Install of the Day !

Hey All.

Early Saturday morning here.. and I need a minute to shut my brain off "detail wise."  With 3 installs prior to Thanksgiving (it's always this way) my head is spinning to say the least !! It's quite at the moment though and I'm sitting still to take a minute to  really look at these gorgeous images Mekenzie took last week of a big install we've been working on for a while.

Gorgeous home to begin with,  just needed "finishing."  The details, a little design fluff, a new breakfast area and home office.  I particularly love all the neutral colors and texture layering on this one. 

Take a look and I'll walk you though . . . . . 

The heart of the house, the great room, luckily had these gorgeous big doors and a clean and modern fireplace.  With only 2 sofas we needed to add a few unique pieces to really bring it to life.  Accessories are always key and the layering is my favorite part of any install.  I collected numerous pieces I found at Market all in like colors and textures.  I carefully thought this one out and just brought my favorite pieces.

Try to always add different heights to a room, especially a vaulted room.  A floor lamp and large potted plant helps to bring down the ceiling a bit and fill that dead air.  If everything is visually at eye level it feels unbalanced. Large art, tall lamps also create visual balance from ceiling down.

Try to always add different heights to a room, especially a vaulted room.  A floor lamp and large potted plant helps to bring down the ceiling a bit and fill that dead air.  If everything is visually at eye level it feels unbalanced. Large art, tall lamps also create visual balance from ceiling down.  Rather than your typical fireplace side pieces these large antique mirrors and benches add that artistic edge I love. 

I love an accent chair, something different.  This one is one of my favorites.  Interesting legs and covered in a hide it strikes a conversation.  Adding a few small cocktail tables at the arms of a sofa give company a place to set their drink.  I love the layered textures and shapes, keeps things interesting for sure !

Different metals and shaped add more texture as well.  This marble side table is another favorite.

I love the impact this makes when entering for the foyer.  That fiddle fig could not be more perfect, balancing the height of the art and bringing the outside in.   Definitely warms up the space.

When stying any flat surface, think about height as well - varying it.   Each of these pieces have such beautiful texture.  The ottoman is great for additional pull out seating.

The dining room needed layering as well.  Having just a table and chairs when we started - I wanted to pull in a subtle but patterned paper, a big statement chandelier and art with a little weight to it.  I love the depth of these 2 pieces incorporating the black with a little brass.  Every dining table needs a center pieces and this casual black bowl brings what can be too "glam" down a notch.  Gorgeous arrangement by Nectur here in Charlotte.

By adding this casual rug it again brings the formality of the space to a more casual and inviting level.  A darker sideboard coordinates with the table and again adds much needed weight to the space.  Simple tone on tone curtains on a lucite pole softens things up.

Thanks again Nectur for these beautiful flowers.

Who doesn't love Kelly Weastler lamps?!

Directly across from the dining room is the home office.  I love the way this space turned out.  Light pieces against the black wainscoting add a pop and contrast.  A hair on hide rug and off white leather Eames chair creates a space to work but also just relax.  New art by Scott Kerr and custom file cabinets bring it all together.

Invest in a good office chair please people !!

Lastly in this phase we created a curved breakfast area complete with custom pleather banquette made to fit perfectly.  New free form Josh Utsey dining table and, statement chandelier. 

Keeping the family together with a comfortable place to sit while dinner is being made and just off the family room - I could sit there for hours.  Keeping the color cohesive with the other spaces, your view from the main living room and family room is easy to the eye.  Nectur created this gorgeous center piece as well in a long platter I found at market.  I love this piece !

All very cohesive color wise yet comfortable.

all photography by Mekenzie Loli


Such a fun project to shoot and after days of rain the beautiful sun streaming in made for such beautiful shots !  Thanks Mekenzie.

Install of the Day !

Hey There.

While the client's away (in Greece no doubt) the designers will play.  Love doing an install while my clients are out of town.  Coming home from a long trip to a big reveal - fun !

So this house, new build needing stuff !!  Love this couple.  To help them visualize I worked on the entire plan for the entire first floor.  As with many clients "phasing" is usually the norm.  What I explained is that having a full plan really helps with the visual as well as the budget. Everyone gets excited to really see what the entire space can look like.  We generally start in the spaces most used and as $ allows, we then pull the trigger on the other rooms (cuz it's already figured out !)

We are starting at the front door with new lighting and an area rug.  I worked on the dining room and office just off the foyer, and while those rooms will be in the next wave, they can see how it will all come together.

We finished our install the other day and Mekenzie shot just recently, our clients are still out of town at a big wedding and family trip in Greece but soon to be home !! Take a look at what I have planned for them to walk into....

The family room, kitchen and breakfast room needed a whole new look.  I started with a new sectional worked my way around that.  Navy was our punch color but I wanted it subtly brought in. Maria wanted a glamorous, dare I say "bling" feel and I was happy to bring in here and there for her !

Doing the more tone on tone look in this open floor plan created a real cohesive feel.

Layering in accessories, completed the look.

Even had Keith create a new art piece for the rock fireplace with a little gold leaf.

Take a look at a few of the details

When you spin around the breakfast room has a new chandelier in gold left with a bit of antique mirror, new brass based dining table and chairs.

Love the kitchen in this new build, we help with back splash selection, new lighting and counter stools.

all photos by Mekenzie France

I love seeing our design boards come to life!

There is a space off the main living and kitchen, we all believe was designed as a separate sitting area.  We decided with the living area so close, we'd change it up and create a unique "bar" area.  Hugging the two side walls with a custom banquet leaving plenty of walking area to the huge deck, it now become perfect for entertaining !

Stay tuned for phase 2 !

To get a little of the glamour our client wanted.  I found this gorgeous mirrored storage pieces.  Tripped out with all the "bar" pieces.

I love this space.  Unique, comfortable and perfect for large crowds, we'll see how they feel about all this !

Visible into the kitchen a 60" round breakfast table and chairs all complimenting each other.

So to give this couple the full vision, we created a look for the dining room as well.  When the time come we can visit these elements but the plan is in place.

The front office as well is part of our next phase so I played around with some ideas or two.

Love love having a full plan, but love even more being able to surprise our clients when they get back!  Front the front door back, should be a fun reveal