Through the Looking Glass (of Design)

Over and over again I’ve been hearing, reading, and seeing information on how everyone has been living within or even under their means. I, as well, have written about big style and little budget, but I thought let’s dream a little.

What if we have a big budget or at least dreamed of having an unlimited budget? What would you do and how would you decorate your home? Would you live in a 25,000-square-foot house, have a pool, and maybe have secret garden?

Not me! Even if I had unlimited funds, I would not necessarily have the biggest house. I would rather have a functional house. More space would be nice but not too much where I would have to page my kids from the west wing for supper. Nope, my dream home would be a little bigger than my current home. Who couldn’t use a little more space right?

If I were able to travel through my brain, I constantly think about a huge kitchen! Everyone whoever comes into my home gathers in my kitchen. I’d like to think my cooking is just so irresistible, but I know better, mind you it not terrible.

I have an open kitchen that leads into my family room. These days’ people often refer to this room as the keeping room. If I could wave my magic wand, I would have the ultimate kitchen island. A huge island is a must in my book of wants and wishes. It’s quite nice right now, but I want bigger!  

I would like to sometimes eat dinner just on the island, or use it for a buffet when we entertain. I would keep the same granite countertop. I love my two dish drawers. I love the stainless steel finish and clean lines of this dishwasher. I love my granite and subtle white and stained kitchen cabinets that I painted myself. I just basically want the huge island. That would make me the happiest mommy on Earth, well at least in Smyrna! 

My family really does not use the formal living room. I would tear that wall down and add two rustic barn doors that you can slide open. I love that look and I would take my magic wand again and add some more square footage to the kitchen and informal living spaces. Growing up I would visit my friend’s home and I remember a window seat with a comfy cushion and plenty of pillows. I would want that added to my bay windows in this new space. I realize when I write this I have mostly the things that I want all around me, I just want to enhance them. So maybe it may be true for a lot of folks.

Here is a little exercise for you. Take out the ugly word “budget” when you are dreaming. What are your wants, your desires for your perfect home? I’ve mentioned I would love a huge kitchen. Would you have one of the tastemakers on “Million Dollar Decorators’’ such as Kathryn Ireland? I love her style, probably because my design philosophy is much like hers: subtle elegance and total comfort. Would you have a local tastemaker come to your home to help transform your dreams into existence? Did you know Smyrna is chalk full of local talent? There are some very talented individuals like myself...yes it’s a shameless plug, I know - I couldn’t resist.

Take all the elements of your dreams from local home tours. Atlanta has pretty fancy homes decorated to the max, and you can get some really unique ideas. Some of the décor is over the top to show off the designer’s abilities, but you still get an idea or two. Don’t forget to bring your camera or smart phone. Take notes room by room. What were the colors of the walls, what style was the sofa, what patterns were on the pillows? You can change the whole look of your room with just pillows.

Speaking of pillows, sometimes I go overboard with pillows. I love a house full of pillows! If you could change the U.S currency to pillow, my husband said we would be rich. So much drama! Pillows can soften the clean lines of a contemporary sofa and add a “comfy cozy” factor to a space. When we first moved to our house, my husband and I agreed on a tufted sky blue sofa. I still love the color and the tufting, but I don’t know what I was thinking with the contemporary look. The other day I added some pillows and moved a transitional armchair with a traditional damask fabric to the space to “soften” the room.

I feel so much better sitting and entertaining in this room because to me it feels lived in and its more approachable! If you have as many pillows you can spread them around your house or place it on a sofa to create a collected look, but make sure there is some consistency, example have “pairs of colors of equal intensity” as it stated in one of the issues in "House Beautiful.''

I love to “virtually'' clip pictures from the World Wide Web and I have my “wish list” of design elements. These are some of my favorites! Come on over to my place. All are welcome anytime. Let’s talk design, or you can visit me at www.pondicherrydesigns.com and read some more.

Until next time! À bientôt - Trusha