Hey There . . .
Some things are worth waiting for ! Mary Frances Parker's dining room is one of them. I have been so excited to add the final details to this space - one of my all time favorites. Afraid of color and pattern, this girl is not. I remember when she came to me. At our first meeting she emailed me picture after picture of crazy bright, saturated color and numerous pattern on pattern for inspiration. It has been so much fun pulling this home tougher. Take a look here at just what we installed last year.
Now the time has come to finish the dining room. I found this image by artist, Kristy Mitchell that sums up the feel for me . . .
photo by kristy mitchell
We started with the paint, back when we painted the whole house. Black - shinny, pure black. I love a black dining room. The pops of color are what keep it from looking like a dark hole. A black dining room is so dramatic and for some reason, lingering after dinner happens. While paint should be the last thing you do, we knew we wanted black and working around it is easy, it's a "neutral."
After we painted, the next addition was the papered ceiling. An amazing Osborne and Little combination of black and white floral with pops of colorful butterflies. Next, Mary Fran found vintage chairs with lucite legs and gave me to recover. Now the time has come for the chandelier, window treatments, area rug and centerpiece !
Seeing the design board come to life was been something I have been so anxious for.
These chairs . . . what can I say. Mary Fran has great taste and she found these on Etsy !! Originally a rose colored velvet - we quickly had them re-upholstered using two fabrics. A kelly green velvet on the back, wrapping to the front and a fun, multi-color graphic stripe from Harlequin. The lucite legs with the gold detail are what really make these vintage chairs something special.
My client's big pop of art on the black walls is even more eye-catching.
Light, airy window treatments with an embroidered navy graphic circle.
And a center piece . . I came across at Crate and Barrel - simple and artistic in shape, light and airy in color.
Ok . . this rug was another perfect find Maggie came across at Stark when I sent her to find options (the girl knows her rugs !) We all loved it as well !!
all photos by mekenzie france
Mekenzie did such a beautiful job capturing this space. It's definitely for the adventurous. A dining room (and powder room) are, in my opinion, a place to have fun with. Everyone hits a powder room, and for a fun dinner party or holiday, why not entertain in a space that is enveloping, conversational and cozy. This space will be one to linger in. Dining Rooms are also often at the entry point of the home, so that visual impact sets the tone and calls attention to what's coming next !
Mary Fran's foyer, along with the rest of the first floor has been painted (or in the foyer's case, wall papered with a white leopard print) which absolutely gives her furniture, accessories and art a gorgeous back drop. The two front rooms - the dining and soon to be tackled "lounge" are the more intense, dramatic spaces, but the balance of black and white keep the entire first floor from looking too crazy !
Our next project, the adjacent lounge.
The focal point will be the paper and fabrics . . . yum.
Happy Color !
We started with the paint, back when we painted the whole house. Black - shinny, pure black. I love a black dining room. The pops of color are what keep it from looking like a dark hole. A black dining room is so dramatic and for some reason, lingering after dinner happens. While paint should be the last thing you do, we knew we wanted black and working around it is easy, it's a "neutral."
After we painted, the next addition was the papered ceiling. An amazing Osborne and Little combination of black and white floral with pops of colorful butterflies. Next, Mary Fran found vintage chairs with lucite legs and gave me to recover. Now the time has come for the chandelier, window treatments, area rug and centerpiece !
Seeing the design board come to life was been something I have been so anxious for.
Take a look at what we finished yesterday. I stood and breathed a sigh of success. She was thrilled, I was stoked and her husband, a big fat "yes" to the rug to complete the room. I knew without it the table would disappear into the floor and the space would feel heavy - it was important.
I am in love !!!
This rug, by Stark, has so much gorgeous texture. Treat it (if you are local - by Fiber Services . . . tell them Lucy and Company sent you) and not to worry about the light color. The high pile is also forgiving and hides a multitude of crumbs !! But most importantly . . . the lightness of it against the dark floor and walls is perfect, perfect. Kudos Maggie for the selecting. Score !
These chairs . . . what can I say. Mary Fran has great taste and she found these on Etsy !! Originally a rose colored velvet - we quickly had them re-upholstered using two fabrics. A kelly green velvet on the back, wrapping to the front and a fun, multi-color graphic stripe from Harlequin. The lucite legs with the gold detail are what really make these vintage chairs something special.
My client's big pop of art on the black walls is even more eye-catching.
This chandelier is the perfect choice and does not detract or block our beautiful ceiling (available at Lucy and Company).
And a center piece . . I came across at Crate and Barrel - simple and artistic in shape, light and airy in color.
I am just so happy with this space !!
We chose a new chandelier for the foyer as well. This piece I recently installed in white for another client (here) , but with the new introduction of black (as well as about 6 other amazing colors) I had to try it in black - and it's gorgeous. Happy to source that as well - give us a call and see all the colors available (red, blue, white, black, and green).
Ok . . this rug was another perfect find Maggie came across at Stark when I sent her to find options (the girl knows her rugs !) We all loved it as well !!
Mekenzie did such a beautiful job capturing this space. It's definitely for the adventurous. A dining room (and powder room) are, in my opinion, a place to have fun with. Everyone hits a powder room, and for a fun dinner party or holiday, why not entertain in a space that is enveloping, conversational and cozy. This space will be one to linger in. Dining Rooms are also often at the entry point of the home, so that visual impact sets the tone and calls attention to what's coming next !
Mary Fran's foyer, along with the rest of the first floor has been painted (or in the foyer's case, wall papered with a white leopard print) which absolutely gives her furniture, accessories and art a gorgeous back drop. The two front rooms - the dining and soon to be tackled "lounge" are the more intense, dramatic spaces, but the balance of black and white keep the entire first floor from looking too crazy !
Our next project, the adjacent lounge.
The focal point will be the paper and fabrics . . . yum.
Happy Color !