{My first Mad Hatter Wing Chair with a taupe velvet in front.. remember flash makes furniture look bad but people look better ;) }
I had recently seen pictures sent from the factory of the chairs and knew that they looked exactly as planned but didn't know until I sat in them that they'd be exactly what I wanted. They are sooooooo comfortable... And they're big and they surround you and make you feel seriously cozy. (Can you see how tall the back is?? And I'm a tall person.) You can sit in normally and really easily snuggle up with a kid or pet, or you can turn sideways & pull up your feet and it's perfect.
Here's the side view which shows off the insanely gorgeous Michael Smith / Jasper Fabric called Grace (in Willow). (Available through John Rosselli in DC)
I could take a nap in this chair:
Our curtains & pillows will come in on Monday and I cannot wait to see the Peter Dunham fabrics!! I'm also mixing in a few of my own along with some others so it should be pretty collected-feeling.
We hung art work today and I've been looking at the photos, wondering if what I selected is too disjointed? I approached the room as I would have a room in my own home, so instead of choosing pieces that work perfectly together, I went from my gut with pieces that I loved. Looking over the photos tonight, I can't tell if it looks like a totally crazy person did it or if it has that only-slightly-crazy Alice-in-Wonderland-feel that I love... I am toying with the idea of swapping out some of the more random pieces for ones that fit a little better (it is a showhouse after all)... or keeping it real and a bit off the way I typically do in my more personal spaces.
Any thoughts???
If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.
As a decorator & a textile designer, this is my place to muse... perfection doesn't interest me; Reality and charm do. Fresh floppy flowers from the garden over long-stemmed roses any day, I love it when things are slightly off and tell a story. 
56 comments:
Love the chairs Lauren!! They suit you well. Can't wait to see the showroom complete!!
Love the chairs.. look so comfortable! Good luck with the room design going with your gut i find is generally what normally works for me. Everytime I go against it i regret it!
Go with your gut -- it's what you're there to showcase -- just how good that gut is!! :) The chairs are to.die.for. I am a HUGE fan of dual fabric and that chair is perfect to showcase it. Congratulations! PS. Only you can do you.
I would think about the proposal you completed to originally be accepted to design the room--what kind of feeling did you convey there? Secondly, what kind of action would you take on a client's behalf, do you have a "faux" client in mind when designing this room? When you design for your "real" clients how do you handle this? Finally, how would you like your reputation to be in the design world? Hope that helps, I am sure whatever decision you make will be the right one for you, and your room will turn out beautifully. Congratulations on the chairs, they rock!!!
ooh! I love the fabric on the back of the chairs! Those chairs have so much character, I cant wait to see the rest of the space! Thanks for sharing :)
-Forever Lovely
http://foreverlovelydesign.blogspot.com/
Those chairs are seriously to die for. Oh my goodness. I love the shape, and that surprise fabric on the back is just too cool.
Your room is coming along so beautifully. What a thrill it must be to design something and then see it created as you had imagined!
Crazy! Those are so fun!
oh my gosh! they look so good! i'm so happy for you!
Oooh, I love it!!
HOW cool is that chair!!!! GENIUS!!!
m ^..^
OMG!!! Love the chairs!!! I know you're going to do a great job!
Ohhhhh these are fabulous, you should be so proud!
I'd go with the showhouse fit!
Looking greatt! I say go with what is truely you- It will only atract ones that get "it" and apreciate it ;-)
Can't wait to seeee!!!
xoxo ~E
I say - BE AUTHENTIC, Lauren :) Go read some of your own posts, lol. I love your spaces because they're so you :)
I really love that fabric! :)
You look absolutely wonderful in that chair, which looks really good too!
Can't wait to see it all come together!
Oooh, can't wait to see the finished room! Nicolex
Can't wait to see - and you look absolutely adorable, btw!!!
Follow your gut, my friend, and decide also what end result you desire out of having embarked on this adventure. Talent drips from your fingers. Cannot wait to see it in person and curl up in one of your 'wow' chairs! Hugs, R
I always say go with your gut it's when you start questioning yourself you'll muck it up. Love your new chairs and they do look cozy! Will we be seeing these in your new shop? (No pressure!...;) )
No doubt about it. go with your original gut feeling...you WILL NOT regret it. but you might regret it if you change it to feel 'safe.'
can't wait to see it...donna
those are just too cool...fabulous!! Janell
Lauren the chairs are AMAZING! I want one... haha!
Lauren, you have great instincts, so stick with them girl!
I think having you shake things up a bit is an awesome thing for the DC design house, which is always already wonderful in the put together, everything goes sense. I'm sure that there will be plenty of that. I know you're bringing a lot of fresh new enthusiasm to an already great tradition in DC, so I say live it up and be you! It will enhance the whole home.
Akways go with your gut and with the things you love. Love the whimsical but elegant take on the classic wing chair....came out beautiful!
The chair is stunning! I think is unanimous, do what feels right and be authentic. This room is about who you are and what your look is. In the end you want to feel proud of your work and love how it turned out, so tweak away as you would any project and most important, enjoy!
Cathy
The chairs are gorgeous! I'm a huge Michael Smith fan and love hearing about his new Jasper showroom and checking out all his wonderful sources! My vote is go for put together with a dash of crazy because it's a bedroom.
Love the contrasty look!
I think when you look at it your gut will let you know if you need to nudge it in one direction or another. I think that you should do what you love and not worry about the "show room" thing.
Loved this post!!! Chairs are stunning!!
Bet when you go back to the room with fresh eyes your instincts will guide you! Also, if the art pieces themselves are a little "off" in a good way then make sure the arrangement or other elements feel like they obey basic design rules. I think the problem with a lot of design lately is that it feels to me as if too many design principles have been ignored. But, you never do that so not to worry.
xoxo, A
Lauren- The chairs are amazing! The fabric choices look great. I wish I could curl up in them and take that nap!
On the artwork and paintings. I bet if you sleep on it and look at it fresh the answers will come to you. But if you had to err on one side I would err on exuberence - you can do that in a showhouse - When I visit one I am looking for ideas that challenge me.
Can't WAIT to see it all together!
Loretta,
Lauren,
You said it when you got this space the client is you. Go with your gut. We have already seen how you decision for other people and the amazing job you do. We have also had a an open door to your house to see how you live. Why not decorate the room the way you would want as your "dream space" most times when it comes from within - the space takes on a life of it's own. All designers can do the "perfect space" but there are only a few like you that can make it work. I saw go for it - your passion for the room will shine through.
Ann
*** MY reaction is to "go with your gut"~~~ "they" SAY women's gut instincts are almost ALWAYS "spot on", re ANY subject... annnnd, it's gotten you THIS far already, Lauren!!!
Prettttty & commmmmmfy looking chair! Divine "backside", too!!!
Can't wait to see the rest!
Warmly,
Linda in AZ *
bellesmom1234@comcast.net
* I was "curious" to see what OTHERS thought, so I read all the comments above... I didn't COUNT, but it seems MANY of us used the word "gut(s)"... that oughta tell ya somethin', huh??? Remember Sweetie, ENJOY THE PROCESS!!! Linda *
The chairs are absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to see the finished room! Although I would follow my gut and choose what I love for the artwork in my own home, you are hopefully trying to attract some new business with this showhouse - the room should be all about Lauren but make the viewers want the pieces in their homes too.
lovin' the chairs!
would also love to know which grasscloth wallpaper you used....
looking forward to the reveal....
This is your opportunity to put your unique voice and vision as a designer out into the world (with a capital W), so in the immortal words of someone or the other, do you. But do take some time to make sure you've nailed the Alice-in-Wonderland feel you're going for, because it may be that you're not quite there yet, in which case you'll want to make some tweaks. Just make sure you tweak in the direction of your vision rather than in the direction of safety. Those who play it safe never win big.
Holy Moly Lauren! Sorry for the dorky response, but man that chair ROCKS!!! Great job girl and sorry I haven't had a chance to respond...my inlaws are coming and I'm crazy busy. Let's touch base in a week or so... Seriously looks incredible Lauren and you look so cute in it! xx Danielle
Lauren,
Congrats on all of it!!! The chairs are fantastic...I have no doubt you will pull it off...go with your gut!
xo,
~R
I concur with some of the other comments, rested eyes and trusting your intuition will serve you well. Can't wait to see it. Wishing you all the best!!
I am just *dying* to see the finished result of this fabulous room! Seriously, from all the bits and pieces, it is going to be one amazing room (c: And the chair. Oh the chair! So perfect, so amazing that you *designed* it! Happy Friday!
First you are gorgeous and adorable. You could sit on a 55 gallon drum and make it look like a million bucks and everyone would want one just like it in their home.
That said, I love the chairs. Not usually my style but your description really 'sold' them to me. Now I want the da@# chairs!!! :)
Good luck with the room even though you are not going to need it!
I just think this is so awesome!
you inspire me girl!
LOVE your chair :))
-{darlene}
fieldstonehilldesign.com
The "Mad Hatter" chairs are so cool!!! They are beautiful! And as far as "swapping out some of the more random pieces for ones that fit a little better," I say you go with what you have. I think your house/personal spaces are wonderful BECAUSE they don't look like they were overly-planned or matchy-matchy. Anyway, thanks for the post! Can't wait to see pics from the DC house when it's finished!
The chairs are really cool! Having done many showhouses myself, I know the madness that you're going through. It's like a client project on steroids! Remember that some of the best decisions are the ones you make last minute (usually to solve for problems you couldn't have anticipated!) Can't wait to see photos of the finished room!
Paula
Lauren...absolutely go with what feels right for you. Make a few changes, look at it and go with what feels right for you. Often you will go back to what you originally started with. Your wonderful and personal design style will shine through at the end if you go with your instinct. Love the chair!!!
Love the high back chair! I'm doing a Showhouse in Houston and used an old wing back frame chair that had exaggerated wings. Reupholstered and painted, it looks so modern. I'd love to have you check out my post on mixing old and new, where I show that chair.
Here is my thought...when you picked the prints you had the WHOLE picture in mind. Wait until curtains and everything else is installed before you make a decision on the art. My guess...Your first choice will work beautifully!
The chairs?....famous!!
you look adorable in your mad hatter chair. xxx
I absolutely love that chair! I can't wait to see it on you online shop! I have the perfect place for it!!
L-O-V-E the chairs!
These chairs are fab. Saw a shape like this in a french brocante just last week - wished I'd bought them + stored them in hindsight.
Post a Comment