The Decorologist

How to Make the Wood in Your Dining Room Come to Life

May 16, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 7 Comments

As a Nashville Interior Decorator and Color Consultant, I often am asked what can be done to “spruce up” a dining room. The tricky thing about dining rooms is that they are often filled with wood, with little color or fabric going on.

DSC 6445 How to Make the Wood in Your Dining Room Come to Life

Typically, there are lots of wood furnishings and wood flooring – the main opportunities for color or pattern are chair fabric, window treatments, and wall color. If the wall color is a neutral, the dining room can really lack personality. Here’s the “before” state of a recent client’s dining room:

DSC 4381 How to Make the Wood in Your Dining Room Come to Life Dining Room Before

My client has lots of lovely antiques that unfortunately don’t have a lot of presence with such a colorless backdrop. A rich, moody color was prescribed by The Decorologist:

DSC 6431 How to Make the Wood in Your Dining Room Come to Life

Dining Room After

Now her wood furnishings look rich and the room pulls you in. Here’s another view from the entry of the room “before.”

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Dining Room Before

New color and furniture rearrangement made all the difference in this dining room.

DSC 6428 How to Make the Wood in Your Dining Room Come to Life

Dining Room After

We haven’t yet changed the fabric on the chair bottoms, but I’m thinking something like this to update the overall look:

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or maybe this:

blue fabric How to Make the Wood in Your Dining Room Come to Life

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Don’t be afraid to inject a little color into your dining room. It might be just the pick-me-up it needs!

DSC 6432 How to Make the Wood in Your Dining Room Come to Life

If you need help finding the perfect colors for your home, contact The Decorologist to schedule a Color Consultation today: kristie@thedecorologist.com

Filed Under: Color Consultation Tagged With: blue, color, color consultant, color consultation, decorator, decorologist, dining room, green, interior decorator, nashville, room makeover

Loving the Fireplace You Used to Hate

May 14, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 11 Comments

Ah, the fireplace. The heart of the home, the hearth, the focal point of any well-appointed living room. But what if the heart of your home fills you with contempt?

Lovely, Non-Contemptuous Fireplace

In the photos I’m going to share with you below, the wall color stayed the same and no new furnishings or accessories were purchased. A lot like that old show on HGTV, Decorating Cents (that I still miss!), this makeover is what most people refer to as an “interior redesign,” aka, “working with whatcha got and not buying anything new.” Here’s the “before” of the living room. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Design Intervention Tagged With: black paint, color, decorating cents, fireplace, hgtv, living room, paint it black, pinterest, redesign, room makeover, the decorologist

The Decorologist is in the Houzz

May 12, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 14 Comments

I didn’t start this blog because I was a writer, or because I longed to write. I started this blog because I was bursting with ideas and thoughts that I wanted to put down somewhere, to document them, to share with whoever might be willing to listen.

Woman Typing on Laptop Co 007 The Decorologist is in the Houzz

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Sometimes I’m surprised by the attention The Decorologist (the blog, not the person) gets – the contacts I make with people is kinda astounding, especially when it brings unexpected opportunities. If you are addicted to design and decorating and/or read design blogs, you have probably heard of Houzz.com.

houzz logoLarge1 The Decorologist is in the Houzz

Houzz is the internet’s largest database of design and decorating ideas – it’s an amazing site full of inspirational rooms by over 60,000 top designers. Way before Pinterest, Houzz gave us a way to collect images in ideabooks for reference when remodeling and decorating our homes. They also provide awesome articles about how to make your home look fabulous.

DSC 3624 The Decorologist is in the Houzz

Houzz contacted this little ol’ Nashville decorator a couple of months ago about writing some of those awesome articles for their site, and today my first article debuts! It’s the first in an eight-part series about how to create a specific mood or feeling in a room. This series is going to be chocked full of my best tricks-of-the-trade, the first one focusing on how to make a small room feel larger. I guarantee if you follow my advice, you can add visual square footage to any room!

96341 0 8 9570 eclectic dining room The Decorologist is in the Houzz

Abbe Fenimore Studio Ten 25

So here’s the link: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2212033/list/Mood-Makers–Small-Rooms–Spacious-Feel

This is not the title that I came up with – I’m seeing that I’m going to have to give up a little control because of editing and all that jazz. It would be great if you left a comment on the article or add any tips you have for making a space feel bigger. Me, a paid writer? Who knew!

Filed Under: Decor Addiction, My Decorology, Popular Posts Tagged With: blog, decorating, decorator, decorologist, designer, houzz, make a small room bigger, nashville, small room, writing

Does Virtual Design (Long-Distance Decorating) Really Work?

May 9, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 12 Comments

Obviously, if I am writing this post I think the answer is “Yes!” Some people call it “e-design” or “online design,” but I’m sure you’ve heard about it. Awhile back, a sweet girl named Emily contacted me about virtually-designing the small older home she shares with her husband. The only caveat was that she wanted to keep the paint color in her kitchen and dining area, so everything needed to tie in with that. You may recall the article where I shared the Inspiration Board for the space, but here again is the design I created for her:

OB EHs Inspiration Board1 Does Virtual Design (Long Distance Decorating) Really Work?

Virtual Design Inspiration Board by The Decorologist

If you want to see the Inspiration Boards that helped us narrow down the options (rugs, lighting, and dining room furnishings), check those out in my prior article here. What’s really exciting for me is when a Virtual Design client sends me “after” photos of the finished design, which Emily did a few months ago. Let’s take a look at the REAL “before and afters.”

March2011 015 Does Virtual Design (Long Distance Decorating) Really Work?

Living Room/Dining Room Before

When Brass is a Good Thing & What You Get From Having a Melt-Down

May 7, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 8 Comments

Most of us are aware that shiny brass fixtures can make a home feel a bit dated. But those fixtures aren’t real brass – and real brass can add class (sorry, couldn’t resist the rhyme). I found this brass lamp at a yard sale a few weeks ago – it’s made of real brass and it has a bit more depth and better color than that cheap brass finish we are all so tired of.

DSC 6216 When Brass is a Good Thing & What You Get From Having a Melt Down

Real Brass Lampbase

I’d say it’s at least 40 years old, and probably cost a pretty penny when first bought. I paid $15 for it. It had a dusty cream pleated shade in a triangular shape, which I discarded before I left the sale! This blue/green drum shade definitely is better – I really can’t abide triangle shades, even in a room sporting a vintage vibe (like mine). I think the touch of gold ties in well to my gilt coffee table – I wrote about that paint transformation here.

DSC 6214 When Brass is a Good Thing & What You Get From Having a Melt Down

Gilt is Good

I am loving this round coffee table so much – there’s so much room to make pretty vignettes!

DSC 6224 When Brass is a Good Thing & What You Get From Having a Melt Down

Tabletop Vignette

Did you notice those beautiful flowers on the table? Mr. Man was out of town for over 2 1/2 weeks for business – he sent these last week after a phone conversation during which I was very stressed about my and the kids’ schedules, as well as some computer difficulties. These showed up on my doorstep the next afternoon – he must have been concerned that I was LOSING IT.

DSC 6226 When Brass is a Good Thing & What You Get From Having a Melt Down

What You Get For Having a Melt-Down

Maybe I should lose it more often! He’s home now, so this week should be a bit more manageable. But you never can tell . . .

Filed Under: My Decorology, Retail Therapy Tagged With: brass, gilt, glass table, gold, lamp, yard sale

The Proof is in the Results: Speed Staging by The Decorologist

May 4, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 5 Comments

Remember the post I did recently about my Speed Staging services? These are the Realtor photos of the home that my assistant and I staged in 2 hours flat.

dining 1 The Proof is in the Results: Speed Staging by The Decorologist

Staged Dining Room

Jim and Melissa Allen are my favorite local Realtors, specializing in the areas of Brentwood, Franklin, and Nashville, Tennessee. Because they’ve seen the power of good staging in the many jobs we have done together, they now provide their clients with a Staging Consultation or Speed Staging by The Decorologist as part of their listing agreement. For FREE!

master alt 1 The Proof is in the Results: Speed Staging by The Decorologist

Staged Bedroom by The Decorologist

The Allens know how to sell houses – they already have brought in 2 offers on this very home – and it’s not even listed on MLS yet!!!

kitchen alt 1 The Proof is in the Results: Speed Staging by The Decorologist

Staged Kitchen

Looks like quality Realtors and a quality Home Stager may have this home sold without even having to put it on the market officially!

living alt 3 1 The Proof is in the Results: Speed Staging by The Decorologist

Staged Living Room

If you want to experience the staging process and see some “before” and “afters” of this beautiful home, read my post called Speed Staging with The Decorologist. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Greater Nashville area, contact Jim and Melissa Allen. And tell them The Decorologist sent you.

Filed Under: Design Intervention Tagged With: brentwood, brentwood area homes, decorologist, franklin, home, jim allen, melissa allen, nashville, nashville home stager, nashville home staging, realtor, remax, speed staging, stager, staging, tennessee, tn

House Beautiful’s Top Kitchen Design Mistakes

May 2, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 15 Comments

I recently read House Beautiful‘s Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes, and for the most part I agree with their list!

hbx joan schindler white kitchen 0507 lgn House Beautifuls Top Kitchen Design Mistakes

Joan Schlinder

One that made the list was not taking your cabinets to the ceiling. Leaving a space above the cabinetry typically results in a breeding ground for faux ivy covered in dust. Am I wrong? Anywho, do check out the rest of House Beautiful’s no-no’s for kitchen design here. It’s Decorologist-approved!

Filed Under: Decor Addiction Tagged With: cabinetry, decorologist, design, house beautiful, kitchens, mistakes, white

How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

April 30, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 19 Comments

Do you believe that first impressions count? What impression do your front door and entry make on your guests?

DSC 61571 How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Newly-Painted Black Front Door

I recently did a Color Consultation for a Nashville client who needed to get her home ready to sell. The outside needed a pick-me-up, as you can see: pic1 How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Tired Oak Door

This oak entry had been battered by the elements. When I suggested painting the entire thing black, I think my client was taken a little aback that I didn’t suggest re-staining it instead. A little black paint can be a powerful thing:

DSC 61541 How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Updated House Exterior

The area around the double windows in the front, as well as the boxes below all the front windows were previously painted in a pinky-beige color.

pic2 How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Exterior Before

I specified a slightly different neutral with a more current undertone (green), which makes the house look more sophisticated and current. Oh, and I also had her spray paint her existing worn sconces black. I was so happy to see how well it turned out:

DSC 6155 How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Fresh and Current Exterior

The makeover extended past the front door into the entry. This is what the entry looked like before – notice the floors and how they don’t seem to fit with the faux-finished wall treatment.

house How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Entry Before

And this is a view of the entry from the open front door. The door you see straight ahead leads into the main living area of the house.

pic4 How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Interior Entry Before

I had my client just remove that awkward door so that it opened up the space. The black door ties into the grout of the flooring, and the new wall color is lighter and more welcoming than the previous dark faux-finished color.

DSC 6207 001 How the Right Paint Colors Can Make A Great First Impression

Updated Entry Colors

I think this project was definitely a success and goes to show you what a little paint and a little know-how can do! If you want to improve your current paint color scheme, contact The Decorologist to schedule a Color Consultation.

Filed Under: Color Consultation Tagged With: black door, color, color consultant, consultation, decorologist, expert, exterior paint color, nashville, paint, staging, updated

3 Ways to Freshen Up an Older or Historic Home

April 27, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 18 Comments

This week I got to stage a beautiful historic property to sell. It was a Bed & Breakfast for years, and formerly served as a girls’ academy in the early 20th century. Staging a home like this is a challenge. While you want to make it appeal to the widest audience possible, you have to realize that most of the people interested in buying that type of home are attracted to historically-decorated interiors.

DSC 6144 3 Ways to Freshen Up an Older or Historic Home

Staged Historic Property

So, a balance must be struck. I’m going to share 3 things that were important to freshening up this older home. These tips are applicable whether you are selling your home, or you just want to update without losing the character of your older home.

If the wallpaper [Read more...]

Filed Under: Design Intervention Tagged With: adams gold, bed and breakfast, benjamin moore, georgian green, historic, historic colors, home, paint colors, palladian blue, real estate, stager, staging, victorian, vintage, wallpaper

Just Say No to the Brass Nipple! Alternatives to Builder-Grade Flush Mount Lighting

April 25, 2012 By Kristie Barnett 11 Comments

I get lots of requests from design clients and blog readers for recommendations for alternatives to those generic builder-grade flush mount light fixtures in their entries and hallways. You know – the dreaded nipple lights:

Dated Brass Nipple Light

My decorating experience here in Nashville and with online clients has certainly forced me to find some good alternatives to the builder-grade fixture. While the options are a bit limited in this price range, here are a few you can score at big box stores (either Lowes or Home Depot) for under $100: