Cohesive Combinations
When approaching the design of a new space, it's important to incorporate the things and ideas that you love, but make sure that everything remains cohesive. Sometimes, you just want color or to incorporate wallpaper and texture, but there's a fine line between clashing and cohesion. In the South, we tend to see interior design mostly sticking to the neutral, of which there is a lot. I tend to believe that this is because New Orleans is a very French-inspired city and the palette of most French antiques is in tones of cream and white. French antiques and reproductions are often wonderful to use in most settings, but today I would like to discuss mixing things up a bit, of course.
I've been very inspired lately by a new project that I am working on, a residential project for a Uptown New Orleans pied-a-terre. Our client's taste is exquisite and this is not a project where we will be shying away from making bold statements and choices. We will be sticking to the always classic pallette of black and white, but will be updating this by really making some spaces shine. And, by saying shine, I mean gold! I've found some really beautiful spaces on Pinterest today that I think really represent the direction in which we are headed.
This image shows a really awesome twist on traditional French seating. I have come across so many different antiques that I have adored, but needs some serious TLC. Of course, the term polychrome directly means painted, printed, or decorated in several colors and this patina is something that is searched for and so unique to this antiques. If perhaps the colors aren't to your liking or the chairs needs to be refinished, think about going in a completely different direction, like gold. Also, the frames of these chairs lend themselves nicely to a beautiful lacquered paint job as well, like black. For me, gold is where it is at.
This photo mentions something that is unique to New Orleans: we love our Saints! I forget that black and gold has special meaning in Louisiana, but that does not mean that you can't incorporate if in your own design. If you might recall, I love to do some lacquering and I think the shelving and trim in this room is absolutely stunning. Keeping an open space still light and bright with reflective surfaces (floors, furniture) and walls (white walls, lacquer trim) employs the design trick of incorporating dark colors into your design scheme.
I absolutely adore this stunning dining room from Chicago designer Megan Winters. I think this picture highlights the use of black, gold, and white with other simpler, more neutral elements to create a cohesive space with bold looks and combinations. I often employ the use of different fabrics on one piece of furniture because I feel that it gives you the option of combining complimentary textures and colors in one piece. I probably would shy away from using a French settee as dining room seating, but it certainly works well in this room. Also, here sea grass is used as a rug that echoes the almost yellow color on the walls and this can be used as a very cost-effective solution for flooring.
Until next time,
Evie
