November 14, 2012
Guest Blog
This designer tip comes from Brielle Majeau. She is a Design Consultant at our Mt. Pleasant location, please visit our website to read Brielle's full bio. She has some great ideas about decorating with burlap that are so fitting for this time of year.
By the way GDC just got a huge shipment of burlap.
Enjoy
One of my favorite things to decorate with is burlap, especially around the holidays. The rough, rustic texture can be so versatile in many creative ways. Personally, I buy it by the bolt, rather than by the yard, because I use it for so many things. At a great price point (under $9 per yard here at GDC), it is well worth it.
For the holidays, I love cutting long strips of it and coiling it around railings and banisters, where I’ll accessorize it with different seasonal accessories - colorful leaves for autumn or ribbon and garland for the winter months. You can even hang glistening ornaments from it. It looks good on its own too, with no adornments. You can also use this technique to garnish a Christmas tree.
Speaking of Christmas, another way I like to use burlap is by cutting several yards and bunching them around the base of my Christmas tree in lieu of a tree skirt. The neutral color of burlap can work with your existing design palette while giving your tree an outdoorsy, natural feel.
Once you’re finished using the tree skirt, you can turn it into a tablecloth or table runner by cutting it to the correct length for your table. Or wrap it around the base of your potted plants.
We have plenty of burlap in stock at GDC and can order it by the bolt if you need it for the holidays.
Thanks so much Brielle!
All images from Pinterest (never lets me down)
August 5, 2011
My personal dream as a designer: an industrial, contemporary space completely unfinished, an amazing client that is a breeze to work for, and the freedom to fully explore my vision…
Well, this is exactly what I got when I was asked to help transform a warehouse apartment space a couple of months ago!
I have to admit, at first I was a little nervous approaching the project because of its location out of town in Sumter, SC. However, after my first visit to the building any small hesitations flew out the window when I got a taste for the true potential: amazing original wood ceilings and floors, skylights, brick walls with a ton of character and lots of exposed pipes and columns.
I quickly got back to Charleston and hit the ground running at decorating light speed to meet our July 1st deadline. I decided to let the space tell me what aesthetic it needed to look its best, and use the client’s personality and current state in life to provide functionality guidelines for my selection process.
Before I knew it, I had pulled together a rich mix of textures and patterns all sparking from my original color cue of warm greige, which was completely inspired by the amazing paint patina on the brick wall. Nothing like exposed bring for instant depth!
Here is a glimpse into my mood for the apartment with my design board for the space.
Bold pops of beeswax gold, deep sea blue, and stainless steel, grounded with natural elements and tones is the definite objective in this look.
Here are photos of the progress in the space: a complete and total transformation!
July 15, 2011
Now is a great time to get your house ready for the "Good Ole Summer Time". I have enjoyed my association with Sunbrella and the fabrics I have designed. Here are just a few photos of the cool blues see for coastal looks. With Sunbrella you do not have to worry about sand, kids, pets and plenty of guests; it is easy care and heavy wear fabric.
I also like the look of painted wood furniture and comfortable upholstery that makes "relaxing" enjoyable. the rooms I design are for people who like to live and enjoy their rooms. I say every room should be a living room.
-Submitted by guest blogger Joe Ruggiero
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