THRIFTIEST DECOR IN AMERICA ON NATE TOMORROW!

Not only will tomorrow be Thrifty Thursday here at Focal Point, but a segment on the Nate Berkus show will be featuring The Thriftiest Decor In America! I'm very much looking forward to seeing this episode, not only because it will be my first time watching (yes - guilty of not seeing the show YET!!) but, there is going to be a special treat. One of Nate's guests for this segment will be my blogger friend and very talented designer - Artie Vanderpool. You may recall Artie's Olioboard I had featured to encourage voting in the Grandin Road Olioboard contest this summer - which he WON Second Place!! woot!

The Urban Sophisticate

Artie Vanderpool Design

On Artie's blog, Color Outside The Lines, he had posted about some exciting news. When I went back to check on the news - it was exciting indeed! Artie will be "Sharing The Stage With THE Nate Berkus". Artie wrote:

Gosh, where to start? Part of me doesn't even know where the beginning actually was, or if it's truly over. Plus, I want to leave some of this a surprise to you all so that you can enjoy the show without me spoiling it for you. The lovely producers of the Nate Berkus show contacted me last week and wanted to talk about rooms - after lots of emails and pictures, they settled on one, and sent me a flip cam to film it, and talk about how inexpensive it was to create such a beautiful space. Hours later, I had a flight to NYC, a car service, a hotel, and I was running around like a mad person trying to figure out what I was going to wear!

Artie Vanderpool

About Artie from Vanderpool Designs:

With a background in the arts, Artie Vanderpool started vanderpool:design in his home state of Texas, before moving to Western New York. 

Dedicated to the joy of fine living, Artie knew from a very young age that a creative life stood before him.

After college, Artie jumped feet first into the acting world, and performed in plays and musical theatre for several years., including "Forever Plaid", "South Pacific", "Hello Dolly", and "Barefoot in the Park" to name a few. Additionally, Artie made appearances in the indie film "Texas America" and several commercial appearances while living in Texas. Artie still enjoys performing, but prefers to do what gives him the most joy: creating homes for fine living.
 

I first met Artie back when he posted this oh so clever outdoor dining space over on HGTV's Rate My Space. He called it Dinner In the Garden. I loved the way he brought the INSIDE OUTSIDE by using interior furnishings outdoors to set a GORGEOUS outdoor dining space for a dinner party he was hosting. Artie's beautiful space was also featured by HGTV.com:

"You're Invited - 4 Outdoor Soirees From Rate My Space"

Since first posting on Rate My Space, Artie has evolved and developed his Vanderpool Design's site, featuring interiors, events, and exteriors, as well as his blog - Color Outside The Lines. Some of my favorite blog postings have been about his personal projects, home staging challenges, features of inspiring designers or blogs and his Vignette Friday Link Party...

Come join the party on Friday's!

Catch up with Artie and be inspired by his blog.

CONGRATS ARTIE!

I'm very much looking forward to seeing you tomorrow on Nate's

Thriftiest Decor In America segment tomorrow!

(check your local listings for times)

LOVE THE LOOK: BLACK LAMP SHADES

I don't know what it is - maybe it's just my infatuation with the color black - but lately, I've noticed many lamp shades being done in black. It works with almost any style: traditional, contemporary, eclectic or modern. You don't even need to run out and buy a new lamp (although that would be nice). You can simply change the look of an existing lamp, by just buying a black lamp shade. Not only will the look of the lamp change, but you can add drama and elegance to a space. Since lighting is also a means of adding another layer to a room, a space can be transformed into another level of sophistication with the addition of black lamp shades...

I've read that in Chinese beliefs the color black represents water which means strength. But it is also known in ancient Chinese texts as something that adds an element of darkness to a space. Because of this black shades can bring balance and harmony to a naturally brightly lit room.

Ideally, black shades are best suited for the bedroom, but they are also often associated with living rooms that are sleek and modern. Depending on the shape of the shade, it can also work in a more traditional space to update its look to contemporary.

Black lamp shades can also change the mood of a space. Its elegance can bring grandeur and sophistication to a casual space. Part of maintaining or changing the mood with black lamp shades comes from the fabric choices and shape of its design. Fabric choices can be silk, linen or paper. And some can even have a metallic paper finish in its interior to highlight the shades beautiful glow.

These are some examples of black shade lamps

I've spotted in stores & on the Internet...

Although most of these were spotted on the Lamps Plus site, other stores selling black shaded lamps are Pier One, JCPenney, and Z Gallerie...

If you're not in the market for a new lamp, than just check out the several black lamp shade styles offered also on Lamps Plus. Be sure to have a measuring tape handy. They have a tutorial about selecting the right size shade (very important) for your size lamp in Lamp Shade Buying 101. They also offer several printed black lamp shades which is also a hot look.



LOVE the LOOK!

TABLESCAPE MOODBOARDS WITH WINE

A few days ago, I received an email from someone inquiring about my help with creating a Contemporary Thanksgiving Tablescape for her. I asked her to send me some photos of her dining area, furnishings, light fixture, adjacent areas, as well as the dinnerware she thought she may be using. To change the mood of a space - especially for this occassion - I suggested restyling it - which I also personally do whenever I set a tablecape.

A beautiful starting space.

Great decor elements & furnishings to work with.

For a meal like Thanksgiving, planning to use a nearby buffet

can help to give extra space on the table. Plan to keep decor simple - less is more.

Especially for Thanksgiving, it's all about the meal and the people...

An existing gorgeous round mirror & pair of black shade buffet lamps

can be switched to dramatically change the look of the dining space.



Using Olioboard.com, her photos, and some product photos, I was able to upload them and create two contemporary tablescape concepts for her. Whenever I'm creating a roomboard on Olioboard, I first collect all the pieces I'm considering using. As they are applied to the board, I can start to see what can possibly work together. From that one board for this tablescape, and her information she provided I created two concept boards for her.

CLICK ON OLIOBOARD LINKS BELOW

to see the boards larger and to get a list of items & their stores.

INITIAL CONCEPT: GATHERING LOOKS AND PAIRING ITEMS:

http://olioboard.com/boards/14235

 

CHARDONNAY CONTEMPORARY CONCEPT (GREEN):

http://olioboard.com/boards/14261

SHIRAZ CONTEMPORARY CONCEPT (RED):

http://olioboard.com/boards/14246

Since this is for a Thanksgiving Tablescape, and she mentioned she has existing accent colors of red and green, I thought wine could be the inspiration. Two wines that pair well with a Thanksgiving meal are a Shiraz or a Chardonnay. I used the Shiraz concept as the inspiration for using red in the space - but not a literal red. Since it is Fall, an option can be to go a little deeper and richer like the burgundy-reds of autumn leaves...

West Elem

Jacob's Creek

Shiraz

West Elm

For the other concept board, I utilized the concept of pairing green grapes and a few more golden accents to represent a Chardonnay. From the photos she sent me, I spotted some existing elements in her home that with a little shift and switch, she'll easily be able to create a new mood in her dining space. I also made a few suggestions for additional decor that could not only work for this event, but can easily be added to her everyday decor. I also made a few suggestions as to where to purchase the "look for less" and still get the feel without breaking the bank...

Crate & Barrel

Australian

Chardonnay

West Elm



Either concept will work in her space. The KEY in the process: adding natural textures and elements. The addition of burlap, linen, rustic woods, slate placemats, rattan chargers, acorns, leaves, white pumpkins, branches or antlers will add a casual warmth to the decor. But, not ALL of these items would be used at the same time - or it will quickly turn from contemporary to clutter. I'd say the theory of using threes would work best for a clean look.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel

Pottery Barn



Oliboards are defiantly a time saver for creating your own personal inspiration, for a room, or even for a tablescape. You're only limits are your own imagination. And as many of you DIY bloggers out there know, Pottery Barn, West Elm and Crate & Barrel are great for inspiration. Many of their items - although beautiful, can start to add up. Thankfully, their style can either be duplicated by shopping a craft store, a fabric shop, or a home decor discount store. And sometimes, it just takes a balance of splurge items and recreating them to make your own personal look for less...

And if you are interested in learning more about pairing wines with foods -

I'm NO expert, but Andrea Immer is.

Click her name to go to her blog and website.



Have a wonderful day!!

Linking this post to:

Between Naps On The Porch - Tablescape Thursday 115