SVM FEATURE
Notebook
DESIG ERS ERS’
By Ashley Holt and Arden Cheney
ou asked for it and we’re delivering! Readers have been sending us emails requesting an interior design and home décor section of SVM. We thought this was a fabulous idea that readers would thoroughly enjoy; so, we called on our friends, Ashley Holt and Arden Cheney, to provide us with some insight into the world of home décor.
Y
Ashley Holt is a residential designer with a BSHE degree from the University of Georgia in interior design and public relations. She operates Ashley's Interiors, which opened in 1992, where she focuses on creating spaces that reflect the tastes and personalities of her clients. Arden attended college in Valdosta before beginning her career in retail merchandising and human resources in Memphis. She returned to Columbus in 1999 to become an associate with
Collins and Huff and has gained experience in both residential and commercial Interior Design. These two ladies will continue to bring tips and ideas to our readers for every issue, offering various ways to give a room or a piece of furniture a face-lift or makeover. For this issue, they share creative ways to revamp in a “green” manner by suggesting a fresh paint job, rather than buying something new. They recommend recycling and enhancing an old piece of furniture by applying an ecofriendly coat of paint. TOP RIGHT: Handpainted chair by Allison Wickham. MIDDLE: Antique patina on mirror. BOTTOM: A bright paint color brings cheerful life to this recycled door.
ab
JUST PAINT IT! aint is one of the least expensive and most dramatic ways to update a home whether the exterior, a whole room or just a piece of furniture!
P
A well chosen paint color can draw the eye to architectural details and even disguise flaws. The best colors will highlight the most beautiful features of your home. Don’t worry we’re not suggesting you paint the entire outside of your home in this economy, just changing the front door color from a neutral to a Chinese Red or Charleston Green is very effective. The options for bringing color inside are numerous. We especially like textured walls because of their play on light and durability. You can even step out of the box in certain rooms by adding a whimsy touch. The powder room, laundry room and children’s rooms are our favorites because they typically stand alone.
61
SOUTHERN VIEWS
Colors in public spaces, however, should flow from one room to the next, creating the feel of a warm and inviting space as opposed to a crayon box. A little color goes a long way; so, always do a sample first. Remember to examine it in different lights, as the color will change throughout the day. Any plain or outdated piece of wooden furniture such as a chest, end table or chair, can get an updated look from decorative painting. Choosing a warm blue or green hue will give a distinctively French look. Primary colors are fun options for children’s furniture, sunrooms and kitchens. Applying a warm glaze to a neutral color will age a piece and give it texture and depth. These painted pieces can become focal points in any room. After all, not everything has to be brown! The great thing about painted furniture is the option of being able to do it yourself. One of our favorite resources is Period Finishes and Effects by Judith and Martin Miller. svm
w w w. s o v i e w s m a g . c o m