Final 2014 Before and After - My Parade

Well, it has been a busy GREEN year for me and I continue to be SO impressed with the magical transformations possible with heirloom-quality upholstered furniture.  It's a win-win all around. Instead of languishing as outdated and little-used obsolete pieces (or worse - bulky landfill), the refurbished pieces are reclaimed as principle elements of current room designs.

Here are some of the pieces transformed over the past month. I hope these inspire you to do the same!

These vintage bergere chairs were purchased in a consignment shop in Destin, FL, during a business/pleasure trip. I refinished the woodwork using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and had my upholsterer recover in a linen pattern with red and white checks on the back. Love how these turned out! 

These chairs were bought at a local estate sale and refinished in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Cream). The fabric selected is a blue and white woven check that I have used on several other pieces this year. Love the crispness of this look!

This set was purchased at the same sale as the French chairs above (blue and white checks). I redid the woodwork in a slightly darker neutral shade (Old Ochre) and had my upholsterer's apply a heavy woven cream fabric to the bulk of the piece with taupe velvet cotton used as piping and on the oval back. I think they look both contemporary and ageless! 

I actually bought this set of six chairs about four years ago and have had them in my "working space" downstairs all this time trying to decide what to do with them. Three of the chairs needed some serious reinforcement of the base which my upholsterer does not do. My husband ended up taking them apart and by re-gluing and re-doweling made them good as new. I had my go-to lacquer specialist, Sharon, redo the woodwork and reupholster the seats in a European linen. Wonderful!

This versatile square ottoman was purchased at an estate sale and reupholstered in this crisp herringbone cream fabric. The styling of the base was changed because we could not get the multiple pleats to lay flat enough (too much bulk) and this cleaner look is much more attractive. 

These very sturdy chairs were purchased from a moving family on craigslist. I had a hard time trying to decide what kind (weight, pattern) fabric to use and ended up with this heavy woven pattern in cool blues and greens. I think the weight of the fabric and the oversized pattern work well on these large chairs. I hope someone else agrees! 

This lovely French style (my overall favorite) settee was purchased at an estate sale. It has been refurbished with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (Cream) and reupholstered in a heavy teal woven fabric with an embroidered look. This one is on hold pending a decision from a client - so not currently on sale. 

This chair was purchased at an estate sale and has been refinished in chalk paint (old white) and reupholstered in a crisp red and white cotton ticking. I do like this French Country look!

That's it (probably for the year). Have a happy holiday and see you in 2015!

Preparing for the Holidays - Christmas at Callanwolde

See website - link

On this beautiful (but cold for the South) day, my husband I traveled to Callanwolde Fine Arts Center to view the decorated mansion and seek inspiration for our own home's decor. Actually, I'm not too sure that this was my husband's intention but it certainly was mine!

First a little about Callanwolde. The Gothic-Tutor style mansion was built in 1920 by Charles Howard Candler, eldest son of the Coca-Cola founder, Asa Candler. It is located in Atlanta's historic Druid Hills neighborhood and is 27,000 square feet. It was saved from demolition in 1971 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The estate consists of 12 acres with several other buildings including a retreat, gardener's cottage and conservatory. It also has beautiful formal gardens.

Approaching the main house from the front gate

Every year, the Center hosts "Christmas At Callanwolde" for about two weeks (thru 12/16).  Some of the main rooms are decorated by local designers and there are several Christmas markets with items available for purchase.

Here are some of my favorites!

Tree in Great Hall

This lively room provided great examples of "working with ribbon" -  the tree was magical!

I loved this fireplace and the beautiful wallpaper in this room - naturally I was attracted to all the great chairs! 

My FAVORITE space in the whole mansion! I loved the colors and think that a blue and green combo is always great. It was very sunny in the space and I did not get a good photo of the big tree with its colorful green and blue ribbons (too much backlighting) but the details are shown above.

I will want to come back when the gardens are in bloom - what a lovely setting!

Closing out 2014 Trends - Popular Colors

See my pinterest board - link

For source, see pinterest board link above

As we close out 2014 - how quickly it has gone - I am reflecting on decorating trends and aspirations. This brief posting is about the colors that were most popular. In this case, delicate blues with hints of green that continued to be seen in the decorating magazines.  These colors show well with taupes and creams and even navies.

I love these colors and have incorporated them (in 2013) in my renovated lower level. I am glad they continue to be so well regarded.

I have added quite a few pieces of upholstered furniture using fabrics in this color group this year and will probably continue to do that into 2015 - I do not see a diminution of their popularity in the near future.

Here are some of my 2014 favorites! I love them all!