using a mirror as a ceiling medallion

as i was working on the design of my clients formal dining room, 

this image got stuck in my head:

i loved how the window was trimmed out to look like a sunburst mirror, and asked my client if she could keep her eyes open for a mirror with a similar look that we could use on the ceiling in place of a standard medallion...

(i found plenty online, but they were all over $125, and i figured we should try to find one as inexpensively as possible since we were going to be painting it and taking it apart!)

here is how it looks installed:

she simply removed the mirror, painted it the same color as the ceiling, and installed it around the mounting plate of the chandelier.

here is a peek at the room "in progress"--

(isn't the grass cloth perfect?)

 as you can see, we swapped out the chandelier in the original plan due to budget.

still to be added:

-drapes

-art around the mirror (see design plan inspiration)

-large abstract art installation on the side wall (not seen in these pictures)

-accessories

this is a very easy diy project that can be done by anyone, but instantly adds another

layer or texture and interest to a room. this treatment would look great in a kids room, or formal living room, or even a mudroom or breakfast room. for a larger impact, you can paint the mirror/medallion a different color than the ceiling.

and...just because i know you are curious--

a peek at the adjacent foyer.

( the table under the mirror still needs to be purchased...)

don't you love her mirror?

my client and i knew we were design soul mates when i posted my mirror makeover just a few days before she emailed me for the first time!

i will be showing you other rooms of this house as they are completed.

linked to:

mad in crafts
the southern institute
craft o maniac
keeping it simple

design plan:new construction dining room

at the beginning of this year, i worked with a client about to begin construction on a new house.
we worked on all of the rooms of the main floor together.
most of the "basic" selections were already made---she knew she wanted dark hardwood floors, white kitchen cabinets, and also knew she wanted a soothing palette of neutrals mixed with soft blues and greens that reminded her of the beach.
the house was completed a few weeks ago, and my client has slowly been implementing the design plans i created for her.
here is a peek at the design plan for the formal dining room:

my client had most of the pieces already--a great wood table,  formal queen anne style chairs, a pair of lamps and a pretty buffet. since all the pieces are wood and very traditional, we wanted to bring in some color, and add in some modern elements and details that would help the room feel fresh and updated.
here are a few items that were on the plan:

1. covering the upper walls in a soft teal colored grass cloth
2. installing inverted pleat banded silk drapes in off white and taupe
3. adding a clean lined, transitional chandelier
4. recovering the seats of the chairs in a soft toned geometric fabric to update them. (we settled on "la fiorentina" by david hicks. yes, this fabric has been everywhere...and for good reason. it is beautiful and always looks great)
5. changing out the shades of the existing lamps from cream to black for more contrast from the walls
6. adding a balanced arrangement centered on a round mirror to the wall above the buffet.
7. creating some large, abstract art for the side wall (my client is a closet artist!)
8. *adding a fun sunburst medallion to the ceiling.

* i will be showing you a peek of this room tomorrow, along with a look at a fun project that you can do yourself that adds tons of character to a room!
happy monday!

making me happy...

isn't is wonderful when an image transports you?
***ahhh.
like a mini vacation in your head!
here are a few images and things that are making me happy lately:

lovely outdoor spaces

 details

 dutch doors

pretty kitchens

great office spaces

houses with WOWza curb appeal

"keeper" recipes

memories of the beach

anything that makes me chuckle!

have a happy weekend everyone!

ceiling fans in pretty bedrooms

when i consult with clients or design a bedroom--especially a master bedroom, one item that always seems to come up is

the ceiling fan!

most people apologize about wanting or needing a ceiling fan in their bedrooms---or apologize for their PARTNER wanting or needing one.

while i totally agree that a fabulous light fixture in the bedroom is far prettier than a ceiling fan, it does not mean that you can't have a pretty room because there is a ceiling fan in it! i usually fall in line with the philosophy of:

"it's YOUR house, and YOU should be comfortable in it.

(i mean, it's not like veranda or architectural digest will be pounding on any or our doors wanting to do a photo shoot of our bedrooms...only to discover that we have a CEILING FAN, which completely destroys the look of the room. i mean, COME ON. if sleeping with a fan on at night helps you (or your partner) sleep better, then WHY not have one? who cares what veranda, or house beautiful, or even other bloggers have to say about it?)

it's YOUR house.

do what you want.

and if you want a ceiling fan...then HAVE one.

and who says that a bedroom can't be chic and beautiful and elegant and STILL have a ceiling fan in it?

feast your eyes on these beautiful bedrooms....all with ceiling fans!

 via the painted hive

just be sure to get those ceiling fans installed by a master electrician. one to try is expert electrical! they not only install, but have everything you could possibly need for any electrical project.

via urban grace interiors

 pulp design studios

via cuppert architects

via tracery interior design

since we have been married, we have had a ceiling fan in nearly all of our bedrooms, and i never thought i would be able to sleep well without one. when we moved into our last rental house, and i discovered that the master bedroom didn't have a fan, i thought i was going to DIE! however, after 3 years of living without a ceiling fan, i definitely think that  i could live perfectly well without one....

how about you?
do you have a ceiling fan in your bedroom? or do you hate them?
OR---do you have a love/hate relationship with the ceiling fan--you hate them,
but HAVE to have one??

newest affordable finds

a few of my latest, greatest affordable finds:

 

this $277 ottoman has been on my affordable finds pinterest board for a while, and i really love it. the metal base and the neutral, tufted top make it look like a high end piece.

i really love this lenox 2 drawer nightstand. the campaign detailing on it is really fabulous, and i think it would look even more chic if it was painted (like here). priced at $279

mixing metals into a room adds another layer of texture. tables are a great way to add some touches of metal, and this table is so well priced, it is hard to resist! $99.

at just $77, this capiz chandelier would be a fun addition to any space needing a decorative light fixture with some fun texture.

happy shopping!

e-design plan: boys bathroom

a look at the idea board for the design plan of a bathroom that i recently worked on. my client's upstairs bathroom is in dire need of some updating....they wanted something timeless and elegant, since it will be the bathroom used for guest, but also needed the bathroom to have some color and whimsy, since it will mostly be used for their two boys. (the husband and wife have different styles--she likes more modern and simple lines, and he likes things a little more ornate. the vanity has the clean lines for her, and the mirrors add some curves for him.)

on the menu:

herringbone carrara marble floors, a running bond pattern on the walls, a dark wood vanity cabinet, hexagonal tile inset into custom shelving in the shower/tub area, roman shades in a graphic navy and green fabric, soft blue walls, and a color blocked linen shower curtain. it will be a fun and sophisticated space when it is all done!

below are a few of the mock-ups that i pulled together to help my client decide which direction to 

take for the mirror and the vanity lighting:

here is a look at the window fabric and shower curtain trim and linen:

the fabric is a spoonflower fabric, the linen is from gray line linen, and the ribbon is from ribbon connections.

this bathroom remodel is about get underway, and i will make sure my client sends me pictures of the completed room! i am really looking forward to seeing how it all looks once it is pulled together.

barclay butera in park city

this past weekend, i was able to visit the barclay butera showroom in park city.

barclay butera is a designer known for his livable and beautiful interiors, and has showrooms in los angeles, new york, west hollywood, newport beach, and...park city.

i loved walking around the showroom, and taking in all the pretty details and layers.

i really love menswear-inspired fabrics used in interiors, and i was completely gaga over this bed.

the large scaled tufted headboard, mixed with the grey wool pinstripe, check and the giraffe print??

heaven.

the pillows were all SO soft. of course i had to touch them!

don't you love these two fabrics together? they make me happy.

this vignette had so much texture and interest....the map in the background is gorgeous establishes a neutral and graphic backdrop to the textured lamps, the wood accessories, and black chest.  the patterns on the sofa are prefect. LOVE that pop of orange.

oh...and take a look at the zebra ottoman and the striped rug. what a fun mix of colors and patterns...proof that animal prints REALLY are neutrals.

i will never, ever get tired of seeing a zebra ottoman.

what a great lamp. i love seeing natural elements with the volume turned up a bit.

more fun details.

i love to mix graphic prints and stylized florals.

the combination here was so pretty.

the cut velvet is textural and graphic and plays so nicely with this pillow.

another fabulous bed.

look at all that detail and texture!

i am dying over the cable knit blanket and the pom fringe on the edge of the zebra pillow.

oh---and  the contrast welting on the other pillows.

i can't get enough of contrast welting.

another cut velvet chair with a patterned pillow.

classic, timeless elements like blue and white pottery, a wood table and orchids work so 

well together on this tablescape. super pretty!

you can read more about barclay butera here, and see a few of the publications that have featured his work here.