Coordinating Fabrics/Room at a Glance

When designers begin a project to design a room, this is how we start, first of all determine your style and the style of your furniture. Then select a main fabric.....one you LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!! As an example let's say the top fabric in the above picture....then pull in color tones and textures that will compliment the main fabric pulling out variations of colors and shapes. Let's say you use the top fabric for you sofa, the second for a side chair, the third and fourth color for pillows. You are getting the idea. Have fun with the following photos designing your own room.



Guilded Merlot
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.



Tropical Spa
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.




Metro Transition
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.




Jungle Love
Coordinating upholstery & drapery fabric. Click sub title to view suite.


How much fun is this, right!!!!!!!!!!!! This is why we love the challenge of design

Instant Room Part 2 of 2

Interview with Designer Joe Nye (Continued)

Babylone in Lin

"I've never been a big fan of embroidered fabrics — many sins have been committed in their name — but this one changed my mind. It has a particular elegance, and the luminous flowers add a note of glamour. They're in various pleasing shades of taupe, so it's not a screaming floral. The billowy quality of the linen background makes it great for curtains

Power's Court in Antique Green

"A dressy taffeta like this would be stunning on a bergère or fauteuil. I'm nuts for them, I use them in every room in every house. They're like jewelry."

Recamier Taffetas Stripe in Bleu Vert

"My favorite silk stripe ever. It adds richness to a room. I'd do two squishy down-filled sofa pillows with an extravagant fringe — this is your frothy moment."

I LOVE how this stripe pulls in all the colors from the floral. Joe really knew how to compliment the floral. This is how I design......great job Joe.

Semis Montrichard in S157

"I'm sitting on this right now in my living room! It has a quiet elegance, and it's great on a pair of slipper chairs pulled up to a coffee table, Billy Haines style."

Eaton Plain in Leaf Green

"It's got a watermarked strié, almost like a subtle moiré, that sort of shimmers. Dress up a club chair with it. The bonus is that it's hardy and easy to maintain."

Colorado in Anis

"To offset the shininess of BABYLONE curtains, upholster walls in this coarse-weave linen. The flat finish brings the dressiness down."

Indochine in Champagne

"I see this on a pretty, tufted round ottoman with lots of silk-covered buttons and a dressmaker's skirt — wide 6-inch pleats — that goes to the floor."

From the eyes of a designer, this is a good example of how it is done from our minds eye to reality!!!

DIY Projects You Will Love (Part 2)

Nature's stained glass

Chinese pistache leaves are translucent enough to glow like stained glass when lit from behind. To celebrate their vivid fall beauty indoors, display them on simple glass hurricane candle holders.

Gather leaf cuttings from your garden (ginkgo and Japanese maple are other good choices).

Press them in a book overnight to keep them from crinkling, then use one or two Glue Dots on the back of each stem, affixing each leaflet to the outside surface of the glass.

Turn CD cases into frames

Castoff CD cases are the perfect size for creating a quilt-like grid collection of landscape photos.

From the book Photocraft: Cool Things to Do with the Pictures You Love: Scan or crop your images to the size of a CD case (5 3/8 in. wide by 4 5/8 in. high) then print on good photopaper and trim. We recommend using standard (not slim) cases. Discard plastic inserts.

Back each photo with cardboard or foam board and snap the cases shut. Attach them to the wall with 3-inch strips of sticky-back hood-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro).

DIY decorating projects

Make a memory box table

Turn a deep photo frame and similar-sized side table into a venue for celebrating treasured keepsakes.

More: How to make this memory box table

Make your own designer bouquet

Treat yourself to colorful bouquets and arrangements from a mini flower studio you can create at home.

All you need is a sink, a little counter space, and a few essential tools. See what you can do with a single bloom, and how to turn just about any vintage vessel into a vase. (Tip #1: Start with the freshest flowers you can find.)

More: Flower shop secrets

Turn a drawer organizer into a bento-box guest tray  

Tuck a drawer organizer into a storage tote with some thoughtful amenities to make your houseguests feel like royalty. (Be forewarned: They’ll be eager for a return invite.)

How-to: Slip a drawer organizer into a fabric-covered box or other storage tote and stock it with a few travel-size essentials in coordinating materials and hues. Tie a washcloth with colorful string; wrap a bar of soap with wide ribbon; use letter stamps and a label sticker to personalize a scented candle.

DIY workspace

To create your own instant workspace anywhere, put a flat birch hollow-core door atop two adjustable sawhorses.

Cover the door with self-healing vinyl board cover (available from art and drafting supply stores). The closer you can get the board cover to the exact size of your door, the better.

Stencil a basic measuring system onto the board cover, and you'll never need to hunt down a measuring stick.

Time: Four hours plus drying time

Cost: About $175

Home Accents

Eclectic

Eclectic design encompasses a variety of periods and styles. Stick to a few neutrals, like the black, white and navy palette of this dresser vignette, to pull an eclectic look together. Another key component to this style is to mix in different finishes and textures.

Modern

Clean and streamlined, modern style keeps accessorizing to a minimum. Look for accessories in smooth, polished finishes and neutral hues. A modern must-have: strong, graphic artwork that makes a statement in the space.

Romantic

Romantic accessories should evoke femininity and softness. Luxurious fabrics and a pastel color palette take center stage in romantic design. Add in a little sparkle and pretty flowers to complete the look.

Traditional

Classic accessories, like oil paintings, gilt frames and pillows or throws in damask, floral or solid fabrics, set the scene for a traditional room. Warm woods and colors also help to create the sophisticated atmosphere associated with traditional design.

Accessories

Asian

Natural elements and colors found in nature are an integral part of Asian design. Accessories often feature hand-painted ornamental designs or fabrics with a similar look. Complete an Asian vignette with accessories in clean, contemporary lines to convey a serene atmosphere.

Coastal

Inspired by the ocean, coastal design evokes a light and airy environment. Nautical or beach-themed accessories, like seashells and starfish, are mixed with woven, textural elements. Look for accessories in beachy hues like blue, white and sand.

Contemporary

Neutral elements are mixed with a few pieces in a bold color to create a contemporary vignette. Lighting, which features straight lines and sleek metallic finishes, is often used as an artistic statement.

Cottage

Comfort is key in cottage style. Look for soft colors, fresh flowers and accessories with a weathered or distressed finish.

Country

Muted hues are paired with pops of red, black or white accents in country style. Look for accessories with a handmade rustic quality, including pottery and baskets. Wood also plays a prevalent role in country design.