Monday, September 28, 2009
Baby Steps
Over the weekend a few more small projects got done around the new house I thought I'd share with you.
Dave assembled and hung the Murano glass chandelier knockoff I purchased months ago up in my study. Given the height of the ceiling in that room, this was no mean feat and took much of the afternoon. The chandelier replaces the builder basic flush mount fixture and adds a ton of sparkle to the space. All the basics are in the room and I've added a few fun throw pillows (also from ZGallerie), but I still need to find some good storage solutions to really make the space functional as an office. In particularly, I'm looking for file drawers that can double as a side table (as just about the only floor space left for storage is on either side of the daybed). Any suggestions?
The benches for the breakfast nook arrived and I'm really happy with how they turned out. I was also relieved to see that they fit the back wall perfectly -- I'm not known for my arithmetic skills! The fabric I chose for the benches is actually a Sunbrella fabric, which I figured would stand up to regular use and kitchen messes better than ordinary fabric. I'm thinking about sprucing up the benches by whipping up a few throw pillows out of these placemats (weird, I know, but this fabric isn't available by the yard or in pillow form and the blues work perfectly!). Of course the existing table I had envisioned on using for this space doesn't work with the benches and I need to purchase a pedestal table for the room. I'm contemplating this table from Crate&Barrel but I'm not in love with it, especially for the price. Again, suggestions welcome.
A few weeks ago I spied some lovely sea fans mounted on navy and sea blue linen for sale on One Kings Lane (email me for an invite!) and purchased four on impulse. They arrived on Friday and I'm thrilled with how lovely they are in person -- the dark bamboo frames in particular are very striking, but I also love how the sea fans mounted on the navy linen are painted silver...all in all, I'm one satisfied customer. In any case, I decided to mount them as a group in one of the two "art niches" that I permitted to stay in the building plans (they had about 6 in total!). They're now happily located under the archway that leads from the entry into the family room. I'm thinking about painting out the niche in a color. The question though is, what color? I have some leftover Drawing Room Blue, Parma Gray, Lamp Room Gray, and RL's Iron Gate from the other projects. Do you think any of those would work? Or do you suggest a bold contrasting color (maybe coral?)?
And what about you? How was your weekend? Did you get any projects done around the house?
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25 comments:
It is looking fabulous!!!
You may want to check out this file cabinet. Might look nice with your b&w elements.
http://www.allmodernfurniture.com/Izzy-Design-CAL-MFF-028-019-IZY1038.html
If I come across any others, I will pass them along.
xo,
cristin @ simplified bee
What a beautiful chandelier. Your home is looking good. Really beautiful. Hugs, Marty
The bench is wonderful, it was custom made? Do you mind sharing where you got it? I love how it just snuggles into the space...No table ideas, I'm still looking myself! Good luck...
Janell
Wow - I am impressed with how well the bench fits into the space - good measuring! The Sunbrella fabric is a very smart move.
These companies make great tables and furniture- they are to the trade, but it would not be hard to find a designer to order them for you (best would be a local designer, or call these companies to see if anyone sells their lines in Houston):
Tritter Feefer: http://www.tritterfeefer.com/gallery/main.php
BoBo:
http://www.bobointriguingobjects.com/bobo_web/Furniture/Furniture.html
Looking great, Averill! I think the sea fans look especially terrific - perfect for that niche.
You are doing such a great job with the house. I can't believe how pulled together it looks already. Kudos!
i could swear i saw some chinoiserie-style file cabinet/tables that might work, i think at horchow. your house is really coming together beautifully!
Janelle - The benches aren't custom actually! They're just the Coventry benches from Ballard Designs, which come in 3 sizes (plus a corner bench). Fortunately for me, there was a combination that fit the back wall just perfectly!
Cristin and TTI - Thanks for the tips!
I really love the sea fans. I thought at first they were silhouettes of trees. And of course, I have to give props to the new chandelier. I love that room!
Averill-Horchow has some great file cabinets that will do double duty as side tables. I have sent you the links. What about a white Saarinen tulip table for the breakfast room? Ikea's Docksta for $149.00 is a great knockoff. I think I'd like a white pedestal table there-something a little lighter and brighter. A coral pink would be great for the niche. Let me know if you need paint color names. I finished my bedroom with my new bed and redone Chinese Chippendale chair and it is gorgeous. Will post this week.
Averill -- your home is looking really lovely!
I can't tell you how much that paint color appeals to me -- and I enjoy how the eye naturally flows from the wall color, to the pretty chandelier, to that gorgeous mirror. Some nice details, and the perfect amount. AND, oh my goodness, your little one in image 3 -- so sweet! I find the tailored look of the seating in the nook ideal -- comfortable and chic :)
I literally accomplished so little, decor wise, this weekend, but this week is full of office re-organization and planning! {and a fabulous new purchase that I will be blogging about soon}
I gave the home a big clean.. Your is looking fabulous!! x
I'm in love with your study!! Love, love, LOVE the purple walls and the mirror and the chandelier and the throw cushions.... :-)
Have you checked Ikea for side tables/storage??
The blue bench in the eating area looks great. I recently bought a round oak pedestal table for $100 from Kijiji. I'm going to either sand it and restain it dark or paint it dark and use it as a games table. Why not see if you can find an inexpensive pedestal table on Kijiji or Craigslist for your eating area?? Then for the price of some stain or paint and a bit (or lot!) of elbow grease, you can make it look just like you want without spending a ton of money.
Not sure what colour to paint the wall behind the coral artwork. Maybe a watery bluey-green to keep with the water theme of the coral.
Thanks for checking out my guest post at A Lil' Welsh Rarebit. Glad you enjoyed it :-) I enjoyed your guest post too, and voted for Option A for Christy's guest room :-)
Kelly @ DesignTies
Looking fab ~ especially loving the lighting.
And coral would be fun!
xoxox,
CC
It's really shaping up! I love the chandelier and it looks so nice in your office. I'm digging the idea of a contrasting color in the art nook, too. Coral and navy work really well together.
I really like the idea of painting the niche a contrasting color. I think several options on the red-to-orange portion of the color wheel would look nice.
Love the built in benches. They look fantastic! Great call on the fabric type also.
I love Sita in the photo!
So beautiful. It's all coming together. Loved seeing the lighting fixture in the first image. I've been eyeing it for awhile now and it looks great!
Love your office chandelier! I can't believe how snugly the Ballard benches fit. perfect! It will be fun to see what table you end up getting. I agree with Style Redux that something lighter would be fun.
Averill, you're home is so lovely! I adore the color on the wall with that chandelier!
xo,
Crystal
I definitely vote for a bold contrasting color like coral for that niche (I can't believe they wanted to include six altogether! Good for you for reining that plan in to two!)...I think the coral would be spectacular. But of course whatever you chose will look fab. And I just love the sunbrella fabric benches - so cute. That table though - not perfect, I agree. Hope you find something better for a more reasonable price - I have no suggestions for you. And I LOVE your study. The wall color, chandelier, and that mirror! Where did you get that mirror? It's gorgeous!!!
Love the sea fans and the chandelier. Go crazy in the niche.
I love the faux murano chandelier! The framed coral sea fans are fab, too. You're right about Rachel Zoe, I don't think she eats.
Hey there. I was thinking of ordering the coventry benches for my basement bar game nook. How are they holding up? Do you think they are quality enough to take 4 kids and a few crazy game nights every so often?
Jennifer
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