Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak at a work in progress;  selections from one of the design giveaway winners' custom kit.

2 Chairs and an Ottoman

2 chairs and an ottoman = the perfect setting in front of a fireplace.

Image via:  My Design Diary

Both people get to put their feet up and enjoy the warm fire.

Southern Living

Here's a larger view of one of the above rooms.  The 2 chairs and an ottoman were the perfect fix to a long and large room by creating 2 seating areas.  Room designed by:  Ashley Whittaker

Manly Monday: Earl of Chesterfield

This room is the epitome of manly, so grab a scotch, kick off your boots and enjoy.  A chesterfield sofa looks so handsome in dark brown leather.  The two armchairs are lined with nailhead, another manly touch, and have velour seat cushions.  In place of coffee table, a long and narrow leather topped bench is the perfect place to set down a book or prop up your feet.

Everything else in the room is soft and weathered, which makes the leather look even more rich.  The soft blue-green wall is peaceful and the plush shag carpeting is an unexptected touch.  And that armoire is the perfect place to store office materials and keep them out of sight.  Images via:  S.R. Gambrel

Feminine Friday: A Victorian Victory

Shades of raspberry and green make this room feminine and divine.  Designer Candice Olson added soft touches to this room with a tufted leather ottoman, tassled lamps and window treatments, a soft muted area rug, and a chandelier.  A dark green velour sofa anchors the room and a slipper chair adds additional seating.  The room has a Victorian charm and is soft and luxurious.

More Candice Olson...

The family room is a hard room to design.  There needs to be enough seating for the family, seating for guests, storage for toys or stuff, and everyone wants a good view of the television.  Let's see how Candice handles a typical family room:

Above:  Before, the family room has limited seating, which is all directed toward the television.  The dark leather sofa has no personality, and the dark television unit is the focal point.  Toys are scattered, the window treatments are boring, and there is a vast sea of wall-to-wall carpeting.  There also appears to be just one source of lighting in the room, a table lamp.

Above:  After the makeover, the room has so much depth and color.  There is plenty of seating for the entire family on the long sectional sofa and it is prime tv viewing.  For guests, Candice added 2 comfortable club chairs that face the sectional, creating a conversation setting.  And end table and round pedestal table surface area, and a pendant lamps hang from the ceiling.  The dark walls look great because the furnishings are kept light.  Burnt copper window panels warm up the space as does a light caramel area rug with a beautiful diamond pattern.  Candice added a fireplace that has become the focal point of the room.

An Ode to Candice Olson:

One of my favorite HGTV shows to watch is Candice Olson's Divine Design.  It's not one of those shows with a budget of $1000 and shirtless carpenters, but one that demonstrates how great design can transform a room into a beautiful and functional space.  Candice has a style which is clean and sophisticated, using soothing and neutral colors.  She squeezes a ton of furniture into her projects, creating tons of seating and layers of fabric and texture.  My next few posts will be an ode to Candice Olson's devine designs.

Above:  The basement before the makeover.  The room has a boring fireplace, ghastly lighting, no storage, an awful window, a mauve carpet, and look at those mismatched sofas.  ugh

Above:  Now the basement looks amazing.  I love the window treatment which gives the illusion of a giant window and replaces the television as the focal point.  The fireplace has been given a facelift with neutral stone and clever storage underneath.  The sectional is fit snug into the corner in a grey ultrasuede.  The carpeting is gone and in it's place is new dark wood flooring and an area rug.  I love the touches of green used in the room with the leather cubes, nesting tables, pillows, and window panels.  And finally, the recessed lighting, wall sconces and table lamp make the room sparkle.

Designer Tip: Accent Color

This bedroom is an example of fool-proof decorating at it's best.  Everyone has heard "go neutral and you can always change the accent color," right?  In this room the upholstered bed, blankets, wall color, shades and drapes are all neutral shades of beige. The accent color is red, and is strategically placed.  There is one red pillow, a red lamp, and a red tassle on the light fixture.  The accent color is kept minimal, which gives it more impact.

If you tire of the color red, simply insert a new pillow, lamp, and tassle and the transformation is complete!

Manly Monday: Map it Out

Little men can be stylish as well, and by little I mean age 10.  And this little boy's bedroom is full of big adventure with maps wallpapered to the wall and bold nautical stripes.  The soft blue painted bed is dressed with white linens while everything else in the room has more personality.  The window shades and club chair both share the bold horizontal striped fabric.  2 blue metal chairs are placed at the rustic oak desk, creating a perfect place to do homework or play board games.  And wall-to-wall carpeting is light and airy in a blue and off-white stripe.  Image via:  S.R. Gambrel, Inc.

Feminine Friday: A Glutton for Glamour

I admit, I'm a glutton for glamour.  It if sparkles, I like it.  If it's feminine, I like it.  Put the 2 together and you get a beautiful and luxurious combination.  What could be more feminine?

Curvy sofas, shimmering nailhead, soft velour, mirrored legs, and a dramatic ceiling height all work together for a glamorous and formal effect.

A sparkling chandelier and sparkling mirrors mixed with gold tables, white upholstery, and pink silk pillows create a softer side of glamour.  images via:  glamorous interiors

Theatre Thursdays: Julie & Julia

The recent Oscar-nominated movie Julie & Julia tells the story of how famed chef Julia Child started her career, and how blogger Julie Powell cooked her way through Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  While the majority of the movie takes place in her kitchen in Paris, we see glimpses of her infamous home kitchen (below).

www.setdecorators.org

Julia Child's Arlington, MA kitchen recreated by Susan Bode Tyson, SDSA

Get Julia's Look:

Spode Blue Willow plates can be found on Ebay and copper cookware can be found at Dean & Deluca

Pottery Barn's Sumner dining table and chair in a rustic pine.

artichoke print and stainless steel wall-oven.

Bon Appetit!

This Green Must Be Seen

It's not often that you see lime green on a wall, or on anything for that matter.  But this bedroom painted in this citrus shade is so chic and calm, I can't stop looking at it.  The bright wall is toned down with the classic combination of black and white and sleek furnishings.

Keep it clean: 

1.  What keeps the room simple is the straight lines of the poster bed and nightstand and the solid white bedding. 

2.  A mix of graphic toss pillows gives the room just the right touch of pattern. 

3.  The graphic print of the pillows is repeated in the black area rug which anchors the room.

4.  White curtains blend and do not distract.
5.  The lime green is repeated on a pair of pillows on the bed and that's it.




designed by:  Erinn Valencich

Charmingly New

I came across this kitchen from Southern Living that combines new appliances with charming cabinets and a country garden color scheme.  It's a quaint and welcoming space with updated amenities for the modern family.

Charming Touches:

1.  vintage latches & drawer pulls

2.  glass-front cabinets

3.  crown moulding

4.  paneled cabinet doors

5.  green painted window sashes

6.  green & cream color scheme

7.  butler's pantry

Modern Touches:

1.  granite countertops

2.  extra large island

3.  stainless steel appliances

4.  recessed lighting

5.  task lighting under cabinets

The kitchen and butler's pantry share the green and cream color scheme and stainless steel appliances.  The pantry is home to floor-to-ceiling storage and pops of red decor.  images via:  Southern Living

Drum roll please....

Thank you all for entering the Erica LeBlanc Design design service give-away.  Sounds like you all have some great projects and I wish I could help each of you.  It was so hard to choose...so I chose two!  I'll be busy this spring working on these, but I can't wait.  And thanks so much to Kelly over at Much to do With Nothing who posted this contest on her blog.  Drum roll please...the winners of the custom kits are:

1.  Tallulah Belle in Southern California who wrote:
I have a long skinny awkward room which I'd love to turn into a library. However, it has 2 corner windows, an oval window, a niche, a walk through to the living room, a walk through to the kitchen, a boiler cupboard, the door to the garage, a arched cutout to the living room AND tile as well as carpet lol.  I am sure there is a way to get it how I want but I am no designer and just don't know where to start :-(   

2.  Robin in South Carolina who wrote:
I am so busy with little ones running around and a teenager at home I would love for you to help me make my bedroom into a restful retreat!

And Mae Beth who needs help with her bedroom accents and lives down the street from me - you win too - see you soon!

To the winners:  Please follow this link to my design site and complete the questionnaire and uploading of photos/floor plan.  If you  can't upload, send me an email and I'll give you my mailing address.

Thank you to all who entered the giveaway.

Please consider ordering your own custom kit - it's an easy way to achieve your decorating needs.

Feminine Friday: Divine Dining

This sun-drenched dining room adorned in cream furnishings and light green walls would be the perfect setting for a gourmet breakfast or afternoon tea. The silk panels diffuse the light, giving the room a warm glow.  The painted chairs surround a formal double pedestal table that is dark and elegant.  Notice how the slope of the arms on the chairs enhances the oval shape of the table - a very feminine touch.  Everything is light, simple, and femininely divine. 

 Room designed by:  Frank Randolph,  Image via:  Southern Accents 

Barnes & Noble Home

Did any of you know that Barnes & Noble has a home decor line now?  It's called Barnes & Noble Home and it's a collection of nice, homey pieces that could look great in your home.  They have great gift ideas like sleek candle votives, and home accents such as interesting table lamps and stylish vases.  Here are some of my favorites:

I don't know if any of the products will be available at their store locations, or if this collection is online only.  I'm going to try to pop over to B&N today and check it out.  I'm thinking it's online only, but I'll let you know.

Designer Tip: Sofa Styles

Are you in the market for a new sofa?  Whether you call it a sofa or a couch, it's a necessity for any home.  And while shopping, you might feel overwhelmed with all of the available styles.  Here's a sofa tutorial featuring the most common frame styles to help you with your showroom or cyber-shopping journey.

Styles:

Above:  A 3-over-3 is a 3-seated sofa with a cushion back.  The sofa on the right has an exposed leg and a T-cushion which means that the arm is recessed behind the seat cushion.  These sofas also have roll arms.

Above:  A tight-back sofa does not have cushions on the back.  Sometimes they have a seam in the center and sometimes they have buttons or tufting.  The sofa on the left has turned wood legs and the sofa on the right has tapered wood legs.

Above:  A slip-covered sofa has fabric that is completely removeable from the entire frame and cushions.  The skirt usually drapes or slight touches the floor, creating a more casual look.  Slip-covered sofas are desirable because the fabric can be removed and cleaned.  Also, you are able to change the look of the sofa with a replacement cover.

Above:  A sofa with a track-arm has arms that are squared; typically with welting/piping that runs along each side of the arm, giving the allusion of tracks. 

                

                                      

Above:  A sofa with English arms has small, low arms that are curved from front to back, and recessed.  The fabric is also pinched and tucked along the front of the arm.

Above:  A camel-back sofa has a tight-back with curve, typically higher in the center.  A reverse tight-back has higher sides and a lower center.  This sofa is also a 2-seater, which has wider seat cushions than a 3-seater.

Cleaning Codes:  All fabrics have a cleaning code which informs you, the consumer, how to clean the fabric.  You can typically find the cleaning code right on the fabric swatch that you use in the showroom.  You will need to know the cleaning code to ensure that you have the correct cleaning agents on hand in your home to spot clean.

W: Use a water-based cleaning agent such as a mild detergent or non-solvent upholstery shampoo product only.
S: Use a mild, water-free, dry cleaning agent.
WS: Use a water-based cleaning agent or a dry cleaning solvent or foam type cleaner.
X: Do not use a foam or liquid cleaner of any type. Do not clean with either water or solvent-based cleaner. Use vacuuming or light brushing only. 

Above:  Side view of an english arm sofa with turned front legs and a tight back.
Image via:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/
Sofa images via: Rowe Furniture

Spring Fever

The beautiful Spring-like weather we have been having here in Massachusetts is making me want to spring clean and freshen things up.  I'm starting to put my heavy winter clothes away and introduce fun colors to my wardrobe.  I bought a scarf at Old Navy (the one on the left) that is so colorful and fun, it will enhance any remaining Winter days for me. 

However, when it comes to interiors, I'm gravitating towards a clean, zen feel.  Sort of a non-clutter, soothing space with light and neutral fabrics and simple lines.

image source

And then if I wanted to add a little pizazz to the room, I'd accessorize the room with colors from my Spring Fever.  Accessories like these colorful ceramic garden stools from Target would do the trick.