A Peek at Pine Fair

I have another new construction project that is finishing up and I was able to stop by right before Christmas to check on it.  Pine Fair is a home for a great, young family and I so enjoyed working on it with them.  It's a wonderful mix of traditional design and some slightly modern touches.  There is still lots of cabinetry work and cleaning to do, but it's really close to being complete.  Here are few sneak peeks...

What started out as an idea on the floor of Home Depot...

...turned into this beautiful master shower.

The boy's bathroom

The kitchen is pretty chaotic right now, but hopefully you get the idea.

Stay tuned for final photos...

Final Look at Summer Duck

When a project comes to an end, it's always bitter sweet for me.  I love my work and my clients, so it's hard to say "good-bye".  Summer Duck was one of those projects where I had the best clients who trusted me to guide them through the difficult task of building a new house.  What's even better, they trusted themselves to make some gutsy decisions and pushed through to get them done.  I was able to get over one last time before they moved in and of course, the painters were still there doing last minute touch-ups.  I really wanted to have this house professionally photographed, but it just didn't work out.

This entry foyer is a perfect example of what this room should do.  It welcomes you and gives you a preview of what is to come in this home.

The perfect powder bath.  My client found a cute antique cabinet to use as the vanity.  Just needs a mirror to complement that chicken wire light!

I just don't have the words to describe how wonderful this kitchen turned out.

Farmhouse sink with Torquay counters by Cambria. 

My client and I spent a lot of time finding the perfect lights.  Here is one of three vintage ones she found over the summer. 

The family entry, off the garage, with interior brick pavers and board and batten trim.

Here's a laundry room that took a little effort, but so worth it.  Yes, that light is red!

For the sink, my client found a metal tub and paired it with a wall-mount tub filler.  Genius!

Master bath with wood floors.  My first time doing this on a project and so happy with how it turned out.  With just a little extra care, these should last for years to come.

Another vintage light...

Their son's bathroom turned out so great!  Vintage hexagon tile on the floor, white subway tile in the tub and a blue cabinet. 

In my last post about Summer Duck, I promised there would be a red front door.  This is the best photo I could get of that for you.  Oh, and here's the last vintage light. 

You can see more photos of Summer Duck on my Houzz profile and I can't wait to share more projects with you after the new year.  I wish you and yours a safe and joyous holiday.  We will continue to cherish our time with family and do our best to remember the real meaning of Christmas!

Design Made Simple

A few months ago I was asked to speak at a Holiday Open House by one of my favorite stores, Chrysalis Fabrics.  I really needed to step out of my comfort zone, so I agreed.  I was the only interior designer on the agenda and I spoke about how to bring color into your room using fabrics.  I was super nervous, but was told I did a great job.  I definitely prefer the one-on-one presentations best, but this was a fun experience I'll always remember.

I'm sure I was talking about something really important here...

This was my look for a family room where I discussed how to layer fabrics, rugs, trims, wallpaper and accessories to bring in color.

This was my master bedroom look.  I loved that embroidered fabric and had to use it for my inspiration piece.  Sorry for the bad photo, but because I did this look last, I didn't have time to create a vignette.  This was my practice shot from the day before.

Here is the "script" I followed for my talk and I also handed this out to the audience.  It's just some simple tips you can use to bring color and design into your space!

Tips for Mixing Fabrics and Patterns

TIP #1

Start with an inspiration piece!  For me, that's a fabric, but it can be a rug or a piece of art.  If it's a fabric, select one with a pattern using the colors you want to bring in the space.  You don't have to use this particular fabric on anything large, even just a pillow is enough of a statement.

TIP #2

Then, start looking at coordinating fabrics.  Don't think about where a particular fabric will go, just get as many choices as you can.  Stripes, textured solids, small scale patterns, etc.  I'd find six or seven options, as you can easily edit once you are home.

TIP #3

Finally, when thinking about what fabrics will go where consider two things; the scale of the fabric and how durable it is.  Woven fabrics, with texture, are great for upholstered pieces that get a lot of use.  Linens, silks and embroidered fabrics work best for window treatments and pillows.  Color AND texture are important when mixing fabrics.  You not only want the fabrics to look good, but feel good.

 

TIP #4

Trims are your friend!  You can put them on pillows or use them as bands for simple drapery panels.  These are the details that will give your room its personality.

TIP #5

Keep trends for the smaller, inexpensive items in your space like pillows and accent chairs.  Bigger items (like your sofa) should be upholstered in a neutral fabric so you will love it for years to come!

TIP #6

Follow your gut.  9 times out of 10, you will go with the first fabric you liked.  Don't wait thinking something better might be out there.  Once you make that first commitment, then all the others will fall into place much easier.

If you have any questions about this post, or anything else.  Please leave me a comment.  I love to know that someone is actually reading my blog and will do my best to respond quickly.

Now, go bring some good design into your space!

Summer Duck is Almost Done

When I stopped in to check on my Summer Duck project last week, I couldn't contain my excitement.  There were tons of tradespeople there working, so the photos aren't the best, but hopefully you can see why I am loving this house!

Home of a future red front door...

View from Upstairs

Another example of why I love wallpaper.

I can't wait to show you more photos of this master bath.  There is a freestanding tub, an amazing shower and did you notice we used wood flooring?  BEAUTIFUL!  

I'm off to celebrate Thanksgiving.  I'm truly thankful for so much - my son, my family and my clients!  They are truly the reason I love my job so much and can't wait to see what the next day has in store.  I hope you will be surrounded by love and laughter this holiday weekend.

Oh, and WAR EAGLE!

Chez Sois {take six}

Well, it's almost finished and anyone who has ever been a part of a construction or remodeling project knows there are always a few "hiccups" along the way.  Even with the best laid plans, things don't always come together as you hope and Chez Sois is no exception.

The kitchen selections were all done, but then the inevitable back order happened.  The accent tile wasn't available and the company couldn't even tell us when it would be.  With the counters already ordered, we made a safe decision by going with the mosaic version of what we already selected for the field tile on the splash.  This ended up being a much better choice than our first!

Here is what we originally picked out...

The quartz counters were white with a warm neutral veining, cabinets were white, main field tile was a white/gray marble and our accent tile (the sample leaning against the cabinet door) was going to tie it all in together.

Once everything was installed, my client just wasn't happy with the white counters.  She waited until everything was done before deciding, but it just wasn't working.  I'm proud of her for not just "living with it" and regretting it years later, but it was definitely a delay and expense we weren't counting on.  So, gray counters were ordered!  Thankfully, we were able to use the first set of counters on another project.

The new counters were installed last week and I took a quick picture before they had finished up...

And this is the only photo I have showing the original counters...

 

With all that was going on with our counters, the contractor made great progress on some of the trim details we had planned.  He was very patient with us in laying out the mantel and paneling on the walls so my client could envision everything he was going to do.  Here's how the mantel literally came to life this week...

Pencil drawings to get all the measurements worked out.

Then, the marble tile surround was installed.

And we are almost there.  Just needs a coat of paint and the new logs!

I will leave you with one last photo of the powder bath progress.  These rooms always end up being my favorite and I can't wait to show you the finished space!

 

Great Company...Funny Name!

I picked up a few new lines while at High Point Furniture Market and I'm excited to share another one with you today.  I know most designers don't like to reveal their "sources", but I don't mind talking about the ones who deserve a little love.  Tritter Feefer was a furniture company recommended to me by other designers I know, so they were on my short list of vendors to visit.

They are a small, family owned company in LaGrange, Georgia (which is only about 200 miles from Tallahassee) and their items are made in the USA.  Not only that, but they offer tons of great finishes and everything can be customized.  A designers dream!  I can't wait to use them on my next project...

  

See something you like?  Email me and let's talk!

Giveaway Time!

I'm not a big fan of contests, but I do need to step up my marketing game a little and social media seems to be the place to do it these days.  I also did promise to give away something great I found at High Point, so here's the deal...

I'm a huge fan of flat weave rugs.  They are everywhere and for good reason.  My favorite thing about them is they are reversible.  I also love all the fun pattern and colors they come in and the price point is really great.  To celebrate my love for Surya's flat weave rugs, I'm giving one away to a lucky follower of Jennifer Taylor Design.

The Rules

• You must "like" Jennifer Taylor Design on Facebook to enter. To increase your chances of winning, you can "follow" Jennifer Taylor Design on Instagram.
• Today, I am posting the photo above on Facebook to announce the contest.  To enter the giveaway you must "like" the photo, share the photo on your wall and comment that you have done both.  All three things must happen to enter your name into the drawing.
• If you want to enter a second time, then find this same photo on my Instagram feed.  Like the photo and leave a comment.  
• I'm going to select one winner on November 15, 2013 and they will be notified via an announcement on Facebook and Instagram.
• Once the winner, is selected, you will get to choose which 2' x 3' rug you want from the ones featured below.  Your rug will ship directly to you within 2 weeks.
• It's that easy!

 

Stripe

Yellow

Red

Blue