Do you have a blank wall in your home?

Are you trying to figure out how to make a wall into a focal point in your room?

Well, here are a few ideas that might inspire you:

*Hang one dramatic piece of art so that the eye will be drawn to the wall making it center stage in your room. Generally speaking, the art needs to cover about 75% of the visual space.

*Create a gallery wall with a collection of pictures. They can be different sizes, same subject or different, similar in color, or any number of common themes. It is usually most interesting if the
shapes and sizes vary. You can even add a shelf with something on it in the mix.

*Faux finish the wall – complete with a wash to help the wall take on an old world feel. Use a color tone that blends with the rest of the room but stands out at the same time.

*Create a floor to ceiling wood “sculpture” and faux finish the sculpture with whatever look you desire. Add trim molding to look like columns.

*Add “picture frame molding’ to the wall and paint your wall a different color or tone of the color in the room. Or hang wallpaper inside the frames to create even more interest.

*Select a dramatic tapestry – hang it on a decorative rod, complete with coordinating tassels.

*Hang display shelves at varying heights to display your unique collections. Make sure that the collectibles are large enough to see clearly from across the room.

*Want to “lower” a very high wall? Consider installing a dimensional crown molding at a 12’ height to help center your wall. It will need to be larger than the usual crown molding to stand out.
You can even put rope lighting behind it to create an interesting lighting effect.

*Wallpaper is coming back so texture your wall with grass cloth, a silk textured paper, or perhaps an “anagalypta” wall covering. This special wall covering is specifically designed to be painted
or stained, and will do an awesome job of giving the wall a whole new textured look. It comes in many textures and patterns from antique to very contemporary.

* Display an antique plate collection.

*Murals are a unique way to add interest to a wall and can be either hand painted or a wall paper mural. You can add a window, create the feeling of being outdoors, or create an interesting
collection with murals.

Karen Hartley is the owner and designer of Karen Hartley Interiors and has 26 years if experience in interior decorating and design. You may preview her portfolio here. Karen can be reached at (770) 459-9096 or email her here.

Call today and learn how she can help you fulfill your dreams!

A world of possibilities for your home.

Dream Beyond the Ordinary… Style, Comfort, Elegance.

In today’s world people are starting to get back to thinking about decorating at home and the majority of them are doing some major remodeling. You know, “if we are going to spend money on our home, let’s do it in ways that are good investment and we can recover the cost, or most of it, in a few years when the market finally recovers.” Well, that translates to kitchens, baths, and basements. So today I want to share with you some of the trends and considerations for those of you who are thinking about re-doing a bathroom.

The first step in decorating your bathroom is selecting the “theme” or mood you want to portray. Do you want a calm, quiet space or something lively and invigorating? Does it need to relate to an adjoining room or will it stand alone? Will it be used primarily by adults or is this the kids’ bath? Once you’ve decided these things, then the creativity begins.

Is your bathroom boring or minuscule? Don’t despair – colors and patterns can give a lift and fool the eye into seeing a larger space. Remember, it’s not the amount of space, but what you do with it that counts! If you want to “open up” your bathroom, select a color scheme that is light – pale colors tend to recede and will visually expand the room. To achieve a sense of drama, you may want to select a rich, vibrant color. Deeper colors make a room will appear cozier.

Today’s color trend neutral is grey! From the deep charcoals to the very pale tones, grey is the current neutral. It can be combined with another neutral, like a beige tone, or with a bold, bright pop. Grey has a modern edge in design so if you want a more traditional look and feel, use the softer tones. Of course, color preferences are always personal. Choose colors out of today’s trends that you like. You will live with them long after the trend has passed! However, for resale value, avoid using real strong colors on the “permanent” fixtures of the room so the buyer who doesn’t like your choice will feel it is easy to
change.

Bathroom styles have changed significantly in the past few years. Shower stalls have become a fixture on every master bath and in many other baths also. Clear glass enclosures with no frame always set off the shower area and allow you to see the décor within. The shower walls are tile or marble or granite or another solid surface. This is a place where your decorative talents can show. Use a border tile, design a pattern in the tiles, use glass tile to create interest. The options are almost endless! A new trend is tile throughout the bathroom, on the walls around the room, sometimes even on the ceiling! If you are using tile around the room, mix it up a little. Change the color, tone, texture, pattern. Use the tile to create a “rug” in the floor or on the ceiling. Add borders or add a stripe using two colors or tones of the same color. You can spend a little or a lot on tile in a bathroom depending on your budget and the impact you want to make.

Wallpaper is back and more dramatic than ever. Bathrooms are a perfect place to use wallcovering and can be less expensive than tile and give the same kind of impact. This is not your grandmother’s wallpaper! It is modern and decorative, bold or subtle, very durable, and strippable if you want to remove it later. The problems of past wallpaper experiences need to be forgotten!

The fixtures in the bathroom today are typically white or off-white. There are a few other options in other colors but I suggest staying neutral. Let the necessities be the foundation, not the attention getters! Do look at all the modern options for the features. Also take time to select the right shower system. Yes, it’s more than just a shower head today!

Sinks are the one place where fixture can become dramatic. Counter top bowls with tall faucets are a fairly new trend. Again, it’s a more modern twist but has a lot of visual appeal. There are many styles and materials for these sink bowls from clear glass to hand painted pieces.

Like everywhere else in your home, lighting is changing. Choose fixtures that are both decorative and functional. You will want bright, decorative lighting over your sinks and you will want good lighting throughout the space, over the tub, in the shower, and around the room.

Next consider the decorative features of this space. Use a decorative, framed mirror rather than the old plate glass. If it is a large space, use two mirrors. Accessories today are minimal. Colorful towels, a few basic items on the counters and tub surround, perhaps a plant or two, and maybe a candle.

Finally, consider the windows. Privacy is a must. If you need to add a privacy layer, consider the cleanliness of a plantation shutter. There are many other options, so you may want to do some research or as a professional. Keep them simple today. Valances can add color, elegance, and softness to an otherwise hard-surface space.

Have fun with the planning and take the time to get it all planned out before work begins! While the process will take time, the results will be worth the effort.

Karen Hartley is the owner and designer of Karen Hartley Interiors and has 26 years if experience in interior decorating and design. You may preview her portfolio here. Karen can be reached at (770) 459-9096 or by email at Karen@KarenHartleyInteriors.com. Call today and learn how she can help you fulfill your dreams! A world of possibilities for your home. Dream Beyond the Ordinary… Style, Comfort, Elegance.

This is an article published in a local publication in January…

The Christmas decorations are all put away and now everything looks a little dull, or even bare. What can you do? Accessorizing a room is just as important as putting the furniture in place! Let’s explore a few things to consider and add to your room to make is inviting and cheerful again in a way that will last
all year.

First, consider the floor. An area rug will always add interest in the room and can also serve to unify the space and add a punch of interest. The rug should be large enough to connect the key pieces of furniture. If it is too small, it will look like a postage stamp. All your key furniture pieces should touch the rug. If this is a family room, that means the sofa or sectional and your chairs. Choose a color scheme that links the colors in the room. The pattern can be simple and subtle or bold and bright just depending on your style and the statement you want to make with it. If you have a solid sofa and a tweedy chair, you can absolutely add a punch of color with the rug. Even if you have wall to wall carpet, you can add an area rug over it. Be sure to use the proper pad.

Next, consider your lighting. You need both broad ambient light for the room and softer direct light in seating areas. Lamps should be placed next to seating for reading or other personal work. The lamps in the room can be a variety of styles that work with the room. Consider the other finishes in the room and select lamps that compliment. If your tables are contemporary, select contemporary lamps in ceramic, metal, or stone. If you styles are more traditional, select classic shapes in metals or ceramic or even china. Use large lamps on end tables, usually 30-35” tall. The shape of the shade can be drum or cone or something more elaborate. Cone shapes have been the norm for some time; drum shaped shades are coming back in style as are taller lamps.

The third step in accessorizing is the artwork for the room. Select artwork that reflects your own personal interests or preferences. Usually the colors in the art complement the other colors in the room. Sometimes the contrast of contemporary art with more traditional furnishings can create an interesting space! Pay attention to sizes and scale of the content. Small subjects can be grouped to create a stronger impression but should be placed where they can be viewed up close. Large subjects in art can be viewed in larger, more distant spaces. Using similar subject matter in pieces throughout the room will create more continuity. For variety, include something with depth or a different texture from the others.

The final step in accessorizing is what we refer to as “table top.” You need to evaluate needs for tables, bare corners, mantles, dresser tops, etc. Group items in odd numbers of three or five. Include different heights and sizes as well as plants and small pictures. On mantles, balance is important but avoid the urge to put matching items on opposite ends; it’s a very dated look! Use a pair on one end and something else to balance the pair on the other end. Contemporary styles call for cleaner, simpler looks, more minimal. More traditional styles will have somewhat more elaborate collections. However, be careful not to overdo. A few items will make a stronger statement and create more interest. Don’t forget the tops of the taller furniture. This is particularly important in high ceiled rooms. Lastly, use large plants, silk or live, to fill the bare corners or soften areas. They can hide messy cords or the side of an uninteresting piece of furniture. If you are going to use silk plants, invest in better quality ones that look real. Select the less common plants. For example, use a palm tree rather than a ficus tree or a colorful crouton rather than a pot of ivy. Use mixed arrangements of different green plants or even floral to add color.

Have fun with the process and use some unusual, interesting things. Begin with your own collections whether it’s a special set of tea cups or things you have brought home from travels. Create simple displays that reflect your personality or lifestyle, things that will begin a conversation! Then change it around occasionally. We are all creatures of habit and tend to put something in place and leave it forever. Well, now is a great time to swap things around and find new homes for some of you accessories. You will create new interest!

Karen Hartley is the owner and designer of Karen Hartley Interiors and has 25 years if experience in interior decorating and design. She serves all of West Georgia, from Peachtree City to Powder Springs to Carrollton.  You may preview her portfolio here. Karen can be reached at (770) 459-9096 or by email at Karen@KarenHartleyInteriors.com. Call today and learn how she can help you fulfill your dreams! A world of possibilities for your home. Dream Beyond the Ordinary… Style, Comfort, Elegance.

Updating your room,

beginning to redecorate,

or just replacing the old worn-out pieces!

I had someone ask me recently how to select new chairs to go with what she already has. Well, it is
not that difficult, I thought. Right size, right style, right color, right fabric! Okay, so I do this every day
and that makes it easy for me to say! So let me talk a little about that process and how you might think
about it.

First and foremost, you have to know the space you are working with. How much actual room do you
have? Yes, get out the tape measure and check it out. If you have a piece of furniture you want to
replace, measure it and consider these questions. Do you like the size that it is? Does it work in the
space now? If the answer is yes to these questions, the look for something about the same or similar
size. If the answer is no to either of these questions, then consider what you would like to change. Do
you want a bigger chair and if so, is there space? Is the existing piece too big or just too bulky? If so,
you will want something smaller. However, recognize that a petite chair will look funny next to that big
oversize, overstuffed sofa. You are going to need to achieve balance with a compromise. Measure the
actual “footprint” on the floor so you know approximately what size piece you are going to shop for.
Consider the tables and lamps to be placed next to the piece also. A room without table lamps is not a
comfortable room – you ALWAYS want an alternative to the overhead lighting!

Secondly, consider the style of the room and the other furniture in the room. Today’s trends encourage
mixing styles within some boundaries. The upholstered pieces in a room need to be similar in scale. If
the sofa is very tall in the back, then very low chairs will look out of balance. If the sofa is low and sleek,
then a large overstuffed chair will over-whelm it. They don’t need to be the same, but they should be
similar. The exception to this will always be that “accessory” chair that fills an empty space but isn’t
really for lounging or everyday use. Mix up the “floor scene” -some legs, some skirted is fine. Many of
today’s styles are unskirted and have pretty legs. Avoid too many different styles of legs. Ask if the leg
style can be changed and if so, what the other options are. Be careful, sometimes changing the leg style
will also change the height of the seat.

The next step is color and fabric. You always want the new pieces to look like they were part of the
original plan or at least a new update to that scheme. You may be able to change the emphasis in the
room with new fabrics but going with an entirely new color scheme is risky! When you build a color
scheme for a room, you want to select no more than three colors and use them in proportions to one
another. Usually one is the dominate color and you will use that color over about 60% of the room. The
secondary color will be used about 30% and the third color is truly an accent and only used in small
ways. It’s fairly easy to change the accent color in any space but trying to reverse the proportions on the
other two can be complicated and take some careful planning. For example, my family room is teal with
accents of creamy white and some deep rose. The walls are a very pale aqua. The sofa and chairs are
textures and tweeds in different shades of the teal tones with some of the rose and white. Changing the
rose color to something else, say brown, can work if you can take out all or most of the rose and replace
it with the new brown tones. However, in my case there is rose in the rugs and in the draperies so unless
I replace all of those, it will be hard to change! I am about to reupholster the sofa and have selected a
tapestry fabric with the teals and roses and creams but on a black background. So now I have changed
the look and feel in the room by changing the strength of a neutral within the color scheme. Now I can
add some new black accessories and have a new space! Black always adds drama to a room.

If your current space is fairly neutral, add a new pop of color! In a room with a beige or tan sofa, replace
the old brown chairs with tangerine or kiwi green chairs. Then add several new accessories to build on
that color elsewhere in the room with new pillows on the sofa, a new bold piece of art over the mantle,
and a series of colorful vases on the cocktail table.

There is a whole added topic to talk about developing and selecting color schemes and combinations-
everything from color psychology to the science of color coordination. I’ll do that another time!
Remember this tip about color and style. Choose them because you love them, not because they are the
current trend. Trend decorating is for accessories or big budgets! You will more than likely live with it a
lot longer than it is in trend!

If you still want to make changes and all of this intimidates you way too much, call me and let me help
you create the room of your dreams!

Karen Hartley is the owner and designer of Karen Hartley Interiors and has 25 years of experience in
interior decorating and design serving homeowners with their interior design needs in Peachtree City and all of West Georgia.  Here you may preview her interior design portfolio.

Karen can be reached at (770) 459-9096 or by email at Karen@KarenHartleyInteriors.com. Call today
and learn how she can help you fulfill your dreams! A world of possibilities for your home.

Dream Beyond the Ordinary… Style, Comfort, Elegance.

When it comes to designing a luxurious living room it takes vision, skill, and experience.  Each detail from the colors to the textures, from the furniture to the accessories, and from the flooring to the window coverings, needs to be skillfully integrated to make one complete whole.

By turning to Karen, these homeowners were able to transform their living room into a place of beauty and comfort.  Karen procured the furnishings from sources not available to the public.   Having over 25 years in the design business she knows which manufacturers provide the highest quality and most durable products to ensure the longest life.

And, when the marketplace doesn’t offer what your room needs, she will custom design your furniture and have it made to order especially for you.

Read Karen’s next blog on Updating your room, beginning to redecorate, or just replacing the old worn-out pieces!

Karen Hartley, the premier Newnan GA interior designer, serving all of West Georgia.