Adding some Dorothy Draper inspiration

First off I want to thank you for all your great comments! Whether it’s regarding Luke’s chair or helping me select a garden stool, your comments are so much fun to read.  While the answers are very diverse and my head might spin even more after reading them, it never fails to give me a new idea, or a new way too look at something.  That’s was so much fun about design. You open up your views, step outside the comfort zone, then rein it all in, and allow yourself to choose what’s truly you.  (btw Luke has made a very personal decision about his chair which I’ll share later)

When I create a room I draw inspiration from things past and present. I believe most designs are a reinterpretation of something you’ve seen. New ideas but with your own twist. As the living room takes shape I see influence from current great designs I’ve loved, items like the white cowhide and the yellow curtain fabric. But when I saw my Dorothy Draper influence arrive this week, all I could do was smile…

I like the clean lines and the big block of white the that the cowhide brought in.

It’s allowing peaceful spaces among all the colors in the room.

The citron colored curtain fabric is here. Can’t wait to see how all that yellow will look with the added black graphics.

My inspiration was this fearless woman’s living room curtain. And I loved the yellow with turquoise.

Can’t wait to see that big splash of yellow in the aqua room.  I just love yellow. It makes me happy!

And last week we opened this box…

…that had me at hello.

A big 6′ tall white rococo plaster mirror in white lacquer. I’ve never known what to do with that tall beige fireplace in the room. But now I’m excited to play with scale and put a big imposing white mirror….

…a la Dorothy Draper.

Image the Essex house, design by Dorothy Draper.

Loved the way she added white plaster details above fireplaces, on doors, really anything.

And I love playing with scale!

Washington DC tends to stay very “safe” when it comes to interiors. I think perhaps that’s what always triggers me to think outside of the box a little bit.

Diversity is fun. Everybody does not have to like your designs – just you!

Sorry for the blurry Iphone image. Can’t wait to hang this big thing.

And P.S…

For you who don’t live in DC below here are some screen shots of an article that’s out now in DC Luxury Homes.  A big Thank You to editor in chief Karen Shalett for feeling the same way about color that I do.

To make it in to the March issue, we styled some of the rooms that were yet unfinished.

And why not? Rooms should always evolve anyway. Just like your life.

Here you can see the living room before recent additions. We used the Kirkland’s mirror above the fireplace for the shoot.

Wonder is any readers know it’s only $ 79??

The dining room was styled a bit as well, since that’s serving as a temporary office right now. I LOVED the shot of the foyer! Photographer Greg Powers did such an excellent job!!

In the bedroom I’m still waiting for the new end of the bed couch, bedside tables and lamps.  For the entire article you can go here.

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23 thoughts on “Adding some Dorothy Draper inspiration

  1. 1st of all…I was just musing about Dorothy Draper this morning, so we must be on the same wavelength! 2nd….love the citron for the drapes! and 3rd and most important….CONGRATULATIONS on an amazing spread….will have to get my sister to pick up a copy for me. The house looks just awesome! Hip, hip, horray for color!

  2. Love love it all. What I love about you is you design with no-holds barred, I love that about you and you are consistently colorful that is why it works so well. It is not just a pop here and there it is a consistent, beautiful,colorful flow. I wish I were more like you in that. I tend to be more on the safe side but do love a good dose of color. In fact I did a post on bright yellow today and I just ordered fabric for my Easter table, I think you will approve!!! I will do a post sometime this week. Have a wonderful Monday with your huge-glorious shiny mirror, Kathysue

  3. Hej hej!
    I agree – the yellow with the turquoise looks great and think it works so well because of the offset against larger areas of neutrals (light grey).
    Loving the mirror you got – that will look so much fun above the mantle.

    Have fun and thanks for sharing always.

    xx Charlotta

  4. Oh, that mirror! Beautiful!! Can't wait to see how you use it. I buy a lot of picture frames in that style from TjMaxx and Marshall's – a luxe look for cheap 🙂

  5. What a little ps……that should have been the first thing 🙂 Color is hard to do but you have mastered it my friend! Congrats for real…..

  6. This post speaks to me! I am currently looking for a cowhide rug for my new bedroom. I just need to find the right color to go with my subdued palette. I am also looking for a spectacular mirror to hang above the couch in my bedroom but in front of floor to ceiling curtains. I need to break of the expanse of linen! Love the rug and I would steal that white mirror if you were my neighbor. Love it!

    Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. Being a new blogger, it means the world!

    xo Vikki

  7. Good evening!!! I too am very humbled that you would come to read my blog post and leave a dear, dear complement that means a lot to me. Your blog is so beautiful, and I just think it is wonderful how we all have styles that suit us, that are different , and yet we can reach out to each other. THANK YOU for the inspiration of beautiful décor and your very important words….have a lovely WEDNESDAY!!! Anita

  8. Your use of color is always so inspiring to me! The magazine spread looks gorgeous as does your new mirror. Can't wait to see it in place. And speaking of the Kirkland's mirror, I found one yesterday for just over $60 on clearance. I was so excited! Just did a post on it. Go check it out. I had no idea how huge it was, but I love it!

  9. Jill,
    Big congrats on the article!!! I am always so in awe of your fearless use of color…the aqua sofa is incredible…it all makes for a very happy home! Hope your having a great time in NY!
    xo,
    ~R

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