera

Chloe Sevigny's Home

Amber Interior Design

David Jimenez

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Marvelous Mantels

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Susan Falls

House of Honey

Today is the first full day of winter!  It’s a time when families love to gather around the fireplace.  Winter nights in New England are undeniably cozier, more relaxed and special when there’s a roaring fire.

No matter what season it is, a fireplace should always be one of the top focal points in a room.  If yours isn’t so special, we hope you’ll consider taking a good look at the mantel and making some updates.   A fix could be as simple as re-working the accessories on top.  But the design impact you want may require a bigger commitment.  Today we’re going to talk about the next step – considering your mantel’s physical design.  A mantel is an important architectural element in a room and it shouldn’t be overlooked or accepted just because it’s the mantel that came with the house.

James Michael Howard

As always, we want to stress that a mantel should be compatible with the overall style of your home.  A Victorian calls out for an authentic period stone mantel.  A country style cottage can look even more charming with a rustic and casual surround.  A classic colonial feels just right with a traditional painted white wood mantel.  If your home is an eclectic gem or a sleek contemporary, feel free to break some rules while still honoring your home.

Mantels are most often built of just two materials – wood or stone.   The most popular stones for mantels are limestone, marble and granite.  These can be carved as simply or intricately as you’d like.  The same goes for wood.  A simple reclaimed wood plank might be all you need to accent your fireplace wall.  Or an intricately carved wooden surround could be the solution.  Wood always has that added versatility as it can be stained or painted – and it doesn’t have to be just white!  There are wonderful sources for antique mantels of either material and these are a way to add instant character to your room.  If that doesn’t work with your home’s aesthetic or you can’t find just the right size, a craftsman can easily construct a custom mantel designed to fit around your firebox.   The devil here is in the details.   Spend time viewing mantel designs and choose the elements that will make your investment worthwhile.  Carved details, raised panels, dentil molding, pilasters, fluting or just simple clean lines are but a few examples of the possibilities.

DMS Studios Ltd.

One important factor to determine is the finished height of your mantel.  Depending on the mantel material, local fire codes will come into play.  Their goal is to limit fire hazards, so the height of both the hearth and the dimensions of the firebox opening will impact the final height of your mantel.  Be sure to check with your local building department for guidelines on what’s acceptable.

John Coolidge

Aesthetically, the mantel’s height will also hinge on your ceiling heights.  Generally, the taller the ceiling, the higher the mantel can be.  Do you have specific plans for the wall above the mantel?  If you need space for a mirror, artwork or a television, be sure to figure that out ahead of time.  You might also want to make the mantle part of a whole built-in that incorporates bookcases, the tv or other decorative details.

Here is a lovely assortment of fireplace mantels that we think look just stellar!  Enjoy!

Roger Davies

HGTV

Ashbourne Design

Lonny Magazine

Jennifer Worts Design

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Island Paradise

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Jen

Elizabeth Whiting & Associates

Like all of you, we are buzzing around prepping for the holidays while juggling our other usual tasks.  Needless to say, we’ve have had a few “Calgon, Take Me Away” moments!   Our fantasy escape is a deserted island with sun, relaxation and not much else.  Alas, today’s blog is not about that kind of island paradise.  Instead, we’re going to talk about the more accessible dose of pleasure one gets from a thoughtfully designed kitchen island. Nearly as good, right?!  If you’re entertaining for the holidays it just might be your dream!

Eric Roth Photography

Ask anyone what they want in their fantasy kitchen and inevitably the list will include an island.  Why?  They are super functional and a fantastic decorative focal point.  On a practical level, islands provide lots of additional storage and counter top space – which everyone needs.  They’re also the perfect spot for casual dining, for kids to do homework, or guests to hang out while you entertain.  Many islands incorporate even more – such as sinks, cook tops, dishwashers or other appliances.  Islands are coveted for a reason!

On the aesthetic end of things, designers always love the chance to incorporate design elements into a space and make our kitchens stand apart.  With a bit of thought, islands can easily be an eye catching element.  The island can sport a different counter material than what’s in the rest of the kitchen.  The cabinetry base of the island can also vary by choosing painted wood instead of stained wood.  Changing the style of cabinetry can often make the island look like a separate piece of furniture.  Adding legs, feet, or pilasters at the corners helps achieve this look.  The sides can incorporate bookshelves, spice racks or display space.

Jessica Helgerson

A bi-level island top is a great way to hide cooking messes from the rest of the kitchen, while giving you separate bar height seating.   Though most people go for a rectangular shaped island, feel free to color outside the lines here as well.  We’re currently working on an island that has a rounded pie shaped portion attached to a more squared off section.  Just be sure to allow for at least 42 inches of space between the island and any other cabinets so that there’s space to move and open appliance doors.

Below are island images that caught our island loving eyes. We hope they inspire you!

Tamara Magel

Emily Gilbert

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Shady Business

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Susan Falls

Shades of Light

Just as you change your hairstyle every so often to update your look, small changes around your home can likewise inject new life and energy into your space.  Sometimes a minor detail can actually have a bigger impact than you’d think!  One of our favorite economical decorating updates is giving an old lamp a fresh persona.  All it takes is a new shade.  Don’t know how to select a  shade that will make your lamp shine?  Here are some helpful, goof-proof tips to getting it right.

pagoda shape

drum shade

First, your goal is to match the overall mood of the shade to the that of the base.  They should complement each other in style and proportion.  Kind of common sense stuff – for example, a dainty pleated silk shade isn’t right for a chunky rustic wood base!   Shape is the next a key factor.  A square base generally looks best with a square shade.  A round base works with a round, oval or drum shade.  A pagoda shaped shade perfectly accentuates an Asian inspired base.   A basic Bell or Empire shaped will work with most traditional lamps.  For an eye opening look at possible shapes, click here!  Next, consider the color and material of the shade.  The possibilities here are literally endless so take into account the lamp base and the room’s decor.  Once you’ve determined exactly what type of shade you’re seeking, it’s time to get down to measuring.  Even if you got everything else just right, there’s nothing worse to kill the look than a shade that’s too large or too small.

Here are some basic shade measuring guidelines that will prevent you from buying and returning a dozen shades.  Start by measuring both the height of your lamp base and the metal harp above it.  The bottom diameter of your new shade should be close to the same size as the height of the lamp base – by no more than 2 inches in either direction.  So a 14″ high base would be suited to a shade bottom with a diameter of 12-16 inches. The height of your shade depends on the height of the harp.  Generally, the shade height should not exceed the height of the harp by more than 1/2 inch.  Another useful rule of thumb in the case that your lamp doesn’t have a harp, is that the height of the shade is approximately 3/4 of the height of the base.  Be sure that the shade is large enough to hide both the socket and the switch.  Neither should be visible.

Laura Ashley

There are a few remaining considerations.  How much light does this lamp needs to provide?  Dark colored or metal lined shades do more for ambiance than they do for actual light.  For optimal reading light, make sure the base of the shade is wide enough for light to project.  There should be about a 2-3 inch separation between the shade and the bulb to avoid discoloration of the shade or even fire.  And finally, what type of fitter does your lamp base have?  Fitters are the way the shade connects to your lamp – the most basic ways are with a harp, washer, and finial – sometimes called a “spider” fitter.  Another is a round “Uno” fitter that screws directly onto the socket.  And a lamp with just a socket will require a shade that has a “clip on” fitter that will snugly hug the light bulb.  The shade you choose must have a fitter matched to your lamp!

LampsUSA.com

A fabulous designer lampshade source is Blanche P. Field in the Boston Design Center.  They are incredibly knowledgeable and creative.  They can custom create any shape and size shade with a fabric of your choice.  Here in Concord, we’re lucky to have a great local resource for lampshades.  Check out Concord Lamp and Shade on Walden Street.  Bring in your lamp base and owner Ann Eckert can help you select just the right shade from her vast inventory.  Her website also offers additional info about choosing the perfect shade.   The next time you’ve grown tired of a lamp, we hope you’ll consider buying a new shade instead!

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A Global Christmas

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Katharine Mast

Ornaments from Sweden

It’s December first!  Our holiday decorations are officially coming out of hibernation and a festive month is ahead!  We love this time of year and are always on the lookout for ways to inject new life into our home at the holidays.  Traditions and family heirlooms are certainly cherished, but we still like to add variety to the mix whenever we can to keep things interesting.   We were recently in Manhattan and stopped in a lovely Swedish shop that was chock full of handmade ornaments and Scandinavian decorations that fit the bill perfectly.  We picked up some delicate ornaments made of ribbon and straw.  Apparently all Swedish children are taught to make these simple, traditional holiday pieces.  We love the natural, homespun, non-glitzy look they’ll add to our tree this year.

Zulu ornaments from S. Africa

It got us thinking about how every culture and country has its own unique and beautiful seasonal decorations.  Incorporating these international ornaments into our own holidays gives us an “It’s a Small World After All” feeling that sure beats Disney’s!  We’ve all seen the boring boxes of plain red and gold balls that are the staple of every American store this time of year.  In contrast, seeking out unique, handmade items that hail from other lands is a truly special way to bring a bit of the world into your home.  Whether you pick these items up during your own travels or you cheat a little buying them someplace like World Market, they are sure to be conversation starters for your guests and family alike. Philippino Parols

So, what kind of decorations are we talking about?  Did you know that Peruvians carve and decorate “mate” gourds and turn them into ornaments?  Zulu tribes in South Africa use glass beads for their unique pieces.  In the Philippines they construct bamboo frames into five point stars and cover them with cellophane.  The resulting “Parols” symbolize the star of Bethlehem.  Felt ornaments from Nepal are simple and handmade folk art.  Mexican artisans use tin to create gorgeous stars of all shapes, some detailed with glass and beads.  Shell garland from the Caribbean can bring an authentic nautical touch to a holiday spent by the shore.  And classic German gingerbread ornaments make us wish we were able to visit one of the many wonderful Christmas markets held there each year.

We encourage you to look beyond the expected and reach for holiday decor that drives home the most important message of the holidays  – peace, love and happiness for all!   Enjoy!

Peruvian gourd ornaments

Mexican tin stars

German Gingerbread Decorations

Swedish bird ornaments

Italian ornament

Caribbean GarlandFrench

African beaded ornament

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Total Transformation (Part 2)

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Susan Falls

The Dining Room, After

Back in April we showed you the “Before” of a Sudbury living and dining room we were renovating.  Now we’re ready to reveal the stunning results!  To recap, these were spacious rooms with big bay windows that were rarely used by the homeowners.  The decor was dated, the furniture arrangement was not conducive to conversation and both rooms felt cold and unwelcoming.   Our clients were looking for something formal yet still comfortable – spaces that they could use on a daily basis but that were special enough for entertaining.  Our goals were to update the finishes, add architectural details, add more seating options and then refurnish and decorate the spaces.  We looked to create a few different conversation areas and take away the “dead” space that plagued the living room.

Living Room Corner Before

Before we could start any decorating, we focused on minor cosmetic and structural enhancements.  We removed the dark blue striped wallpaper, an expanse of mirror in the dining room and wall to wall carpeting in both spaces.  Already the rooms felt larger and brighter.  Next we installed gorgeous new white oak floors throughout.  We designed a large custom window seat to show off the living room’s huge window.  We shifted the awkwardly placed opening between the rooms and centered it. It now lines up with the dining table placement and is flanked by new columns and trim work.  The architectural details, while subtle, went a long way towards making this room feel more “special” than it was previously.  A lack of lighting was also addressed by installing recessed lights in the living room and making sure the new chandelier was on a dimmer.

Midway

While you’ll notice that the homeowners still wanted a color scheme that featured blues and reds, the new rooms are decidedly more fresh.  Some of our favorite features are the gorgeous new Suzani carpets from Landry & Arcari, the crystal chandelier and sconces from Visual Comfort and the super comfortable Kravet upholstered sofas and chairs.  Custom valances, Roman Shades and panels soften and frame the windows.  A custom cushion and pillows on the window seat are another opportunity to bring in soft fabrics and more seating. The dining table and chairs are the same, but for new fabric on the chairs.  Simply moving the hutch to the opposite wall gave the dining area a much better flow.

Here are a serious of “Before & After” images to show you the results.  Our clients are really thrilled to have these spaces ready for holiday entertaining and we are so proud to have given them exactly what they hoped for!

Living Room Before

Living Room After

After

Dining Room Before

Mirror in Dining Room, Before

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