Georgia Interior Design

Stunning table

When I first started writing this blog, I asked Alan Wyatt, the owner of DOTI at John’s Creek, to show me one of his favorite pieces on the showroom floor.  He directed me to a gorgeous round glass topped table with a beautiful carved wood pedestal base. The base is really a work of art. The table is manufactured by Lorts Furniture, a three generation family-owned company in Arizona.  You can find out more about them and their furniture by visiting here: http://www.lorts.com/ .

Alan loves the distressed casual elegance of Lorts casegoods and said that this particular table is a good example of the quality of their work. “We could place this table in several different homes and it would look completely different and be totally unique because of the incredible customization offered by this manufacturer. If you wanted a cracked paint finish, silver or gold leafing, extra distressing, or a two-toned look, this is one of the manufacturers to consider. These guys take a lot of pride in what they do and make heirloom quality pieces. One of the things I really like about them is the fact that their distressing is so well done. It doesn’t look intentional, like someone is just trying to make marks.”

Alan said that Lorts makes a storage coffee table that has both grace and functionality. “We had one in the store once that had a gorgeous two-toned jeweled finish. It was absolutely stunning.”

A Lorts table is a great choice for those who desire unique timeless furnishings. DOTI also has some other great tables I’ll talk about in future blogs.  Designer Veronique mentioned another table as one of her favorite pieces on the store floor and described how she would use it in a dining room redesign. I’ll share that story with you later as well.

Until then.

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Not Your Grandma’s Faux Finishes

A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to talk with Kass Wilson, a local faux finish artist. She works with a lot of designers in the area, including the designers at DOTI at John’s Creek. Some of you may be familiar with her artistry.  If not, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.kasswilson.com/ and browse the gallery.  She views her job as one where she takes the ordinary and expected and creates the extraordinary.  She does this by enhancing the existing features of a home and creating that “wow” factor.

“When people first view her work,” Kass says, “the first thing they want to do is touch it, because it seems so dimensional. And then they want to know how it was done.”  Because Kass creates original works based upon every other element in the room, 99.9% of the time she works with designers.  Designers think about her in advance and bring her in as part of the team. The solutions she offers for design problems or enhancements are an integral part of the design, not afterthoughts. This is why it is so critical that all of the core design elements have already been decided.

“Often the designer will email me a photo of a room, a ceiling or a cabinet to get a ballpark figure on the costs,” Kass said, “and I can offer finishes at all price points. If a client looks through my portfolio and sees a finish they’d love for their mantel or built-in bookcases but it costs more money than they want to spend, I’ll ask them to identify what element of the more expensive finish appeals to them and then I’ll work hard to offer them a modified, equally beautiful version of that finish without the huge price.  Another option would be to put the more expensive finish on the mantel, for example, and then do something simpler on the bookcases.”

Kass and DOTI at John’s Creek designer Suzanne recently worked together on a kitchen redesign.  Suzanne was familiar with Kass’s work, and had talked with her client in the early planning meetings about working with Kass to find a way to add excitement to the old kitchen cabinets without incurring the cost of replacing them. The cabinets were in good shape and the client was happy with the layout. Together, Suzanne and Kass came up with a design solution that worked within the client’s budget, using a teal finish on the upper cabinets and leaving the lower cabinets the original wood.

“Clients are always amazed.  I open their eyes to possibilities they had never even dreamed of.”  To view some of the work Kass has done in kitchens, visit her blog at http://www.kasswilson.com/blog/walls/wake-up-call-kitchen-design-details .

See you next week!

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Veronique

Hello everyone!  I had a wonderful time last week hanging out with Alan and the designers at Designs of the Interior (DOTI) in John’s Creek.  As always, it was great fun to sleuth the store, and gather some incredible material for future blogs.  Some of my favorite pieces were still there!  I can’t believe someone hasn’t bought that fabulous red and cream patterned Woodmark sofa.  Wow, would that sofa punch up the color in a family room!  And it’s comfy too, besides being very reasonably priced.  I need another house so I can find a place to put it and have one of the designers design a room around it.

In the “What’s Happening at DOTI” category, Alan has added a second new designer to his staff (remember Nathan joined the team a couple of months ago).  Her name is Veronique and she hails from southern California.  I am constantly impressed by the breadth of experience and talent of the DOTI at John’s Creek staff–Veronique is no exception, she has over 28 years of experience designing interiors. 

Veronique loves to blend colors, patterns and styles.  Be careful about using the word “matching” around her, because she’ll gently correct you with the word “complement”.  More about that in later blogs when I share with you some of our conversations.  So, if you’re wondering how you’re going to seamlessly blend great Aunt Mary’s French provincial sofa into the design of your living room and create a beautiful, unique and expressly “you” interior, stop by and talk with Veronique.  

In fact, whenever you’re in the John’s Creek area, stop by and say hello to Veronique, Nathan, and the rest of the staff.  Bring them your design problems.  Remember that their inventory is much larger than their store, but it’s their ability to envision incredible and beautiful solutions that really makes your visit worthwhile.  I still have a painting in my mind of the British Colonial style dining room that Veronique created for me when I asked her about one of her favorite pieces in the store.  I’ll tell you more about that in a later blog.

Talk with you then.

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Design Sleuth-Downsizing with style

For many, downsizing a home can be an exhilarating experience.  It often means lowered expenses, reduced maintenance, more discretionary income and more free time.  It also means smaller living spaces.  Instead of searching for large furniture to fill and decorate large rooms, you find yourself trying to figure out creative ways to maximize small areas without sacrificing style.

To use your reduced space most efficiently, designer Nathan suggests purchasing sofas and chairs that are armless.   According to Nathan, “Armless furnishings create a more streamlined look in small spaces.  They also weigh less than more traditional furnishings and make it easier to redecorate and change the look of your rooms when you want to try something different.  Slipper chairs, for example, can easily be moved from room-to- room adding extra seating where and when you need it.”

Nathan also recommends buying furniture that can serve a dual purpose, such as ottomans that double as footrests, chairs, TV trays, or a flat surface area for a game of cards.  The Hekman plasma lift mentioned in an earlier blog is another piece of furniture that serves two functions.  When the television set is not in use it disappears, and the room instantly becomes more spacious and less cluttered. 

“Instead of end tables,” Nathan says, “consider buying nesting tables or lamps with built-in tables.  And, in order to make your furnishings most portable, use a matching color palette from room-to- room.  This way everything matches no matter where it’s placed.”

Talk with you next week! 

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Design Sleuth-Family Rooms

Family rooms are usually one of the more popular rooms in most people’s homes.  For those without separate home theatre or game rooms, it is often where you’d put the television set, the gaming equipment, and in some cases, the family computer or home office.  In many families, both kids and adults entertain their friends in the family room.  I know at our house, we’ve always tried to make the family room appealing to our kids (often to the detriment of its style!) because we wanted it to be a comfortable place for them to hang out with their friends—and it sure beats having them spend all of their free time in their bedrooms.

According to designer Nathan, there is no reason for families to sacrifice style in their family rooms, even when they have kids and/or pets.  The key, he says, is to focus first on where the kids and the pets are going to be in the room, and then buy comfortable, dual-purpose furniture.  According to Nathan, family rooms are often one of the rooms that can really benefit from de-cluttering.  “Because the room serves so many different purposes for different family members, it’s easy for this room in particular to end up with too many furnishings.”  For that reason, he believes that it is important to keep the family room furniture classic, durable, and simple.  He suggests buying furniture with tough fabrics, such as polyester and blends, and keeping the colors neutral.  Instead of using occasional tables consider using cocktail ottomans that will double as extra seating for parties, a place for snacks, or an additional work surface when needed.

Nathan recommends replacing any loveseats with two or three chairs.  “In a casual setting, love seats are often only used by one person at a time, so it’s more practical to replace them with separate chairs.  And when you have chairs, it also makes it much easier to re-decorate and move them around when you’re ready for a new look.”  Sofa and chair pillows should also be purchased with a dual-purpose in mind. “If you know your kids will be spending a lot of time on the floor,” Nathan says, “it’s a good idea to buy sofa and chair pillows that can be tossed on the floor and sat upon or used as armrests.”

Next Tuesday I’ll be sharing some tips with you on how to furnish a smaller home.  Nathan has some great ideas.  Talk with you then!

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Design Sleuth-Whimsy

Adding whimsy to your home decor can be as simple and inexpensive as sticking planets and stars on the ceiling in your child’s room or buying a cool accessory, to something more expensive such as purchasing a funky piece of furniture or hiring an artist to paint wall art.  If you’re in the mood for fun, DOTI at John’s Creek is a great place to go.  Besides having lots of fun pillows—mentioned in a previous blog—they also have some wonderful fun furniture and neat accessories. Lucky for you, there is often at least one designer or more in the store, so if you see something you like but you’re not sure how to use it or where to put it in your own home, there’s usually someone around who would be happy to provide creative assistance and help you think outside the box.

For example when I was in the store recently, Alan, the owner, pointed out some beautiful hand-painted chairs. They were gorgeous with bright colors and strong designs.  Looking at them, I was able to imagine a couple of ways to use them to liven up a home interior, but thought I would still ask Alan for his input.  Immediately, he began to rattle off at least ten design possibilities, and probably would’ve listed another ten if I had given him a few minutes to think about it!   So, if you see something in the store you really love but you’re not sure what you’d do with it or where to put it, don’t hesitate to ask Alan or one of the designers for suggestions.  I’m sure they’ll be able to give you lots of great ideas.

Designer Nathan enjoys using animal prints and patterns to add fun and drama to a home interior.  “I’m working with a client now who has modern tastes in decor and furnishings but just moved into a more traditionally styled home.   Rather than replacing all of their existing furniture, we’re working together to find ways to blend the two styles together.”  One way he is doing that is through the use of rugs.  “One of the suggestions I have for a rug under the dining room table is a bold zebra print,” he said.  “It’s fun and contemporary, but can also work well for a more traditional home.”

In later blogs we’ll talk more about adding whimsy to your home.  I’m planning to interview some of the local artists that DOTI at John’s Creek works with to create fun and magical environments for its clients. This Thursday, Nathan shares some of the things you need to think about when you’re designing a family room around kids and pets.  See you then!

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Now that’s a home office!

Elizabeth just completed a home office project and came back with some cool pics.  The client is really excited how it came out and so are we.  I don’t have all the photos and they are a little dark, but you’ll get the idea.  My guess is the client is going to have a hard time getting his guests to leave once they settle into these chairs!  The table is a Chinese drum that makes a great sound when you thump on it!

Design Sleuth-Home office furniture

“People spend more money on upgrades on a car than they do on home office furnishings,” Alan, the owner of DOTI at John’s Creek said when I mentioned home offices.  “It seems kind of strange when you compare the time that the average person spends driving a car every day versus the amount of time he or she spends working in their home office.”  I laughed out loud when he said that – ain’t that the truth!  Those  who have dedicated home office spaces often wish the spaces were more comfortable, functional, or stylish.  Those without a separate room for their home office often carve a workspace out of another room and then make excuses for the messiness.

“One of the most common mistakes that people make,” Alan said, “is that they buy office furniture based on price without seriously considering utility, comfort, and style.  People make do with something less than ideal even when they don’t have to.  A good designer can work with a client to find pieces that really work for them.”

According to Alan, a second mistake that people make is purchasing furniture that doesn’t fit the scale of the room.  People will buy a desk or a chair and once it’s installed they discover that the piece is either too big or too small for the space, or that it doesn’t marry well with the other pieces in the room.  “Mix and match is great, but if the pieces don’t work well together and make it easy for you to do your job, you’re going to feel uncomfortable spending time in the space.  That’s when you have people roaming the house with a laptop looking for a better place to perch.”

Not surprisingly, Alan said, a designer would prefer to be consulted before you design your home office, but a good designer would also be happy to design around your existing furnishings. 

According to Alan, Hekman http://www.hekman.com/ is a good company to check out for home office furniture with selections in a variety of price ranges.   Nathan mentioned Stanley http://www.stanleyfurniture.com/ as another option, especially for youth furnishings.
 
On Tuesday I’ll share some great ideas about how you can add a little whimsey and fun to your home decor.  Until then!

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Design Sleuth-more $1,000 budget ideas

When a client approaches designer Nathan with a budget of $1000 or less and desires to update his or her kitchen, Nathan usually starts with paint.  “I’d probably go with a shade of green,” he says.  “It’s a popular color and always looks fresh and matches everything so you wouldn’t have to change your basic furnishings.”  For a clean contemporary look he suggested using a green with some yellow, almost a lime green.  While moss green would be a better color for a kitchen with more traditional decor.  For the ceiling, he’d use antique white, or white with a little color added, and then would paint the trim a shade or so darker.  Check out the 2009 yellow-greens here: http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro/paint_colors/paint_color_trends/2009/yellow-green-family/index.jsp.

Next, Nathan would look at accessories.  Those of you that have display space above your kitchen cabinets might  want to consider purchasing some new display items.  Nathan likes blown glass ornaments in various shapes and sizes and silk florals such as orchids to add pizzazz to a modern interior.  For a more traditional look, he’d go with Italian vases, silk magnolias, and lots of ceramics and pottery.  Sometimes, he said, just buying a new light fixture or replacing the shade of an existing fixture can make a big difference.

Another simple but more expensive change, would be to replace your under-counter bar stools.  Should you decide to go that route, DOTI at John’s Creek has a nice selection.  If that is more money than you want to spend, consider re-covering your current stools with a durable, stain-resistant fabric as an easy do-it-yourself project.  Adding rugs and floor mats in today’s new colors is another low-cost way to make a room more exciting. 

On Thursday, I’ll talk with you about some common mistakes people make with their home offices.  After talking with Nathan and Alan, I know I’m guilty.  In today’s world, even those who don’t work at home need a place to set up at least one computer!  Talk with you then.
    
Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth

Design Sleuth-freshen your home on a budget

With spring right around the corner—in Georgia the spring daffodils are blooming!—it seemed like a wonderful time to talk with the designers at DOTI John’s Creek about easy ways to update or freshen your home interior for $1000 or less.

Alan, the owner, said that de-cluttering is a simple way to freshen a space.  “In many homes we find that most of the rooms contain way too much stuff.”  Once a room has been de-cluttered, re-arranging the existing furniture often results in a whole new look.  He also suggested adding greenery.  “High quality greenery used effectively makes a big difference.  Many people put greenery and florals in the wrong places, or consider price before design.  When you look at professionally decorated rooms in homes or magazines, more often than not they contain more greenery than what is used by the average homeowner.”  Because of their collective purchasing power, DOTI at John’s Creek is able to offer a variety of high quality greenery and florals at competitive prices.  When I was there, they had some beautiful silk orchids as well as some big dramatic floral arrangements that would make a grand statement in large rooms.

“Replacing pillows is another easy way to update or change the look of a room,” Alan said.  He suggested using “fun” pillows with polka dots, stripes, or with a bold color or pattern to punch up the “wow” factor in living spaces.  Pillows with textured fabrics, such as furred animal prints or smooth satins and silks, can also be used to update a room.

DOTI at Johns Creek has “fun” pillows displayed throughout their store.  Be careful though, because the pillows look great with their sofas, you might be tempted to take the sofa too and exceed your $1000-or-less budget!

Next week, designer Nathan shares his ideas for updating your kitchen for $1000 or less.  I’ll talk with you then.

Deborah
A.k.a. Design Sleuth