Nautical elements in interiors can easily get theme-ey if they’re not applied judiciously. And who wants to live on the set of Gilligan’s Island?  That’s were a designer can come in handy.  We take a step back from the project and offer the restrained wisdom that comes with experience.  Let these interiors inspire the reserved, but fun approach nautical should be.

Such a great mix of moody blues.

Window treatment evocative of sails, but not an actual sail, strikes a subtle balance.

The galley of an old schooner?

Our friend Ruard Veltman was featured in House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the month.  The layout features Ruard’s own dining space which has a cooking area at one end.  Such a gracious way to accommodate spending time with your friends and family as the meal unfolds.

The refrigerator and more storage along with another more heavy duty sink are in the working pantry below.

Always thinking about how fashion translates to interiors.  Love this for room palette inspiration.

Navy and orange.  Mmmmm.  And we just loved the fun sashes around the ankles.

The fireworks are over and just their wrappers remain… in shreds strewn all over the yard.  But we’re like that neighbor that keeps setting off the leftover firecrackers for a couple more days!  We just can’t get enough of the summer fun the holiday imbues, so here’s one more spark.

You may think a stair runner is fusty (that’s right, I used fusty) or formal or antiquated, but we’d like the following images to tread on that notion.

This eclectic mix of rugs pieced together is a studio fav for the week.

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Stairs are an architectural element we often overlook but they have so much potential.  Vertical stripes are a great way to emphasize stairs .  Love the neutral ground and one judicious gesture of dynamic color.

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For the more color shy.  This single vertical strip serves to emphasize height and the sculptural quality of your stairs as well.

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Horizontal stripes de-emphasize the height of the stairs to create a more intimate feel.

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Or for a real twist, try the anti-runner.  Paint out the stairs and leave the strip where a runner would be natural.

One of our newest clients just bought a lovely old home with a patchwork of new and original flooring on the first floor.  The re-model will completely open up the spaces to each other, consequently exposing this mixed mash of old and new.  And while we must admit we are constantly going on about “the mix”, we seem to have found one of the few instances where the mix is so not working.  Our Solution to unify the variety of old and new wood flooring?  PAINT IT!  So while we’re on the subject of painted floors here are some more ideas to inspire.I know we’ve used this image before, but we can’t help it.  So much is right with this space.
On the opposite end of the spectrum these more graphic paint jobs get us excited too.

Great pattern and inspired color for a small space like a vestibule or powder room.

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A great way we soften all those shiny and/or hard surfaces is to add a touch of softness and texture.

Feel Free to Click and Read Here or Visit Charlotte Home & Garden Magazine

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A peek inside the home of the creative director for Jayson Home and Garden reveals a collection truly using contrast and the mix in all the right ways.  Lisa Sherry Interieurs uses the same principles of high and low, new and vintage/antique, textured and sleek to build layers and interest within a space.  Not only do we build these collections for our clients, we work hard to maintain a collection of pieces available at our online boutique to help you achieve the mix.

With every project there are always pieces the homeowner has collected and knows they want to keep.  But when you are just beginning a design and cultivating a collected look there are key pieces in every room that a designer can start you with to head you in the right direction for a life-time of collecting.

We are thrilled to be working with Catherine Horgan, owner of Closet [of] Style of Charlotte, NC. A self proclaimed “stylologist”, Catherine works with men and women to express their personal style; identifying signature looks based on color palette, body shape and personality. Check out Catherine’s website to learn more about her range of services or follow her on twitter for great tips and fashion updates!

Meanwhile, we’ll be working on the new look for her home and we’re so excited to have a client who wants BLACK WALLS!  This tear sheet speaks to Catherine’s desired new look and our signature style.  From the cozy sit-around to the fresh black, white and gray color palette, we plan to introduce these elements and more into Catherine’s home.

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I wonder if any element of interior design is more personal than color.  Nothing can more quickly reveal aspects of personality and character than the choice or absence of color.  ~Van Day Truex

Color plays  a variety of roles in the drama of the design practice; sometimes cast as extras in supporting roles and many times the star of the show.  In these roles a particular color selection can show the audience a bit of the character and personality of both the designer and their clientele.

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Color, when used precisely in one or a select few choices, will add a focal point in a space that says, “Here I am.  The one, the only, come on over!”

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Here the star of the show is an acidic green, paired with a very neutral yet cool background.  There is a balance here that makes for a space  anyone can enjoy… If you didn’t like the color green before, you love it now!

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We LOVE black!  When a color consumes a space , the result is an intimate place , a sanctuary.  Here I could see myself curling up in my favorite PJ’s and reading a great book, or rummaging through all my old domino magazines.

The more I work with white the more I have come to understand nothing is ever void of pigment.  White is endlessly changing according to context.  To some white connotes absence and void, but the use of white can open our perception to texture,  shade, and shadow in a way other colors may obscure.

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This tear sheet from Elle Decor is a great example of the endless range of texture white enhances.

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Some may say a limited color palette of white will be cold.  I think this pair is evidence that white can be quite cozy thank you very much!

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“Some people find my colour scheme depressing, but grey helps to create a sense of tranquility and rest”.  -Monique Meij-Beekman.

If you haven’t had a chance to pick up the December issue of Elle Decor UK here’s a sampling of the gorgeous article featuring Dutch designer and boutique owner Monique Meij-Beekman.  With her understated palette, texture takes the lead and makes us sigh.  Just what we all need this time of year.