Few interior design and decorating projects present me with such gorgeous furnishings with which to work, but this was one of those rare exceptions. My client was downsizing from her previous home filled with the finest treasures. She needed almost no new furniture or accessories, but needed them showcased in her new home. Lovingly curated art and antiques were waiting for me to arrange them into a new home. The trick was to display such treasures in a way that made a warm and inviting living environment.
The process of designing a whole house at once can be overwhelming. But if you take it a room at a time, it can be more manageable. That is what I do. The first step is a complete inventory of all furniture and rugs that the client wants to use in the new home. Once we complete the inventory, we layout all the furniture to scale in the new spaces. The types of pieces we place in the rooms will give us a design direction. A French directoire style chest in a bedroom gives it a more masculine feel, so we’ll create a gentleman’s guest bedroom with a hunt scene toile. A large English tavern table in the dining room prompts me to select an English floral fabric for the walls. This is how we go about creating a new environment for long-loved pieces.
Once we have the fabrics and wallcoverings ordered that complement our design themes, recovered upholstery, drapes and bedding arrive. We sort through all the client’s beloved books, art, rugs and object d’art and place them in the rooms that, again, complement the themes we have created. This is the most exciting part of the process. It is a rewarding experience for the client to see her life-long collection at home in new spaces, used in new ways. It’s like seeing old friends.
The new home is not only beautiful, with outstanding treasures that have taken a lifetime to collect, it also reflects the clients personal warmth and quiet elegance. A job well done.