Adding Drama with Drapes to your Outdoor Space





Here is the inspiration for this week's Connell Interior's newsletter... a twist on our classic projects!  As noted in the ezine, we won't be changing our name to Connell Exteriors, but it sure was fun creating a room in the great outdoors. 

The newsletter provides tips on bringing lighting ideas to your backyard space, which only scratches the surface of ways to enhance your outdoor living area.  We'll get to the appliances and tech features another time and focus on a bit on an unexpected element... outdoor drapes!
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I do have to sadly admit that selecting the furniture to fill this space was one of the favorite parts of the process (and if only I could have added draperies... no go for the guy in the fam!)  If there is a tv, I'm sure window treatments are definitely prohibited... rats~

Outdoor drapes can:
  • add a touch of elegance to your space
  • create privacy
  • filter bright light and protect furniture from rain
  • add a disguise for areas you do not want seen
  • add flexibility by sliding to the side or removing when not needed

Remember the Sunbrella fabric I told you about in the first newsletter?




More affordable option... Target~


Weatherproof fringe option from Frontgate


Ballard Designs- love the green and black

Sheer Delight!

While you are thinking of which panels to purchase, don't forget the outdoor drapery hardware.  I just saw some at Bed, Bath and Beyond and also received an email with the following from the Finial Company.



Ladies, maybe try this while your guy is out of town!  You'll love it:)

Until next time,
Traci

images via: Moi, HGTV, Pottery Barn, Frontgate, Target.com, Ballard Designs, The Finial Company



Whimsical Wall Art


Here's a little Whimsy for your Wednesday coming again to you from Mr. and Mrs. Smith's home.  Among the projects going on over there, the media room was in need of a spruce up.  Mr. Smith wanted something really original... quirky... dimensional... off the charts... vintage... creative...theatrical- and the list goes on.

I started envisioning myself spending hours at salvage yards, antique stores, flea markets and searching on ebay for the vision for media room art that Mr. Smith had in mind.

Lucky for me, later that same morning I walked into one of my favorite art galleries to the trade, La Montage, and saw this!



My mind started racing and I knew I had found the inspiration for Mr. Smith.  An idea turned into a custom creation... down to the carefully selected prized movie posters to the imitation popcorn.  We met with the artist and installed this gem in the theater room a few weeks ago.



Look at the detail... the trophy, movie reels, megaphone and lots of nailhead... WOW!

Here's a shot of the room:



Mr. Smith also wanted some linear height in the opposite corner, so the artist, Steve, created this number:



Needless to say, we were all ecstatic with the outcome and I didn't have to go to one flea market!  Here are some other theater rooms to inspire you-


Another Steve creation...


A bit of Modern Glam...


Love the chandeliers!

Call me if you are ready to complete your media room as well!

Until next time,
Traci

Images via: Moi, Lamontage.biz, Hometheaterrooms.blogspot.com



A Showstopper Copper Ceiling


Congrats to Karen... winner of the CSN stores giveaway!  Next order of business is my visit to Mr. and Mrs. Smith's abode.  Mrs. Smith was not there (I think she was on locating filming), so Mr. Smith was in charge of all the creative decisions... and boy was he excited! 

Our objective was to paint his foyer ceiling inset just like the curved copper metal table that sits in the entry way- and I think we nailed it!!

Here is a closeup of the table-


And here is the ceiling!


The faux team in action-


In the end, the entry is quite dramatic and very unique... just like my clients! It fits them!


The finished product...Looking men sculptures from Global Views

To complicate things, I had my art installer hanging "rappelling men" in the same space as well. What to be efficient with time! They took turns:)



The second guy from the right is actually falling off the mountain... we got a kick out of that (it's the small things and yes, it was Friday)

Back to the ceiling:

Another way to achieve a similar look is to purchase tin ceiling tiles already finished in copper.


Tough to pull off for a round space, but nice for a typical ceiling. Cost wise... I think the faux would be more affordable. 

 Another option for creating the tin ceiling look for a bit less, is to apply anaglypta wallpaper (a huge assortment of textured wallpaper patterns that actually mimic tin tiles) to the ceiling and faux paint it as well.  We just finished this in The Bachelor's dining room, so I will post pics as soon as I take them!



Mind you, this is all fabulous if you are a "buyer" and not a "do it yourselfer".  The thought of me attempting to hang wallpaper on a ceiling is quite amusing and even though faux painting looks incredibly easy, most of the time it will look like your youngest child attempted to finger paint.  Call me if you want to attempt this and I call in the experts... it's worth it!

Until next time,
Traci

p.s. We  My son got a 100 on his scrapbook project!!

Images via: Moi, American Tin Ceilings and American Blinds and Wallcoverings




Mrs. White Wall's New Kitchen Reveal

After a few months and a lot of decisions, Mrs. White Walls kitchen is finished!

Before


After




Let me fill me you in on the major changes:

Window- gone!


Custom vent a hood added


Substantial molding added to top of cabinetry


Verde Peacock granite


Travertine backsplash with metallic inserts


Bar redesigned- counter height to the left and bar height to hide the sink


Fluorescent box down... pendants up


New cabinet hardware


Awesome stainless appliances


Crown molding


Hardwood flooring


Cabinets and walls painted


Can lights added


Under cabinet lighting


We still have the left side of the kitchen to finish (built in china cabinet is painted dark brown and we are searching for table and chairs and hopefully exchanging light fixture for larger model:). I will post pics when that side is done!

A few photos of the remodeling process:





Tough road but worth it in the end! Magnifico!


Until next time,
Traci


Giveaway! CSN Stores Gift Certificate!


Seems like I'm inundated with shopping for lighting these days! Most of Mrs.White Wall's fixtures are in and I dropped off 9 fixtures for The Bachelor yesterday.

To finish the search, I am looking for sconces for a gameroom for my clients out in Irving, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, (the husband could definitely rival Brad Pitt for a movie role... very dramatic in a charming way). As luck has it, I was contacted by CSN stores to host a giveaway and I perused their site for awesome wall sconces and found several that I loved!!!

This is where I pass the good news to you! CSN stores is offering a $40 gift certificate to any one of their 200+ websites to one of my lucky readers! Not only do they have lighting, but they have furniture, kid's items, household products, pet supplies... you name it. One of my favorites websites is allmodern.com. Check out their main site at csnstores.com and pick out what you would like to have!

Here are some examples of treasures under $40:

2x4 outdoor rug by Couristan $19.94!


Canvas wall art $34.99!


Melon lamp $34.99!

Here are more wall sconces I found on their site:


Love the mirrored background


A bit more drama-


A bit less drama but a whole lot of WOW factor!


WIN IT! ** CLOSED!
Random.org selected: Karen
Congrats, Karen!

In order to enter and win the give certificate, please leave a comment on my blog.  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 to the right:)

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., Thursday, May 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.


*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.

Good luck!

Until next time,
Traci

Images via: CSN stores


Remodeling Ease (yes, it's true)

Our IDS Chapter is at it again!  With all the remodeling projects I've had lately, it was a nice treat to visit a new showroom open to the trade called Home Resource Gallery which is located in Lewisville, TX.  Designers just love "One Stop Shops" for remodeling since the options are endless and we clients tend to get overwhelmed with the selections!

Myself, fellow designers Sheri and Kristy and showroom owner, Terry

We are nearing the end of the project for Mrs. White Walls and I plan to post pictures of the fabulous kitchen and kid's bath toward the end of the week.  She knows we have scoured the town for the best resources and she probably wishes we did it all in one spot as well!  It is a matter of convenience!

Here are some shots of the Home Resource Gallery

One of the many galleries: Emser and Dal Tile... two of my favorites


Carpet studio

Ahhh... the windows


Don't forget the appliances

Bathroom displays


and kitchens-

Even outdoor living-

They also have a fully furnished media room on display, gorgeous faux finishes (wait until you see The Bachelor's faux ceiling) and much more!  It is also a great starting point for those of you getting ready to build as well...  great inspiration, quality products and knowledgeable salespeople. 

Let me know if you want to take a trip to the Home Resource Gallery and we can get started on your project~

Until next time,
Traci










Outdoor Living in Atlanta!

It is Girl's Weekend in Atlanta (that is of course, plus Grandpa!). My girls and I flew in to visit with my parents and sister (along with nieces) in Cumming, Georgia... sounds like the boonies, but it is really just North of Atlanta.  With traffic, it feels like the boonies.

Lots of catching up, however, we didn't miss the mall... a must from the two 12 year old cousins.  The highlight was actually just a quick stop to the Wakoola Water Gardens... to take a peek at the design for the water feature my parents are having installed in their backyard. 



Of course, being from Atlanta and moving to Plano, I was in awe of the beauty of the trees and landscape and had to pull out my camera!  The extra bonus was the use of my favorite color, turquoise, all over the outdoors.  What a way to brighten up your outdoor space.  Take a peek...

Ashley and Avery on the left and Emily on the right..
Do you want this blue chair for your yard? 40% off!


Loved these rocks... they look like turquoise lucite


Great patina-


Relaxation.... you probably have a corner for this:)


What will I do next year when Pantone introduces a new "Color of the Year"?
I hope I like it!


My sister and I with the "Wine Tree". (I know we are from Georgia and this is sculpture is bordering on making a red neck statement, but I know many of my friends in Plano would put this to great use in their yards!)


Our trip is winding down and I need to start packing up.  I'm a bit tired- the picture below shows us right before midnight...waiting for the clock to strike midnight so we could sing Happy Birthday to my mom!  For those that know me, staying up after 10 pm is an amazing feat for me!!!


Happy Birthday, Mom!  So glad we could share it with you! xxooo


Until next time,
Traci



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