Design Inspiration: A Beautiful Breakfast Space

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

These days I’m working with one of my regular Houston interior design clients on the continuation of a long-term project. Having used lots of beautiful colors throughout her living space, we’re now shifting the focus to the breakfast room and kitchen, with the same jewel tones and vibrant palette.

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!

Posted in Uncategorized, kitchen, window treatments | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Adventures in Antiquing, Continued

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

So, it’s been a week and I’m still dreaming about the gorgeous pieces I managed to unearth at the antiques fair last week. It’s such a great place to source quality pieces, since there’s lots of variety and a range of different styles. Even for newcomers to the field of antiquing, it’s a good place to start. Just remember: start small, and look for something you can live with.

A relatively small item like a side table is a good place to start, as it can be integrated into an existing seating arrangement. This elegant round table caught my eye at the fair, with its pretty marble top and arcade detailing. I really like the fact that it’s been stained a dark color, as that makes it look more formal. A darker wood shade like this one really adds integrity to a space! Also, it’s so practical – see there’s even enough place for a good-sized lamp.

This secretary would also have been a great buy – it has all the curves and scallops characteristic of the Louis XV period, and I just love the fresh, pale cream and yellow. The hardware looks great too; new hardware like that would cost a pretty penny on its own! And again, there is a real practicality factor here: the chicken wire in front makes it perfect for showcasing beautiful old books and accessories, and it’s not a very deep piece, which means it would work in a variety of spots.

What I liked about this display is the way the dealer showed how to pair an elegant chair with a secretary, tying the two together with a toile print. The colors, the style – they look so good together! If you find yourself falling in love with two pieces that don’t seem to go together very well, or like the idea of a chair to complement a larger piece, you can always have your designer select a frame and reupholster according to your color palette. All it takes is a bit of vision!

I also couldn’t help but be drawn to the ceramic dogs on display (I’ve always had a thing for dogs!). These adorable Staffordshire dogs looked so cute and were in mint condition – just right for a pretty bookshelf.

There were lots of slightly less conventional designs too. Here’s one that stood out: a wrench chair! I don’t know how comfortable it would have been to sit on, but it certainly has dramatic impact value!

Feeling inspired? Why not check out the next antiques fair that comes to your area? You might find yourself pleasantly surprised by all the little gems on display!

Posted in Details, antiques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment