Special Guest: Sherry Hart on Starting Points

Happy Monday everyone!  Today I am very fortunate to have Sherry Hart of Design Indulgence as a special guest on Room Rx.  Design Indulgence is one of my daily must read/never miss blogs both for the fact that Sherry is "uber" talented and delightfully entertaining.  If you have never read Design Indulgence, I can assure you that after today, you'll be a regular! 

Thanks  for having me here today on Room RX.  I have been reading Cathy's thoughts on design for a while and she always manages to inspire me.  I have put together some thoughts on how I get inspiration for a room.

When I first get to a clients home, I always ask what stays and what can go.  In todays market, most people do not have the budget to scrap everything so we talk about how we can work around certain pieces.  I am a firm believer that almost anything [notice I said almost!] can be worked around.  Maybe not that huge 15 year old recliner from hubby's bachelor days though.....gotta draw the line somewhere!

Anyway, Here is a perfect example of my latest project.  A master bedroom with a pine bed.

Her first thoughts were to replace it but that was going to cut into the budget way too much.  It is massive and very masculine.  I knew right away it needed softening.  

While looking for fabrics, my thoughts were since it is wood, maybe something soft and organic with vines and leaves.  Don't laugh...that is just how my brain works sometimes....

I got some inspiration from this picture...

I love the softness of these colors.  With so much yellow in the bed, I knew to stay away from anything that had a yellow base in it.

So here is my plan.  Cool tones.

I think the softness of the lead fabric with the blue/gray leaves and the soft brown vines was perfect.  From there, I just tried to bring in some pattern with a stripe, a geometric, and circles......
We painted the walls a really soft blue called Stormy Sea by Pratt & Lambert.  I have to tell you she was a little scared thinking it might look like a little boys nursery!  When my clients get scared so do I!!  But after it went up she loved it.  Phew.

The curtains are cream linen with a brown and cream greek key trim.   We have a small love seat going in the room, with more opportunity of mixing in some pattern with pillows.  Lots of art work, new end tables, lighting and a rug.

Here is a sneak peek of the bed pillows....you will have to stay tuned for the finished room!

We are almost there!  Normally I don't do bits and pieces in a room, but sometimes you have to give them something so they will trust you.....she is loving it so far and can't wait to have it all installed.

Thanks for having me today Cathy.  Hope I was able to inspire some of your readers on how to find a starting point.

Thanks so much for keeping it real Sherry!  I think most of us are like this client, not able to "throw the baby out with the bath water" so seeing how you were inspired to make this bedroom look fresh with paint and fabrics is quite helpful.  I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't wait to see the finished room when you post on Design Indulgence!