MELANIE IS " NEW TRAD"!!!!

MELANIE TURNER....

NAMED ONE OF THE 10 TRADITIONAL HOME MAGAZINE'S

NEW TRAD DESIGNERS

2012

The formal announcement of the ten winners will be featured in the May issue of Traditional Home Magazine.

Look for it on your newsstands April 17^th...

Melanie's project will be published in Traditional Home's Digital Issue, TRADhome, which will be on line Friday, the 20th!!

This year the editors asked bloggers to nominate Designers to be considered. Hundreds were nominated! I am thrilled that Traditional Home Magazine selected my nomination of Melanie Turner as one of The Ten NEW TRAD Winners.

FABULOUS MELANIE

Melanie Turner, ASID

Inspired by fashion and borrowing a palette from nature, Melanie Turner's interiors possess a timeless quality that celebrates architectural details and classic design. With a background in commercial and residential interiors and construction, Melanie works closely with clients to design homes that reflect the owner's style and personality and provide a sophisticated, yet unassuming, refuge. Maintaining an emphasis on simplicity and understated glamour, her interiors feature a blend of clean lines, found objects, fine antiques, and custom-designed, sculptural furniture.

Melanie Turner Interiors was established in 2009 and is a full service high end interior design firm working with both residential and commercial clients. Melanie Turner Interiors has designed spaces throughout the Southeast, Chicago, Canada, and as far as China. Between 2009 and 2011 Melanie Turner Interiors won Southeastern Designer of the year, made the cover of Veranda magazine's September issue, and has been featured in many national and regional trade magazines. Melanie Turner Interiors won the ASID Best Residential Award, the ASID BEST in Healthcare, and the Architectural Digest Kitchen of the Year Award. Melanie has been a featured designer on HGTV. She has also given back through showhomes for charities like Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Affiliations:

• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

• National Council of Interiors Design Qualification (NCIDQ)

It was my honor to have had the opportunity to nominate Melanie. She is THE NEW TRAD!!! Her work is gracious and glamorous ......while begging to be lived in!

A Melanie Turner Design featured in the September 2010 Issue of Veranda

and the COVER

This month Melanie will once again be donating her time and talents to the Atlanta Symphony's Show House. Last year she designed the most gorgeous Dining Room I have ever seen. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine must have agreed. They featured Melanie's room on their Show House Issue cover!

Additional Shots of the room

This year she is designing the Foyer! I can't wait to see it!

MELANIE TURNER..... NEW TRAD DESIGNER CLASS OF 2012

THE BEST IS YET TO COME.......

Check out her fabulous website.......

http://melanieturnerinteriors.com/

WHAT HAS INSPIRED ME AND WHAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME

Design in general "Inspires" me.
I am inspired everywhere I go

and by everything I see!

Usually while I'm browsing through a magazine, something will catch my eye. It can be an entire room or something as small.... as a dish!

Just days ago I was looking at rooms on Pinterest and noticed these "stars" on the coffee table. This room is a design by Martha O'Hara

This space immediately reminded me of our star Christmas pieces! They were in sad shape, but after MC gave them a new life with a little gold paint....look....

STARS

Two chandeliers caught my eye during this past year.

Design by Susan Ferrier

Design by James Michael Howard

It's amazing what one can find "on line"! I was able to find this beauty and it created my version!



Jan Showers is known for her Glamorous Rooms!!! Throughout her work are sketches of body forms. The best display is the picture shown below.
Artist! No I'm not an ARTIST......But I thought...."I can do that"!!!!!

Did have fun.....Still not AN ARTIST!

Jan is also known for her beautiful Murano Glass lamps.


One of my treasures is a Tiffany vase that was converted into a lamp. The vase is from the late 1890's and my Great-Grandmother had a lamp made from it during the period when electricity was the LATEST! Little did she realize she was destroying the integrity of the piece! We updated the base and the shade and look what we achieved!!!

When the natural light shines through the beautiful Tiffany glass it is amazing!

ARE YOU CATCHING ON TO HOW MY "EPIPHANIES" WORK????

OUT SHOPPING.....

FUN... FUN..... AFTERNOON

The other day, Patti asked when I was going back to Senoia! GREAT QUESTION!

This morning, MC and I thought today was a perfect day to venture to our favorite little "village"!


We arrived in time for lunch. When we go by ourselves, we like to "dine" at Senoia Coffee & Cafe! Great coffee, food and delicious sweets. I had their famous cinnamon bun, and MC had what I call REAL FOOD......a sandwich!







Then down Main Street to browse the fun shops!

TWIST ON MAIN

Twist On Main is one of my favorite shops. They have fabulous treasures.....











LOVE THIS STORE..... A LITTLE PRICEY, BUT THEIR MERCHANDISE IS SO APPEALING AND THE DISPLAYS ARE EXTRA ATTRACTIVE. LOVE THE PLATES..... THE PRETTIEST SHADE OF WISTERIA I HAVE SEEN!!!!

THE FOLLOWING SHOTS ARE FROM A STORE, DON'T KNOW THE NAME! FOR YEARS I HAVE CALLED IT "THE STORE WITH THE DOOR MATS"!

NOT SURE ABOUT THIS ONE!

MY FAVORITE PIECE IN THE STORE, AND HAS BEEN FOR THREE YEARS!!!...... MANY, MANY ITEMS GO ON SALE.....NOT THIS CHAIR!!! IT'S $325 NEVER A PENNY LESS!!!!!
ONE DAY IT WILL GO ON SALE...
I JUST KNOW IT WILL!

Proof.....these items are on sale!!!!

NOTE THE STORE... "BEYOND THE DOOR" .... THE ONE WITH THE AWNINGS

THIS CHEST CAUGHT OUR EYE.....IT WAS SO, SO, OVER THE TOP!!!!......I SNAPPED A PICTURE AND THIS NASTY, MEAN, WOMAN APPROACHED ME AND SAID: "I DON'T ALLOW TAKING PICTURES IN MY STORE!"
SO.....MC AND I LEFT, WITH PICTURE OF UGLY CHEST AND WILL NEVER RETURN! I USED TO LIKE THAT STORE!!!! NASTY MEAN WOMAN!!!!

THIS GUY WAS IN THE BACKYARD OF AN ANTIQUE SHOP.....$275!!

IT'S STILL THERE IF YOU WANT IT!

CYDNEY'S ALLEY, IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITES. WE HAVE BOUGHT A NUMBER OF THINGS HERE, INCLUDING OUR WONDERFUL PAINTED CHEST!

MC DOES SIT HERE......

WE BOUGHT ONE THING THIS AFTERNOON. THE "CHARACTER" GOT ME....AND THE PRICE....$18! PERFECT PIECE FOR MC'S NEW TABLE

FROM CYDNEYS ALLEY

SENOIA IS FAMOUS FOR BEING THE "HOLLYWOOD OF THE SOUTH". NUMEROUS MOVIES AND TV PRODUCTIONS ARE FILMED THERE. HERE ARE A FEW OF THE "TILES" IN THE SIDEWALK NOTING THE FILMS




THIS COMING JUNE, THROUGH DECEMBER," THE SOUTHERN LIVING IDEA HOUSE" WILL BE OPENED FOR VISITORS.
THE DOLCETTO-ANS ARE PLANNING A TRIP. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT DAY WITH A WONDERFUL MEAL. MANY, MANY RESTAURANTS TO CHOOSE FROM

WE HAD A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON AND HAVE THIS TREASURE AS A REMEMBRANCE! SO PRETTY ON MC'S TABLE!!!

COLOR....DO NOT FEAR!!!!

PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF …COLOR!

Recently I have been asked to help with color choices with paint and fabric choices in some of my neighbor's homes. I am writing this Post to help with some of their questions.

To begin with, I am not a “Designer”, nor am I formally trained in design. I don't intend to instruct, teach, or preach with this blog. My purpose is to share my ideas with everyone. If at the end of the day, someone better understands the facets of design, or desires to try something new or different, my purpose has been fulfilled

Color, in my opinion, is the most important element in design. Color is everywhere. Color sets a mood. Color tells the world “Who you are”........ and Color is FUN! YES... FUN.........

Think of the colors in your home the same as you do the colors you wear. Use colors on the larger surfaces that look good on YOU. When you are surrounded by colors that compliment you …... you will feel GOOD, COMFORTABLE AND HAPPY!

The preceding thought is the reason we choose Silver Strand for all the walls in our home. I wanted a soft "effect" with light floors, and white ceilings and trim. It is a soothing blue-gray. I feel comfortable in the hue. If it were a strong color, as red, I would feel out of place! I can't wear red, or most other strong colors, and I can't live in them! If strong colors look great on you....USE THEM. You will be a happier person surrounded by the colors you love.

Believe it or not, the largest surfaces in your home are the floors and the ceilings......everyone forgets the ceilings! Then the walls! If these three are colors that make you feel good, you have mastered the puzzle! And.....they hardly ever are the same color! They contrast each other or blend ...doesn't matter. In an open floor plan it does “help” to have the colors compliment each other or be different strengths of the same color. Gives the entire space a flow!

Texture plays an important role in all of this, but that's another Post! Basically textures add interest and keep spaces alive! Again, it helps with the three important surfaces, floors, ceilings and walls, to use complimentary or similar textures. Your eye then moves smoothly through the space.

The furnishings, seating and tables, come next. This is where you can inject different colors! Mixing warm colors with cool colors, creates a good “marriage” …..keeping your home balanced. Keep in mind that the woods and metals in your home also play a part. Generally woods are warm. Metals are more flexible. Silver and chrome are cool and modern, while the golds are warm and lean towards the traditional. Again, my object in my choices were the warm of the wood tones with the hint of cool in the wall color. I have thrown in all metals......a good balance of both!!!!

IT MIGHT SOUND HARD, BUT IT ISN'T ....YOUR EYE WILL TELL YOU WHAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU!!!!

What about PATTERN ! Along with COLOR.....PATTERN is the next BIG fear! It has been my belief that it's easier to have your largest seating pieces with as little pattern as possible. You will not tire of it as quickly and you can add POPS of pattern in smaller seating pieces and with accessories! In addition, the TRENDS that come and go in the world of pattern can date your room. If you can change your upholstery every five years or so, then it doesn't matter......but not all of us live in that world!

Choosing the colors and patterns need to take one important factor into place....LIGHT! What amount of natural light is in the room? All color relates to the amount and manner in which light enters the space! Which direction is the room facing? Will you have the sun in the AM or the PM....makes a difference. When choosing your colors make sure the person helping you knows these facts.

My final thoughts:

USE the colors in your home that speak to YOU. When you wake up in the morning, the first thing you see is color. Wake up HAPPY!!!!

THE MOST IMPORTANT HINT I CAN PASS ALONG......

THERE ARE NO RULES

ABOVE IS A SMALL CHAIR WITH A "BANG" OF PATTERN. IT IS SURROUNDED BY LOTS OF TEXTURE IN THE GOLD PATTERN DRAPERY AND THE BLACK SHAG PILLOW. THE PURPLE LAMP AND MIRRORED TABLE ADD MORE POP!

NOW .....GO....HAVE FUN.....PUT SOME COLOR IN YOUR LIVES!

THE PERFECT COCKTAIL TABLE.....

AND.....MC BUILT IT!

For over a month I have been working in my "studio" designing the best solution to create a "Conversational" arrangement for the Great Room. The scattered seating areas didn't work. The key ... A large cocktail table. For balance and function, it needed to be 4' x 4'... centered in the room, directly under the large chandelier. Once it was in the space all the seating magically feel into place!

MC has built a beautiful table. Notice the detail on the sides! We decided to paint it black. We went back and forth on the color, but in the end, black won out. Now that it's finished and in the room, I feel confident it was the ONLY color!

MC is beginning to scare me. This "project" took less than a week!

We have to thank John Groth for the use of his truck. The 4' x 4' top would never make it into our car!!! Thank you John!!!

IT'S OK TO MIX!!

....YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO!!!!

At one time, you either had gold, silver, or another metal in one space....never more than one! Never, ever could you mix the elements!!!!!

The other day I read that today's approach is to MIX. I am so relieved!!!! Now I can have all my different "metals" without breaking any design rules! I am a happy girl! Don't tell, but I have been mixing for years!!!

It works so well. Incorporating both in one space is a great marriage of feminine and masculine! The warm of the gold compliments the cool of the silver. In addition, gold "feels" traditional, while silver sends a modern and sleek look!!! Using both, TOGETHER, creates elegance that is not stuffy or serious, and a gracefulness with a little sparkle!

Here I have used glass, gold, silver, lots of mirrors, and white wood tones . The legs of the bed are a black wood and opposite the bed is a black parson table. These elements add warmth and ground the room. The wall color keeps the room calm.

The nest of tables are made of zinc! I love them....they have over 100 uses (outside and inside)... in all different sizes. The legs are interchangeable .....What fun! I have hung the antique Family Christening Dress, framed in gold, over the tables....Gold accents with the black dining table and chest are seen in the adjoining dining room. The mixture of all the textures, painted woods and metals keeps the rooms fresh.

Perfect example of the warm and cool of silver and gold! The mirror is framed in chrome and faux leather. It reflects all the golds .....How Grand!

One of my favorite pieces. A lamp from the Flambeau Collection, Flambeau Lighting, New Orleans Style

It has silver, gold, black and taupe....perfect blend!

SO GO .....MIX IT ALL UP .....AND HAVE FUN.... LOTS OF FUN!!!!