We’re looking forward to May flowers!

(Sources: Vanguard Furniture, Kravet Fabrics, Currey and Company Lighting)

What is your foyer telling people?

The original 12×12 black and white tile floor was replaced with a transitional grey 12×24 tile to complement the rooms on each size of the foyer.

The walls of this foyer were plain white with no picture moulding. Decorative moulding was applied to the walls to give them some visual interest. The walls were painted in grey and mouldings were painted in White Dove. We must also note that the return vent in the foyer was originally lower on the wall, and was vying for attention. We had the return raised up so that the mouldings could take center stage.

Next, the creative talent of Billet Collins Studio applied an alligator glaze in pearl metallics to the panels. This picture shows the walls after the finish was applied.

Although it looks so much better in person, this is a close-up of the finish.

The original natural oak balusters were painted white and the handrail and newel post were stained in ebony. Finally, a damask carpet in grey and cream from C.G. Coe and Son was installed up the steps as a runner.

This fixture, purchased through Dominion Electric provides just the right amount of sparkle and light above to greet guests to the home.

Lastly, a mirror with a decorative silver frame will be hung in the picture frame moulding at the very end of the hall to reflect light and add another dimension to this foyer.

There are still some final touches to be added; a rug, a narrow console table near the door and some artwork, but this foyer is already making and all ready to make a great first impression!

Photo by CWG photographer Kevin Ambrose

Photo by CWG photographer Kevin Ambrose

But we can’t leave it at that. As designers we’re always thinking (it’s a blessing and a curse!) and making design associations. Having said that, the cherry blossoms made us think of a cherry blossom inspired fabric offered by Lee Industries in three different colorways…

Blossom Pear

Blossom Red

Blossom Spa

This is Lee Industries’ hostess chair shown in Blossom Pear…

Dare we say if you don’t get a chance to meander around the tidal basin to take in the beautiful blooms, you can always order a chair (or pillow) and take full advantage of the beauty in your own home.

The space is a reading room. We paired a sofa and two chairs from Stewart Furniture and covered them with tantalizing tweed and a touchable paisley print from Kravet Fabrics. A cocktail table from Michael James Furniture rounds out the setting, while a warm wood accent table (also from Michael James) provides a surface for a cup of hot coffee and the The Washington Post. Conrad sunshades provide a natural texture in a warm inviting color, and relaxed Roman shades delight in another textured fabric by Kravet. Pillows can follow a conservative route with stripes, or can be more playful covered in an animal print. A deep, rich looking wood is specified for a custom built-in along one wall. Finally, a lamp in warm natural tones helps set the mood of the room. The wall color is deep and inviting Decatur Buff (HC-38) by Benjamin Moore. Lively fresh flowers finish the look.

Feel the warmth? Spring might be on the way!

MAGNETIC.

This lovely mailing arrived with a sample of the product.

Not only is the product a wonderful idea with many uses, the mailing from Weitzner is so creative and attention-grabbing.

This started our brainstorming session. Wouldn’t this be wonderful for a children’s playroom on a small wall? Or what if it were framed for a smaller scale magnetic board?

And what about the “big kids” in the office? This would be a creative way to keep those often-reference papers and what-nots in plain sight.

The line comes in the four colors shown below plush black (like the sample we received)…

Our “official” brainstorming session ended, but other possibilities keep popping into our heads… I guess we’re just “attracted” to this product!

We were most impressed with the “Make it Yours” collection… a collection that allows a designer’s and client’s creativity soar at reasonable custom prices. Here are some of our favorites.

We can just picture this leather covered Vanguard desk in a home office (with a glass top of course).

Or this upholstered chest that provides storage and looks good doing it!

The best part is that these pieces can be customized with choice of fabric, vinyl or leather, nail head size and finish as well as nail head pattern.

This is only a tiny part of what the company manufactures. They also have casegoods such as tables, chests, servers, etc., other upholstered pieces such as sofas, chairs, and ottomans, and a whole line of upholstered beds. The company carries a number of beautiful fabrics and will also allow clients to supply their own. We looked at the Vanguard finishes; they carry a group of standard stain and paint finishes, some specialty artisan finishes, metal finishes, and now they will even do custom paint finishes.

Gloria also introduced us to an online section for designers that puts everything at our fingertips to make order fulfillment quicker and easier. Love that!

We’re excited – Thanks Gloria for the show and tell!

We knew instinctively that the client would not be satisfied with plain painted walls in her master bedroom, not to mention that the ambiance and elegance of the room called for something more. We looked toward her bedding fabrics for the solution.

The top fabric by Pollack would be used for a pillow on the bed and would cover a bench at the foot of the bed. The bottom Jim Thompson fabric would be used for a pillow and an oversized scarf on the bed. This picture shows the “feel” of the bedding. It is simple, yet striking.

Next, we decided that we loved the pattern in the Pollack fabric.

We selected the moulding and came up with a design for wall panels on either side of the bed an on another wall in the room. The other walls in the room were already taken up by closet doors and there was a full wall of fabric window treatments. We then enlisted the creative force that is Billet Collins Studio to set our plan in motion. The walls of the master bedroom, master bathroom, and sitting room would all be done in a decorative linen paint finish, while the inside of the panels would be made to resemble the look of the Pollack fabric pattern, but with the colors reversed.

This is a closeup of the wall panels.

And a closeup of the detail…

The panels add liveliness to the walls without being overpowering. Looking back, if we had done the entire room with the linen finish, the room would have looked good, but the panels and inserts bring the room into custom territory, and provide a coordinated look with the fabrics and the rest of the room.

This shows the overall look of the bed wall.

And we’ve found some sweets that have no calories!

From top left (squares only): Modern Dial Caramel, Candy Dots Licorice, Nimbus Dark Chocolate, Lyrical Chocolate, Labyrinth Caramel, Regent Street Caramel, Philo Cocoa, and Plush Treat Chocolate all from Kravet Fabrics.

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