Find your way...

January 28, 2012

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: Ava Living.com feature...

Today we are featured on the home page of Avaliving.com !


What a pleasant surprise. I just stopped by and our Creek Tree project was looking me right in the eye.

Be sure to check out our profile and become a fan of our work!


Ava Living - The World's First Stop for Interior Design

Have a great weekend :)
Heather

January 27, 2012

Upholstered Beds...

Well, time is flying and I've been a busy busy bee these last two weeks. Probably the longest I've ever gone without an update... so sorry to keep you waiting!

One of the things I really truly adore are upholstered headboards or entire beds wrapped in fabulous fabric of your choosing. Although you can cover your upholstered beds in any variety, color, or pattern your heart desires, I generally prefer to keep them solid and neutral so they stand the test of time.  Here are few of my daily faves...







Each room has a different feel to it but cozy is definitely on the list. You can go custom and create the shape of your dreams or order a ready made, customizable option such as the one's from I.O. Metro (Nina, Graham, or Mosely). They are available in 100's of fabrics and most importantly, affordable!
Let you're imagination run free...the possibilities are endless!
Happy Designing!
Heather
Photos from Decorpad

January 18, 2012

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: Animal print rooms...

 Wild animal prints are featured in the most sophisticated of interior designs...Cheetah, Leopard, Zebra, Giraffe, and Snakeskin .... just to name a few.

Often clients ask me if I thought they would get sick of an animal print piece because it's considered trendy. I do believe you can over do it. But by simply adding one or two animal print accents to your space, you can turn a room from drab to fab in an instant. I have to say what once was started as simply a fad is most definitely here to stay.

Welcome to the jungle...



I love these zebra print ottomans with a Greek style leg.

 


Zebra print wallpaper.


Super sophisticated yet understated zebra print drapes.

 


  This one I do think could be considered trendy, but is just awesome for a commercial space! It looks real.


Yum! Chic snakeskin wing back chair.


Zebra cow hide for an office space.


Leather on the inside, Giraffe print on the outside..love it!

 


Zebra print Louis chair & silver toned cheetah print pillows.


Contemporary cow chairs :)



See it? Very subtle zebra striping on walls.


Tiger tufted ottoman & zebra striped chair.

So..what do you think? Trendy or here for the long haul?

Happy Designing!
Heather

Photo 1 & 2 Decorpad
Photo 3 House Beautiful
Photo 4 trendir.com
Photo 5 snakeskinfabrics.com
Photo 6 hgtv.com
Photo 7 theenchantedhome.blogspot.com
Photo 8-11 Decor pad
Photo 12 House Beautiful

January 17, 2012

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: Wynfield Project...

I have a new client who is one of the nicest women I've ever met.  I'm working on a smaller upstairs living area that she's having some trouble getting together. She needs a bigger rug, a couple of chairs, an occasional table, and other items to fill in the blanks, without feeling cramped. She has an adjoining kitchen & dining area that we'll work on next but for now let's start with the living room before pictures:





 After talking with her about her needs and what she's been really wanting for this room I've come up with this inspiration board:

I'll be meeting with her again this week to discuss some options for her space. What do you think of my inspiration board? Love to hear your thoughts & comments!

Happy Designing!
Heather

January 16, 2012

Atlanta's AmericasMart Part 2...

So I'm back to reality...it was a busy, fun, yet tiring two days at the Mart. I found some great things for my client! We've been endlessly searching for rugs in a bright, colbalt-type rug and finally found a few that were gorgeous!

Isn't this color beautiful?

 
Adorable pillows from Classic Home.

 The second day was just for fun, but I did not have the luck I had hoped for in finding my dream sectional.

 Sort of blurry, but here I am in my favorite chair in the Fourhands showroom!

Aren't these amazing?


 My adorable good designer friend also at Fourhands.

I didn't take as many photos as I had hoped, but I at least picked up a million catelogs. Here are of the other things I loved, according to my IPhone :)

 I love that grouping hanging above the sectional!

Cute idea- bench sectional in bar height. Cozy :)

 Loving the industrial style pendants!

Blue velvet tuxedo chair with chrome nail heads.

 Solid wood pub table with tufted back bar stools.

  Rustic tear drop chandelier

 Canopy bed by Peninsula


All in all it was a successful trip & I'm a happy gal. Do you like what you see?

Have a great week!
Heather





January 12, 2012

Atlantas AmericasMart...

It's Market week at Atlanta's AmericasMart!!

For those of you who do not know, the Mart (as I call it), is a massive multi-building wholesale market open to the trade (designers, furniture showroom buyers, etc). It's open year round, but four times a year, they have a market/show where temporary vendors are set up. They also host seminars and events during show which make it very fun & a little bit of a mad house! I'll be going twice this week and cannot wait to share our great finds & experiences with you. I feel very lucky to be a designer in a city that has this resource.

On day one, my client & I will will be looking for lamps, accessories, and rugs  for several of her spaces. We have a huge to do list...but we can get it done! On day two, the next group will be looking for accents, artwork, and I am really hoping to find a dream sectional for my own home.

I have been looking into this for what seems like two years now. Although, I have a lot I'm about to do in my own space, I spend much much more time on my clients homes than my own abode. This year I really hope to set some time aside for me & my hubby's space...I think we deserve it.

Let's talk about how I really love the style of these Restoration Hardware sectionals:



Yum-o!

I really love the sleek, contemporary track arms with an overstuffed down cushion. Yes, please! I found a manufacturer that has RH type pieces & guess what? They will be at Market this week. Score! I'll keep you updated on my progress...more to come next week on our super-finds!

For more things I love, check out the Office Space and Homes and Inspiration pages.

Wish me luck,
Heather


January 11, 2012

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: Picture hanging arrangements...

One of the most commonly asked questions is how to arrange pictures, paintings, or family photos within a space. I found these guides on Pinterest and thought they were certainly helpful whether you're a DIYer or a professional designer and need some inspiration.

When I have several pieces to arrange I will usually cut out paper (to scale) that represent each piece and mess with them a bit before I commit to an arrangement. If I'm actually at a client's house & have pictures in-hand, I like to lay them on the floor or a table until I get it right.

annbeckphotography.com


photoshop-templates-for-photographers.com



brendaknightphotography.com
(many more arragements on her website)

I hope these help you with your arrangements & I'd love to hear or see photos of your own home photo arrangements.

For more home ideas and inspiration, click here.

Happy hump day!
Heather

January 10, 2012

Color of the month...

GREEN
As you know by now, my heart generally belongs to black when you're talking favorite colors. However, my favorite color-color is most definitely green. Check out these furniture & home ideas that are sure to leave you feeling green with envy!
 

Martha Stewart Collection


Green vanity with bamboo-esk framed mirror & fresh foliage!

Floor stenciling! See this post about where to find amazing stencils!

I love this bedside chest- absolutely adorable!

Green geometric wallpaper

I love the idea of painting interior doors green (or any color to go along with your color scheme).

Green makes me feel happy & connected to the Earth...hope that's not too hippy for you because... it's true :)

Happy Designing!
Heather

Photos 1 MarthaStewart.com
Photos 2-5 decorpad
Photo 6 adesignstory.com

January 9, 2012

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: Positive & Negative Colors...

"I deeply believe that a beautiful decor can have a beneficial influence on our lives." Albert Hadley 

Here's my directory of colors & the positive or negative energy of them. I sincerely believe that colors affect our moods dramatically...and since this is the year we are returning to color I figured a little cheat sheet might be of some use!


 Blue

Soothing & Calming. Powers of healing & relaxation. Since it is the color of the sea and sky, Feng Shui associates it with adventure and exploration. Navy blue is considered the color of intellect and wisdom.

Blue paint of the day:

Sherwin-Williams Blue Mosque

Black
Black symbolizes money, income, power, and emotional protection. Great for careers...think it's perfect for a home office?!

Black paint of the day:

Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black


Orange
The color or organization and strengthens organization. Feng Shui uses this color to show a sense a purpose.

Orange paint of the day:


Sherwin-Williams Marquis Orange

Purple
Important  color in Feng Shui, since it's at the end of the spectrum. Tends to be the color of physical & mental healing.

Purple paint of the day:
Sherwin-Williams Plummy
Yellow
Yellow represents sunbeams, warmth, motion, cheerfulness and friendliness. However, according to a noted 'Color Feng Shui' consultant, prolonged exposure to large amounts of intense yellow can cause anxiety. I have always been taught that yellow in a nursery can cause Colic and major anxiety. It's a little too intense for my taste... I would love to hear your thoughts.

Yellow paint of the day:

Sherwin-Williams June Day


Red
The Feng Shui energy of color red is the energy of arousal and always signifies richness and luxury.. It is hot, passionate, rich and celebratory. Chinese color of luck. If used too much, though, it can bring restlessness, bursts of anger and over stimulation. (Much like yellow).

I've heard theories of why most fast food chains use red and/or yellow in their marketing. (Think McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-a, Wendy's) One, because it makes you want to "hurry" and that red also makes you hungry. Hence "Fast-Food". Not sure how much truth there is to this but definitely goes along with what I've learned about these colors & what Feng Shui says...

Red paint of the day:
Sherwin-Williams Poinsettia
(This one is looking more pink on my screen than it actually is)

This week pay attention to the surrounding colors you live and work in daily, how to you think they affect your different moods or feelings? For more posts about Feng Shui click here.

Happy Designing!
Heather

Resources:
fengshui.about.com
Blue Room: decorologist.com
Black Room: ElleDecor
Orange Room: Decodingdecor.com
Purple Room: Leslie Fine Interiors
Yellow room: thedesignophile.com
Red room: idesignarch.com