Friday, July 10, 2009

Turquoise Drapes

This room was once a very small dining room. It didn't work, it's one of those rooms that is kind of a pass through room. I have squeezed ten people around a sixty inch round table for a dinner party, but the people on the inside edge, were kind of trapped in their places.
For most folks, the dining room is a very under utilized space. We have a huge eat in kitchen. So I decided to claim the space as my office. It can still be easily converted for a dinner party.
Because this room has limited light even during the daytime, and I photograph with the existing natural light, the pictures are a bit dark. Click on images for larger views of an unstyled room for your eyes only.

View into the office from the side entry hall
The arch is original to the house


I always wanted a red room, and this is it. I enjoyed dining it, but I really love working in it. The color is both soothing and energizing. Everything I love is in this room: Plate collection, botanicals, art work, my design books, photographs, and a major Gris Gris altar tucked into a corner.
You can see more of that HERE and HERE and HERE, along with the glazed chintz fabric I hand sewed for the old curtains for the one window.


Since this is an interior room with just window, the light coming in is subdued. I added another pair of Big Girl Drapes here. These are silk, heavily lined, so much so that they look like fabric columns, very sculptural. A small child could easily hide within the luscious folds.



I love this deep saturated turquoise Dupioni silk used for the drapes. They have a seven inch French pleat at the top. They're hung on the return rod I wrote about HERE.


I edited the art behind my work table, and hung one large painting instead of the jumble of things. I redyed the green linen slipcover on the wing chair and ottoman. I did two of these chairs ten years ago for our French Quarter apartment. After many washings and years of use, the lime green linen faded. Re-dyeing them has added a few more years of use. Alberto made me the little side table from cast off legs from a damaged Florentine table, and a new enamel tray from Wal Mart that I loved for its color.


I adore a color story! Saturated or pale, it's all great to me. I love how the light changes color at different times of the day and night. I love how the opposite colors on the old color wheel always magically work. What's your color story?

Coming soon: Guest room Big Girl Drapes, and small changes in the kitchen.

26 comments:

  1. I love your 'big' girl drapes Valorie - I would like some of those please.....my next job here. This room of yours is wonderful, the colour provides so much personality and spirit. xv

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  2. All the colors are amazing. Love it!

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  3. I love that turquoise color--it looks amazing on that silk. I like the change in art too.

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  4. I love the red room. Like that you "embraced" the darkness of the room and went with it. And I've seen your plate wall before but have to say again, I love it!!

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  5. Turquoise and red...perfect together!

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  6. I love the turquoise curtains, A LOT. And I love that you painted the ceiling too. Surround color.

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  7. Your art edit is fresh and I'm sure it feels good for summer. But I was crazy for the arrangement you had up before too. Turquoise and red is one of my FAVORITE color marriages. It works so beautifully in your historical New Orleans home (I would have bought the house just for that arch), and it works with my vision of you (if I may be allowed to have that). I loved your red office at first sight, and those turquoise drapes are drop dead gorgeous. Every time I sigh over drapes in a magazine, they're inevitably Dupioni silk! How gutsy of you to go for the most beautiful deep, dramatic hue.

    p.s. Hey everyone, be sure to follow the link in this post that takes you back to October 2008. There's a delicious shot of the Vamp's dining area. Be sure to take note of the 3 wall colors that graduate into the background.

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  8. I love the Colors, They stand out so much. Can imagine myself sitting in there in the big comfy chair with a cup a joe and a book. mmmm coffee :)

    frosted window film

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  9. It looks like a lot of creativity could take place in this office! Beautiful!

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  10. You have gone Big Girl Big Time. Love your little alters every where. I, too, embrace my dark side. I say if you can't have brilliant light, have brilliant mood!

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  11. STUNNING! Turquoise and red is my all-time favorite!

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  12. Turquoise and red compliment each other perfectly. I would almost want to see more turquoise in the room, in different variation to balance it with the red room. What do you think?

    Nicolette
    http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/

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  13. I´ve been lurking on your blog for some time already and I simply could not stay silent any longer.
    Your home is stunning, I love everything in it but most importantly, it feels like a home that is loved. And I loved how you needed a red room. Few years ago I tried to look for ultimate dark red paint. Failed fabulously. Untill I got a big honking jar of deepest red possible and mixed it with black pigment to get it dark enough. Untill now I had not seen another room that boldly red.
    Last year I tinted some earthy, terracot- like paint on the walls ( mixed my own, winged as I stirred the jar ) and then decieded to go with bold and dark yellow, almost mustardy. However, I thought about it long and hard ( since it didn´t feel just right ) and now I´m envisioning something in pale powder, whitewashed color. Along the words French and Country. The complete opposite to the former dark red.
    However, I´ll never forget the raw energy I got from the bloodred walls while listening to Bach.

    I clicked on the links and teared up a bit when I read about snowing in Buenos Aires and Carlos Gardell. Now, that´s another coming to my taste.

    All my best! And thank you for a wonderful blog!

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  14. Valorie!
    I love your use of bold color...I wish I could do that. We are always thinking about "when we move" and having to tone down for a resale. One day when I am in a place to stay put, I will (I think) be bold! Maybe I'll have you come help me. I adore your style and it fits YOU.
    Blessings Friend.
    Renae

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  15. i adore the color combination!! and i love the pleats and the rods - it is all so beautiful - can't wait to see it!!!

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  16. Simply adore your unabashed forwardness with color- well done. Red+Teal=Love.

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  17. Beautiful color combo!
    ps: I've just posted a beautiful Chinese screen from my parent's house...feel free to use it for your future post...(just give me a credit for the pix would be fab) I just adore your blog! I'm sure you'd love the visual delight! Lovely weekend darling~

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  18. Wow. Love these drapes too. When I was in New Orleans I loved seeing some of the interiors of the homes. They were so much more colorful than most of the interiors here in Los Angeles. They gave me a whole new perspective. It was a very inspirational trip.

    Great job, Valorie.

    xo
    Brooke

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  19. its like a really ripe persimmon exploded in there. and i mean that in a good way. it's a nice combo with the turquoise.

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  20. Loving this color combination. The new drapes are Fab-u-lous! Clicking on the link to see your breakfast nook was also a treat. The turquoise wall works so well with the plates. Gorgeous.

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  21. Love this - sumptuous, beautiful colors! Sounds like it made a lot of sense to use it as an office and dining room as needed. Also, thanks for the link to the curtain rods - they're a great price for return rods!

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  22. Stunning combination, without being really busy. Good for to claim your red room.

    Bette

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  23. It is beautiful. Full of life and color...so YOU!

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  24. Love that yellow chair cushion, how it looks all cozy and sat-in for YEARS. Adore furniture when it looks well used. :)

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