Friday, April 23, 2010

Details, Details, Details

I once had a client who bought a very expensive lamp simply because she liked the finial.  Granted, the finial was a very beautiful and intricately carved jade bauble, but nothing that couldn't have been purchased separately and retro-fitted onto a less expensive lamp (or one that she already had in her home).  I suppose that she understands that now, but her story is a perfect example of just how important details like lamp finials can be to a room's overall design.

I myself have always been a stickler for details when it comes to decorating.  Details add personality, depth and texture to a room, enhancing your décor when used properly.  However, you need to walk a fine line with them: Used inappropriately, they'll overwhelm and be a distraction.   I often compare this delicate balance to accessorizing an outfit:  Too little and the outfit looks unfinished; too much and the outfit is a busy mess.

There is an infinite variety of detailing that you can use to add spark to your décor.  Finials, fan pulls, tassels and trims, decorative buttons, cabinet knobs, cord covers and drapery hardware are just a few of the options.  While this article focuses on only a small percentage of these, you owe it to yourself to have some fun exploring the many details of distinctive design.


DOOR KNOBS AND CABINET PULLS

Some of my favorite details for adding interest and expressing personality are door knobs, cabinet pulls and drawer pulls.  This is a great way to update and spruce up old cabinets or a tired piece of furniture without spending a lot of money.  I personally love crystal doorknobs like the one in the picture to the right and use them wherever possible to add a touch of sparkle to otherwise plain doors.

Much like lamp finials, doorknobs and cabinet knobs/pulls of all styles are readily available online and range from traditional to whimsical (in shapes like fish, eating utensils (as for kitchen cabinets and drawers) and flowers).  You can use such hardware to complement your furniture style with classic Queen Anne, Chippendale or Hepplewhite detailing, or you can use knobs that deliberately contrast with your furniture to make a bold statement.

One chic look that I especially like is using crystal drawer knobs on an old bureau or table that's been painted and then sanded or given a crackle finish.  The contrast between the weather-worn finish of the furniture and the elegant sparkle of the crystal is unexpected and enchanting.  I also like to use colored knobs for a more whimsical look.  In the photo to the left, the blue glass “melon” knob adds a bright pop of color against the white surface of these French bi-fold closet doors in a client's home office.  The deep blue also picks up the blue in the country French fabric lining the door.


TASSELS AND TRIMS

Another fun and effective way to add detail to a room is with tassels and trims of all sorts (also known as “passementerie”), and the options are almost limitless.

For instance, rope trims offer a nice alternative to welting on pillows, box cushions and table skirts and add color and texture.   Gimp (or flat trim) is a great option for use with window treatments and bedding.  In fact, I like to use gimp for areas that get a lot of incidental contact because these types of trims aren't prone to unraveling (unlike a tassel trim, for example).  Gimp is also good for use as a border for drapery panels (and requires less sewing skill than does using a contrasting fabric border).

For an especially elegant look, try a breaded trim.  In the table runner in the photo to the right, the woven trim and the jewel-like beads complement both the color and period look of the antique toile fabric.  When I designed this runner (and its coordinating table topper), I fancied it a detail that would've been right at home adorning the boudoir of Catherine the Great (or some other decorating diva!).
Besides looking great, trims can also serve functional purposes as well. For instance, the tassel trim featured on the ottoman to the left is not only timeless in its appeal; it also effectively covers the ottoman's horizontal seams.  One of the additional things I like about this trim is the way it mirrors all of the vibrant colors of the ottoman's fabric without competing with or overwhelming it.  Because the fabric is and should be the focal point of this piece, the trim's effect is subtle, serving to add depth and texture to the piece. 


 Tassels can be simple and monochromatic or elaborate, multi-colored works of art (and they are priced accordingly).  In addition to the traditional “key tassel” like that pictured to the right, one of these more elaborate “statement” tassels can be used as a drapery tieback.
For a special touch, try using chair ties and tassels on the arm chairs of your dining room set.  In the photo to the left, I especially like the way this chair tie plays off the chair's seat fabric and enhances the whole look.  This homeowner was so enamored with the look that she initially wanted to put similar ties on all of her dining chairs.  Ultimately, though, she agreed that the ties were more effective when used only on the table's arm chairs because they further set these more elaborate chairs apart from the simpler side chairs.  In decorating, as in other areas of life, it's important that you know when to say when.

Generally, the selection of trims that you will find in stock at the fabric store represents a very small percentage of the choices available through custom order.  If you have the time and patience, it's well worth the effort to pore through some of these custom choices (or have your decorator do it for you!).  Many are only available “to the trade”, but it's relatively easy to find a dealer through whom you can purchase such trims.  There are some great online sources where you can get more information about the many trim and tassel styles available.  Check out the “Resource Guide” below for a few of these sources.


CONCLUSION

Details can be one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of decorating a room.  Whether you apply these details to a completely custom design or to a mass-produced store-bought window treatment, any door, cabinet, dining chair, light fixture, drapery or upholstered furniture piece is an opportunity for embellishment that reflects your special style stamp.   Give it a try.


ADDITIONAL TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS:

  • Use cord covers on hanging light fixtures to hide the fixture's electrical cord and chain and to add some subtle drama (as with a cord cover in a sassy cheetah print).  If you elect to purchase the cord cover (as opposed to sewing one yourself), just be sure to buy the type with an open vertical seam that closes with Velcro, allowing you to put the sleeve on without having to remove the chandelier from the ceiling.
  • Where possible, install “rim locks” on your interior or screen doors.  Rim locks are locks and plates that are fixed to a door's surface instead of being mortised inside the door and they can be quite elegant for a traditional home, providing some historic detailing.  However, rim locks are not really designed for or adequate as a security lock.  Therefore, they should only be used for interior doors or for decoration on an exterior door where there is another device for security purposes (such as a deadbolt).
  • If you have bought pre-made pillows from the store that could use some pop or if you have plain matching pillows that came with your sofa, try hand-sewing or even hot-gluing on tassel trim or gimp for some added personality.
  • If you have a store-bought throw or bedspread, sew some bullion fringe around the edges for a more luxurious look.  Bullion fringe is also a great choice for trimming the kick-pleats on a sofa or for detailing an upholstered ottoman.
  • Use “key” tassels on china cabinet doors or decorative boxes.
  • Purchase inexpensive carved wood cabinet knobs and gold leaf or silver leaf them with liquid leaf.  The look will be richer and more textured than knobs with a plain metal finish.
  • Note that if you use a rope trim with a “lip” attached to it, it will be easier to sew between your seams with a sewing machine (as opposed to a rope trim without a lip, which needs to be hand-sewn on top of the fabric).
  • Use decorative buttons (store-bought or custom fabric-covered) to add detail to window treatments, to closures on duvet covers, and to tufted ottomans, pillows and cushions.
  • Use pleated trim to add nice depth and texture to the edges of duvet covers, coverlets and pillow shams.
  • Fluted drapery rods with intricately carved finials like that pictured to the left and fabric rosettes

    like that attached to the valance to the below right will add designer detail to a window treatment, taking it to the next level.  You spend a lot of time and money designing your window treatments and bringing them to life with carefully-chosen fabrics.  Add some details like these and your investment will be apparent (and well worth it).


RESOURCE GUIDE:

Knobs and pulls:

myknobs.com
coolknobsandpulls.com
Emtek (doorknobs)
Amazon
Anthropologie (great source for quirky, unusual cabinet knobs and drawer pulls).


Fan Pulls:
lampfinials.com


Cord covers:
Ballard Designs
Shades of Light


Lamp Finials:
Pronto.com
Lamps USA
lampfinials.com
Tassels & Trims (stunning selection)


Trims:
Decorative Fabrics Direct 
Tassels & Trims (to the trade only)
Interiormall.com
Kravet  (to the trade:  doesn't sell to the consumer directly)
The Curtain Rod Shop (drapery hardware, finials, trims, tiebacks)


Rim Locks:
Baldwin Brass Hardware
House of Antique Hardware
Historic Home Hardware
Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved - Pamela Yeaton

Saturday, April 17, 2010

PDQuick! Designer Look Bedsheets on a Budget

PDQuick Tip:  To save money but still have your bedding look expensive and luxurious, purchase inexpensive flat and fitted sheets for your bed and then splurge on the fancier designer pillow cases.  When the bed is made, only the pillow cases will be visible, so spend your money on something with delicate embroidery or an especially pretty pattern or detail.  Or, as an alternative, you can even buy the less expensive pillow cases and then embellish them yourself with lace, appliques, needlepoint (if you're good at that) or decorative buttons.

As an additional suggestion, it's a good idea when purchasing bedsheets to buy two sets of pillowcases.  Pillowcases, because they get the most wear, are quicker to become soiled and worn out.  By having two sets, you'll extend the life of your sheets.
Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved - Pamela Yeaton

Friday, April 9, 2010

PDQuick! A Room in a Bag

PDQuick Tip:  Has this ever happened to you?  You go into a store, see a fabric you love and that you're sure will complement your existing style, only to get it home and find that it clashes with the other fabrics in the room or the wall color.  Decorators know that choosing new accessories and details for a room can be frustrating if you're not adequately prepared and organized when you go out shopping, so try using a more portable version of the interior decorator's sample board.

To keep yourself organized, prepare a clear plastic "sample" bag for each room in your home (I like Ziploc freezer bags, because they're good size and re-sealable).   Label the outside of each bag with the applicable room name (e.g., master bedroom, kitchen, etc.) and any additional information about the room you might need (such as the name of the wall paint color and the paint manufacturer).  Fill the bag with fabric samples from the room, along with samples of trims, rugs, paint chips, even tile (all preferably with information about the manufacturer).  Whenever you go out shopping for your home, bring along your "room in a bag" and you'll be able to make your selections with confidence.  Also, if your home has an open floor plan, bring sample bags for the surrounding rooms as well to ensure that your choices will all coordinate accordingly.

As an additional suggestion, do collect samples of everything you can when decorating your home.  Fabric and trim samples are easy to get, but some places (especially mail-order and online sources such as Ballard Designs) will even provide samples for area rugs, while others will provide samples for tile, flooring and marble countertops.  All will help to make your future shopping trips more productive, and who doesn't want that?
Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved - Pamela Yeaton

Friday, April 2, 2010

Interior Lighting Design

 Just as lighting can be one of the most significant factors in looking your best, the lighting in your home can either show your house to its best advantage or be uninteresting and unflattering.
Light can be used to banish the darkness from cold and unfriendly corners or to highlight objects of beauty.  Used effectively, creative and proper use of lighting is an integral part of interior design, providing great atmosphere and interest to any room.


TYPES OF LIGHTING

Generally speaking, the types of interior lighting can be grouped into the following three categories:  General, task and accent.

General Lighting
General lighting is typically characterized by ceiling fixtures.  This lighting is designed to provide overall illumination to an entire room, literally allowing you to move around without bumping into things.  Examples of general lighting would be chandeliers, pendant lights, flush-mounted fixtures, recessed lighting, and electric wall sconces.

Of course, just because general lighting is functional doesn't mean it can't be beautiful and allow you to put your own stamp on it.  If your style is elegant and romantic, feature a crystal chandelier.  If your home is more rustic or “country” in style, wrought iron is a wonderful choice.  Do bear in mind, however, that while general lighting is obviously functional and the fixtures themselves can be quite distinctive, such lighting can be “flat” and cast harsh shadows.  Ever notice how unwelcoming and glaring the light from a ceiling fixture can be and wonder why so much wattage still doesn't seem to be enough to really provide the light you need?  This is because in addition to the basic necessity of general lighting, your room needs additional lighting that is specifically designed to enable specific activities or “tasks”.  This is where task lighting comes in.
 
Task Lighting
Task lighting, as the term suggests, is designed to allow you to do close work that requires more focused illumination than can be provided by general lighting.  Examples of task lighting would be table lamps, floor lamps, swing-arm lamps and buffet lamps.  Such lighting is ideal for reading, sewing, needlework, doing crossword puzzles, etc.  “Spot lights” that are often found in kitchens and over kitchen islands are good task lights for illuminating food preparation.

Fixtures for both task and general lighting can be works of art in themselves and a focal point within your room.  For accent lighting, on the other hand, the focus is all about what's being highlighted and not the light fixture itself.

Accent Lighting
Accent lighting highlights the beauty of the objects in your home, including accessories, architectural features, even potted plants.  As such, it's one of the most fun aspects of decorating and can take a room from unremarkable to unforgettable.  Unfortunately, accent lighting is also probably the most underutilized by homeowners.  Anywhere in your home with an object to be spotlighted or a dark corner to be brightened is an opportunity for accent lighting.

Uplights
One example of accent lighting is “uplights”, which are portable spotlights that typically sit on the floor and send a wash of light upward, allowing the space above to be highlighted.  Uplights are often used with potted plants, but they're also nice when tucked in a dark corner on the floor behind a chair or when they are placed to highlight the fabric of your window treatments (especially nice when you have silk draperies, for instance).  Just note that uplights can get quite hot, so be sure to keep some space between the light fixture and the objects around it to allow for sufficient air circulation.

Lighting Artwork
Another great use for accent lighting is an “art light” or an “eyeball” ceiling spot light that is used to highlight artwork.  Art lights attach right to the frame of your artwork or to the wall above; they are also available in a freestanding form that sits below the painting and highlights upward.   Art lights are not only desirable but also downright necessary if you have a dark oil painting, allowing you to see the rich detail of the painting without having to turn up the wattage (and glare) on your general lighting.  In fact, at night it's quite beautiful to see a piece of artwork that is highlighted with an art light while the rest of the room is in darkness.

One of the nice things about art lights is their portability, especially if you elect not to “hard-wire” the fixture and just run the cord behind the artwork and plug it into a nearby outlet.  Just be sure that the style of the fixture itself is consistent with the style of painting (contemporary versus traditional, for example).  Also, be sure that the art light is an appropriate size for the framed painting and that its finish blends in with the frame, as you don't want the fixture to overshadow the painting.  There are many styles and finishes of art lights available.  They can run from twenty or thirty dollars to several hundred dollars.  (See the “Resource Guide” at the end of this post for information about art light distributors and manufacturers.)

A different option for highlighting artwork is with what is called an “eyeball” spotlight that is recessed and mounted in the ceiling (see picture highlighted by an eyeball spotlight in the photo to the left).  These fixtures are called “eyeball” because while they are otherwise recessed in the ceiling, the bulb itself protrudes and can be moved in different directions, giving some additional flexibility.  This is a good option for a hallway, for example, because the light fixture itself will not intrude into the visual or actual physical space of the hallway.

Do bear in mind when choosing an accent light fixture for showcasing artwork that your ultimate choice might be influenced in part by the finish of the painting (e.g., whether it's a matte or shiny surface) and whether it is covered with glass or not.  Paintings today are sometimes protected with glass that has a non-glare surface, but the overall impact of the surface can be to “dull-down” the painting itself, an effect that can be made worse by placing a light directly on the glass.  In contrast, sometimes an older painting won't have the non-glare surface on the glass, but the glare from any light shining on the picture directly makes it very tricky to light such artwork effectively.  If this is the challenge you are facing and you definitely want to use a spotlight or art light, then consider removing the glass entirely.  I've done this in the past and it was absolutely the correct solution.  When making your choice for illuminating your artwork, bear in mind the investment you have already made in the artwork itself and decide accordingly.

Other Options for Accent Lighting
As mentioned earlier, accent lighting is a great way to highlight architectural detail in your home.  If you have recessed wall niches, for instance, spotlights or low-voltage “strip” lighting will highlight the objects within.  Meanwhile, “cove lighting”, which is typically concealed within a ledge, cornice or crown molding at the upper part of the wall, is a terrific way to bring subtle light to a ceiling.  The effect is especially beautiful if you have an unusual or detailed ceiling and wish to draw attention to it.   Recessed lights can also be used to highlight the interior space of a bay window area or a window seat.

Other examples of accent lighting include lighting inside glass cabinets (see photo to the right).  I especially love to highlight beautiful dishes and stemware with “puck lights” (although if you're lucky, your china cabinet already comes wired for lighting).  Secretaries are another candidate for accent lighting (assuming the cabinet portion of the piece has glass doors, of course).  And don't forget about candles!  Candles are an easy, inexpensive way to add an atmospheric glow to any space.


CROSS-FUNCTIONS

To get the maximum potential out of your decorating, your home should include some combination of all three types of lighting (preferably in each room).  While the categories are fairly well-defined, they do in some cases overlap.

For instance, under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen can be both accent (especially if low wattage) and task lighting (helping with food preparation).  Table lamps, chandeliers and wall sconces that are typically task or general lighting sources become accent lighting (or “mood” lighting) with the combination of a dimmer switch and dark, romantic shades (as with the table lamp in the photo to the left).  In fact, I'm a firm believer in installing dimmer switches wherever possible for maximum flexibility in lighting your home.  It's an easy (and inexpensive) thing to do and the payoff is fabulous.


KEY TAKEAWAYS AND ADDITIONAL TIPS AND POINTERS
  • To be well-designed, a room should include some combination of general, task, and accent lighting.  Also, experiment with using uplights to give a room more visual interest.
  • Where possible, try to have the floor lamps, table lamps and any other task lighting within a room at the same approximate height off of the floor.  This will give a more even distribution of light throughout the room and will also appear less disjointed.
  • Wall-mounted swing-arm lamps are a great way to add light over a sofa or headboard without taking up floor space or table space, and they are often available with wall-mounted cord covers.
  • When lighting artwork, consider the investment you have made in the piece and make your choices accordingly.  Do ensure that the source of light is effective but not distracting or obtrusive.  Also, if your artwork is covered with glass, do consider removing it to enhance the picture and the effect of the lighting.
  • A small table lamp with a low-wattage bulb will add a warm and inviting glow to the hard surfaces and harsh lighting of a bathroom.  Try it sometime.
  • Use low-voltage strip lighting to add accent light to the dark spaces above a television or china cabinet or above a kitchen soffit.
  • Install dimmers for as many light fixtures as possible for maximum lighting options (including ceiling fixtures, table lamps, spotlights and sconces).
  • Do consider carefully what style and color of lamp shades to use and, where appropriate, whether to use them at all.  For instance, shades used on a crystal chandelier can be truly lovely (see the first photo above), but know that one effect of their use is that the crystals won't sparkle quite as much as they would without shades.  I'll include more about lamp shade options in a future post.
  • If you have a particularly large wall mirror (for instance, over a bathroom vanity), try mounting electric sconces directly onto the mirror for a sparkling and elegant look.   This will not only add additional illumination due to the reflection of the light in the mirror; it will also allow you to have a larger mirror while still having room for wall-mounted lights (which many find preferable for lighting above a vanity).
  • Do realize that all lighting has “cool” (meaning blue) or “warm” (meaning yellow) undertones and can have a significant impact on the appearance of the colors in your room.  For instance, traditional incandescent bulbs cast a more yellowish light, while GE “Reveal” light bulbs have a blue tint to counteract the yellow.  Likewise, halogen lights emit a clean, white light.   Whichever option you choose (I tend to prefer pure white light), try to use that option consistently throughout the room.

CONCLUSION

Good lighting is every bit as essential to interior design as is furniture placement and cohesive planning.  After all, the impact of carefully chosen fabrics, colors and accessories can be greatly diminished without proper consideration for how such details are lit.

Lighting your home effectively and creatively just takes a little thought and imagination.  I hope that this post has inspired you with ideas for your own home.   I hope you'll also take advantage of the information in the  Resource Guide below for some of my favorites sources for lighting and lighting accessories.


RESOURCE GUIDE

* = Available to the trade only (but it's relatively easy to purchase through an interior decorator).

*Decorative Crafts:  Chandeliers, lamps, sconces, lanterns.

Euro Style Lighting:  Contemporary lamps, sconces, chandeliers.

The Federalist:  18th century handmade reproduction lighting fixtures.  Very special, high-end chandeliers, sconces, table and floor lamps, lanterns, and ceiling fixtures.

Fine Art Lamps:  Chandeliers, sconces, pendants, lamps.

House of Troy:  Good source for art and picture lights; some floor and table lamps, as well as swing-arm lamps.

* John-Richard:  High-end chandeliers and lamps.


Light 'n Leisure:  Discount lighting.  Good selection.  They are able to special order a wide variety of brand name fixtures and will provide very competitive price quotes upon request.


Lighting Universe:  They have ALL kinds of lighting.

Nulco Lighting:  Chandeliers, sconces, ceiling fixtures.

Schonbek:  Stunning crystal chandeliers at a wide variety of price points, depending on quality of crystal (i.e., Swarovski, handcut, etc.).  Sconces and some table lamps.

Shades of Light:  Lamp shades, sconces, art lights, spotlights, chandeliers, floor and table lamps, swing-arm lamps, ceiling fixtures.
Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved - Pamela Yeaton