Accessories Shopping

Lately, I have done some accessories shopping for clients as well as myself (blogged dining room project).  It can be a challenge to find just the right items to complete a room's design and add some of your own personality.  Rules I try to follow are; if you have many accessories in a room they should look like you have collected them over time, and a more modern or contemporary room may only have a few accessories and each single item should add significant impact.

Shopping this trip has taken me to Wellesley, Newton and Natick.  One client was looking for kitchen and family room accessories.  We had luck finding a large cutting board and cheese dome to sit on her large island at Pottery Barn.  We also found, at Pottery Barn, some great glass candle holders with moss for her family room coffee table.  The pillar candles are wrapped in birch bark which add an organic element to the room.  This is a large space with a vaulted ceiling and required a substantial grouping of items.  Some other places we visited were Crate and Barrel and Bloomingdales.  No purchases at either, but they have some great items.  I was surprised that the prices at both are fairly reasonable.

Decorative cutting board on kitchen island

Grouping of birch bark wrapped candles and moss in
 large hurricane holder 

 Artwork is another way to add layers and presonnality to a room.  Oil paintings and orignal art can be expensive, but add a tremendous amount of uniqueness and interest to a room.  Paintings help to fill in the open spaces of large walls.  They add height and color and keep your eyes moving around the room.  Below is a painting we selected from the Renjeau Gallery www.renjeau.com in Natick.

Oil painting above fireplace mantel

Once you have your most important accessories in place, you can find additional items at discount stores.  It takes a little extra time to poke around and uncover the choice items, but you can save some money.   Accessorizing can be hard work, but it is worth the effort.  A room will not look complete until those last few items are in place.  Good luck accessorizing the next room in your home.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Window treatments (7)

The window treatments have been added to my newly redesigned dining room.  I chose to do long drapes hung just below the crown moulding.  Hanging the drapes close the the ceiling helps to create height and draw your eye to the ceiling.  This is important, since the ceiling is painted a unique yellow color and I want to bring attention to it.  The bone colored velvet fabric is a nice contrast to the chocolate brown walls and helps to lighten up the room.  The raspberry trim is a fun color and adds a little detail.  The decorative wood rods have an intricately designed finials and rings.  This design works well with the solid fabric drapes.

The velvet window treatments are interlined which gives them incredible weight and helps them to look full and luxurious.

The long drapes make a grand statement in this chocolate colored dining room.

The drapes go almost to the ceiling and bring your eye up to see the yellow paint color.

Close up of the burnished gold rods

The drapes grazing the floor.

The room is really coming together.  All that it needs now are some colorful accessories.  Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. 

Redecorating Dining Room - Paint and more (6)

The dining room project is once again moving along.  When the rain came, so did the painter for some interior work.  He called me on Tuesday last week and was there on Thursday to start the job.  Since I had already selected the colors for the room and ordered the wallpaper, he could come even on such short notice.  The work to replace the baseboard moulding, wallpaper and paint was completed in two days.  They accomplished everything I requested.  There were only 2 small changes to the original estimate, which the painter confirmed with me prior to starting.

A view of the overall look of the walls

The picture above shows the rich brown paint on the upper portion of the walls which is balanced with the bold striped wallpaper below the chair rail.  The 2 3/4" baseboard moulding has been replaced with 7 3/4" moulding (the same height as the heat registers) and all the trim has been painted with a fresh coat of white paint.  I decided to paint the ceiling a golden yellow color (pictured below).  I thought the color on the ceiling would give the room a more contemporary feeling and it was an opportunity for me to introduce the yellow color from my design inspiration photos into the room.

Below are a few more detailed pictures of the walls and ceiling.

The 7 3/4" baseboard adds a strong architectural detail

The baseboard heat has also been painted white to blend
with the baseboard moulding

The yellow painted ceiling is unexpected and helps to
accentuate the crown moulding

The dining room redesign is almost complete.  The window treatments are the next step in my project plan.  I am in the process of making the drapes and I have ordered the decorative drapery rods.  

Please write me any comments or questions you may have about this redesign project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com. 

Redecorating Dining Room - Upholstry (5)

I am back from summer vacation and ready to complete my dining room redesign.  Plans for the dining room remain in place and I have made only a few minor alterations.  I have experienced a couple of delays, but nothing serious.  One of the chair fabrics was on back order for a few weeks, but has since been delivered.  Also, the painter I have hired has been doing a lot of outside work and asked if he could do the painting in a few weeks.  Since I am not in a rush for this project I agreed to the extended delay.

My dining table chairs and large upholstered chair went out to the upholsterer the first week in August.  All seven chairs returned a week later finished.  They look great.  The seat cushions were done with a self welt around the bottom of the cushion and the fabric is tightly stretched without any puckering.  The unique shape of the arm chair really shows off the print fabric and the multiple colors  bring everything in the room together.  I will make a pillow for the large chair as an accent as well. 

Hint:  the chairs were upholstered so quickly, because summer is usually a slower time for the upholsterer.  As we approach the fall they will get busier, so if you have a piece to be reupholstered before the holidays get it there soon.

Reupholstering is a wonderful way to update an existing piece of furniture and make it work with your new interior design.  Below I have included a few pictures of the reupholstered chairs.

Large upholstered chair

The large scale pattern and bold colors add
interest to the room's overall design

Dining table chair

The traditional chair has a little more of a pop with this fun dot fabric

The cushion welt adds an additional layer of detail and finishes the
edge of the chair cushion

Things are really starting to come together.  Please share any comments with me and I will write again about the next stage of design the project.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Hiring Trades People (4)

The next step in the design process is to hire the trades people for the project.  As I mentioned in my previous blog, I need to hire an upholsterer, painter, finish wood worker and possibly an electrician.  I am making the window treatments, so I will not need to hire a window treatment service.  Hiring trade professionals can be an overwhelming task, because you need to trust that they can do the work needed for your design project.

I'm sure you have heard it before, but a great way to hire someone is through word of mouth.  You have the opportunity to look at their previous work and get the real scoop from someone who has already worked with that trades person.  Don't worry, if you need to hire unrecommended trades people, just make sure you get a few different estimates and check their references. Quality of work is important, but so is showing up on time, cleanliness, accurate cost estimates, time needed to complete the work and trustworthiness.    The other important factor is to communicate your expectations clearly.  The trades person needs to know specifically what you want and your time constraints.  The more details you provide about the project and the more questions you ask, leaves less of a chance for problems due to miscommunication. 

I have hired the upholsterer and as soon as all of my fabrics have been delivered I will have him pick up the chairs.  The painter I contacted is willing to do the small amount of finish carpentry.  This will eliminate the extra work for me of trying to find a finish carpenter to do such a small job.  I am still on the fence about adding additional lighting at this point in time.  I will let you know what I decide.


Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Select Finishes (3)

This is my third blog about redesigning my dining room.  I initially identified the Wynn Hotel lobby as the inspiration for my room.  Next I made a plan of all the tasks I need to accomplish prior to starting work or making purchases for this redecorating project.  I have determined the scope, budget and date I would like to have the room completed.  Now I am able to do more of the fun and creative parts of decorating, selecting the finishes to be used in the room.

 The walls will be painted and wallpapered in a dark brown tone, similar to some of the Wynn lobby walls.  Since the furniture in the room is also dark I have selected a striped wallpaper with a lighter brown color as well.  The wallpaper will be hung below the chair rail and paint above it.  All the moulding in the room will remain white.  This will help to keep the room from getting too dark.  The fabric choices will also need to be light in color to keep the room lively and inviting.

Wallpaper to be used below chair rail

Four fabrics have been chosen for the room.  The window treatments will be made from a bone colored velvet and rasberry/green tassel trim .  The dining chair seats will use a raised velvet rasberry colored dot pattern along with a green fabric used for piping around the edge.  Finally, the upholstered chair in the corner will use an intricate and colorful floral fabric.  The floral fabric helps to tie all the other fabrics together.  Usually, I will find the fabric with the large print and multiple colors first and select the solid, stripe and/or small patterned fabrics after, but this time the floral was the last fabric selected.

Overview of fabrics and wall coverings

Dining chair seat fabric

Dining chair welt around edge of seat

Upholstered chair fabric

Drapery trim

Now that I have made all of my selections I need to verify everything is available.  Once this is accomplished I will order the fabrics, trim and wallpaper.  I will also start the process of hiring the trades people.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Planning (2)

The planning portion of any design project is the most important.  Start by identifying the scope of the project and your budget.  These two steps are critical whether you use an interior designer or do the project yourself.  The scope of my design project includes painting and papering the walls, replacing the window treatments and reupholstering the chairs.  Things I also am considering to replace are the base moulding and adding recessed lighting.  My budget is $4,000.

Below I have outlined my project plan.  These are all the things I want to have accomplished before I have any tradespeople come to my home or order anything.  Remember this is a design plan and may change as the project evolves.

Project Plan for Dining Room

1. Identify scope and budget - above
2. Identify date needed - If you want a project completed prior to a special event try to start it early, 2 to 3 months prior.  Design projects always seem to incur delays.  Lately, many fabrics are not carried in stock and the waiting time to get them can be 8 weeks.  I would like to have my project completed over the summer.  I am in no rush, but want to set a deadline for myself.
3. Select finishes - I like to have most or all new finishes and fabrics selected prior to purchasing anything.  This allows me to coordinate and see how everything works together.  Also, if a finish is no longer available you have the opportunity to change several of your choices if needed.  For example, if the paint color is based on the fabric that is now out of stock, you can get a new fabric and adjust the paint color to match.  Your choices can't always occur in advance for large projects, but for my dining room project I believe it is the best approach.
4. Hire trades people for each job - I will need to hire a carpenter/painter, electrician (if needed) and an upholsterer.  I am hoping the same person can do the painting, wallpapering and moulding replacement, since it is a smaller job.  I will use the same upholsterer and electrician I have used in the past.  As a designer, I have contact with trades people that I trust and have seen their work.  Make sure you hire reliable people with references.  I will make the window treatments myself, but have factored their cost into the estimated budget. 
5. Timeline for project task completion - Most design projects need tasks to occur in some type of order, because they are contingent on the prior task.  The painter/carpenter need to come first, then I can install the window treatments.  The upholstery can be done any time (no contingency).  If I decide to add recessed lighting, the electrician will need to come first.  They will make the biggest mess and the painter can repair any damage.
6. Execute the plan - Purchase fabrics, paint, wallpaper.  Have your room ready for the trades people to do their work.  Communicate with tradespeople what you want.  It's hard to fix something that is already completed.

 I am starting to get a good sense of where my interior design project is going.  I now have my inspiration, my project scope and the design plan in place to get started.  My next step is to start moving on the to do's created in my design plan.  I look forward to sharing my fabric, paint and wallpapber choices.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Redecorating Dining Room - Inspiration (1)

I am going to give my dining room a little bit of a face lift and wanted to give you some insight about the process from beginning to end.  The plan is to give the dining space a bold new look without replacing everything in the room.  The big ticket items such as the dining room set and oriental are staying put.  I will work with these pieces, because I like them and they have classic designs.  I will accomplish this new look by changing the walls, the fabrics, drapery hardware and a few different accessories.

I have not done anything to the dining room in over ten years and it is due for a change.  The draperies have faded, the curtain rods are dated and so are the fabrics.  The positives about the room are the hardwood floors, the detailed crown moulding and the 8' ceiling height.  The space is good size for a dining room 13.5' x 14.5', so there is plenty of room for the large scale furniture. 

My first step is to find an inspiration for the room.  This could be anything from a piece of artwork you want to build the room around or a room you saw and want to recreate it in your home.  I was inspired by the lobby of the Winn Hotel in Las Vegas for my dining room.  The lobby has a sophisticated harlequin theme with dark walls, luxurious fabrics and playful colorful accents sprinkled around.  I want to incorporate some of the same rich fabrics, dark walls and colorful accents they used, but tailor it for my home.  Included are a few pictures of the Wynn Hotel lobby.

Now that I have my inspiration I can pull together a plan for the redesign of my dining room.  I will go over planning in my next blog.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

California Closets - My experience

Recently, I attended a charity auction and bid on (and won) a $500 gift certificate for California Closets.  I wanted to learn more about their closet systems and the company.  The closets always look so organized and perfect in the brochures, but I wanted to know if it was really worth it. 

Below are a couple of pictures of what the closet looks like now.  The wire rack system works and makes pretty good use of the closet space compared to a single wood pole.  I don't like the wire shelves.  Items don't seem to sit well on them, especially shoes.  Clothing is hung up in 12" section, so you can't slide you clothes to see what you want to pull out.  Many items need to be stacked on top of each other which makes it difficult to get at them.

A week after the auction I called the California Closets sales person about my closet project.  I explained, the need to redo my daughter's closet to accommodate her hanging clothing, shoes, her fathers off season shirts and piles of stuff on the closet floor.  I met with Nancy a few days later to discuss my options.   She put together a computer drawing for me to see during our meeting.  She easily made adjustments to shelf  heights and widths.  When she left I had the closet layout and the price.

Once I confirmed the closet layout I scheduled an installation a week later.  Prior to the installer arriving I had to empty the closet and take down the wire rack system.  Removing the racks and screws from the wall only took me about 1 hour.  I have yet to Spackle the holes left, so I still have to do a little more work.  They would have done it for me for an additional cost.  California Closets called to confirm the appointment the previous day.  The installer arrived on time and completed installing the closet system in a little more than an hour (I thought it was very quick).  The closet system seems very sturdy, strong and used every inch of space.

My overall assessment of Tori's new closet is positive.  I really like the solid lament shelves.  It allows more items to be up off the floor and at eye level.  Most of the hanging clothing is easily accessible on aluminum poles.  The upper right bar for clothing is a challenge to reach, but this area is great for items you don't need to get to everyday.  The new closet system does not allow us to put more stuff in the closet (same amount went back in), but the items there are more organized and can be accessed more easily.  This is a pricey investment.  It cost $1,030 to do the entire closet, including installation.  After saying that, I received excellent customer service and the closet is guaranteed for life.  They made it so easy from my initial call until installation.  If you want that extra attention, convenience and quality then this could be a good option for you.

Closet is filled and every shelf is used

Not as perfect as the brochure, but
everything fits and I can close the doors

http://www.californiaclosets.com/

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Add some Spring indoors

Spring is here...sort of.  I know it isn't that warm out, but we are all itching to do a little something with our homes to spruce them up from the long cold winter.  Outside you can see the plants sprouting and the trees budding.  There are lots of ways you can bring this new growth into your homes and make it feel refreshed.

 One option is to bring budding branches into your home.  Branches have a much different look than a vase of flowers and they will usually last longer. Branches have a variety of shapes.  They can be long and straight or others are crooked with lots of little branches attached.  Long branches can be arranged in floor vases to make a dramatic impact in your foyer. Or a large arrangement can be placed on a dining room table to add a more organic look. These branches work well in any home, but they are especially suited for contemporary and transitional interior designs that are currently so popular.

Branches are available to everyone.  Your local florist can provide them or you can cut them yourself.  For example, Forsythia is a bush or hedge and is native to New England.  Most of the year it is green, but in the spring it produces thousands of small yellow flowers.  They grow very quickly, so there is no worry of cutting off to many branches.  When I was a kid, every spring my mother would bring in large bunches of Forsythia, Pussy Willows, apple blossoms and some times Dogwood branches throughout the season.  She would cut them prior to the buds opening, put them in water and wait.  Once the branches were warm inside the house, the buds would start to bloom.  She called it forcing the blooms.  The florist has access to more specific looks that may not be available in your yard.  

  

The wall sconces pictured are a great option if you want to change their look every few months.

Natural elements are easy ways to enhance the look of your home.  I don't have much of a green thumb, so these types of arrangements are right up my alley. 

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Consignment Shopping follow-up

I got some terrific feedback regarding my blog on consignment shopping.  People really like getting unique quality furnishing for their home without going over their budget.  Several friends have mentioned that they have found things recently or in the past, at consignment shops. 

Consignment shopping does require some patience.  You will need to review online websites with pictures or stop by the shop periodically to find what you are looking for.  Some enjoy the hunt for that perfect item.  It is not for everyone, but it allows many of us to keep things fresh and interesting.

I have taken additional clients to consignment shops to search for unique things that we just couldn't find at Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel or other home furnishing stores.  Many times a newly decorated interior can look too perfect if the client doesn't have aged items of their own.  Used accessories add a little personality and depth to the space.  I find when I go to the Boston Design Center many of the shops sell antiques or used items as well.  Designers look at the shape and scale of an item.  They can update it with paint and/or fabric for today's use.  It's all about blocking out the ugly and finding the perfect item.  Just because it isn't an antique doesn't mean it won't look great in your home. 

A few popular consignment shops in Southeastern, MA are listed below.

Go Simple (within Floral Scents Florist)
515 Washington Street
Canton, MA
 (781) 821-5500 ‎
http://www.gosimple.info/

Boston Consignment
238 Needham Street
Needham, MA
(781) 449-0900
http://www.bostonconsigns.com/

Furniture Consignment Gallery
756 Washington Street
Hanover, MA
(781) 826-5114
http://furnitureconsignment.com/

Remember consignment shops are a great option if you want sell quality furniture or accessories.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.

Shag carpeting is back

Shag carpeting is back and of course with a new twist.  It's not the same shag I grew up with in the 70's, with all the bright colors and long strands.  Today's shags have lots of lush texture, a thicker pile and the strands are a little shorter.  The colors are more neutral and multi-colored for today's homes.  I was surprised to see how many options and price points that were available as well. 

Shag carpeting has a cut pile, the yarns are slightly twisted, with a much less twist than the frieze. The individual yarn strands are longer and spaced further apart.  The shag gives a "grass type look" because the strands lay in a different directions.

A client of mine is redecorating her family room.  We are changing the paint color, selecting fabrics for window treatments and pillows, and purchasing a new carpet.  This large family room has beautiful oak hardwood  floors, but we wanted to create a fun casual and comfortable feeling.  The shag rug is a great solution.  We plan to treat the shag carpet as an area rug.  It will be cut to size and bound around the edges.  The thick plush shag will stand out against the hardwood creating tremendous impact for the room.  I really like using the shag carpet as an area rug.  It keeps the rug from overwhelming the room and it keeps things looking fresh.

A few tidbits I learned at the carpet store;  Shag carpeting is easily seamed without needing to match a pattern.  This allows for very little waste and a cost savings to the consumer.  The seams are undectible creating an even more beautiful rug.

Please send along any comments I would like to hear from you.

Dotty Wyman is the principal designer at www.dottywymandesigns.com.