Melinda from Texas

Today- my comments are in terracotta. :)

Hi Christine,

Reading your blog is my guilty pleasure as of late. After years of watching Divine Design, subscribing to House Beautiful, and following Phoebe Howard, I'm finally realizing that I know just enough to be dangerous. That said, I'm hoping you can help me with my family room/breakfast nook dilemma. Our home here in Texas is two years old and we love it, but after owning two 50+ year old homes with tons of character, I must admit I'm a bit stuck on how to jazz this place up without painting all the walls.

Specifically, I'm wondering if you have any suggestions as to what I should do with the two recessed areas above the built-ins on either side of my family room fireplace. We've tossed around lots of ideas - having shelves put in, Yes- they look a little awkward do me- like built-ins were started and not finished. I would add shelves that match your lower cabinets as much as possible. adding recessed lighting of some sort, I like the hidden rope lighting put on the inside lip of the shelves. Otherwise- only your top section gets lit. Skip the lighting in the TV area of course. painting or tiling for visual interest, Painting is OK- but I especially like to actually change the wall surface in niches. Check out the "stone" wallpaper below. hanging complimentary paintings by a local artist, This is not a place that I would display art- something small on an easel perhaps- but there is too much shadow- even if you do add lighting- it is not the best place to display art. I would be very simple, and very deliberate- ceramic vases- chargers- cool boxes or baskets. Don't get items that are too small- and don't get too many items. etc. If you have any other suggestions that don't involve a complete remodel (including why I can't seem to properly outfit my mantle), I think your mantle itself is out of proportion to the stone fireplace- I would get a larger one. The mirror is reflecting your ceiling fan... This is your focal point- and it is a reflection of a ceiling fan. Mirrors are only as great as what they reflect. The painting at the top of the post is my suggestion. It is 54 x 47. (I don't know your dimensions- but I am guessing that this would fit- and really fill the area.) This will give you overlap with your accessories. The vases can stay- they will be in front of the painting- which I would have sitting on - or very close to the mantle. But I would just remove the frame- it is too small to go up there. I'd love to hear them. My second question has to do with our windows in the breakfast nook, which you can see from our living room. We currently have woven wood R78uoman shades with nothing to soften the look. Do you think a fabric valance or cornice is the best option since there is limited space between the windows for a panel? No- your look is too clean to have valances- and I almost never like cornices. The area needs something- it is a little on the dull side- although you have made nice, tasteful selections. Add a table runner- I like this one from Crate and Barrel. Then replace your small bowl with a large tray like this one from Crate and Barrel. You can put fruit in it- or keep it empty. I would add a couple of matching drapes- like the ones in the family room- in your larger areas- on the far right. The panels do not need to be between every window. I can't see well enough- but fly me to Texas and I will tell you exactly where to add them. Another thought- if you don't feel comfortable with the drapes- your spacing does seem a little odd on the windows- you can jazz up the area with some vinyl decals- like the paisley ones below. If you go that direction- don't use too few- get a generous amount. OR- in your area there on the left where the ceiling goes higher- you could do a simple plate collage. Plates like this one from Crate and Barrel is what I imagine. I'm also interested in switching out the builder's light for something a little softer. I'm in love with this one from Room and Board: http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19707 In an open area like you have- start with consistency. You have some cool grayish blue drapes- and have repeated the color in the pillows- but you need more repetition of that color for it to really be a presence. If you want to add terracotta- or other colors- do it after you have a more established pallet. With that- I like the style- but go with a gray or bluish gray- something that further establishes your first pallet. What do you think? Am I on the right track at all or do I need as much help as I think I do?

Thanks,

Melinda

You are doing great Melinda- Your furniture arrangement is good- and your large furniture choices look very nice. Below is the stone wallpaper for the niches- and the vinyl paisleys.

P.S. I never know how to describe my style, but I love decorating with natural materials (maybe a little too much) and probably fall into the transitional bucket when it comes to furniture. Love clean lines and minimalism kept in check, but have some traditional furniture, as well.

The Better Kitchen Triangle

Christine,
I'm sending you some more pictures of my kitchen that you posted on your blog under "The Good Triangle" dated October 2nd.

I liked your idea of having the range on one wall and keeping it pretty. I understand the triangle, but with your suggestions it doesn't seem feasible because of the size of the room. I attached some measurements to get more of your input.

I also attached a picture of a plan that Lowe's came up with.

My two ideas I'm considering is:
1) The plan that Lowe's came up with, which is a peninsula island.
2) The second idea would to be having a floating island instead of the peninsula.

As you can see, the kitchen is small and challenging......which is why I'm still up in the air with things.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,

Is Lowe's plan alright- yes. It is perfectly fine. However if I could have just the stove and not the refrigerator on the stove wall- I would try for that. The prettier we can make the focal point wall in the kitchen- the better. I found a nice focal point kitchen for you in Veranda- at the top of the post. Now imagine a refrigerator right by the cooktop...

It also makes a better working triangle to not have the stove and refrigerator on the same plane- as it separates your work areas- giving you more space around them. In your case it gives you more counter space near your cooktop. This is even more of an issue if your kitchen is likely to have more than one person using it at a time.

With the floorplan that you e-mailed me (thanks- I love having measurements)- I drew an idea for you. Having the peninsula come out from the other side is another option. Your window there would require you to lower the height of the counter surface- and the width of the room would require you to have it be a shallow area- unconventional- yes- but what a great place to have a cookbook shelves mixed with display of serving pieces. You could also add a couple of baskets to store napkins- etc. I also added some floating shelves on the right hand side for more storage and display.

Please send us an "after" shot. I love complete re-models. They excite me. :)

If my entire response was too slow and you are already finished- I apologize- I try to answer in the order questions are received... BTW- did I suggest eliminating the soffit before?

Thanks for writing in,

Christine

Kathy's Fabulous View

Today's post is a continuation of yesterday's.

Hi Christine,

I built this house and just moved in in June. I think some of my choices have been good so now I'm terrified to ruin it with the decor!! Several concerns but the main one is the great room. The view out the sliders is awesome. It's a protected marsh with tons of wildlife activity and changing vegetation so I didn't want to put furniture in front of the sliders...The problem is I also have the fireplace focal point and the tv wall. Maybe the sectional should have been a sofa? (your sectional is good.) I like the style with nailheads, etc. but what do ya think? I think I still have 30 days to decide...


The rug will go. I was thinking of perhaps a huge round braided rug?? Very very open concept, so do another of the same in the dining??

There is another weird wall between the kitchen and dining room. I'm returning the painting you see there because I think it's too pizazzy and orange for my taste but I could be talked into it. Your thoughts?? Maybe a photo wall template there? The ficus is pathetic I know.. may come back but not sure!!

For the windows I was thinking woven wood for the back dining room, and possibly off white shutters on just the bottom half in the breakfast. Notice the stained glass panels in the top half... Then my question is, should the two angled windows in the kitchen be the same as the breakfast nook or woven wood like the dining? For the sliders do you think just curtain panels? A woman from Budget Blinds came today and left a few samples see attached. Oh yeah, does the foyer window need to match the sliders? Roman shade there?

Hope this isn't way too much to take in. I'd love any tidbit of advice on any of these questions that you choose!!

Thanks,
Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I'd like to start with your rug. First of all, I want to say that I love the idea of the braided rug, and I love Capel. They are a great manufacturer. With that said, I don't like the mostly red with your leather color. I didn't include all of the fabric samples that you included- but I will say that I didn't really like them either... (hopefully I am not telling you this after you already had drapes made...) Your view is amazing!!! (the picture above is her view!!!). I would keep my interior colors pretty neutral- and play up the color of your view. I also thought your fabrics that were shiny were all wrong. I would stay with the feel you have going now- which is very nice- more casual. I also thought that a square or rectangle rug would be better than the oval. (most of their colors come both ways.) The rug I selected for you is below- from Capel- in a square.

Should you have all the same rug throughout? Most of the time I say- absolutely not- but with braided rugs- you could if you want to- but still don't have to. The rug I selected for you below is also from Capel. You could do something like this in your entry or dining area. You want consistency in style- as in casual- not formal----- BUT- you want it different in style- as in don't have multiple braided rugs that are all different colors... So- does that make sense? The same style- but different styles. I am sure that is coming off perfectly clear.

For your drapes- I suggest panels- Check out the plaid below from Lee Jofa. I think it is beautiful. See how subtle I am creating the color pallet?

I am not a fan of the leather ottoman right by the leather sectional. I would re-upholster- just the top of it. I know that leather is very practical- but textural variety is more important. :) This black fabric below from Robert Allen is my suggestion for the top of the ottoman. It would not have a stark contrast with the sides- and brings in the browns. The plaid above brings in some black- so we are all tying together here.

I selected a new floor lamp for you- Uttermost- there is more texture needed in your room. Your room is too smooth.

Good call returning the art- it is a cool piece- but I wouldn't select it for your place. Below I have a few wall decor ideas for you- from Uttermost.

Overall you have a great look going- work with it- not against it. Remember that your focal point is your view. Your other items should add interest and texture- but not try to compete with the view.

Thanks,

Christine