Musso Design Group

Designer Notebook - New York, 2011

2011-11-13T12:10:00.001-05:00

The Musso Design Group recently made a trip to New York tovisit some of our favorite vendors like Kravet and Robert Kuo and enjoy themagnificent Alexander McQueen fashion exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum ofArt. Each of our designers kept a mentalnotebook of their impressions.

Todd Falconbury:

The trip to New York was anything but boring. Our daytime adventures were packed withshowroom after showroom of classic and contemporary styled furniture. I loved the unique chairs we found in ourfurniture showroom journey, including new chairs from Zulu craftsmen to avintage “Question Mark” chair, circa 1962, and valued at over $20,000.

Unique chairs can create interesting focal points, add somewhimsical relief to a formal space, or used to evoke a reaction or start aconversation. A distinctive chair has the power to entirelyalter the look and feel of a space, so they need to be used carefully.

Lauren Sardo:

We are constantly on the hunt for fresh and bold ideas toincorporate into our design projects and our trip to New York was perfectlytimed. Showroom after showroom, I wasstruck by the use of wonderful and vibrant colors. Taking a nod from currentfashion collections, the home goods market seems to be projecting a happiermood.

I loved the vintage Louis stools covered in hot pink velvet,and the pattern and color combinations in the pillow section of Barney’s homestore were truly inspiring. Using a modern fabric on a vintage mid-centurychair really makes it look fresher and more contemporary.

Lauren Dott:

I captured many inspiring images while sourcing fabric and furniture during our New York trip. Many of the pictures I took were simply meant for myself as a visual reminder about a certain style, color, potential client idea, specific vendor name, or just because I found it aesthetically pleasing. But, when later uploading my photos, I found a common thread: Many of my images were round or circular in form.

I was smitten at the Baker showroom over the hanging pendantwith round gold glass discs in various lengths. (I recently ordered this for aclient’s dining room!) I was intrigued bycrystal spheres from Moura Starr, and the dramatic reflections on the glamorousfurniture that were cast from the round pendants above.

Musso Design Group Looks to a Fashion Icon for Inspiration

2011-11-13T08:43:00.001-05:00

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them.That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep thetradition.” —Alexander McQueen

That quote really sums up my experience after visiting theexhibition of the late Alexander McQueen’s work title “Savage Beauty,” whichdrew record breaking crowds to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

In my never ending search for new and innovative ideas, Iwas truly inspired by the creative genius that McQueen embodied. The show,designed by Sam Gainsbury and Joseph Bennett, was a marvel. After sellout months and often 5 to 8 hourwait times, people from all over the world, left the exhibit as I did -speechless.

The most striking feature of the show wasa ruffled organza dress, made of thousands of organza layers. Next to it was a hologram of Kate Mosswearing the dress used to close a 2006 runway show. Reportedly, it took three dress makers threemonths simply to cut the organza squares.

In the “Cabinet ofCuriosities,” gallery, McQueen-commissioned fashion accessories, among them anextravagant butterfly hat and a jacket that is adorned with alligator skulls(as shoulder “pads”), and shoes curved like giant hooves.

Most interesting, though, are videos of the designer’s runwayshows playing on monitors (some overhead). In one video a model stands on a slowlyrevolving platform as two robotic machines aggressively spray her with paint.

All of this visual stimulation only added to the magic. McQueen’s clothes – while not always practical– are truly works of art borne from a complex artist. The result evokes reaction and made us think. It was a very inspiring exhibition.

The only way to really experience this incredible exhibit isto see it for yourself. (The show isrumored to move to London in 2012). Until then, here is a video tribute to McQueen's impact on fashion.

Meet Lauren Dott

2011-11-07T20:54:00.000-05:00

Lauren Dott joined our firm in 2010. Originally from Maryland and raised in Florida, Lauren received a B.A. in Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and also studied at the Ecole de Beaux Art in Lacoste, France. Previous design work includes an internship with NBC's Will & Grace, high end residential project management and multi-family high-rise design experience.

Did you always know that you were destined for a career in interior design?

As a kid I used to love rearranging my bedroom, and taking accessories from different areas of my parent’s house to find a new place for them. I remember watching my Mom’s interior designer in our home. I worked for her the summer before I left for college, and thought this is a job I would be excited about waking up for each morning. After my first college level interiors studio class, I was hooked.

What was your first official interior design project?

I was interning in L.A. over a summer for an interior designer and set designer. Our client really needed spatial and proper furniture selection to accommodate his new space. We transformed the space by centering the room on this great open window he had not taken advantage of before, which had a fantastic view of the Hollywood sign in the distance.

Tell us about your most challenging design project.

A residential project on Big Win Island, a golf community in Canada. Tracking and customs for a large home is one thing, but each of the items had to be loaded onto a boat on a lake and taken over to the property across the shore. Oh, and it was a winter install.

What is that one piece of furniture you completely love?

I have a pair of Knoll Wassily chairs in caramel color leather that really do make me smile. The website, 1stdibs.com is a fantastic resource to view furniture, art and accessories. I could browse that site for hours looking at pieces I love.

What fabric excites you these days?

A recent client required that all fabrics in their home be of all natural materials. This search opened my eyes to some of the most lovely linens, cottons and wools, and I have grown to love the simple luxury of the de Le Cuona line, founded in Windsor, England. Rich, subtle and glamorous.

What Myth about Interior Designers would you like to debunk?

That we sit around and look at pretty fabrics all day. Sure we have the fantastic privilege of viewing and sourcing amazing pieces of furniture and fabrics for clients, but the majority of my day consists of very detailed paper work, hounding vendors to ensure items are correct and delivered timely, and back to back client meetings and site visits.

Who is your favorite fashion designer?

Diane von Furstenburg. Her iconic prints and style are why she will continue to have such longevity in the fashion world. Her playful use of colors and lines flow right into her new home collection.

Meet Todd Falconbury

2011-01-17T11:45:00.000-05:00

Todd Falconbury is an Interior Designer with the Musso Design Group. Todd joined the firm in 2006, shortly before he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2007. Todd shares some personal insights in this interview.

Did you always know that you were destined for design?
Yes. In grade school, a few of the neighborhood kids would get together and make up plays for our parents or other kids. I was always in charge of set design. As I grew up, my passion went to landscape design, but I knew the Indiana weather would not allow me to do that. So many years later and after a career in sales, I finally went back to school, received a degree in Fine Arts, and was hired by Bill Musso in 2006.

What absolutely has to be in place for a successful design project?
One word for me, “patience.” And that goes for both parties involved. As in any job that is done in any field, if you rush a job, more than likely there will be consequences. Delays, extra expenses, and time driven short cuts always compromise good design.

Who makes your favorite home accessories on the market now?
I have to say Moooi. We found them in New York last year. Where else can you find a “blow away vase” which is a blue and white china vase that literally looks like the top section has been blown over, or a fiberglass side table that has four very different leg shapes?

What is that one piece of furniture you completely love?
I have always loved the Barcelona chair for its clean lines and would love to have one someday. At home, I love my sectional sofa from Southern Design Source at ADAC. Besides looking great, it is simply comfortable to collapse in after a long day.

How often do you make interior changes at home?
I say not enough, others say TOO MUCH! Again, I like changing my surroundings to create different feelings for different times. I may just change an accent wall color, or pick up new pillows for a chair or bed.

What’s the one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?
I have a rather unchecked addiction to candles. Some people call it crazy, I call it fun. I use them to create moods by addressing the sense of smell. For Halloween I have a special black candle ("Salem" from Modern Alchemy) that smells of burnt wood when lit.

Must see TV: What television show do you watch religiously?
Yes, I’m a “Gleek!” I got the “Glee” bug and I dread the day they say the show is canceled. I also really like “Raising Hope.” Of course, Project Runway, Top Chef, Survivor, and MY favorite BIG Brother are always filling up the DVR.

Tell us about your most challenging design project.
Every job has a unique challenge to attack, but we designed a home in the Northeast without seeing it in person. The entire project was executed through emails, photos, and conference calls. We never met the client face to face until a year after it was completed. When we finally got to Connecticut, it was great to see the room was set up as we originally planned it.

Atlantan Magazine names Bill to Design "Hotlist"

2011-01-17T11:38:00.000-05:00

Bill Musso named to Design "Hotlist"
The Atlantan Magazine profiles A-List Designers
The October 2010 issue of The Atlantan magazine named Bill Musso to Atlanta's Design "Hotlist." Dubbed its Fashion & Home issue, The Atlantan profiled top Atlanta interior designers and their top decorating finds of 2010. For this issue, Bill called out his favorites including concrete and terrazzo atelier Dex Studios, Ann Sack's "Irvington" bath accessories, and the blog Contemporist.

More of Bill's favorites:

Zulu baskets from reclaimed telephone wire

Siggi and Egmund Dedekind own a farm in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Concerned by rampant unemployment among their Zulu neighbors, the Dedekinds formed a small crafting cooperative to provide jobs for the unemployed and to revive fading Zulu crafting traditions. Using a weaving pattern learned from an aging Zulu woman some 100 miles away, more than 200 Zulu men and women are now earning supplemental income by crafting baskets from colorful reclaimed telephone wire.
Vintage Fornasetti
Milanese painter, sculptor, and interior designer Piero Fornasetti designed more than 11,000 products. During his career he created a visual vocabulary that is instantly recognizable, filled with whimsy and wit.

Fornasetti's graphic art often re-worked a single idea over and over again, allowing his imagination run free to develop new concepts. His most famous production line is based on an image of Lina Cavalieri found in a 19th century French magazine. Originally four plates were designed by Piero Fornasetti - the plate series now has 350 variations. We only use vintage pieces that bear a Fornasetti trademark.

Bathroom project hits cover of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine

2010-06-23T08:55:00.003-04:00

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 21st Annual Bath Contest Winner!

You watched the drama of Musso Design Group designer Catherine Cocke's long and tortuous house renovation on HGTV's My Big Amazing Renovation. Through 18 months and two pregnancies, Catherine and Byron masterfully transformed and updated a Mid-century home into a spacious retreat for their growing family.

During the filming Catherine and her family dealt with floods, roof leaks, falling trees, no-show contractors and a gamut of other issues. But in the end they prevailed and the result is fantastic.

Now that hard work is paying off. Catherine and husband Byron are winners of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 21st Annual Bath Contest! And, their master bathroom graces the cover of the July, 2010, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine.

"It's an amazing honor to be an Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Bath Contest winner," Catherine says. "I love the result, although the journey here was tough. But I can't wait to do the next one!"

Find more photos of this bathroom, and several others, on our website.

Rosemary Beach Renovation Unveiled

2010-06-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

Our project at Rosemary Beach, Florida, has wrapped up. We thought you would like to see some photos!

Built in 1999, this home was designed by Bobby McAlpine of McAlpine Tankersley Architecture. It was the first beach front home constructed in Rosemary. Our task was to update a dark and dated home into a bright, interesting and relaxed second home for clients in Atlanta. We started this top-to-bottom renovation in December, 2009, and finished in early June.

A significant challenge was the very low and claustrophobic kitchen ceiling. By removing sheet rock and rerouting plumbing to a third floor bathroom, and wrapping beams in reclaimed timber, we converted a liability into a very interesting asset.

The living area on the main floor is designed to be flexible and take on different arrangements as needed for different entertaining scenarios. Sectional sofas and tufted ottomans are meant to move around to accommodate large parties or intimate gatherings.

Shades of turquoise appear on every floor to provide continuity throughout the home. The turquoise was paired with different colors: neutrals on the main floor, chartreuse in the ground floor guest bedroom, and a bold and fun orange in the third floor teen loft.

The master bedroom is calming and sophisticated. The Waterworks tile in the master bath echoes the rich colors from the Gulf of Mexico, just outside the owner’s screened in porch. This tile became a jumping off point for the master suite’s color scheme of blues and browns. The custom headboard was designed by Bill.

Seaside Showhouse Success

2010-06-23T07:12:00.011-04:00

We were excited to asked to take part in the Designer Showhouse for the Arts in Seaside, Florida, open now through July 4th. This showhouse is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Association and is in the home of Robert Davis, Seaside Town Founder.

CAA asked us to design a room inspired by a mid-century cultural icon. After just minutes of deliberation, we selected the Duke and Duchess of Windsor - immensely popular, stylish and relevant to Florida during the 1940's and beyond.

Some quick research uncovered an iconic photo of the Duke and Duchess visiting Florida in 1941. The combination of the peacock blue and coral together is very fresh and current. They shaped the Palm Beach look with their bold choices of color, and their clean line of dress is still relevant today.

This photo became inspiration for the design of the guest bedroom in the Seaside, Florida home.

We had only one day to install the entire room. What do you think? Leave a comment to let us know.

The CAA Designer Showhouse for the Arts is open through July 4, Wednesdays - Sundays, from noon to 5:00 pm.

For more information, visit the CAA's website.

Farmhouse designs collateral for Seaside Showhouse

2010-06-04T14:22:00.009-04:00

Our friends at Farmhouse Design Studio produced this bookmark as a souvenir for the attendees of the Seaside Showhouse, sponsored by the Cultural Arts Association. This year's Showhouse is the home of Seaside town founders Daryl & Robert Davis, located at 115 Seaside Avenue, just two blocks east of Central Square, in Seaside, Florida.

The bookmark extends the Duke and Duchess of Windsor theme we selected for the bedroom we designed. We thought they did a great job!

The CAA Designer Showhouse for the Arts is open May 29 - July 4, Wednesdays - Sundays, from noon to 5:00 pm.

For more information, visit the CAA's website.

Duke and Duchess of Windsor inspire design for Seaside showhouse

2010-05-17T19:47:00.015-04:00

We're thrilled to take part in the Designer Showhouse for the Arts in Seaside, Florida, this summer. This showhouse is sponsored by the Cultural Arts Association and will be in the home of Daryl and Robert Davis, Seaside Town Founders.

CAA asked us to design a room inspired by a mid-century cultural icon. After just minutes of deliberation, we selected the Duke and Duchess of Windsor - immensely popular, stylish and relevant to Florida during the 1940's and beyond.

The Duchess of Windsor was an American socialite, who married, as her third husband, Prince Edward, formerly King Edward VIII of the British Empire.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor traveled to Florida to visit friends and enjoyed a good Polo match. What most people don’t know is that Wallis met first husband Navy pilot Earl Winfield Spencer while visiting her cousin in Pensacola.

In December 1936, King Edward VIII renounced the throne to "marry the woman I love.” His wife soon became one of the century's most famous women.

The duchess became known as an elegant hostess and one of the world’s best-dressed women. Beginning in the 1940’s, the couple spent the next few decades traveling extensively to attend social events around the world.

Although they were sometimes criticized for their lavish lifestyle, their romance is regarded as one of history’s greatest love stories. "You have no idea how hard it is to live out a great romance,” Wallis said.

Some quick research uncovered an iconic photo (above) of the Duke and Duchess visiting Florida in 1941. The combination of the peacock blue and coral together is very fresh and current. They shaped the Palm Beach look with their bold choices of color, and their clean line of dress is still relevant today.

This photo became a jumping off point for our design. We can't reveal too much at this point, but here is an image of the Schumacher fabric we are using for the window treatments.

The CAA Designer Showhouse for the Arts is open May 29 - July 4, Wednesdays - Sundays, from noon to 5:00 pm.

For more information, visit the CAA's website.

Weekend retreat in Athens unveiled

2010-02-21T18:00:00.001-05:00

The Musso Design Group just completed a project in Athens, Georgia. This new home was a gift from our client's long time friend. Our charge was to make this a special, relaxing weekend retreat that someday may be the client's primary residence. We aimed to frame a relaxed, yet sophisticated, lifestyle.

The home sits on three acres in Georgia's horse country, just outside of Athens. The builder took extra care to preserve the tree canopy and site the home in the perfect location. Natural stone elements give the home a feeling that it has been there for years.

Our work started about a year ago and we unveiled the home this past weekend. The new owner had not seen the home since mid-December, so we were a little anxious while we worked overnight to finesse the details and prepare for the reveal.

Working closely with the owner, we established a design that complemented the architecture of the home and its beautiful wooded setting. The palette is quiet, sophisticated, and uncluttered, not fussy. It's also durable and will stand up to the traffic provided by four rescued dogs in a wide array of sizes.

Catherine Cocke on HGTV

2010-01-07T19:07:00.018-05:00

Don’t forget to watch (or record) Catherine in her TV debut this Saturday at 8:30 AM.

HGTV's My Big Amazing Renovation captures Catherine’s 18 month journey in renovating their 1950’s home into a modern masterpiece, all while being very pregnant. Always clever, HGTV titled this episode, "Going Big in Georgia."

During the filming Catherine and her family (there were four then) had to deal with floods, roof leaks, falling trees, no-show contractors and a gamut of other issues. But in the end they prevailed and the result is fantastic.

You might catch a glimpse of Bill and Todd collaborating with Catherine on the project at the Musso Design Group office - if we didn’t end up on the proverbial cutting room floor!

Congratulations to Catherine and Byron on a job really well done! (Tell us your thoughts on the show by leaving a comment on this blog.)

My Big Amazing renovation airs on HGTV at 8:30 AM this Saturday, January 9, 2009.

Catherine's Remodeling Adventures

2009-12-13T08:39:00.024-05:00

By Catherine Cocke

I have been through many home remodeling projects, but this latest project was the most complex and time-intensive ever. It was complicated by two production schedules: HGTV's My Big Amazing Renovation and my pregnancy! My husband Byron and I recently converted a 1950's Decatur ranch into a contemporary home to better fit our growing family's needs.

I was intimately involved in this renovation so I could learn more about plumbing and electrical systems. This helped me define my aesthetic choices to know how and why things work. Here are a few of my "lessons learned."

1) Eco-Friendly Cuts Energy Costs
While high-efficiency metal-clad windows and spray soy-foam insulation cost more upfront, the energy savings are amazing! I’m a big fan now of green materials. It’s also worth stretching the budget so your home’s airtight, structurally sound and well-built from the beginning.

2) Hire A Designer
No matter how good builders are, they don’t think like designers. Details slip through the cracks affecting the beauty and livability of your home. Take air vents, furniture layouts and window treatments. I had to pressure my subs to place fans, vents, thermostats and switches in less visible exterior areas. Contractors pop vents where it’s easiest—but that becomes unsightly.

3) Order in advance
Shop and order appliances, plumbing fixtures and finishes before starting. You can then devote time to other project details and not risk delays because of late deliveries. Check on delivery lead-times so you don’t pick out-of-stock items—or hold up your projects for weeks.

4) Remodels take longer and cost more
No matter how skilled you or your contractor are, there will always be surprises when you tear apart an existing house.

On the flip side, deadlines such as the arrival of a film crew or baby can encourage workers to get moving. I would point to my huge belly and say I could go into labor any moment — the guys would frantically work faster and stay longer!

TIP: If someone’s working Sundays, late into the night, or performed an especially good job, offering a cold drink, cookies and a heartfelt thank you goes a long way to inspire good will and loyalty. We will be in touch as soon as we know more about the HGTV production schedule!

Defining the Elegant Eye

2009-12-13T08:33:00.012-05:00

by Bill Musso

Some of my most gratifying moments come from clients who tell me that, prior to buying an accessory for their home, they muse, “Would Bill like this? How would he style it into my décor?” Some have asked me point blank, “How do you develop an elegant eye?” That’s why I’m headlining our Holiday 2009 Newsletter with a few pointers on the subject.

Tips for Getting Started
Developing an elegant eye takes time and practice. Honing your instincts means being not afraid of making missteps. Also, taking time to re-arrange and play with different ideas until “Ah ha!” moments capture the essence of what you’d like to achieve.

I have been in design close to three decades. While creating upscale boutique vignettes in New York, my eye caught on in how fashion, furniture and home interiors weave a harmonious aesthetic in making us feel good about ourselves. What we wear and what we bring into our homes reflect our sensibilities in living with beauty and functionality.

Yet, beauty is rarely recognized as a subtle and powerful energy that revives our spirit.

I would define elegance this way, too—simple beauty, clean lines, and functional, without losing warmth and an instinctively cozy appeal.

In developing an "elegant eye," I hone four main filters, quality workmanship, simplicity, cost and form.

Quality Workmanship
My grandfather loved quality clothing. He would turn a coat inside out and take a close look at the seams in a search for quality. Now, I eyeball fine glassware and filter out pieces with seams. (Pictured: Decanter from Takashimaya New York)

There’s a distinctive vibe to handmade items that’s quite different from those mass-produced. The labor of love that’s gone into a work of art crafted by artisans is palpable, compared to run-of-the mill items.

Simplicity
True, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and people are free to choose. My signature touch to any room is an understated simplicity with a fresh and effortless look.

It’s similar to Coco Chanel’s advice. After you’re done dressing, look in the mirror and take something away. Don’t over-embellish. Less is more.

Cost is Immaterial
Cost should be considered, but items costing more are not necessarily better or ‘more elegant.’ The most meaningful thing to me can be an exquisite seashell—and a freebie from Mother Nature. Follow your heart in collecting and surrounding yourself with items you’re intuitively drawn to.

Form Follows Function
Above all, beauty must play functional roles in your life. That’s when upon returning home from work, an abstract painting in your study refreshes your spirit. Or, you find quiet serenity in the silk-screened bedroom wallpaper or the simple lines of a Cristophe Pillet chair.

Ultimately, you want to surround yourself with things that mean most to you. A travel memento, beautiful raw silk drapery or custom upholstery with piping around the edges, all reflect your care in selecting elegant items showcasing your finer sensibilities.

Things finer are a joy to behold, touch and share—whatever they are, and evoke, for you.

Alys Beach Project Published

2009-07-27T22:24:00.002-04:00

"Ideal Escape"

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles published a fourteen page article with seventeen photos about our project at Alys Beach in their July issue. Once again, AH&L Editorial Director Clinton Smith executed the photo shoot with precision. Photographer Erica George Dines and her artist husband Michael were equally charming.

Getting ready for a photo shoot is always interesting. I spent hours pondering what rooms will be photographed and from which angles. To prepare, I photographed each room myself to critically examine it from a distance. A list of “deficiencies” was prepared and action plans developed.

Ultimately, it is their show, which means you have to be prepared for anything and everything must be the best it can be. The shoot certainly helped prioritize projects and speed up the timeline on a couple of planned projects. Albeit for adding beautiful wallpaper (shipped via FedEx from France) in a bedroom that was not ultimately photographed, I did not do much more than I had originally planned for the house.

I did spend time fussing over several wardrobe selections for shots of me I had imagined they would take. Instead, they used impromptu shots taken in clothing purchased at an outlet mall (horrors!)

Erica was one of the first photographers to drop film for digital. Her shots appeared on a nearby computer screen seconds after pressing the shutter button. At the end of each day, we hunched over her Mac and excitedly reviewed the day’s shots.

I am very pleased with the resulting article. (Except the aforementioned photo of me). I think the photos really capture the essence of what the house really feels like. I hope you enjoy it.

Bill

The Psychology of Color

2009-07-26T08:09:00.006-04:00

Todd Falconbury

We know you would not choose paint colors without us, but we find the psychology of colors simply fascinating. The Musso Design Group approach is to use bold colors in accessories against a neutral background. This gives the flexibility to change the feel of the room seasonally.

Reds naturally make the biggest impact as an accent color in a room. Red is generally associated with passion and energy. While passion may be good for a bedroom, a more restful color may be a better choice. Red increases a person’s appetite which explains why it’s used in restaurants so often!

Oranges tend to warm a room and can be more welcoming than red. Shades and tints of this color can work well in a living room with lots of natural light.

Yellows are another warm and welcoming color that works well in foyers or other rooms that do not get a lot of natural light, but can have negative effects. Babies cry more often in yellow rooms than any other color. We suggest carefully chosen softer yellows.

Blues can be soothing and serene and are described as a cool color. Blues often make great colors for bedrooms and bathrooms because of its restful qualities. Blue colors can also work as an appetite suppressant. Not good for a dining room...unless your on a diet!

Green is also considered a comforting color, but more versatile than blue. Light greens are more appropriate for living rooms, home offices, and bedrooms where mid-tones are needed.

Violet and plum colors can get complicated in a space, but if used correctly can be beautiful and dramatic in a living room, dining room, or library. Men typically dislike this color. Consider using darker tones, like eggplant, for focal or single walls.

Gray encourages productivity and encourages creativity which is great for an office space!Black embraces a feeling of solidarity and formality. Black is considered a natural classic color. Use sparingly - a little bit goes a long way.

White, we all know, represents purity. You can almost never go wrong using white with any other color in a room. Looks better in a more modern or contemporary setting.

Browns are our earthy neutrals. Lighter browns can help unify a complete project if used as a backdrop. Darker browns tend to be more elegant than your lighter browns, but truly any shade of brown will work in almost any space and style.

One Size Does Not Fit All

2009-07-25T08:15:00.012-04:00

The Benefits of Custom Upholstery
Catherine Cocke

It has happened to all of us, even professional interior designers.

A casual walk through Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn led to a purchase of a “perfect” piece of furniture that, once delivered, just does not seem to work. The color may be off or the dimensions simply wrong. Worse yet, you might see the same piece at a friend’s home.

For the same price as a sofa at Pottery Barn, it is possible to have one custom made in a fabric of your choosing and in dimensions that fit your home perfectly. We frequently have pieces custom made for our client’s homes because custom furniture offers immense flexibility.

Custom design gives us many options. You can select all dimensions, fill material, choose from multiple leg options and cushion sizes, and pick fabrics to complement your decor perfectly.

I recently moved into a new home with vastly different room sizes compared to my former home. My formal living room has a 15-foot long window that was crying out for a sofa underneath it. The window is very low so the back of the sofa needed to be a certain height to not block the view.

A sofa I love by a well-known furniture designer was too short, the back was slightly too high and I did not care for its legs. And, the company offered mediocre fabrics and took months to deliver. With the help of a local furniture craftsman used on many Musso Design Group projects, I was able to create exactly what I wanted.

I specified that the sofa be 10 feet long rather than 7 feet, changed the legs, and lowered the back by a couple of inches. The furniture craftsman suggested altering the seat depth a few inches to make it more comfortable. Together, we decided to use a cushion foam that would have more “give” but still retain its shape nicely.

A couple of weeks later I stopped by to look at the wooden frame of the sofa to be sure the dimensions looked good. At this point, I could have altered the length or height. I returned when it was almost complete to ensure the back was soft enough. I wanted the cushions to be soft but not so soft that the cushion looks rumpled and indented when a person gets up.

About three weeks from placing my order, my gorgeous new sofa was delivered! The final cost was about the same as the much smaller store bought sofa, but I got exactly what I wanted while supporting a local craftsman!

Big news: Wallpaper!

2009-07-24T22:38:00.013-04:00

Those big, bold wallpaper patterns are back!
Bill Musso

We have all probably mused, “What were they thinking?” as we painstakingly stripped wildly patterned wallpaper off walls, but after years of simplifying rooms in color and pattern, it seems that Americans are ready for both again.

Instead of wallpapering whole rooms, however, we suggest covering a feature wall or just an area of a large room like a reading nook or alcove. Bold geometric prints are the rage but small patterns and grass cloths also help give a room a visual texture and color. Consider balancing a room by using wallpaper on the opposite wall of a large wall unit to create balance. One trick we like is to use bold wallpaper behind built-in shelving. This can help unify the color scheme if it complements one or more colors found elsewhere in the room.

Styles and tastes change, so use sizing on the walls prior to installation. Sizing allows for an easy installation by creating a smooth coat and makes future removal a breeze. Sizing products look like paint and are applied using ordinary paint tools. And, you can tint some brands to match the background color of the wallpaper, helping to hide seams. Many of the new papers are also earth friendly.

Check out a few of our favorites from F. Schumacher & Co: