Install of the Day !

Hey There  . . .

It hasn't been that long ago that I Maggie and I had our first meeting with Ashley Seshul.  Hickory girl with the cutest house on a beautiful corner lot.  We loved the meandering yard with it's paths and walkways, water feature and patio.  The interior wandered as well which I loved.   I am a big fan of older houses with smaller, cozy rooms and this house had all of that.    Ashley needed help with her basement.  I would like to call it first floor, because it's not your typical basement.  This space walks out to a gorgeous patio and yard.  The entertaining hub of this house.  The Seshul's created a floor plan for gathering, TV watching, sitting by the fire with a nice glass of wine and overall just hanging out.   It has a beautiful, small kitchen as well.  We joked with Ashley about just moving down there and never coming up.

This space needed a little coordinated style though, and Derby weekend was our deadline.  We decided to work with her large stone fireplace, stained concrete floors and existing chocolate brown sofa as oppose to changing any of that out.  It allowed a bigger budget for fabrics, wall papers, accessories and new key pieces of special furniture.  I love that she was game more than one wall paper.   With several different zones, we could do that as long as they all related to each other.  Take a look at all the patterns, textures and materials we chose to incorporate.

The stone fireplace was never a big favorite of Ashley's but I embraced it in this design, by neutralizing all the walls, trim and doors around it.  We painted everything a light grey, yet chose to change the white built in in wine cabinet a deep teal, so it seemed more like a unique piece rather than it matching all the kitchen cabinets opposite it.  Maggie found this one special fabric for two new fireplace ottomans which pulled everything together !

The fabrics each had different textures, but also all related.

This space now is much more coordinated, with zones for different "activities."  Art played a major roll in the space as well.  We pulled all our colors from the one piece she had over the sofa, yet we added four additional pieces, three of which Keith created for me !

I really aimed to mix up the furniture in this eclectic space.  I found these amazing chairs and table base at Slate Interiors here in Charlotte.  I had the chairs recovered in a dark teal croc and the table top was created for me by Chris Havey - he's so good.

The table and chairs were a much better size and feel from the previous square she had which was just too large for the space.  We dropped three pendant lights over the space and added a large art piece.  Painting the storage room door the same as the wall simply made it "go away" as oppose to the bright what trim color it was that just made that corner too visually busy.

I love the wine cabinet now.  Rather that typical white, it's now a dark teal, much more interesting !

Her existing brown barrel chairs now sit on a new grey hide with a vintage chrome accent table I was hoarding, but gave up for Ashley, as I loved her so much.

Creating two new pieces of art was in the plan as well.  Keith used mixed media for these two pieces. Silver leaf, wax and even packing tape !  Love the large scale and simple, modern abstract lines !

art by keith keim

We had fun in the back hallway, mixing a horizontal stripe down the hall and a vertical stripe in the bath !

Another piece I was hoarding, but it was perfect for the space.  The mint lucite frame was the exact color in the ottoman fabric so I let it go as well.  Luckily I'm married to the artist and have ordered myself another !

art by keith keim

art by keith keim

This entire space opens up to a patio to die for.  I am sure this coming Derby Day, their guests will wander around and enjoy a day with the Seshuls !

all photos by mekenzie france

It was such fun Ashley, and looking forward to heading upstairs for a tweak or two.

Stay tuned.

Install of the Day !

Hi All . . 

Friday was a busy, busy day - I just woke up, and I think it's 2:00.   We finished two installs and started another two for this Monday and Tuesday.   Take a look at the first.  I was more than excited to bring all my goods over to the Freemans.  I have been working on their home since last November, installing their new guest cottage, family room, and master bedroom.  Friday we wrapped it up with the main living room.   I have been looking forward to this room for six weeks and could not wait.  From the very beginning I wanted this space to be modern and contemporary with an artistic flair.   I love that Scott kept referring to this room as "my baby" and it was.  He and Mel, were both most agreeable to each and every element.  So with Mekenzie in toe, it was install day.

With all the gorgeous windows,  I decided to lose the heavy drapes completely,  lighten the walls and streamline the furniture.  But the main thing I wanted to express were unique pieces and artistic touches.  This room greets you at the front door and creates a definite mood.  Let the cocktail party begin.

I worked with my custom sofa vendor to create these two white leather sofas, one at 100 inches, the other at 84, that follow the windows.  The low back doesn't block the view and with a family of four small girls and two dogs, the leather is easy to care for.  They are both extremely well made, and oh, so comfortable.  I brought in a graphic, grey, rug and a lucite coffee table, light and airy.   With all the rustic (yet chic) elements throughout  the house, I brought a hide chair in the space with a beautiful back view, as you see it from the entry.  A new black baby grand is cornered in front of the most amazing wallpaper, or should I just call it large scale art.  Calico designed this paper.  It's elegant and breathtaking and gives the large stone fireplace a little more sophisticated drama.  Printed in a continuous pattern with silver metallic coming though, the marbling effect is a shimmering stunner.  My thanks to both Nicholas and Rachel for creating such a beauty for us and my favorite element in the room.  Take a look at a few of their other patterns and colors.  Be sure and check out their site, the process is amazing.  I will be happy to source for you as well.

This mirror installation was the artistic touch I was looking for.  I worked with my carpenter to create these frames, all twelve of them and we carefully hung them in a strategic meandering pattern, creating the look of one large piece.

The chandelier is another focal point of the room, with a dimmer, at night it just glows as you drive up the drive.

I chose a pop of teal for a little color in the pillows, and brought that color back in a velvet bench by the front door.

A quick stop at Isabella on the way over to snag another two pillows, odd numbers are always better and I love this hand painted grey metallic on white paired with the splashy ikat.

Grouping family photos in large white frames, mixed with some contemporary art adds a personal touch and bit of whimsy.

It was just as I imagined and I was thrilled !

While installing the living room, I headed down the hall to add a few finishing touches to the master . . 

Two new pieces of art, a new side chair and bench.  We moved the original dresser I chose to the guest cottage, as it was perfect there and I found a new long cream one for this space.

All the work is coming to a close at Casa Freeman.  Take a look at the earlier rooms I completed for a full picture of the overall style.

Their guest cottage complete with lounge, loft bunks and wet bar.

The family room, formerly garage, is just off the new living room.  Hidden storage, large sectional for TV watching.  Rustic, yet chic.

all photos by Mekenzie France

I have loved seeing this home come together.

Stay tuned, I give you a look at our second Friday install !