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!

Intricate ceiling designs can be created in a number of ways, using beams, plaster or a coffer design. Exposed beams are great for the French country look, and I like incorporating this element into more casual spaces with high ceilings.

(Source: Designs That Inspire)

I think coffered ceilings look beautiful in larger rooms, and recently created one for a project I’m currently working on. You can see how the design creates depth and adds a layer of visual interest to the room even before it is furnished.

Amitha Verma Designs

Coffering basically refers to a set of sunken panels in the shape of squares, rectangles or octagons in the ceiling. The tradition began in the Loire Valley in France during the early Renaissance – this probably explains why I love it so much! I think even when subtly done, a coffered ceiling works beautifully with French-inspired furniture and elegant textiles.

(Source: House Beautiful)

I often like to take things one step further and introduce intricate designs and patterns into the ceiling as well. My inspiration could come from just about anywhere. Recently I spotted a gorgeous pair of earrings in InStyle magazine that sparked the idea for my next ceiling (pics of that project coming up soon!)

Essentially I just love the idea of introducing more color and style into an element of the space that often gets overlooked. Ceilings deserve to be beautiful too, don’t you think?

Amitha Verma Designs

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!

A lot of clients say to me: Oh, but that’s going to be so impractical! What about my kids/pets/husband with his muddy boots??

So here’s my big secret: outdoor fabrics.

There are so many of these fabulous new fabrics on the market that have special stain and water-resist qualities. They’re practical, durable, easy to clean, and they look great – like the uber-stylish cushions in this poolhouse, made from Sunbrella fabric.

(Source: Elle Decor)

The good thing is, I can indulge my love for light colors without worrying about the fabrics getting soiled right away. That’s such a blessing when you’re trying to create a really pretty indoor-to-outdoor look. One of my current favorites is the Palm Springs house featured in a recent Veranda, with these fabulous pinky-lavender couches in the porch – a real style statement, and practical too!

(Source: Veranda July-August 2011)

The wonderful thing about the new generation of stain and water-resist fabrics is that they look so good! Forget the canvas-type fabrics of the past – these new materials come in all kinds of finishes, including linen, jacquard, even chenille and velvet. You really can’t even tell they were designed for outdoor use. And so, why not bring them indoors? I’ve started using them in high-traffic areas like mudrooms, kitchens, breakfast rooms – they’re so perfect for banquettes and casual seating nooks.

(Source: House Beautiful)

The end result: beautiful soothing color schemes without the stress. What more could you ask for?

You might be thinking, how do you know what to look for at a fair like this one, and even more importantly, how do you know what to invest in? For newcomers to the antiquing field, I always suggest starting with a small piece to get your feet wet. Start small, and then work your way up to your ‘antique comfort zone’. Antiques are a wonderful investment and the true quality pieces more often than not tend to retain their value.

With an eye out for really special pieces, I wandered around the fair. One of the first pieces that caught my attention was this lovely bench. I simply love the amazing carving, and the gorgeous green patina is just beautiful! This would be a great piece in an entry hall, at the end of a twin size bed, or in the midst of a seating arrangement.

Another great piece to start out with is a secretary. Oh, how I love secretaries! This was my first antique purchase, and I just adore this type of furniture. This is a great piece that can be used as dropzone or even as a substitute for a nightstand by a bedside.

I love that beautiful metal arcade around the top of this secretary! These are the kinds of details that I usually look for when hunting out a quality piece. (Note: Gatorade not vinage). I especially love the gilded chair that’s paired with this secretary. Oh and that stripe – so pretty, classic but a bit geometric.

I also really liked this elegant console with the matching tremeau (mirror)- just perfect for a sophisticated entry hall.

There were so many other pieces that I fell in love with at the fair… more details next time!

(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)

(Source: Quatrefoil Design)

I find these carved ivory discs so beautiful – they add instant prestige and integrity to a room. Before I use them in any of my current clients’ homes though, I am getting ready to put some up in my own house and office! There are so many lovely ways to display them… I wonder if mounting them on a dark background, as in the bedroom below, would work better? I have to admit, the contrast of ivory and chocolate is so elegant and yet so warm – just right for a cozy bedroom!

(Source: Amy Morris Interiors)

Another display of intaglios that caught my eye – and my imagination – is this gorgeous cluster of intaglios set in ornate blue and gold frames. The placement of the intaglios, along with the shape of the frames, creates the impression of two oversized brooches on the wall – so pretty!

(Source: Cote de Texas)

I’m so inspired, I can’t wait to see how they look on my own walls! Off to do some decorating…

(Source: Tulu Textiles)

The fabrics on the bed above come from a design house called Tulu, which specializes in bold, bright prints and hues. So many of these beautiful prints are inspiring me these days. I especially like the rich shades they use. Used against a crisp white background, the colors ‘pop’ even more, creating a really spectacular effect.

(Source: Tulu Textiles)

One of the other companies I’m really loving right now is Les Indiennes, which produces a line inspired by the colors and shapes of India.

(Source: Les Indiennes)

The great thing about prints like these is that they can really infuse a room with personality, even one with a simple, rustic décor. I’ve fallen for the rich, saturated hues, the beautiful patterns, and the pretty linen-like backgrounds.

(Source: Les Indiennes)

I love the patterns too – especially the paisley prints, which are so reminiscent of traditional Indian designs. Even in the simplest of color combinations, they look so elegant!

(Source: Les Indiennes)

1. Decide on your style. Do you want to highlight artwork, use a combination of accessories and books, or create a library-type effect? I am a big, big fan of books, so I really love the old-fashioned library style, with a shelf packed full of all kinds of books, like in the picture below. Even with books of different sizes stacked clumsily on top of each other, the overall look is charming and cozy rather than chaotic.

Amitha Verma Designs

2. Create a ‘focal point’. One of my favorite approaches is to work around a focal color, using objects and ornaments like vases in the same shade to create a cohesive, stylized look. See how the unusual shade of the bookcase below is offset by carefully-chosen pieces in deep chocolate and earth tones?

(Source: House Beautiful, Feb 2011)

3. Assess your purpose. Are you looking to create extra storage for your books and knick-knacks, or simply hoping to add a stylish design feature to a particular room? If your purpose is the latter, you can afford to experiment with a range of shapes and designs that draw the eye and make a style statement, like this elegant, little nook filled with a neat assortment of colorful artwork.

(Source: House Beautiful, June 2011)

4. Get creative. Why stick to only one thing? A great approach to accessorizing is to use a combination of books, artwork and accessories. I love to use different objects, artifacts, old antique books and coordinating accessories. Develop a color palette and try to find pieces that are in the palette. That’s what I did with this sweet under-the-stairs shelf, which echoes the blue and white décor of the hall.

Amitha Verma Designs

5. Leave some negative space. Edit, edit, edit! You don’t want too much empty space – that could make your shelves look barren – but resist the temptation to put up every single vacation souvenir you’ve ever bought. The same goes for family photos. Pick the top five and use those to create focus and interest.

]]> http://amithaverma.com/blog/2011/08/top-5-tips-for-accessorizing-a-bookshelf/feed/ 0 http://amithaverma.com/blog/2011/08/the-richness-of-red/ http://amithaverma.com/blog/2011/08/the-richness-of-red/#comments Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:42:43 +0000 Past & Present http://amithaverma.com/blog/?p=1185 I just completed a powder room for one of my Houston interior design clients that turned out so lovely. The concept was richness, luxury and elegance. The couple I was working with love bold colors, but in moderation, so we designed the room around a single eye-catching element – the countertop. It’s made of a material called Vulcan Red Onyx – it even sounds sexy, doesn’t it? The color was this deep rich magenta highlighted with these gorgeous red tones

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