Sofa envy by Nashville Interior Designer, Amanda Burdge

  

David Demattei and Patrick Wade

These days the proverbial beige sofa has really lost my interest. Now, I know that it is a tried and true favorite, and a "go-to"must have for any home, but after ten years of solid beige and brown sofas, I'm ready to move on. As I was doing research for a new client, (who LOVES color) I decided a bold sofa was just what we needed. Why on earth have I not been doing this? Here were a few of my favs!

                     

John Willey

Ken Fulk

                                      

Jeffrey Bihuber

                                        

Jonathan Adler

David Lawrence

Really are these not gorgeous? How great would it be to walk into your room and see a vibrant orange sofa? Or a bright acid green one? Just the thought of it brings a smile to my face. I think it's high time to buy a new sofa and add some flavor to the house, who's with me?!

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Nashville decorator on How to design a room-Where do you start?

Along with the constant doe eyed question of "give us your loot-I mean design tips" I always get the question-Where do I start? Clients often get so overwhelmed with the design process they give up before they even step foot in a furniture store. Just like buying a car, there is a P-R-O-C-E-S-S. Too often consumers see a show, flip through a magazine, (or worse, Betty Sue across the street just had her house done!) and that sparks the urgency of redoing a room, NOW. They run out to the nearest hardware store animated and thrilled like a three year old, only to get engulfed into an overwhelming color quandary of decisions. Which blue is the right blue? Do I like blue? Maybe green is better. Maybe I should pick furniture first? Do I need to repaint the trim? Do I even have trim? And the whirlwind of terror begins! Before they even start they get stuck in a paradox, close the book on any conclusions, and find that getting lunch and a martini is much easier. (nothing a little vodka can't solve!)

My first tip, call a designer. They are worth their weight in gold. Too often consumers think they can not afford a designer. But more often than not, you can't afford not to. Wouldn't it be easier to have a designer select those colors, build you a space plan, and help you select furniture that will work for the next TEN years instead of two? I cannot tell you how many times I go into a home of "recent purchases" that just don't work. Mistake after mistake, throwing money down the drain. When you get sick you don't self diagnose. You go to the Doctor for advise. How many of you cut your own hair? You don't, you go to the hair stylist who is an expert on what you need.

So when you need help with your home why not get some advise from an expert who can help you avoid making costly mistakes, remove the frustration and actually make it a wonderful experience? Wouldn't it be great to walk into that room and feel joy, instead of annoyance? No one wants to remember the salesman that talked them into a bad decision, or the day they walked out of the paint store with lime green paint cans in their hand!

Ok-Where do you start?

1) Find your inspiration. Whether it be a magazine, a jelly donut or a plate, find something that speaks to you. Not sure how? Read my post How to get inspired for more help

2) Try to narrow down some ideas on colors. You don't have to pick the exact color-let the designer do that for you-but get an idea of what you like.

The best book on furniture styles, if your a serious furniture guru

3)Furniture styles. Are you traditional, transitional, cottage, modern, or contemporary? Don't know? Your designer can help you with this, often times no one is one particular style they are two or three. Find some pictures of things you like. From there the details can be selected and narrowed down.

4)FOCUS!!! This is where a designer can be your most VALUABLE asset. Choose a path and stick to it. Going into a paint store or furniture store can be overwhelming. SO many pretty shiny things to grab your attention, shift your FOCUS and before you know it you catch A.D.D and once again your running around the store like a screeching three year old hopped up on candy! (might I remind you it has SUGAR in it-one of THE most important food groups!)

The best book on how to be a designer

5)Scale-Make sure the items you are looking at are the correct scale and proportion. These two elements are what make a space "right". Ever been in a room that felt "off"? Generally one of these two things is incorrect. This is where a designer REALLY helps. Many of my clients are really good at pulling a room together with a little designer guidance. But scale and proportion is not learned, you either have it or you don't. Get this wrong and the whole room will feel off. Can't afford a designer? Purchase the book above. It will save your life.

6)Accessorize-Now you have all these big things: sofas, chairs, tables. Most consumers that make it this far fall short because they feel that all the hard work is done-HARDLY! Now the heavy lifting begins. The accessories are the pearls and Louboutin's with the black dress. Without these key components, it is just-a-dress. The accessories add personality, flavor, and style to a space. Without these items the room falls flat.

A word of caution, contact your doctor, I mean designer if you experience any of the following while shopping for accessories: Urges to buy green ivy from Michael's, (or any fake plant for that matter) including but not limited to, the fake ficus tree! Thoughts about dying if you don't purchase fake columns, and gilded gold chubby cherubs holding harps immediately. Anxiety over tchotchkes, feeling restless and agitated, if you don't buy MORE (it needs more stuff!). Panic attack's and difficulty sleeping over missing out on the hobby lobby sale down the street. Any other unusual changes in behavior or mood when you get the urge to buy a poly filled pillow, as this will cause a feeling of depression and irritability. (NO MORE POLY PILLOWS!)

Do use items that are special, and smart like

Sid Dickens tiles

Popular designer accessories to hit mainstream

Designer lamps with style and personality

Some additional tips with a side of humor on updating your home

Need additional advice? Email me. Let me know your questions. And as I have mentioned, if you need help with your room or rooms look up a designer in your area. You would be surprised at how delighted and charming (absolutely delirious and crazy!) we are to work with, (just do what we say) and NO MORE POLY PILLOWS!!!!

Nashville interior designer~Top 10 design tips

AB HOME Designs

Bonus tip. Here I mixed an inexpensive sofa with original art by Marabeth Quinn. I also mixed in some expensive silk zebra pillows with a crewel pillow from Pottery Barn. The stools I had custom made and the lamp is from lamps plus. My Tip, Mix your elements. Combine investment pieces with economical pieces to achieve balance and overall uniformity.

AB HOME Designs

Bonus Tip. Keep it SIMPLE! Don't over clutter a space. Use items that are special and unique to you. Mix it up. Everything goes together if done simply. Here I have mixed wicker chairs with burlap pillows and a Louis VI style hand painted chest. I have combined it with a very modern lamp and original artwork.

Some days being a designer can feel like being a rock star. People swoon at me like I hold the key to all their decorating solutions. And I do, because I'm a DESIGNER. With alluring aptitude I wave my magic designer wand and create a formula for world peace. Or at least domestic peace within the family! Designers have the ability to mix, infuse, interpret and answer every decorating need you have and often times throw in a little clever surprise, that captivates and excites you. That is why you hire us. We help you push that visual envelope, get you outside of that comfortable box ( that you have grown accustomed to) and whack you up side the head with imagination, enchantment and maybe a little witchcraft if necessary.

.....mirror, mirror on the wall isn't this chair the most spectacular of all!!!

I may not be able to tell you what 16 x 2 is, (off the cusp), or tell you which senator is currently cheating on his wife,(without google) but I can tell you that the chair you just purchased is all wrong, and the paint color looks lavender because you didn't take into consideration the reflection from the pool. I have been at this for over 12 years, and I have learned that while I may not be able to answer the above questions without help, but I can expertly whip your space into shape with my eyes shut. No it isn't witchcraft (but if it convinces you to get that awesome sofa, the one I've told you to purchase three times because I swear to holy heaven it's the answer to all peace in humanity, I cannot be responsible if I must take unavoidable action). I may not be able to solve all the worlds conundrums but I do hold the key to some of the worlds most burning question:

"What are some tips you can give us!"

It really is an enigma to me. I find it weird that I can select a color with ease, draw a lighting plan without restraint and space plan your furniture like a ninja while walking AND chewing gum! I guess being a DESIGNER really is like being a rock star, only prettier and cleaner. So here it is, my top ten design tips:

Tip 1. Take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. Use every day items in a new way. Make it fun, unexpected and special.

Tip 2. Add the element of fire. Many fireplace companies are making portable fireplaces. Here the homeowner uses one as a space divider and focal point. They are clean burning, enjoyable and create a conversation piece.

Tip 3. Reversible draperies. Custom draperies are WORTH the money. But to get more bang for your buck, add a decorative fabric where lining would typically be. This allows you to turn the draperies around for different seasons or moods.

Tip 4. Details. One reason designers are worth their weight in gold, they think about the details. I purchased this sofa at highpoint back in October. I didn't want just another "beige" sofa. I wanted something special, different, but not for obvious reasons. Every time my client has a guest to her home they are shocked and thrilled by this little inexpensive DETAIL.

Tip 5. Size matters. If you take ANY tip from this post, this is the one to REMEMBER. Im a Nazi about scale and proportion. Always go for the gold. Go big or go home. My philosophy is do less with more. Get rid of the clutter and knick knack tchotchke's. Do a few choice pieces, in a larger scale and call it a day. Back away from the crap!

Tip 6. Walls and ceiling's. So often homeowners forget about walls and ceilings as decorative potential. Throw some paint on it and it's finished. Add DETAIL and interest with nailheads. This not only allows a visual stopping point to relieve the eyes, but adds visual interest with the particulars, in an area not thought of as important.

Tip 7. Storage. Get creative. Book shelves and furniture are not always the answer. Use some fabric and your walls become a great place to store magazines, drawings, and anything else the kids can throw in there with a wall pocket.

Tip 8. Rethink. This goes back to making the ordinary into something extraordinary. Rethink your storage solutions. Does it need to be the way it has been for 100 years? How great would this be in a dining room as wine storage? How about in an office as paper storage? Or blueprint storage.

Tip 9. Mantles. I love making mantles larger than life. Extended mantles past their "expected" areas is one of my trade marks. It creates visual balance, intrigue, and a great area for display.

Tip 10. Mirrors. This is in designers 101. It is one of the easiest solutions to ALL problems. This little work horse can create such magic in the simplest and least expensive ways!

There you have it. My top ten or so design tips. Everyone of these tips has been used by me in my interiors, at one time or another. Be sure to check back next week for one of my most favorite specialties, lighting. Over the years I have become a connoisseur in lighting. It completely makes a home, and creates a mood that furniture and architecture cannot do on it's own.

Images courtesy of southernliving.com, HGTV.com, artinspire.com, woova.com, and the charlotte design show house.

To cathedral or not to Cathedral, that is the question! By interior designer, Amanda Burdge

FLICKR

As a designer I have a tendency to have bloated thoughts in reality. I live in a fantasy world of rather large ideas and notions of how the world should be and look. Contemplating each move with utmost concentration as if playing a game of chess I aspire to change all the ugly in the world and make it into something captivating and pleasing to the eye. Now my thoughts in judgment can be mischievous. Without you knowing I may come from behind to the right, make you turn left, and hit you over the head with my mojo bat, like the magic designer I am. Without you ever realizing, I sprinkle you with designer fairy dust (full of doe eyed excitement) and with enchanted dexterity you react as if it were your idea all along! Truly spellbinding.This is an excerpt from a post I did last July, Being the fairest of them all.

FLICKR

Im currently working on a wonderful new construction project in Kentucky.

We are still in the planning stages of the home and after seeing the first set

of preliminary drawings from the architect I knew we would have to revisit a few things to accommodate the furniture. (Architects always forget this little detail.) After discussing some

ideas and ways to improve the space the architect went back

to the drawing board and came up with a fabulous new fireplace and seating area.

FLICKR

Along with his new plan he included a rough rendering of the new room with

beams. The homeowner was completely against a cathedral ceiling because

she wanted one like this:

FLICKR

After showing her husband the rendering from the architect he loved the idea

of a cathedral ceiling. Uneasy about this new direction she called me.

I went into action! I twisted out a triple lutz and turned into the bewitching,

and enchanting designer I am. With my doe eyed excitement I LOVED the

idea of the wood beamed cathedral ceiling and here was my chance to

hypnotize and captivate! After 15 minutes on the phone I pulled out all

the stops. I charmed, I delighted I DROVE it home. No question about

how I feel about adding this element back into the space! Delighted that

the option was back on the table I swung hard with my designer mojo bat

of MAGIC! With a twinkle in my eye, charisma in my voice and crazy in the

head I cajoled every which way to Sunday. Remember I live in a fantasy

world of rather large ideas and notions of how the world should be and look

and my job is to convince everyone else to purchase tickets.

FLICKR

Im not sure if my Designer Magic Talisman worked. I do tend to have

bloated thoughts in reality and not everyone rides the same train of

imagination. But I am a force to be reckoned with, I can also be

quite annoying, I mean charismatic. On Monday I shall find out if I

allured her into the idea! What are your thoughts? Cathedral or

beam and ceiling?