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.

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 ;-)

Nature's Simple Influence

This past weekend, my family and I hiked along the Potomac River. It was a gorgeous day ~ not too hot ~ sunny and crisp in the shade.

There's Jim and Lauren on a fallen tree. It got me to thinking about how nature has influenced so many designs.

Something as simple as a stick can provide inspiration and have impact. Above, my daughter uses one to aid her when she got tired.

So many lovely product designs have been influenced by or merely use the simplicity of a stick. From hardware to lighting to furniture and beyond ~ the stick has made important contributions. Here are just a smattering of examples compliments of Rocky Mountain Hardware, Palecek, Global Views, and Arteriors Home.

Designers often say they want to "bring the outdoors in." Today's selections in the Market let us do this easily. I love bringing in the accents above. They have a way of belonging no matter what the 'style' may be. Likely because they are so familiar, so at ease.

One doesn't even need to make a purchase to achieve the sophistication of the pieces above. Simply find some beautiful sticks of your very own and make a lovely arrangement to accent your home. Photos compliments of Houzz.

kitchen design

modern home office design by tel aviv architect Dana Cohen-Vishkin

traditional living room design by new york interior designer Pierce Allen

mediterranean bedroom design by san francisco general contractor Fitzgerald Studio

And it all started with a simple stick.

Monday's Method ~ What's New?

Hmmm, no one had any interior design questions for me so my Monday's Method today will focus on 'What's New.' There are new products coming out at every market. When I visit my usual hautes at Market, it's difficult to see everything. I tend to go to their websites and click on the new product category. This week, I perused Palecek again. Here's a fact about Palecek ~ they have always been eco-friendly. For them it isn't a trend, never has been ~ it's just a way of life. That' pretty cool. Here are some of their new and relatively new items that caught my eye.....

The one at the top is the Colonial Lounge Chair. I am a sucker for the British Colonial style. I have always loved it. This chair features a plantation gemelina frame and hand carved leg detail. Double rattan matting is added for style.

The Bristol Arm Chair and it's partner below, the Bristol Side Chair.

These chairs have pole rattan frames and features a woven plantation mahogany back pattern, leather bindings, and a dark coffee finish. Gorgeous!
This is the Auburn Lounge Chair. Isn't it interesting? Wonderful texture. A rattan pole is used to create the frame and hand bent crazy weave design ~ cool!. A two tone coffee and warm brown finish is added. This chair may not look all that comfortable, but it is. They feature an elasticized spring fabric deck which provides long lasting comfort.This hot little number is the Bundle Stick Side Table. This table is created from sticks that are found and bundled together. No two are alike. They can add so much interest to any room as they cannot be classified to one particular style. I love that versatility.
This is the Colonial Table. I love its form and shape ~ classic! It is constructed with a plantation gemelina wood base and anegre veneer top. It is finished in yummy espresso and warm brown hues. I will use these as side tables, night tables, an accent table.... Again, the possibilities are abundant.
This mid-century styled table is called the Pasadena Side Table. It is constructed from plantation mahogany with a mahogany veneer top and multiple brown tone finish. This reminds me of furniture we had in my home growing up so it has a nice association. That's what caught my attention.
How about this beauty? The Pasadena Motion Coffee Table. Yes, its related to the table above and yup, it moves. The bottom can be aligned with the top or moved to accommodate a furniture grouping or party guests. Fabulous!

They also have some wonderful new mirrors that I like. The one is the Blue Capiz Mirror. I love the mixture of material ~ steel wire is formed into a sun design with Capiz shell details and a beveled mirror. This is a new and interesting way to use these ever popular shells. Beautiful!


White Looking Glass Mirror ~ I have seen very similar designs using this approach but I never seem to tire of it. I see this used in a grouping. It is a 22" square so several can be placed together connecting the ovals as such.....



I could do a whole wall with them!

The next two come in black or white.
These are the Dahlia Mirrors. Plantation tung wood is painted and hand carved to reveal natural wood tone details. A plain mirror sits in the center. I love the delicate wisps at the ends.


These are the Marabella Mirrors. Hand carved tung wood is painted and carved to reveal the natural wood tone carving. A plain mirror rests in the center. These are wonderful because you can hang them in either direction dependant on your needs.

And last, but not least, some fun wall art. First the Metal Dragonfly.....

and the lovely Metal Windblown Tree.

I like to mix materials with my wall decor. If I have have paintings or photographs as wall adornments, I try to add pieces such as the ones above to add diversity.

So tell me ~ do you like these new pieces? Where would you place them?

BTW ~ These pieces are available though The Beautiful Home Store and, as always, a portion of the purchase price is donated to charity.

Monday's Method is here for interior design advice. If you have a question, leave me a comment. If you have a specific interior design question to your home, drop me an email with a couple of photos ~ that will help me give better suggestions ~ paula@paulagracedesigns.com.

Don't forget to visit tomorrow for Timeless Tuesday!



I'm linking with Mary's Mosaic Monday at the Little Red House. Check her out for amazing photography!