Install of the Day !

Howdy . .

I have been so looking forward to Shannon Avason's install and I give her major credit for doing this at the beginning of the holiday season.  But now that it's installed with a week to spare, she can sit on that new sectional, take a deep breath and enjoy the space (literally) for the holidays.  I take all the blame for the last minute pre-holiday craziness.   You see, while standing in her kitchen trying to look around a big, fat wall into the family room we were re-doing, I said . . . "we should take that wall out." We did.  I called my contractor and the demo began right at Thanksgiving.  Demo is always a drag, it's dusty, a pain, and throws your routine off, but the outcome - totally worth it.  Her space seems huge now with the wall down and all the new lighter colors.

When Shannon came to me wanting to update her family room I knew it would be a fun job.  I did her "lego" inspired kid's bonus room about two years ago and she was game for whatever I threw out there and this project was the same.  She's open to new ideas, colors, and when it came to all the details, she let me surprise her with a full vision, I love that.

It was time to leave the dark and heavy colors behind and bring in the crisp, light and clean look.  All the pieces I chose reflected her fun personality, while being kid and George friendly.  George, the funniest bulldog you will ever meet.  So without further chatter, take a look at the finished product.

This space all started with the rug and window fabric I chose.  With such a gorgeous view of the lake I wanted to bring the outside in.  I then took both 2 boys and a big bull dog into consideration with the leather sectional.  This particular leather has a slight distress finish, so any kid and dog scuffs wouldn't be too noticeable.  The ottoman too is covered in a tough vinyl and has a more interesting leg shape.  There's nothing my upholster can't do for me.  With the TV to the side both chairs swivel which was as must for all those boys.  The main thing about this room is the wall and bookcase color.  We went from a dark khaki and even darker khaki bookcase to light grey and white.  Major difference.

It's all about unique shapes, textures and details in this space.  The console table has a hammered metal top with distress wood legs, the nail heads on the ottoman define the shape and the rug - a high / low pile in a bright green and cream pattern.

I had fun styling her bookcase with lighter, more whimsical accessories included a wire "bulldog" as one of my gifts to Shannon for being such a joy to work with !  I shopped her house for a few thing of sentimental value and then filtered in a few more pieces.

photos by mekenzie france

Where did it all start?  With design boards showing a new look.  I love the response I got when I emailed these to her and her husband Frank... simply "love it, I am so excited, when can we start."  I think that was it . . . trust factor . . .  high.

Shannon and I wanted to change all the tan, all the heavy, all the furniture and I think we accomplished that.  

Big change I would say !

Merry Christmas Shannon . . . it was a fun - day and thanks for dealing with the demo mess !!!

Stay tuned for install no. 2 we managed to pull off same day  . . . a fun bonus room on a whole other lake . . .

Hot off the Floral Press !

Hey There. . 

Charlotte Home and Garden hit the stands recently. Be sure and get your copy . . Loved the images Peter Taylor took of a room I installed for Taylor Cheifetz.  The room focused on the gorgeous floral fabric I chose for the windows, and then pulled from for those colors to fill the room.  I was reading my copy and there was an great story about Liz and Jimmy Foster's Dilworth home.  I pass this house every day on the way to my office and have always loved this curbside beauty.  After reading the story, I am finding myself wanted to creep in their driveway and take a closer look.  So beautiful.  

I snagged a few images (photography by Logan Cyrus) from Charlotte Magazine's Home and Garden, September 2013 issue of the Foster home, and added a few images of Taylor's inspiration fabric. I am having a floral love affair at the moment !

A little bit about the Foster home . . . from Charlotte Magazine (story by Aleigh Acerni)

Gorgeous from a distance, when the Foster's purchased the home in 1996, it was a "rescue mission and looked like a haunted house," said Liz.  This retired interior design (but once a designer, always a designer as far as I am concerned...) moved her attention to the landscaping after a year long interior renovation.  She considered the grounds, despite their sad shape, something that should be "beautiful and robust."  She worked with Brian Zimmerman to create a plan for the garden.  They approached each section of the yard as it's own unique space - which any interior designer would !  Now each exterior "room" is filled with blooming floral and herbs, bushes and graceful trees.  Like an English Garden, spilling into the pool area, over gates, pots, steps, walkways and the gazebo where their younger daughter was married.

I wanted the punch of color and pattern when I did Taylor's room and this fabric did the trick.

photos by Peter Taylor

Floral is the name of the game... I can't get enough.  Bring a little into your space.  No one does it better than Designers Guild, take a look at a few of my favorites (all available at www.lucyandcompany.com)  

Let one of these be your inspiration.

To read more, get your copy (here)

Stop and smell the roses !