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decorating whole house series *Whole House Design #5
decorating whole house series *Whole House Design #5
| *Whole House Design #5 |
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It’s been several months now since I added to my Whole House Design Series, and I guess it’s about time because quite a bit has happened around here. I think, judging from the #4 article, the kitchen has probably changed the most although other things have happened along the way. Most of the new wall coverings are up and I’ll let you see how they look.
The kitchen was the first room to take shape with wall covering. When I moved in, the walls were all off white, which gave us a wonderful blank canvas to work on. You can just see the tile between the upper and lower cabinets in this photo. It is a tumbled travertine placed on the diagonal with insets of pineapples. (Not too crazy about the pineapples because they mess up any other theme you want to go after and of course I’m all about the roosters!) So, which direction to go was an issue.
I didn’t want to go with pineapples on the wall and be too themey. Same goes with the roosters. I was looking for an overall pattern of some sort just to soften and warm up the room. However, I came across this black background paper with a variety of topiaries printed on it and I fell in love. Wow, what drama it would bring to the cabinets and you can see that it pulls the black right out of the granite countertop. EVERYONE winced when I told them I was thinking of putting up black wallpaper. This did cause me to step back and do some serious thinking about it. After looking around my house, I found that I use black quite often as an accent.
My office furniture is mainly black. I have black bookshelves in my living room.
I have chairs in my family room that are painted black with black caning. I am using a black area rug in my bathroom. My barstools are upholstered in black.
There’s the black Grandmother’s clock, black hand painted bench….OK, OK, that’s enough. I was sold!! I use enough black in my home that a black kitchen wouldn’t be out of place. What I did have to be concerned with were the topiaries and the green. I would have to use some topiaries in the kitchen and perhaps even in surrounding areas to make this all work. I also was a bit wary about the pineapple tiles in my backsplash. My plan was to cover as many of them up with counter items and hope that they didn’t take anything away from the new paper.
The chandelier is a bit too old world looking for me with its bronze tone metal and antique gold glass. You can see as you look at it against the wallpaper that they just don’t do anything for each other. I have selected a new light fixture that is currently still in the box in my garage. The holidays put its installation on hold, so now that it’s February…I have no more excuses!
There are two more fixtures that match it in the family room. They are sconces that flank my TV cabinet. I have purchased new sconces to replace these that match the chandelier. They are a country French design and I’m very excited to see them up…just not as excited to do the installation!!
The windows currently have off white pleated shades that are inside mounted. They really come in handy when the sun starts to set and blinds me during certain times of the year! However, I like layering at the windows and I am in the market for an interesting window topper.
While trying to decide what to do in the kitchen, I found a drapery for my family room which is part of a “great room” in combination with the kitchen. Normally I would sew my own draperies but I couldn’t resist the great price per panel on these. Plus, they are lined, they have an added attached topper and there is pretty grosgrain ribbon detailing on them.
When I purchased the panels, I discovered that the fabric was available by the yard. I bought several yards of it and I intend on making something for the kitchen over the bay window and the window over the sink. Just what, I’m not sure. Some days I think I should copy the attached pleated valance from the draperies, other days I feel I could change things up a bit and be OK.
In the meantime, I started working on my guest half bath. To tie the bath to the rest of the house, I used up some of the checked fabric on the walls. Yikes. Now I’m not sure if I have enough fabric to do the kitchen windows…hee, hee. One more thing to figure out!
Speaking of bathrooms, you might remember I mentioned a wallpaper selection for my master bath that had a coral pattern on it. At the same time I found a shell design fabric for draperies and a shower curtain along with coral colored bath towels.
So far, the wallpaper is up and I’m trying to design the window treatment and shower curtain. I have one little issue with my window covering. One of my cats put a snag in the window shade. It is low on the shade and it would be nice if a window covering would hide the snag. It’s a problem and my only other option would be to buy a new shade but of course that’s going to be several hundred dollars and I’m not too interested in that. Especially since it is in my master bath and no one but my family sees that room!
There are two solid color walls in that bathroom. The previous owners painted one of the walls by the tub and the entire commode room in a taupe Venetian plaster technique. This would be difficult to fix on the walls. You know, sanding and skim coating then sanding again, so I’m staying with it. It does pick up the background color of the paper and the solid walls are a nice break from the patterned wallpaper! I did find a couple of small prints of coral and I plan on using them somewhere in the space as well. One thing especially nice about the prints is that the frame around them matches the wood of the cabinetry in the bath.
Now I’m going to hop back to the bedroom for a minute. Really the only thing I’ve worked on there are the walls. When we moved in, the walls were off white with a tan stripe around the top of the walls within the crown molding and an additional trim piece.
Since then I grabbed the oil base trim paint and painted over the tan stripe. I want to make the molding at the top look more substantial and I eventually want to add some decorative wood pieces between the two moldings. It will be blocks or diamonds or something dimensional to add a bit of style.
The wall covering I selected was a grass cloth. I’ve had grass cloth in my homes before and have always enjoyed the warmth and texture. This color is just right with the carpeting and the fabrics on the furniture in the room. (Notice the tricky cuts the paper hanger had to make around the crazy opening to the hallway!)
The next decision is to either blend with the walls or go darker to make a statement with the draperies. Stay tuned, I hope to get this solved in the next couple of weeks! You know, going through this exercise…trying to explain to you what I have done and why is a very good exercise to go through. You may want to try this with your own decorating. Sit someone down and explain your reasoning for making certain decisions. This helps you to confirm what you are thinking or it may even cause you to change gears! In the near future I will be doing a lot of sewing it appears with draperies for the kitchen, master bathroom and bedroom. Whatever I decide, I’ll write up as projects so you too can keep that sewing machine of yours busy. What better time to do it than during the cold winter months? Happy Decorating! Shari
P.S. - For those of you who were asking about a close-up shot, hope this helps. This is about the only full wall space in the whole kitchen!! That's probably why the black isn't overpowering.
© 2010. mattandshari.com, all rights reserved.
Comments (23)
  written by Shari, February 01, 2010
Hey Marie!
Great idea! Since I am running out of the check, a coordinating fabric would be a perfect solution. I'm on it!! Shari
 written by Floridachris, February 01, 2010
Hi Shari! Love how the house is shaping up. Hope to have been enjoying the FL life style! Like many homes in FL my kitchen is open to my great room. The color scheme in my house is maroon/wine, gray and cream. My kitchen has blond color cabinets. I'm finally getting around to painting the two rooms and I plan on painting the great room walls a pale gray to go with the pale gray floor. But I am at a loss as to what color to do the kitchen with it's blonde cabinets and brown/gold counter tops all of which can be seen from the great room. Would it be ok to extend the gray into the kitchen or choose another color?
 written by ncarter, February 01, 2010
You know, sometimes the simplest suggestions are the wisest. You mentioned sitting someone down and explaining your reasoning. We had looked a t a house that I thought was "THE house". As I was talking to my friend, she noticed I said a lot of "sort of small", "funny place for a window", "not crazy about the basement"..She said, "Well, it doesn't sound like that's the house for you." SHE WAS RIGHT! A few months later we bought this house, and are very happy!
written by Shari, February 02, 2010
Hi Chris,
Is there any way to add a wallpaper to your kitchen? I did it in mine as you saw, but I mention it because you can then find a pattern with several colors in it to tie everything together. Maybe something with the maroon, gray, brown and gold. Sounds weird but I'll be if you looked long enough you'd find something. Start online, you might be able to narrow down your search on foot that way. The brown, gold and blonde cabinets would probably look nicer with the maroon since it is warm than the gray. If the walls were papered with a maroon background, and enough maroon accessories in the great room to tie them together, that might be fine. I actually feel like it's the countertop that is a bigger issue than the cabinets in your maroon and gray color scheme. Any chance of changing the countertops? Hope those thoughts help!
written by Shari, February 02, 2010
Dear ncarter!
Thank you for pulling out a small comment and bringing some attention to it. I didn't realize it was that important, but you've convinced me that it is. I've always thought it is better to talk it out with someone, especially with big decisions, like your new home! That's just one part of why I miss Matt. I would run everything by him just to get someone elses perspective. I'm glad things worked out for you and I really appreciate your nice comments.
 written by Trina, February 03, 2010
Hi Shari, It looks like everything is starting to come together for you. From what you have shown us the house is turning in to a very pretty and loving home.
I just love all the little up dates you give us. It really keeps us in touch. Do take a litte time and enjoy the Fl. sun, if it ever warms up. All work and no play, well you know what I mean.............
written by Shari, February 03, 2010
Hi Trina!
You know, it is coming together...starting to really feal like "home" again. many more updates to come as draperies are made, bathrooms come together, etc. About the time I'm done, I'll be ready for something new! We all know how that goes!! My son and I spend 20 minutes after school to sit on our lanai in the sun to absorb that vitamin D! I'll admit that some days recently...we've been cold!
 written by Brauer, February 06, 2010
Hi Shari, I love the black topiary wallpaper in your kitchen. However the picture of it is kind of dark. Could you post another one (maybe a closer up one) so I can see it better?
written by Shari, February 09, 2010
Maybe I just need to take a closer shot of it on the walls. It's hard to lighten up black! Hahahaha!!! Give me a day or two to get it up on the site!
 written by Beth Batke, February 15, 2010
Hi Shari:
I have enjoyed watching your house unfold. It's looking great! I like the black wallpaper and applaud you for going with your instinct and not being influenced only by what others say. I am a decorator and purchased those exact drapes from your kitchen for a client for her dining room. They were lovely ready-mades and I too was impressed by the quality. FYI, that same catalog (I won't name names) has an adorable drum lampshade for a pendant light made of the same fabric, in case you have a place for that.
written by Brauer, February 17, 2010
Thanks for the additional kitchen photo. Your kitchen is gorgeous! I love your decorating choices. I have lots of roosters in my kitchen too. In fact, I have a little barnyard display on my baker's rack...even have a pig driving a John Deere tractor, ha, ha. Anyway, I envy you for having such a beautiful kitchen and home. Thanks for all your great decorating ideas and instructions. Linda
written by Shari, February 21, 2010
Hi Linda!
OK, the pig on the John Deere tractor gave me a big laugh, thank you!! And, thank you for the sweet comments. I'll keep those ideas and instructions coming!! Shari
written by Shari, February 23, 2010
Hi Beth!
Thank you for the info on the drum shade, I'll check it out! I did purchase a new chandelier for above the kitchen table, although I bought ivory shades, I think. Awful to say, it's all still in the boxes!! Shari
written by Beth Batke, February 23, 2010
Shari:
The pendant I was referring to is small I think, so it could work over a kitchen sink perhaps. Check it out! Thanks for your reply.
written by Shari, February 23, 2010
Beth,
I see what you mean, I think 14" is the largest diameter. I love it though...hmmm. By the way, have you been in one of their stores? Most things are very good quality...others you need to be careful of. Greenery especially. I've gotten involved in their designer program, do you know about it?
written by Beth Batke, February 24, 2010
Yes, Shari I know about the program and have used it a few times. I have found a few furniture pcs. on the iffy side as far as quality but truly I love their "look". There is an outlet store in the Cincinati area that I love to stop at whenever I get the chance!
written by Shari, February 24, 2010
I haven't looked very closely at the furniture but I'm with you, I love the look. I'll let you know how my light fixtures look once they are opened.
 written by skyeshelties, March 16, 2011
Hi Shari,
I am in the process of gathering ideas for re-decorating my living room. I have a small foyer that opens up into the living room that is currently wall papered. The paper has been up for awhile and I was thinking of stripping it and putting in grass cloth for texture. I love the grass cloth you used in your bedroom and was wondering if you might be able to steer me in the direction of where to look. Love, love, love your decorating tips and the amazing transformation of your home.
written by Shari, March 21, 2011
Oh My...I've been looking all over for the name of the grasscloth book or a pattern number, something! But I can't find it. I do know I bought the paper from Sherwin Williams and I found it in one of those small, grasscloth only books that has two stacks of grasscloth in it. If I come across any more specific information, I'll let you know.
written by skyeshelties, March 24, 2011
Actually, this helps out a lot! I know where to look and where to shop. One more favor - in the photos it looks like a golden color. Is this pretty accurate? I'm leaning toward "fall" colors in the living room as I have a wonderful area rug for my inspiration piece that has an all black background with leaves scattered all over it in reds, purples, golds, and greens. Thank you, Shari!
Debbie Wikstrom
written by Trina, January 04, 2012
Hi Shari.
I was just going back and looking at some of your older video's and was wondering if you got around to making the toppers for your kitchen? I love the new show but I don't get to watch it as much as I would like too.Hope you and your family have a great New Year.................. Trina
written by Shari, January 06, 2012
Hi Trina,
No, I'm sorry to say. The fabric is leaning against the wall in my office and there it sits. I've been doing several design projects in my area - very large complete renovations, and I just don't have the time right now. As soon as I get that put together, I'll post it! You've given me a little push by asking, I'll bring that fabric to the front of the pile!!!
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For the kitchen windows, you may want to consider using that black and white check/gingham fabric as an accent to another. (Remember the dining room in the "real decorating for real people" book?)
Marie