Vol. 1 Issue 4October 12, 2009
Photography By:
Laura Negri Photography
Making a Place UNFORGETTABLE
By: Laura Green Thome
We all have memories etched in our mind from life’s special moments. The impact of “the places” where our memories occurred is not often forgotten—the dusky dining room at the old hotel where you enjoyed dinner and then toasted an engagement or the way the room welcomed you at your post graduate celebration or the sparkling reception hall at your daughters wedding. The ambiance never left you and that place helped to create the memory and further instill it in your mind’s eye.
At home, it is possible to create a lasting impression whatever your budget may or may not be these days. For instance, if you have a small but engaging home with a central entry—dining room to the left & living room to the right, consider these Style Secrets:
Add some drama to the dining room by painting the walls, including the trim and millwork in a flat charcoal gray (try Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe) Highlight the crown molding and ceiling (in Farrow & Ball’s Bone high gloss lacquer). For lighting, pair a unique chandelier found at a local antique shop with sconces. Add an old mirror to increase the reflection and depth of the space. By placing the mirror across the room from windows, you can increase the natural light during the daytime and increase illusion at dusk.
Now for furnishings, go ahead and reuse that furniture you have had for ages. Just paint it or strip it to give it a new look. If you absolutely can not stand it any longer have a full length dressmaker’s skirt made for the table. For a simple tailored look, choose a linen fabric and finish the skirt with a box pleated edge along the hemline.
In the living room keep it light and pair the muslin walls (in Farrow and Ball’s Bone with a flat finish) with a few latte or espresso colored upholstered pieces. Pair this neutral backdrop with a few dramatic 24” pillows on the sofa and a brightly colored throw in Hermes Orange one of my favorite colors for the upcoming season. Remember your art fills in the gaps that are otherwise lost in translation—making a simple space elegant.
Always--Always use fresh flowers in one large bunch of color to add a bold and simple punch to the space. Something fresh enlivens your space as well as adding to the overall attitude. Try Gerber Daisies for a retro throwback and chic look or a large bunch of hydrangeas for a classic southern style.
So go ahead and plan for that dinner party making memories and defining your personal sense of style. Your guests will leave with a lasting impression of your finesse as a hostess and the memories will continue to live on…
A few of my favorite places to shop for the upcoming season are:
Cest Moi East Cobb
Now & Again Buckhead
Sandy Springs Antiques & Interiors
Add some drama to the dining room by painting the walls, including the trim and millwork in a flat charcoal gray (try Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe) Highlight the crown molding and ceiling (in Farrow & Ball’s Bone high gloss lacquer). For lighting, pair a unique chandelier found at a local antique shop with sconces. Add an old mirror to increase the reflection and depth of the space. By placing the mirror across the room from windows, you can increase the natural light during the daytime and increase illusion at dusk.
Now for furnishings, go ahead and reuse that furniture you have had for ages. Just paint it or strip it to give it a new look. If you absolutely can not stand it any longer have a full length dressmaker’s skirt made for the table. For a simple tailored look, choose a linen fabric and finish the skirt with a box pleated edge along the hemline.
In the living room keep it light and pair the muslin walls (in Farrow and Ball’s Bone with a flat finish) with a few latte or espresso colored upholstered pieces. Pair this neutral backdrop with a few dramatic 24” pillows on the sofa and a brightly colored throw in Hermes Orange one of my favorite colors for the upcoming season. Remember your art fills in the gaps that are otherwise lost in translation—making a simple space elegant.
Always--Always use fresh flowers in one large bunch of color to add a bold and simple punch to the space. Something fresh enlivens your space as well as adding to the overall attitude. Try Gerber Daisies for a retro throwback and chic look or a large bunch of hydrangeas for a classic southern style.
So go ahead and plan for that dinner party making memories and defining your personal sense of style. Your guests will leave with a lasting impression of your finesse as a hostess and the memories will continue to live on…
A few of my favorite places to shop for the upcoming season are:
Cest Moi East Cobb
Now & Again Buckhead
Sandy Springs Antiques & Interiors
Laura Green Thome, is the founder of L. Green Studios, LLC a Full and Limited Services Interior Design Studio located in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. Current studio work includes projects throughout the Southeast including Atlanta, Athens, Birmingham and Houston. Laura brings a palette of classic style elements together emphasizing simple sophistication. She works closely with clients to pull together a well positioned home poignantly capturing their personality.
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