When I think of Robert Allen, I think fabric.  But, they sell drapery hardware and furniture as well.  I’ve recently used their drapery hardware and was very pleased.  So, I thought I would share.

Their metal rods come in three finishes.

They offer two ring styles.

And, in this “Cufflinks Collection” they offer a range of cufflinks, which serve as end caps and as a center cap for larger (longer) installations. 

I ended up using the pewter rods with matching “button rosette” cufflinks in both my living and dining rooms, respectively.

I really like how delicate these rods look, with just the simple cufflink details.  The product is well made and reasonably priced.  To see the full range of Robert Allen drapery hardware, including downloadable tearsheets, go here.  For more information or for pricing, feel free to contact me.

Thought I would share a quick photo of the progress on my dining room.  I absolutely love the rug and chandelier.  I promise to share more photos when the room is properly accessorized, etc.  But, for now I am happy.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.  Be safe!

I have to apologize for the lack of timely and substantive posts around here this week.  We have had a lot going on in our world.  I’ve been simultaneously battling a sinus cold and some never-ending nausea while trying to keep on top of work and home…..it’s been a bit much.

But, anyway.  I have something to look forward to.  Last summer, I stumbled upon the below picture on a little blog (and I am extremely sorry I cannot remember the blog….) kept by a gift store owner.  She had customized the below chandelier to match the paint color on her dining room walls.

Something about this whimsical chandelier spoke to me.  So, I ordered my own.  My dining room walls are painted Benjamin Moore Wedgewood Gray on the walls and Navajo White on the chair rail and all molding.  On my chandelier, the branches will be a pewter color, the flowers a cranberry color and the birds’ feathers, painted to match my walls.

I’ll admit the process has been a long one.  The chandelier arrived in February with the wrong color glass.  I was freaking out until I found my samples and realized it was not my mistake.  The blue is the tiny center of the flower…it matches the walls.

The showroom sent a picture last week to confirm the new crystal colors.  Much better…..

And, here is a sneak peak of the birds, painted Wedgewood Gray.

The UPS truck is due in this afternoon with my chandelier.  My dining room rug is to be delivered and spread next week.  I am so excited to see this room finally come together.  I will not lie, this chandelier  is a bit out there for me.  I rarely question my decisions….but until this chandelier is hung and in place, I do not think I’ll exhale fully.

I had better love it….or else Maddie will need a bigger room to house her new chandelier! I’ll be sure to post pictures once it is hung!

In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Do you have a project hanging out there that you really need to just focus on?  I do, and it is really starting to nag at me.  It seems like there are not enough hours in the day.  By the time I give to my daughter and husband, my clients and my business, my friends and family, even the dog….working on decorating my home tends to fall down on the priority list.  What do they say about the shoemaker’s kids having no shoes?  I get it.

Anyways, here is my black cloud hanging over my head.  I am doing a custom rug in our living room.  And, here is the state it is in at the moment.

The starting point for this rug came from an ad my husband spotted in the June 2009 Veranda.  He thought it might look nice in our living room.  And, by taking the initiative to help in the process, I know he was hoping to keep me more on the traditional side, which is fine.

The other day as I was writing the final check for my dining room “Stump Rug” he casually inquired as to when our living room rug would be in.   I felt a bit guilty telling him I still had not sent back revisions on the art board that was in my possession.  I need to review the board, make modifications, determine if I like the colors, pattern, etc.  I can do this…I just need some quiet time to accomplish it.  And, my goal is to get that done in the next week.  I am hoping by posting it here it will keep me accountable!

So, do you have any projects, big or small, hanging over your head?  I’d love to hear about them.  Misery loves company!

My husband gave me the idea for this post, reminding me of when we moved into our last townhouse in early January and the first thing he did was run out and buy a huge TV.  Literally, he chose the TV based on what could be delivered in advance of a Super Bowl party we were hosting.  The thing was huge (rear projection) and was prominently placed on top of a Crate & Barrel media console (also chosen by what was in stock…we drove to Maryland to pick it and some bar stools up from their warehouse so we could have some furniture in time for the big day).

Fast forward to our current home.  I wouldn’t let that big monstrosity set foot above the basement.  It is down there with a Wii hooked up to it (with cracked glass thanks to a flying wii control) and is fine until we start designing the basement–which will be a while….  But, upstairs I made my husband live with a 30″ or so TV until I could determine the best way to conceal his next monstrosity.  All I asked was that it be flat….so I could hide it.  I picked my battles and agreed to refrain from painting the speakers that are in the wall (my painter actually backed Chris up on this one) and I am ok with the black speaker sitting on top of the unit.  Life is about compromises, right?

Now, we are both happy.  We had the below media unit custom made to fit the specs of our TV.  Please forgive the lack of properly styled shelves….this is not the point of this post.  What I really love about this piece is that the depth of the unit allows me to display items on the shelves….and they do not get in the way of the lift mechanism.

Here it is closed, the lift works off a remote control…..

 And here it is open.  Admittedly, it is in this position a lot more than I would care to admit.

I have read lots of varying opinions on whether or not the TV should be hidden.  Many designers feel that TVs are part of life, why hide them.  And, I’ve seen many that quite tastefully blend in with the decor.  It may just be me….but I really just do not want to look at one, unless I am plopped in front of it watching a movie or a favorite show.

I thought I would show some photos of other potential ways to decorate around modern media.  One idea is to use a console table with a pop up.  I have displayed a number of attractive options below.  My only complaint about this design is that you cannot put anything on the console where it would interfere with the lift mechanism.  So, basically you’ve got a blank (or partially blank) console table sitting in your room.  A lamp, books, picture frames, etc. may not be entirely feasible.

From Left to Right: Bausman & Company, Drexel Heritage, Casa Marron, Cabinet Tronix, Century Furniture. 

Another option is to mount the TV to the wall and conceal it behind a piece of art (you can use stock images or custom art).  I really like this option as long as you have the wall space to embed the TV into the wall so the frame on the art is flush with the wall.  There is always the option of installing the TV box on the wall….but then I think it makes it obvious that the art is hiding something which, to me, kind of defeats the purpose.

VisionArt Galleries is a popular manufacturer of these systems.

Another similar company is Auton Motorized Systems.

Finally, there is always the good old fashioned armoire or cabinet.  They make RF technology remotes these days so that you can conceal your electronics and still be able to use your remotes without opening cabinet doors.  Here are some nice armoires.

From Left to Right: Habersham Home, Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman, Hickory Chair, Nottingham Antiques, Hickory White.

I am working on our master bedroom now and am struggling with what to do in there.  Currently we have an armoire in our sitting area…but the TV is too small to view from the bed….I am considering a wall mount with a swivel and am seriously considering the concealed art option with a console or low bookshelf below.  But, the budget will dictate how much of my vision makes it into reality.

I would love to hear your opinions on the subject, to hide or not?  Do you have any great ideas or solutions to share?

Back in November I attended the annual Niermann Weeks Sample sale in the lobby of their factory in Millersville, Maryland.  Here is a picture of the lobby hours before the sale (image from Eleanor McKay’s Blog).

There was so much great stuff to look at.  Particularly, I fell in love with a pair of Balustrade Lamps.  Here they are right after I brought them home.  They are located just off our family room….which is a very open floor-plan of kitchen/sun-room/family room.

I thought the lamps looked great in this spot, but the paper shades were not doing it for me.  I headed over to my favorite lighting showroom with a lamp in tow (it’s heavy) and we played with different shade options.  I knew I wanted a linen shade but was not sure on the shape and size.  We ended up with a bell shaped linen sized so that the bottom of the shade would fall just above the top of the base.   The shades arrived last week and I am quite happy with them.

I think it looks better now that you can see the full base.  What do you think?  I love it.  And, now I have two paper shades crying for a DIY project.  I am thinking wallpaper….

In all, I think the trip out to Millersville was a success.  It was fun to peek into the factory and I was able to meet Eleanor Niermann briefly (understandably, she was busy) too which was nice.  It is always nice to put a face with a voice you have spoken with over the phone. 

If you are interested in a Niermann Weeks piece for your own home, please contact me.  I am always happy to help.