This is the first in a series of posts I am doing in regards to redecorating and how to start. After several years helping people get past that first step, I realized that it’s a process we all go through and thus, I wanted to share what I have learned.
Lots and Lots of Lovely
Though it can still be freezing cold outside and rain storms seem to come out of nowhere, I find myself believing that the warm days of summer are right around the corner. I’ve furthered this delusion by surrounding myself with gorgeous garden books, redoing the shop windows with wonderful Spring-timey things and blasting the heaters in the evening. The start of the year signaled that it was time to start with a clean slate – finish those languishing projects, fix those broken things, clean the closets, and of course, refresh the nest.
This Winter’s Theme: Cool and Cozy
My love affair with mid-century modern furnishings goes on and on. Although I don’t carry many pieces from that era in my store, when I find something that fits the vibe here, I add it to the collection. Such is the case with this pair of wonderful Danish stools! Covered in a removable New Zealand wool topper, they would look excellent under a sunny window, in lieu of a traditional coffee table, as foot stools for more contemporary chairs, or as impromptu seating in an eclectic space:
I Heart Twigs
With 2009 neatly tucked in behind us, it’s time to get started on the path ahead – financially, emotionally, physically – it’s another chance to start fresh. Along with renewed hope for the future, I find that I am newly inspired to examine, create, and share. If you have never been artistically or decoratively inclined, there is never a better time to start than now. While I’m not saying I want you to rip out the fireplace and re-tile the shower, I am saying that every single person I know has some creativity buried somewhere inside.
Cup O’ Love
I’m not a huge fan of teacups. Giant collections of mismatched china can be beautiful, but since I am not prone to shabby-chic moments, you won’t find any rose-covered dandies in my home. I was inspired to create teacup gardens when I saw something similar at a nursery I love.
Jenny’s Magical Mystical Chair
This has to be my most favorite upholstery job EVER. Jenny is my super fun, sexy and fashionable Hillsborough client who has allowed me to do her garden, weigh in on important decorating decisions and infuse her home with some young, fresh, energy. Jenny and her husband Ricardo are the proud parents of two very amazing and energetic kids, so anything that goes into the home has to not only be stylish, but it has to work with their lifestyle – lots of entertaining with nothing off-limits to the kids.
Earlier on I posted a picture of another chair we did for Jenny’s bedroom, a really great modern floral that has just enough romance to work with the crystal chandelier but just enough edge to show Jenny’s fun side.
She was looking at chairs for a sitting room off the kitchen and had decided that she wanted something with a bold print that would anchor an otherwise neutral space. A big name store had really wonderful exotic print chair that was low and wide – but they were sold out. I’m not a fan of getting something everyone else has (and if it’s sold out loads of people have it) so I went on a search. I came across this fantastic antique chair that was also low and wide. The material was horrible but the details in the wood were crazy-charming. I showed it to Jenny and it was a go! She picked out a big, graphic, tropical print and I had it reupholstered. With the extra material we made throw pillows for the beige sofa. I think it came out amazing and Jenny says everyone that visits comments on how much they love it. For literally half the cost of the original chair she now has a completely custom, antique chair that no one else on earth can ever have!
I’m a big believer in creating things for your home that reflect who you are and what you like. If you have furniture you adore, but it’s lost its magic, let’s talk about what we can do to paint it, reupholster it or otherwise give it a facelift!
Take care,
Melisa
Why Designers Are Important
Along with millions of other Americans I am addicted to HGTV and its amazing home makeover shows. While I have always been an advocate of doing it yourself, I also know when to draw the line and hire an expert – i.e., plumbing, upholstery, electrical, structural changes…
Catching Up With the Muses
Things have been very busy/crazy at Apartment 46 (in a good way!) and I know I have been slack about keeping you updated. If you happened to pop in for a visit in the past several weeks, you may have been surprised to find my friend Donna at the desk.
Everything Old is Bold Again
I am incredibly excited about a chair that my wonderful upholsterer, Andres Dubuk, recently finished for a client of mine in Hillsborough. She was searching for fabulous new chairs to add a special touch to her recently purchased home and asked me to keep my eyes open.
Apartment 46 Featured in Gentry!
We are so thrilled to be included in the Summer issue of Gentry Magazine. As a wonderful bonus, the editors included a gorgeous shot of our store’s exterior by the photographic phenom, Patrick Beaudoin, in the Table of Contents section.