BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN!!

 Do you ever think about the back of your chair back?  Well, as funny as it might sound, I do!
When you walk into a room and see  the back of a chair, do you just pass by, because it really doesn't say, "Look at ME!"  I love to walk into a room where the back of the chair has been addressed in an interesting or an unusual manner. I have few pictures of chair backs in my file that inspire me.  On my someday list I would like to have some chairs that have a number monogrammed on the back.  I just find that so whimsical and fun.  For those of you that don't know me I am obsessed with letters and numbers. I look at the back of my dining room chair as another opportunity to use a monogram of numbers or letters. I also find it quite interesting to use a completely different fabric from the one used on the rest of the chair. I think an overscale pattern is perfect for this affect. So do you ever think of doing something unusual to the back of your chairs?  Take a look at the following photos.  I hope it will inspire you to look at your chair backs differently.

I love this chair! It not only has a different fabric but it also has a monogram. What a perfect combination.

Look at the lovely embroidered leaves on these chair backs. Gorgeous!

Here we have a beautiful, elegant oval back chair that could look quite formal but the small check keeps it more casual and friendly.

I love the use of a sette instead of all matching chairs and this designer took it a step further by putting a different fabric on the back.

These chairs are a good example of using a larger scaled pattern on the backs. The pattern is subtle in color but it is a nice large scale, giving the chair impact.

I am not a girl who likes the color orange but this fabric is amazing. I would love this in a green or a blue for my home.

Slipcovers are used here and each back has been addressed in a fun manor. Notice the jeweled buttons on the chair on the right. Very clever.

Even though this pattern has been used on the front and the back I wanted to show it to you.  I think the large single flower is amazing and it makes this chair stand out as unusual and fun.

Now we are talking Unusual! How interesting to use the silhouettes of chairs on the backs of these slipcovers. Love It!!

Now walk into your rooms and which chair backs could you change to be a Stand-Out!

"Enjoy the Process", Of:  Changing the Backs of your Chairs.

Kathysue

THE FIFTH WALL IN YOUR ROOM

I would imagine that most of us think about the walls in  our rooms when we think of paint, adding architectural elements or accessories.  Have you ever thought of your ceiling in the same way?  As the fifth wall in your room.  I have always been intrigued by those that would paint the ceiling in their rooms a different color other than white, or the same color as the walls.  A few years ago  I decided my living room needed a different color on the ceiling.  I actually had made the decision to paint it but was trying to decide on the color.  I was looking in the sage green family.  I had three choices, one was too bright, one was too gray and one scared me because it looked a little dark.  I sound like Goldilocks, don't I?  My sweet husband was ready to paint (trust me this does not happen often, he actually hates to paint).  We were losing time because the paint store was closing in 30 minutes and this was the one day he had the time and the inclination to do the painting.  I took a deep breath and went with the one that I thought might be a wee bit dark.  The painting has been done for a long time and now when I look at that ceiling I remind myself sometime we have to force ourselves out of our comfort zone.  I am going to show you some pictures of different  treatments that can enhance your ceilings.  Some are as simple as Paint.  Some are literally a total rebuilding of your ceiling.  But they are all thought- provoking. Enjoy the view!

In the Southern states they often paint their porch ceilings blue.  Martha Stewart even has a blue paint called porch ceiling blue

I have thought about painting my porch blue many times but I am not sure it would look appropriate in a typical California Ranch in Suburbia.

How about some great wallpaper?  There are so many lovely patterns that could work on a ceiling and as you all know , wallpaper is IN again!

Another fun look with wall paper done by Jenna Lyons in Domino Magazine

Something as simple as blue paint makes this room more inviting

.

In my guest room the walls are painted a french vanilla and I painted the ceiling the palest blue I could have mixed, it is a customcolor that I formulated.  I love to look up and see the blue

Here is the green ceiling in my living room with a simple accent moulding to add a little architecture to the room.  This is another effective way to enhance your Fifth wall.

This bathroom has a tray ceiling and they chose to paint it gray to make it pop and to show the depth of the tray ceiling better.

This is a picture of my own kitchen ceiling.  This is what is left of the 1978 covered flourescent light box.  We kept its orignal size and form but added mouldings to make it look like a tray ceiling.  We dressed it up with the ceiling medalion and a 1940s mini chandelier.  I have its mother in my living room.  Simple and Cost effective.

Pink and green is always so sweet, they chose to add the pink in the ceiling instead of on the walls, Good Choice!

This is a ceiling that is a little more labor intensive, It is a coffered ceiling but look how interesting it is.

This room has a tongue and groove ceiling that adds so much charm to this gorgeous room done by Brooke and Steve Giannetti .  Brooke is the ever talented author of one of my favorite blogs, Velvet and Linen. Steve is an amazing architect who was just featured in Veranda magazine.

Here is a plank ceiling that has been stained in a natural woodtone.

Sorry this picture is rather small I hope you can see the destinct lines in the ceiling.  This type of ceiling is called a Groin Vaulted Ceiling.  This is definitely a more complicated ceiling treatment but so elegant and interesting

This is another Groin ceiling , I think this is a better picture.  I find this type of treatment fascinating.

Oh My!  I love this entire room.  Look at this ceiling and the wonderful mouldings and medallion that has been added to enhance the gorgeous chandelier. This is rather elaborate but imagine a simple version of this look in your own home.

Another use of just mouldings and again it is a great impact.

A picture of the medallion on the sage ceiling in my living room with the accent moulding and the dentil crown.  None of this was that costly but it really gives the room a simple elegance.  The chandelier is the Mother to the one in my kitchen, both from the 1940's

Last but not least I have to leave you with a bit of whimsy.  This is a little girls room done by designer Candace Olsen.  Too Cute!

I hope you have enjoyed this little gallery of ideas to enhance your Fifth Wall and maybe it will inspire you to do something different in your own home.  Let me know if you decide to make any changes!!!

"Enjoy The Process" of: Enhancing your room with a new ceiling treatment

Kathysue

Footloose and Fancy Free Friday!!

Today is Footloose and Fancy Free Friday!!  I thought I would show you some Really Fancy Showerheads.  I know it sounds like a strange thing to be fascinated with, but when I saw a picture of the first shower head, I got curious.  I went looking for other Fancy showerheads.  Here are a few that I found.  They are over the top but I am looking for FANCY and I found it!  For your viewing pleasure:

I don't know about you, but I won't be buying any of these anytime soon.  Who comes up with these ideas?

I guess the FANCY people!!

"Enjoy the Process" of: Thinking about Fancy Things

Kathysue