A work of love

She and I moved boxes and rearranged furniture to fit into nice easy conversation groupings. (compelling guests to come in and sit down, very important) Many of the extra furniture pieces were removed to the garage for donation. I had to decide on a color scheme right away. My bride had stitched together a patchwork quilt- like wall hanging she had hung over the fireplace. The colors and patterns were unusual and unique: rusts, maroons, and deep golds. Rather avante garde looking. That  had to be the color scheme! She had hung it up in an important focal point place, too. Another clue! Designers need to notice things that  identify a clients uniqueness and express that in the decorating scheme.

The sofa and chaise were off white (thank goodness) . I could not plan the color scheme without first creating a great furniture placement. We selected silk fabric for pillows in solid rusts, maroons and golds. I reupholstered 2 open arm french chairs in a small, black on black,  shimmery, animal- looking,  contemporary print. There was a black baby grand piano with chinese chinoisere (paintings around the outside edge in gold asian figures) in the room also. We could not move that and had to work around it. It was beautiful! The dining room and living room were one, so we had to do something with the whitewashed wood chairs at the dining table. I found the perfect fabric (deep maroon and gold multi-stripe) for them and returned within 3 days to pick up the 6 chairs.

Now we had to plan the window treatments! 3 arch top windows and 1 large rectangle in the dining room. I designed the treatment with black iron holders to follow the arch of the window top that would hold the tabs on the top of the drapery. The panels were tied back with cord and tassle ties in maroon and gold. Fabric was off white. We needed an area rug. I shopped local rug dealers and carried several   to my clients (no time to waste)and we chose an asian looking one with off white background and several shades of  burgundy and maroon. I had brought a small one for the entry also. I worked on the bedroom and family room. We hung pictures, placed a chinese puppet collection in a glassed front gun cabinet in the entry hall, borrowed the antique fishing tackle box from “his’ loft area to raise the height of a stool to put a lamp on. A layered look!  We barely finished in 30 days! I twisted my workrooms arms to rush the window coverings. Also the upholsterer.

In 10 days the groom called me. He said” my wife keeps disappearing into the living room.”  I asked her what she was doing and she said “It is so beautiful here, I just want to sit here and enjoy it!”   (This is why I love this business! Decorating gives all of us, clients and me, such a thrill and a sense of fulfillment. I help people feel so pleased and happy on a daily basis. That is enough.    Joan from www.DazzlingInteriorDesign.com