Monday, November 9, 2009

Mood Board Monday MckLinky Party #2 - Choose Your Chair


Welcome to the 2nd Mood Board Monday! And thanks to PK at Room Remix for asking me to host this time...


... she also asked me to choose the inspiration items. My picks: Anthropologie's Antwerp and Bertram chairs. Here's my own mood board, then we'll take a look at the others...

My first inclination was to choose the curvy, flowery Antwerp chair. So I chose Bertram instead. Just to step out of my comfort zone a bit. Then, as I do before I start working on a mock mood board, I imagined my clients and their story.

MY CLIENTS: A young, professional couple who live in a city apartment they bought right after they married three years ago. They each put in a long work week, spending most evenings eating a late meal out or scrounging something quick in the kitchen. They do like to dine with other couples on weekends and would like to do more of that, plus some business entertaining, at their own home more often. With no children yet, their apartment reflects their young, upwardly mobile, traditional-with-a-contemporary-twist aesthetic.

THE SPACE: The dining room. Largely ignored because of their busy lifestyle and work schedules, it's finally getting some attention. My clients would like to serve cocktails, seat 6-8 people for dinner and will primarily use the room at night. Budget-minded purchases will be at the core of the design, but driving it will be the pair of Bertram chairs they've decided to splurge on.

THE MOOD BOARD:

young professionals' dinner party

young professionals' dinner party by Comfort&Luxury on Polyvore.com


THE DETAILS:
Bertram Chairs from Anthropologie.
Covington Side Chairs from Bassett. Seats will be reupholstered in Shalimar Sateen Hyacinth fabric in purple (the swatch nearest the side chair) from Calico Corners.
Laurent Table from Crate & Barrel.
Steamer Bar Cabinet from Crate & Barrel.
Sullivan Charcoal Rug, 10'x14', from Crate & Barrel.
Polished Chrome Chandelier by Quoizel from Lamps Plus.
Polished Nickel Sconces by Sheffield from Lamps Plus will be placed in pairs; one pair on either side of the mirror over the bar cabinet and the other pair on the opposite wall on either side of the art that will hang there. (see it below)
Le Soleil Wall Mirror from Home Decorators Collection hangs over the bar cabinet.
Titan Pewter Silk in Gray/Silver from Calico Corners (the swatch you see next to the mirror)is used for custom curtain panels.
Purple Damask Wallpaper from Graham & Brown is used on all four walls.
Ruby Crystal Wine Glasses, a wedding gift, are paired with simple Glass Water Goblets from Crate & Barrel.

Rounding out the table setting is the couple's Royal Doulton wedding china, which not only brings a bit of sparkle with its platinum banding but another bit of subtle color: salad plates have pale blue rims.


Here's a better look at the bar cabinet, opened to show off its sleek, practical design and copious capacity.


And because the tiny pic on the mood board doesn't so it justice, here's a close-up of the chandelier.


Hanging on the wall opposite the bar cabinet will be a large, framed poster the couple already owned. A souvenir from their honeymoon in New York, this image of acrobats defying death at the edge of a rooftop overlooking the city presents a quirkier view than the usual cityscape of a place that holds fond memories.


As dining room chairs, the Bertram armchairs might not be the most practical choice, but they make a great style statement in a space that doesn't get daily use. They're also quite pricey, so I would suggest my clients extend their lives in this way: when they start a family and move to a house in the 'burbs, the chairs can move into the family room. The gray area rug can follow the chairs... it's a hard-wearing, neutral color. Other more colorful, family-friendly pieces can be added to create a lively, happy mix. New host chairs, perhaps a slipcovered parsons style, can take their place in the new dining room. Even the bar cabinet might take on a new life as storage and display space in the family room or entry. And I can see it painted a bright, fun color like shiny lacquer red.

Okay, that's mine... now let's see who else is linking up!

Here's what you do to join the party:
1) Create a mood board using either of the inspiration chairs. (both from Anthropologie)
2) Write a a post about it, including sources. 3) Add your name and project to MckLinky here on my post (Example: Tracy's Dining Room Mood Board)... 4) ...then add the link to your SPECIFIC POST, NOT your general blog address. 5) Last, grab the Mood Board Monday button (above) and use it to link your post back to this post so that everyone gets to join in the party!


20 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Nice! I love the way the wallpaper works with the chairs. I also like that everything seems to work for both the man and woman of the house. Great job, Tracy!

Anonymous said...

Yippee! Looks like MckLinky is working. Is there anything you can't do? :-) This is such a pretty space and I love the way you told us the story of your "clients". Can I come to the dinner party?
pk @ Room Remix

Anonymous said...

Oh those chairs! I could never in a million years afford one or both or each or...but they are perfect!

Sarah said...

Thanks so much for hosting, Tracy! Beautiful dining room! Love all the thought that went into the client and their room. That wallpaper is fabulous, and I really like that mirror. Awesome!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Hey, Tracy, your room looks so moody and sophisticated. Mine is a little wacky, but I had fun putting it together & using that whimsical chair. Lots of fun, thanks for hosting.

Anonymous said...

Loving your color scheme! So elegant- would love to go to a dinner party in this room!

Liz @ It's Great To Be Home said...

Love that you used the chair in a dining room - so unexpected, but it works wonderfully! P.S. I love this link party, so much fun!

Averill said...

Thanks for hosting Tracy! Love how you used the chairs to anchor a dining room.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Tracy, if I were your lucky young clients I would have been thriiled with your design! All the pieces are perfect and the colors so sophisticated, yet young and trendy. Love it!

Anonymous said...

You and I are now new BFF's... Im a Christmas Tree Control Momma too....and to think, I thought I was the only one...hehe~

Emily of Timeless Paper said...

Tracy,

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today! It was so fun joining your mood board Monday.

Best,

Emily

Maria Killam said...

It's a party and I'm missing it!! You are a smart blogger!

the gardener's cottage said...

Hi Tracey,

Okay you are hired. Is this really what a pro does when they are hired. So much thoughtfulness, not to mention the work. I would love, love to hire you! I couldn't even do the mood board. Fantastic job.

~janet

paige renee said...

Tracy,

Thanks so much for stopping by my mood board. I loved joining the party - this is such a fun creative outlet!

Paige :)

Roeshel said...

What a beautiful mood board - so rich and warm and inviting. I love it!

I had every intention of participating but time got away from me. :( Off to check out the others though. What fun!

Roeshel

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

Didn't find the time to participate this round! All the designs are great! Love the chairs you selected.

xo,
cristin

Pauline Wiles said...

This is just lovely! My favorite is the wallpaper (which I know stands no chance of actually making it into my home), closely followed by the nickel sconces, which, I'm happy to say, have an excellent chance!

My Galveston Cottage said...

I loved your idea as well as your mood board. Like you, I would have gone for French-style chair. Bravo that you took a different path. Beautiful ideas. I took your idea (hope you don't mind) to fuel the creativity behind my giveAway. I hope you'll check it out and play.....cheers, -susan

Inge said...

Great post. I just love the bar cabinet.
http://ingridslifeandluxury.blogspot.com/

beatrice said...

hi. i love the luxurious and baroque style. Do you know Sige Gold? it's an italian designer..i'm sure you'll love it!!