Decorating in Reds!

LOTS of red in this room - see pinterest board for details and origin (link)

Now this is a stimulating room - see pinterest board for details.

I love the color red and would love to see more of it in home decor. I have a pinterest board dedicated to the subject (link).  It is a color that I've used extensively in my own home. I have a traditional/transitional style in my living and dining rooms anchored by Chinese red rugs. The color may not be at its height of popularity right now (although "burgundy" is a 2015 color of the year), but it never entirely looses its advocates and is a favorite for many designers.

Red 101

“When people walk into a red room, they immediately respond,” says New York City interior designer Scott Sanders. Color experts describe red as a stimulating shade. It grabs focus (think stop signs and fire engines) and, on walls, becomes the defining element of a space.link to article

One article I found talks about how to incorporate red into a variety of decorating styles - with an emphasis on walls and woodwork:

Contemporary design incorporates neutral elements with pops of bold color, often red.On the door: Bold, bright redInside: Bright red shades in a pillow, rug or throw Modern design calls for all kinds of reds: from primary hues to classic shades with burgundy or brown undertones.On the door: Any red you love that makes a statement.Inside: Consider injecting red through a painting or piece of art. Traditional design stays away from primary reds and instead involves burgundy or black tones.On the door: A deep, rich redInside: Decorate with Oriental rugs injected with darker reds. Transitional design relies on a neutral palette, a perfect canvas for pops of red.On the door: Match this red to hues you use inside the home, or skip the red door entirely to keep a more neutral theme.Inside: Choose a softer and more indirect approach like a red lamp or piece of art. Country reds are chalkier and softer: Think barn or scarlet reds. Choose reds with pinkish and purplish hues, like the color of a ripening apple.On the door: Barn redInside: Accessorize with country reds in knickknacks and fabrics.link to article

Illustration of Country Red decor - link  

I love the red "pops" in this space - a good example of contemporary design - see pinterest board for source information

This is a little dark for me but does illustrate how reds can brighten and energize the space - see pinterest board.

Lovely space - I would call this one transitional! 

Red in a French Country style - love the fabrics used here - see pinterest board for details.

 I always have a few reds in my Wydeven Design Collections but never more than a few. Truthfully, they do not sell as well as either neutrals or blues but they certainly do need to be available for those discerning clients who want that pop of color in whatever decorating space/design they like! My pieces are currently available on Etsy, eBay and One King's Lane!

I was surprised at how few pieces I had in this great color last year - I have to try harder this year!

I love this stripe and wish I had more than just enough for one small chair. 

I bought this fabric in four colors - love the red version! 

A great piece for a patriotic themed bedroom!

I do love reds and wish more people were bold enough to use them in their space - they really could not go wrong with this great energetic color.

Designer Sofa Tips and Secrets - Part I: Fabric

Example of solid color/neutral sofa anchoring the space - color is similar to wall colors.

Solid sofa - color and pattern splash in smaller pieces.

Recently, I cut out an article from House Beautiful (link to magazine), entitled "Designer Tips and Secrets - 50 Things you Need to Know About Sofas". While dedicated followers of my 10-year old refurbishing upholstered furniture business know that "I DO NOT DO SOFAS", many of the tips apply to love seats and other sizable upholstered pieces (which I do refurbish and sell - my anti-sofa mode has more to do with storage and shipping challenges than anything else.)

Here are some of the tips and techniques dealing with the selection of fabric - one of the hardest choices to make. Since my business is almost all about the quality and appeal of the fabric, this is a good place for me to start in reviewing and discussing tips and secrets.

To establish calm, I upholster sofas in a solid that's the same color as the walls and curtains - Barbary Barry

I never use big patterns or trendy colors for large upholstered pieces. The punch of pattern or hot splash of trendy color should come from the throw pillows so they can be easily substituted when you need change - Tom Stringer

Always use dark fabric for skirts so heel scuffs are not visible - Jill Shark Brinson  

Stripes, florals, you name it, I love pattern! But using one of these isn't for the faint of heart.  It says, "I'm bold, fearless, and not afraid of commitment" - Schuyler Samperton 

SO ... many designers suggest using solid fabrics and avoiding patterns or trendy colors.  Yet, there is a "shout-out" for those who dare to be bolder and go with something more eye-catching. My own philosophy is that you can use the bolder patterns/colors if you have serenity in other elements of the room decor. For example, a cream or other neutral rug with calm walls and window treatments sometimes gets just the right balance with a little more "verve" in the upholstered pieces - particularly ones that are the focal point of the room.

Here are some of the fabrics I've used over the years on larger settees and love seats. A lot of the fabrics are solid (and vary neutral) but there are definitely splashes of boldness!

Southern Living Idea House - Senoia, Georgia

Senoia, Georgia, is a small town about one hour south of Atlanta that is famous for its historic district AND for being the town of Woodbury in the hit show, The Walking Dead!  It is a charming place and is the location of the 2012 Southern Living Idea House link to magazine website. Southern Living has been completing "Idea" houses for over 20 years.

Enter Senoia, 25 miles and 100 years from Atlanta, where the main street looks like a scene out of Driving Miss Daisy—because it actually was.  The town doubles as a back lot for popular film and TV projects such as the classic Fried Green Tomatoes and AMC’s current hit, The Walking Dead.  But dig a little deeper and you will find a community committed to eco-friendly construction—right down to the electric cars parked in front of the diner.

This year's house was originally a 1830 farmhouse relocated to this area and enhanced. I visited the house this week with several friends and was very impressed with the work of the architect and builder who rendered and constructed the expansive design and the interior design team who created such wonderful space. The house has recently been sold - no surprise to us - and the buyer is considered "local" - not more than 25 miles from this location.

The "farmhouse" is part of an historic area development just off of the main street in Senoia.  The development promises to be a lovely setting when completed.

About Senoia and Historic Development Ventures, LLC: Winner of the 2010 Georgia Renaissance Award, the Historic Senoia Project is a downtown redevelopment initiative undertaken by Historic Development Ventures, LLC which includes an in-town urban living, dining, and cultural experience and boasts shopping, attractions and oodles of ambience.  Many of the vacant parcels of land in Senoia's Historic District have been acquired for the purpose of constructing period infill development, designed with a dual purpose: to blend seamlessly with the town’s early 1900’s architecture  while serving as a back lot for film and television production at nearby Raleigh Studios - Atlanta. The scope of Senoia’s revitalization includes retail/commercial, office/professional, a 4 star boutique hotel, and in-town residential elements, masterfully planned to offer modern amenities and technology within the context of a historic sense of place. Learn more athistoricsenoia.com.

This was a wonderful visit - best told by showing you the photos I took.  I will mention some of my "idea" take-aways which is, after all, the whole concept!

It was such a bright and sunny day that some are somewhat washed out - but I don't have the heart to complain about such a nice bright and sunny day!

Nice plantings - I liked the stepping stone area on side of house.    

I loved the whimsical and colorful artwork but din't find out much about it in the resource book we received.  Unfortunately, I had not asked when there.  I do love "cow pictures" and am commissioning my artist friend, Bette, do do an acrylic or oil cow picture for me.  

The back of the house was very entertainment friendly.  I thought the retrievable canopy that will provide much needed shade int he summer months is a great idea!

Loved this color combination and that set of chairs was wonderful - totally washed out by sunshine coming in window.

The house had a lot of neutral rooms with hints/splashed os color such as in this bedroom.  I loved the sink basin - a duck egg blue base with wood-toned top - it looked very authentically very old! 

Love the spaciousness of this front porch which actually continues on the right side.  You could live your whole life out here!

I continue to be amazed by Ikea kitchens.  This whole kitchen with exception of lamp fixture was from Ikea - nicely done.  The dining area (wish I had better photo) was in a windowed alcove and very cozy!

This area was called the "keeping room" but we thought of it as the media room with the TV on the lovely console.

The master was not my favorite room  I loved the chairs and the color-scheme - not as excited about the artwork and the odd reindeers above bed.

These photos speak for themselves - nice views in every direction. 

Nicely decorated for the holidays with wreaths draping across most mirrors - an idea that I could use.

Views of neighborhood and plans.

One idea we really liked - waist-level hooks for purses and hats as you travel between garage and house - unfortunately, I have WAY too many!

Another VERY clever idea  - an easily modified naughty and nice list - situated in the laundry room using chalk paint!

WOW - nice visit!

A Visit to the Museum of Design in Atlanta

The weather in the Atlanta area continues to be glorious and I decided to ask a friend to join me to visit a museum I had only recently heard about through a groupon coupon (half off admission).  The Museum of Design Atlanta is located on Peachtree Street (of course) in the midtown area - directly across from the High Museum of Art.  link to website.  The current exhibit, appropriately for me, is about the "chair":

Stories in Form: Chair Design by Portfolio Center

February 5 - June 3, 2012

This spring, the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA), in partnership with the Portfolio Center, presents an exhibition honoring history and design through the medium of the chair. 

Entrance to the MODA - my photo

The museum itself is elegant and the exhibit is well staged.  We loved the unique items in the gift shop as well.  We were told that MODA had only opened in its current location about a year ago but had a presence in the Atlanta area for some time.  We were the only visitors and the exhibit took less that 45 minutes to view including reading about the chairs and taking these photos.  The next exhibit will featuring skateboarding - I may return but probably do so in concert with other plans.  Perhaps to visit the High Museum and see the Picasso to Warhol exhibit which I've been planning to see but haven't gotten to yet!

High Museum across the street on Peachtree  

Gift shop - my granddaughters would love these compact lucite chairs.

All the chairs had designer statements such as this one.

I have a sister named Ellie so had to take a photo of this statement.

This chair was actually made of dominos painted and glued together - clever!

The chairs featured were very esoteric - not too many actually looked comfortable.  I thought I would highlight some of the chairs featured and provide a view of MODA and their mission.  While brief, I enjoyed this visit and think the museum deserves community support!