I’ve been working on creating a really rich, elegant space full of beautiful shapes and textures. You can see my plans for the décor in this presentation that I put together for the client before we began.

The furniture has my favorite classic French feel to it – Louis XVI side chairs for dining chairs, and a custom dining table designed by AVID. The table is two-toned, with a painted base and a stained solid hardwood top that will be both durable and hard-wearing. I love the carvings too – they add a touch of grandeur to a functional piece. As for the fabric, we’ve chosen some beautiful prints by my absolute favorite textile manufacturer Pierre Frey. I simply adore the gorgeous colors and designs they produce, and the client and I both fell in love with the deep reds and purple tones in this particular nature-inspired fabric.

The windows are to be dressed simply yet elegantly with drapery panels, and I’ve chosen some lovely custom-painted barstools with Micheal Smith fabric for extra seating. We also went for a simple arrangement of florals that will add some color but not overwhelm the area. But my favorite find has to be the antique secretary, a beautiful piece with gorgeous hardware and amazingly detailed carving. It opens up to reveal several tiny drawers and shelves, which means even though it’s such a classic piece, it’s perfect for storing all those modern accessories like iPhones and keys and the like!

Wondering if you’re brave enough to experiment with color? Let me help you out by showing you some of the pieces I’m loving right now. This canary yellow armchair has verve and vibrancy in spades, and yet retains a classic look because of its shape and style. Wouldn’t you just love to sink into one of these after a long day at work? I think the color alone would help me feel less tired!

Chair by Lilian August, available at Amitha Verma Interior Design, LLC

In fact, bright yellow is one of my favorite shades to accessorize with these days. One of our most loved treasures here at Village Antiques right now is this fabulous antique yellow French commode, which is basically a low chest of drawers. Just look at the amazing carvings and the hardware!

I also really love this adorable side table by AVID, although the finish is more gold than yellow, but the elegant curves are simply irresistible.

(Source: Pinterest)

Or how about this petite cocktail table? I think this piece is both versatile and elegant – in fact I’m very tempted to get one for myself!

And if you’re worried about how you’ll live with a really brightly colored piece and are not sure you really want to take the plunge, there’s a way around that too. Why not experiment with some brightly hued pillows, like these ones, and inject some color without effecting radical change? It’s the perfect compromise!

I’m so thrilled to be working with this new wave of bright shades – it’s so inspiring! My favorites for this season include purple, which looks rich, elegant and super gorgeous in almost any setting. You can even use it in a small space to stunning effect.

(Source: House Beautiful)

Vibrant yellow is back too, as if to hold on to the summer rays even through the colder months. I’m also seeing a resurgence of chartreuse, which is a difficult color to decorate with but which can look really classy if used in the right setting – like in this uber-stylish dining room with its statement walls.

(Source: Elle Decor)

Think that’s as bright as it gets? Think again! Two of the most eye-popping shades in the decorating spectrum are also really in right now – fuchsia and orange. I love how these colors really liven up a living space or bedroom, creating warmth and an element of fun no matter what the style. And if you’re wary of overdoing it, you can always offset these colors with classic white for a really cozy look.

(Source: Decorpad)

More than walls, however, I’m finding that the trend is for painting furniture in these fun, fresh colors. How gorgeous is this orange bookcase when set against a purple wall with a matching custom bed?

(Source: Elle Decor)

I love the effect of brightly colored individual furniture items, they add pops of color to the room and really establish a character of their own rather than being purely functional pieces. These days I’m dying to makeover a bookshelf in bright emerald green lacquer – wish I had one right now to get painting on!

One of my crazes is for foo dogs, Chinese inspired figurines that symbolize guardians or protectors. They come from the original Chinese lions that traditionally stood guard outside temples, estates and grand homes or palaces. Nowadays they are much more attainable however, and should always be bought in pairs.

(Source: Circa Who)

My favorites include the Cloisonne foo dogs, which are made of beautiful decorative enamel and turquoise foo dogs. Though you might think the turquoise ones are only a passing fad – they can be seen just about everywhere right now – I really feel they are more of a design classic.

(Source: Carnaby Home)

Foo dogs are often designed with fairly frightening-looking faces, sometimes looking downright appalling, but that is really just a part of the beauty and appeal for me. They may be unconventional, but they really help to make a statement in an interior space, as in this entry hall.

(Source: Evie’s Independent Living)

But if foo dogs are too severe-looking for your taste, why not opt for alternative dog figurines with a little more homely charm? Staffordshire dogs, which originate in England, are definitely a cuter, more palatable kind of dog. These too started out as decorative pieces for upper class homes, but by the end of the nineteenth century they were amongst the most coveted of English-made porcelain figures. Today they are still a real collector’s item!

(Source: Old Sweetwater Cottage)

Another coloration that you might see around is the pretty red and white colored staffordshire pieces like the dogs in the center.

(Source: Cottone Auctions)

What do you think: would you decorate with dog-inspired figurines in your home? And which style would you prefer?

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

Chelsea Textiles has these amazing little classic check patterns I love to use on benches, chairs, drapes, in breakfast rooms, mudrooms and bedrooms. It’s a classic favorite, and there’s no denying that a strong geometric print never goes out of style. See how it looks on this bench – just charming!

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

I found so many unique prints, I could hardly decide which I liked the most! They are especially known for their embroidered fabrics, such as this  beautiful embroidery  – graceful floral sprays and cheerful yellow blooms…I have such a fancy for all these amazing hand embroidered textiles, and we use them to create accessory pillows in our projects.

(Source: Chelsea Editions)

(Source: Chelsea Editions)

The furniture collection is equally stunning. Many of the pieces are Swedish- and French-inspired, with gorgeous painted finishes. I find myself tempted to include them in my latest project…

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

I especially love this little writing desk. I found a similar antique one a few years ago, and the style and the shape really attracted me. This is a great piece to put in an entry area as a drop zone, to store keys, mail, cards, stamps and so on.

The gorgeous lacquered pieces are really appealing to me too. Just one of these high-glamor items is enough to add a really modern, stylish touch to a room!

(Source: Chelsea Textiles)

Amitha Verma Interior Design

The counter set the tone for the rest of the décor. I designed a palette of rich golds and pale creamy tones to complement the red, and had a custom Louis XV-inspired cabinet made especially for the room. The hardware was so much fun to select – we were like kids in a candy store! Eventually we settled on this beautiful mismatched antique brass hardware with a natural patina.

Amitha Verma Interior Design

We decided to wainscot the wall to get in a little more stonework and used this amazing border from Walker Zanger with our vulcan red onyx tones and deep gray coloring. It was so decadent, it really fit in with our overall look. On the walls we worked with Segreto Finishes to apply venetian plaster, and this ever-so-slight motif was sprinkled on top of the plaster. Finally, I picked a really subtle Rose Tarlow print for the small window covering, something that would blend in rather than detract from the dramatic red. And here’s the finished effect!

Amitha Verma Interior Design

Painted floors have been popular for a long time, and many homeowners have found that painting the floorboards is a really great way of updating the look of a room. For those with rustic or period houses, a painted floor helps create that ‘old-world’ country charm, especially in an informal space like the kitchen. And there’s no rule that says you have to stick to a simple whitewash! Some of the most fun designs I’ve seen have created the look of a rug using pattern and color, like in the kitchen below.

(Source: Better Homes & Gardens)

I like how the paint has been thinned to allow the beauty of the wood grain to show through. After all, the idea is not to camouflage the wood floor, simply enhance it. For a more formal space, how about this checkerboard design, reminiscent of traditional tiled floors but with a rustic charm of its own?

(Source: Better Homes & Gardens)

Using paint or wood stain to create a pattern can really up the element of drama in a room. I love how the designer of this room has offset some very modern pieces with an eye-catching striped floor. The look is not only very contemporary, it truly makes a statement!

(Source: Elle Decor)

Of course, many choose to go with a single-color painted floor – there’s no denying it’s easier to accessorize! The shades, however, have moved on from pale grays and magnolias, and I’m seeing a lot of saturated colors – vibrant greens, hot pinks and sunny yellows. How delicious is this electric blue hardwood floor, contrasted with stylish black and white furnishings?

(Source: Manolo Home)

There are so many other options too – stencils, herringbone designs, even freehand patterns that can be painted straight on to the floor by anyone with a steady hand and a sense of creative expression! So – are you feeling inspired to grab a paintbrush and a can of paint yet? I know I am!

I really love the idea of using dhurries for beach houses – they have a fabulous casual feel to them, especially in the striped design that they most commonly feature. Remember the film Something’s Gotta Give with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton? So many design lovers have blogged about the beach house in that film, when watching the film, I just fell in love with the family room, with its gorgeous giant dhurrie!

(Source: Hooked on Houses)

They say the set design for that room was actually inspired by a Hamptons house decorated by Victoria Hagan. The original room also features an oversize dhurrie and dramatic deep blue sofas. Hagan apparently said, “Add a blue striped dhurrie and you are guaranteed a happy room.” I have to admit, the effect is cheerful and inviting, and isn’t that the whole purpose of a dhurrie – to encourage people to have a seat on the floor?

(Source: Elle Decor)

I also think dhurries work great in nurseries and kids’ rooms. Even though I usually source them from antique stock, you can have custom dhurries made to match your color scheme. How perfect does this sky blue and ivory dhurrie look in this charmingly old-fashioned baby boy’s nursery? I think I’m going to get one of these for my boys’ room, elegant, classic and durable!

(Source: Veranda)

Dhurries are definitely a design classic, and the great thing about them is that they can be surprisingly versatile. Before you decide they are only good for casual spaces and playrooms, consider the living room below. The gorgeous custom dhurrie in a pale silk blends perfectly with the eighteenth century French chairs, ornate mirror and elegant column lamps.

(Source: Veranda)

Convinced yet? Why not experiment with a dhurrie in your own home and discover how practical and versatile these rugs can really be…

Top Textile Trend: Lavender Prints

I have an ongoing love affair with fabulous fabrics, and I find myself falling for the new wave of purple and lavender-shaded prints that are suddenly all over the place. I’ve always found purple to be a particularly regal color, but even the paler shades of lilac have a real elegance to them. In a bedroom, the effect of soft purple prints is calming, charming and undeniably pretty.

(Source: houzz.com)

Top Furniture Trend: Painted Chairs

It’s not exactly classic, but the new trend for colored furniture has made a big impact on the interiors scene. More and more people are moving away from the typical wood effects and classic colors and opting for painted furniture, even more dramatic are those with a traditional shape. Check out these slightly off-the-wall Louis XIV chairs made by a Belgian company called Six Inch which can be painted any color and coated with polyurethane for a long-lasting finish. This bold, graphic finish adds a modern touch to a classic shape, and there’s no denying they are eye-catching!

(Source: Six Inch)

Top Color Trend: Muted & Sophisticated

To be fair, this is not a new trend, but one which has persisted this year, mainly as a reflection of the current economic mood. Clients are still choosing fairly muted palettes on the whole, especially for their primary living spaces. I love it, as it means I get to work with the subtle, sophisticated color schemes I like best, but I truly think the end result tends to be much more beautiful.

(Source: Elle Decor)

Myth #1: Gray is depressing

When people say to me, “Oh, I could never live with a gray room… it would be too depressing,” I just want to prove them wrong. Gray can be light, playful, ethereal – it all depends on the way it is used. Take a look at this gorgeous room which makes use of lots of natural light and several different shades of gray.

(Source: Veranda)

I love the elegance of the draperies, the classic charm of the Louis XIV chairs, and the sheer drama of the chinoiserie screen in pewter and ivory. Depressing? Not even a tiny bit!

Myth #2: Gray looks cold and uninviting

It’s not in the spectrum of conventional warm colors, true, but gray doesn’t have to look cold. I came across this darling little window seat dressed with very cozy looking – and extremely inviting – cushions in shades of steel gray. A little bit of tufting, texture, rich fabrics and clever setting, and you have a cozy little nook that is anything but cold.

(Source: House Beautiful)

Myth #3: Gray looks dingy

It’s a common misconception that gray walls look old or tired, but I’ve found that nothing could be further from the truth. Case in point: this ultra-fresh, sleek-looking bathroom with classy gray limestone walls. Set against the aged granite floor, and complemented by simple monochromatic paintings, the overall look is modern and bright.

(Source: House Beautiful)

Myth #4: Gray is boring

Why is it that people insist gray is a ‘boring’ color? I love the idea of using gray in a foyer to create a sense of elegance; in a bathroom to enhance light and space; in a bedroom to keep the ambience calm and serene. I love this quirky, cozy bedroom with its lush dove gray taffeta curtains.

(Source: Elle Decor)

With the fresh white bedding, gilt French mirror and vase full of cherry blossoms, the effect is so charming. No one would dare to call this bedroom boring!

Myth #5: Gray doesn’t make a statement

Some of our clients are used to seeing bold colors in other people’s homes, and they assume you would have to paint a wall deep red or rich blue or vivid green to really make a design statement. The truth is, gray can be dramatic too! It all depends what you contrast in with. In this foyer, the white sconces and tulips really stand out against a deep gray background, and the simplicity of the French console and the mirror help to emphasize the play of color.

(Source: Veranda)

So – are you convinced yet of the merits of gray? I hope I’ve gone some way towards showing you the beauty and versatility of this great shade. Till next time…