Golden Glow

It’s my birthday month, and you’d think that as a decorator I would have treated myself to something fabulous like a new lamp or a piece of art I’ve been eyeing. Instead, I went big. I bought myself a new knee. It has already proven to be quite the purchase. The manual did warn that the first few weeks would come with pain and discomfort, but if I stayed the course the reward would be worth it. I’m three weeks in and looking forward to that gold lining. I know the phrase is silver lining, but after a lifetime in the sunshine state I tend to see everything in a golden glow. I was thrilled when a customer asked for a makeover using touches of green and gold. Let’s peek into the dining room of a Putnum model to see how these tones come together for a dynamic finish somewhere in the heart of The Villages

  •  Wall Color
The homeowners wanted the space to feel elegant and complete, and that meant starting with the walls. The chalky white paint that came with the home felt cold, so they chose a soft grey to bring in warmth while staying neutral. The color they selected was Heron Plume SW 6070. It’s often called a chameleon shade because it’s a warm neutral with grey and beige notes that can reveal a subtle violet undertone depending on the light. It brightens the room while still keeping it cozy, which made it a perfect fit for this space. For the finish, we always choose satin or eggshell. Matte paint absorbs light and is difficult to clean, while satin reflects light and adds depth because the color interacts with the light rather than disappearing into it.

•  Rug
The rug was the inspiration for the entire space. It’s from Company C, and we used technology to preview it in the room before making the purchase. This high-quality wool rug is full of beautiful color. Green is the dominant tone, with touches of blue, violet, and salmon woven throughout. It can be positioned to highlight mostly green or to showcase the full range of colors at once, which makes it wonderfully versatile. It has quickly become one of my personal favorites, and I can’t say enough about how easy wool is to maintain. I have wool rugs in my own home and find them far easier to keep clean than synthetic options. Wool is naturally stain resistant and doesn’t require added chemicals, making it a healthier and more natural choice for any room.

  •  Less furniture
The homeowners had a sideboard that matched the dining table, and to keep the room feeling open they placed it in front of the window. I agreed that the dining room would feel tight with a sideboard on the large wall, so we moved it to the entry hallway, which is just steps from the dining room. This simple shift opened the space and allowed the sideboard to serve a new but equally useful purpose. In the dining room itself, we kept only the table so guests could move comfortably around it. This also allowed us to place all the chairs around the table without crowding the room. The kitchen island is so closely connected to the dining area that any snacks or warm dishes can live on the island and remain easily accessible during gatherings.

  •  Curtains
The homeowners love the softness that curtains bring to a room, and since they weren’t interested in crown molding, we decided to let the curtains do the architectural work. We chose white linen panels from Pottery Barn in the 96-inch length, which allowed us to hang the rod right where the wall meets the ceiling. It takes a little patience to get the panels onto the rod at that height, but once they’re up, the effect is worth it. The height draws the eye upward just like crown molding and gives the room a polished, impressive finish. I’ve been an advocate for hanging curtains high for my entire decorating career, and now that the look is all over Instagram and Pinterest, it’s much easier for clients to say yes. If you’re considering curtains, hang them high.

  •  Chandelier
The new chandelier has a gold finish with touches of crystal and small drum shades that soften the light beautifully. We installed it on a dimmer so the homeowners can adjust the glow to suit the moment. At their request, we hung the chandelier a bit higher than usual because they prefer lights that sit well above eye level. There are industry standards for chandelier height, but personal preference always wins.

  •  Artwork
The homeowners chose a beautiful sunset from the Old Florida Collection by Alan Maltz, the official fine arts photographer of Florida. The piece is spectacular, and because it’s part of the Old Florida series, the colors lean into greens and warm golden sepia tones. In those softer shades, the image almost reads like an oil painting. The green background ties visually to the rug, reinforcing our color story throughout the space. The canvas measures sixty inches wide by forty inches high, giving the room a strong focal point without overwhelming it.

  •  Candlelight
I love candlelight in the dining room, and the homeowners do too. We were able to purchase some of the last wall sconces of their kind from Pottery Barn. I’m especially fond of this style because it stands twenty-eight inches high yet still feels visually light. We hung two on each side of the sunset photograph, and they frame the artwork beautifully. The entire focal wall feels more complete with their soft glow. Each sconce is filled with electric candles from Luminara, and they look exactly like real candlelight. They turn on with a remote, the batteries last a long time, and while they are an investment, they are worth every penny. They were originally designed by the Imagineers at Walt Disney World, which explains why the flame effect is so convincing.

  •  Large coral and tree
We added a large piece of coral from Pottery Barn on the left wall to complete the dining room, along with a fiddle leaf fig tree from Home Sense to soften the wall break as you enter the space. The room now feels open, welcoming, and ready to use without anyone bumping into furniture or feeling crowded.
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Before and After Images Below