Kristin Drohan Interior Design

Free Advice Friday Furniture Placement

A reader writes:

Please help me create a family room layout that works - I am continually moving around our existing pieces trying desperately to find what will work but we are at a complete standstill, not able do anything until we figure out what the right layout is, what type of furniture, window treatments, lighting etc.  Until we have a layout that works, we can't do anything...Please Help!!

Your photo for a family room layout might be perfect -

Desperately seeking an inviting, cozy, chic, family hangout room with plenty of seating for company - a place that draws you - with a few fun interesting pieces and a place that welcomes you to put your feet up, relax, visit, read etc.  (I know, I'm asking for a lot :-))

Problems to overcome:

1. 15 x 21 size with no wall space (flanking windows by fireplace, french doors toward living room, Large door wall leading to deck, 1/2 wall by kitchen)

2. Love an open flow from the kitchen to the fireplace but sofa in front of fireplace cuts room in half (making the rest of room unusable) and separates kitchen & Family rm)

3. Love sectionals but most block either fireplace, or walkway to kitchen

4. Like 2 matching sofas facing each other but no room for any sofa table behind them plus one sofa would sit in front of french door way (maybe that's okay?)

5. Room has no over head lighting (a cool hanging chandelier over the leather ottoman?)

Thanks so very much!!

Sheila 

 

 

 

I understand why Sheila thought the inspiration photo from my protfolio might work.  It was a good attempt.  What you don't see in the inspiration shot, is the angled wall opposite the loveseat that has the flat panel TV on it.  In general, I don't love angled furniture.  You have to be really skilled to make it work.  This long room isn't the right shape, nor does the furniture work with an angled space plan. 

 

 

 

Here is my solution for Sheila:

 

 

These are "to scale" plans.  The premise is to create two groupings.  The piece along the wall is a bar console.  I created two options for a cocktail group along with a conversation or lounge seating.  The first one uses her existing matching lounge chairs and a dining height hard surface table.   The second, uses smaller chairs (27"D x 27"W) arranged around a 32' cocktail ottoman.   The smaller chairs could easily be pulled up to the conversation area when entertaining bigger groups, while being perfect around the ottoman for an intimate number.  A chandy over the rectangle ottoman and hanging curtain panels at the ceiling will complete the room.

Eco Friendly Kitchen and Bath Products

Okay, so long time no post.  What can I tell ya.  I took a little sabbatical.  Not at Cirque Lodge or anything.  I was on vacay and I'm spending time with my kids.  I've found that all work and no play makes me, dull, pissy, and no fun.  I'm working on balancing work and life.  Recently, I started working on  a whole house update for an eco friendly client.  My research for this project has uncovered some cool stuff, so I thought I'd share.  Part of the project includes updating the kitchen and three baths.  That means cabinets, flooring, tile, counters, fixtures etc.  My cabinet company of choice is Wood Mode.  Most of my clients lean more traditional, so bamboo or some of the other eco options just don't work atheistically.  The great thing about Wood Mode is that they are ESP ( Environmental Stewardship Program) certified.  They use sustainably forested wood and a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer which virtually eliminates VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the finishing process.  That means when cabinetry is installed, there won't be any off gassing to effect the indoor air quality.  

 
Here is the product design board.  I have blogged about ECO by Consentino before.  This is a countertop material made from 75% post industrial and consumer waste.  It is heat resistant, doesn't need to be sealed, and doesn't scratch or stain.  Some of my favorite color ways are featured above.  Priced similiar to granite, it comes in 10 1/2 ft slabs, which eliminates the need for seams when installed. What more could you want?  I've also included WaterSense faucets for both the kitchen and bath.  This is an EPA designation that reduces water usage by 20% but does not sacrifice performance.  Lastly, I have featured Forecast Lighting's Organic Modern grasscloth pendants and Ben Moore's Aura paint.  Aura is low VOC not zero VOC which is their Natura line.  Even though Aura is a bit pricier, my contractors think it has superior performance.  There you have it...My client's Coastal Inspired Eco Friendly Kitchen and Baths.  I'll keep you posted on our progress. 

Charity Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter

My friend, Paula Grace has asked my to get the word out regarding a big event she is chairing that will take place, Oct 16th.  It is the Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter Gala.    You can read about it here.  Paula, is a good friend of mine and fellow Interior Designer.  She has been passionately involved with LAWS for a couple years.  Prior to studying design, she was a therapist for many years.  A pretty good platform for interior design work.  Her way of giving back to her community was through the Loundoun Abused Women's Shelter.  In Oct, they are hosting a large Gala to raise money for this very worthy cause.  The event is going to be held at the gorgeous Lansdowne Resort in Historic Leesburg, VA.  If you don't live in the DC metro area this would be a great little trip. 

 
 For more information about the event and how you can help, go to the official Raise the Roof LAWS Gala website here. 

Reality Interior Design...What Really Happens not the HGTV version

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day.  We finally had a down day in our house.  The last couple weeks have been...unreal, but this Saturday was epic.  In the last two weeks I have had furniture that was to be delivered to a client in VA end up in MA.  Furniture that was supposed to be in MA end up in NC.  Fabric vendors out of stock in every sample I  specified, and my business credit card being compromised, forcing me to close the account.  As if those crap sandwiches weren't enough, Sat was a full buffet.  I was forced to get the martini IV out.  I was too tired to stay up for Design Star last night.   I've DVR'd it and will watch tonight.

Before I tell you the story, let me preface this by telling you how furniture is transported in our business.  Almost all the furniture fabricators I use are in MA, VA , and NC.  When you buy directly from a manufacturer, the item is shipped in a semi tractor trailer by a company that specializes in transporting furniture.  You don't just throw it on a UPS truck.  The semi's are too big to make residential deliveries so it comes to a local receiving depot. A smaller truck then makes the delivery to my client's home.  I have projects up and down the East coast, so I have a national account with a very reputable company.  If you have ever ordered furniture from a catalog, it is most likely this company that delivered to your home. 

Saturday, I had four installs and deliveries.  The first delivery, was for a project I am doing gratis at the Air Force Base.  I have helped them with the design and have donated furnishings for their Heritage room.  Prior to this delivery, we made arrangements to get the delivery company on base with my husband as a sponsor. At the gate, they inspect the truck and run their drivers' licenses.  My husband was in his car as escort.  The gate check was taking a long time, when the Military police rolled up.  They came over to my husband and told him they had a situation with one of the guys in the truck.  Apparently, the assistant had a warrant for his arrest and they were getting him out of his truck.  My husband called me, at this point we don't know if he is a felon, or what.  At a military base it always looks scary because the police are in camo and have weapons strapped to them.   I'm coming completely unhinged for many reasons.  I think my husband is in trouble, I have 40K in furniture on this truck, and holy crap (Okay, it wasn't crap but I'm trying to be family friendly) there is a mass murderer (at this point he was a mass murderer in my mind, grand larceny at best) trying to delivery my client's stuff.  Long story short.  The local police show up and haul the assistant off to the pokey. They did let my husband and the driver make the delivery, but we still didn't know what this guy had done.  At this point, I'm on the phone with someone in charge at the depot, trying hard not to speak in tongues, looking for some sort of solution.   I have three more installs, one guy to make deliveries, and at this point, a mass murderer in jail.  Long story short.  The guy had a false statement and a warrant was issued, unbeknownst to him.  The company did send another guy to help the driver finish the deliveries.  We did get everything installed and in between projects, the driver was able to spring the assistant from jail.  I'm pretty sure this will go down in Interior Design history.  I don't ever want another day like that.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a CEO to get on the phone.

Design Star Monday Morning Quarterback

It is baaaaacckkk!  Did you watch?   So, I stayed up late, taped Army Wives, and watched Design Star.  For those of who that don't watch, Design Star is HGTV's contest looking for the next design talent to be featured on their own HGTV show.  We can't confused this with Bravo TV's Top Design.  They are two different animals.  Top Design is a competition for the best design talent without the added TV personality part.  They get money as a prize, not a show. 

The good, bad, and ugly last night. 

Lets start with the good.  The first challenge was taking the White box bedroom and designing it for a previously assigned fellow contestant.  Here is what they were given.

They were also given a $500 to use at an Asian market in NYC for anything else they wanted to use in the room.  I'm glad they started off with an individual challenge.  In addition, they were each given a contractor.  Yeah!! for that.  Being able to use power tools does not necessarily mean you will get a good designer or TV personality. 

The bad: 

Okay, I know I'm playing MMQ, and heaven knows, there is no way in "h, e" double hockey sticks I'd even try out for a show like this.  However, I try to play along, as if I am on the show.  My first thought is only one, only ONE contestant changed the space plan.  No one thought to use the twin bed as a daybed or chaise.  Overall, I thought the results were a little dismal.  The freaking asian market did not help.  Yuck! Am I crazy, the winning room was not good.  I thought Tera's room was nice, I like that John changed the space plan, but Nina's room was not my fav.  I did not like the umbrellas on the wall as art.  I don't get the judges decision at all.  I do not think it was a unanimous decision.  I get the feeling that it wasn't Candace's first choice. 

The ugly:

Lot to choose from here, but I do think they appropriately dismissed the worst design.  There is a lesson here people.  Leave the faux finishes to those who have studied this art and are experts.  Faux takes much longer to properly execute than a contestant is given on this show.  Furthermore, using only paint for the technique spells disaster.  If you are at all versed in faux, it takes proper product, sometimes very laborious application, and skill. 

Need I say more?  I will give her credit, she was gracious in defeat and walked away in some fabulous boots with her head held high.  What did you think?  I'm joining Paula Grace today, hop over to see some more great posts.

Free Advice Friday-Paint Colors for a Master Bed and Bath

A reader writes:

 

Hi Kristin,

I'm redoing my bedroom & bath. Both Bedroom & bath have high ceilings. I wanted to know should I paint the rooms the same color or use two different colors. I'm not sure what the popular colors are now.

I did have wallpaper and paint together but am tired of that.

Can you help me?

 

Here are the pictures of her space.

 

 

 

I get asked this question a lot.  People make paint so difficult and it is always the place they want to start.  I think it is very hard to choose a paint color first.  Instead, pick art, fabric, or a rug first.  My suggestion is to start with the bedding.  Find something you really like, and pull a color from it.  I have a couple paint tips based on these pics. Notice that she has slanted walls and a dormer.  Make sure you paint the slants, the wall color.  It is a pet peeve when those are left the ceiling color, especially if the ceiling is White.  Speaking of the ceilings, take 10 to 25 percent of the wall color and have it mixed into a flat White for the ceiling color.  Don't leave it White.  A little while ago I did a post on my favorite paint colors.  You can read that here.   You can paint the bathroom the same color or pick a coordinating color from the bedding.   I usually change the paint in the bath from the bedroom.  For example, if your bedding was Carmel, Butter, and Kiwi ( colors the reader said she liked).  You could do the bedroom walls Carmel and the maybe the bath Kiwi or Butter.  I personally like soothing colors in spaces you sleep,  but bathrooms can be more intense unless you are going for a spa feel.  In that case, I'd  keep the color muted.  Couple tidbits, instead of valances, do nice pleat ( invert, goblet, pinch, or parisian) curtain panels hung with pin hooks ( no clips)  and rings in your bedroom redo.  You have some beautiful furniture but it looks like an entire suite.  Repurpose your nightstands in another room, and get some larger scale chests.  They need to be taller and more substantial next to that four poster bed.  They could be mirrored, silver leafed, or even painted pieces.  Using different materials will make the room more interesting.  Lastly, that dormer nook is screaming for a beautiful writing desk.  Good luck with the redo and send pics when you are finished.

 

 

Margaret Russell at the Boston Design Center

I have just returned from the BDC where I attended a seminar by Margaret Russell.  For those of you who don't know who that is, Margaret, is the editor of Elle Decor mag and one of the judges on Bravo TV's Top Design (not to be confused with HGTV's Design Star).    She is one of most influential individuals in the design world today.  As usual, I have a not so flattering pic of myself with her.  Seriously, do they have classes on how to pose?  Why does my neck look like it is the size of a freaking linebacker?  Notice she is sticking hers out.  She clearly knows what she is doing... I do not.  I know Margaret is tiny, but I look hulking.  She is itty bitty.  I'm 5' 4" (okay 5'3 5/8") and had on 5 inch heels.  Yes, people, 5 inches.  Yes, I can work in them all day,  and yes, they have a platform (long live the platform).  I dread the day those go out of style.  Look, it is the fastest way to lose ten pounds.  

 

I digress.  I also met of couple local designer/bloggers, Linda Merrill with Surroundings and The Skirted Roundtable and Erin Gates from Elements of Style.  Erin and I shared a little scandal last fall.  A "design company" on the west coast took pics of our work and put it in their portfolio. They even added their watermark to the photos.  A blog reader of mine alerted me, and when I saw Erin's work, I notified her.  Gutsy huh? The situation was quickly rectified with some strongly worded correspondence.  Erin and I had never met before today.  It is funny to recognize people from their pics. 

Margaret also signed books.  I already had her newest Style and Substance and had it signed at market last fall.  This time I purchased So Chic.  Here are two of my favorite spaces from the books.

This one is Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick's Bridgehampton, NY home.

This one is James Mischka and Mark Badgley's Manhattan pad.

 
  I love all of JM and MB's homes that have been featured in Elle Decor.  They are some of my absolute favorite interiors ever.  The Kentucky home is beyond beyond.  Could it be the Black and White?  I just bought some Badgley Mischka shoes that I haven't even had a chance to wear.  Okay, the BM love fest is over.   Someone please tell me how to take a picture.  Enough already. 

Free Advice Friday-Window Treatment Dilemma

I received this email last week from a reader:

Hello Kristin:

Curtains or no curtains?? That is my dilemma for my living room.  I love your stylish design and was hoping to get your advice. 

 

I have (3) three 72" x 36" windows and one large picture window that will be replaced with french doors leading to an outdoor deck.  The problem as you will notice in the pictures attached is 2 of the side by side windows have beams on either side which makes it difficult to hang drapery rods.  The two side by side windows also face the side of the neighbors house so I never open the blinds all the way.  The one window in between the floor mirrors faces the front of the house.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Kind regards,

Rose

I know why Rose is having a problem.  Hey, note to all the builders out there.  Don't try this at home. It is lovely to have beams, but cutting them in around the window frame is curious.  Unfortunately, curtains are not an option.  Some gorgeous silk Parisian pleat panels would have been a beautiful addition to an already gorgeous room. There just isn't a way to hang them.  Here is my solution.  Find a really rich neutral fabric with a some shimmer and have roman shades made with the Highland Court greek key tape along the edges.  They have both the Pear and the Amethyst color ways that Rose has used as accents in her room. 

 

It never ceases to amaze me, the various difficult design challenges created by builders (not all of them, I know there are great ones).  Another favorite of mine, is when they add a bay window to a space and then not adjust the electrical location for the chandelier.  What builder imposed dilemas have you faced?  I'll be joinging Paula Grace for Timeless Tuesday.  Join us.
 

Summer Fruitini and rooftop decks

I just got back this weekend from working in DC last week, and it finally feels like summer is around the corner in Boston.  I'm not gonna lie to you,  no matter how mentally and physically prepared I tried to be, the weather in Boston has been... challenging.   With warmer weather in mind, I thought I'd share my latest martini recipe with you.  It tastes like summer. 

Summer Fruitini (But you can drink it all year round)

1 part Lemon Vodka

1 part Raspberry Vodka

1 part X Rated Pink Fusion (the best creation ever)

1 part Rose's Lime Juice or homemade lemon lime simple syrup

Rim glass with raspberry sugar and garnish with a lemon candy slice

 

I have a really good friend who likes to make stuff from scratch.  She even made her own baby food.  I can totally appreciate that, and wish I was that kind of Mom.  Sadly, I am not.  While giving her this recipe the other day, she told me that it could possibly be improved by using homemade lemon lime simple syrup instead of the Rose's Lime.  She is probably right.  I have not tried this recipe, (shocking) but I'm sure it is awesome.  Those of you who take this extra step, need to let me know if it is worth it.  I'm only going there if it is truly better and worth the extra step.  Let me know. 

Homemade Lemon Lime Simple Syrup

2 Cups Water

1 Cup Sugar or Agave Nectar

1 Cup fresh lime juice

1 Cup lemon juice

Bring the juices and water to a boil.  Turn off water and stir in sugar until it dissolves. 

I have to make this relevant to a design blog.  Where to drink this? How about a rooftop garden.  While my husband and I were visiting my SIL and her family in Paris last spring, we took these pics from the top of the Arc de Triomphe.   I wonder who these people are.  What do they do?  I want to drink my martini here.

 

One of my favorite new TV shows to watch is Selling NY.  I am smitten.  When these likable real estate agents are showing 2 bedroom condos to a 30 something couple in the price range of 2-3 million, it just fascinates me.  They have shown some pretty amazing rooftop/outdoor spaces on the show.  One even had a pool.  I think the price tag was somewhere in the 25-30 million range for that property.   I couldn't find any outdoor pics from the show but I did find some NYC representation.

Are you ready for summer?  I'm joining Paula Grace for Timeless Tuesday.  We both worked too much last week but we did have some fun. 

Free Advice Friday-kitchen counter tops

A reader writes:

Hi, Re-doing kitchen to include new cabinets, gunstock oak flooring, stainless appliances. What color countertop do you recommend? Should I get something med/dk brown quartz or keep it lighter. The kitchen cabinets are Maple--Cream Glaze (Cream colored or off-white with just an almost invisible lighter cream/white glaze). The flooring, unless you talk me out of real hard wood for a kitchen floor, will be gunstock oak-see attached. I've had people tell me not to put real wood in a kitchen, so...that's still up in the air based of further advice. Wall color and dinette color/material, I will try to figure out once I get a handle of what to do for counter top. Thank you so much! 

I will definitely not talk you out of real wood flooring.  I prefer it to be eco friendly... made of reclaimed wood or wood that has been sustainably forested.  I have test driven every type of  kitchen flooring  in my 8 military moves.   I love wood the best.   On to the counters.  I like to keep the counters neutral and devoid of any specific color, especially if you are considering a move in the future.  FYI, the inquirer, prefers Black to Brown.  With that in mind,  I have given her a few options.

In the classic options, I've given her a Sensa granite and marble.  Sensa Granite has a long term stain protection built into it so that it doesn't have to be sealed. When I choose granite, I look for the color of the elements going into the kitchen within the stone.  For example,  I look for the tone of any wood or the color of the appliances.  I like it to have a little silver shimmer if the appliances are stainless.   Marble is a classic, sophisticated choice.  Beware, however,  marble does stain rather easy.  Some like the patina this creates over time.  I currently have marble in my kitchen.  If it is sealed, you can get most stains out.  I don't mind the character.  If you have little kids or lean type A, this is not the counter surface for you. 

There are some really awesome new eco friendly options out there too.  I have shown two Ceasarstone options which are made from 17 - 35 percent recycled glass and quartz.  For performance and function is doesn't get any better than quartz.  It is stain resistant and doesn't require sealing.  It is heat, scratch and chip resistant too.  The last option is a high constrast, surface from Eco.  This is made from 75 percent post-industrial recycled raw materials.  It too has all the attributes of the Ceasarstone.  The Black makes this a dramatic choice.  My three favorites are the Marble, Chocolate Truffle and the Black.  The marble is dressy and beautiful.  The Chocolate Truffle has every color element of the kitchen in it.  It has Silver for the appliances, a warm Russet for the tone of the wood, Cream for the cabinets, and a hint of Black.  You just can't go wrong with Black counters and Cream cabinets.  It isn't for everyone, but I like the drama.  I  can't wait to see what the reader chooses.  What would you pick?  I'll be joining Paula Grace for Timeless Tuesday and then for real martinis Thursday night.