Blending Styles ... Creating Eclectic; Avoiding the "Pottery Barn Syndrome"

I love eclectic designing for lots of reasons.  We used to have eclectic homes by accident and thought we had to apologize for them.  Now we create them on purpose and with distinction and flair and pride.

The main reason I try to steer clients to an eclectic style is to avoid what I call the Pottery Barn Syndrome.  Pottery Barn is ingenious.  I am not trashing them, per se.  Growing up on Mercer Island, I get the flair for traditional and the bias towards preppy.  There is a market and I'm in it. They also do a fantastic job introducing elements that have character and charm but timelessness so they are worth the investment.  They fit well into the home of a young person just getting started as well as those of us who feel all grown up.  Their items can grow with you and your house and blend into a multitude of styles.  However, they have also a very subtle way of making you feel that that timeless piece you purchased just over a year ago is now suddenly outdated because your wall color was "so Spring of 2008".  They move things around and introduce new colors into our design worlds so subtly that we don't even realize we are falling for the trap that our daughters room is "so Baby & Child 2009."  How can we combat this peer pressure?  Go eclectic.  

Grab a little from here; a little from there.  Resist the urge to purchase an entire ensemble and duplicate a room in the Pottery Barn catalogue.  Use it to be inspired if that's your style.  Purchase some items.  Then stop.  And think.  And create your own unique space.  Mix it up.  I call it Pottery Barn with a Twist.  Just don't forget the twist.  :) Purchase something from a local boutique.  (If you live in Washington, two of my favorites are Haley's Cottage in Downtown Kirkland and Silver Sage Design Studio in Moses Lake.)  Bring out something that means something to you, or your mom, or your grandma for goodness sakes.  Create something eclectic.  A room that can't be copied and that hasn't been copied.  A room, a house, that reflects the things you have always loved and been drawn to.  Eclectic.  

It will make for choices free of regret and minimal buyers remorse when the new House Beautiful or Pottery Barn catalog comes out.  Because it will be something uniquely yours.  Here are some great examples:

Some rustic almost craftsman elements such as the candle chandelier (although softened almost to a romantic degree with the greenery and floral) and the metal top table blended with some traditional elements found in the draperies and upholstered ottoman... infused with a Belgian flair in the sofa... 

Can't pin it to a style; therefore, it can't go out of style.  Ingenious.  Eclectic.  Creative. 

Zen, almost Frank Lloyd Wright, blended with craftsman - aka northwest contemporary - one of my all time favorites.  I love the straight lines without it being cold as modern can sometimes be.  The character of wood and the attention to architectural details that speak more in quality than quantity.  My love language.

Traditional blended with casual - my favorite, when in doubt.

Modern blended with vintage, whimsical and even traditional elements in the fabric selected for the ottoman and a little cottage flair with the quilts.  This is a perfect example of a room that just simply defies style and time period. 

It can't go out of style.

Coastal blended with traditional elements.  Another one of my favorites although I'd never be bold enough to use this color scheme unless it was in my daughters room.

Modern elements blended with rustic and vintage. Love love love.

~ Kristi, Tumble Creek Interior Design

I love linen!

Okay, this is going to be a quickie post but it was inspired by a deep-seated love for linen and seeing a neat website down the side of one of the blogs I follow and deciding to click on it.  I wonder if this is how ironic success finds you on the internet.... Hmmmmm.  Well, anyway.  Anyone who knows me knows I love linen, and other light natural casual textures.  This goes back awhile.  I was a freak over linen dress pants and linen suits when I first entered the working world in the early 90s.  Didn't matter that most of my skirts were knee length with a small slit and were so insanely wrinkled by the end of the day, the slit would barely stay shut.  I realize this was a deterrent for most people to not buy linen.  But I just didn't care.  I can remember my first linen suit.  Light pink.  Second:  bright emerald green.  Third:  gold.  Fourth:  black.  Now I own none.  I think I have to go shopping!!!! :)

I have three children - well 5 now !! :) - and the bulk of my furniture is white slip-covered cotton.  My personal bedding is mostly linen or linen blends.  I just love the casualness, timeliness, texture and earthy tones of it.  I grabbed this amazing photo off that website I told you about so I just must give them credit.  But pretty much right now, if you want to get my designing blood a-boiling....  show me a picture of Pom Pom at Home or French Laundry.  The gal I used to work with every single day of some of the funnest days of my life, Lenae Haugen, owns this awesome design store in Moses Lake called Silver Sage Design Studio. We just couldn't help ourselves but gobble up linen, ruffles, organic cotton and burlap pillows and bedding and lamps to fill the store.  To our surprise and possible regret, we quickly remembered that is not what most of her customers loved.  Whoops!!!  But for the few who did... we swore we were all going to become new best friends.  It is so cottage-y and romantic and casual.  There is just something that makes me think everyone should have a guest bedroom that comes straight out of a French Laundry ad.  So, kudos to this gal, whomever she may be... that has a totally cool online store called "Rough Linen."  I would put these curtains all over my house and I would make every single one of my friends buy them too.

But while I'm going on and on about linen.  I guess I'll share a few more photos of why I love linen.  For all of you 5 of my followers out there who may love linen as well... :) ... hehe.  Here you go!

love love love.  3 loves.  don't need additional words nor to connect the dots for you.  if you love linen, you'll love the photos.  I'm off to make lunch for my daughter.  :)  Enjoy your day.

Following the Process ~ Craftsman/Pottery Barn House, Part II

During our first meeting, we talked about overall budget, likes and dislikes, and surprisingly we ironed out a few his and her conflicts right there on the spot. It was a battle of tile floor or wood floor in the kitchen and stained cabinets or white painted.  Wood floors and white cabinets won. That gave us all a bit of confidence that we were a good fit and had a place to start from.  I went home with the commitment to spend 3-4 hours, possibly more, and return within a couple of weeks with wall colors, hardwood floor samples, cabinet styles and stains, countertop materials, backsplash materials and designs, tile floor selections, initial bathroom designs, carpets - one of the study, another for the rest of the home.  I stole a couple of pictures she had ripped out of magazines and she followed up with a few emails of some design elements she already knew she liked.  Overall theme:  modest priced home, craftsman details, nothing too trendy, timeless materials for the most part, and a willingness to incorporate a splash of grey and a little blue or green.  With that in mind....let the process begin...

Here are a couple of her pictures and notes.  

She liked the white cabinets and wood floors.  I also know she was hoping to incorporate a little bit of glass cabinet doors.  At this point we are not thinking about doing white countertops and we are leaning towards doing simple, timeless, classic white subway tiles as backsplash.

I think before the process even started, the husband had determined we were going with white painted mill work.  Non-negotiable.  With a white kitchen agreed upon by all, I didn't need to argue.  :)  They both would like the main color of the home to be a light tan, but are exploring adding a little blue and a little grey either to the master or the bathrooms, or laundry.  She sent me this picture to see the wall color she is drawn to.  I think she sent me three separate pictures of blue rooms she liked.  Nice thing was they were consistently the same look.  That makes my job easier! At this point, I have designed their home for the blue to be used in the master bedroom and bathroom.  Stay tuned.  :)

Then I began gathering a few of my own for inspiration and to keep me on track.  Designers too can get a.d.d.!  We just know the cure.  Get back to the basics.  Listen to your client.  Stay true to the design of the home.  Don't stop designing until you love what you have created.  Check back to make sure the materials and colors transition beautifully from one room to another.  My favorite techniques in designing:  cross-pollinate and texture.

With their more modest budget, we won't be able to do an upper row of cabinets up to the ceiling as this picture portrays, but the paned glass is timeless, the use of drawers in the design are classy, the dark grey countertops, stainless steel, clean lines, symmetry.  A lot is right with this kitchen that we can mimic in our design. 

We are undecided at this time about whether or not they are going to put a vent or microwave above their stove.  I wanted to show them this set up because I think the oven/microwave/tv set up is an awesome option.  This kitchen also shows the subway tiles they like and the hardwood floors.  But again, I am going to suggest a darker countertop.  But here are the classy paned uppers again.  I bet we will end up mixing them up a bit more though like my first picture.  

One of the things I mentioned in my initial consultation was I would like them to price out and consider using cabinet panels on their refrigerator or at least dishwasher.  I think it screams custom.  The husband seemed hesitant and had concerns about how it would look.  This picture is for him.  Most of the pictures I have gathered show a stainless hood, stainless refrigerator and even stainless stove/microwave combo.  So, if I win and get the dishwasher with cabinet panels I'll be a happy camper.  I wouldn't complain with that compromise.  :)

They didn't ask me about window style but I'm throwing in my 2 cents anyway.  I love this architectural detail and I think windows are a big deal.  This classic detail shows up again in the paned uppers in the kitchen.  Having details run throughout a home, both exterior and interior, are a way to really create continuity and flow.  That magical feeling of details noticed.  I also am going to see what they think of this wains coat.  I think it's a timeless and very craftsman detail.  I wouldn't over do it.  Maybe put it in the laundry room or maybe in the powder room.

More to come....

Following the Process ~ Working with a Designer, Part I : Building a Craftsman/Pottery Barn, Modest- Priced Home

Some of my clients have never worked with a designer before, and honestly, many of them are apprehensive and maybe even a little downright embarrassed.  But I don't blame them.  With the help of design magazines, design blogs and design shows, most of us want to give it a shot at going it alone.  However, thanks, and not thanks to HGTV and DIY tv, most of us now want more for our money, have higher expectations of what we can get within our set budget, and a good (or possibly not-so-good) confidence we can figure it out all by ourselves and end up with something amazing for a bargain.  Some of my clients come to me when their builder is breathing down their neck to make a decision, and they're nervous or are suffering from what I like to call "design a.d.d."  There are so many beautiful and appealing styles out there, sometimes just trying to land on one for your home and stick to it can be the largest challenge.  That is why, in an ideal world, involving a designer at the beginning is probably the best decision you will ever make.  Having that person help you chart your road, pick a path, a color palette, a general design idea that you can either follow to a "T" or use to wander to the left and right a bit while you shop on your own, can save you a lot of time, money and frustration and guide you in the direction of a beautiful home that has not only some rhyme and reason to it, but a nice flow.  Flow is one of those things you either achieve or miss.  Have you ever entered into a beautiful home, with beautiful colors, amazing materials, but you just don't feel restful?  On the other hand, there are very modest homes out there with pleasing, timeless color palettes, well chosen materials, architectural elements and attention-to-detail craftsmanship that make you want to put your feet up on their sofa and stay awhile.  A well-trained designer should be able to offer you direction and confidence.

I recently met with a family who is building their first custom home, just barely at the breaking ground stage.  Both husband and wife have their own opinions.  Some match, others clash.  After a brief consultation, and discovering that I could handle their blended personalities, we decided to go forward working together.  At this point, they are simply seeking a direction that meets both of their concerns, is respectful of their budget, and helps them create a timeless, casual, craftsman, pottery-barn type home.  We agreed that I would take a stab at interpreting their desires and incorporating some pictures they gave me and present them in a few weeks with a color palette and many of the design materials for their home to get them started in the right direction.  At this time, they don't anticipate needing a lot of hand-holding. But getting them off and running on the same foot, with the same vision, and most of the materials decided, seemed a good bang-for-their-buck.

This is the part I love, and being involved this early in the process is my absolute favorite.  I've been busy working in a local showroom the past couple of days doing just that. I'm super duper excited and crazily anticipate being on the same page.  Hoping to exceed their expectations.  I like that they are wanting to use timeless materials so as not to date their home within the next 5-10 years.  It's tempting to fall for the latest color schemes or mosaic, but they can date your home and breed discontent within a few short years.  Following your heart, but staying more classic, is always a safe choice and results in a beautiful space and backdrop.

For those of you that may be interested in seeing how this all works, I will be cataloging and following the process on this house for you to track.  I'll be honest with the customer's feedback too.  :)  Sometimes you hit it out of the park.  Sometimes you miss.  Let's hope for the best!  Stay tuned.

Picture of the Day

I just have to post this picture because it makes me stop, and absorb and one word comes to mind.  In this kitchen, I could "breathe."

The focus of design for so many years has been on rich and luxurious and deep colors which all seem to speak to our desire for things to look like we actually spent some money on them.  I understand that concept.  Designing and decorating costs money, usually.  But there is something to say for just doing it right, listening to what you want your home and surroundings to feel like, and staying true to yourself.  I live in a ranch house - a very brown one.  Pine cabinets, terra cotta floors, tan and rust walls.  Beautiful.  Great big huge windows to take in the breathtaking views all around me.  But I wish I could decorate the entire home with seagrass and white slip covered furniture and glass vases and greenery and vintage pottery and huge barn wood framed chalk boards.  There is something about beautiful and simple and creative and linen and slip covers that speaks to me louder than any $300/yd fabric.  I love this picture.  Maybe you will see what I see in it too.  Simplicity.  Beauty.  Spring.  Breathe.

This Blogging Thing... Harder than I Thought... :)

Okay.  I must admit.  I am new to the blogging world.  I have followed a few, owed them many of moments of inspiration, I must add.  Stolen a few pictures off of their blogspots to add to my design inspiration portfolio.  But not until a week ago, did I decide to jump in and enter the world of blogging myself.  I have moved to a new town and am attempting to re-establish myself as an interior designer here.  The high profile of the customer base here required that I make myself more visible than I have had to in the past.  I had the option to do a website, I chose a blog.  I thought it would be a quicker, easier way to get my style out to those who were interested, and hopefully my personality along with it...  After looking through some of my favorite blogs this morning - none other than cote de texas - and a few others that popped up as I searched endless images of Something's Gotta Give kitchen images .... I realized this is serious business.  The bloggers who really have something to offer us have taken a lot of time to dissect images and infuse their personalities and expertise into their articles and comments.  I am wondering now why I didn't pursue a journalism degree.  It may have come in handy in this world of blogging.  Well, today I get started.  Still without a picture of me - soon to come.  Without any pictures of work I have done - soon to come.  Without pictures of projects I am currently working on - soon to come.  Without a solid direction of what I want to share or accomplish - soon to be defined.  :)  But here I go.  I am excited about the contacts I will make, the inspirations I will receive, and the ability to touch hearts and minds and exchange creativity with people outside this tiny, precious little community of Cle Elum, Washington.  As I write, I sit at this computer, looking out magnificently over-sized windows at mountain ranges all around me. I believe I should take a picture of them as well.

First order of the day:  Find The Pioneer Woman.  I received her cookbook while visiting my in-laws back in Idaho from a gal who thought our stories matched.  I too, a bit of a city girl, fell in love with a cowboy and live on a ranch.  No beautiful babies in our future - except grandchildren someday from our newly enlarged family.  But a  very clear desire has emerged to be more domestic, more real, cook more, create memories, and soak in all the authenticity and slower pace of my husband's true blue beautiful steady character.  So, off I go to figure out how all this works.... :)