Happy Friday! I have been trying to write my blog all week….it has been a busy one! Last Monday night I decided to look at the Charles Faudree book I have in my room entitled “ Details” after a full day of rearranging a client’s home. First off I did not realize that I had Charles Faudree sign it for mother…..which of course tugged at my heart. He had a book signing at Fabricut who carried his line of fabrics. He was just as I expected….a soft spoken gentleman who exuded talent in every way. After delving into the book I realized that a LOT of how I design rooms is so similar to his fabulous design that you would think I had learned under him. Then I remembered that the owners of The Market were friends with him~~~ so maybe the way they displayed their stores had his influence. Since I started my design career at The Market 34 years ago ~~~ oh my goodness!!~~ a lot of what I learned I learned from them. The way Charles Faudree groups accessories together and displays collections is in such a similar way to what I do….I was eating up every page of the book. I walked 9,000 steps on Monday just going between the kitchen/family room and the dining/living room in my client’s house totally rearranging her accessories and moving some furniture. I moved the furniture “the blond way”~~~~ I placed old wash cloths under the legs and pushed. ( I brought my old wash cloths.) She had so many different collections that were spread out…..I was like a kid in a candy store finding them all and figuring out where and how to display them. I guess that is why I grabbed the book ~~~ which I am embarrassed to say I do not think I have ever read from cover to cover. In the introduction to the book he said “Details may seem like a small subject, but these finishing accessories are by far the most important part of decorating. People’s lives are expressed by little details. They give the room it’s soul.” OH MY GOODNESS do I totally agree!!!! There are designers who like no accessories in a room…..which in my opinion makes it look like a hotel. But to each his own. Accessories tell a story of the home owner’s life~~~they are what make the rooms personal and unique to each client. I am meeting another client today for our second meeting….I am rearranging their home as well. I will need movers this time because some pieces are heavy . But I am SO excited to use mainly what they own and make it all look fresh and new. After I went on the initial appointment on Wednesday I thought about it all night. My photographic memory allows me to see rooms and rearrange in my head….a true gift from God.
I hope all of my readers have had a wonderful week. I will be doing more gardening this weekend~~ I really hit it last Sunday. 12,000 steps later I was very happy with my accomplishments! Have a great one !
Seeing this made me tear up:(
Sweet Jessica ~~ the manager at Fabricut~~ took this picture for me at the book signing. Charles Faudree was an absolute delight to meet! This is on my refrigerator at work. I cannot believe it was taken on May 23, 2013!!!! I weighed 27 pounds more back then. Unbelievable how time flies!!!!!!!!
The china cabinet at my client’s house from Monday. I started here because there was so much in here that needed to go elsewhere. She has stunning china & crystal~~~ only one of the blue rimmed plated was displayed before. I found the rest down below behind a door. The pierced plates on the second shelf she only had one out and I found three more. I am SO pleased how this turned out!
This antique piece in her entry has been in her family for quite some time. I put her collections of LLadro all on the top shelf and her collection of dogs on the second shelf. Two LLadro pieces had to go on te bottom shelf becaus they were so tall. She has a lot of beautiful crystal pieces that I grouped together in the center . The cups and saucers on the third shelf were her grandmother’s. There was a silver tea servive that I moved to another table and placed these cool ducks on either side of the antique vase on the top.
This side table used to be next to the sectional with the leaves down. I moved it to the corner…opened up the side leaves…and placed all of her Baccarat, Lalique, and other special crystal pieces all together.The natural light really let everything sparkle.
I moved a small secretary that used to be on this wall to her family room and moved this small table that used to be in front of the window to this wall. The silver lamps were not plugged in before…I found light bulbs…. and displayed her small porcelain boxes here. Anything as a collection is more powerful than scattered around the house.
I rearraned her whole living room. The sectional was up against the right side wall. I pulled it over and moved the pair of chairs to be in front of the fireplace and across from the sectional. She had the two plants in the room and I moved them to flank the fireplace. The room feels so much larger now and I created a new walkway behind the sectional on the right.
This Karastan carpet made the most fabulous runner in the condominium I am working on! Sassy!
I met with a bedding vendor on Tuesday for 3 hours. I was amazed at all of the new product that is new in the line. This is stunning!
Another great option that I may use in this bedroom I am designing for my client’s daughter.
Three new pots I created on the side of the house on Sunday.
My begonias are really starting to come back! My “science” project is working!!!!
My large oak treee in the front yard at night. This tree makes me happy every day~~~ if it could only talk! It would have incredible stories I am sure!
Tutu helping me garden. She is such a helper dog!
I made this on Sunday. It is wonderful!!!!!
You have to grill it~~~ but boy is it worth it!!! I did 6 minutes on each side…..I have a charcoal grill. I think I should have only done 5 minutes but it was still great!
The house next door to me was torn down today. It really makes me sad :(
Tutu with me in Kravet on National Pet Day! I love this dog!!!