Design Crush: On Bedside Tables

design crush: on bedside tables

"Keep a notebook and pencil on your bedside table.Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 A.M." ~ Jackson Brown


We're seeing fresh things in bedside tables... Lacquer with it's glossy elegant finish is catching limelight and sure to elevate the nighttime book in hand unwind. Specialty hardware and bases in different metallic finishes such as gold leafed bamboo pulls, chrome tassel pulls and brass bases show off a sense of refinement. Current textured finishes that fascinate us are the pearl like capiz shell drawer fronts and wrapped geometric grasscloth. These luxurious finishes and intriguing textures create furniture that feels custom, fresh and eye catching.

170921_DesignCrushOnNightstands.jpg

Here's a detailed list of these nightstands 1) Marcus from Worlds Away  2) Adagio from Bernhardt 3) Hedy Regency from Kathy Kuo Home  4) Brigitte from Bungalow 5  5) Cooper from Worlds Away  6) Nantucket from Bungalow 5  7)Brittany from Bungalow 5  8) Loren+End table from Wayfair.

Enjoy!

Melissa Mathe

*Contact mathedesign.com for specialty pricing on non-priced item links and all your Interior Design needs.

 

Pumpkin Spice Up Your Space

PUMPKIN SPICE UP YOUR SPACE

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

For information on the items shown above click on these links: athena laurel leaf mirror, chunky rug, colorful throw, knit pouf, gold vases, colorful zig zag pillow, greek key lumbar pillow, gold wire basket, lamp, dish towel and potholder, place card pumpkins

Happy Fall, Ya'll!

Melissa Mathe

*Contact mathedesign.com for specialty pricing on non-priced item links

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com

 

Your Ceiling: The Fifth Wall

YOUR CEILING: THE FIFTH WALL

"Look up to the sky. You'll never find rainbows if you're looking down." ~ Charlie Chaplin

Melissa Mathe Interior Design - Ansel Olsen Photography

Melissa Mathe Interior Design - Ansel Olsen Photography

When meeting with my clients, I like to let them know they have a "Fifth Wall" option to create the unexpected in a room. Whether it's a bold or a subtle contrast the design treatment of painting your ceiling adds a special touch of excitement and elegance in any space. Often times the ceiling is overlooked in the design. In some rooms a traditional white ceiling is just the right color. However, it is important to keep this fifth wall in mind while developing the design of a space. For example a boldly painted Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore color creates a stunning backdrop for this golden chandelier.

Here are more examples of painted ceilings we can't get enough of.

Melissa Mathe Interior Design for Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer House 2016 - Ansel Olsen Photography

The Wolf Gordon - Scuffmaster Environmental Brush, Color EM729B adds a gilded luminous, metallic luster that other paints can't match along with ultimate durability. The metallic ceiling allows the light to reflect back down into the space. The texturizing of this Van Deusen Blue Benjamin Moore painted bathroom ceiling creates an artistic element that melds seamlessly with the patterns of the rooms wallpaper and floor tile.

For an intense drama add deeper colors like the Baltic Sea Benjamin Moore teal blue in this Lindy Allen designed room photographed by Jessie Alexis and Black Benjamin Moore paint that can be used for a black and white room such as this sophisticated design by Brooklyn Limestone.

Just in case you may not feel up to taking a bold plunge we've found a few lighter applications. The peachy painted ceiling in this nursery from 1oo Layer Cakelet is a fresh splash of color for any one to wake up to. Their client created a custom mixed color however a good alternative we've found is Peach Cloud from Benjamin Moore. Another example of this is by bringing to life a narrow hallway with a soothing color like Cool Breeze from Benjamin Moore creating a dreamlike transition from room-to-room - Lindy Allen designed photographed by Jessie Alexis.

Melissa Mathe Interior Design

Melissa Mathe Interior Design

This teen room from a client of ours has a pretty color popped Amethyst Cream Benjamin Moore painted ceiling that is the icing on the cake against the Chantilly Lace Benjamin Moore white walls.

The possibilities are endless when you imagine new ways to create magic in your home by painting this "Fifth Wall".

Here are some examples of Benjamin Moore colors listed above:

Share your painted ceiling with #fifthwalldesign and we'll share our top pick.

Never underestimate the power of paint and a great design!

Melissa Mathe

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com

Tips to: Get Your Home Ready for Back-To-School


tips to: Get your home
ready for back-to-school

"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax all you need is a book." ~ Dr. Seuss

PMG_9727_b.jpg

With the school season in full swing comes busy schedules and a lot of new activities. This gets us excited to create and find ways to show encouragement, get organized... and let's face it pick out some cute desk accessories too. Prepping for school isn't just for the backpack and classroom it's also for the home by continuing the learning environment and providing appropriate spaces and supplies. Make going back-to-school fun and easy for everyone with these simple tips.

PMG_9745_b.jpg

clear the clutter

 

from counters

Create clean desk and homework areas that well define where tasks can easily get done. A clear desk equals a more free and creative mind. Store artwork and remarkable school work from the previous year in a clear bin in the attic, to be remembered. Recycle empty jars and repurpose or donate older paints, craft and school supplies.

 

 

IMG_7137.JPG

get crafty and break out the glue gun

Make fun décor to get in the "School Spirit" with this perfect "Apple and Chalkboard" DIY Wreath. Have your kids help with creative decor projects which turn into great backdrops for pictures on the first day of school. This wreath is super easy. Start with a burlap ribbon base add floral apple accents that just poke into the ribbon. Glue the crayons on the chalk board, hand write Back-to-School and put it all together to hang.

 

PBK_everett-modular-standard-desk-hutch-cubby.jpg

use tools to

 stay organized

Keep supplies easy to reach and clearly labeled. Make organizing fun by using a label maker, chalk pens on chalkboards or markers on acrylic accessories. Personalize your space with monograms and name plate stickers. Strategically place magazine file holders, paper bins and desk sets so you can keep things orderly and tidy for simple productivity on a daily basis.

 

Photo Credit: Pottery Barn Kids

*Contact mathedesign.com for specialty pricing on non-priced item links

Committing to stay organized does take time, make it fun and it will feel effortless!

Melissa Mathe

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com

Fringe Benefits: All The Pom Poms And Tassels

fringe benefits: all the pom poms and tassels

"Life should be chic, glamorous and colorful—and so should your home." ~ Jonathan Adler

170803_FringePomPomsandTassels.jpg

Some of our favorite "fringe-pom-tassel" ready-made home decor

Happy Decorating,

Melissa Mathe

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com

Interiors And Travel Highlights From The South's Holy City ~ Charleston

interiors and travel highlights from the south's holy city

"The South: Where love, family and tradition are the sugar in our tea"

JWA_8995.jpg

Recently, our very own design assistant ventured south for a summer family retreat. Amidst all that Charleston offers, she discovered some delightful interior gems. Charleston is well known for it's history and architecture. Staying in the Historic District has it's obvious appeal, along with the laid back locale of it's vast beaches. However, The Beach Club Charleston on the marina, is a luxurious and stylish alternative. A perfect location between excursions, having dramatic marina sunset views that draw you in and make you feel relaxed and pampered.

Here are some highlights from this "Southern Charmer". Walking into the grand entrance, is like walking into an immaculate showroom, that looks out over a beautiful pool covered in palms. From the light fixtures, to the trimmings these interiors exude a delightful "Custom and Coastal" decor.  The definition of southern hospitality, including the cheerful doorman... I mean, who wouldn't want the door opened for them with a warm welcome upon arrival everyday.

This upscale decor flows into the lobby guest bathrooms, showcasing a clean coastal palette. With mosaic inlaid marble floors, glowing jewel-like blue sconces and enchanting blue stone vanity counters. Giving you the feeling of a palacial retreat, when entering the powder room.

The nautical inspired theme, custom covered pillows and furniture show great attention to detail. Large bedroom suites painted with colorful pastels in soft turquoise and blues welcome you to "stay a while". The individual butler doorbells to every room are quite a thrill too. If you have the opportunity to visit the south, you will be well taken care of while staying at The Beach Club.

Additionally worthy excursions in and around Charleston include a tour of the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier, or short drive to one of the local beaches in Isles of Palms and Folly Beach. Taking a water taxi over to the mesmerizing South Carolina Aquarium that has an incredible gift shop - filled with nautical home decor, kitchen accents, jewelry and toys for the little sea creatures. A definite must is a carriage ride down through the Charleston Peninsula. Learning about the history, traveling through the market and historic district to see colorful architecture, numerable churches, stucco facades and stone walkways around every corner. Visiting the well known Pinneapple Fountain on a stroll down Queen Street to have dinner at Poogan's Porch or Husk and getting coffee at Carmella's Dessert Bar. The perfect ending to visiting this special lowcountry city, filled with eye catching splendor.

Cheers to happy summer travels, in beautiful places!

Melissa Mathe

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com

Fresh Ideas In Outdoor Decor

fresh ideas in outdoor decor

Summertime, and the livin' is easy ~ Ella Fitzgerald

With summer upon us outdoor living is ever enjoyable. Freshening up this space can be done in a few easy ways. By creating defined dining and living space areas, rearranging existing furniture or adding a shiny new piece of decor. This can prove to be just what is needed to brighten up your outdoor oasis.  We've found some unique ideas in outdoor furniture and decor to share with you. *Contact mathedesign.com for specialty pricing on non-priced item links

The epitome of escape is to lounge and let the relaxing begin. These creative loungers, daybeds and furniture say "whisk me away".

Let an outdoor rug define your spaces. For example these neutral rug options will lend a clean foundation for furniture and accents to be set on.

Photo Credit: Frontgate

Photo Credit: Frontgate

Placing beverage centers and stunning centerpieces, like this fire table, will create the perfect space for entertaining.

Sunbrella fabrics on pillows and cushions are well known for having legendary performance, resisting weather and sun exposure. In adding finishing touches like pillows, planters, throw blankets, lanterns and table top accessories. Your outdoor space will transform from day to night into a magical retreat.

Happy Summer!
Melissa Mathe

Contact us for all your Interior Design and Decorating needs @mathedesign.com

Share

Bringing Blue And White Decor Outdoors For Simple Holiday Decorating

simple blue and white outdoor holiday decorating

"Ev'ry heart beats true 'Neath the Red, White and Blue"  ~ George M. Cohan

Summer holidays mean firing up the BBQ and getting together with family and friends entertaining outdoors. While blue and white decor is an Interior Design favorite, creating stylish outdoor spaces can be made simple. Celebrate our countries Independence Day in style with adding pops of color to this classic foundation. With colorful chairs, lanterns that glow, a great rug and plenty of throw pillows. After sweeping off the patio and setting the stage add elements of nature with bright red roses and soft white hydrangeas placed in ginger jars from inside. This will welcome your guests and make them feel at home. Here are a few decor resources to get you started.

A great armchair is a smart way to make a statement. These chairs from Wayfair, Safavieh and Bungalow5 are a perfect example of this.

Garden stools and sides tables can be used inside and outdoors for added surfaces. For example this Safavieh garden stool is very classic, the Annie Selke and Wayfair tables are more of a modern touch.

You can find these vividly patterned rugs at Annie Selke, Safavieh and Safavieh.

Create a pattern play with these stunning indoor outdoor pillows from Birch Lane, Surya and Birch Lane.

Finally go out with a bang and make your guests swoon with these accessories located at Annie Selke, Birch Lane and Wayfair.

Stay safe and have a great July 4th!

Melissa Mathe Design

Introducing Deb Smith, Design Assistant

There is a new face in the Mathe Design office. I am so excited to introduce her to you. Deborah Smith is the Design Assistant/Blogger Extraordinaire here at Mathe Design. She hails from the midwest and western New York. Attending the Art Institutes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for Visual Communications and Design. Spending the past 18 years in Richmond, Va she now considers herself a native. Her extensive background in various mediums over the past 20 years in Graphic Design led her to interests in surface design and interiors. Having toured many Richmond Symphony Designer Home tours she has been inspired to push her boundaries. She enjoys space planning, decorating, fabrics and diving into accessories.

Here at Mathe Design her role involves many different tasks from picking out finishes, communicating with vendors and organizing samples for client meetings. Utilizing her background she helps create and put together design boards and blog posts.

She’s passionate about many things in life, the most important being family, friends, travel, music, art, and design. When she isn’t doing work at Mathe Design you can find her developing her paper goods and accessories line Hibiscus & Co. She’s a team player and works to focus on getting the details taken care of to make our clients projects a success.

Welcome to the team, Deb.

Earth Day 2013

Today is Earth Day 2013. We have one day a year where we recognize our planet and the need to appreciate its beauty and take care of it. Hopefully this day's awareness will carry on with you throughout the year.

Google is celebrating today with an animated logo....

www.google.com

What can you do to help save the Earth?

What can you do in your home to save resources?

Here is a link to the official Earth Day website.

http://www.earthday.org/

Think of ways you can save the Earth around your home....

- Lighting: turn off the lights when you are not in the room. use energy efficient bulbs

- Washing clothes: not filling up your washing machine all the way saves energy. How about hanging up your clothes to dry?!

- Thermostat: check the settings. It is recommended to be most energy efficient you should set it for 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer. Be sure to get your HVAC system serviced once a year to be sure it is running properly.

Here are some more ways to save energy around your home.

http://www.emd.wa.gov/hazards/haz_simple_ways_to_save_energy.shtml

 

Happy Earth Day!!

Tree Renovation Part 1: Hall Bathroom

The "Before" I tried to embrace the pink tile and we had a lovely Pink and grey window treatment made, however, due to the black tarp on the ceiling and the pink tiles all being cracked, it was time to make a change.

Time for things to go. The demolition begins.

The sink console...buh-bye!

The wall hung toilet that used 5 million gallons of water per flush - buh bye!

Plaster walls - buh-bye!

Here you can see the lovely pink tile. The toilet and sink vanity have already been removed.

IMG_5822
IMG_5822

What once was a closet, will soon become a sink niche. I know what you are thinking..how could I get rid of storage space! Well, the bathroom is tight and this was much needed square footage for a better flow. Besides, not having this closet helps from hoarding too many towels! My dear friend Matt Paxton over at Clutter Cleaner would be proud. (www.cluttercleaner.com)

IMG_5824
IMG_5824

Check this plumbing out! On the right is the bracing and plumbing required for the old 1959 wall hung toilet.

IMG_5848
IMG_5848

The Godfather may give the advice to go to the mattresses. But in this bathroom we went to the studs! Floors, walls, ceilings. Everything that had plaster on it...gone. We did keep the existing porcelain tub. Although it's a bit small for today's standards, it's a classic. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

IMG_5847
IMG_5847

The building back begins. Since there was not enough room to make a water closet, we made a little privacy wall next to the toilet.

IMG_5955
IMG_5955

DRYWALL! NO more plaster walls!!!! Glorious!

IMG_5969
IMG_5969

And here is my new sink niche. This is surrounded by concrete backer board since it will be tiled.

IMG_5974
IMG_5974

Tile is being installed! I chose a large 18x18 plain white porcelain tile. I wanted something to be simple yet make a statement. I installed it "on the 45" for some interest. I used a 6x12 tile for the border. (actually 12x12's cut in half)

IMG_6063
IMG_6063

The tile is in and so is the vanity! I added a lime green glass tile for an accent. I picked lime green because it is bright and fun for this cheerful kids bathroom and can go with yellow, pink, and blue. So future color schemes are not limited! It's important to think about the future.

There is also a duplex outlet on either side of the vanity. This allows for lots of flexibility for the future. Whether it's a spiderman night light or a curling iron the bathroom is ready for it!

IMG_6253
IMG_6253

My privacy is finished out with a granite top that matches the vanity. It's all coming together. I also installed an outlet here. Currently the plan is to have a changing table here and the wipes warmer needs to be plugged in, but in the future this can plug in a nightlight!

IMG_6252
IMG_6252

We have lighting! Sconces on either side of the mirror are the most flattering lighting for this setting. So if you have the space, do sconces! I also installed a general flush mount fixture for overall lighting and a recessed can in the shower - make sure they are all rated for bathroom use!

IMG_6255
IMG_6255

My fancy toilet. It's the little things in life. And during this project it was all about this toilet. What's so special about a toilet? Well, this one is comfort height (formerly known as ADA height). Kids will only be small for a short time. So one day they will want comfort height, too! And it also is elongated bowl. the lid is slow-closing so no slamming down and no little fingers being smashed. Maybe this will encourage putting the lid down? And it is dual flush. Think ahead - be green! The entire surrounding is tile. One day there may be a little boy in this bathroom...they're messy. Enough said.

IMG_6464
IMG_6464

In the shower I kept the flow of the accented green tile. Although I brought it up higher since the tile goes all the way to the ceiling. I also put in a "shampoo box". I had a fancy soap dish that I won at a luncheon, so I just needed a place for the bottles to go. The tub corners are never big enough and shelving can be an eyesore.

IMG_6461
IMG_6461
IMG_6463
IMG_6463

Here she is! The new vanity. Slow closing drawers and a decorative shelf on the bottom. Since I did take out the linen closet, this allowed me storage for the towels. 

So there you have it. This bathroom once had pink tile and a tree through the ceiling. And now it's practical and functional...and looks good too!

Timberrrrrr

Thank you to this pine tree for making its way through my home last March. March 1 to be exact. It was a lovely morning. I sat working quietly in my office 4 months pregnant. Greg was unemployed at the time and he was in the Den working hard at networking and looking for a new job. (Which he did find thank goodness). When all of a sudden we heard a loud crack getting louder and louder and then BAM! The whole house just shook! We grabbed the dog and went running outside for fear of it falling further into our home.

A home that needed some updating. It was built in 1959. While it had good bones (it held up a giant tree after all), however, pink tile in the bathroom was a bit....um... dated. So in a way I am thankful for this tree falling through our house. Yes it caused stress. But it also kept me quite occupied while eagerly awaiting the arrival of our daughter.

IMG_5503
IMG_5503

The root ball and my bump. I was thankful that I could sneak in on this warm day to get into some cooler clothes.

IMG_5485
IMG_5485

Cutting the tree into moveable pieces

IMG_5459
IMG_5459

Princess watched anxiously. She wanted to be sure her sofa was unharmed so she could go back to snuggling.

IMG_5465
IMG_5465

That's going to hurt.

IMG_5457
IMG_5457

And it made it way all the way across the house. And even managed to damaged Greg's car, too.

IMG_5521
IMG_5521

The tree is coming off of the house!

IMG_5575
IMG_5575

Architectural Digest here we come! Check out the blue tarp roof. So trendy.

First up...the hall bathroom...