Don't forget the... Ceiling!

 When working on a design for a home it is easy to forget to look up and realize the ceiling is such a perfect place to put subtle design elements that will add SO MUCH more to your space!  This is a bead board ceiling recently put in one of my clients home.  Though it is all still painted white, the same color as the rest of the ceiling, this entry way is given such an elegant touch.  The simple lines of the bead board, the crown molding, the ceiling medallion and the contrasting crystal chandelier adds such a wow factor to this entry way!  An otherwise ordinary entry way was easily given this fabulous touch!

 The options are almost limitless for design styles to incorporate into a ceiling in your home.

Here are a few of my favorites!

 Coffered Ceiling

I mostly see this done with white on white.  I love the contrasting dark gray against the white beams.  Gorgeous, sophisticated and adds an updated feel tho this very traditional style.

 Ceiling Beams...

 This is probably my favorite.  It is a traditional, warming style, but the clean lines in the beams and the contrasting colors of the white paint and dark stain give such an updated, clean modern feel... the best of both worlds!

 Painted ceiling

I love this technique!  I love adding just a subtle color to my design to just give that added pop of color.  Keep in mind that using a soft pale color is best seeing as a dark one will make the space feel smaller.

Wood Paneled ceiling

Keep in mind this technique works best in a home with stone flooring.  Otherwise it will give off a cabin feel.

Client Reveal: Lovely Piano Room

I had the fun opportunity to stage this beautiful piano room.  Mrs. C's handy Dad made these gorgeous custom bookcases.  There is a bead board accent on the back of the shelves in a glaze finish.  That little bit of pizaz does so much for the otherwise ordinary bookcase, making them extraordinary!
She mainly needed my expertise on organizing the bookcases in an eye pleasing fashion.  I suggested the subtle turquoise accent in the room making a fresh approach to a very formal red black and white.
Staging the bookcase was so much fun for me.  My client may have thought I was a tid bit OCD when I was stacking the books by size, hard back or paper back and colors.  There is a method to my madness.  I like grouping the books mainly by color.  By doing so it makes a larger statement of whatever color of book it may be giving the shelves a more solid pleasing look.  There are subtle little things to do like that when staging shelves with books especially.
I have to say it was so rewarding finishing this staging and seeing these beautiful books displayed so thoughtfully.  This family adores the written word, and what a fantastic room to dedicate to such a wonderful passion they all share.

Color Changes Everything

Be Daring with Color!

A room can feel very safe and predictable in mono-chromatic tones.  Why not punch in some fun purple, chartreuse or fuscia as an accent?  This can be accomplished by painting an accent wall, adding pillows, a rug, a lovely vase or wall art.

If you are concerned that you will tire of the accent color.  It is best to follow the following three tips for bold colors.

1.  Make your upholstered pieces of furniture (sofa, chairs, chaise lounge a solid neutral fabric). Think of the upholstery as a nice black dress, and the punch of color as the jewelry. Bold colors, like jewelry are best used sparingly, to create the most drama.  Less is more.

2.  Balance bold colors with relief for the eye, such as white, calming blues, or beige as seen in the above picture.  The white will provide the perfect visual balance to the bold colors. Any of the decor can be the lighter color... the walls can be white or cream, or the lamp shades, upholstery, or area rug to fit this need.

3. Place a few pieces around the room with the accent bold color in order to lead the eye around the room.  This is very pleasing to the eye, and will draw you into the space. In the above room this wall is the pop of bold color introduced in the space.  Though the color red is a very loud color, the art work of the calming landscape relaxes the bright accent wall, making the room more inviting and comfortable.  The rest of this room only has a few accent pieces of red.  This one wall arrangement is the focal point and the wow factor in this family room.

The main key to remember, a light hand with bold color.  Go for it, and see how good you feel when you enter the room.

*A fun fact:

Red Color Meanings and Associations:

Warm, stimulate, assertive, exciting, strength, vitality, physical power, flatters skin color, advances, opulence, power, arouses, hot, passionate, rich, celebratory, luck, love, romance, courage, fire, vigorous, luxury, bold, brave, aids digrestion, increases strength. impulsive, extreme, athletic.