Classic with a Twist

Janet Jackson's Install: Lots of Windows

With crutches in hand, I managed to pull off a window treatment installation yesterday.

My knee is the swollen like a balloon today, but I'm so glad we fit this in...

and really all I did was sit with an ice pack

and boss people around!

I'm very pleased with the treatments for my client, Janet Jackson.

She is sweet like the real JJ and I bet she can sing as well... wink wink.

In the pics above and below, we installed one of my favorite window coverings...

Woven Wood Shades~ I'll show you below why-

We had to bring some color into the brown and brown color scheme and

the simple scalloped valances in the family room did the trick.

(Note: I'm turning over a new leaf with purchasing ready- made pillows more

often than custom... if at all possible. There are so many stylish choices out

there including these cuties from my go to source Homegoods~

which will discuss in another post~ an addiction of mine).

Janet Jackson has a Hill Country vibe going on in her house so we needed to keep it simple by adding flat trim and metal buttons from a great new online source I found...

As Cute as a Button.

We carried the pumpkin color into the kitchen with this soft valance with

fabric by Greenhouse Design

and twisted hardware by Design Elements

Let's chat about the trim.

I'm not a "trim" kind of gal, but JJ is surrounded by men in the household and we

needed to add a special feminine touch. We both went for this trim only because it has a

rustic flair with the metal beads and matte finished spheres.

Now let's take a look at the wovens...

This is a closeup of a shade without a liner. It is "light filtering",

however, you can order them with a lining that gives more sun protection.

Such a classic look- an alternative to wood blinds and draperies if that is not for you!

Color and texture options are endless-

The top piece (valance) can be customized as well. Lots of texture going on in this room-

a tribal look with a punch of color

Another benefit is some offer a continuous loop cord and most

have very small stack depth when pulled up...more view for you to enjoy!

Don't think twice about using woven woods with your modern decor either.

I'm lucky enough to have only one ww shade in my house. It is on a lonely window

in my kitchen which is the perfect solution for an odd window placement.

With our professional measuring and installation

(and of course professional designer advice), you'll love your new look!

Try them-

Until next time,

Traci

Images via* www.theshadeshop.net, www.sunbornshading.net, www.orlandoblindsshutters.com, www.bestblindsusa.com, moi

Friday, January 7, 2011 Comments: 4

I got quite the kick out of this news story! If you read my e newsletter today, you know
that I had my knee scoped yesterday and have been bed bound for the last day...
which means a lot of television!

The 6:00 pm news came on and the very first feature story was called
"Focus on Furniture"
and showed a picture of this chair~ which I instantly recognized!

It is made by Indiana Furniture and my fingers were crossed that the news story was
not a negative one... but it actually made me chuckle.

Dallas City Hall purchased 16 of these for over $540 each and taxpayers are having a fit! Council members raised taxes this year and laid off 46 workers. They said the chair purchase doesn't "sit" well with some council members... hee hee.
Other members were positive about the purchase stating that someone fell over in one of
the old chairs and it broke (oops)... and that these were adjustable.

Now, since they are there to make such important decisions for the
City of Dallas,

shouldn't their chairs be comfortable?

I proposed the Energi chair shown above to a commercial client, however, we thought that the Elation was a much better fit for this sleek Law Firm located in Frisco.

Must have been a slow night for news in Dallas...

From the tone of the newscast, I think that Dallas City Hall will be keeping those great chairs for many years to come... they want to get their money out of them!

If you need some new chairs for your office, you know where to find them:)

Until next time,

Traci

Images via* Indiana Furniture, Moi, WFAA

Wednesday, January 5, 2011 Comments: 1

Ava Living: Fairview Rustic Dining Room Feature

Thank you again, Ava Living, for selecting my

project to feature on your home page this week!

It is an honor to be chosen for the Ava Living profile on Rustic Comforts.

This Fairview house was such a fun project for me since it was a brand

new custom build, lots of neat architectural features and

a wonderful client lives there!

Here are a few additional photos that are featured on my website:

I also did a blog post on some of the custom art we put in the home featuring cowhide!

Read about it here.

Call me to add a bit of Rustic Flair or Hill Country Chic to your home!

Until next time,

Traci

Images via* Ava Living and Hottel Photography

Comments: 1

Ring in the New Year with Bubbles!

Of course, we'll toast using our classic New Year's Eve tradition, but that sparkly midnight

beverage has me thinking about one of my favorite design elements...

adding circles to your decor.

These two top pics by Kravet show how you can add some whimsy to

any room and soften some of those sharp lines. The fabric collection is from

Kravet's Guaranteed In Stock line... we do love that!

Another circular motif has shown up all over the lighting world!

Check out this chandelier from the New York City Holiday Home 2010

Arteriors Home features a carved wood beauty

If you want to go a bit subtler, try a rectangular lamp from Allmodern.com

that has a soft bubble application-

Love this end table from our friends at Robb and Stuckey:)

And you can't go wrong incorporating circles on your wall with mirrors!

We'll be raising our glasses with bubbly tonight and looking ahead to 2011-

and enjoying our circle of friends:)

Happy New Year!

Traci

Images via* (links above) and www.westcafepdx.com, www.cleverleysnewsletter.com

Friday, December 31, 2010 Comments: 2

Is it time to start thinking about 2011 yet? I'm sure most of you are still winding down, but for you "go getters" who already have the holiday decorations down and are headed to Home Depot for some new paint for a new project... here you are...

Pantone has announced the
2011 Color of the Year

Honeysuckle 18-2120

Pantone is the leader in forecasting color trends,
blending textiles and fashion with home interiors.
(we do what they say:)

They typically get it right... they certainly did last year. Based on my blog history, you will not be surprised to know that turquoise was the 2010 color of the year!

Does that mean I will now start infusing bubble gum pink into my home...
or more importantly, yours?!!!!

It's probably unlikely, but if you are game, how about in a dining room?

or if you venture out to the bold side- this look by Miles Redd may be appealing:)

Or maybe a bit more subtle by adding a pop of Honeysuckle just in accessories-
take the cues from Elle Decor

or maybe an accent wall?

(talk to me about accent walls if you are considering this...
I have a "thing" about them!)

Bring in a beautiful Robert Abbey gourd lamp...

or go ALL OUT in your high rise or vacation villa!

Pantone states that Honeysuckle is ...

A Color for All Seasons
Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It’s a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it.

If that is your goal for 2011, go for it!

Until next time,

Traci

Images via* bellemaison23, HGTV, Elle Decor, Miles Redd, Bossy Color Blog, Robert Abbey and Pantone

Tuesday, December 28, 2010 Comments: 5

Some of you near and dear to me had a White Christmas in Atlanta!

As happy as I was to hear that, I was a bit sad that my parents' flight
to Dallas might be delayed today...

but, thanks to a late gift from Santa, they are flying the friendly skies as we speak!

Those of you in states where you will never experience the peaceful

feeling of a snowfall on Christmas, please enjoy one of my favorite design styles

where you can always be surrounded by the tranquility of white...

Thanks to Joanie over at Cote de Texas for these beautiful photos~

With a touch of inspiration from Sweden, this relaxed vintage style shines with personality.

One of my goals this year is to enhance "the twist" in my client interiors by scouring...

more antique stores,

vintage shops and

off the beaten path boutiques

to add that perfect touch to the room!

Just think shades of white, multitudes of texture, and a touch of whimsy!

More of this design style certainly to come on Classic...with a twist!

What catches your eye?

Until next time,

Traci

Images via* Cote de Texas

Sunday, December 26, 2010 Comments: 1

My Christmas Checklist

The end is in sight! Not that I'm racing to the finish line, but I really want that feeling of ....whew, everything is done and now I can relax. Is that even possible?

Here are my latest accomplishments:

#1: Gifts wrapped: Check