dust & chandeliers

before & after: Grange Showroom

For an Evening of Elegance fundraiser benefiting The Foundation for Breast and Prostate Health, we re-imagined a slice of the Grange Showroom in Philadelphia’s Marketplace Design Center.  Using Grange’s existing furniture, and only painting one wall, we created an oasis for a fantasy client:  a decorator returning from a world-wide shopping trip. (Okay, that’s really just our own fantasy).

Rich autumnal colors, opulent but inexpensive bedding (from HomeGoods, Marshalls, et al.) and layers of animal skin rugs (lent to us by Kroungold’s Furniture) warmed the space. Life-size fashion paintings by Denise Fike mixed with dramatic palm trees and lush flowers from Hoffman Design Group plus Grange’s own orange and black glass chandeliers added drama, while very detailed styling made the space feel like a real diva’s bedroom, down to the lispstick in the drawers and “Sex & The City” video playing on the mini-DVD player.

Our only existing “before” photos for this project are scanned photocopies of original photo film.  We’ve since learned our lesson: take lots and lots of photos, preferably digital, both before and after!

redecorators recipe: brunch to cocktails in a few easy steps

Take one table, a rug and two chairs. mix in wildly different accessories. Result? Two great looks and a whole lot of fun & drama.  Here’s how we did it:

MAKE IT FUN | Lemon-Lime Brunch

Think beyond the table itself to the backdrop. Here, giant leaves from Ikea’s children’s department frame the table and add drama and whimsy.

Build a collection of all white dishware.  Then you can easily change your looks by switching out accessories such as tablecloth, napkins, placemats and glassware.  For a summer brunch, a color scheme of yellow, white and chartreuse unifies inexpensive finds from Target, HomeGoods and Ikea.  Plus it’s sunny and bright!

Layer elements, patterns and textures for more interest—bowl tops striped napkin tops green round placemat tops yellow floral tablecloth.

Offer guests little treats and fun surprises, such as a bucket of crazy sunglasses and some silly games.

MAKE IT ELEGANT | Moonlight Cocktails

Transform the same table and chairs for evening by bringing indoor items outside.  here fluffy pillows and real crystal offer an elegant surprise.

Sheer curtains provide a backdrop and help define the gathering space, making the event more cozy and intimate.

For a larger gathering, stack plates and group glassware and cutlery and use the table as a buffet station.  A separate bar cart for drinks helps keeps things organized.

Think beyond candles for lighting.  With these outdoor chandeliers you don’t have to worry about a gust of wind ruining your atmosphere.

Don’t forget the WOW factor.  The giant glittery disco ball immediately captures attention and sparks conversation.