Fun Friday ~

Washington, DC where I live has been going through a dreary spell ~ see yesterday's post too. The weekend is suppose to be nice if not... Bali, Bali take me with you!

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday Room ~ Shall We Continue?

It was a pretty dreary day for this portion of the tweens installation... the rain was cold, sky dark. Yuk! Here is some the Byron Jorjorian's wonderful photography. The colors are so vibrant but it is not captured here ~ phooey! Remember I said once we have more items in the room, I'd decide on whether the fan blades would need to be painted or not? Well.....

As the lush leaf hued drapes went up, the yellow blades came down. I'll have them painted in the same white as the walls. That will make them pop off the purple ceiling. The wallpaper still has to go up. The fabrics on the bed are the ones you saw all wrapped up last week. The mirrors were installed in both rooms. In this festive room ~ the chaise arrived and guessed who tried it out...

Remember him loving the painters and all their tools....


Yeah, he loves the chaise too. I LOVE the fabric! The mirrors are floor to ceiling opposing the wallpaper and bed. Every female tween needs a full length mirror to see how they look in each and every outfit. I think mom is a bit jealous now ~ she doesn't have a full length mirror ~ yet!

The colors are vibrant but only three repeat in the space ~ purple, dark pink, and green. Each is in the bed fabrics and on the chaise. Others elements in the room that are not neutral are also in these hues ~ drapes, custom rug. The way to add interest is with pattern and texture. You see this grand damask on the chaise nicely complements the striped duvet and other textured solids. Yum!

What about the other room?...

That room also had the woven shades and stationary panels installed. This is Jeff ~ my installer. He was camera shy. Here's his assistant ~ Joe...

I was trying to get him to flash his cool tattoos but he was even more camera shy. Here's a true story... the first time I used these guys, who were highly recommended ~ this is years ago now, when I first saw them I thought, 'These big burly hoodlums are going install my delicate drapes and hang my precious art??!! YIKES!!' And they did ~ with precision and grace. Joe is the best dresser I have ever seen. He makes the drapes look perfect each time with his nimble hands. Jeff and I often go back and forth on how straight the art is. He knows exactly how I want my window treatments and art hung ~ fabulous!

This room got mirrors too...

And the bookcase was placed and art and candle sconces hung but I didn't snap a picture of that ~ sorry.

I don't think there will be much more my friends until June :(

Guess I'll have to look for more well designed rooms to show you and talk about the principles and elements. Maybe I'll show you one of my other projects... decisions, decisions....

Timeless Tuesday Number Fourteen

Welcome to Timeless Tuesday #14! Today, I am covering 'jewelry' sort of...


Beaded from PR Guerin

Have you ever changed the knobs or pulls on a piece of furniture or cabinet and saw the incredible change that can happen? I have. By simply changing out the knobs, a piece can have new life. I like giving things new life. It repurposing and that is eco-friendly and that makes it a timeless classic.

A brand new piece of furniture can be made to look like a timeless classic also by selecting knobs that convey this. This is a wonderful thing to know if you are on a budget. The knobs can really be considered the jewelry. We all have varying tastes and styles. Knobs can reflect yours just as the jewelry you wear does. Here are a few examples...


CK-3007 and CK-5005 both from SA Baxter


Clear Glass Bead with Hardware #4 from TE-MA; Louis XVI from PE Guerin


Cockatoo and Peacock Lady both from Notting Hill


Duo Square and Nu Lily both from Susan Goldstick

So you see, one may have classic, whimsical, artistic, contemporary.... the sky is the limit. Knobs and pulls let you show off the real you and the real you is always a timeless classic.

I recently designed a lovely buffet for wonderful clients of mine. The knob I specified is one of the above. I'll give you a hint ~ the buffet is mahogany with antique silver leaf detail. I designed it to have an aged appearance as if it has been around for a spell. Knowing what you know about me and the brief description I just told you, can you pick the knob I am using?

Now it is your turn to share your posts about classics or trends you hope become timeless...

1) Add your permalink below ~ not your blog's address in general but the specific post you want people to visit. To obtain the actual post link, click on the title of your post once you have published it and copy and paste the URL into Mister Linky.

2) Leave your name and say a couple of words to describe your post (e.g. "Coco Chanel suits" or "Classic interior design for children" or "Delicious meals in a snap."

3) Copy and paste the Timeless Tuesday logo button (on my right sidebar) to your Timeless Tuesday posts. This is a sure way for your readers to know you have joined in the party.

4) Link back to the host blog, that's me ~ Paula Grace Designs Blogspot Timeless Tuesday ~ so all the bloggers that joined the party will receive many interested visitors.

Monday's Method

Welcome to Monday's Method! Today, a lovely lady ~ Barbara ~ writes in:

Dear Paula Grace,

I am a 60 year old kindergarten teacher who loves her relaxing baths and decorating websites. I just had to write you and tell you how much I enjoy your beautiful website. You have such exquisite taste! I treat myself to your website each day at lunch.

On a teacher's budget I cannot afford a decorator so I was wondering if I could ask you two questions. After reviewing your website, I think that one of your many talents is knowing what colors look best and what promotes that "oh, wow" look.

I have a raspberry bathroom with white woodwork. I collect flo blue. My master bedroom is predominately yellow. My two questions are: With raspberry walls what color yellow would be best? and what color tassel fringe? I would like yellow silk if I can find it on sale but I have heard it is not practical for a bathroom.

I'm so hopeful you will help me.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Of course I will help you ~ my gosh without caring teachers like you, where would our children be??!! Plus you are so wonderfully complimentary of my work, you practically made me blush.

Let's look at the first picture again plus a couple more of Barbara's master bedroom and bath...

My dear Barbara, you are a fabulous decorator all on your own! I think you have answered your own questions. I see a beautiful array of hues ~ yellow, raspberry, and blue in your master bedroom. I would not deviate from this palette in the master bath.

Regarding the silk in the bath ~ silk and water do not tend to mix. Silk can stain and pucker from water. If you take a sinfully hot shower as I do, day and after day it can wear on whatever fabric you have in the bath (even with a great fan!).

Outdoor fabrics have come a long way. They are designed to hold up well under the wear and tear of the elements. I tend to lean towards these fabrics for a well used bath.

Incorporating raspberry, yellow, and the blue of your collection in one fabric might be a little difficult to find so I would stick with highlighting the yellow and raspberry. The flo blue can of course remain and be experienced as wonderful compliment. Here are some Robert Allen outdoor fabric and trim that I think may work well in your master bath (since I am unsure of the exact color, I took a good guess)...


Heaven's Lace in Lemon Drop; Candy Store in Lemon Drop

Al Fresco Braid in Watermelon; Al Fresco Bead in Watermelon

You may use both trims as the band will add interest and texture.

If these are not your thing, almost all fabric lines have outdoor fabrics now. Any quality fabric store with fabric books is sure to have the outdoor fabric books of the lines they carry. I'd stick with the pretty palette you have established in your master bedroom for your bath and use outdoor fabrics for ease and wearability. Bring samples of your bedroom fabrics with you when you go to the fabric store. This will make it easier to select the right hues for the bath.

I hope this helps Barbara ~ let me know what you decide.

If you have interior design questions, don't hesitate to leave it in a comment. If you have questions about a specific room or space, email me a couple of pictures to paula@paulagracedesigns.com. Please note 'Monday Method Question' in the subject line.

I am linking with these fabulous blogs. Each deserves a nice, long visit...

Monday ~
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Little Red House Mosaic Monday

Tuesday ~
A Soft Place to Land DIY Tuesday

Thursday ~
The Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday

Saturday ~
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special

See you tomorrow for the Timeless Tuesday link party!

Fun Friday ~ Care to Take a Dip?

Today for Fun Friday ~ I am dreaming of taking a dip in a beautiful pool with a beautiful view. I speak a lot about beautiful views on Friday. I guess going into the weekend makes me want to see an open natural space free of clutter and paperwork. What about you? Here are a few lovely places for a fabulous dip compliments of Houzz...

tropical pool design by hawaii architect Long & Associates Architects and Interior Design

mediterranean pool design by san francisco architect Buttrick Wong Architects

contemporary pool design by chicago architect Powell/Kleinschmidt, Inc.

modern pool design by minday.com

mediterranean pool design by miami architect Nelson de Leon/Locus Architecture Inc.

contemporary pool design by san francisco landscape architect Ron Herman Landscape Architect

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday's Room ~ Tweens Continued

Wouldn't it be wonderful if installations were in one day like they are on HGTV?! Yeah, right ~ In the real world things don't happen like that. An installation can take weeks or months dependent on how much customization there is in the project.

Today I continue with the tweens rooms. The fabrication items are completed. The art has arrived. So has the wallpaper. Here's a sneak peak for the room with the purple ceiling...




The picture just above is the smattering of fabricated items that will be installed. Never mind the sofa they are laying on ~ we haven't gotten to that room yet :)

Here's the other room...



Both girls' drapes hang in a spare closet awaiting their debut...


It won't be long now my little dearies.... No I am not speaking to the tweens. I am speaking to the lovely furnishings that are patiently waiting to strut their stuff. It amazes me how attached I can become to a design. Awaiting the installation can be both exciting and nerve racking. Then comes the day that the full design is revealed and the joy is experienced by all. I cannot wait! There is something special about doing kids rooms though ~ creating a space only for them that illustrates who they are. It really is pure pleasure!

Timeless Tuesday Number Thirteen

Welcome to Timeless Tuesday. Crystal chandeliers ~ I love them. They are as timeless as the mountains and used in any design style. These photos, all from Architectural Digest, seem to agree. The photo at the top is of a traditional design boasting a gorgeous crystal chandelier. BTW ~ I love the symmetry in this design.

Here is a lovely little number clearly in a contemporary design.

They always make a splash in the dining room.


There are so many to choose from these days. Here are a couple favorites of mine both from Fine Arts Lamps...


I am actually specifying versions of these for a project I am working on. The first one is called Beveled Arc; the second ~ Cascades. Aren't they stunning? I have a Beveled Arc in my foyer. I enjoy it every day.

Crystal chandeliers ~ always a timeless classic.

Now it is your turn to share your posts about classics or trends you hope become timeless...

1) Add your permalink below ~ not your blog's address in general but the specific post you want people to visit. To obtain the actual post link, click on the title of your post once you have published it and copy and paste the URL into Mister Linky.

2) Leave your name and say a couple of words to describe your post (e.g. "Coco Chanel suits" or "Classic interior design for children" or "Delicious meals in a snap."

3) Copy and paste the Timeless Tuesday logo button (on my right sidebar) to your Timeless Tuesday posts. This is a sure way for your readers to know you have joined in the party.

4) Link back to the host blog, that's me ~ Paula Grace Designs Blogspot Timeless Tuesday ~ so all the bloggers that joined the party will receive many interested visitors.