Living and Dining Room Update

A few posts ago I showed you an installation of a living and dining room.  Here is an update.  Above in the living room gorgeous throw pillows with fabric from Schumacher and Donghia.  Plus the lovely Hickory Chair cocktail table.

In the dining room, beautiful Hickory Chair chairs surround the table in Schumacher and Kravet fabric.  Just waiting on a couple of accessories to place and then Bob can come in and take photos.  My photography skills are unfortunately limited.  Thank God for professional photographers like Bob!

Dining Room Installation

If you read my blog on Monday, you would have seen the living room installation. Here goes the dining room. First, a little sparkle from crystal finials from JF Fabric and Hardware. I love the glitter is sprays on the wall.

There's Joe this time finishing the drapes so they look perfect.

Those little guys are helping.... again!

What a mess! All installations start out looking like this. Love the cabinet from John Richard though.

That's better. That is a heavy mirror (also from John Richard) so special hardware was needed and patience to put it up. Jeff and Joe were up to the challenge. It needs a little something....

That's better. The glass art is from Cyan Design.

Gorgeous chair from Hickory Chair (so is the table). The grand vase is from Emissary.

I love the Currey chandelier. It makes everything glow. Chess pieces are from Palecek. We're just awaiting the green glass art bowl for the centerpiece. It's coming from Italy so it has a ways to travel.

There we go! Now you see the purple rhythm in one shot. We had a bit of a surprise with the dining chair fabric (not the purple ones). The original fabric from Lee Jofa was completely damaged ~ every stitch of it sent to Hickory Chair for the dining chairs and every bit of it in every colorway in stock (I had them check). The fabric was discontinued (hmmm.... wonder why?!!). It's a shame though; it was quite beautiful. It really wasn't a reflection on Lee Jofa; moreso the mill. No worries though. My pals at Schumacher came through. I had two lovely ladies in the showroom looking with me at every possibility. We came up with e true winner. Kravet still has its day as I used one of their fabrics for the inside back and seat. They will arrive shortly so the Italian bowl still has a few days to make it's appearance.

Details, details... It's all in the details.

Living Room Installation

Last week I did an installation at one of my long time clients' home. You may remember the cutie pie above from another post...


That's her from the Tween Room. Now she's helping out with the living and dining room installations. I actually asked her politely to get off the drapes in the first picture. That's how she looked at me. Kind of like my 9 year old when I ask her to clean her room ~ perplexed!

Here's Jeff installing the gorgeous silk drapes. Oo la la!

And the art work. Every time Jeff, Joe, and I do an installation we have fun. I am very particular about how art is hung and we are forever adjusting to make it perfect.

Viola!

I love the connection between the chandelier from Visual Comfort and the wine cabinet from John Richard. The shape of the chandelier is repeated in the cabinet. Lovely rhythm.

Did I happen to mention there are two of them? Adorable! They always try the new furniture first. Always!

There are two missing pieces of furniture ~ the cocktail table and the other green chair, both from Hickory Chair. My green chair went to Lilian August and I received her Virginia Chair. Well if there had to be a mistake at least my chair was in good hands. No worries, her chair and my chair are being swapped as I type. As soon as the two missing pieces are placed its time to accessorize.

Later this week I'll show you the dining room installation and a picture from the foyer installation, which I love. Stay tuned!

Traditional Wings

I have always loved wing chairs. There is something about them that makes me want to curl up with a soft, warm blanket, a hot cup of tea and a good book. There have been all kinds of interpretations of the classic wing chair. They all have there place. My eye always leans towards the traditional when it comes to a wing. It's classicism I enjoy the most. Here are a few of my favorites. Above is the Elliot Wing Chair from Hickory Chair. I'll never forget the first time I saw this chair. The lines on it are extraordinary. I was with my friend Pam at High Point Market and she exclaimed, "I think that's the prettiest chair I've ever seen."

The one above is from Bentley Churchill. The Huntington Wing Chair. I love the way the wing is rounded. I consider this to be feminine in style. The one below...


also by Bentley Churchill is on the masculine side. It is quite grand yet can still fit into smaller spaces given its width. This is the Retreat Wing Chair. Even the name beckons me.


How about this classic shape for places where rattan is in order. The Soleil Wing Chair from Palecek. See one can still have a wing chair in the solarium. The one below is even more traditional...

also by Palecek, the Sweaterweave Wing Chair. Sweaterweave... it all still makes me want to curl up in it and turn the pages of an actual book... you know the kind with the paper pages ;-)

Thank You Once Again Hickory Chair!

Thank you Hickory Chair for showcasing my work on your blog! Here's a preview of what you'll see over there...
I love that Camden Sofa!

Thank You Hickory Chair!

Hickory Chair is one of my favorite furniture companies. They offer so much customization and diversity it's sensational!

I was featured on their blog yesterday. You can see for your self their lovely furniture in action.

Thank you Hickory Chair for being the best at what you do and for featuring my work!

Console Whispers

I don't know about you but I have placed more consoles than I can recall. Sometimes one just wants a console to play a supporting role versus standing out. I'm going to share my console secrets with you. Here are the two most versatile consoles I have found. This is the Milo Made to Measure (Milo M2M) Console by Hickory Chair. That is exactly what it is ~ made to measure. Plus Hickory Chair has so many finish selections, one is bound to work well.

These are the Skinny Consoles from Worlds Away. I have placed these so many times. They are truly thin ~ 10" max. These are wonderful when space is at a premium. They come in hammered gold and silver and gold and silver leaf so literally they can accommodate any decor. The shelves make them easy to personalize.

Both of the them are slender, have sleek lines thus adding little mass to the design. I have placed two of each side by side behind long sofas and sectionals. It looks fabulous and does not over power the space.

There you have it. Consoles I am truly in love with!

What Chaises Do I Like?

Today instead of telling you what's new, I thought I'd show you some pieces that I like. I am still doing Monday's Methods for those who would like a little design advice but nothing is burning on the stove for that right now. Usually I'll show you new products if no one writes in but not today. Today I am in a chaise mood. Folks often wonder what the correct pronunciation for chaise is. Is it 'chase' as in 'the cat will chase the mouse'? No. Is it 'chez.' No. The correct pronunciation is shez. So there you have it. Now when someone asks you to see their new 'chase,' you can say, "I love your new shez" and smile. Ok, here we go... Here are some of my favorite chaise lounges. The one at the top is designed by Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair. Here is another Hickory Chair one that I love...
This is the Leigh Chaise.

Here are a few from Christopher Guy...





He doesn't name his pieces ~ only numbers them. You cannot deny their elegance and grace. Here is the unfortunate thing about them ~ they are not very comfortable. They look amazingly beautiful so if you would like a piece to look at but not use regularly, this line is for you. However, if you would like to actually lounge in your chaise lounge, I prefer the Hickory Chair ones or this next one...

This is the Lois Chaise from the Kristin Drohan Collection. Now this chaise is comfortable! It envelopes your back wonderfully.

I hope you enjoyed reading about the chaise lounges I like. Do you have a favorite one from above??

If you do have a design question, please feel free to leave it in a comment. If you have questions about a particular space in your home, send me a couple of pictures along with your dilemma to paula@paulagracedesigns.com.

I'll see you tomorrow for Timeless Tuesday.

Timeless Tuesday ~ Number Eleven

For today's Timeless Tuesday, I honor a style of furniture leg that dates back centuries ~ the cabriole.

This decorative leg form is a representation of a four-footed animal's front leg from the knee downward. The top curves outward ~ the knee ~ then curves inward toward the lower part just above the foot where it curves outward again and forms the foot. It is wildly accepted that the leg originated in China and traveled across Europe and then made the leap to England around 1700. Each culture had a slightly different spin to their cabriole leg but the basic shape went unchanged.

This style of leg continues in today's designs. Here are a few from Baker's Historic Charleston Collection and Hickory Chair.


Baker Arm Chair...
Baker Wing Chair...

Hickory Chair Queen Anne Table...

Hickory Chair French Loveseat...

And last but certainly not least ~ Hickory Chair's Gilded Lily Coffee Table in Silver. This is a fantastic example of how a traditional design centuries old can be made into a transitional style piece.

Now that is a timeless, classic design that I will always enjoy!

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. I received an email from Sari with a dilemma ~

Paula,

I found your website through your guest blog entry on Brooklyn Limestome about advice arranging furniture. My fiancé and I are interesting in purchasing a house but how to arrange furniture in the living room, a very important room, is quite puzzling to us.
This is the living room-



You can see if you make a right (I think you mean left) at the front door, it leads to the living room with the fireplace. Behind the single black chair is a doorway leading to the basement. To the right of the TV is another doorway that leads to the kitchen area. We don't want to block anything off. How can we possibly arrange the furniture to access the television in the best way? We feel like any way would be awkward/leave empty space or have a far view from the television. We like L shaped sectionals where the most people can view the TV at an optimal angle. The dimensions are 23’ x 11’. We want the fireplace to be a focal point, perhaps hang a flat screen over it, but we don’t want to block things off.

Can I please ask you for your expert advice???? What do you think??
-Sari

Sure, you can ask for my advice!

First let me say that this is wonderful space. So open and clean. It appears very spacious but I see your dilemma. When I look at this, I immediately see that the windows are not symmetrical, which may have posed some problems for the current home owner's furniture plan. I am thinking that the portion of the ceiling that is lower is functional in some way or why would it be there. I am assuming it needs to stay. The second thing I notice is that the fireplace seems disproportionate to the room as a whole and the style is fairly traditional with contemporary architecture. I know, I know... you asked about furniture arranging but it is all related for me.

When I have a long narrow room like this, I think of zones but a bit of construction would need to be done to make that work given the fireplace and television is your aim as the focal point. Let me just say upfront, I think a bit of construction is needed for either of my suggestions but please don't hyperventilate. A home is worth a bit of elbow grease especially a beautiful home such as this.

Here is one option (a caveat ~ I was not sure where the door was next to the existing television so I drew it two ways ~ it was too late to email as I worked on this late at night)...


In this option, I have removed the fireplace from the long wall altogether and repositioned it along the wall opposing the large window. The striped area indicates a build out to accommodate a fireplace consistent with the architecture and your flat screen television. In this option, you have your L shaped sectional and another seating area with swivel chairs for extra guests. The chairs may be moved closer to the TV for the big game or movie night but should return to their original placement afterwards. If this is how the door is positioned (above), I would extend the build out the width between the door and the wall for a clean line.


If the door to the kitchen is positioned like this, I would do a build out as such an add sconces. This option accommodates a 42" television. Note, the windows remain the same. You could make them symmetrical if you are going through the construction to move the fireplace. It seems the right window must stay put given the jut from the ceiling so the left could be moved further left, equal distance from the outer wall as the right one. This would give you a lovely wall expanse for art. I have moved the window in the next option....


If you would prefer this orientation, that's fine too. This has less seating available but it also is an interesting look. This is a long sofa finishing with a chaise. I did move the window to be symmetrical providing us with a great wall expanse for a linear fireplace. The custom cocktail table would be 18" high; the fireplace would be placed at 19" ~ just above the table; next, the television would be placed just above the fireplace. This will keep the TV at eye level when seated. Here is why you may choose this option ~ it accommodates a 52" television. Aaahhhh!! "I see" says your fiance, "more screen for me." Hmmmm??!! Gives you something to think about. This option would also require a build out but I'm not sure how much. I drew the largest build out it could need and the design still works well.

In either option, you can see the door swing in the drawing and FYI, there is a three feet traffic path when the basement door is closed. An ample walkway.

No, I didn't do this drawing out of thin air, I specify furnishings of course.

The sofa/sectional in either option is the Garland by Zagaorli. I love, LOVE this sectional. It is beautiful, transitional style and very comfortable.


In option one, there is a corner sofa and a love seat. In option two, there is a sofa, armless love seat, and a chaise.

Option one also boasts the Joseanne Swivel chair from Hickory Chair; and case goods from Worlds Away.




The second option has the Lorenzo Cabinet from Hickory Chair opposing the large window and the round straight lined side table above.
But what about the focal point Paula Grace??!! What about the fireplace?? Yeah, that is the best part!

For option one ~ The Crystallo (with or without decorative surround)...


For option two ~ Linear...


These fireplaces are from Napoleon. They do not require outside venting. All they need is gas and electricity. The beauty is that they may be placed at any height such that if you place a television above it, the television can be a eye level when seated. No neck ache, no tilt down mechanism required. I also think they are more in line with the architecture of the house you are considering. The furnishings in the fireplace pictures is quite contemporary. The sectional I choose is less so, a bit softer but still clean lined.

So there you have it Sari! I hope this helps you with your decision process. Let me know how it goes.

If you have a question about this or another topic, leave me a comment. If you would like advice about something specific to your space, send me a couple of pictures at paula@paulagracedesigns.com.

I'm linking with these lovely ladies ~ all fabulous parties worth a long leisurely visit.

Monday ~
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Little Red House Mosaic Monday
Cottage Instincts Make it for 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 Timeless Tuesday!