Showing posts with label interior design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interior design. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Returning an American Bungalow to its Southern Roots :: THE BIG REVEAL

Many of you are probably wondering what has happened to me as it has been much too long since my last post.  Well, my friends, you are in for a treat.....what is that saying?  

"Good things come in good time..."

I try to keep this in mind often, and it is also one of the most challenging things in getting a client to realize when working on any custom project whether it be custom drapes, upholstery, pillows or even and entire interior design project - which is exactly what we have done for this American Bungalow located right in Historic Athens, Alabama.

Without further adieu, it is now time for THE BIG REVEAL!

American Bungalow :: Historic Athens, Alabama {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
EST 1915  {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Front Patio {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Nothing says Southern like a gorgeous monogramed cushion...I also love the pops of blue + white.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Front Patio {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Here we removed the warped fan and replaced it with a large palm style fan perfect for breezy afternoons on the porch.

I also love how the client has trained the vine, which she found overgrown in the back of the house, over the swing with white lights.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
The client added this brass Virginia Metalcrafters Moravian Star to the mailbox - what a lovely and appropriate detail!

Front Door {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Another detail added to the front door is a vintage, brass mechanical bell seen on many of the historic homes throughout the surrounding Historic District.  How gorgeous is it on this bold purple door?!

{Living Room}


Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
 For the living room, we installed custom drapes in Cotton + Quill's Cuckoo pattern in a custom turquoise color way (to match the velvet on the sofa).  The client found this gorgeous sofa which needed to be reupholstered.  We selected this gorgeous aqua velvet for the upholstery of the cushion and seat back, and then we used the same cuckoo fabric as the drapes to upholster the back of the sofa.

 Sofa Detail {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
The client also collects these Italian Florentine Trays which are the perfect accent atop this lacquered chest.  

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
A bar cart is appropriate in all interiors - currently LOVING this vintage brass one the client scored. 

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Another detail that was worth the extra expense were the plantation shutters added in the front rooms of the house.

Living Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

Living Room  {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}

{Front Bedroom} 

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
For the front bedroom, we kept the paint color the same since it directly joins the living room and can be seen when first entering the home.  A traditional four poster is balanced with a luxe metallic cowhide rug & a pair of contemporary lucite chairs.  

Custom draperies in Cotton + Quill's Koi pattern in Flax dress up this guest bedroom.
Drapery Detail {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
A goblet pleat with hand-sewn covered buttons add a tailored touch to the custom panels in Cotton + Quill's Koi pattern in Flax.

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
The soft greens and blues are picked up in the watercolor of the client's daughter hanging over the mantle....can you guess who that little girl is?

Front Bedroom {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
More personal touches and details added to the front bedroom include a pair of clogs from Holland. 

{Dining Room}

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Other than the paint color, I have to give all of the credit for the design in this room to the client.  I adore how she hung various plates and platters in one corner of the room - such a unique and interesting way to display all of these beautiful items!

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Dining Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar} 
Dining Room {Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
I love all of the door knobs found throughout this home - and what a nice touch to add this silk tassel!

{Master Bedroom} 


{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
For this bedroom we painted the walls a little darker and installed custom drapes in Cotton + Quill's Bambusa pattern in Mint - this pattern was created from a series of Chinese paintings the designer created while studying abroad in Taiwan.  

A pair of framed silhouettes offer a personal touch to this cozy retreat.

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar} 
{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
A lady's bedroom isn't complete without a dressing table - wouldn't you agree? 

{Photo Credit :: Mary Catherine Folmar}
Another one of these beautiful old fireplaces graces this room, and I absolutely adore this brass peacock fire screen.

I hope you have enjoyed the tour! This is certainly making me want to do a few little updates of my own...what about you?


Thursday, May 29, 2014

Jib Doors.....

.....a not so modern mystery

Jib doors have been around for hundreds of years, once to hide secret passageways or rooms, but are making a big comeback in modern interiors as well.  While the jib door may still be used to hide a secret room or passageway in today's interiors,  it has taken on a new use to blend in without disturbing the aesthetic of a space - such as if you are fortunate enough to have the luxurious hand-painted wallpaper of de Gournay grace your walls and would hate to take away from its beauty by having a door right in the middle.

Here are a few of my favorites I am currently swooning over.....one day
Photo credit unknown | Image via forpilar
Photo Credit unknown | Image via belle vivar
Photo credit unknown | Pauline Rothschild peering from jib door
Photo Credit unknown | Image via forpilar
Photo credit unknown | Image via belle vivar




Now typically I would certainly leave installing a jib door to a professional, but if you happen to be pretty confident in your craftsmanship skills involving building and woodwork, then I have found a source for you to attempt to do it yourself here.

I would love to hear how you have used a jib door or would plan to use one in your home - I am definitely adding this to the wish list for a future abode!

Happy Thursday!



Monday, April 28, 2014

Wine, Cheese & Lacquer Please....

Today's post is a little DIY with a little bit of effortless entertaining.  I found this fun bamboo piece from a little shop in Irondale and immediately knew I had to get it!

Here is this little gem before I spruced it up a bit...

Bamboo Table in Store 
Bamboo Table | Before
This piece actually wasn't in too terrible of shape if you are looking for that shabby-chic look.  I actually really liked the turquoise hue, but it just wasn't the right fit for my purposes.  This piece was actually constructed of true bamboo which I found was an EXCELLENT feature.

I decided I wanted to lacquer this piece to create a sleek 
+ timeless look.  Thank goodness I found the essentials from Amy Howard at Home!

The best thing of all is that Amy Howard takes your step by step on how to refinish your thrifty find....

Furniture Lacquer Spray Paint here

Step 1 :: Sand

After Lightly Sanding
Step 2 :: Prime

Primed
Step 3 :: Lacquer

Coat #1 :: La Grange
Coat #2 :: La Grange
Final Coat in La Grange + Acrylic Tops
I wanted to add that extra bit of sheen, so I opted for a pair of  acrylic table tops....just to be warned, Home Depot and Lowes will NOT cut the acrylic for you.  I ended up using a table saw to cut mine to size, so another option would be to have true glass tops cut to size...probably just as cost effective.

Now that we have a lovely lacquered piece in record time, it is ready for entertaining!

Finished Lacquered Piece
Another way to effortlessly entertain...I grabbed a fresh tomato from my produce bowl and sliced it, pairing it with a few gourmet crackers I had in the pantry with a generous helping of "Palmetto Cheese" (found at your nearest Publix or Costco).  To wash it all down, I used a Savignon Blanc...Cupcake is actually pretty nice to fit within a tight budget :)

Fresh cut flowers from whatever is blooming in your yard, in my case azaleas, adds a finishing touch to make you the perfect host or hostess for unexpected, or expected guests!


Fresh Cut Azaleas

I hope you enjoyed today's post!! It's effortlessly easy and will be the talk of the town at your next soiree!