Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Fresh furnishings help tame the Wild West


By Candice Olson


MY goddaughter - an art student, DJ and parttime volunteer in a charity shop - wanted to use as little of her allowance as possible to make a space that reflected her interests, personality and belief that "Marie Antoinette rocks". Apart from the Technicolor-dyed chandelier and silver gilt plush Louis armchairs - which were birthday presents - everything in this room has been DIY-ed. The curtains, made with help from Mum, are from leftovers from my design collections.BRING ON THE WINEHere he reveals how he 'cheated' in these two rooms...The couple had no idea how to make the huge room more elegant and sophisticated while keeping the room's cabin vibe. So they called me in and asked if I could give their great room one great big update.So, for a bathroom I created for a client, I used a sleek, elegant grey that reflects daylight when needed - but looks wonderfully sophisticated in the evening.Adjacent to the lounge area, by a big window, I created a library nook. I put in a beautiful round wood table, two antique-leather lounge chairs and flanked the window with two dark-wood bookcases. Above this area, which also boasts a beautiful piano, I installed a smaller version of the larger chandelier.ZEBRA ZONEOF all the project and makeover transformations in this room, I love the chair the most. The seat has been upholstered (courtesy of Mum) to look like an exquisitely-iced birthday cake. But it's the paint-spattered frame that impresses me most. There's nothing complicated or contrived about this very simple technique. Spattering dribbles of paint in a series of sugary shades over what is actually a very humble junk shop chair.Multicoloured chandelier shade pounds 21.99 from The Contemporary Home (www.tch.net, 02392 469400)Chandelier stencil pounds 90 (www.crownpaint.co.uk, 01254 704951)'Stencils, laser transfers and freehanddoodling have all played a part in making the riotous, constantly evolving wallpaper.COLOUR ME PUNK

Scripps Howard News Service




Author: Candice Olson


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