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One Room Challenge :: Week 5

November 4, 2015 · Comments { 24 }

Say what?! It’s week five of the One Room Challenge and I’m starting to sweat bullets! In case you are here for the first time, I’ve been designing my Foyer in our new house. Here’s a look at week one, two, three and four.

There is good news and there bad news this week. Let’s just get the bad news out of the way first (sigh).

Until late last week, I completely thought I had this challenge all under control. I’m a stickler for timelines and was realistic about what I could do with the Foyer within the amount of time allotted. But, sometimes even with all the careful planning and detailed timelines, things get out of your control. This is the reality of interior design. My carpet for the stair-runner (which is a showstopper!) is somewhere in customs and will not arrive in time for the photo-shoot (super sad face). I’m still not giving up hope that it does arrive and is installed before the final reveal, so at least I can take an image myself for you to see. Fingers and toes crossed.

Now onto the good news! I’ve selected some fabulous artwork for the top of the staircase and landing. First, I’ll start with the top of the staircase on the second floor. I knew from the start that I wanted a gallery wall at the top of the landing. I’ve adored Michelle Morin’s illustrations for some time and finally had the opportunity to create a gallery of her work. I selected 5 birds and one bee (had to!) for the collection and had them framed locally in a faux bamboo. Here’s a look at the arrangement before installed. Love, love, love them!

The landing needed art desperately, yet was a very tricky spot because of the placement of the doorbell chimes. I could have done a couple things here; 1. Relocate the chimes to have more freedom for artwork or 2. Work with the chimes and place art one either side. I decided for option #2 because it was more cost effective and it didn’t change the original architecture of the home. Because the series of bird illustrations was already committed for the opposite wall, I wanted a pair of larger images to go on either side of the chimes. Here were some of the ones I narrowed down from another fab ORC sponsor, Minted (yes, they offer so much more than just beautiful holiday cards!).

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Selecting the two pieces for the space proved to be challenging. Minted has such an amazing collection, it was super difficult to narrow down. I knew I wanted color and an abstract. But finding two pieces of art that were complimentary, the same orientation (running vertical) and would work with the door chimes was indeed a challenge. In the end, I selected #5 a beautiful dyptich, High Cascades by Amelia Gluba. The abstract image works beautifully with the chimes, pulls blue from the wallpaper in the Foyer and gives a nod to the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains surrounding our home.

The entry needed a few accessories too. A fresh doormat is always a great way to spruce up the space and welcome guests in style. Here are a few fun doormats I considered:

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I quickly narrowed down the options to doormats that could be personalized. I’m a sucker for monograms so I ended up selecting the Antlers Graphic Doormat from Mark and Graham (a go to destination for fabulous personalized home decor). It’s was personalized with our family initial. Here’s the image I shared earlier this week on Instagram. Isn’t it perfect for a mountain house?

I have a few other accessories to add to the Foyer before the photo-shoot this week. One is a floral arrangement for the console table. I’ve been going back-and-forth on what to do – traditional orchids? cut seasonal flowers? cacti & succulents? I’m still deciding.

Again, I’m keeping hope that the stair-runner will be installed soon and would love for you to drop by next week to see the final reveal!

Check out what the other ORC participants are up to – holy cow, there’s so much talent here!

Apartment 34 | Arianna Belle | Because It’s Awesome | Coco+Kelley | Design Darling

Design Indulgence | Design Manifest | Christine Dovey | The English Room | Vanessa Frances

Hi Sugarplum | Honey We’re Home | Jojotastic | The Pink Clutch | The Pink Pagoda

Style Your Senses | A Thoughtful Place | Kimberly Whitman | The Zhush

TM by CIH

* Big thank you to Minted and Mark and Graham for their support and sponsorship of this challenge!

Read full story By Cristin on November 4, 2015 in color, curated look, etsy, foyers, gallery wall, home accessories, interior design, Interiors, monograms, pattern, simplified bee portfolio

One Room Challenge :: Week 4

October 28, 2015 · Comments { 19 }

It’s week four of the One Room Challenge and here’s week one, two and three in case you are catching up.

Last week I had light fixtures installed and today I’ll be sharing the process selection with you. Several fixtures needed to be replaced and sourced – one hanging fixture for the outside entry, one hanging fixture for the inside foyer and a pair of table lamps for the console.

black front door // one room challenge // @simplifiedbee

The entry’s old outside light fixture had a nice traditional feel, but got lost because it was flush mount. And although you can’t see from this image above, the fixture was damaged, was housing yellow-jackets and had to go. To keep with the traditional architecture of the house, I sourced dark pendant fixtures and that had three or more lights. Here’s are a few that made the final list:

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In the end, I selected #3 – the stately Galician English Bronze Outdoor Pendant available at Lowes (another fab ORC sponsor!).

Doesn’t it look amazing!? I just love the result.

The Foyer had a vintage brass and crystal chandelier (above) that was beautiful and just the right scale, but was too busy for the new wallpaper (It’s also now for sale on Chairish!). I must have reviewed hundreds of chandeliers and pendants before narrowing it down to the following:

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These fixtures are all incredibly beautiful, aren’t they? I eliminated the lantern style fixtures first because I thought they might compete with the outside lantern. I almost pulled the trigger on buying #5 when I found the Sweeney Aged Brass Pendant via Bellacor another fabulous ORC sponsor and online retailer featuring 500,000+ designer lighting and furnishings for home! It’s simplicity, yet over-sized modern flair won me over. I also loved how the scalloped canopy and shade mirror the floral wallpaper pattern. When unpacking it, I got a little nervous at it’s large scale and thought it was going to be a miss. I had it hung anyway and can say I’m thrilled with the result! Check out how the light radiates on the glossy ceiling!

The gorgeous console from oomph was begging for a pair of table lamps. I went round and round on what to do here. Brass? Stone? Lucite? Color? There were endless options and here are a few that made the final list:

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If you read last week’s ORC, you will know which lamp I selected 🙂 I choose number one – the Asian style Brohman Table Lamp in classic navy and white available though ORC sponsor, Bassett Mirrror. I really liked the chinoiserie feel and small floral pattern (not competing with the large floral on the wall). The lucite base and finial gave it a little modern twist which I loved too. It looks amazing with the oomph console table!

Isn’t she a beauty?

I hope you’ll drop by next week to see the process for selecting art and accessories! And don’t forget to check out what the other ORC participants are up to – they are killer!

Apartment 34 | Arianna Belle | Because It’s Awesome | Coco+Kelley | Design Darling

Design Indulgence | Design Manifest | Christine Dovey | The English Room | Vanessa Frances

Hi Sugarplum | Honey We’re Home | Jojotastic | The Pink Clutch | The Pink Pagoda

Style Your Senses | A Thoughtful Place | Kimberly Whitman | The Zhush

TM by CIH

* Big thank you to Lowes, Bassett Mirror and Bellacor for their support and sponsorship of this challenge!

Read full story By Cristin on October 28, 2015 in brass, contemporary decor, foyers, interior design, Interiors, lighting, mid-century modern, Uncategorized, vintage

One Room Challenge :: Week 3

October 21, 2015 · Comments { 25 }

It’s already week three of the One Room Challenge! If you are dropping by for the first time, here’s the first and second weeks to get you caught up on all the action.

Today I’ll be sharing my process of selecting furniture for the Foyer. The 12′ x 12′ space only has one wall (opposite the front door and approximately 7′ long) that’s suitable for furniture. The question then becomes which pieces and in what configuration? Here are some of the options I considered:

This entry by Erin Gates is beautiful and a chest flanked by upholstered chairs is a great, functional furniture arrangement for an entry. This English Colonial style dresser would have worked however, I didn’t want a visually heavy chest of drawers in the space.

This charming small entry (via Chatelaine) features a clean-lined console table and large baskets to corral shoes. I love the simplicity and functional aspects of the space, however I was seeking more color and upholstered seating.

Benches are also great furniture options for Foyers. I love this tufted bench with polished brass base. Such an elegant look, however I longed for a console table. So I decided on another great furniture arrangement for our entry.

This entry designed by Tami Ramsey has a similar furniture arrangement I was looking for. A chic console and a pair of upholstered benches that could be tucked under. I love the chinoiserie touches here too!

oomph console tables // one room challenge // www.simplifiedbee.com

With the furniture arrangement set, I immediately thought of one company that creates the most amazing custom furniture, unique lighting and in particular gorgeous console tables: oomph. Their signature traditional, with a twist style was just what I was envisioning for the foyer. With several beautiful styles, 16+ colors and intriguing surfaces to choose from, I selected the stately Fenwick console in club navy with a linen surface. And I LOVE it. And a huge thank you to oomph for their support and sponsorship!

From there I selected a fabric for the pair of X benches. I’ve had my eye on Clarence Houses’ Tibet Print for some time. It’s exotic, playful and in pale blue picked up on all the right shades for the Foyer. The textile was purchased through ORC sponsor, DecoratorsBest – a go to destination for over 200,000 designer fabrics, wallpaper, trim, pillows and rugs at fantastic prices. LivenUPdesign (via Etsy) created the X benches in just the right dimensions to fit under the console table. They centered the tiger perfectly on the tops of each bench and were so lovely to work with.

I love mirrors in entryways (they are practical and can add light to the space) and knew that I wanted to place a large one over the console table. Because I’d selected so many pieces in shades of blue, I wanted the mirror to be different. After considering tons of options through ORC sponsor Bassett Mirror (fabulous selection of lamps, mirrors and furnishings at great price points!), I selected the Sloan mirror (above). It’s rectangle shape wouldn’t compete with the wallpaper pattern like a round mirror would. I also loved the gilded faux-bamboo finish – a chic chinoiserie touch.

Here’s a look these and some other selections for the Foyer all together:

Selections for the Foyer and why:

gilded faux-bamboo mirror – because I love an entry with a mirror and love for bamboo

chinoiserie table lamp – because of their chinoiserie style and deep navy color (I’ll go into more detail regarding lighting next week!)

fenwick console table – because of it’s scale, neo-traditional style, durable lacquer finish and custom options

clarence house tibet print in pale blue – because it’s a chic, yet playful chinoiserie print in all the right shades of blue perfect to liven up the X benches

diamond natural fiber rug – because the space needed a neutral, warm element without a busy pattern

celerie kemble bloom wallpaper – for all the reasons mentioned in this post 🙂

I hope you’ll check back next week to see more progress! In the meantime, don’t forget to drop by to see what the other ORC participants are up to. There are so many incredible projects in this group!

Apartment 34 | Arianna Belle | Because It’s Awesome | Coco+Kelley | Design Darling

Design Indulgence | Design Manifest | Christine Dovey | The English Room | Vanessa Frances

Hi Sugarplum | Honey We’re Home | Jojotastic | The Pink Clutch | The Pink Pagoda

Style Your Senses | A Thoughtful Place | Kimberly Whitman | The Zhush

TM by CIH

Read full story By Cristin on October 21, 2015 in chinoiserie, console tables, etsy, foyers, furniture, interior design, Interiors, mirrors, tables, textiles, upholstery

One Room Challenge :: Week 2

October 14, 2015 · Comments { 33 }

The vignette by JK Kling Associates above is fresh and inviting – just the way I want our Foyer to feel. The existing 1970s textured wallpaper not only covered the walls in the Foyer, but extended down the hall, up the stairs and then down a very long hallway. It was way too much pattern and 70s flair for me, so it had to go.

There is always a big unknown when you start removing wallpaper in an older house. How easily will it come off? Will the walls be in good shape? In our case, there were three layers of wallpaper. The first (hard to see in the above image) was a true paper wallpaper and had a subtle toile pattern from the 1940s. The second (my favorite) had a beautiful teal and steely blue leaf pattern. Really stunning. The third of course was the textured 1970s damask pattern in an faded olive green.

Once the layers of wallpaper was removed from the foyer and hallways, we were blessed with gorgeous plaster walls. Yes, the original plaster walls were in perfect condition and smooth as silk. After a coat of primer, they were ready for the next phase. Paint or wallpaper? From the start I knew I wanted to hang new wallpaper in the foyer, so that’s the first material I sourced. Here are a few that made my short list:

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In the end, I selected Celerie Kemble’s Feather Bloom for Schumacher. It’s an embellished grasscloth that features a hand printed over-scaled floral motif in shades of China blue. The choice is a bold one and I’m definitely taking a risk on this!

The blue color scheme was a great one as well because it coordinates with the palettes in the adjacent living room, library and dining room. It’s my opinion that color palettes in side-by-side rooms should coordinate to create flow and bridge a story from one room to the next.

For this reason, it was important to select paint for the hallway walls in a color that would compliment the cool wallpaper tones, yet still be neutral and contemporary. With the help of Farrow & Ball (a fabulous ORC sponsor), I narrowed down the wall color to Blackened No. 2011. It is the coolest of their whites and changes in intensity depending on the light. A perfect color to let the beautiful architecture of the is home take center stage.

In the Foyer, I decided to add a little drama and glam by having the ceiling painted in a shade of blue. After going back and forth on Parma Gray No. 27 or Borrowed Light No. 235, I selected the lighter shade of Borrowed Light. The light blue picks up hints of gray and in a high gloss reflects light beautifully.

The Front Door was all white like the rest of the outside of the house, so to add contrast and to create a more stately entrance, I had the front door, screen and transom window painted black – an accent already used on the shutters throughout the house. I selected Farrow & Ball’s Pitch Black No. 256 in a high gloss. Classic. Timeless. Love it!

Here’s a breakdown of the Farrow & Ball paint colors used for my One Room Challenge. Also, be sure to check out their amazing new wallpaper collection that launched this fall!