Logical Choices
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Publication Date:
August 2011
Article Synopsis:
When decorating a room make sure to use items that make sense in that particular space.
Occasionally, I’ll receive aphone call from a potential client looking for something very specific, like a French-style fireplace screen from the 1920s or an antique Dutch tapestry from the 1800s... Sometimes that item is something they truly need, and sometimes it’s not. But one thing that I have learned over the years is that I need to see for myself what is truly the case. Meet my client, Christopher Johns. Christopher is a Goldberg Professor of History of Art at Vanderbilt University, so he knows a thing or two about furniture, art and accessories. When Christopher first called us he was trying to locate a pair of Ionic columns for his home. We made an appointment to meet him at his home along with our contractor, Kenny Wilson of Urban Designs. At first glance, we could see why Christopher wanted to add the formal style of the Ionic column. His furniture and accessories were ver y formal, but the basic structure of his home did not reflect the formality those items needed. He was correct in believing that adding some architectural details to the interior of his home would better sync it with the formal furnishings. Christopher intended to incorporate the Ionic element in the kitchen and the breakfast area, but this column style is really more appropriate for a dining or living room. As a result, we encouraged him to use a more simplistic column style that would still elevate the formality of that space – without making it too formal. A sketch was drawn and approved, then Kenny Wilson built it on site for us. After looking around Christopher’s home, we gave him some ideas on how he could upgrade the look of the living room to match the quality level of his furnishings and accessories. First, we recom- mended adding some decorative molding to the bookcases. Second, we suggested introducing some crown molding to the tops of his windows. Additionally, we encouraged him to add a ceiling medallion to his chandelier. Christopher welcomed our advice and also let us to put a new coat of paint on the ceiling, walls and trim.We followed this up by removing his draperies because we felt they were a little too casual for the room. Shifting his chairs gave balance to the space, and re-arranging the books and accessories in the bookcases created more rhythm in the room.The only other things added to this space were two lamps that completed the project. So, when you’re decorating your home, ask yourself if the room actually goes with the furnishings you’re placing in it? Do you need to add – or delete – items to achieve that aesthetic balance? Decorating a room is easy when make logical choices.
