Coordinating Fabrics/Room at a Glance

When designers begin a project to design a room, this is how we start, first of all determine your style and the style of your furniture. Then select a main fabric.....one you LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! As an example let's say the top fabric in the above picture....then pull in color tones and textures that will compliment the main fabric pulling out variations of colors and shapes. Let's say you use the top fabric for you sofa, the second for a side chair, the third and fourth color for pillows. You are getting the idea. Have fun with the following photos designing your own room.



Guilded Merlot
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.



Tropical Spa
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.




Metro Transition
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.




Jungle Love
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.


How much fun is this, right!!!!!!!!!!!! This is why we love the challenge of design

Instant Room Part 2 of 2

Interview with Designer Joe Nye (Continued)

Babylone in Lin

"I've never been a big fan of embroidered fabrics — many sins have been committed in their name — but this one changed my mind. It has a particular elegance, and the luminous flowers add a note of glamour. They're in various pleasing shades of taupe, so it's not a screaming floral. The billowy quality of the linen background makes it great for curtains

Power's Court in Antique Green

"A dressy taffeta like this would be stunning on a bergère or fauteuil. I'm nuts for them, I use them in every room in every house. They're like jewelry."

Recamier Taffetas Stripe in Bleu Vert

"My favorite silk stripe ever. It adds richness to a room. I'd do two squishy down-filled sofa pillows with an extravagant fringe — this is your frothy moment."

I LOVE how this stripe pulls in all the colors from the floral. Joe really knew how to compliment the floral. This is how I design......great job Joe.

Semis Montrichard in S157

"I'm sitting on this right now in my living room! It has a quiet elegance, and it's great on a pair of slipper chairs pulled up to a coffee table, Billy Haines style."

Eaton Plain in Leaf Green

"It's got a watermarked strié, almost like a subtle moiré, that sort of shimmers. Dress up a club chair with it. The bonus is that it's hardy and easy to maintain."

Colorado in Anis

"To offset the shininess of BABYLONE curtains, upholster walls in this coarse-weave linen. The flat finish brings the dressiness down."

Indochine in Champagne

"I see this on a pretty, tufted round ottoman with lots of silk-covered buttons and a dressmaker's skirt — wide 6-inch pleats — that goes to the floor."

From the eyes of a designer, this is a good example of how it is done from our minds eye to reality!!!

DIY Projects You Will Love (Part 2)

Nature's stained glass

Chinese pistache leaves are translucent enough to glow like stained glass when lit from behind. To celebrate their vivid fall beauty indoors, display them on simple glass hurricane candle holders.

Gather leaf cuttings from your garden (ginkgo and Japanese maple are other good choices).

Press them in a book overnight to keep them from crinkling, then use one or two Glue Dots on the back of each stem, affixing each leaflet to the outside surface of the glass.

Turn CD cases into frames

Castoff CD cases are the perfect size for creating a quilt-like grid collection of landscape photos.

From the book Photocraft: Cool Things to Do with the Pictures You Love: Scan or crop your images to the size of a CD case (5 3/8 in. wide by 4 5/8 in. high) then print on good photopaper and trim. We recommend using standard (not slim) cases. Discard plastic inserts.

Back each photo with cardboard or foam board and snap the cases shut. Attach them to the wall with 3-inch strips of sticky-back hood-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro).

DIY decorating projects

Make a memory box table

Turn a deep photo frame and similar-sized side table into a venue for celebrating treasured keepsakes.

More: How to make this memory box table

Make your own designer bouquet

Treat yourself to colorful bouquets and arrangements from a mini flower studio you can create at home.

All you need is a sink, a little counter space, and a few essential tools. See what you can do with a single bloom, and how to turn just about any vintage vessel into a vase. (Tip #1: Start with the freshest flowers you can find.)

More: Flower shop secrets

Turn a drawer organizer into a bento-box guest tray  

Tuck a drawer organizer into a storage tote with some thoughtful amenities to make your houseguests feel like royalty. (Be forewarned: They’ll be eager for a return invite.)

How-to: Slip a drawer organizer into a fabric-covered box or other storage tote and stock it with a few travel-size essentials in coordinating materials and hues. Tie a washcloth with colorful string; wrap a bar of soap with wide ribbon; use letter stamps and a label sticker to personalize a scented candle.

DIY workspace

To create your own instant workspace anywhere, put a flat birch hollow-core door atop two adjustable sawhorses.

Cover the door with self-healing vinyl board cover (available from art and drafting supply stores). The closer you can get the board cover to the exact size of your door, the better.

Stencil a basic measuring system onto the board cover, and you'll never need to hunt down a measuring stick.

Time: Four hours plus drying time

Cost: About $175

Home Accents

Eclectic

Eclectic design encompasses a variety of periods and styles. Stick to a few neutrals, like the black, white and navy palette of this dresser vignette, to pull an eclectic look together. Another key component to this style is to mix in different finishes and textures.

Modern

Clean and streamlined, modern style keeps accessorizing to a minimum. Look for accessories in smooth, polished finishes and neutral hues. A modern must-have: strong, graphic artwork that makes a statement in the space.

Romantic

Romantic accessories should evoke femininity and softness. Luxurious fabrics and a pastel color palette take center stage in romantic design. Add in a little sparkle and pretty flowers to complete the look.

Traditional

Classic accessories, like oil paintings, gilt frames and pillows or throws in damask, floral or solid fabrics, set the scene for a traditional room. Warm woods and colors also help to create the sophisticated atmosphere associated with traditional design.

Accessories

Asian

Natural elements and colors found in nature are an integral part of Asian design. Accessories often feature hand-painted ornamental designs or fabrics with a similar look. Complete an Asian vignette with accessories in clean, contemporary lines to convey a serene atmosphere.

Coastal

Inspired by the ocean, coastal design evokes a light and airy environment. Nautical or beach-themed accessories, like seashells and starfish, are mixed with woven, textural elements. Look for accessories in beachy hues like blue, white and sand.

Contemporary

Neutral elements are mixed with a few pieces in a bold color to create a contemporary vignette. Lighting, which features straight lines and sleek metallic finishes, is often used as an artistic statement.

Cottage

Comfort is key in cottage style. Look for soft colors, fresh flowers and accessories with a weathered or distressed finish.

Country

Muted hues are paired with pops of red, black or white accents in country style. Look for accessories with a handmade rustic quality, including pottery and baskets. Wood also plays a prevalent role in country design.

Designer's Notes/Master Suites

Designer's Notes

A dark, rich, chocolate-brown accent wall sets the tone for this modern yet romantic master bedroom.

The master bedroom is a luxurious retreat that has a beautiful bed as the central focus. A silk carpet grounds the room, and a great piece of art balances the wall of windows on the opposite side.

Two structural columns in the master bedroom dictated the layout of the room. One of the two structural columns in the room was encased in a free-standing wall built to divide the master bedroom area from the office. The front of the wall acts as a headboard for the king-size bed, while the back of the wall has a built-in desk with shelving above.

The bedroom area is open to the atrium, sharing the light and allowing for views out in all directions. The stone backdrop to the bed unites the finishes with the other stone accents throughout the apartment.

This master bedroom suite is gifted with a great amount of space. The very dark brown, almost-black walls make this lofty room feel more intimate. The fireplace and TV wall was reinforced as a focal point with free form-painted horizontal stripes. The artwork, also in a horizontal format, helps maintain your eyes from perceiving the height of the ceiling. Such a bold combination takes a bit of moxie and faith in your designer's choice.

Imagine the perfect room-within-a-room for a master suite. This reading nook provides a cozy retreat, complete with a chenille-covered big easy chair and ottoman, adjustable reading lamp, and preserved Manzanita tree. The tree shelters the seating area and adds warmth and a sense of security as you relax into this cuddle space.

Warm neutrals with golden accents draw you into this warm, intimate space. The slight sheen on the drapery panels and bedding add a luminous quality, and the linear details of the fabrics and furniture are caught by the light from the wall mounted arc sconces on either side of this master bedroom. A true retreat within the home, this cozy spot will make for a memorable 'staycation'.

Entertaining/Holiday Table Ideas

Modern Mood

A green and brown table can be a welcome departure from the traditional red and green of the season. Stylishly wrapped gifts serve as place cards.

Time to Sparkle

A holiday table with sparkle is as simple as adding low arrangements of red blooms and laying on the crystal stemware. A decorated mantelpiece contributes to the setting without cluttering the table.

Pattern Plays

Pull that holiday china out of the cupboard and use it often during this festive season. Layer it with your regular china for a lavish look.

Serene Setting

With green as the dominant color, this table is elegant but undeniably festive. A centerpiece of hydrangea blossoms arranged over greenery in the shape of a cake is a surefire conversation starter.

Flight of Fancy

Ornaments make great party favors. A clip-on bird with a feathery tail perches on an overturned compote. I love this idea.

Beautiful Berries

Cranberries aren't just for Thanksgiving. Mounded in a glass bowl, they can serve as a place-card holder.

Classic Christmas

Blue and white china with fresh yellow roses is a classic combination any time of year. During the holidays, add a touch of red detail and evergreen branches for seasonal notes.

Designer's Notes

Designer's Notes

Mirrors can really create great impact in small rooms without natural daylight, such as hallways. Adding a unique table and an interesting statue would be the added bonus for a conversation piece.

  

Shown here, the mirror adds dimention to the hallway, and the statue adds the interest I mentioned above.



An entry hall with a center table is functional for placing handbags and packages. Art and sculptures can be showcased in this area for impact.



A colorful work of art against stark white walls is the point of departure for accent colors in this residence. A mirror and a small console are always right in any entry hall; a great place to plop your keys and cell phone as you get ready to relax. A bulky and simple baseboard is in keeping with the contemporary architecture.



A collection of pretty white pottery and rocks on this vignette is quickly contrasted by a leaning flea market painting and industrial metal stencil. A large bundle of wild flowers is a very cheap and easy way to utilize a large vessel. It doesn't always have to be roses. Go for the weeds.



For a large entry way you can place a marble checkerboard floor accentuates the length of this entry hall. When the room permits, a center table makes for an elegant reception. This is the perfect location for a floral centerpiece.

Pillow Talk

Natural Palette

Green, yellow and brown decorative pillows brighten up a solid tan couch with a natural — but lively — color palette.

Rainbow Hues

This white living room gets its burst of color with an array of vibrant decorative pillows on the window seat and couch.

Vibrant Solids

Solid throw pillows, like these from Company C, can add simple color to a bed or sofa.

Chic Pink

Small hot pink accent pillows can add a playful touch of color against white pillows and taupe walls.

Classic Red

Designer Elizabeth P. Clarke uses a crisp red pillow against a cream chair for a splash of color.

Mellow Yellow

Yellow accent pillows to pop against the crisp white sofa and to complement the pale yellow walls.

Touch of Pumpkin

Pumpkin-colored pillows add a lively visual to the neutral-toned space.