ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER...The Hampton Dining Room Project...

We have been rolling right along here. With Halloween behind us, the holidays are fast approaching! This is by far the craziest time of year. I can't lie...I absolutely love it.

This dining room was definitely in need of a major re-vamp. This room became a catch-all for the pieces they were unsure of or had collected over the years. This definitely did not scream trendy, young family, as these clients most certainly are. They have great taste & we needed that to be reflected. We are still waiting on an awesome multi-colored ikat rug but I was too excited to wait! 

BEFORE

AFTER

We used Sherwin-Williams Naval on the walls and it frames that piece of art perfectly. I am so excited for them to host Thanksgiving in style!! Happy Turkey Day, Herren Family!

Happy Designing,

Heather

Heather Fulkerson Interiors

www.heatherfulkersoninteriors.com

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER... City Walk Staging Project...

I had quite the experience with a new client.  I got hooked up with their real estate team (thanks to my extremely supportive husband) and met them at their condo. When I arrived, I learned that the family was living in Europe and needed their home staged and completed for their arrival...in just over 3 weeks. Okay, nobody panic (I'm not panicking!) We had a lot to do in the short period of time. 

They needed an Interior Design/Project Manager to complete:

• Full color consultation. Every wall was going to be repainted.
• Remodel. The top loft was being enclosed to create a room, and we were putting in a window & door so it wasn't a dungeon.
• Ripping out built in custom cabinetry to transform an office into a custom build walk in closet for quests. All other closets already had these systems from the previous owner. 
• Full surround sound system indoor & out. We included TVs and cable ready to rock as they walked in the door.
• Basic furniture so they could move in immediately for two foyers, an office, nursery, guest room, loft, master bedroom, nursery and kitchen. We would add those special touches like art work and accessories later.
• Linens, towels, hand soap, dish washing detergent, high chairs, stocked nursery, etc.
• And I wasn't going to have much, if any, contact with the mysterious family.

Thank goodness I'm a Virgo.

I think some people forget how much preliminary work goes into this type of work. We don't just snap our fingers and things appear. I wish that was the case.  It can take at least 6 months for this type of project to be completed. We just didn't have that kind of time.  Measuring, paint samples, scheduling contractors, audio companies, closet companies, painters, Dish Network, cleaners, someone to install a washer/dryer, shopping trips, picking up samples, lunch. Okay I just threw that in there. 

All the furniture deliveries were CRAZY. Hundreds and hundreds of boxes and multiple companies and delivery men coming in and out by one elevator shaft. We pretty much lived in this house from sun up to...really late...for 3 weeks straight. The last couple of nights I looked at Tyler & the Realtor & said "Are we roommates?" 

I only had one minor meltdown. The AC went out during install while trying to hang art and mirrors in the loft. We were sweating so bad my eyes started to cross. 

Down to the very last second (literally steaming bedding & carrying in the last floor vase as they are coming up the elevator) it was the craziest yet most rewarding experience.  I barely got any photos of this place...I know, after all of that! 

The family walked in, kissed my cheeks, and I followed them around as they saw their new home. It turns out that they had not lived together in a year. The mom and baby was living in Arkansas waiting on daddy in Europe.  The baby was just over a year old,  so he had missed the entire first year of his life and they were so ready to have a home. They cried and squealed and were so happy with everything. It was amazing. I was trying to take in this moment and put down the camera.  Now I am known as "Auntie Heather" so it was worth the sacrifice.

I did get a few before & after's . Enjoy!

BEFORE

AFTER 

BEFORE

AFTER 

BEFORE

AFTER 

BEFORE

AFTER 

Thanks for letting me share this experience!

Happy Designing,

Heather

Guest Post! ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: Fern Pattern Inspiration...

I'm finally back from vacation and ready for some inspiration! This is Heather Elizabeth Design's first guest post.  Here is a writer from Arcadian Lighting on fern pattern inspiration. A little 'green' product for your Monday morning :) Enjoy!

Hi there! I’m Joanna, a guest writer for Arcadian Lighting, a premier online source for every style and finish of lighting fixtures. I create guest posts such as this one for lovely design blogs. I’m passionate about anything and everything interior design. I love collecting decorating ideas and images like the ones below. Today, I’m posting about fern patterns for the home. With eco-friendly interiors in mind, decorating with nature-based elements is easily accomplished. The following images should inspire some fern patterned décor ideas for you.  

   

Fern-patterned wallpaper creates a sense of drama and elegance in this petite powder room. 

 Tiny art of different types of ferns create a pretty gallery wall. These particular pieces are the result of a DIY project. 

 

Three prints of fern curls look terrific above a black buffet. The green contrasts with the black frames. A lighting fixture above or sitting on the console would be a nice touch.

 

Eco friendly fabrics for the dining room have their own interpretive fern pattern. I like the block prints coordinating with the table accoutrements. 

 

A lovely tufted chair boasts a charming fern and bird pattern. This chair would look quite lovely in a nature-themed living room or bedroom. 

 

A colorful paper features a flowering fern print in this contemporary living room. The differing green hues creates a cohesive space without being repetitive. A fun light fixture sits beside the sofa. 

 

Adding fern patterned pillows to a bed, chair or sofa will give the room a natural feel.

 

A delicious looking chocolate cake decorated with wood and leaf accents sits in front of fern patterned wallpaper. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 I hope you enjoyed my mini obsession with fern decor and don't forget to check out Arcadian Lighting for some great floor lamps for your next fern inspired room.    

Thanks, Joanna for jump starting our creativity this week. Of course my favorite is the black & white fern wallpaper.

Happy Designing!

Heather

Atlanta Interior Designer: Cutting Edge Stencil Company Review...

This week I've had a chance to work on an stencil accent wall in my loft (finally). The space has 8' ceilings and this wall is about 12' long. I talked about Cutting Edge Stencils in this post while getting inspiration for this project. This company features stencils for the modern day. Stencils are not just for the walls anymore! You can stencil a piece of furniture, fabric, ceilings, pillows, and even doors (a whole post on do-it-yourself doors coming this week)!

For my project, I chose the Entwined stencil show below.

It's contemporary but with soft lines. I thought it would add the right amount of curvature to a straight space which also features large rigid desk. I received the stencil within the week that I ordered it. It arrived rolled up in a box which I then laid out flat as the instructions said. It said that it would flatten out on it's own, which even after a few days, it did not completely straighten out. When I was ready to use it, I warmed it with a hair dryer (which directions also suggested) and that seemed to help.

 I knew this would be time consuming so I made sure I followed exact instructions so I didn't have to repeat the process. Cutting Edge Stencils has many how-to videos featured on the website with easy to follow tutorials. But even so the stencil bled through on the very first one. I continued very carefully for two days until the wall was complete, but definitely no where close to perfect.

I used white paint over a dark mushroom color and had to use two coats to get it the color I desired and to cover the dark color underneath. I also had to clean and dry the stencils twice during this time as the paint build up was interfering with the stencil's preciseness.

The package came with a top stencil, which proved to be very valuable, and I used the same large stencil for the bottom of the wall. However, there's nothing to help you with the sides of each wall and I had to cut the stencil so that it would fit correctly. Something I really didn't want to do but turned out to be the best way for me to get the exactness I was looking for.

I ended up spending another hour going through each loop with a fine paint brush touching it up. After all that, the pattern is exactly what I was looking for and I am satisfied with the project.

Overall I would recommend using their products due to their great designs, cost effectiveness (as opposed to wall papering), and very easy to change if necessary. But keep in mind this takes patience, time, and a steady hand! Nothing is as easy as it may appear in the how-to video :)

Here is a close up of the space (sorry the photo is crooked). I'm not complete with this area so I didn't want to do a reveal just yet.

What do you think? Is this something you may try in the future?

XoX,

Heather

Check out this view...

 I came across all three of these images today and thought 'maybe this is a sign that I need a change of scenery'.

Three views I definitely wouldn't mind having right...about...now.

Envious of this space!

City Escape...don't mind if I do!

This definitely reaffirms that I absolutely need a glass house!

It's okay if I let my mind escape for just a few moments...right?

Happy Monday,

Heather

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: Fine Industrial Design...

I guess you could say I'm a little obsessed with the modern-industrial look lately. I love the raw, rough woods, steel chairs, & copper accents. You would think that mixing all of these neutral & seemingly cold pieces together could turn your space a little cold as well, but it's the complete and total opposite in my opinion.

I'll let you in on a little dream of mine. To own a lake house with walls entirely made of glass and filled with metal, antiques, concrete floors...and abstract art! Here's the best of the industrial inspiration that I keep in a little pocket tucked inside my brain...

 

I love the exposed piping & these bar stools!

 Insert me here.

 

Industrial dining chairs and natural slab table.

 

 Laundry room with chrome washer & dryer!

I love this look! 

Table on metal casters, mismatched chairs, imperfect floors, and copper-esk chandelier.

 

Tell me this range hood and open industrial stair case isn't awesome!

 

I love everything about this.

 

The ultimate supplier in industrial design...Restoration Hardware.

 

Hard to see but this glass house has a floating metal fireplace that hangs from the ceiling. 

So what do you think, is this cozy or crazy?

Happy Designing,

Heather

Inspiration found on Pinterest.

ATLANTA INTERIOR DESIGNER: IKEA part one...

Happy May everyone!! It's an absolutely beautiful day in Georgia. 

I'm going to make May the month of.... IKEA.... yes you've heard me correctly.  IKEA, the decorating super-affordable super-store!

 There is definitely a love hate relationship with IKEA in the design industry. Some complain they've had quality issues with the product and I've even heard their product labeled as "throw away" furniture... yet when done right, it's so incredibly affordable and stylish. I own several accessories from IKEA and even a platform bed that's used in my guest room. Now, I'll admit it's not solid hardwood but it's cute, clean, and has lasted 6 years, three moves, and it's still going strong! This alone got me thinking about why I haven't visited there more often...especially when clients opt-out of accessorizing because it's not "in the budget". (No excuses since there is one just around the corner from me.)

 More & more designers and consumers alike are trying out their accessories & furniture to help create a stylish room with little dollars. I do believe that our two worlds designer vs. affordable can coexist. I have found some amazing inspiration from Maria Killam's blog Colour Me Happy and as always I'm eager to share.

Part One: Inspiration using real IKEA product

 

RIBBA frames creating the gallery. $9.99 each

These can be painted any color to match your decor,

you can also change out the matting to create a customizable look.

 

These two are Jonas desks from IKEA. I no longer see that one listed but I do see the BESTA which is similar for $99.00

Great choice for this happy office!

 

Sideboard BESTA BURS piece featured in 2nd photo. $399

The chrome table lamp compliments this piece perfectly.

 

A good example of how designer items can be used together with lesser expensive items. 

This home owner splurged on very expensive designer pillows and got these awesome Karlstad chairs from IKEA! $349 each...and it looks so expensive.

 

A room that was to be featured in a design magazine... guess where this dining table is from? You guessed it, IKEA's BJURSTA dining table for $199 that even has two leaves that extend the table to seat up to 8.  The chairs are from Pier One. This proves you don't have to break the bank to create a beautiful room.

 

Close up of the dining table and chairs. I would suggest a glass top be cut for this table if it was for every day use. Our local craft store, Hobby Lobby, cuts glass for very inexpensive (usually $100 or less).

Four BILLY Bookcases $79.99 each.

 In the photo above this designer painted the back panels blue and added molding pieces on top and between each to create a large bookcase instead of four individual ones.

 

Boys room featuring IKEA window treatments, lighting, and rug.

The bottom line is that there are a lot of us out there that do not have the money or connections to spend $1000's on updating our homes. That absolutely does not mean we shouldn't live in creative, beautiful spaces!

Stay Tuned for...

 Part Two - Creating a fresh & stylish room using IKEA.

and

Part Three - My trip to IKEA where I'll be your virtual shopping assistant :)

And of course for more advice on how to create a room on a budget, see this post.

Happy Designing!
Heather