What I'm Working On Now

Hello, my name is Kim and I used to blog here on a regular basis.  Not so much lately.  Here's the thing.  I've been blessed with a pretty heavy workload.  And that's great because when I get up in the morning I can't wait to get to work.  How man people are lucky enough to say that?!?

Want to see one of the things  I'm working on?

This is the initial mock up for the "Sophisticated Beachy" dining room my client requested.  It's for a sweet young family with three of the cutest little girls I've ever seen.

So some of the selections shown above have been modified to suit my client's taste, but overall the dining room will have the same feel.

One of the things we revised was the wall treatment.  Being the smart and stylish gal she is my client requested plank walls - which of course works perfectly with what we've got going on.  And guess what - they're done!

We painted the planks Benjamin Moore's Moonlight White. It's the same color as my family room and I love it because it's clean and it's warm without looking yellow.

Also in the mix is this vintage Drexel Heritage set we scouted that is currently getting refreshed with a little paint and some crisp new fabric.  I love this because you know it warms my heart to add in some good vintage furniture.

And I don't want to spill the beans but there could be navy velvet with white piping involved.  I think it's going to be real good so stay tuned for further updates. 

In other news, I have continued to stock my online storefront over at Hunter's Alley. 

 This is my my most recent addition.

A set of 6 vintage glasses that I adore.  They're already in somebody's cart but they're still up for grabs until checkout is finalized!

And there's more, but we'll leave that for another day.  So now that you're all caught up, tell me what's new with you!

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

Thinking Ahead for The One Room Challenge

Are you planning to link up to Linda's next One Room Challenge event?  It kicks off on April 3, and for 6 consecutive Thursdays the blogosphere with be up to its elbows in progress reports and DIY victories.  If you didn't get a chance to participate in the last ORC Link party, I highly recommend it.  Participating in The One Room Challenge is truly the most exhilarating, stressful, and exciting things I've done since I started blogging.

If you check in on my blog from time to time then you already know that my house (aka Project Dollhouse) is a work in progress.  We're doing mostly cosmetic changes, but even these types of projects can be costly and time consuming.   I have to admit that the One Room Challenge has been instrumental in bringing a few of my rooms to completion.

In the first ORC I made over my family room.

And in the second One Room Challenge I made over my sweet little kitchen:

So what do I have my sights set on for this round of the ORC?  My living room and dining room. They're open to each other and so this ORC will be a 2-fer.

This shot was taken before we even moved in.  We are still enjoying those plywood sub floors only now this space is cluttered with moving boxes filled with all the stuff that goes into these rooms once they get done. It's the perfect candidate for an ORC intervention.

And here's a teeny tiny sneak peak. There will be blue walls.  Don't hate because I painted.  Look at the plywood sub floors.  There is plenty left to do to bring this project to completion.

So who's with me?  Will you be linking up for the next One Room Challenge?  It will be upon us sooner than you think!!

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

Top 5 Items for Styling (that you already have)

And so yet another week of way way way below normal temps are expected around here for the majority of this week.  And that means lots of time spent indoors. And that means lots of opportunity to really study your decor and maybe start to think you want to change things up a bit.  This happens to you, I'm sure!  And maybe you don't want to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff to get a new look at home.  Not to worry!  Here are my top 5 items that you already own that you can use to freshen up your place.

1. Bottles.  I love to decorate with bottles.  See photo of my kitchen below.

Would you believe there are 4 bottles in just this photo?  Limoncello bottle on bottom shelf, small blue bottle on middle shelf, blue wine bottle on windowsill, and wine bottle behind fruit on countertop. More bottles have been added since this photo too.

Wine bottles also make good vases

and candleholders

2.  Books.  We all have them.  They're great for adding texture and for propping things upon.

In my kitchen I used a small collection of cookbooks to style my kitchen counter (and more bottles if you look to the far left in this photo).

In the photo above, I used books to add some height and texture to my bust planter.

And I used a collection of books to style my skirted table.

3.  Candlesticks.  I like a mismatched set placed in front of a mirror for maximum impact.

Image above from Pinterest

4.  Bowls.  Of something.  It helps if its a cute bowl and you put something cool in it.

Image from Pinterest

Like a bowl of photographs or a big bowl of sea shells.

5.  Mirrors.  I love them and I'm always looking for ways to work in another mirror.  Layering is the answer.  Behold.

3 images above found on Pinterest

And there you have it!  What's your go-to styling item that you like to use?

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

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Decorating for the Night

Hey Butterballs! Did everyone have a good turkey day?  Mine was great too!  And while most of you are trimming your trees and decking your halls, I'm still pondering the decoration of my formal living room and dining room at Project Dollhouse.

Here are some thoughts about these spaces. They'll be used mostly for larger than normal family meals and holidays. At night.  So how do you go about decorating a room for night time use?  My plan is to embrace the darkness of it all.

Mario Buatta in Architectural Digest

Dark walls are a must. They make a dramatic backdrop for night time entertaining.

And do you know what looks amazing against dark walls?  Gold accents!  They add warmth and keep the dark spaces from feeling too somber.

 I also plan to use (mostly) classic furnishings. Since these rooms will be used as gathering spaces for family and friends,  I want them to feel homey and comforting.

Smart fabric choices are also important for night time rooms. I think it's a great idea to add in fabrics that have a sheen.  Consider using silk

and/or velvet in your night time spaces.

And finally - have fun with it!  Alex Papachristidis used modern art and textiles to add another dimension to this mostly classic living room.

So there you have it.  Do you have any rooms you decorate specifically for night time use?

For more updates on this and all of my decorating projects, make sure you follow me on Instagram and/or follow The Green Room Interiors on Facebook.

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

Pimp My Dollhouse - With MAKE + MODEL

How was your Labor Day weekend?  Mine was great - lots of shopping and cooking out with a side of sleeping in.  Fun stuff! Anyway, I have a very special guest in the house today who's putting her spin on my living room and dining room as part of my Pimp My Dollhouse series.  It's Brandy from Make + Model!  Yes, she's another Tennessee blogger and she has a swanky, sparkly style that I know you're going to love as much as I do!

Here's the story on the Pimp my Dollhouse series. I've asked a few bloggers/designers/friends that I admire to come up with a plan for my living room and dining room that incorporates 4 items that I'm sure I'll be using in these spaces.  Not only do they have an unlimited budget, they've been made aware of my love of color, pattern, and Chinoiserie.  And also that I want a trad/mod mix that's sophisticated but not stuffy.  Still with me?  Good.

And so, here are the items I've asked everyone to incorporate into the design:

And now - here's what Brandy says: 

Hi Kim!  Thanks for including me in such a fun project.  I loved working with an unlimited budget and I'm sure several of my choices will reflect that.  The good thing is the same look can be achieved with less expensive pieces.  I love rooms with a lot of layers so I've combined your love of Chinoiserie and Trad/Mod with my love of  Mid-Century, Hollywood Regency and added what I call a "textural touch" to pull it all together.   I hope you enjoy!

DINING ROOM BREAKDOWN

• TRADITIONAL: Parquet Flooring, Dining Table
• MID-CENTURY AND MODERN: Sconces, Chandelier, Side Chairs, Artwork by Jessica Rae Sommers (I'm a huge fan!)
• CHINOISERIE:  Mastercraft Chairs w/Greek Key detail, Malachite Dishes
• HOLLYWOOD REGENCY/ GLAMOUR:  Chandelier, Gold Foil Wallpaper (only on one wall; I've used this wallpaper for a client and in my own home...it is amazing), Brass Finish of Chairs
• TEXTURAL TOUCH:  Cheetah Print Hide Rug (hides are amazing in a dining room; they are impervious to stains), Side Chair Fabric: Brown Hornback Leather
• PAINT:  I'm a white paint girl.  I recommend a nice clean white like Benjamin Moore's Simply White.  This will allow all of your pieces to pop and keeps your space feeling young and fresh!

LIVING ROOM BREAKDOWN

• TRADITIONAL:  Emerald Green Sofa
• MID-CENTURY AND MODERN:  Milo Baughman Side Chairs in Coral
• CHINOISERIE:  Pillow Fabric, Vintage Cream Pagoda Resin Lamps, Black Lacquer End Tables With Scalloped Hardware, Malachite Console
• HOLLYWOOD REGENCY/ GLAMOUR:  Lucite and Brass Bar Cart, Brass Stools, Brass Gilt Wheat Sheaf Coffee Table
• TEXTURAL TOUCH:  Moroccan Beni Ourain Rug, Seagrass and Mongolian Lambswool Stool Fabric
• PAINT:  Same as above, Benjamin Moore's Simply White 

Oh dear.  How brilliant is Oh Joy!'s Petal Pusher on the wall?   Did you hear me mention that Brandy's style was swanky and sparkly!?!?   And I'm completely obsessed with the Malachite dishes and console.  My little Dollhouse never looked so hip!!

Brandy, thanks for playing along!  Make sure you visit Brandy's new website to see what vintage treasures she's offering up for sale.  

What do you love most about Brandy's inspiration boards?

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

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The Latest Finds and News

So, here's an update on everything designery that's going on with moi.

I got a new light purchased and installed for my foyer.  A small victory, but a victory nonetheless. This is the Acanthus light from Shades of Light.  I've been a fan of this light for a while, and blogged about it here.  Heads up:  it's currently on sale!!

Have I shared this lamp with you?  In any case, it resides on my kitchen counter top.  I love the glow of a little lamp light in the kitchen, and you can't tell, but the shade is lined with gold leaf.  Super cute and makes my little kitchen feel cozy.

Isn't this great?  I think it's a table base.  I plan to use it as an end table between two chairs in my formal living room.  Here's the top.

AND - I can't believe I'm saying this but I've been invited to participate in the blockbuster "One Room Challenge"!!! That business kicks off this Wednesday and runs on the following 6 consecutive Wednesdays.  One room - start to finish!   I'm so honored and excited and I hope you'll obsess and stress right along with me. Honestly, I'm feeling some pressure here because there are going to be some uber talented ladies participating.  The room I've selected to tackle is my family room at Project Dollhouse.  For those of you who have followed along on this slow and lengthy journey, I commend you for your patience, and I urge you to hang in there because some serious decorating is about to go down. 

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

Layers and Layers in New York City

I just had to share these images I found in The New York Social Diary.  This is the apartment of Charles Krewson, a self-taught Interior Decorator based in New York.  The spaces are a mix of collected art, antiques, and family pieces that are casually combined for a comfortable, homey feel.  There's nothing too precious or pretentious, just layers of meaningful stuff.  I think this apartment is all about mood - and I find it completely charming. See what you think.

It's not slick or hip (well ... maybe the coffee table)

Those are Ikea bookcases that Krewson had gold-leafed. The turtle fabric on vintage chair is Donghia.

Krewson has amassed quite an art collection, and it's displayed on every available surface.

More of the art collection is displayed in the hallway.  The rug is from West Elm.

Layers and art in the Master Bedroom.

The night stands are were rescued from a Fraternity House, and they're combined with antique brass sconces.

The carpet in the tv room pays homage to his father's Military service. 

All images courtesy of The New York Social Diary. See more of Charles Krewson's  apartment, click here.

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com.

What I Love about Nick Olsen's Spread in Veranda

Were you as captivated as I was by Nick Olsen's work in the latest issue of Veranda?  There's something about his aesthetic  that's complex, and yet, so effortless.  Nick has a voice and he's not afraid to see his vision through. 


 The setting  is a Pre-War Beaux Arts building in New York City, which doesn't hurt things, since there were (most likely)  abundant architectural details already in place. Olsen masterfully updated the space with fresh colors, an engaging mix of styles, and a smattering of the unexpected.  


What I love most about the design is that it's rooted in traditional design. There are antiques, silk taffeta curtains, velvet sofas, bullion fringe, canopy beds (although freshened up with white paint), Persian rugs and floral (deGournay) wallpaper.   Olsen layered in some modern elements as well,  but it didn't feel trendy or overplayed, as in chesterfield/barcelona/chevron/ikat/suzani/geometric - rinse and repeat.  (And please don't misunderstand, the aforementioned design elements are lovely and I don't  hesitate to use any of them myself,  I just don't think they're a requirement for every space.)

Source: quintessenceblog.com via D on Pinterest

I also love that it''s "pretty" .There's color!  There's pattern! There's trim! There are flowers! 

Source: quintessenceblog.com via D on Pinterest

Oh, and one last/important  thing .  The apartment doesn't feel overly  "coordinated".  Olsen pulled from a wide range of colors, textures and design styles. The curtains don't match the pillows which pick up a color from the rug, etc.etc.  Of course there was an overall color concept  and mood for the space,  but then some of the pieces were chosen intuitively; just because they felt right  in the space, and not because they matched.  This maneuver is tough to pull off, and the results are never middle of the road.  It's either a home run or a swing and a miss .

Source: quintessenceblog.com via Denise on Pinterest

And so (for me), this apartment by Nick Olsen is what great design is all about.  It starts with a base of tried and true classic pieces, layers  in some modern elements to represent where we are today, and tops it all off with a bit of the quirky and unexpected.  It's the art of the carefully chosen mix at its best. 


What did you love (or not love) about it?


Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be !  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com.

Busted

It started with Emily Henderson's office reveal.

Then I remembered I saw one over at Ashley's just a few days earlier.

Busts.  Totally classic and perfectly at home in modern settings, too!

The Decorista

Source: google.com via ~ Swainwash on Pinterest

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Source: roost-home.blogspot.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Katie on Pinterest

I love this space! The curtains, the floors, the art and the bust and that light fixture!

Officially on the hunt...

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

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