Pam Chatham Interiors Dining Room Design

Choosing a suitable look for your windows is a common query when decorating your space, and determining the look you are after is even more involved.

Do you want a fabric with pattern or bright colors? Is the fabric sheer, heavy, silky or stiff? Does your window call for a fixed panel or an operable panel with hardware that allows them to be hand-drawn or cord drawn? Do you want fullness or a more tailored look with a pleat. How about lined and interlined panels? This allows for protection of the fabric and assists with sound insulation as well. You get the picture.

Source: Pinterest

There are many decisions that go into determining the style of your window coverings. However sometimes it’s just a matter of falling in love with a look and then all of your questions are answered. That fabric, that style, that color….. problem solved.

Each of these window treatments elevate the room they live in….. Whether simple and lovely, luxurious and formal, or bohemian and chic. There is spirit in all and they all enhance the space where they are used .

Consider using a decorative trim down the lead edge of the panel to turn an ordinary look into an extraordinary look. Large contrasting trim demands attention. Bold and feminine together!

Source: Arcologica

 
In the photo above Steven Gambrel added a large geometric trim that gives personality to an otherwise simple linen window covering . Though the rest of the room seems restful, the trim dutifully draws your eye upward to take in a dazzling lacquered ceiling punctuated by staged molding.

Source: Pinterest

The simple use of grosgrain ribbon or tape can transform a pattern as well. In this perfect breakfast nook the floral fabric is nicely paired with pink walls and a black and white ticking on the side chairs. By adding the contrasting and dark border around the edges of the shade, it draws your eye to the window treatment.

Source: Pinterest

An inviting bedroom with soft furnishings… a fabric covered headboard, a slip-covered chair with contrasting trim on the edges of a unique valance shape. Each pattern keeps its own personality but unifies the space through color.

Source: ELLE DECOR

This is a perfect example of mixing different styles of window coverings with simple panels and a relaxed shade in a lively room that combines patterns, texture, color and art… all that define style.

Source: ELLE DECOR

Using an uncomplicated style at both windows allows the use of different fabrics. The cacophony of color and pattern and interesting textures is arresting!

Using unique window details give your room personality and enduring style. Once you define what your windows need and your preferences, all you need to do is look around to see limitless possibilities for expression.

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So let your personality shine by furnishing your entry with special items that you truly love and that bring good feelings to you and to those around you.

Source: Ashley Whittaker Design

Smaller foyers provide a perfect opportunity to create drama by adding colorful and bold wallpaper. Charm your guests with a splashy rug, an embellished mirror and a small chest for practical items.

Source: Palmer Weiss Interiors

A brightly painted chest can immediately pull you into the room. Providing a seat with a beautiful textile gives guests a place to rest. Create a display wall with photos and artwork that reflect your style. Adding a small lamp allows another layer of light that immediately warms your space. These elements will not only personalize your entry but will make your space unique.

Wood Tiles – Source: Mirth Studio

If you are starting from scratch, consider using pattern on the floor by installing
wood tiles by Mirth Studiohttp://whats underfoot. Not only are they beautiful but they can camouflage dirt and mud and still look good. Mirth’s interlocking wood floor squares are hand painted, sealed and come in a variety of beautiful patterns as well as the ability to create your own pattern.

Source: Apartment Therapy

Another great option for a lively entrance is to paint a wall with alternating skinny and wide stripes. Choose any color that speaks to you, add a piece or two of art and a place to drop the mail…. now every time you come home you are greeted with warmth and personality!

The post Resuscitating your Entryway appeared first on Pam Chatham Interior Designs Durham, NC.

After all, as designers, we are  in the business of transformation.   Bathrooms of the 80’s and 90’s are particularly memorable not only because of the large soaking tubs with extensive decking, grid style tile, and plenty of shiny brass  but also because we are still living with  them today. Follow along to see my design transformation of a bathroom that was built in 1984
 

In this bathroom we removed the wall above the shower and expanded the door area to include more glass.  This open plan allows additional light to stream in and it visually enlarged the shower area, even though the size did not increase.   

The footprint of the bathroom stayed the same as it made sense to keep all the plumbing fixtures where they were originally positioned.  Though soaking tubs still remain a requested feature of bathroom remodeling, there are options for much sleeker designs. The existing garden tub was replaced with a freestanding soaking tub by American Standard DXV. By making this substitution, we were able to gain additional space in front of both the tub and shower. 

The height of the existing vanity was quite low at 30” high. We replaced it with a taller vanity and a white quartz counter, increasing the height to 36″. 

All plumbing fixtures can be found in the  Kohler Purist Collection .

Bright LED lights illuminate the newly remodeled bathroom

For general lighting LED can lights were installed for more focused lighting.  LED sconces  were added at the vanity. Both sources of light provide the bathroom with a nice white brightness.

The existing  bathroom door was awkward as it had to be closed in order to access the left side of the vanity.  A full light frosted glass pocket door remedied this problem.  Frosted glass is another visual tool to make the bathroom surfaces reflective and lighter.

The existing  linen closet was  visually underwhelming  and under-performing.  This was replaced with a custom linen closet inserted into the existing closet space.   Changes to these areas dramatically enhanced the bathroom space to allow more light and  better storage.

All these changes effectively enlarged the bathroom space and lightened the overall feel, allowing the aesthetics of the bathroom to work harmoniously with the  function of the bathroom. A win-win for everyone!

The post 80’s Bathroom Transformation appeared first on Pam Chatham Interior Designs Durham, NC.

Source: Pinterest

I remember vividly falling in love with decoration and design through decorators like Sister Parrish, Albert Hadley and Mark Hampton. They were impactful in solidifying my own design philosophy and they still influence my decorating style today. Elements of their rooms would include beautiful textiles, well placed antiques (some fine and some not) Chinoiserie and porcelain vases and often times a painted floor peeking out underneath vintage rugs or sometimes no rugs at all. I loved those painted floors and even today will paint a floor given the opportunity.

The House in which I lived the longest, I painted all the upstairs floors white. I can’t remember a time when there weren’t numerous animals running through our house. Cats, dogs, ferrets, and once even our maimed rooster spent some time upstairs in our bedroom. These floors, always pet and kid friendly,  looked great with a quick sweep and a mop.

Source Instagram

Source: Instagram

There are, of course, millions of color possibilities and patterns as well as stencils to achieve most any look but sometimes just the simple act of putting a fresh coat of paint on a floor is enough to liven it up and carry the room.

Source: Instagram

 
Think of a painted floor as a creative response to traditional flooring and also to rugs: updated, colorful and timeless, all at once.
  
Do you see painted floors in your house?

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