My client and I were busy searching for “vintage” Anthropologie-looking sofas (but at realistic prices).  Luckily, she discovered that her grandmother’s antique sofa was not being used in her mother’s basement and we began a mission to update it for her young family!

Here’s the before photo:

We researched a variety of leathers and fabrics and decided that this mossy green velvet would be durable and maintain the vintage feel of the sofa.  Naturally,  a lot of work needed to be done in order to get it back “in shape” so to speak!  The upholstery company had to re-stuff the cushions and reinforce the frame.

We also elected to strip the wood to its most natural state and give it a lighter stain.  With the dark Victorian-era wood stain applied to the heavily-carved frame, the sofa appeared too “dated” for lack of a better word.  We wanted it to feel vintage but fresh!  Notice, the more subtle color that lets the carving stand out without overpowering the sofa.

Thank you Custom Furniture Works for such an amazing job!!

Here’s the finished product; now it’s time to search for beautiful pillows!

My dad is very skilled as a carpenter but committing to a time frame is not his forte because he is in high demand.  Luckily, my grandpa and my cousin were willing to help out with painting and hauling the completed piece to my apartment.  Now to get my dad on board with my concept.  As you can see by my sketches, I was definitely more focused on the little accent pieces…I did give him dimensions, I’m no dummy!  The goal was to get the baskets of movies in the console but still functional and hide all the wiring to my components.  I’ll let you judge the photos for yourself.  I bet you are already thinking of your very own HDDI project!  Thanks for all the hard work guys!

Before Media Wall - Yes, it's an end table...

My Concept Sketches

Phase 1 - The boys got carried away with the red paint on the center lines

Phase 2 - I created the shapes out of cardboard with my arty friend Brent's help

Voila! Finished product - Functional & Pretty!

New Media Wall - so much cleaner!

Team Photo Take 1 - Eric, quit moving!

Team Photo Take 2 - Grandpa's not smiling

Team Photo Take 3 - This will have to do!

So here are a few that I found especially beautiful and unique this year!

Happy Decorating!

Wisteria Glass Ornament

Crate & Barrel Curly Antler Reindeer

Wisteria Silvered Mistletoe

Ballard Designs Burlap Bird Ornaments Set of 3

Pottery Barn Peppermint Sphere Ornament

Horchow Waterford Crystal 2009 Snow Crystals Ornament

Restoration Hardware

Crate & Barrel Jingle Bell Wreath Ornament

Pottery Barn German Glitter Bird Clip Ornament

West Elm Silver Ball Ornament designed by David Stark

RSVP to kimberly@designspeakstl.com today!

Hosted by the Interior Design Center of St. Louis.

Visit their website & get directions!

Check out these great options that deserve a corner in you living room (and your heart).

First we have a classic French Bergere chair with an upbeat paisley fabric and it is instantly reborn!

Antwerp Chair - Anthropologie

Who says “caning” spells traditional?  The sleek black lacquer and modern leg profile make this chair unstoppable.

Cane Chair Black - Atom Designs

Barbara Barry’s designs are graceful and effortless.   She works to make furnishings the appropriately muted backdrop to our lives.

Starlet Chair - Barbara Barry Realized by Henredon

This one never gets old for me.  They introduce new colors every year and the fact that it can be a recliner and still look like a Parisian club chair, I absolutely love!

Manhattan Chair/Recliner - Pottery Barn

Houndstooth.  Clean lines.  How can you go wrong with that?

Ryan Chair in Houndstooth - Bernhardt Furniture

Even if this chair wasn’t upholstered in a beautiful velvet, it would still make a great statement.

FL3248 - Vanguard Furniture

The perfect little mod slipper chair, can be redefined with a multitude of fabrics.  Fresh & sleek at the same time.

Abigail Chair - Williams Sonoma Home

Here are my some of my favorite styles for today…mostly classic pieces that inspire for decades to come.

Notice, my two favorite silhouettes, beautifully scaled floor mirrors and classically elegant starbursts…what catches your eye?

Neiman Marcus - Zebra Motif Mirror

Baker - Constellation Mirror

Oly Studio - Astrid Mirror

Neiman Marcus - Porcupine Quill Mirror

Ballard Designs - Villaine Floor Mirror

Restoration Hardware - Venetian Beaded Mirror

Oly Studio - Natasha Mirror

Oly Studio - Bubble Mirror

Sconces can either fade into the background or they can be a focal point of a hallway, staircase, dining room, etc.

Here are some uniquely beautiful options to inspire you!

Currey & Co. - Midwinter Wall Sconce

Oly - Small Delanie Sconce

Hinkley - Atlantis Sconce in Titanium

Currey & Co. - Moontide Wall Sconce

Fine Art Lamps - Portobello Road Sconce

Troy - Sausalito Sconce

Currrey & Co. - Twilight Wall Sconce

]]> http://www.kimberlyreuther.com/2009/08/11/the-one-sconces/feed/ 1 http://www.kimberlyreuther.com/2009/07/18/the-one-sofas/ http://www.kimberlyreuther.com/2009/07/18/the-one-sofas/#comments Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:52:03 +0000 Kimberly http://www.kimberlyreuther.com/?p=298 You want a sofa that looks great, is comfortable, has modern lines, perfect details and proportions.  Searching for something unique, one of a kind, and perfect for you can be exhausting.

So, take a break and plop down on one of these fabulous sofa options…ahhh, relaxing.

Weego Home - Lauren Sofa

Pottery Barn - Seabury Sofa

Plantation - Grayson Sofa

Oly Studio - Hanna Sofa

Plantation - Remy Sofa

WS Home - Taylor Sofa

Crate & Barrel - Azure Sofa

Vanguard - Cooper Sofa