MY REMODELED LIBRARY (FINALLY)

1

As I told you as few months back, the driving force behind creating a library was that I had too many design books.  These beautiful, large, decorative books had overtaken my house.  There were stacks of them everywhere – they were under every table, hidden in every basket, getting dusty in stacks in the garage, and even lining the steps on the staircase.  It was driving me insane and made the house look even more cluttered. 

 

We had outgrown the built-in bookcase years ago and had starting stacking books on the floor in front of it.

 

When Halo Styles shipped me this bookcase by mistake, I kept it, hoping it would stem the tide.  Nope.  Even the shelves underneath were jam packed.  Besides the space issue, was the organizational issue.  I could never find that one book I needed for research or just to enjoy.  It was the proverbial needle in a haystack when I needed to find a certain title – forget it.  Sometimes I would get so desperate I would reorder a book from Amazon knowing that what I needed was hidden away somewhere.  So ridiculous. 

 

Even more ridiculous was my yellow office with that horrible red console.  Before the blog I spent a lot of time in here – I took on a lot more clients back then.   But, in the past six years, business has changed, a lot.  I never look in a catalogue anymore – it’s all on line.  Fabric houses are online too.   Emails and computers take the place of paper records and files.   I just never really used my office anymore.  All my fabric books were neatly stacked in bins in the garage, and this space was just wasted.   For the past few years, I’ve been thinking I should built shelves in here – but the whole job seemed so overwhelming, I just kept putting it off.

 

But, one day, I succumbed and called James, who works for Ben, to come clean it all out.  Oh, the junk!  So much junk!  Drawers and cabinets filled with things like old printers and computers, typewriter ribbon, old manuals and stationery, past due bills from a decade ago – just trash.  I can’t tell you how many super sized garbage bags were filled up.  The rest went into bins in the storage closet, along with client files where I can easily reach them.

 

And looking the other direction.  That gorgeous door was added when we moved in – this room used to be Ben’s full time office.  It was so noisy in here – we added that solid core door to cut down on the noise and had the room wall to wall carpeted too!  It helped lessen the noise,  but eventually Ben got serious about work and moved out to a real office and about 10 years ago, I had the carpet taken out when this became my office.

 

I hired an elderly retiree to do the construction.  He was slow as molasses.  It took him weeks and weeks to get anything done.  I almost pulled my hair out, along with his remaining strands, too!!  It was a big mistake hiring him – but he did do a great job in the end.  I painted it all gray – and after much discussion here in the comment section over the merits of spraying versus hand painting, Raul sprayed all the shelves.  It was fine.  You can hardly see the paint on the shelves for all the books – it wouldn’t have mattered either way.

 

I showed you these fabrics I had chosen, but it turned out these checks were discontinued.  So, I picked another taffeta and a beautiful lilac check from Chelsea Editions.   That was all fine and dandy until the design books starting going in on the shelves and were soooooooo colorful!  My quiet gray space became a cacophony of color!!  I spent a weekend in hysterics over the already bought fabric.  There was no way I could put in lilacs with such vibrant shelves.   It took about two weeks to settle it in my mind.  Back and forth, back and forth.  I wanted lilac but knew it was wrong.  I knew I just needed to keep it neutral.   I even thought I should just cover all the books with cream paper or  turn the bindings around?  What???  It was typical hysterical time.  In the end, I ordered an off white taffeta and linen, along with the gray check from Chelsea Editions.  Ssssh.  Don’t tell Ben!!!    One day, the unused lilac fabrics will go in my guest room unless I find a client who wants them before then. 

 

Once the fabrics were decided on, again, I started thinking about the rest of the room.  The very first thing I bought was an old Macaroni beaded chandelier on 1st Dibs, along with a faux antique library ladder from “Paris” – sure!!  Someone is making a fortune off that scam!  The Lone Ranger Antiques sold me two demi lunes and two chairs and surprised me with a gorgeous gilt wall clock!!!   I was stunned at his generosity, and most grateful!  Bringing the books into the room took several weekends with help from James and his niece, but then I had to realphabetize them all over again when I realized they had put them in order by the publishers.  Yep!  And finally Monica from Custom Creations By Monica installed my shades and window seat and Anthony (713-861-3000) brought out a fresh new seagrass rug.  And so, here it is:

 

The library is located upstairs off the back hall.  I have all my framed photos of Elisabeth here from baby on and some framed magazine photoshoots on the wall.  The solid core door was replaced with this French door, which drove Ben insane – “that solid core door was so soundproof!  Why?????”  Well, look at it!  It’s kind of cute!

 

 

And here it is!!  See how colorful the books are and why I was so scared of putting lilac in here?  I think the cream and gray check from Chelsea Editions was the right choice. 

 

The chandelier is vintage with macaroni beads.  The demi lunes and chairs both came from The Lone Ranger. 

 

I filled the empty shelves with creamware and ironstone mostly. 

 

The shade by Custom Creations By Monica is silk taffeta by Schumacher and so are the two pillows.  We added some gold trim from  Samuel and Sons to dress them up a bit.  The window seat is linen.  The tortoise shades are a left over from the office.  I was going to take them down, but actually the color picked up the color of the seagrass and the trim so I kept them.  Plus, the sun is so hot in this room that it really needs shades.  I probably should get just one shade, but enough is enough!!!

 

The closet door got a small French door too.  To custom order one with frosted glass was going to be a long wait AND it was expensive.  Instead Raul used this spray on frosting that worked out great and kept the price WAY down.  The frosting isn’t perfect, it’s a little mottled in areas, but it’s good enough.  It’s not the White House, and it’s not for a client so it doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect.  I’m easy.  The frosting works perfectly though and  hides all the junk inside the closet.   To the right of the door is the vintage clock from Sweden via The Lone Ranger.  He sent this to me on the truck with the delivery – I was shocked and sooooo excited!!!  Thanks L.R. 

 

 

I wanted the shade to be really full and fluffy.   In fact, my entire design scheme was meant to be very, very feminine, Swedish or French in feel, quiet and a bit elegant.  I love the cool colors of the gray, the creams and the whites.  And I love the touches of gilt throughout the tiny room.  The gold and the chandelier gives it that dressy vibe I was after.  This is definitely a girl’s library and that’s what I wanted.  All of Ben’s books went on the built in bookshelves on the landing, finally organized for him, also.

 

 

The best part is how functional it all is.  It takes me just a minute to find any book I want! 

 

In the corner is the “antique” library ladder from “Paris” via 1st Dibs.  Snort.  It’s great to reach the high shelves.  I elected not to put books on the highest shelves, but if I find I am running out of room – I can always move the books up there.   I’m thinking about putting a small TV on the wall by the door and letting Elisabeth use this space when she has friends over.  They can sit around the table and on the window seat and have some now sorely lacking privacy.  Plus, this room connects to hers through the bathroom.  It would make a great mother-in-law suite one day, we could move the table out and put in a chair and ottoman instead.  Or, if I ever wanted to use it again as a full blown office, I could work on the table or exchange it for a desk if needed.  So, there are lots of possibilities for the space down the road. 

 

Hien Lam made the slipcovers with a ruffled skirt and tied on arm covers. 

 

There are cute ballerina ties on all the legs – I love that detail.  Notice the slipcover comes in 4 pieces – the back, the seat, and the two arm covers.

 

One of my favorite parts of the library is all my Beta Plus books (all 33 of them!) are finally together – on the right, the bottom three shelves.  Some of them are bigger and so they are stacked front-ways, but it doesn’t matter.  It’s just great to have them all together in one place.  I also organized the books in separate sections – such as French design, English Design, Italian Design, Californian Design, Classical American Design and Interior Design, Country Design, along with window/curtain, bedroom and bathroom design, which again makes finding books super easy!  And finally – at one point I was going to put sconces either on the sides of the shelves or above them, but in the end, I thought it was just too-too much.  Instead, my electrician added tiny ceiling lights around the perimeter of the room, on a dimmer, which makes the room either very bright or atmospherically dim, take you pick.

 

From this:

 

To this!

Better? 

AIDAN GRAY WINNER–SECOND PLACE & OTHER GOOD NEWS!

 

This large, older house located in Texas, is the 2nd place winner in the Aidan Gray Catalogue contest!!

 

They don’t build houses like this anymore – with large foyers that are the size of a room!!  What would you do to have a foyer like this???   The owner placed a center table right in the middle and topped it with blue and white items.  There’s a lovely antique bench, but the focal point is definitely the staircase!   This room is what caught Randal Week’s eye when choosing a winner.

 

Through columns, to the left, is the living room, and you can see further back into the library.  

 

And looking the other direction, next to the front door with its beautiful transom with the address (love that detail!) – is an antique iron console with more blue and white porcelains.  The room is so lovely – what a wonderful introduction to a house!

 

And here is what Randal hopes to photograph in the entry – he wants a skirted table topped with Aidan Gray candlesticks and wire baskets.  He’ll add their own chandelier (and wow – I love this chandy!!) along with their own bench.  It will be interesting to see if the final photograph really looks like this drawing!

 

The living room has a sisal carpet with a zebra, mixed with a French sofa and arm chairs.   The colors found here are found throughout the house – light blues mixed with creams. 

And looking the other direction – love the fireplace and the clam shell filled with orchids!  The sofa is especially beautiful too.   Next – is the library, seen through the door.

 

The paneled library continues with the light blue colors – here, mixed with leathers.  Love the curtains and ikat pillows and the monogrammed chair!!  And those maps!  Through the door is the screened in porch that sits at the front of the house, on the left side.

 

Another view of the library, showing the fabulous bar.  What a great house for entertaining.  The door opens to the front porch.  There are large porches on almost each side of the house.  Not showing is the wall of shelves on the left side of the room.

 

At the side of the house is the large screened in porch.  It leads into the library and the breakfast room and kitchen through the open doors and to the family room at the left. 

 

And looking at the other direction – there is a fireplace and a TV out here!  What a great space!  I think I would live out here if this was my home!!!

 

The screened in porch leads into the breakfast room and keeping room all the way past the kitchen and here – the butler’s pantry.  Great space for storing dishes and for entertaining.  There’s even a farm sink in the pantry.  Past the pantry is a small office.  The door to the left leads back to the entry at the front of the house.

 

The kitchen over looks the back yard with the large swimming pool.  Along the back of the house is the family room with a pool table.  The keeping room and breakfast room are to the left of the kitchen.

 

Love this!  And so did Randal!  This room – the keeping room – caught Randal’s eye.  Great fireplace with its Texas limestone mantel.   Great fabric and love the blue and white rug so much.   Love this!!!

 

And here is what Randal envisions for this space.  He’ll bring in four of his own French chairs, his own sconces and lamps, along with a few of his wire tables.  I love those tables.

 

And looking towards the other direction at the breakfast room.  A banquette serves the table along one side, while a mix of chairs are used on the other sides.  Beautiful light fixture.   The kitchen is to the left and the screened in porch is to the right. 

 

The family room overlooks the large backyard with the swimming pool and pool house.  Again, the décor is all cream with a touch of blue mixed in. 

 

I wonder if Randal was drawn to the house because they have an Aidan Gray chandelier and sconces???    Just kidding, but I’m beginning to think there aren’t many houses without something from Aidan Gray.   Many of the people who submitted their houses for the contest had something from Randal’s company!!  This is my favorite chandelier of his – the price is reasonable and I’ve used it many times before, including in my own guest room.

 

A sofa table divides the space between the sitting area and the pool table.  Towards the back is another staircase. 

 

On the landing upstairs is a small sitting area with slipcovered furniture in creams and blues.  I love all the fabrics the homeowner chose – the muted patterns in blues and creams found throughout the house.  This house is really beautiful – and beautifully furnished. 

 

And finally, the master bedroom in whites, creams, and blues, caught Randal’s eye!  Love that bench in blue checks!

 

Across from the bed is a sitting area that overlooks the back yard! 

 

And here – is Randal’s vision for the master bedroom.  He’ll bring in Aidan Gray’s caned bed, night stands (are those new?!!! Love those!!!  I need two of those for a client Randal!!!) lamps, and benches, along with a caned chair with upholstery nails that is to die for!  I can’t wait to see this room done up in Aidan Gray furniture.

What a wonderful home!!  It is almost like a dream movie home – rambling, with all these wonderful nooks and crannies to read in, and sit around and talk, eat, and just enjoy being together with your spouse and children.  I love that about old homes – large rooms mixed with small rooms, large entry halls, big butler’s pantries, bay windows, front and back and side porches, outdoor fireplaces!!  What a lucky family to have such a beautiful, friendly, warm and cozy house to raise their children in.  Congratulations on being chosen!!

To visit Aidan Gray’s web site, go HERE.

 

NEXT:

A few years ago when I redecorated Elisabeth’s bedroom, I got so many comments about where to buy the angel in her room.

 

I had bought mine at Olivine, but mine was the last statue they had.  Recently, Helen, who owns the wonderful shop Olivine, told me she had just gotten some new angels in.   They are not as large as mine, but that might be better for most people – because mine is HUGE!!!

 

 Helen sent me this picture of the new size.  You can see it looks exactly the same, just a bit smaller.  If you are interested in the angel, contact Helen below. 

 AND FINALLY – BIG, BIG NEWS IN THE PUBLISHING WORLD:

There’s a new magazine coming out – Milieu.  It’s an interior design magazine being published in Houston, by a rather popular and ultra talented interior designer.  Though the designer is from Houston, the magazine is definitely NOT local.  It will be international - with houses, gardens, and stories from all over the United States and Europe, as well.   Distribution will be throughout the United States. There will be more information in the near future about where and how to get the magazine when it is published.  

  I’m so excited, I can’t stand the wait!  I’ve known about this for a while and had promised to keep my lips sealed, but the introductory “mini mag” will be coming out this January.   That gray font alone is enough to make me drool.   Care to guess who is behind the new magazine?

 

Fresh white flowers, limed wood.   Guesses?

 

Thistle and olive jars.  Oh, this is too easy!!!

 

Come on, who is the only designer who can mixed it up THIS good????

(all photographs above by Peter Vitale)

 

Give up? 

I know you know!! 

Yes, the fabulously talented Pamela Pierce is behind Milieu.  Look for more information to be coming out soon!  CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!

 

Next time:  my new library, finally!

Family Room Updates!

Whenever I show pictures of my family room, I always get the same two comments. The first is – why is that chair blocking the fireplace? You should move it!!

Yeah, I know…it just doesn’t really fit. So, whenever I took pictures of the room, I would try to hide to hide the fact that it was in front of the fireplace.

I would take pictures of the room from a different angle so it didn’t look quite so bad. Also, I would try to push the sofa back a little and the chair too, but, the truth is, the chair is just really too bulky and there is no hiding that fact.

The second comment I always gets it that the room isn’t balanced. The right side of the room feels too light when balanced against the left.

It’s not like I don’t KNOW all this!!! I do, believe me! But what to do? Ben didn’t want his TV blocked by furniture.

You see, there has been some deception here. Whenever I take pictures of this side of the room, I leave out the flatscreen. I mean, who wants to see that ugly thing, especially since it only plays either football or Fox News. Yeah. I know.

See? Football. There was so way I could move the furniture around without blocking the TV. It was really starting to drive me crazy, because I am decorator. I need to be able to solve issues like this!

When I remodeled this family room for a client a few months ago, I bought their dining room chairs from Hien Lam. I’ve used those chairs a few times before in dining rooms, and also in family rooms. I liked the height of the chairs and the width – tall and skinny. And they come in many styles, including mouton bone legs which match my sofa and chairs.

Lightbulb moment!

If I bought two of those chairs, then I could move my wing chairs across the room and solve both issues of the blocked fireplace AND the uneven balance of the furniture.

First, though, there was the issue of the flatscreen being blocked. When Raul made the screen doors for my shelves, I had him raise the TV up about a foot. I don’t like high TVs, but even raising it a foot still left it at eye level.

Next I chose two dining room chairs from Hien Lam. I went for the ones that were tall and slim (just like me!!) and one that had the curved arch on the back – just like my sofa and chairs. Matchy-matchy!

Here are some of their dining room arm chairs:

While I liked the mouton bone chair the best, I went for the Country Scroll because of its measurements. The chairs come unstained and Hong will stain them as dark or as light as you want. I asked for the dark brown stain. Then I asked Ben for a loan!

And here is the change! I added the two tall French dining room armchairs on each side of the sofa. Then, I moved the two wing chairs across from the sofa. I put the wine table between them. And look – you can even see the fireplace!! And you can see my nephew-dog Tucker on the sofa watching me.

Here you can see how the wine table fits under the tv but doesn’t block the view at all. Of course I can’t put much on it! But I did put some books and a tea caddy and a candle. See how much of the fireplace is now exposed by the new chair. It’s so much more in proportion.

Here’s how it looks from the sofa. See, the TV is still eye level, but it’s high enough that I can put a few things on the table. Not sure why I didn’t fluff those cushions, but…

Now, I can just hear you!!! You are thinking - how can we see the TV from those chairs. Well, you really can’t BUT if you turn in the chairs a little you can see it good enough. I know it’s not ideal. BUT, one day, when Ben recovers from the new chairs, I can send these chairs to Hong and she can put them on swivels. Of course, then I would have to have slipcovers that go to the floor to cover the swivel and then I would lose the pretty legs on the chairs. It’s never easy.

If I had a large family, the chairs would HAVE to be put on swivels asap. But for us – my little family of three – it’s not an issue right now. In fact, Elisabeth sat in that wing chair with the ottoman the entire Thanksgiving break. If she wanted to watch something on TV, she would angle the chair a little. Otherwise, she sat on the sofa or the new chairs. I tended to always sit on the small chairs by the wine table, so now I just use the new chairs – and it’s all good.

Here’s a close of the chair – you can see the pretty curve on the arms. Your arm actually fits right on the curve at the elbow and it’s quite comfortable. The chairs are also very light – so I can turn it closer to the fire if I want to with no effort at all. And notice the arch on the top – it matches the arches on the sofa and chairs – I love that detail.

Here, you can see how the back is tied all the way down and then there are ballerina ties on the legs. Hien Lam makes the prettiest slipcovers.

So that’s that. You spoke and I listened. In fact when I was telling Ben about the changes that were coming, I used you for the excuse. “Every time I show our family room, everyone comments on that chair blocking the fireplace – and how unbalanced our room looks!” I’m sure he wasn’t even listening to me – all he cared about was that I was going to block his TV.

And here is Elisabeth and her puppy Lucy all snuggly on Thanksgiving break!!

Next up, more winners from Aidan Gray and a look at the finished, finally, library!