Classic with a Twist

A Sweet Look for a Sweet Peach!

Feeling domestic and noticing the ripened peaches on my counter, I was inspired to make a

homemade Peach Cobbler... in honor of my new client, Georgia Peach.

I solicited a helper and we got busy (with help from my laptop and

Southern Living, of course).

We follow directions well:)

Ready to go in the oven...

And it was delicious... I do have to say!

***Admittedly it was called "Easy Peach Cobbler"... cuz that's how I cook!

Get the recipe here***

My client just moved to Starwood in Frisco from Alpharetta, Georgia... and being a

Georgia Peach, as well, I knew exactly the decorating style she was accustomed to!

After looking at different color palettes for her empty family room, we decided to

freshen things up with a lighter wall color (BM Lenox Tan), updated geometric

print swivel chair and ottoman by Charles Ray, media console,

colorful pillows and anchored by a neutral sectional.

Not many new homeowners want the same look they had in the old house!

This is where we started:

A classic club chair (adding an optional swivel base and upgraded seat cushion)

in the cool geo green upholstery!

The multi-colored fabric is for the sofa pillows... lots of colors to pull from!

Next was the rug and sweet Georgia Peach is thinking it may be too much pattern-

we searched a bit more but I LOVE the non traditional floral by Feizy...

Here's another rug option- a version of a trellis pattern. This line is custom sized to any

dimensions we want and is affordable to boot!

On to art which has been fun! After trying a few pieces "live" in the home

(thanks Gaylynn!), we decided on this transitional beauty!

***Note: Room in Progress!***

And this in the dining room~ love the size and texture

As you know, decorating is done in layers and next we will tackle lamps,

reupholster existing pieces, mirrors and occasional tables.

We, Georgia Peaches, will get it done!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010 Comments: 1

Giveaway! CSN Stores $60 Gift Certificate!

Another Giveaway!

As a bonus to you, I am writing a follow up to a blog post from a few weeks ago.
I showed you how to make a statement when redesigning your bedroom
by starting with the headboard. Now, I'm going to tell you
where to buy them... on the cheap!

Check out these amazing upholstered headboards!

This actually has a slipcover for easy washing and switching out! $249

Soft curves... $369!

Queen size with a low price $309! Love that nailhead:)

Visit my previous post for the Look and get it for Less at CSNstores.com

Wait, there is more than this great tip... there's free stuff too!

CSN Stores has chosen me to be one of their Preferred Bloggers!

(Random as it may seem, the good part is that you are the one that wins here!).

Back in May, I ran a promotion for a $40 gift certificate to be used at any one of

their 200+ stores, and now they've increased the amount to

$60 with a giveaway every two months! Woo hoo for you!

Here are just a mere few of what they have to offer:

www.AllModern.com
www.Cookware.com
www.CSNLighting.com
www.LuxeByCSN.com
www.ShoesGotSole.com

A little background here- I started my design blog, Classic... with a twist,
to inform my readers of current trends as well as show my finished projects
(without having to update my website regularly!). I know a lot of you read it,
but I want to hear from you! In the comment section, feel free to ask me
design related questions, tell me what you like or what you want to see.

Back to the Giveaway- in order to enter and win the gift certificate,

follow the directions below...

CLOSED!
Random.org selected Dee G. as the winner-
Congratulations!

Entry Requirements:

***Leave a comment on my blog***

(1 entry)

*when asked to select a profile, type your name...you do not have to be a blogger!

For extra entries, see below and leave a separate comment for each

extra entry stating what you did!

1. Follow my blog publicly (3 entries) ... become a follower.

2. Follow Connell Interiors on Twitter (1 entry)

3. Sign up for my e newsletter at http://www.connellinteriors.com/

(1 entry)

4. Blog about this giveaway and post a link to your

blog post in the comments below

(2 entries)

5. Place my button on the side bar of your blog (2 entries)

6. Become a fan of Connell Interiors on Facebook

(1 entry)

Giveaway will end at 11:59 p.m., Friday, August 13, 2010. Giveaway open to both U.S. and Canada. I will contact the winner by email and the winner will have 2 days to get back to me for delivery details. Limit one set of entries per household please.

Good luck!

Traci

*CSN Stores contacted me to host a giveaway. I did not receive any payment, compensation, or products for my participation, and my opinions are my own.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 Comments: 117

Art Speaks!

Quick Update: The Cheetah Couple goes Bananas!

(Can you tell I have been watching repeats of the Rachel Zoe Project?)

We are still working diligently at the home of the Cheetah Couple and

coming to an end in most rooms we started.

I admire them for several reasons:

1. They get what they want... Custom to the hilt!

2. They think out of the box

3. They test me:)

Here is the dining room in progress-

Note: Chandelier is gone and I'm waiting for a brainstorm as to what to put in the corner by the chair (the color chair initiated the color palette for the home... they've had it for 25 years!)

Sooo... to enhance the gorgeous venetian plaster, we had to find just the right art piece.

These are just a few that I proposed:

See the pattern here? Soft, calming colors to keep with the

monochromatic scheme in the room-

Not so much...

While at the art gallery, the Cheetah Couple absolutely, positively

both fell in love with this piece!

Definitely not what I had in mind, but a freight train couldn't stop them and in the end...

It is a keeper!

DRAMA!

Thank you Cheetah Couple for pushing my limits (or perhaps off a cliff!).

Here's a sneak peek at a few other art pieces going in their home:

Painted on tempered glass... ahhhhh

Custom painted from an inspiration photo- LOVE!

Across from dining room

And as always, thanks to Gaylynn at La Montage for your patience and guidance!

Finishing up... Here's to you, Cheetah Couple-

a toast from me and an addition to your wine bar!

Until next time,

Traci

Saturday, August 7, 2010 Comments: 1

Ava Living: Top Designer of the Week!

I am an...

I'm thrilled to be chosen as one of Ava Living's Top Designers for the Week!

The Design Selection Team at Ava Living has chosen

one of my projects from among 1,000's for this

week's feature as Ava's Choice!

Ava Living is an online resource for design enthusiasts

to connect with professional designers... isn't

everything going virtual? The Design theme this

week is It's All About the Windows and

one of my Frisco living room projects is featured.

Thank you, Ava Living!

Until next time,

Traci

*images via Ava Living, Chris Hottel

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 Comments: 2

March 5th was when I saw this fabric for the first time and created my very first blog post. If you remember, I knew it was the one, not for a client... but for me!

I left both Greenhouse fabrics on the chair for contemplation for a month and

finally pulled the trigger 6 weeks ago....

and they turned out perfectly!

Check out the beautiful detail-

Yes, it costs a little extra to add details, but look at the WOW! factor on this panel edge!

The braid is from Kasmir and is a showstopper!

I didn't stop there and continued to the top of the stairs...

I have been dying to put this cornice board design in a client's home, but no bites yet...

(my phone will start ringing off the hook after this post!)

Easy peasy... you can even do it yourself with a cornice board kit,

faux crocodile leather and nailhead trim.

Follow these directions for a quick cornice board fix-

While I don't like to "theme" my rooms, there are some commonalities in the foyer

which actually provides continuity. Not only do the colors flow from the dining

to the living room to the foyer, but my current "thing" for nailhead appears quite often!

First on the cornice board-

Second on the bench-

Third on the dining room chairs-

Fourth on the living room sofa-

Fourth on the artwork-

(I even have nailhead in my kitchen backsplash!)

Here is the current pic of my foyer with new custom artwork from La Montage

Ozzy matches the bench, so he got to stay:)

Close ups:

So for now, foyer is officially finished and you will see the other two rooms soon!

How did I do???

Until next time,

Traci

*images via Moi

Tuesday, August 3, 2010 Comments: 7

Smart Art!

Blast from the Past!

Before pic of my client Nurse Joany's living room in 2003

After

I've had these before and after shots on my website for a while now because

they show such a dramatic change.

Notice, that I took the picture from an angle where the left wall was exposed... due to the fact

that I recommended that my client purchase a large painting to go above the storage piece....

and Nurse Joany wanted to find exactly the right piece.

Fast track 7 years and I received such a pleasant surprise from my sweet Joany, a post written for her blog

It's Always Something

Here it is:

2003

Blank canvas

2005

Paint and Brushes

2007

Class in painting with acrylics

2009

Arkansas Road Trip

2010

Masterpiece completed

I understand that seven years is but the flap of a gnats wing when talking "art" so I guess I'm ahead of the game.
My 'Masterpiece' was created out of necessity. Our expansive, dull and boring living room wall was getting to me and on the advice of the fabulous Traci Connell with Connell Interiors, I was encouraged to purchase a large piece of art to place on the afore-mentioned wall. That was eight years ago.

Finding a painting my sweet husband and I both liked, for a price we felt comfortable with, proved futile. After attending various art fairs and galleries, it suddenly dawned on me that I could paint my own masterpiece. If it wound up looking stupid, I had the choice between displaying it or not. No big whup.

My inspiration began with a photograph from our Arkansas Road Trip. It was taken in the Fall of 2009.

A blank canvas and glass of wine...

An outline and a little color...

And now, the reveal...

"Arkansas Autumn"

I have to say that Nurse Joany outdid herself! It is perfect for the room

and perfect for Nurse Joany!

Until next time,

Traci

Images via: Moi, Nurse Joany

Friday, July 30, 2010 Comments: 2

I know... I know... enough of the turquoise! I've had a realization that since my maiden name was Turco, I do think it should have been spelled Turquo...due to my obsession with this color (which is of course ...second to my obsession with "Wicked").

Just when I think that I should find a new favorite color of the season,

my daughter comes home with this...