Media- the perfect storm

Ok, so I want you to know I am not trying to make you vomit by patting myself on the back (you say: yada yada yada here it comes- eyes rolling).  My life is usually fairly (correction: completely) boring and I am just so shocked at whatever this freak Twilight-like stuff that's happening in my life- I wanted to share my thoughts and thanks.
The past year and a half has been nothing short of amazing (no really- freakishly amazing)!  I put up my website, I started writing my blog (something I never thought I could do or had the time for), I started tweeting (ditto, and I suck at it), I got photographed for Country Home magazine, I (my house) appeared in Kitchen and Bath Makeover magazine, I was hired to be the Interior designer for This Old House TV show, My work was in This Old House Magazine a couple times, An article about me was published on the front page of the Newton Tab newspaper (Thanksgiving week no less), I have been quoted in Better Home and Gardens magazine, I was in New England Home Magazine, I did a piece for HGTV Blog and website, This month my house is in a four page spread in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine and I am guest Blogging for New England Home Magazine.  All of this after 12 years of obscurity, keeping my head down, working hard for clients and living on word-of-mouth referrals.
Holy shmoly!!!!!!

Last night at my book group someone asked me why all this is happening now?  Was it the TV show, was it the blog?  What was it and how did it start?  My answer???? I have no flipping idea! (I am surprisingly eloquent at times).  My grandfather used to say “luck is when hard work meets opportunity”.  Is that it?  is this just good luck or hard work meeting opportunity (notice I put luck first)???  Over the last 12 years of working in this industry I must say I always try to do my absolute best.  I am honest to a fault, straight forward, happy and friendly.  I believe in making my client’s feel good about their taste and choices and hopefully they love the design process.  I am by no means perfect, I am a small company and if one of my kids, husband or I get sick, the world stops.  I try to return phone calls and emails within 48 hours (I get hundreds of emails everyday)  Could I be speedier- yep, absolutely, but there is only one me and I do my best.  I am 15 min late for everything and the hip outfits for the first few appointments degrade into just shy of my gym clothes as time goes on (you think I’m kidding- you’re lucky I shower most of the time). Of all the amazing designers out there, I am as good as others at some stuff, and I am far worse at some stuff than many, but I do try hard and I really care.  I just can’t believe that after 12 years of designing people’s homes- I am finally getting noticed.  Ya freaking hoooooo!!!!!!!

For all this I want to thank all of my wonderful, incredible clients who have made my job so amazing- I adore every one of you!  I also want to thank all of my vendors, you are the backbone of my success.  In an industry that Designers work alone or with a very small staff, it is the wonderful relationships with my vendors and clients that make my job so amazing and supremely satisfying.  I love that my kids see that mommy loves what she does for a living- I wake up and can’t wait to start working.  I hope they find the same passion for their careers in life. 

What makes for the best living room?

“The chicest, most inviting living rooms spark lively conversation, yet never sacrifice comfort for style”  Elle Decor

Melissa Gulley Style

So what makes the perfect living room?  This is of course, different for everyone.  Maybe we should start by looking at what the living room is, and what it’s used for?

People are far more casual today than ever before…but many people already have a family room which is very casual.  So what to do with the living room?  For myself and most of my clients, it becomes another, nicer (by adult standards) family room where TV is not necessarily the focus (but not completely abandoned, either).  Concept introduction: Living Room as the adult sanctuary!  Basically the adult family room.  I know the term “family” room means family togetherness - Please, don’t kid me.  You need to escape those little buggers as mush as I do (especially teenagers, who pretty much hate you anyway). 

The fabrics may not have to be as stain proof or durable (indestructible for my house) as the family room, the carpet can be more expensive without the worry of it being ruined.  You can also have some accessories and art that may be valuable and not worry that the errant football (banned in my house yet still found constantly) could break and ruin the things you so enjoy living with. 

Cote De Texas

So what are the components of the Living Room going forward:

1) TV

I find for most people (not you people who won’t admit to watching TV – as if) placing a fabulous TV in a clever or hidden spot is important in the living room.  This becomes the luxurious place to watch something adult and escape the blare of cartoons emanating from the family room (the place where my husband can nap quietly on the super comfy sofa and watch the ball game in peace).  I find when there is no TV in this room, it gets used far less- if at all.

Melissa Gulley Style

2) Amazingly comfortable furniture

I recently splurged on a 110” all down sofa in a yummy velvet - best money I’ve ever spent!!!  This sofa makes my husband and I so crazy happy - who knew all that down was the key to happiness!?!  Gone- really LONG gone (in fact banished) are the days of the uncomfortable, uptight furniture for perching with guests who you want to impress (can you imagine - kill me now – how did our grandmother’s do it?) 

Melissa Gulley Style

3) A completed seating area designed for lively conversation

This usually means comfortable seating for 6-8 adults, placed facing each other around a coffee table.  This can be two sofas and a few chairs, or one sofa and a couple pairs of chairs.  One secret weapon that I find very handy (I personally use them on an almost daily basis) is a pair of upholstered stools that are super comfortable and easy to move around.  Keep in mind that you need tables to set drinks down on, every seat in the room needs a table handy enough to set a drink down on easily.

4) Great lighting

Do not- repeat after me DO NOT - put only ceiling lights in a living room (or any room for that matter).  Lighting in living rooms needs to take a layered approach.  First, outfit the seating area with warm, soft lamps.  Three way switches and dimmers help for multi-function (reading vs. soft glow for conversation)  You should be able to read from any chair or sofa in the room.  Then, softly light the perimeter of the room with a combination of sconces and art lights (either wall or ceiling mounted).  Sconces are great to put in pairs on either side of doorways, windows and fireplaces.  Art lights can add tons of drama to your fabulous art or even great window treatments.  Add over head lighting as needed after all above has been accomplished. 

Melissa Gulley Style

5) Your stuff

Stuff that represents who you are, what you love, where you’ve been.  People look for social cues when entering a house - who lives here, what are they like?  You need to show them, and most important, you need to live with things that really make you happy.  Without this stuff or social cues, your house looks cold, like a furniture showroom…..Boring!  By stuff, I mean decorative accessories - pictures, books, magazines, instruments - anything that you like.

Jane McGarry

Minimalism SUCKS!

As I’m sure you’ve gathered from the title, I am not a minimalist.  I personally think minimalism is cold, boring and just plain no fun! I need to borrow some quotes from the USA’s resident fun decorator, Jonathan Adler.  In his manifesto he says, “We believe in irreverent luxury,We believe that your home should make you happy, We believe minimalism is a bummer, We believe handcrafted tchotchkes are life-enhancing, We believe tassels are the earrings of the home, We believe in being underdressed or overdressed always, We believe dogs should be allowed in stores and restaurants, We believe colors can't clash.” 
Back to me.  Now I must stress- the opposite of minimalism is clutter and that is also something I’m not into at all (AT ALL- it really makes me crazy!) 

I advocate controlled vignettes that allow personality to permeate your interior.  Achieving this, however, is something of an art form and is personal to the people who live in the house. 
You also need a place for the eye to rest, so be sure there is empty space. 
A vignette is a still life arrangement on a table, mantle book shelf, nightstand etc., that is balanced with tall and short, textured and slick, color and lack thereof. 

Most of all it’s a collection of things that make you happy and mean something.

Cote de Texas



Lindsey Harper

Melissa Gulley Portfolio

Jane McGarry


Ludwig Interior

Melissa Gulley Portfolio

House Beautiful

Lindsey Harper

Branca Interiors
Here are some links to articles on how to create the perfect table top Vignette:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10820?utm_campaign=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery5
http://www.ehow.com/how_5143987_design-tabletop-display.html
http://www.thelennoxx.com/?p=4713
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/8-tips-for-making-beautiful-vignettes/index.html
http://interiordecorating.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_style_and_accessorize_a_coffee_table
I will leave you with a little more Jonathan Adler.  Here are a few of his “10 commandments of a happy chic home”  totally Hysterical- go to his web site www.johathanadler.com for more fun!
#1
Thou shalt embrace maximalism. Thou wilt find minimalism to be something of a bummer in thy abode. Thou wilt grow tired of an endless sea of beige and thou wilt long for a splash of color & a dollop of pattern! Bargello pillows, Furnace bottles, and rustic modern lamps - these shalt be the accessories that add some panache to your pad. #3
Thou shalt buy an X-Bench. Then, thou shalt buy another. Thou shalt use them in pairs, perfect under thy console or placed near thy sofa. Thou shalt rest thy feet upon them & so will thy guests. In fact, thy guests might even fight over who gets to rest upon them. Therefore, thou shalt establish house rules about thy X-Benches. Perhaps thou should consider a sign up sheet. #5
Thou shalt mix fancy with frisky. Thou shalt not be overly formal, for if thou art, thou will be sad. Conversely, thou shalt not be overly whimsical, for if thou art thou will not feel chic. Therefore, thou shalt embrace a mix, pairing the chic classical foundation - excellent proportions, classic furniture - with a layer of playful punctuation. Then thou shalt rest.
#6
Thou shalt honor the funsters of yore. David Hicks, Alexander Girard, Piero Fornasetti, Bonnie Cashin, Bjorn Wiinblad - if thou dost not knoweth them, thou should. Thou can use Google Images to learn more about them and thou shalt channel their fun, idiosyncratic, playful spirit in thine own interiors. Thy home will be fun, happy, and chic.
#7
Thou shalt not commit murder, unless thou art murdering for a decorative accessory. If thou should find thyself at one of our stores and seeth the last bird bowl on our shelf, thou shalt feel free to use whatever means necessary to obtain that special something.

best bunk rooms EVER!

Remember when you were a kid and the only person you knew who snored was your Dad and your grandpa? (like a jack hammer, right?)  Certainly none of your kid friends- they would be laughed out of their sleeping bag at slumber parties (tough to be a kid!).  Remember staying up late at sleepovers? When people finally started falling asleep there was no doubt you’d sleep like a rock until the first giggle of the morning. Even if you were sleeping on the floor with just a sleeping bag- you slept like a rock.  Now a good night sleep is just about the best thing you could wish for.  And by the way, when does the snoring start (being an adult is so unfair)?  Step back in time with me as you look at these pictures (sorry for so many but how do you leave any of these out?). 

(Coastal Living)

(inside and out)

(willow decor)

(Emily Jenkins followill + folder of ideas.com)

(Southern Accents)

(Coastal Living)

(Rod Mickley)

(Traditional Home)

(Traditional Home)

(Country Living)

(Apartment Therapy)

I have a tough time romancing the idea of a sleep over on the floor (I can’t go that far back!!!).  However, I don’t have a single problem dreaming about a super fun slumber party in these totally fabulous rooms.

Oh to be a kid again!

Not Coming Out of the Closet

Lets look in some closets.  I would love to stand in some of these closets and just privately admire all the beautiful things, and let’s face it – the space and built-ins.

 

(Ralph Lauren)

Organizing a closet really depends on the size of the closet.

Mariah Carey clearly does not have space restrictions!  She does however need a staff to keep this space looking so awesome (so sure she has it).  I think this goes down as the most over the top insane closet I’ve ever seen.

But what if you do have a small closet??? –BUMMER!

Ok seriously sometimes you just need to move and fast!

Other times you obviously need to have only the current seasons clothes.  Ideally you would have all your stuff in one place so you can see it all.  I feel I can dress better and more creatively if I can really see everything.  If I can’t see it then i forget that I own it- out of sight out of mind.  For me I have always loved having a big closet, I hate the idea of being forced to discard clothing due to lack of space.  This being important to me, I have always chosen houses that have this in spades.

I love the notion that a closet could be a room for just you, with no need to coordinate with any one else for colors or design scheme.  A private oasis for you to lounge and do what ever the hell you want.  What about the ability to take a bath in your closet (now we’re talking!!!)

A well organized closet goes with out saying, I organize by article of clothing (shirts, sweaters, pants, dresses ect…).  Within article of clothing I further separate by season and then by color.

Matchy Matchy

Should you buy art to match your room or should you decorate you room to match your art?  Or maybe you should just buy art that really speaks to you, evokes an emotional response, buy it because you LOVE IT?

(frank Ropp)

Generally speaking If you always buy things you really LOVE then they usually go together.  Have you ever heard of anyone buying a painting with colors they hate? NO!  Have you ever heard of anyone buying furnishings in colors they hate? NO!  I generally find that people’s possessions - or what they gravitate to buying - usually sit well together.

(Kelly Wearstler)

I come from a family of art lovers and collectors so i would never buy art I didn't absolutely LOVE.  But what about the piece that hung in your childhood home?  You don’t LOVE it, it’s not exactly “you” but you have a deep connection to it?  Maybe it hangs in a guest room or maybe you build a room that you do love around it, all of a sudden it shines with new life.

(Melissa Gulley)

Or what about the art collector who buys for value first, then love?  When art is bought for value, it is then an investment and often the purchaser has many pieces they have collected that need to hang together - but do not relate.  In this case, a neutral pallet for interior design might be the best foundation for an eclectic collection.  Maybe even colorless so the art can shine. By hanging art in a room in which it clashes, the art is by no means de-valued, the space is.  The piece will not be appreciated fully, nor will the room…in that way the art can devalue the space.  When art doesn't look good in a room it’s very clear that something’s wrong.  There’s no harmony, the room looks disjointed and people’s enjoyment in spending time in the room will literally be diminished.

So with this said, if your not a collector by profession, should the art match the room?  Not necessarily.  However, it should compliment the room.  Or to put it another way, the room should compliment the art.  There should be a cohesive feeling.  Often it can complete the room even if purchased first (which came first the chicken or the egg).  Keep in mind; If you LOVE the piece of art, you may not want it to blend so much that it loses its voice. 

(Melissa Gulley)

The last problem not touched on is what to do when your husband or wife has favorite art that you hate?  As I have done with many clients- give them their room to hang the art and design the room as they see fit- an office, a man cave (or woman’s version).  If this doesn't work then there’s always divorce???

YIKES a snake!

Antique snake jewelry!  To me there is something so beautiful about organic shapes and symbols done in precious metals and stones.  To make the common into decadent art is so appealing.  Now I know my Mother-in-law (deathly afraid of snakes) will read this and think the last remaining small bit of my brain has finally drained from my head (hi Nanc), but these pictures are truly stunning.  I was recently in a jewelry store and the owner told me that people have been melting down antique jewelry and selling the gold in this bad economy.  The gold, he said, can be worth more than the antique piece (many of which are very heavy). 

Blasphemy!!! 

 

In the Victorian era, the snake symbolized eternity, vitality and life.

"In many cultures it is believed to protect one from evil spirits…It is the mystic representation of the snake that fascinates many people. Take the Egyptians. The snake was worshipped and feared. The native American’s saw the snake as a healer and so on.” Jane H. Clark

"The SNAKE or serpent was the symbol of royalty and deity in early Egyptian society. Victorian jewelry often used an entwined snake to symbolize infinity and eternal love. Over the years the snake has also come to symbolize sexuality, rebirth and wisdom.
While serpent motif jewelry goes far back in history, it's popularity really spread starting in the 1840s and peaked between then and the 1860s (Understanding Jewelry, Bennett, pages 88 & 104).

Whatever, i just love it.  Hey Kev, my birthday’s in a month.