Between the Studs

If your current storage space is maxed out and you're still needing more, it might be time to consider the space between the studs.  Christopher Patrick of Christopher Patrick Interiors demonstrates the way with custom recessed shelves he designed for an upstairs bath at the 2012 DC Design House.

Although variations may occur depending on the construction of your home, interior wall studs are typically spaced 16 inches on center with a depth of about 3 ½ inches . In addition to bathrooms, this space is sufficient to provide useful solutions in other rooms too. If you have a cramped entry way, consider a recessed space for coats, hats and umbrellas. A recessed wine rack allows for easy access for entertaining or a storage cabinet with doors conceals extra space for pantry items.  The empty hallway wall space between bedrooms could be the new home for a recessed  cabinet housing cleaning supplies or recessed shelves in a home office can provide orderly storage for desk supplies.

If the interior wall is not load bearing, it may even be possible for you or your carpenter to safely remove a stud to provide for wider storage. If you do decide to tackle this as a do-it-yourself project, make sure  there's no plumbing, ductwork, or electrical wiring behind the wall. Nadia Subaran of Aidan Design created this wide glass cabinet built-in at the 2012 Design House kitchen.  Love it!

Eye Candy: Refreshingly Beautiful

Where was I May 3rd?  I don't recall  off-hand but if I had been attending Near and Far Aid's annual Designer House Tour I surely would have remembered this incredible living room.  Artist Sylvia Martins' oil on linen, titled Bukit, takes center stage but plays so beautifully with all the other elements of the room.  The information I found on the house tour noted four houses but I couldn't locate the designer for this 19c Queen Anne home.  Does anybody happen to know which designer's home this is?   (I also dont' have the source for the photographer, my apologies)

Near and Far Aid is an all volunteer organization working to end poverty in Fairfield County, CT. To learn more, go here.

Haute Fabrics: Now In Arlington & a BIG SALE!!

The fabric gold mine of the east coast, Haute Fabrics, has just opened a second location in Arlington at 730 N. Glebe Rd!  Feels like Christmas in July May!!  To celebrate, Roxene is having a Grand Opening Sale with all in-store fabrics on sale for just $18 a yard and remnants at $12 per yard starting this Monday May 27th - June 8th. If you've read this blog you know that I always come away with amazing high-end fabrics and trims every time I visit the Marshall location.  Well, today I visited the new 2-level Arlington store and can tell I'm going to need to put a new monthly line item in my budget for fabric....

Notice all the trims on the upper level!

The Arlington store is bright and spacious with three sections arranged by colors with an easy-to-access center aisle in each one.

 

  Check out theses gorgeous patterns!

Do I need any more silk velvets or mohairs, hmm...?

Remnants are folded and stacked for easy viewing.  In addition,  Haute offers to-order fabrics, including some incredibly beautiful velvets and  linens and wools from Italy and Belgium (not part of the special sale).  Pretty much any color you need, Haute's got you covered. There will also be a to-order sample room where you can spread out your selections on a large table to make choosing easier.

The velvet on the left (below) is from Baker Furniture.

Trims are upstairs - this is a close-up of just a few of the available ones.

It's a great location - just off the Glebe Rd exit on 66.  There's free parking at the rear of the store on 730 North Glebe in Arlington.  If you're driving and Haute is on your right, it will be your first right and then your next right to get to the parking in the rear.  If spaces are full, there is street parking directly across the store on N. Glebe or also at the Ballston Mall parking garage where it's only $1 for up to 3 hours.

So just to recap - the sale starts Monday May 27th - June 8th, in-store fabrics $18 yard and remnants at $12 a yard.  Be sure to check it out and let me know about the great fabric finds you score!

Open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Off to Be Reupholstered

My living room needed a larger sofa than the 2 seater armless loveseat I've had in there for the last 2 years.  Well, w/the basement renovation I realized I didn't need two sofas for the media area so up came this one.  Always hated the knife-edge cushions it came with so I'm having new box cushions made that will extend about 1 inch above the back. Also, goodbye to the 8" short skirt. It will be replaced with a long skirt that falls from the top edge underneath where the cushions rest.

The 13 yards of gold fabric I had leftover (when I changed my mind for the family room sofa and used Kelly Wearstler's fern tree instead) will be used - but, it's not quite enought to cover the whole sofa!  So...

it will be combined with 8 yards of this gorgeous cut velvet from Haute Fabrics at $24 a yard. (it's a gorgeous Baker Furniture fabric!)  The velvet will go on the backs/undersides of all 6 cushions and the back of the sofa, which faces the window wall.  In the winter I'll be flipping the cushions for a two-fabric look.

Can't wait to get it back from my go-to, best upholsterer in town, Mel at Style Rite Upholstery.

Eye Candy: Atlanta Mag & Bill Ingram

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles recently featured the pied-à-terre of architect Bill Ingram.  I find the off-center placement of that large piece of art so interesting and successful.  The one sconce adds just the right bit to balance to it all.  For more photos of his beautiful apartment head here (photography by Erica George Dines).  TGIF - Hope you have a great weekend.

Our Basement Reno Progess

Did you ever wonder what happened to the basement renovation I mentioned almost 2 years ago? Well, we had a good start and then very slow progress.   Here's the current status.

This the view to the left of the stairs when you first walk down.  A window was added and the door replaced - it exits outs to three steps that bring you level with the backyard.
Below is it's current state.

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You're looking at the future bathroom, through to one of the bedrooms.

Here's the bathroom currently - the bureau in the distance will become the sink vanity.

The bathroom you just saw is to the right in this picture.  We made the hallway fairly wide so it wouldn't feel like a tunnel.  The closet for the right bedroom is behind the end of the hallway.  At the end of the hall, to the left, is the second bedroom.

 Remember the ceilings are yet to be dry walled! :)

I know, this is a crazy pile of assorted stuff but soon it will be the tv/hang out area.  The wall the to the right - behind the sofa - is the walk-in closet for the second bedroom.

Since this area had an existing pine paneling and dry wall combination, I decided to have it paneled to create a cohesive space that ties in these two elements. The plan is to paint it all in one color in a semi-gloss finish.

The door will be painted the same color as the walls.  A wall mounted flat screen will be placed to the left of the door.  (Not quite sure why the electrician placed that outlet so high but the t.v. will cover it.)

Robert Brown at Kips Bay

This room alone would be worth the trip to Kips Bay.  I'm struck by the skillful selection of each and every piece of furniture in this space, not to mention the art and the wallpaper backdrop.   I can't make it to Kips Bay this year, can you?  I'll take solace knowing that I got to see a Robert Brown room in-person in Atlanta.  Images via Robert Brown's site, photography by Peter Rymwid

ADAC Sample Sale & The Best Children's Bedroom

Before heading to the Atlanta Symphony Show House last Friday, I made a quick visit to the ADAC sample sale where I was drawn like a magnet to the intaglio offerings from Frank Thomas Gallery.  IMO, great prices!  Above, $185 or $100 framed.

There was also a range of prints, including birds, animals and landscapes.

I bought these two framed architectural fragment intaglios backed on a beautiful green at $135 a piece.  Very happy with that :)

Now for the show house.  Of course, there was no photography allowed and I hadn't taken the time to contact them ahead of time to see if they'd let a visiting blogger take a few photos.  (Yes, it was killing me the whole time). However, I was really lucky because one of the designers from Clay Snider Interiors happened to be there and he graciously allowed me to take pics of their space.  This is the BEST children's bedroom I've ever seen - not only was it a beautiful, cohesive design that you could imagine a child truly enjoying, the energy of the room felt wonderful.  Do you know what I mean by that?  Not only did it look great, it felt great!

A custom green blue was created for the walls.  Globes are creatively hung from the walls.

One my favorite parts - this inspiring collection of art work.  

The Lion, among the oil paintings, is genius.  

Atlanta's Interiors Market & A Lamp Buy!

Last Friday I enjoyed a one-day side trip to Atlanta after a long week of business travel.  My visit included visiting the ASO Show House and ADAC sample sale and I plan to post on that next (although sadly I couldn't take photos...but I do have things to show...)  Before heading to the airport, I stopped at the always fabulous Interiors Market.  The proprietors of Interiors Market are the best and every one of their 40 dealers has really unique pieces.  This trip my favorite vendor was located at the very back - the pieces primarily from her former NYC apartment and current home.

Below, more amazing things from the same vendor.

HEREI fell in love with this early Jorge Pensi Regina Lamp (produced by B Lux in Spain) and it found it's way into my carry-on bag.  I'm on business travel again this week so this coming weekend I intend to find it a place in my home.

Another vendor's beautifully staged area.

These pics are for my friend Anne who has a nice collection of pierced creamware herself.

If you're in Atlanta, be sure to visit Interiors Market in South Buckhead (55 Bennett St NW)