....And the Domino falls.

If you keep up with Divine Distractions, you know that the team at Sally J Designs have been up to our elbows in kitchen design over the last couple of weeks. 

It's hard to do kitchens for other people and not reflect upon your own.

This is my kitchen....Country French mode....time warp!

I've enjoyed my kitchen for the last 8 years.  I've loved Country French most of my life....so did my mom.

I love color....always will.

But....

That's just not me anymore.

Designers, probably more than anyone else, fall in and out of love with design styles, and while I'm not "out of love" with Country French, I'm more "in love" with a clean and modern aesthetic.

It's not an easy leap from one design style to another....sigh....

I spent last weekend painting my open plan living area in this

Sherwin Williams "Macadamia"

And the trim in this...

Sherwin Williams "Dover White"

This looks really yellow here....think white!

Do you see my problem?

The paint colors throughout my house all had a warm golden base to them (think SW "Blonde"), and now I've changed the game.  While "Macadamia" is a warm beige, it has alot of brown and gray in it. 

Macadamia, cool and modern, and buttery yellow, distressed cabinets just can't live together any more.

And to complicate matters even further,all reds and golds are going by-by throughout the house, and I'm using these fabrics in orange and deep turquoise along with a good bit of black,white and some navy.

Duralee - Thomas Paul collection, Kravet velvet

Can you say TOTAL REDO!!!!

AHHHHHH!!!

All I really wanted to do was paint my bathroom,

my sink cabinet...way too much junk on the countertop...please forgive! 

(Can you tell this was my "Artist's Boho Period"???)

...which led to changing out the wall color...then the trim had to be changed.....

Are you following me here?

I need your help.

I would never go about designing a client's home the way I've done mine.

Working off of a "whim" is not generally the progression I follow.  And to complicate matters, I have no budget!!

I HAVE to paint my kitchen, cabinets and all.

I'm open for suggestions.

I like the dark base cabinets, and I like the light uppers'

But I'm not married to anything ( or anyone, for that matter!  LOL)

Other than keeping my copper ceiling....which I love....

I'm open to change....guess you could tell that!

Colors are fair game.

I want suggestions.  What would you do with the cabinets? 
(Burning down is not an option.)

A Dallas Fav

This month's edition of D-Home Magazine reminds us of some of the most wonderful interiors featured in the magazine over the last 10 years. 

This living room, designed by Dallas designer, Myrl Talkington, was a real favorite of mine as well.

I love the beautiful, saturated color on the walls, the Aubusson rug and the rich coffered ceiling.  The abundance of rich fabric on the upholstery and drapes bring that feeling of casual elegance to this room.

 

Arched doors are always unique, and the detailed carving on these is magnificent! 

I don't even have words for this painted secretary....how about fabulous!

I'd love to know the back story on this piece, wouldn't you?

If I'd seen the glass coffee table in a showroom, I don't know that I would have thought about it for this space, but now that it's in place, the transparency of the glass allows the beautiful rug to show well.   Would you have pushed the envelop and placed this table, or something else?

Do you love the color palatte?  Robin's egg blue and yellow...a very traditional combination.  Even though the damask fabric usually brings a formal look to a room, the painted and distressed finishes on the chair frame bring a more casual feel.

I love the fringe on the oversized pillows too.

Photos of this room were first published in D-Home in May on 2008.  I think it's still a classically designed room that will continue to look fresh for more years to come.

What are your favorite features of this room?

Divine Dining

As we all come together as families over this holiday weekend, the dining room will be the center of attention. 

As I continue my journey through my dream house, I'm seeing a dining room that creates an ambiance that welcomes, engages conversation and entertains.

I hope you all enjoy breaking bread around your dining room table with the important people in your life this weekend and always.

Dallas Anchorwoman, Jane McGary's home was featured in D-Magazine this year, and I was so enamored with the use of color and whimsy that Kenneth Blassingame, interior designer, used throughout the home.  Such a happy place, vibrant and engaging.  I know a dinner party in this home would be filled with stories and laughter....certainly an element I want to see in my dream home.

This sweet little vignette of intimate dining is the work of ID, Neal Stewart.  I think it's a perfect place for dinner or breakfast for two.  The antique style mirrors framing the alcove set the tone for this romantic space. The velvet on the banquette and the bergere chair bring elegance and comfort to the space and joy to my face!

This dining room was designed by Sherry Haslip for the new director of the Dallas Symphony, Aaltje van Zweden.  The spheres by artist and furniture maker, Mike Stallilngs, were designed to hold pieces of music that were significant to the new director.  They are finished in silver leaf to compliment the soft grays and lilacs within the space.

You can read more about the space here.

Although this is not my personal style, what I love about this dining room is how it makes a statement while at the same time combines comfort and elegance.

I love the eclectic quality of this dining room.  Such a mix of styles and periods, but the balance is beautiful, and the room really works for me.  I've loved the lavender and green palette for quite some time for it's fresh and spring-like quality.  The curves of the stone table and the soft bend in the legs of the chairs brings an air of grace to this setting... a real juxtoposition of styles, and I think it's a beautiful place to entertain.

This is a small breakfast alcove in Jane McGary's home, and I can't think of a happier place to start the day with a cup o' joe.  The mix of colors and furniture styles gives a casual and friendly feel to this space.  The unusual table base is so chaming.  Who doesn't want that!

There's nothing more inviting and engaging than country french styling, and this breakfast room in the home of one of my clients is perfect for that overflow seating when all the family comes for Easter dinner.  Off of the kitchen, and overlooking the pool and lanai, it's the perfect spot to brunch as well.

Is your dream dining room all about drama?  Then this may be perfect for you.

The walls are fabric upholstered in an irridescent silk that reflects the light from the metallic twig chandelier.  I love the peacock blue chairs as the pop of color in the room.  Although this is not my dream dining room, I know I would enjoy having dinner here anyway watching the lights of San Fransico in the distance.

Interior design by Nancy Van Natta Assoc.  San Fransico

I've always loved the idea of combining the dining room with the library, and this image from Architectural Digest shows why.  I think the shelving anchoring the enormous art piece create the focal point that the room needs.  The addition of the wing chair, desk and library ladder really bring that library feel home. 

An intimate dining experience is sure to be had in this amazing library dining room.  I think the host must be an infamous mystery writer, hiding behind a glamorous pseudonym.  I'll have a lovely pino noir, please!

Many of my younger clients prefer the transitional style like this one from ID, Tom Stringer.

Graphic prints, a neutral color palette, and elements of the traditional home they grew up in, all speak to this generation of home owners.  I love the graceful lines of the chandelier, the back painted shelving showcasing a beautiful collection of white pottery, the subtle color of the drapery, and that wonderful splash of lime on the otherwise neutral table.

Regardless of where you are dining this weekend, I hope it speaks to your personality and your style.

Bon A'ppetite !

I want it ALL !

I guess those of us who go into design as a full time occupation (obsession) are going to be conflicted.  After all, if you love "design - the process" as I do, you can appreciate good design in any room style.  I have decided that I need at least 3 homes, maybe 4, to design for the schizophrenic that I am.  I have settled for being "eclectic"  because that's the only way I can live with all the things I love.  I am lucky that I have a studio space as well, and I have been able to design it to suit my more transitional tastes.

I thought it might be fun to dream about the other spaces I'd love to live in.

There's the Sally who loves a French country kitchen, resplendent with the colors of Provence...rich reds, oranges, bold yellows and pumpkin shades....filled with chic, well-loved-over-centuries-old "stuff" and even a chicken or two.

Then there's the cabin in the woods that I dream of.....just a precious place to go for a weekend to relax, do a little gardening, and maybe knit a new hat for the grandboys.  It's a place where Henry can go outside without scaring anyone and find rabbits to chase while I watch him from my hammock.  Anyone want to join me!

This one's in Vermont...a little far for a weekend retreat, but lovely!

  This is Heny, Big Dog.

When I'm feeling more "designer-y"  I go for a much more edited space.  I really love the spaciousness of high ceilings, restful colors and clean-lined furnishings like this living room designed by Jack Wettling and featured in Metropolitan Home

One of my favorite styles is really the process of design.  I love to build things, rebuild things and be responsible for a whole project. 

Take it down to the studs and I'm a happy girl.

Well, that's four, and I still have several to go....shabby chic, whimsical, maybe even a little Moroccan influence....guess I'll just have to do another post!

What's your favorite mix of design styles?  Please share because it might jog my memory of something else I love.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.