It's Like Forgetting to Wear Earrings !

Hey . . .

You know what I mean. . . it's the finishing touch that completes your face, and when you walk outside and realize you have forgotten them, it bugs you all day.   Not including the finishing touches in a room makes me feel the same way - a little unsettled.  When I paint or paper a room I get this immediate rush and instant gratification, but when I place that perfect lamp, art piece or simply a vase of the most beautiful bouquet of peonies . .  I exhale a deep breath and have a seat.

It's all about the details . . . The accessories, the jewelry.  I recently installed a dining room in crown to base navy lacquer.  What made the space perfect in my opinion was the trim - blending in with the walls.  I also took notice of the glaring white switch plates and receptacles and switched them out to black to disappear.  I also went to the Kips Bay Designer House recently and noticed the same thing was happening with trim.. all painted, to either blend or contrast... but color is the thing.... 

I am using this image from a September Issue of Elle Decor to give you another visual when it comes to the detail of painted trim.  I look at this space and think it's perfect - accessories, great color combination, perfect mix of old and new, warm and inviting.   I think the one thing that is often neglected or simply overlooked is the trim.  Can you visualize this room with white trim . .  not as good, right.  

The trick to this is simply pulling the field color of the wall paper (in this case) onto the ceiling and window casings in a gloss or semigloss.  Simple.  Take a look.

Designed by Benjamin Dhong and photographed for Elle Decor, September Issue

Stay tuned for images of this years Kips Bay Designer House to follow this and take another look at what painted trim does for a room !

A Dining Room To Die For

Hey There . . .

Are you kidding me !  I LOVE  . . . LOVE this room.  I was beyond excited to have my client request a navy lacquer dining room.  I couldn't get on it fast enough !!!  We had a blank slate as well which made it even more fun.  Now this room turned out just as I imagined in my head, cozy, eclectic, artistic, filled with interesting pieces.  We are both thrilled.

It all started with finding the perfect navy... pulled from this amazing piece of art by Beau Chamberlain, a Brooklyn based artist.  Gorgeous and the focal point... After decided the direction we matched the blues in the big Mary McDonald trim on the lead edge of the curtains, and coordinated it to the back of the chairs.  Layered in a chandelier, tall bar and sleek dining table and voila !

Take a look . . .

Design board for a visual.

Mix your metals . . for sure, polished nickel table base with gold chandelier, gold drapery hardware with silver leaf bar . . yep !

Check out the small chevron pattern on the chair fronts mixed with the navy backs.

all photos by mekenzie france

Love it all . . . and it all started with the inspiration found in Beau Chamberlain work.  Take a look at a few more pieces . . just amazing !

Fun day today . . . off to NYC . . . stay tuned !  Looking for cool stuff and places undiscovered !  

Spotlight: Rod Wimer

During the midwood maynia home tour, i spotted a piece of art that looked very familiar. turns out, it was done by my dear friend rod wimer; painter, collage artist, and contributing artist to private and corporate collections internationally. rod currently shows his work at artsource in raleigh, cityart in columbia sc and providence gallery here in charlotte. i recently stopped by his home studio to grab some photos (and a glass of wine and chat). check it out!

photography by mekenzie france

check out his artwork; some of which can also be found at slate interiors. 

be sure to look up rod wimer next time you visit one of those galleries!

passez une bonne journée!

"May" nia Saturday . . . The Home Tour

Hey !

Last weekend was packed full as was the week but didn't want anymore time to go by without posting a bit about Midwood Maynia, a weekend in my neighborhood devoted to welcoming Spring.  The Home Tour is the kick off along with a 5 K run, pet parade and activities in the park.  We were on the tour, so getting the house ready was an all day event on Friday, but we made it.  Clean and filled with flowers - it looked great, I especially love how the porch turned out.  Thanks to those clients and friends who came by !

But wanted to show off a few of the other homes on the tour and things, big and small, that caught my attention.  Renee, the tour coordinator did a great job this year on finding some gems !

Gary Mathis and Mark Wells have a beautiful bungalow on The Plaza.   Built in the late 20's their vision of what it could become is now realized.  Gone is the red shag carpet, paneled walls and powder blue trim.  Take a look at this charming bungalow!

Mark and Gary spent 15 months renovating.  They removed plaster walls, uncovered doors that had been walled shut restoring as much of the original floor plan as they could.  They created a new master suite, kitchen and screen porch.  Take a look at the design details !

Love the dining "bench" and flanking sconces.  All the colors through out were a soothing taupe and cream.  It was crisp, designed and comfortable, with plenty of charm in it's eclectic furniture and accessories.

I also love that they kept the original barn like garage (I'm sure it might go eventually, but I love it's rustic charm - keep it !!)

Mekenzie and I wondered down the street to 3021 Belvedere Avenue to the back garden of Hugh Wrigley and Diana Crawford.  It was a stunner from the minute we walked up the driveway.  The home was built in 1951 to be the residence of homebuilding entrepreneur John Crosland, Sr.  This house represents one of the finest post-war dwellings in this Country Club neighborhood and one of the few houses in the area to retain its original acreage.  It's on that back acreage you see their beautiful back garden.

Just around the corner is the home of Hatcher and Linda Kincheloe.  Now I found out a bunch of interesting things from Linda who happened to be home when we got there.   Right off the bat, I loved the art outside on the front porch.

Here's Linda.  She gave us a tour.  He living room was first and I was so impressed at it's story.  She furnished the entire room with goods found (and refurbished by Linda) from the Salvation Army - not kidding !

She came across this huge Stark rug and this silver chest . . no joke.

Accessories, art, furniture, sofas, pillows, rugs.. she really has an eye and turned it into a beauty !

Here's another great story... being that last Saturday was Derby Day, seems she has Derby History in the family !

The art was my favorite element in her home.  Beautiful, funny, clever.  This series of 3 cracked me up!

Loved the vintage, loved the modern!

Linda has great taste.  By the way she also has a space at Slate Interiors . . . go check out her goods !

And last but not least, the home of Stan and Katrina Teague.  I saw a he / she in this house... meaning there were elements ALL girl and elements ALL guy ! This American Cottage / Craftsman revival.. brand new and ready to move in.  The fell in love with the charm and detail and not having to do anything in the way of renovation, as many of us do when moving to this neighborhood, they just moved right in.

photos by beth keim and mekenzie france


It was a fun and crazy day all in one... Found lots of ideas.  Home Tours ... good thing.