I am not looking to create a 1960s showhouse or a “theme”, but when we make decisions to bring it current we will include nods to the past.

There are some great resources for retro inspired products and the website retrorenovations is a great place to look to for ideas. For example, did you know Formica will be 100 years old in 2013 and will be introducing an anniversary collection bring back new takes on original patterns? We are painting the dark wood paneling in the kitchen gray, so I am hoping for silver flecked countertops ( a nod to the old gold flecks) which would look great with our wall color choice and stainless appliances.

1960s kitchen from House Beautiful…

  Houzz.com

In the bathrooms we currently have some super low original vanities with funky retro hardware, lighting and tile. In most cases I push a homeowner to keep anything original if it is in good shape and is fully functioning. In one bath we are trying to keep the yellow and grey tile and make it feel more clean and modern. Unfortunately in another bath we have discovered shower floor repairs are needed, but we don’t want to do a full gut job, so new tile that mixes well with the old is essential.

 Great 60s colors and inspiration made more modern.

Luckily the homeowners are not afraid of creative use of color and really like the popular colors of the 1960s. We will incorporate pinks, green and aqua with more current neutrals.

Bringing in handed down family furniture mixed with new items will also be a great nod to the past. In the old dining room turned music room we will be using grasscloth wall covering, mirrored walls, a very old grand piano and a classic record player.

In the old living room, now dining room we will be able to seat 16 guests at a refurbished table that once lived in a law firm conference room many years ago. New lighting painted in a bold green looks great with the mid-century sideboard with its original hardware.

I could go on and on, room by room, but this 3000 plus square foot house is a huge undertaking and will be in progress for quite some time. I will show you a few before photos, and will post updates as they happen. Also, some ideas and inspirations I have for the renovation. So all of you retro fans, here is how you do it- in 2012.

Inspiration…dream home of years past, Realization…all things old can be new again.

I found love in an unlikely place. It was unexpected. It was exciting. It is passionate, a deep affection, a personal attachment, a desire, I take great pleasure in it and I am going crazy over it, enough suspense?

It is Somerset Bay furniture. I hope that wasn’t a huge let down for all of you looking for some juicy gossip, but I mean it, I LOVE this line of furniture. I want to include it in every project, my own home and my office.

I think we should look at some of my very favorite pieces.

In the Malibu Loft collection…

In Somerset Home…

Some things that friends, family and clients are going to LOVE….

For Mrs. Berry Hicks.

For Mrs. Betts, aka, my mama.

Mrs. Stigamier.

 Mrs. Cavanaugh.

 Mrs. Goings.

 Dr. Rasor. Or maybe this green one?  Or I would take it!

 Mrs. Webb.

Another piece for me, I mean, a must have!

I am also having trouble deciding between these several fab selections,

Inspiration…a love that lasts a lifetime, Realization…a fine piece of furniture with a little TLC will never let you down. You can trust this is a love that will be eternal.

I saw a new line of casegoods in Atlanta and planned to check them out in High Point, but ran out of time. Justin Camlin is the line and the fun details and colors they use are fab. So, you can understand my excitement when I opened an email today from the Justin Camlin sales rep showing me the High Point rew releases for 2012.

Check this out! All available through Jodi Jenkins and all surprisingly well priced!

They describe their custom finishes as clean, two toned, distress, glaze and stained. The two toned is one of my favorite looks.

I also adore the occasional tables and fun chests.

Inspiration…details, Realization…Justin Camlin does it with style.

There are many design challenges, but the one I am currently facing is making the most of a small space. There are tons of design tricks and tips to make a space appear larger, more spacious, but how about most functional and fashionable, at the same time? It’s worth a try, I like this challenge.

 A loft is a great space saver.

Space planning in so important. A piece of graph paper and a $7 plastic furniture template can save you time, effort and mistakes when working with smaller spaces.

“Apartment” sized= great furniture, scaled down for a smaller room without sacrificing style or comfort.

Storage is key in any space, but especially in tiny ones, make sure you plan a space for everything from your blow dryer to your Kitchen Aid mixer. Take an inventory of what you have and how much storage you will need, then get creative.

Color is key. Use color to make the environment cozy and calming. Too much going on in a small space can make you crazy!

Looking at some small-scale floor plans….

And some small rooms and homes….

Inspiration…living in a teeny 400 square feet, Realization…a cozy cottage that reflects who you are in a big way!

Use a custom style versus a lot of tassels and trims to create your very own one of a kind look. Let’s take a look of how several fabrics have been combined in a way that inspires us all to get some new window treatments made!

I love this preppy and clean duo. The crisp white drapes and the bold green band, you could even duplicate this look with a great wide grosgrain ribbon.

This look takes a talented and patient seamstress, but the results are well worth the extra work.

Two different ways to do the classic horizontal band.

I am not normally a fan of tie backs, but this two-sided panel with bold use of pink is über glam, love!

 A simple band that adds interest.

The fabric covered buttons add a good bit of cute factor to these basic panels.

Double banded silk anyone? Yes, please.

 Cartridge pleat with a tiny band at the top is a subtle way to add crispness to the edge of the draperies.

The valance adds a geometric and almost architectural feel to these windows.

 An attached valance on drapes can read old-fashioned, but this ric rac style trim feels traditional and modern, and adds a nice feminine finish.

A recent project from Jodi Jenkins Interiors…

Imagine this look using 2 fabrics, the side pleating in a contrasting color.

Another beautiful use of two fabrics in a recent commission.

Inspiration…what to do when you can’t choose between two fabrics?, Realization… create your unique window treatments with fabrics in combination.

 Modern

 Traditional

This may evoke memories of a time in the past but if you try it I think you would agree it is time to bring back the vanity.

In todays busy world a great way to start the day is sitting, with a cup of coffee, music or your favorite morning show and take your time getting ready for your day.

Vanity-                             

adjective

noun

1.

excessive pride in one’s appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements, etc.; character or quality of being vain; conceit: Failure to be elected was a great blow to his vanity.

2.

an instance or display of this quality or feeling.

3.

something about which one is vain.

4.

lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness: the vanity of a selfish life.

5.

something worthless, trivial, or pointless.

 

On the contrary, MY kind of vanity is based on self-love, but not in an egotistical way, more in a “enjoy my life” sort of way. We can all agree we need a little pampering now and then and a beautiful environment creates a better mood and a better start to the day.

Embrace your inner girly girl and get vain- with a vanity table, both fashionable and functional…a space just for you to love.

  In another blog, Roses and Rust, I found the following, which I thought epitomized the feelings I have for my beloved dressing table, “

DRESSING TABLES – Indulgent or Indispendable

 

A dressing table adds a touch of romance and glamor to any woman’s bedroom. These pieces of furniture are coming back into fashion as women seek more elegance in their lives. Akiko Busch, in her book “Geography of Home” refers to a dressing table as ”a place to indulge one’s fancies and compose one’s soul.” 

 

 

Inspiration…a great way to start the day, Realization…you don’t have to be vain to appreciate and enjoy a beautiful vanity.

First, what style? I believe you should evaluate the style and architecture of your home as a whole, not just each individual room. To walk into a super contemporary, clean lined home and find a cottage style space or in an old craftsman bungalow opening the door to an ultra sleek and modern bathroom is odd. So style must come first.

clean and contemporary.

transitional with a twist.

vintage luxury.

whimsical.

timeless traditional.

Second, what are your needs and wants? The bathroom should function the way you want and if you are lucky enough to start over then make a wish list. Three shower heads, a heated toilet seat or jetted tub maybe be extravagant to some, but essential to others.

human car wash, anyone?

 heated toilet/bidet.

deep soaker jetted spa tub.

Next, time to select your finishes. This is where your personal style and taste come into play. Do you prefer tile or solid slabs of stone? Do you like the look of a rectangular undermounted sink vs. a round vessel style? What about metal tones? Are you an oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel or polished chrome kind of gal (or guy)?

   plaid tile?!!? LOVE!!!

The final touches are just as important as the larger selections. A cheap towel bar or odd accessories can detract from the big beautiful choices you have made. Be thoughtful in selecting your wall color, art, accessories and keep the room neat and clutter free.

Above is the Jason Wu collection for Brizo, bathroom jewelry!

Some bathrooms from Jodi Jenkins Interiors.

Inspiration…intimidating choices for the perfect bath, Realization…spa like and serene, contemporary or coastal, a bathroom design is approachable when you take it one step at a time.

1. Baker. Oval tufted sofa.

Inspiration…a more interesting floorplan, Realization…360 degrees of great style.

2. Christopher Guy. Mirrored sofa.

3. Century. Tomei sofa.

4. CR Laine. Canterbury Sofa.

5. Duralee. Monaco.

6. Four Hands. Tribeca tufted.

7. H Studio. Gogo sofa.

8. Miles Talbott Furniture. Wong by Joe Ruggiero.

9. Palecek. Huntington sofa.

10. Younger Furniture.

 This is a great representation of Malandrino’s take on old and new. This very modern pantsuit goes red carpet and has a very Old Hollywood feel and it is a sexy mix.

I read this quote recently in a design magazine, Elle Decor, one of my favorites, and I immediately tore it out and saved it for a blog post. Why? Because this speaks volumes about my personal style and design esthetic. To mix styles, textures, old and new, bold and subtle, that is what I love. I love pattern and color, but when used with solids and neutrals. Antiques tell the story, but only when combined with new ideas and concepts. We can all pull a room off the world-wide web or out of a magazine or design book and duplicate it, but the way you make it your own is the contrast.

 Using black and white is the most obvious interpretation of contrast, but the copper tub makes it an unexpected combination.

I look all around me for ideas and inspiration and feel the way to create your own personal style is to pull from all of the things you love and then do a really good job with the editing.

Lets look at fashion designer Malandrino and some rooms that show that perfect mix: old/new, rough/soft, together sexy style.

 A classic silhouette in both the dress and the cabinetry, add the classic lace or farm-house sink and finish with bold color for the clash that works so well in both the kitchen and the dress.

Floral prints that feel classic and modern.

  The use of the bold aqua color and some fun prints make this look unique.

Inspiration…Elle Decor, Catherine Malandrino…Realization…I need contrast and it’s all about my perfect mix (or yours).

1. Custom wall decals. I am NOT talking about the prepackaged decals you see at Hobby Lobby or Target. These are custom-made by local artist Ginny McGill.

What 5-year-old girl wouldn’t like this big bold polka dot look?

 We have pale, pale pink walls…what color polka dots do you suggest readers????

2. Fabric. I have a large Marimekko fabric wall hanging at home that I love. It is unusual and graphic and was well priced. You can use fabric as art in many ways.  Frame it under glass, take it to a frame shop and have them wrap it over stretcher bars like a canvas, or use drapery hardware.

 hangs in my kitchen.

 traditionally framed under glass.

3. A collection. Some people automatically think of plates when you suggest hanging a collection of items. This is beautiful in the right space with the right plates, antique majolica, for example. If you can’t afford a plate collection that makes that type of statement try something less conventional.

 Pricey and impressive!

 Funky!

 music lover in training.

4. Photography. There are some ways this can look sleek and elegant and sophisticated. Matching mats and frames, all black and white or just the way they are displayed makes all the difference. Avoid a mix of black and white with color photos in a variety of frames and sizes as it will read sloppy and haphazard.

5. Rent a projector. Then find a great image that will look best in a single color silhouette wall mural. DIY art that can cover a whole wall.

6. Mirrors. Notice I did not say mirror (singular), if you want a big impact for a low price you need to mix it up with a variety of inexpensive mirrors found at garage sales, flea market and discount stores.

7. A live wall of flowers of plants. This may sound like a lot of upkeep, but it looks just as beautiful without the floral.

8. Chalkboard paint. This goes way beyond playroom and children’s bedrooms. When not colored upon a black wall is super chic.

9. Flooring materials or other building supplies. Now for this you may need some help, patience or a bit of handiness. A wall covered in cork, wood, reclaimed anything can look amazing and it is the art. Try breaking apart shipping palettes and using the wood to create a different and dramatic accent. I love the look of the tin tiles on the wall behind the bed shown below.

10. Fabrics, rugs, quilts, upholstered walls can all be done in a variety of ways and make great art. Try to find one of a kind handmade quilts to hang, or blankets from your travels. Even upholstered plywood panels, just cover with poly batting and your favorite fabrics, add nail heads if you don’t mind a project.

Inspiration…art is everywhere, Realization…think outside of the box and unconventional art can be yours.