So what's a wall to do?

We texture walls in Texas....I don't know why....but we seldom see a smooth wall anywhere in the state. 

"Splatter-Drag" ....common builder's texture

My kids have lived in various places in the east, southwest and southeast, and they all have smooth walls.  But here in Texas, we do texture.

??????????????

The "Tuscan/Old World" look has been a popular decorating trend for several years, and a "skip-trowel" texture, painted with a glaze, has complemented that style.

It's been done Alot !  and I mean ALOT !

I had a client ask me whether we should texture her walls in an upcoming re-do.

I am conflicted?

As a designer I know that when something becomes "standard" then it's probably time to move away.....very quickly.

I hate designing on the back end of a trend, knowing that in a year or two, the trend will be passe'.  I prefer, when my clients will allow, to push the envelope a bit and do something that I know will still look fresh and beautiful for at least the next 7 -10 years.

Obviously, when considering the "whole design package" , I like to be consistent with the overall mood of a home, or of a room.....I'm kind of crazy that way.  I think you should move from the front door, through the house and out the back without feeling schitzophrenic.  We don't like to match, but I think we should have a consistent "feeling" throughout a home. 

Is that something that wall texture can do?   Do we really need to pay attention to something so insignificant? 

Well, maybe! 

I thought it might be fun to see what other designers are doing with wall treatments, so I went on a pictorial quest...you knew I would! 

Textured "Old World"  finishes

Douglas Freidman, photographer

Eleanor Cumming, interior designer

Jean Stoffler, interior designer

Venetian Plaster - Allison Cocoma, interior designer

Reflective finishes

Mirrors

Neal Stewart, interior designer

Metallic Paint

Jeffery Bilhuber, interior designer

 High Gloss Paint

Todd Alexander Romano

Silver Leaf

 Kara Mann, interior designer

Moldings

Charlotte Palmer, interior designer

High Street Market blog

Fredericksburg Texas Designer unknown

Murals

Panache Interiors

Michael Carter, Carter and Co.

Wendy Konradi, interior designer

Lisa Martinson, interior designer

Aren't you impressed with the possibilities? 

The team at Sally J. Designs helps you to love your home!

We are available for personal and on-line consultation.

Contact Sally @ sally@sallyjdesigns.com

Friday Inspiration

Fall is payback time....in a good way....for enduring the Texas summers.
This weekend is sure to be sunny and beautiful, so I'm ready to work on my outside spaces this weekend.

If only I had a tree house to enjoy like this one!

Elle Decor

What is your inspiration for the weekend??

The team at Sally J. Designs helps you to love your home! 

We are available for personal and on-line consultations.

Contact Sally @ sally@sallyjdesigns.com

Pumpkin Tuesday!

Good Housekeeping

Midwest Living Magazine

Kelly Hicks

Have a great Pumpkin day eveyone!

Stripes ..... Yikes!

Stripes.....
such a  classic pattern that has been used in interior design for eons.

How to make it look fresh and new?

Turn it on it's side and go horizontal !!

I'm sure this wasn't the first time I had seen horizontal stripes, but this cover really left an impression on me because they had turned the wallpaper sideways to install.  I was in love!

 Since I'm really into mixing the classic with the modern, I think this play on the stripe brings those two elements together unlike a traditional vertical stripe could have.

Here's a few more examples of how the horizontal stripe marries the traditional with the more modern style.

Better Homes and Gardens

Mary McDonald, Interior Designer

Caroline Paterson, Interior Designer

Nathan Turner, Interior Designer

Even on a lampshade!  Love the attention to detail, don't you?

Robert Passal, Interior Designer

Can you see the door in this one?  How fun is that!  I love the mix of the traditional architectural drawings with the contemporary elements....hide chair, parson's table, graphic rug....

Victoria Hagan, Interior Designer - Holly Hunt fabric

So, how many repeats in this space? 

Belle Maison

Here's an interesting play on the stripe....vertical stripes in the bead board and the chair juxtaposed with the metallic horizontal lines painted on the wall.  Because they are all neutral, they don't fight each other.  Very clever...and very well thought out.

The more expected place to find horizontal stripes  is in a more contemporary space.  Since these spaces can sometimes look more sterile and cold, check out how the horizontal stripes in vibrant colors can warm them up .

 Watergate Condo    Ponte-Mellor Architects

 Have you noticed that when the stripe is so predominant, it's important to tone down everything else?  The neutral furniture and accessories allow the stripe to take center stage. 

Decor pad

Mary McDonald as see in Domino Magazine

Dolly Howarth, Interior Designer

Isn't this just more fun than a plain red entry?

Lee Klienfelter as seen in Lonny Magazine

Classic black and white is energized when it's run horizontally in varying widths. 

I think it takes a certain degree of "chutzpah" ( or "cajones", as we often say in Texas!) to run with the horizontal stripes. 

Can you do it?

Piles of Pumpkins

Here's your Pumpkin pics for Friday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Looking UP

I was thinking about chandeliers this morning....ok ....not your normal thoughts over coffee....but I was thinking about what kind of an statement that they can make in a room.  A so-so chandelier won't ruin a room, but an amazing one can really make the space. (of course, a horrible one really can spell disaster!)

Ive put together a little collection of chandeliers that really take their respective rooms to a new level of amazing-ness. 

 Deco My Space

This dining room almost makes me a minimalist!  With the focus on the chandelier and the clean lines and colors of the space, I could almost be converted.

Canadian House and Home

Because the rest of the furnishings in this room are neutral, and because of their over-scale size, these chandeliers are the focal point of the space.  No one would ever accuse me of "going neutral", but this is the way to do it!

Canadian House and Home

Oh, the romance of it all!  The crystal chandy here add all the bling a girl could want.....well....not all the bling, but it's a good start!

OK, this I covet!  I don't have a credit for this pic, so let me know if you know.  It was just too beautiful not to include.

Restoration Hardware

I really hate what Restoration Hardware has done with it's "new look"....ho hum!.....but I do love these lantern chandeliers.  I think the symmetry of this design is beautiful, and one just wouldn't have been enough.

(Is it just me, or did the photo from Canadian House and Home use the same room setting as Restoration Hardware????)

Perch - New Orleans

Talk about eclectic!  Old New Orleans architecture, Eames chairs, and a turquoise chandelier!  Anything goes!

Jessica LaGrange Interiors as seen in Chicago Home

I'm a sucker for a round dining table.  I can't think of a better way to dine with friends and family.  This chandelier is so large, yet so light.  It compliments this table so beautifully, and I love the gilded branch look.(great centerpieces too! )

Muriel Brandolini, Interior Designer

If one chandelier is good, then 9 must be better, right?   I think this is such a creative use of lighting, and I love that they are all different shapes on the same idea.

Peter Dunham

 And this room looks so traditional until you look up!  I just love that !

Sara Story as seen in the Kips Bay Showhouse

A small scale take on a Chihuly.  Isn't it fun?

Remains Lighting

Is is contemporary or traditiona?   Isn't that what makes it fun?

Country Living Magazine

I just had to throw in one for fall.  The chandelier is pretty non-descript, but I love a pumpkin anywhere you want to put one!

Isn't this a great idea for your Thanksgiving table?

Don't forget to look up!!