Design Details:
Drum roll please….The Columbus Museum of Art's Decorators' Show House is officially open!
It has been a project, to say the least. Fifteen designers have been working fast and furiously to transform a 19,000 square foot Georgian Colonial home into a design mecca.
If you're in the area:
April 21 to May 10
Tuesday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$25 Admission
As you walk through the house, pay attention to the details. You'll be amazed at how many little tips you can pick up and immediately implement in your own home.
I thought it would be fun to give you a "before" and "after" peak into the space I transformed.
The Second Floor Landing: BEFORE
Before, the space felt like a simple passageway. The walls were covered with wallpaper that needed an update (Read between the lines: quite outdated and not the "wow" factor I was looking for in the space). The curved accent wall wasn't a proper focal point.
The Second Floor Landing: AFTER
It's more than a passageway. It's a family gallery, a place for gifting and make believe.
The design of the entry tile is carried upstairs in the soft metallic geometric wallpaper on the gently curved accent wall. You can't tell from the picture, but the wallpaper is textured and has a metallic feel and shimmer. Very elegant! Our friends at Ruth Wilson Showroom graciously helped us secure the wallpaper.
They are a great design resource here in town.
The existing wallpaper was removed and the walls painted by, none other than, John Hardy -- my partner for wallpaper and painting for more than six years. The man can do just about anything! We used Benjamin Moore Aura paint. The coverage was unbelievable and the texture almost looks like suede.
Thank you to Creative Paints for donating the materials!
Cowhide and leather covered corner chairs provide the perfect spot to slip into your Jimmy Choos before heading downstairs. Two domed chairs "round" out the corners.
Who knew the space could house so much seating?
Two marble topped tables are French antiques and lend an old world feel. Fabulous accessories and lamp provide interest in the space; special thanks to my dear friend, Tanya Newland of Fortner Fine Living, for sharing her pretty things with me.
Natural elements (horns, oyster shell box, quail taxidermy) combine with refined fabrics and beaded detail to create a warm, elegant setting befitting of this gracious home.
The halls are lined with family art--from family portraits to favorite artists--prominently displayed. Quite a lot of art, graciously loaned to us by Art Access in Bexley. Barb and Gail are tastemakers in their own right and can spot collectible art when they see it.
A piece of art that is particularly dear to me is the oil on canvas of our Lily Kate, created by Farnoosh Lanjoni. The oil portrait is so realistic, it looks like Lily Kate will stand up and walk from the painting. Ahhhmazing! What a keepsake Farnoosh has
created for generations of Aulinos to come.
If you're interested in having your child's portrait painted (or a group painting of more than one kiddos), let me know and I will put you in touch with this talented man who's conveniently located right here in Columbus.
AND THERE'S MORE
If budget truly were no object (Read between the lines…Yours truly paid for everything in the PCI space.), I would have also considered doing...
- I would have painted the interior of the coffered ceilings an accent color to accentuate the existing stained glass sky lights.
- The existing brass chandelier would have been updated with something more current (though brass is making a come back).
- The existing stair carpeting runner would have been updated with something like a tone-on-tone animal print.
As I always say, every home needs a little bit of animal print.
But, just like in "real life," there is a budget and often things need to be completed in phases. This is a good lesson in this (harsh) reality. LOL
GIFT WRAPPING ROOM
Before, the hall closet was just a place where you might have thought to house such things as bed and bath linens.
Wow! Look what a little creativity and know how can do!
Tucked away in the hall closet is a gifting station, efficiently equipped with all the trimmings to wrap the most beautiful gifts. Partnering with Birdie Brennan, professional organizer, we've created a custom workspace completed in Tiffany blue. Wrap it up!
Little Girls' Treehouse Retreat
Inspired by my six year old daughter, Lily Kate, the cedar closet was transformed into a treehouse hideaway--a magical retreat for tea parties, crafting and
curling up with your favorite fairytale.
The metal hanging rods were removed, the shelf reinforced and accessorized. As I've told many, I've never put so many things in such a small space in all my design career.
Our goal was to show that even the most common spaces can be creatively transformed.
Thank you, again, to all my partners in this endeavor:
- Birdie and John Brennan
- John Hardy
- Creative Paints
- Ruth Wilson Showroom
- Fortner Fine Living
Positively yours,
