Creating a Restful Master Bedroom Retreat in Signal Mountain, TN

Today I’m sharing a recently completed interior design project for some wonderful Chattanooga clients I’ve worked with for years!

For a frame of reference, here are a few other rooms in their home we’ve had the pleasure of transforming with them.

The foyer, seen below, was recently updated with architectural moldings, fresh white paint, a new light fixture and new furnishings.

Another fun project was this breakfast nook in the kitchen. We designed and custom built the window seat, updated the light fixture and furniture, and finished it off with custom window shades and pillows.

We then moved on to their living room seen above. New moldings, window treatments, a fireplace makeover and new furnishings all came together to create a welcoming space that’s comfortable enough for family but fancy enough for guests.

Our most recent project with this family was a makeover of the master bedroom. The homeowners were craving something light and simple. They were so pleased with the previous projects we had worked on together that they wanted to continue in that same vein.

Here’s quick photo of the room as it appeared before any work started.

We agreed that we would lighten the walls, add some interest to the bed wall with architectural moldings, and keep the palette light and simple.

Our clients also had a few pieces that were particularly meaningful to them and requested that we incorporate those pieces into the design of the room. And they love blue.

Here’s a mockup of the space I created to help them visualize how the finished room would look and feel. We were definitely going in a lighter, simpler direction with some textural elements. The mostly neutral bedroom would include accents of their favorite color too!

And here’s the finished product!

The moldings add interest and importance to the bed wall. We went with a custom upholstered bed in a soft shade of blue accented with silver nail heads. Gorgeous and restful! Our clients opted for these stylish wall sconces instead of lamps. I love a dash of the unexpected!

Did you notice the ceiling color? We brought a little more blue into the space by painting the ceiling a lovely sky blue.

We were also able to incorporate their painting for another shot of nature inspired color.

The turquoise pottery vase was another special piece they wanted to incorporate. It was a found on a recent vacation and brings those memories back whenever they see it.

We also went a little bold on our fabric selection for the curtains. They’re silk dupioni and really create a feeling of luxury in their bedroom. The curtains are lined with blackout and are mounted on a traverse rod for greater ease of use. These little details really go a long way to create an exceptional space!

We’re so pleased with how this bedroom came together and I can’t wait to work with these wonderful folks on their next project.

Thanks for stopping by!

Chattanooga Interior Design Project Reveal - Living Room

Today I'm sharing the final photos of a recently completed project here in Chattanooga for some lovely clients who trusted me to create a home that was both  sophisticated and relaxed. In my last few posts I shared the dining room, foyer and breakfast room makeovers.  Here's a shot of the breakfast room:

Could this space be any more inviting?  Fireside dining accented with nature inspired accessories is pretty hard to beat!  My client's love of Chinoiserie inspired decor guided most of our choices - and those whimsical roman shades provide the right amount of color and interest.

I shared the photo above so  you could see how the attached family room ties into the color palette and the feel of the breakfast nook.  

Here's a little peak from the kitchen into the family room.

The blues and greens found throughout the home's main level are repeated in the living room, along with nature inspired accessories and some textural rattan pieces.  The alabaster lamp was part of my client's personal collection, and it works beautifully in here.

Before we move on, I want to share a  "before" photo of the living room

It's a fantastic space with great bones and more beautiful symmetry!  We were missing color, texture, and some personality to match my clients' vibrant personality.

Here again we took advantage of the wonderful symmetry offered by the fireplace wall  and added some color and personality with vibrant furnishings and art. We kept the symmetry going with these fabulous opposing green velvet sofas and Louis armchairs. 

Colorful books and accessories could have made this area too busy, so we kept the rug and everything in the bookcases neutral. Their texture provides plenty of interest. 

Did you notice we changed out the chandelier too?  The gold  lantern fixture is a much better fit scale-wise and the open design keeps it from feeling too heavy.  

These framed Chinoiserie wallpaper panels are the star of the show, and they are completely gorgeous and timeless.  We had them mounted on foam board and custom framed in very simple gold leaf frames.  Since they are casual in style, my client's existing rattan side table and the natural fiber rug are perfect counterpoints to the dressy sofa and art. Using a mix of casual and sophisticated design elements creates elegance that is comfortable and livable!

This was such a fun project and I'm a little sad to see it end, but it's fulfilling to know how much my clients are enjoying living in these new spaces and how much joy it brings them every day!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and are ready to experience more joyful living at home, call Kim at 423.653.3186 and book your consultation!

Interior Design Project Reveal of a Chattanooga Living Room and Breakfast Nook

In my last post, I shared photos of a fun dining room project I recently wrapped up that really represents the type of work I love to do!  Here's the finished dining room:

We're so pleased with how it turned out and the rest of the home has a similar feel.

My clients and I share a love of classic design elements, antiques, and color mixed in with a few Chinoiserie accents.  As I mentioned in my previous post, Robin's Egg Blue is my client's favorite color, and since this dining room is right off of the foyer, we carried the Robin's Egg blue and red accents into the foyer's design - but in a more understated way.

Here's the foyer as it looked before:

So, I had a few things to work with when I started.  This altar table would remain as well as some of the small accessories. 

What was missing was color, and some personality.  Here's where we ended up:

I was able to re use my client's Chinoiserie inspired mirror that used to be in the dining room.  I think it looks great in the foyer over the Altar table.  And here's the blue and red from the dining room.  We used them as accent colors against the existing neutral wall color.

We swapped out the chandelier for something more whimsical,  and I just love the textural interest provided by those grasscloth chandelier shades.

The hand knotted, highly patterned runner is so forgiving - any little spots that are bound to happen just fade into the pattern.  I also like this type of rug because it brings a sense of history and tradition.  Don't you love it when form and function come together in such a beautiful way?

Finishing touches include a new lamp in my client's favorite color, the ceramic umbrella stand filled with a few of the their croquet mallets, and a lush fern to bring life and movement to the space. It's quite a dramatic change that was realized with a few simple changes!

Shall we move on to the breakfast nook?

Could this area be any more charming?  It's kind of hard to beat a fireside dining situation.

Again, we worked with the existing paint color and brought in tons of personality, beginning with these custom Roman shades.  A vibrant and whimsical print could have easily become overwhelming, but the simple tailored style of the shades keeps it in check. 

And let's talk about the symmetry for a sec.   When you have a perfectly symmetrical backdrop like this, I say you embrace it and keep the symmetry going as we did here.   Symmetry provides a feeling of calm and order - which is a good thing at the end of a busy day!

I have one more post of this home to share with you  - the living room - and you'll definitely want to stop by and see it.  It's one of my favorite rooms to date, so please stop by again!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and in need of some help with your interiors, contact Kim at 423.653.3186 to schedule your consultation today!

Chattanooga Interior Design Project Reveal

I'm so excited to share these images today!  This is a very recently completed project for some lovely Clients in the Chattanooga area who knew what they wanted style-wise, and completely trusted me to carry out the vision.  

The client and I share a similar design aesthetic - we both love color, classic design elements, and a little bit of whimsy!

When I was called in to help, my client shared that she had been working away at the dining room, and as you can see from the "before" photo below, the room was lovely!

Quite frankly, I wondered why she called me because she was already off to such a strong start!  It turns out she has an quite eye for great pieces, but she struggled with an overall "Big Picture" concept. 

My interview with her gave me lots of clues into her personal style and how to create the "wow" factor that was missing. I found out her favorite color was Robin's egg blue, and that when it was all said in done, she wanted the space to feel timeless but fresh.

She also wanted to retain the furnishings she had purchased up to this point, and I was happy to accommodate her request.  Her antiques are beautiful!

Take a look at the finished space!

As you can see, we managed to completely transform the space while working with the existing furniture - and a majority of her accessories!

We took a risk by painting her previously white woodwork in her favorite color - Robin's Egg blue.  We then took that color another step further by installing a fabulous sisal wallcovering in the same shade of blue. The contrast between the satin paint finish and the nubby grasscloth  provides just enough tension to keep things interesting - and it's such a gorgeous backdrop for her antiques!

Keeping her desired light and fresh aesthetic in mind, I had custom window treatments made up in a simple cream linen blend fabric with accents of cheery red.  The red is a little unexpected and adds a "happy" factor to the collected, layered look we were going for.

OK, extra points if you noticed that the mirror has been swapped out for this antique showstopper!  I spotted it at a local Chattanooga antique mall and knew it would be perfect in this space.  My client agreed wholeheartedly and it really makes quite a statement.

Did you notice the light fixture was replaced with an antique crystal chandelier?  It's definitely  an upgrade from the previous builder basic chandelier and adds some well pedigreed sophistication.

One thing I keep in mind with any space I'm working on is that a well decorated room is all about balance.  Crystal chandeliers and ornate mirrors create a feeling of formality, so we had the dining chair seats reupholstered in a playful animal print fabric to keep the mood fresh and youthful.

The spotted fabric is another unexpected selection that really updates these formal antique dining chairs.  Couldn't love it more!

I'll be sharing photos of the other rooms in this beautiful home, so be sure and check back in soon!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and looking for a designer to take your interiors to the next level, call Kim at 423.653.3186 to schedule your consultation!

Five Fabulous Foyers

Isn't that a clever name for this post?

Today I want to share five foyers that are from completed projects.  Two of them are from a few years ago, and I'm happy to report that they're still looking as fresh as they were the day we installed them.

Foyers are some of my favorite spaces to decorate.  They're like a calling card to the rest of your home.  Foyers provide a little introduction about what is to come, and since they're "pass through" spaces that you don't spend much time in, risk taking is encouraged - by me!  You're welcome.

Ready?

What do you think this foyer seen above and below says about the people who live here?

It's edited, collected, and proudly displays some personal items.

Obviously the risk we took with the overscale abstract art paired up with the rustic bench was well worth the reward.  This grand foyer is timeless and chic - just like the people who live here!

Let's take a look at another

Can you gather a few any clues about my clients from the design of this foyer?  They moved to Chattanooga from the Charleston area, and they wanted to bring some of their coastal roots to their new home.  Bleached woods, organic materials and a soft color palette create a relaxed, breezy feel to their newly made over foyer.  We love it!

What do you think this foyer has to say about my clients?  Their home is in a mountain setting and they wanted their home to reflect its surroundings.  They're friendly, down to earth folks and this foyer sets the tone for the mood of their house - which is a mix of rustic, casual elegance!

Side note:  that painting above the console table was done by my clients' son -we had it reframed and it's the perfect personal statement!

Here's another favorite project.  It's a foyer from an historic Colonial Revival home in Chattanooga.  We took a risk with the antelope print carpet on the staircase but it's one of our favorite design elements in the entire house!  Antiques , botanical prints, touches of a cheery red and a few modern touches reflect my client's happy, playful nature.

I got one more for ya.  This is a very recently completed project.

My client loves Chinoiserie (Asian inspired) decor.  It's timeless and little whimsical, which allows this foyer to perfectly represent this fun and family friendly home.  

I'll leave you with a of my best tips for creating a welcoming foyer:

A table or chest of drawers with a basket or tray provides a great place to drop keys and mail.

A mirror in the foyer allows you to check your appearance before heading out the door, and it allows visitors to check themselves as they arrive.

Whatever your aesthetic, nothing beats a statement light fixture .  Don't settle for builder basic!

Take a risk!  A bold wallpaper or color choice is a great way to infuse your home with personality and wow your guests!

Ready to take your Chattanooga area home to the next level? The Green Room Interiors is now accepting new clients for fall 2018.  Call Kim to reserve your space now before the holiday rush! 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

The Fifth Wall

I'm sure you've heard the expression "the fifth wall" before, but in case you haven't, we're talking about ceilings - typically the most underutilized parcel of real estate in our homes.

Have you heard?  They don't have to be painted "ceiling white".  

As a passionate professional decorator, it's pretty exciting to think about the possibilities that exist for ceiling decoration.  And they don't all have to be overly complex or dramatic.

It can be as simple as using your favorite color on the ceiling, as seen in this collected living room by Tilton Fenwick.  The pink ceiling is unexpected but really warms up the space and makes it feel intimate.

You could even push the envelope a little further by wallpapering the ceiling, as Shelley Johnstone did below with this amazing Fornasetti malachite wallpaper.  

Gorgeous!

A strong architectural statement can be created on the ceiling by combining beefy moldings over a lacquered watery blue finish.  Stunning dining room below is by Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler.

Finally, if you want to go all out and really create a memorable environment, consider a tented ceiling.  It's not for the faint of heart, but it's my favorite of all of the ceiling treatments!

This room (above) was part of the Southern Living idea house a few years ago.  It was designed by architect and designer Bill Ingram, and it's unforgettably beautiful.  I love how it's a little over the top but still incorporates simple, nature inspired design elements.  Good stuff!

I hope I've inspired you to explore all of the possibilities with the fifth walls in your home!

5 Pieces for Your Home that You Won't Regret Buying

When decorating a room, it's easy to get lured in to buying things that are trendy.  You know - the "it" item  you saw at Target that all the cool kids have dotted throughout their instagram feeds.     Before you design your entire living room around that groovy macrame' dream catcher, ask yourself if you realllly love it, and if you think you'll really love it 10 years from now.

Decorating your home is an investment, and it's wise to choose the majority of your design elements that are of good quality and will stand the test of time.  

Here are my recommendations for decor pieces you'll never regret buying. Ever. 

1.  Vintage Persian or Oushak rugs.  

In the room above by Miles Redd, the antique rug provides a starting point for the color palette in a room that is at once timeless and current.  That is the goal!  And a gorgeous rug can go with you from home to home down the road.

2.  Art that Speaks to You.

You should have an emotional connection to the art that hangs on your walls.  Don't buy a painting you're ambivalent about just because it has the same shade of blue found in your curtains.  Buy art that inspires and moves you.

3.  Antiques. 

It may seem contradictory, but antiques will always always have a place in fashionable interiors - whether your tastes run classic or contemporary.   (Bonus: beautiful pieces can be found at local antique malls and dealers at reasonable prices.  Keep your eyes open!)

Select pieces with straight, clean lines and minimal ornamentation for maximum versatility. 

4.  Statement lighting

You'll never regret investing in a beautiful light fixture.  Whether it's antique or cutting edge modern, the power of a fabulous light fixture cannot be underestimated.

Great lighting doesn't always have to break the bank, as seen in this charming breakfast nook by Atlanta's Allison Allen.  The oversize paper lantern makes a big statement!

5.  An Ornate Mirror

This is another chameleon that works well in traditional or modern settings.  And an ornate mirror will work with any color palette!

Statement fixture, unique art, an ornate mirror, and antiques coexist beautifully in a room by Sara Ruffin Costello with a decidedly modern approach.  This room is completely timeless and will be forever chic.

I hope this post gives you the confidence you need to invest in pieces that will grow with you and provide decades of enjoyment in your home!

Chattanooga Interior Design Project - Foyer and Dining Room

Hi again!

A few short weeks ago I shared a project I had just finished up for a chic young couple who hired me to help with the main living areas of their newly renovated home. 

Today I have the pleasure of sharing the dining room and foyer of their classic American home!  

Ready?

Ok so in the dining room we kept the furniture they already had, which was a custom rustic dining table and a set of upholstered Parson's chairs.  During renovation, they added a very smart looking modern gold chandelier, which offered a modern twist on a classic design.

Here's what the dining room looked like when I came on board.  (I love their darling vintage chairs in the corner too!)

So a pretty good start, right?  I may have mentioned this in the previous post, but the clients have quite an eye for art, and bought a beautiful abstract painting while on a weekend trip to Atlanta.

Here's another photo of the room with the new piece of art in place.

The art is so gorgeous, and we wanted to make a few changes that would really celebrate the painting and bring the whole room to the next level.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  Paint!!!  Those pretty white walls just weren't allowing this room to live up to it's full potential.

Here's where we landed:

Behold the power of paint!!  This complex gray wall paint was just what we needed to compliment the painting and we added a fabulous vintage rug and vintage candle sconces to flank the painting.  And that's it!  Isn't it crazy how just a few simple changes can make such a dramatic impact on a room?  

On to the foyer:

Here's what it looked like on my first visit to their home.  A super gorgeous foyer that just needed a few personal touches.

And after

We repurposed their cowhide rug which was originally in the breakfast nook, added a modern round table to fit into the pretty curve of the staircase, and added a few classic accessories.  (The bust and candlesticks belonged to my client too!)

My clients had this enormous painting commissioned by local artist Vesela Baker, and it's the perfect counterpoint to the rustic bench that was handmade by my client's grandfather years ago.  We pulled it out of the master bath to it's new home by the front door and it's so unexpected and yet so right!

And so there you have it!  

We're all so happy with the end result and I'm sure our selections will serve them well for many years!!

If you're in the Chattanooga area and would like to get on my schedule for Summer or Fall of 2018, contact Kim at 423.653.3186 and tell me about your project!