Monday
Aug302010
Day after brain-dead-ness
Monday, Aug 30, 2010 49 Comments Ahhhhhh!!! Thank you so much. I don't really know what else to say except that i could have woken feeling like crap today but instead i woke up feeling pretty amazing, although totally tired. My brain is a bit full. it doesn't take a lot, its a pretty small brain, but it might be at capacity right now.
I'm not sure if you guys want more from the house, but i'll just post a couple before and afters here and talk about some stuff that maybe didn't get talked about last night.
Here is his living room, 'before'
After:
Here was my inspiration board that i was working with: Things changed a bit, as you can see, but the general look feels the same.
Ok let's go around the room. The coffee table, sofa, pouf and lamp were all new. Coffee table ($1300) , sofa ($900) from HD buttercup and standing lamp (anthro $398). The pouf was $200 from Mosaik in LA. Everything else is vintage and came from either TINI, Hernandez brothers, 45 three modern and the flea market. So yes, the coffee table and table lamp were splurges, but i saved on everything else - i mean some of the side tables were $20 and the pillows were just 1/2 yardage that I bought for 10 bucks.
I think that coffee table (while i couldn't afford it) was worth the splurge because it completely grounds the room, makes it look high end next to all the thrift store pieces and is heavy, but since its metallic it doesn't weigh down the room. And it has storage.
Oh and In case you don't know my feeling on legs, you should try to have at least one piece of furniture that doesn't have four legs, whether its a really low sofa, or a skirted sofa or chair or in this case a coffee table, it helps the whole space look more grounded and substantial. I forget who said it, somebody from house beautiful, but a designer said that a room with too many legs looks 'nervous' and I totally agree.
The paint color is BM Smoke embers, and i LOVE it.
The artwork is controversial, i know. I think its awesome, while some people think its creepy. Here's the thing with artwork on TV shows: it is super super hard to get things cleared, meaning that the original artist or their family (if they are deceased) has to sign off on it to the network - and its normally super hard to track down who the original artist is - especially flea market art. (this is not the case in magazines, i don't know why). I'm not an artist, so i can't make my own art (although i do have a few ideas of weird collage-y things that I can do).
Luckily Ian loves vintage maps, because those are cleared. And he loves antlers, which worked perfect with the FDR look. oh and to the critics who say that antlers are 'out', i disagree. Sure, they were ubiquitous a couple years ago, but things that are beautiful are never 'out', we just don't need anymore cardboard antlers or maybe high gloss pink antlers. Its like how coral was so huge 5 years ago. Now people are repelled by coral, but coral is beautiful. just buy one natural piece to display, not a bedding set with coral all over it.
Back to the room. Here is the more sixties look.
I actually really like it, although it just feels too art directed. It definitely looks more 'designed' which is exactly what Ian didn't like about it.
And the shelving was a bit west elmy and cataloguey.
That rug is from Ikea, i'm sure you all knew that. its pretty great for $179.
And as much as i like the idea of doing something to the back of shelves, i knew that Ian wouldn't ultimately want to live with it - otherwise i probably would have wallpapered back there.
Ok apparently my brain is too tired to blog today. I mean, what a boring post. Sorry guys, i'll try to do a better one tonight.
Reader Comments (49)
Emily - I checked your blog ten minutes ago, thought of something I wanted to say, and came back to a new post! I missed your show last night. Will it be aired again soon?
I'd like to see the first version of the room. Do you have a photo of that. I loved that version. Would have liked to have seen that one with just a little of the sixties thrown in.
hi again. totally agree with you on ignoring trends (current or outdated) and just going with what you like.
and random question. did you end up not using window treatments at all?
and second random question. did they make you re-create your apt in your design studio?
I agree with Nita...I loved the room you called FDR Chic...can you add some pictures of that room. I would have moved right in! Loved the show!
Just for the record, the "creepy" art was my favorite piece of the entire puzzle. Although, it was a difficult choice as there were so many fabulous things to choose from.
I enjoyed your show! I need that for my house. I like a few different styles and don't like having to stick with just one! And my husband is from India so we have some Indian things too. I'd love to think of my home decor the way you described on the show so that it shows all our different aspects. Looking forward to more! Oh I loved the frames and artwork above the guest bed. I love how the #8 was in a frame.
I about fell off the sofa when you started that mini-lesson on 'Old Tippecanoe!" Hilarious (I've been to 2 historic WHH locations and now know more than I ever intended...)!
I'm glad you brought up antlers and coral and design elements that are seemingly everywhere. Classic, beautiful, natural things will always be that, I agree. Would you take that position on salt-n-pepper cowhide rugs? Anybody?
Question - What's the convo with the "client" before the styling? Does he get direction on how the makeover is going to progress and is he instructed to react a certain way?
On Ian - Terribly cute.
I als ohad a question about the lack of window treatments - especially in the bedrooms. That was my only real "huh?" part of the show.
And I love the artwork - especially that it is historical and so large - it really balanced the bookshelves well.
Emily, thanks for the tip on the gray paint color. access to information like that is gonna be a huge advantage for your viewers. awesome.
also wondered about your thoughts on the windows. I noticed Ian had some gauzy curtains before. Did the 'bare' look suit the room better? Just curious about your take on that. I'm a bare window gal myself.
thanks! great job...Donna
So beautiful! Love the room and your style!!
Nice job Emily! I think you are on the brink of incredible recognition and success! Not only are you a doll but your style is fabulous. I live in your hood..So, if you ever need a graphic designer (who is a style/int design groupie), I would love to work with you. We thoroughly enjoyed the show last night! My hubbie kept looking over at me through your whole show saying "thats what you always say". I agree with so many of your tips, theories and ideas! Nice work sister!
A few have commented on the horns and hides in design. My take.
Most cow hides are byproduct from the meat we eat. If the hides are not tanned and sold for many uses including decor they would be wasted. Same with deer and elk or any horns.
I do not have any hides but we do have horns. I did the bead work for the mount on these horns from the first deer my husband shot when he was 12. He is 70 now.
http://shadesofidaho.multiply.com/photos/album/19#photo=97
The horns have been a treasure in our house for years. For awhile they lived in the garage because as a child he painted them in redwood stain. GAG. He kept trying to throw them to the dump.
I feel by having hides and horns in our homes we honor the animals. They still live and are loved. OK I suppose it might be a pretty weird way to look at it but it is my way. Maybe if some can see it in a different light other then just killing something it would make it easier for them to accept their use in our homes.
Chris
I loved your show so much! I got excited when you used a chair that I actually own and love (the wooden, curvy back chair w/ the square seat that is in the big picture window in the LR)because I think your style is so super cool! Hope to see lots more episodes!
Loved the show!! Where did you get that Lakeville baseball t-shirt? Is it Lakeville, CT?
I just loved the process of watching how you layered the room. When the client said it looked like maybe he could have done it, I felt that was the genius of your work. I think that is what we all would like.
Love that you told us the paint color, please continue that.
Congratulations on a job well done, can hardly wait for next weeks show!
I wish my house had amazing built in shelves like his! Ah well I'm hoping to get some power tools for me birthday.
Hope the show gets picked up! I neeeeeed more. Really. NEED. Because after your show got them talking, the men of the house want me to incorporate their styles into our home.
I loved the show Emily! It's such a refreshing change for an HGTV show....they're usually pretty suburban, although don't get me wrong, i watch them all the time!
Love following your show and your blog! Congrats! It's well deserved. Glad we get to see more of your personality on this show...I don't think Design Star really did a great job of showing people at their best, which seems kind of ironic.
Looking forward to more!
I've never seen a design show I've loved as much as yours. No kidding. Please rest
And I also have a question or two :) Yes, about the curtains. Why did you ditch them completely? Also where does the makeover budget come from? Does a client has to pay it? portion of it?
Also maybe a suggestion or rather a small request... about paint color choices. Do you select the undertone based on which side windows face? Like North-facing rooms need a worm (yellow, pink, brown etc) undertone paint colors, and South-facing can bear a cold blue undertone. that sort of thing.
Thank you in advance.
Marina
oops. I meant warm
I love that I can learn something from watching your show. Too many of the design programs don't teach the average viewer how to get a designer look working within their budget (with a splurge here and there.) While I love the finished designs, I don't have an extra $50K lying around.
I really enjoyed your show. I was wondering if your client gives you a budget to work with, or the network. Is the budget pretty tight? I was surprised that the sconce could not be replaced though the edison lightbulbs turned out great. Also, when do you decide to splurge and buy new vs. old?
This is going to be the best show on HGTV. I loved it last night. Can't wait to see more.
Your styling is amazing. You really have a gift.
I loved the artwork, Emily. Not creepy at all. Keep up the good work!
I haven't seen your show yet! I don't have cable so I watch shows online and I can't find your's online. boo hoo, I know. So I love these photos and your description!