Elements of Style Blog

So I have this great table, light and wallpaper…. but no chairs or drapes.  I am having the HARDEST time deciding what to do- both liking the idea of a bold punch of color AND keeping things super neutral. I suck at making these decisions for myself, so I need your help.

This is a horrid picture but you can kind of see the space…. better shots (but sans light) HERE.  Also I am still considering swapping out the Hicks pendants for these, which I already have in my possession.  Votes from friends have been evenly divided…

The stairs will be leopard, as I managed to get this past Andrew! YAY! Cannot WAIT for this to go in.  This area is open to the dining area so that has to be kept in mind.  As such, I believe I will forgo a run under the dining table, we tried one and it just felt so fussy.

I love emerald green, so if I do a color pop it will be that.  It’s so fresh, clean and very me.  I still am obsessed with this room by Grant K. Gibson with emerald green leather Louis style chairs.  I could totally do this look….

Paired with clean white drapes with grey greek key lead trim, same as what will go in the living room eventually.

OR I could do a bold drape, like this image (which I also am obsessed with).

With that I would probably pair the Louis style chairs from Ballard in a dark grey fabric.

A third option is a print drape- most likely a grey and white.  When I was planning the room I had thought I’d do the Premier Prints fabric at right…. but now I’m not 100% sure.  We’ve had clients do drapes in the  Lee Jofa Punch Linen at left and they do look lovely, and with my grey grasscloth would be cool.  Actually, either of these would pair great with those green chairs…. drat, another option!

My last thought was a color AND print drape, like Peter Dunham Fig Leaf which I have as pillows in my sunroom.  I am also SUPER SUPER obsessed with these brass frame chairs from Empiric.  In that natural leather they are quite pretty too!

And with all these options, an dlooking at what I;ve already spent on this renovation,  all I keep thinking is….

We are currently taking a little breather from the interior of our house and focusing a little more on the exterior- the back yard to be exact.  I love to spend as much time as humanely possible outside in the summer and so I am beyond excited to have my own yard now! The one thing we are missing is a patio!  So we’re planning on installing one in the next month and have decided on stamped concrete for a few reasons- 1) budget 2) ease of maintenance.  And while concrete doesn’t sound very natural and pretty- think again.  This is a stamped concrete walkway that my dad’s firm installed at a project recently…..

Looks like slate, right???  A few more images of stamped concrete patios:

We took out a big tree to make room for it while still leaving plenty or lawn for dog wrestling…. not mention, we have big plans for more plants and trees for a smidge of privacy.

I also have been wondering what color to paint my shed (and I need to get my Grandma’s vintage Brown Jordan patio set powdercoated…)

After seeing Erica Cook’s instagram photo of her yard I am thinking black with white windows!  I want it to fade away a bit, but this will make it look modern and match our house too!

Some more patio inspiration images- both grand and doable:

A firepit would be nice, no?

Patio is the city are super charming too- plus no mowing!