Spring

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ask the expert

 
Q. My husband wants to put a mirror above our mantel - but that's really boring to me - do you have any ideas to make this space pop? 
 
A. Yes!  We consider a mantel to be valuable real estate when it comes to drawing your eye into a room. It's a great place to create both depth and drama. Be sure to use your room's accent color in a big way. 
 
Fleur-de-lisFor the space above this client's  mantel, we designed a stylized fleur-de-lis tapestry hand sewn with three fabrics we used for their sofa, chairs and pillows. It's installed on a black and gold fluted pole with pineapple finials. 
 
During fall and winter months, the fleur-de-lis' plum, Oil Paintingwheat and terra colors pre-dominate.  As spring arrives, a perfectly sized oil painting of a Hill country landscape is placed directly on top of the tapestry - essentially creating a fabric frame around the art's wood frame. 
 
Choosing an odd number of accessories makes for the most interesting arrangements. A grouping of photos framed in the same finish are terrific if your mantel is low enough to appreciate the details. Still stumped? Call us at 281-580-7775 or e-mail us.
Quick Quiz
What King was known as the "Sun King" because he was born on a Sunday?THe Sun King
A.  Louis XVI
B.  Phillip IV
C.  Louis XIV
Hint:  He is also associated with mirrors
 
What Can A Monkey Do? A Neutral Room
 
Fleur-de-lisWe admit it. Color isn't for everyone. And there are times when using neutral colors makes sense such as when you are anticipating selling your home.
 
One of the more interesting phenomena we've discovered in 28 years in practice is that clients actually like color but aren't confident in how and where to use it effectively. There's a natural tendency to default to neutrals because they are safe. Reminds us of the movie Pleasantville when life was painted in black and white and the difference color made when it entered the picture (literally) as a single red rose.
 
Color Do's and Don'ts for Great Room Results 
 
DO - If you're shy in the color department, use it summer colorseasonally. A yellow influenced green always works in the spring and summer and persimmon with a touch of red works well in the fall as we approach the holiday season.   
 
DON'T - Paint your walls white thinking it will enlarge your room - it's a sad myth.  Just look at the corners of an all white room and you'll see unattractive gray shadows that can actually make your room look smaller.   
 
DO - Always use  black somewhere in your room.  It adds sophistication and drama. If a new chandelier is in your future, consider wrought iron with pronounced silver highlights  Think black and silver candlesticks, black frames for your art, etc. 
 
DON'T - Buy furniture and rugs to match your wall color.  A more savvy approach is to co-ordinate furniture and rug  colors first and then choose a wall color that unifies and complements your room elements.    Planning a room re-do?  Our professional color consultations get rave reviews.
 

Referral pic

FREE GIFT  OFFER
 
Receive a $50.00 Pappas Restaurant gift card when you tell a friend in the Houston area about Interior Reflections. When they make a  design  appointment either online or by calling (281) 580-7775 - we'll send your gift card as our thanks for your referral.                
Quick Quiz Answer: B - Louis XIV reigned for 73 years and built Versailles which boasts an unbelievable Hall of Mirrors. 
 
Quick Links

Plan Bee

Long considered the symbol of immortality and resurrection by the Egyptians, Napoleon chose bees for his coat of arms.They were considered the oldest emblem of the sovereigns of France.
  
 Bees
 "Light is a thing that cannot be  reproduced, but must be represented by something else  - by color."   Paul Cezanne
 

Cezanne


Let's Get Down To Brass Tacks.......
 
TacksIf you love fine details as much as we do - then you'll flip for this  new line of nailheads.  Anything but ordinary, we're putting them on ottomans, headboards, valances and  everything Fleur-de-lisleather. Dress up pillows and silk panels with the co-coordinating buttons in every imaginable size.

We are co-creators in achieving a comfortable and livable environment you'll love to come home to!