[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]Thank you for coming to see Show House, if you made it this year!
We had wonderful attendance, raised a bundle of money for Dollars for Schools, and I am just now following up. We’re always a little sad to “undo” our show house rooms…it’s melancholy, sort of like Cinderella after the ball.
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It was a great show
Happily, the response to the whole project, as well as my master bath redesign, was very positive. It’s a large room, and required furnishing, which is not that frequent a need in bathroom design. The original bath is lovely and quite feminine.
But in line with the Black and White, West of Contemporary theme, I wanted to create a little edgier more modern environment for relaxing, dressing and having fun.
Having Fun
For the fun part, everyone loved the clips from my favorite remodeling movie, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, the model for the much newer remake The Money Pit. Personally, “Blandings” is so much classier. Treat yourself to these three minutes.
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Clip One:
Why is paint color selection so difficult for so many? That’s for another post. And it certainly is not problematic for Mrs. Blandings. She describes each room in hilarious detail. But do the contactors care? Do they even hear? See how this one turns out!
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Clip Two:
This clip is equally entertaining, and the repartee between Cary Grant and Myrna Loy is priceless. It’s about “size and scope creep” as we call it in our trades. And it occurs maybe 90% of the time. This particular scene had my architect husband Robert Zachry, www.robertzachryarchitect.com nearly doubled over—pain or laughter?
Master Bath Views
Branding the Show House Bathroom
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[su_column size=”1/3″]To brand the bathroom for Show House, my clever assistant Bevin helped make graphic art for the white and black silk bathrobes. “Show House 2017” across the back, and “Club 5200” on the front, the address of the home. Later we presented the robes to David and Jennifer, the co-chairs of the whole event, as thank you’s.
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Why the Master Bath?
I wanted to do the master bathroom because remodeling bathrooms is just about my favorite interior design engagement. Powder rooms are especially interesting, giving the opportunity to do something really fun, if small, and dramatic.
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Large baths like the one In Show House are great, of course, and I very much look forward to the next one I’m doing. It’s down south, in a home from the 1970’s where the master bathroom suite is ill-arranged, chopped up into too many small areas. I look forward to bringing a large much more open space feel, with lighter, aqueous colors and wonderful fresh fixtures, and big new windows onto the mountain landscape. It will be a special retreat for wonderful hard-working people. I’ll report in 4-6 months!
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ShowHouse Santa Fe 2017
The kickoff event Gala features scrumptious hearty hors d’oeuvres from Bear Nash and Dave Seller’s Street Food Institute, entertainment by Nacha Mendes and preview of this amazing 10,000 foot residence. [/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″]
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That Design Time of Year Again
We sailed through the Parade of Homes, in August. Simpler this year, being a judge instead of having to produce a staged home, so now it’s ShowHouse Santa Fe 2017! The fifth year and we’re very happy to be part of the fun.
The house is hidden in a 36 acre getaway at 5200 Old Santa Fe Trail. See it here
Bathroom Design
Now, twenty designers take it from a handsome traditional styling to all manner of looks in line with our 2017 theme. And Edy Keeler Interiors, of Core Value Inc. is re-imagining the master bathroom.
In line with our black and white theme, our media person has asked each of us to answer the question: “Black, or White?”
I can’t divorce black from white here. The walls are beautifully executed in stark white, high polished traditional plaster. And in the bathroom the floors are soft profile off-white limestone, polished and sealed. So going Black was my solution to create some drama and sophistication. But it is a version of black I call Off-Black, and is contrasted with Off-White.
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[/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″]The bath is large enough to want furniture. In furnishings and accessories I tend toward fewer large pieces rather than lots of small ones. When this daybed arrived I thought, “Hmmm, this is really large” – so I met that goal! It worked out fine and has a charcoal or Off-Black frame, with an Off-White heavy linens, tufted cushion. Off-Black silk taffeta drapes frame the area and create a haven.[/su_column] [/su_row]
[su_row][su_column size=”1/2″]I’ve added a small bathroom TV with a modish rocking chair, and will be screening clips from my favorite remodeling movie, the one I give all my clients, “Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House,” with Cary Grant and Myrna Loy. [/su_column] [su_column size=”1/2″]
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Come lounge with us! I’ll also screen additional work by two talented artists, Carol Coates and Kathleen Morris.
From this lovely and feminine traditional look to something newly imagined, a little edgier, maybe like this. We’ll be incorporating fine art and running movie clips on the bath TV about a truly famous total renovation. We hope you will join the fun.
The kickoff event Gala “Puttin’ On the Ritz,” features scrumptious hearty hors d’oeuvres from Bear Nash and Chef Dave Seller’s Street Food Institute, entertainment by the beloved Nacha Mendez, and the pre-open house tour of this amazing 10,000 foot residence, with a boutique of delectable design items contributed by all the designers and our friends.
New this year, just beyond the Master Bath, in the commodious master closet, is a pop-up store filled with a wonderful collection of clothing, by our favorite, Bodhi Bazaar. “The ethos of Bodhi Bazaar for the last 28 years has been to awaken the ‘inner guru’ in each customer so that when they practice the sacred ritual of dressing themselves every day, they appreciate their uniqueness.”
As always, Show House Santa Fe benefits the highly acclaimed DOLLARS4SCHOOLS, which helps classroom teachers get small grants for special projects, instead of digging into their own tapped-out pockets. So far we have raised $100,000 for the organization.
Tickets to both the Gala Friday, October 6 ($125) and the Home Tour ($30) October 7-8 and October 14-15 are now available online. ShowHouseSantaFe.com. Or if you’d prefer, give me a call. I would love to deliver them.
Test your taste. In the new year people often want to start fresh, or at least re-freshed.
If you’re tempted to do it yourself, great! But take this little tongue-in-cheek
New York Times Design magazine quiz to see if this is a good idea.
FOR EACH STATEMENT that rings true, give yourself the indicated number of points.
I know a “pop of color” is not a fruit-flavored soda. (0.5)
I like the symmetry of two Barcaloungers. (0.5)
I favor an eclectic approach to design, which has nothing to do with my mild hoarding problem. (0.5)
My toaster matches my fridge and oven. (1)
I regularly fantasize about home spas. (1)
I’ve spent at least 30 minutes of quality time with the Design Within Reach catalog. (1)
I believe if you buy what you truly love, it will all somehow harmoniously coexist. (1)
Every room has a mood or personality such as “playful,” “soothing” or “Middle-Eastern potentate.” (1)
I can’t help judging other people’s taste in décor, and I usually think my own is better. (1)
I think of my tabletop arrangements as little still-life compositions. (1)
I have Instagrammed at least one of these compositions. (1.5)
I can use the phrase “matchy-matchy” in a censorious remark softened by a touch of compassion. (1.5)
There should be a law against overhead lighting. (2)
An interior should have a collected, well-traveled look even if everything was acquired in the last five years in the same city. (2)
When it comes to choosing paint colors, I can agonize for weeks before narrowing it down to 11 shades of white. (2)
I have considered tossing all my books’ dust jackets and arranging their spines by color. (2)
When I’m a guest, I can’t control my impulse to surreptitiously dim the lamps. (2)
I always like to have at least one unexpected element in my rooms. (2)
I call that element a “moment.” (2.5)
I know the difference between a warm gray, a cool gray, a true gray and a “gray that doesn’t exactly sit up and bark.” (3)
My favorite cardio exercise is poofing all my pillows. (3)
Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams would make great names for a pair of dogs. (3)
Crystal chandeliers look totally appropriate in kitchens, bathrooms and four-car garages. (3)
I have strong opinions when it comes to the question “Is teal blue-green or green-blue?” (3)
When I travel, I bring my own accessories—photos in silver frames, imported textiles—to personalize my hotel room. (3)
I call everything from bud vases to drawer pulls the “jewelry” in a room. (3)
Flat-screen TVs just seem to belong over fireplaces, neck strain be damned. (3)
I’m fascinated by the stimulating dialogue between my sofa, chairs and coffee table. (4)
I worry that by 2018 the width and stain color of my hardwood flooring planks will look hopelessly 2016. (4)
I admit it: I once said chaise “lounge” instead of chaise “longue.” Of course, I was only 7 years old at the time. (4)
If there are too many skinny furniture legs in a room, I get anxious. It’s like being on a subway platform at rush hour. (5)
I mourn the scarcity of witty vanity stools. (5)
Instead of counting sheep at night, I name the 1,867 shades in the Pantone color chart. (5)
Now, add up your score…
0-25 points: You care about the way things look, but don’t quit your day job.
26-50 points: You are qualified to write the world’s 17,865th design blog, but don’t quit your day job.
Over 50 points: Quit your day job and hang out your shingle. Be sure the shingle is crafted of cerused oak.
***I understand only too well that this is the era of DIY. And whether you turned out to be a pro or not, you might be ready to refresh your rooms, I love collaboration, and ask you to consider partnering with me to bring your rooms new life in the best possible way. Check out the questionnaire on my website ABOUT YOU page. If you are interested, click here to tell me a little bit about yourself, or just use it to start your own thought process, especially if you are launching a major remodel.
Here’s to a wonderful year for you and your home!!!
The real answer on rugs. . . likely!
It all depends on the stock situation of the rug you want, and how soon you make a choice. I’ve found that the 6 x 9 size works for just about any smallish conversation grouping. 8 x 10 is fine for larger furniture areas, and 9 x 12 if you like furniture completely on the rug. Another smart idea for a lift at the entry is a smaller rug, 5 x 7 or 4 x 6, or even a runner. A small investment with big impact.
Let me know if you need to jazz up your floor! Email or call and we can schedule a visit. And the rug size guide is small, I will interpret.
P.S. PILLOWS? An even easier design lift for a sofa, chair, or banco.
The real answer on windows. . . possibly! It all depends on the stock situation of fabric selected for drapes or blinds. Cellular or pleated blinds take a full two weeks to arrive after we have measured. If fabric is in stock and ordered soon, we can do some styles of drapes, with our workroom installing, at your home in time for the Holidays, or definitely in January. My two favorites are the “S” curve and the soft inverted “casual” pleats. Of course that quick timeline depends on your favorite fabric being in stock. But we’ve had great good luck with fabric this season. Email or call and we will get to work!
Email or call and we will get to work!
S Curve or Wave style on ceiling track
S Curve or Ripplefold on a specialty rod
Bedroom Ripplefold at Ridgway Ranch
Get to know Edy Keeler
Q&A with Santa Fe Area Designer
Where do you find inspiration when starting a new project?
“I always find inspiration from the greatest desires of clients, as well as their practical needs. Something happens that lights a spark. It combined with influences within both their experiences, and mine. I want ideas about where they could stretch in their imagined perfect lives, to make the spaces interesting as well as functional.”
Where did you grow up? Has that had an influence on your design aesthetic?
“I grew up in my mother’s house…full of color, light, fun and off-beat relatives. Not exactly “anything goes,” but certainly anything interesting will be considered. She was one of thirteen, and the aunts and uncles lived and raised families in places as exotic then as Peru, with mining companies, or Alaska, with the BIA, in Florida running amusement parks on the beach, or Southern California 1950’s start-ups. They all came back to visit us in Oklahoma City with colorful surprises in their suitcases. Our design aesthetic had to be “eclectic” before the phrase was invented. I loved it.”
What would be your dream project?
“To design cooperatively managed, supportive housing, beautifully individualized to whatever extent possible for a soon to be boomer aging population that doesn’t wish to “age in place” for reasons of personal circumstance, finances, or desire. To be part of a team devising solutions for thorny problems of aging reflected in right living spaces.”
Finish the sentence: Every room needs _________.
“a generous transition from the room or area before it. If the room is very different, an interesting visual segue is the best introduction to the new environment. I do not want to be overly “surprised” at home, in an office, or hotel. Sure, surprise is great, but graceful flow is equally important.”
