Why I LOVE New Traditional Interiors

Raise your hand if you think Traditional interiors are a predictable mix of Queen Anne legs and a somber color palette.

Allow me to enlighten you. (Literally!)

Walking into Ethan Allen (or any other furniture retailer) and ordering an entire "set" of living room furniture has - thankfully - become a thing of the past, and today's Traditional interiors are a little less predictable and a lot more inclusive of diverse furniture styles.

This brings with it a whole new level of casual comfort - which is just one of the reasons I love new Traditional interiors.

Yes! Antiques will always have a place in Traditional interiors, but New Traditional spaces are lighter and fresher than the Traditional rooms of the past.

There's nothing stodgy or tired about this classic wood paneled den by Jeffrey Bilhuber. He created a youthful Traditional style by combining furniture styles (most of them quite Traditional by the way) and layering in vibrant textiles. I love this room because it has a fun, expected quality belies the classic design elements. And did you ever think you could use "Traditional" and "unexpected" in the same sentence - much less in the same room?!?

What does all of this mean to you and me?

Well, if you're investing in furnishings for your home, you can rest assured knowing that Traditional interiors have been en vogue for centuries, and this classic style of decorating will continue to stand the test of time moving forward.

Here's a perfect illustration of the timelessness of Traditional Interiors. This entryway by Nick Olsen feels comfortable, sophisticated and completely of the moment - and yet I think the same thing will be said of it 20 years from now.

Bottom line? A mix of classic pieces, antiques, and a fresh color palette just never gets old.

AND

It's the unexpected details (lacquered ceiling, modern light fixture) that keep Traditional style fresh.

New Traditional - what's not to love?

If you would like to create a home that feels fresh and will stand the test of time, call Kim today to set up a consultation. 423.653.3186.

The Joy Of Moldings

There's nothing I love more than a good old fashioned decorating project - the kind where you take an existing space and create a gorgeous living environment though color, furnishings, accessories and art.

One thing that makes that job a whole lot easier and much more impactful is having a backdrop of interesting architecture.

While subtle, this particular treatment breaks up the expansive wall area and implies attention to detail, craftsmanship and luxury. It's the most formal of the molding treatments we'll talk about today.

The photo above is of an entry hall we did last year. We applied moldings directly to the sheetrock and painted everything in the same white satin paint. My client favors a slight nod to coastal design, and the white walls, bleached wood, and blue accents speak to her preferred aesthetic.

More recently, we installed a wall of wainscoting as a feature in a family room - again, applied directly to the sheet rock, and then painted everything out in the same color.

Here is a photo I took during installation. We also added the same type of molding over the mantel.

You should also know that moldings don't have to be formal. One of my favorite wall treatments is a simple board and batten style treatment that has a casual feel to it.

Here's a bathroom renovation we completed in the spring that combines board and batten walls, a navy vanity, and aged brass and bronze hardware for a preppy cabin vibe.

And while it's not technically a molding, it seems the whole world has gone crazy for shiplap walls, and I get lots of requests for this from clients.

The texture and character you get from shiplap walls is outstanding.

Excuse the poor image quality in the next few images - these are phone pictures from over a year ago.

In the dining room below, white shiplap was used on all 4 walls.

On this project (photo above) we created a single accent wall in this foyer with shiplap walls.

And in this Monteagle cottage renovation, we installed whitewashed shiplap in the living room, dining room and foyer. This was perfect for a cottage in the woods!

If your carpentry skills are good, adding moldings to your walls is a cost-effective way to create interest and add architecture to your home. If you are DIY challenged, the majority of the cost of adding these types of moldings is in the labor cost for skilled finish carpentry.

I say it's worth the trouble and/or the investment. Wall moldings are a great way to add architectural interest and provide a backdrop that celebrates the details!

Call Kim today if you're ready to take your home's interiors to the next level! 423.653.3186

Your Questions Answered - How Do You Work?

Would you believe me if I told you that most of the inquiries I get from potential clients have never worked with a professional designer before?

And can you guess what one of the first questions they have is? You guessed it -- "How do you work?". That's timid client speak for "How much do you charge?"

The answer to this question is not the same every single time. This is because my role is different from project to project.

Sometimes we are hired as a team to design and transform a space where construction is involved, overseeing everything from concept through demolition, construction, installation and styling. In this type of scenario there is a flat Design Fee to create a plan for the new space and then a percentage of the job to oversee the project from start to finish. This includes site visits, ordering materials, communicating with clients on progress and potential problems, coordinating and scheduling other trades that are involved, troubleshooting, and quality control oversight.

Master Bathroom Renovation in a Lookout Mountain Historic Home

We recognize that your home is probably your largest investment, and we take the responsibility of your home improvement project seriously. We give it the same care and attention to detail that we would give to a project in our own home!

At the other end of the spectrum, I offer services that are not quite as involved - such as Paint Color consultations. In this scenario, I charge a flat fee to come to your home, view your space and furnishings, and recommend paint colors that will play nicely with your existing decor and create the mood you'd like your space to convey. This type of appointment is straight-forward and at the end of our appointment you'll have clear answers to your most troubling questions. Most Design Consultations usually last about 90 minutes, and are billed via a one-time, flat fee payment that is due at the end of our consultation.

And then there's all the stuff in between. I am hired for everything from total room makeovers (my personal favorite), custom window treatments, new home construction finishes, all of the above or varying portions of the above.

Interior Decorating Project - total room makeover

So, trying to quote a design fee is a little like quoting the price of a car. In both instances, there are a number of variables that come into play and, in turn, affect the fee/price. These variables include the project scope (new pillows and curtains, or all new everything), Designer involvement (do you want me to order all of your furniture for you, do you want me to schedule and meet the painter, or do you want to handle these things yourself?), and the size and complexity of the space itself.

Here's what I can tell you. The peace of mind and enhanced quality of living you'll get in return is far greater than the Design fee, particularly if you consider that you'll be enjoying your gorgeous new space for years to come. Holidays will be more joyful, quiet evenings at home will be more nurturing, and those special times with family and friends will be even sweeter when you're surrounded in comfort and beauty!

Let's make your Chattanooga home your haven! Call Kim at 423.653.3186 today!

Your Questions Answered - Why Hire A Decorator

Does this sound familiar?

You get all heart eye smiley faces when pinning your favorite rooms, but you just don't know how to create that sort of magic in your own home.

or

You have a pretty good idea of what you want to create in your own home, but your full-time job and the demands of motherhood leave you little to no time to get your house decorated. And another Saturday at the paint store looking at 200 chips of gray paint does not top your list of favorite things to do.

or

It's all so overwhelming. You kind of love the sofa you saw while furniture shopping last weekend but then what rug would be best to use with that couch and should you do 2 more chairs or a loveseat? Maybe instead you should just get a sectional.

All of these questions (and more) can be resolved with the help of a professional Interior Decorator.

The Big Picture - Designers take a big picture approach to your room, starting with a Design Plan that addresses how your room functions (aka the layout), and reflects your most stylish self. I can't stress enough the importance of having a Design Plan to follow. Having a plan eliminates all of the confusion and gives us a clear blueprint to follow to create your special space.

Money - so what happens if you pull the trigger on that fabulous $5,000 sectional only to discover that it's waaaaay too big for your family room? It didn't look that big in the store, and now it's money down the drain! A design professional will save you from costly mistakes by measuring your room down to the fraction of the inch to ensure that your furniture will fit and that your room will address your needs in the most stylish way.

Designers can also help stretch your budget by scouting out a stylish estate sale find that will coexist perfectly with a super fancy piece of furniture!

Creativity - This is a big one. We look at your room with fresh eyes and can visualize a space that the typical homeowner just can't conceive. As creative thinkers, we dream up ways to use furniture in unexpected ways, and we can take your wishes and turn them into a space that reflects your style - only way beyond what you could create for yourself.

Finishing Touches. That final layer of accessories is key to telling your story and reflecting your personality. Designers can artfully display your personal treasures in a way that is beautiful and personal, creating a space that is "all you".

And some final thoughts - yes, decorating your home is an investment. Stuff is expensive, but when you consider what you get in return (peace of mind, a home that nurtures you and creates a welcoming mood for your guests) then it's an investment in your quality of life that brings with it an enormous amount of value. Home is your refuge, and it deserves the time and attention required to make it as unique and special as those who live in it.

If you're in the Chattanooga area and ready to create a haven at home, let's discuss! Get in touch with the Contact buttons on my website or email me at thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

xo Kim

What I've Been Working On - Guest Bath Renovation

I have tried to sit down and put this post together for almost three months now and today I'm finally going to share this fun project with you!

It's a tiny guest bathroom that is in a home that shared by a Dad and his two young boys. The home they live in was built sometime in the 80's, and we're pretty sure this bathroom is still sporting it's original 1980's finishes.

I just love a project with a big potential for change!

Anyway, this bathroom is mostly used by my client's out of town parents and in-laws who come to town when he needs help with the boys while he's at work or traveling.

My client has great taste but needed some help picking a direction and pulling things together. I wanted to give him something that would be appropriate for an all-male household yet be feminine enough for his guests to feel comfortable and pampered too.

I got a style clue during the initial consultation when my client showed me the new Restoration Hardware catalog he had been admiring. Based on that and what I learned during our interview, I pulled together a few selections for the space.

The jumping off point was the vanity I sourced from Restoration Hardware. He loved the washed wood finish and I love how it looks like a charming antique piece that was converted into a vanity.

I also fell hard for these wood-look hex porcelain tiles, and I knew they would be dynamite with our vanity.

I like to include a whimsical touch, so I searched for something that would be appropriate for the space and add a little levity. This "Winter Cranes" fabric from Robert Allen was the answer I was looking for. The print is whimsical but it's still sophisticated with it's neutral palette.

Another favorite design element is these fantastic retro-style ceramic sconces from Schoolhouse Electric. I can't resist a stripe and these gray striped shades would be the icing on the cake.

Here's a little mood board to show how all of the selections work together within the space.

Now comes the part where I show you the "after". I'm absolutely thrilled with how the bathroom turned out, but I don't have tons of pictures to share. It's a small space to photograph with no natural light (read: tough to photograph), but I think this iPhone photo captures everything we incorporated into the space and demonstrates how much change is possible by just changing the finishes.

We replaced the existing tub with a deep soaker tub and finished off the tub surround with clean and classic white subway tile and sparkly chrome fixtures.

I'm happy to report that parents and in-laws have used the space and it's getting rave reviews! So much so that we moved on to the renovation of the boys shared bathroom, and I'll share that transformation in my next post.

Thanks for stopping by!

Graphic Floors - Trendy Or Timeless?

With the explosive popularity of cement tiles in bold patterns, you might be wondering if this look will stand the test of time, or whether it's a trend to just wait out.

The pattern of the tile above and below is called "Tulum", and it's a favorite of mine.

The graphic floor of this Kelly Wearstler designed foyer was achieved with different varieties of marble and is definitely the star of the show!

Painted floors are the most flexible way to create bold patterns, limited only by your imagination (or your skill set!)

Charming kitchen above designed by Nick Olsen.

Guest room below by the brilliant Jeffrey Bilhuber.

While I don't think graphic floor patterns are necessarily trendy, I do think they are very specific, and they may be challenging to "work in" with other design elements.

Novice decorators will want to keep other design elements simplistic, allowing the graphic floor to be the main feature.

The exception to that would be a striped floor, because stripes go with everything!

Still worried that the graphic floor trend will pass? Check out this room (circa 197x) below by the iconic American decorator, Billy Baldwin.

If you're considering installing a patterned floor, my best advice is to proceed with caution. Commit to a smaller area, like a powder room.

Even though you may be totally convinced that you can't live without it right now, flooring is a pretty permanent and not always inexpensive to change out if you grow tired of the look down the road.

xo Kim

This Sofa Won't Go Out Of Style. Ever.

As style-focused consumers, we walk a fine line between what's currently trending and what will stand the test of time. Especially at this point in history. We are flooded with so. many. beautiful images of cutting edge design on Pinterest, Instagram, Houzz, TV and shelter magazines. It's hard not to get caught up in it and fall prey to the look of the moment.

And I'm not sure if that's money well spent. Instead, I think it's preferable to stick to the classics for the major furniture purchases. T

Today we'll have a look at a sofa I think will look good 20 years from now and will fit right in with whatever is trending in the design world.

It's the English Roll Arm Sofa. This would have to be my top pick for favorite sofas of all time. It's uber classic and yet it holds its own in modern settings too.

Not too feminine and not too masculine, the English roll arm looks great done up in solid fabrics (linen or velvet are top choices).

Above is the Glenlee sofa from Anthropologie. Note the turned legs on casters and tight back. This is an English roll arm in its purest form!

Are you more of a risk taker? Never met a pattern you didn't like? No worries! The English roll arm has you covered.

Photo above, note how well our traditional English roll arm mixes with the more modern companions. How I adore a colorful, eclectic mix like this - perfection!

Here's another happy, eclectic room that features an English roll arm sofa, this time in a fun floral print piled with pink pillows:

Do you like your English roll arm a little quieter? Fear not. Here's a slipcovered version that is relaxed and understated.

Finally, I'll leave you with a roundup of my favorite English roll arm sofas in three price categories:

(Damn) Good:

This is the Brampton sofa from the Robin Bruce collection by Rowe Furniture. It's American made, extremely comfortable and well priced. To further entice you, a nice selection of fabric options are available (including crypton). Mommies rejoice!

2. Better:

This is the Telford sofa from CR Laine upholstered in a fun and fabulous yellow zebra fabric. YOLO.

3. Best:

From Baker, the "Elements Long Sofa".

A few more inspiration images:

xoKim

Mad For Plaid

Maybe it's the cool weather that's finally moved in. Maybe it's because Christmas is just a few weeks away. Whatever the reason, I'm feeling particularly attracted to plaids and tartans lately.

Scot Meacham Wood's apartment that was featured in House Beautiful a few years ago is a favorite and makes me love plaid even more. It has a comfortable, collected appeal. The aesthetic is an updated take on English country.

Plaids and tartans add instant warmth.

Antiques and plaid are perfect partners, again, creating an English country feel.

Which is not to say that plaids couldn't work in a modern setting.

Plaid and leopard? It can be done.

As can plaid and pink!

I love the plaid headboard and pillows combined with the floral coverlet below.

In fact, plaids and florals are perfect partners!

Here's more English country - plaid chairs and floral chairs - about as comfortable as it gets.

What do you think? Will you be adding some plaid to your winter decor?