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Holiday Glam
Straight from the pages of Elle Decor’s December issue:
…a bold and glamorous Manhattan apartment designed by Miles Redd. With vibrant bursts of red, blue, black and white, this home is not only holiday-ready, but it is energizing and exciting all year long. Not a bad deal for the homeowners who have young children and love color.
Drama + Details: Visual interest abounds in this apartment thanks to elements such as glossy lacquer paint, the use of nail heads {check out the red door, above}, black + white flooring, and custom window treatments.
The homeowner, who is an active environmentalist, keeps holiday decorations simple and natural.
{A festive home for the holidays…and all year round!}
photos from Elle Decor
{Artful} House Tour
One way to achieve great success with your color selections is to ‘pull’ them out of your artwork. This is exactly what I did when choosing paint colors for this beautiful home. The homeowner {who is also my friend} had collected gorgeous abstract art pieces that were full of bold hues. She also has great contemporary furniture, but because the walls were builder’s white, it just felt like something was missing. Not any more.
{Like me, my friend has three boys. Look how clean her white sectional sofa is! Unbelievable! Wall color: Chrysanthemum by Sherwin-Williams}
We not only selected colors that complement the home’s furnishings, but my client-friend also took the bold approach of painting her ceilings. This two-tone application adds tons of drama but the look is still harmonious because each room was painted with analogous colors: apricot-oranges for the family room and living room; blue-greens for the dining room.
In the dining room, new chairs line the wall, painted with Halcyon Green by Sherwin-Williams. {There will be plenty of comfy seating for my friend’s large Christmas gathering.}
In the kitchen {below}, we used a rich neutral which picks up the tones of the cherry cabinets and dark wood flooring. This warm, earthy color also balances all of the other hues.
The ceiling color in the family room was used as the wall color in the living room {below}.
Now, when friends and family come to visit, they embark on a colorful journey that begins right at the front door.
All photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
{Farm} House Tour
This room may not look like it belongs in a house on a farm, but indeed it does.
{I’ll get back to this space later in the post}
If you’ve ever viewed my portfolio, you may recall seeing the original farmhouse on this property. A few years ago, I worked with the homeowner to create a color palette for the original house that was being renovated at the time. Well, my client has been at it again! This past year, he’s built three new homes on his 72 acre horse farm — not to mention the handful of events he’s hosted {including a wedding reception where he chauffeured the bride and groom in one of his spectacular horse-drawn carriages}.
The house featured in this post, is the new home my client built for himself {the other two will be for his sons}. He spent about two years drawing up floor plans with a builder while also researching and selecting environmentally friendly components. He asked me to assist with the selection of granite and tile, window treatments and colors; I formulated a palette of yellow, grays and greens.
{We selected solar shades for the windows which maximize the view — esp. when pulled up — they virtually disappear.}
After much collaboration and a few changes, the result is a stunning contemporary home. This home is filled with sleek modern touches, and it was skillfully designed to be eco-friendly. Green elements include thermal windows, tankless water heaters, energy efficient appliances, and toilets that conserve water, among other things…and did I mention the elevator?
The homeowner wanted the glass and stainless steel elevator to be a showpiece, so we decided on a variation of the color teal for the elevator ‘feature wall,’ and it looks amazing. However, there were some other ‘color bumps’ along the way: The color we originally selected for most of the main level turned out to be more vibrant than anyone had anticipated {yes, this does happen every once in a while}. So, the painting paused, we tweaked the palette and tried again. The new colors are perfect:
{From Sherwin-Williams: Austere Gray, Glass Knob, Vital Yellow, Versatile Gray}
The softer tints maximize the home’s natural light and keep the feel open and airy — as do other elements of the home, such as the open staircase.
Portions of the stairs and banisters were fabricated on-site. The cables and metal rods add a custom contemporary touch.
For the galley kitchen, we selected a tile backsplash and granite countertops that would provide a warm glow to the space.
Out of all the cozy spaces in this home {which include a loft master suite}, the basement is the homeowner’s favorite spot. It’s an open space that leads out to a stone patio. There’s also a kitchen/eating nook and two comfortable seating areas — one of which houses a very nifty all-in-one fireplace/water feature.
The basement floor is warmed by radiant heat, so the homeowner kept the ceiling open to allow warm air to easily circulate up through the rest of the home, which is a really great idea. I also love the black painted ceiling.
After living in the original farmhouse for so many years, my client was a little concerned about adjusting to his new home. However, he has settled into his new digs very nicely. I credit the easy transition to his extensive research, thoughtful planning, and understanding what makes him comfortable. It also doesn’t hurt that he called in the experts to help with the overall design {smile}.
{I spotted this bunch of bridles hanging on the basement wall. Intentional or not, I think it’s very artistic. Ah, life on the farm!}
All photos by Kelly Porter of Porter House Designs
Autumn Tablescapes
I love a lavishly decorated table. Even if it’s a look that appears to be out of my price range, I enjoy getting ideas from a ‘dream design.’ Then I’ll run to Target, the craft store, and the fabric store and re-create the look.
{Love the Moroccan feel of this one, and the turquoise accent fabric}
These awesome autumn-colored tables {ceremonymagazine.com} are full of great ideas for a Fall wedding or other celebration. A simpler version of any of these settings would make a beautiful Thanksgiving table. I feel a re-creation coming on…
{The decorative balls are made from yarrow.}
{You could easily make this tablecloth by applying grommets and adhesive beads to satin fabric}
{Thanksgiving will be here in less than two weeks!}
Girls Holiday Hues
Just a little more Holiday fun today. Today, over at Design Dazzle, you’ll see an inspiration board that I’ve created especially for girls…
I’ve included colorful party invitations and pretty cool items for decorating.
While you’re over at Design Dazzle, be sure to read about their 1st Blog Birthday Celebration happening all next week. Toni, the blog’s publisher, is giving away some fab prizes! InStyle magazine has also just named Toni’s blog among their “Best of the Web” for kid’s blogs/inspiration. She’s done a fantastic job showcasing spaces, parties and crafts for kids and teens, so have fun browsing through her site!
Plenty Of Holiday Pink
The holiday season is almost here and many people are asking what colors will be hot this year. Aside from the traditional hues of red, white, silver, gold and green, we’re seeing more contemporary hues such as blues, purples and plenty of pinks.
From soft, feathery pinks to vivid vivacious ones, pink is back for the holidays.
Have fun mixing and matching different shades of pink ornaments and flowers such as tulips, gerbera daisies and poinsettias.
As you can see, poinsettias are available in a variety of pinks. These plants always look best in groups or rows of at least three. For a real festive, dramatic look, mix in a few red ones. For a cooler palette, mix pinks with white or silver. Either way, adding pink to your decor is a great {and pretty} way to add unexpected style to your home as you celebrate the season.
I’m Featured In The Washington Post!
Today, I’m super excited to be featured in The Washington Post’s new Local Living {Home} section! Thank you Terri Sapienza and the Local Living staff for brilliantly showcasing my “Mom Cave.” Hopefully this cover story will be a source of inspiration for design enthusiasts who love color and love bargain shopping even more!
Color For Your Kitchen
With Thanksgiving and the holiday season quickly approaching, this is the time of year when many people start to focus on their kitchens.
After all, when family and friends visit for the holidays, the kitchen usually becomes the hot spot where everyone gathers. Gone are the days when we only prepared our meals there. The kitchen is now where we entertain. So, this space should be stylish and comfortable. If your budget {or schedule} doesn’t allow for a major renovation, don’t panic…just paint! A new color in your kitchen can instantly update and rejuvenate. I’ve been updating my kitchen {shown above} slowly, over time. Two years ago, just before the holidays, I re-painted it using two colors: Canyon Clay from Sherwin Williams and Toffee Cream from Benjamin Moore:
A fresh coat of paint will do wonders for your walls or cabinets. I chose warm, earth-tones but these days any color goes! Below are photos of colorful kitchens I love. At the end of this post, I’ve given you other budget/time friendly design ideas for your kitchen. Enjoy!
Other cost-saving tips for a beautiful kitchen:
- Remove old, fussy window treatments. If privacy isn’t an issue, let your windows go bare or purchase simple shades for a new, clean look.
- Update your lighting fixtures. If you’re still living with basic, builder’s-grade fixtures, it may be time to switch to more stylish, updated ones.
- Bring in colorful accessories such as vases, chargers and platters. You can often find vintage china pieces in thrift stores and antiques shops.
- Add artwork. If you’ve got extra wall space, hang a colorful piece of artwork. You can even frame your kid’s artwork to add a personal touch.
Tips that may cost a little more:
- Install new flooring. Or, if your hardwood flooring has seen better days, have it refinished.
- Install a backsplash. Mix in a few decorative tiles with less expensive ceramic or stone tiles.
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