Classic Home Trending

Last week we studied Newtons third law of motion that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the world of design, that can wreak havoc on your wallet constantly changing things to keep up with the new thing. If you want a long-term plan that will not go out of style, think of the classics. Classic is a word that you often hear applied to the world of design and classic is a word which is defined by Webster’s dictionary as “serving as a standard of excellence: of recognized value”. So then, classic is a good word that projects value over time. The classics can be found in all styles from traditional, to mid-century, to modern. If you stick with pieces of furniture and décor that have stood the test of time in all styles you will create a space to continually build upon and make changes that elevate rather than completely change everything the next time a new fad comes around. Another word that is often heard in design is trending and some might conjure visions of the latest and the greatest things available for the home. Webster’s dictionary defines trending as a prevailing tendency or inclination or a current style or preference. When it comes to adding value to your home choose a trend that has become and remains a classic because classics are the standard of excellence. Let’s peek into a dining room that has been made over with classics that are currently trending and will remain timeless, somewhere in the heart of The Villages.

  •  Trends in the space
Black is very popular right now as wall color, house color and cabinet color but we applied black to furniture. Black and white together are trending and we used it as a rug. Gold has returned in brassy and brushed finishes, and we have used both in the space.

  •  Paint
Prior to the makeover the room was painted a dark sage green which just absorbed all the light in the space. The room was re-painted into a soft light linen that added light to the space. The light walls expanded the space, and it seemed like the room took a fresh breath of life.

  •  Wainscot
The dining room in a Williamsburg model is big and can be challenging. The homeowner wanted a classic feeling that would stand the test of time, so we decided to utilize wainscoting. We added wainscoting all the way around the dining room. The wainscot continued around the bookshelf that is the divider for the dining room and into the dining room stopping at the slider. The wainscoting from the chair rail down to the floor was painted completely in the color Extra White 7006. This makes the space look amazing and the added architectural value of wainscoting is timeless. Even though this is a classic application, wainscoting will look great with any style because it provides a strong pop of white into the space. Wainscoting can be any style you like. Many of my customers are doing shaker style wainscot treatments, which are a bit more casual.

  •  Jogging the wainscot
The sideboard is taller than the chair rail. We did not want the chair rail running behind the sideboard. As you can see in the picture, we raised the chair rail up to run over the top of the sideboard providing a two inch reveal all the way around the large cabinet. This process makes the sideboard look custom to the space! Don’t worry about having to leave a piece of furniture if you move. Most sideboards are similar in width and the new homeowner should be able to find something that fits that niche.

  •  Paint the sideboard
We loved the size of the sideboard, and it was an expensive piece that the homeowner really did not want to replace if we could find a way to make it work. We made it work by painting it black with a rich brown undertone! The look of the space was transitioning to a classic tommy Bahama/west Indies feeling and the topiaries and English ivy did not really fit in the new feeling of the space. We re-proposed the topiaries on the front porch and painting the sideboard cost about one fourth of the cost to replace the piece. The new black finish popped against the white wainscot and tied into the dining set very well.

  •  Mirrors
We needed to catch light from the large kitchen window. In order to catch light, we added mirrors. The Williamsburg has a large dining room wall that required two mirrors to fill the space; just one would look under scale. We used antique gold arched mirrors that were 48” wide by 72” high. These were hung above the wainscoting and look amazing! The arched mirror mimics a Palladian window so when they are installed it is a two for one. We get the light reflected and the mirrors really look like windows.

  •  Zebra Rug
We added a zebra rug in an abstract pattern under the table for a modern approach to the classic print. The colors of zebra print are neutral in nature, so they blend with any look and add a high end feeling into the space. Don’t be afraid to use a zebra print if you want to!

  •  Pineapple sconces
The golden pineapple sconces are amazing and look so rich. Pineapples are the universal sign of hospitality so having them in the dining room is classically appropriate. They hold two taper candles each. The taper candles are the luminaire brand, and they look real but without the fear of burning the house down.

  •  Chandelier
The chandelier looked a little heavy before the makeover but once the mirrors were in place it felt much lighter, and we wanted it to stay.

  •  Lamps and art
The Snowy Egret by James Audubon hangs over the sideboard. The lamps on each side of the sideboard are brushed gold with a touch of black marble and creamy golden shades. They look a bit like a golden palm tree. Also, a touch of greenery and a piece of coral finish off the space.

  •  Big orchids
Orchids are the perfect flower! They are elegant and casual at the same time. We created a large orchid arrangement in a teak bowl for the center of the table. These orchids look and feel real, and the best part is they do not need water.

  •  Add over time
The room looks great, and it can continue to be elevated over time. The homeowner could choose wallpaper to enhance the space. This could be something bold or subtle. The ceiling could have woodwork added to it to create elegance overhead and so much more!
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Before and After Pics Below