Client Entry Before and After - in Neutrals

Hello out there readers of design blogs!  Today I have a postlet to share with you of a recent foyer makeover.  This is one of the "afters" because I think it best to open things up with some pretty.

So now we'll back up to where it all began.

The thing is my clients' home is at the top of a mountain on the most gorgeous wooded lot, and we didn't think this particular arrangement honored the natural loveliness of its surroundings. Although the console table was a step in the right direction, the three shelves with the two mirrors and chairs felt busy.

My clients wanted something rustic and sophisticated.  And they did not want to repaint the walls.

Sorry for this horrifically blurry shot, but its the only one I have the shows the "before" of the feature art piece painted by my client's son.  I immediately knew we should make this painting the focal point of the long wall of the entry.  I had the painting reframed with a wider creamy white mat and a simple black frame for a cleaner, more updated look. (see below)

Here's what else.  We added some whitewashed planks to the aforementioned long wall, hung that pretty painting, put a long chunky console table under it and styled the whole thing up. With some nature-inspired stuff like those twigs I got out of their side yard. And, to keep the look from going all Cracker Barrel on us, we added some modern glam with that amazing Drexel Heritage glass prism lamp and crisp white accessories. 

We also painted the French Doors to the outside living area a rich charcoal gray, which we repeated in the family room on the book cases and exterior doors.  It gives them such presence, doesn't it?

Before

 In this slightly wider shot, you can see we also replaced the fussy wool rug with a black & white cowhide.  Oh how I love it!  And we replaced the generic chandelier with something a little more whimsical. A tall leaner mirror further simplifies the look and is perfect for checking out your head to toe look before heading out the door.

And that's the end!  Thanks for stopping by and having a look.  And did you know if you were following me on Instagram then you would have already seen it? Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and on Facebook!

Five Yards

Okay, so it's really 5 1/4 yards.

  Of this business.

Pretty gorgeous, no?  I found it here in town (Associated Fabrics for you locals).  I had seen this fabric on the 50% off rack time after time thinking it would still be there if I ever decided I couldn't live without it.  But when I went in there last week the roll was noticeably thinner. 

And the print is discontinued.  So what was I to do?!?!??  This was a purchasing situation if I've ever had one. And I have. 

And so I find myself with a bit of a conundrum.  What to do with 5 yards of this fabric.  5 yards is a challenging amount.  It's too much for doing just the seat cushions for my dining room chairs. And the print is big and I don't think you could appreciate the beauty and the fabulous movement of the fabric.  

Observe.

See what I mean?

And it's not enough to recover a pair of these chairs I got for my living room.

So for now, I'm thinking about making a showstopper kind of wall treatment with it.  

Maybe one enormous framed panel as a backdrop for my dining room buffet?  Something like this...

Erin Williamson

Or even two smaller framed panels flanking each side of my dining room buffet. Like this. (Insert my buffet for the french doors in the photo below)

Kelie Grosso in House Beautiful

That's the direction for this week, anyway.

Do you have any other ideas for my 5 yards of fabric?

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services in Chattanooga, TN.  Contact Kim Lemmon and find out how a well-designed home can improve the quality of your life!  423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Lattice on Walls

It seems I  still have wall treatments on the brain, and the latest option I want to share with you is using lattice on your walls.  And I'm not talking about lattice or trellis wallpaper, I mean real lattice. The kind they sell at Lowe's.  

Image source

After sourcing images for this treatment, I've come to the conclusion that it's pretty versatile.  It can go casual, as demonstrated in the next few photos.

Style at Home

Office of New Orleans decorator Vesta Fort

Attic Mag

In this Paris apartment the lattice is backed with mirror, and is used in a formal setting.

Here's a modern interpretation of a custom trellis design I found on Apartment Therapy

Original source unknown

Again, the treatment above is certainly custom made, but has a modern feel.

Southern Accents

As does this wall treatment, which was made to mimic the iron railing outside the window.

So what do you think?  Like the lattice?

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services to happy homeowners in Chattanooga, TN.  If you'd like to experience the joy of living in a well-designed home, contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com