Thanks Modenus!

<br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b> wanted to thanks Veronika, Tim and team at <a href="http://www.modenus.com/" target="_blank">Modenus</a> for featuring two of my projects in their popular Before & After feature on their website. It's always interesting to hear how others interpret my work and they were very generous in their appraisal - much appreciated. If you want to see more, click on each image below to be taken to the story. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/before-and-after-kitchen-french-country-romance-by-linda-merrill-in-boston" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vkWRH6As8g8wCuNJCiFmmiHRhfoM5XK94FirTO5bxPOvsda68hhpyD7nEs1ywr5zln0j7dSiIDEp36emGwVgqP7xBTOt2UlibgHzI3yRiQgkp09rAshRcA9qYGyLjerSi1ZRDWAt9NBM/s640/Kitchen+on+Modenus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/before-and-after-linda-merrill-and-a-19th-century-boston-town-house" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9DZTeT9-9IO_xj_o0F67bp42gWOpGeRRds7-N0K5AjyV9z49O-9E2HxtOZuxmdKqqsETXEHinGOEzmkIfDO-pMkGh17zYiJe6KOeAX0GIpL4rnOcIxKmvAOxqqeHMMqT9WAggp6EII5N/s640/KZ+on+Modenus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFo8FgQujA0Qx0ObDZkoV6cGN2-gz9VJdgOGdBq_WlBXYg1BdZU7pomLHO5CHZ8-cjBwfDiKNajwPmNVRRAe3eVSjIYjBzIerU5Qsp9Q29Pu46U8Zv7dNDnGmXl0XVAs5HGNu6a1NOKz6/s1600/wink+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UU4BUswWtvdvoA5xwxZZINcCH0qdJ3IaRn-WUvd-KjWJ0yWTjeI5noXWPh8f2YnG8qKQw7Ce9N5BJPMMiuIOZQA3RU02CP3qY_BQ7FFDnkUorRStJURcNvVcKs8fiUsnjD0X8yhMDFeb/s1600/wink+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>W</b></span>hat is <a href="http://www.modenus.com/" target="_blank">Modenus</a>, you may ask?  Modenus is a networking platform and resourcing catalog for the interior design community. Designers, and really anyone passionate about interior design, can connect in forums and find design inspiration on a daily basis.  Their catalog features some of the very best furniture, tile, lighting, and more from around the world. They also offer project management functionality for design trade professionals. Founder Veronika Miller, who has an extensive background in kitchen design, founded Modenus to serve needs of the designer she felt were unmet in the industry. They are an international outfit, with offices in the US and England, which provides a much more global coverage of design than many other sites offer. <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/businessofdesign/in-a-nutshell-10-things-interior-designers-can-do-on-modenus" target="_blank">Click here to read more</a>. They've also now started an über-exciting project called<a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/if-there-ever-was-a-time-to-brag-its-now-why-should-you-be-in-blogtour-2012#more-11214" target="_blank"> BlogTour</a> where they bring together design bloggers from around the world in small groups to attend some of the biggest design shows around. This year they are doing tours in New York, Milan, Paris and London. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm hoping to be selected for either Paris or London next Fall, but I'll be sure to be following the tweets and posts from all the design/blogger groups as they tour the world.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">And, yes, that was a total suck up moment. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAWCzLS3Nqk1MKZpxwH2VCAAKU59aEo_pWa6sjjIge_uSupUwQV8-Rxt6B7VBSWhF9HC7rYQr0HPFsl8Di3nT1WOg9g4-kTYA3WUfMbHZxUoc3lbvMc7nUfaGXFtXX5pKU69memzER06G/s1600/wink+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAWCzLS3Nqk1MKZpxwH2VCAAKU59aEo_pWa6sjjIge_uSupUwQV8-Rxt6B7VBSWhF9HC7rYQr0HPFsl8Di3nT1WOg9g4-kTYA3WUfMbHZxUoc3lbvMc7nUfaGXFtXX5pKU69memzER06G/s1600/wink+smile.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">W</span></span></b>hat's up for your weekend? This is mine... that's quite and angry inbox, isn't it?? I think the card for my Sister-in-Law's birthday (which is today) is in there somewhere...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuWP3iS-_cRJ2_0HzwCi2X56mlN9b9VO34VlF-DK2kCa0rL-H86AX8_tiz7FZNIRZp6dDrC0vlUgbvA3q_VVgfGauMKhOM0SDh1BEss0sAiTIOORP9Mb6OM6yyqylY_36JrTovs5Kn35v/s1600/photo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuWP3iS-_cRJ2_0HzwCi2X56mlN9b9VO34VlF-DK2kCa0rL-H86AX8_tiz7FZNIRZp6dDrC0vlUgbvA3q_VVgfGauMKhOM0SDh1BEss0sAiTIOORP9Mb6OM6yyqylY_36JrTovs5Kn35v/s640/photo.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Thanks Modenus!

I wanted to thanks Veronika, Tim and team at Modenus for featuring two of my projects in their popular Before & After feature on their...

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Olioboard, Man Caves and Go, Patriots!

<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>his is likely to be the only sports related post I am probably going to do. (Unless I get hired to create the perfect man cave or media room.) So, last week I wrote an <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2012/01/how-im-using-pinterest-for-work-and.html" target="_blank">über long post</a> on how I'm using <a href="http://pinterest.com/linda_merrill/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. This week, I've been working on my skills using <a href="http://olioboard.com/" target="_blank">Olioboard</a>, which is an easy way to create 2D and 3D design boards. I've had an account for a while, but didn't do much with it. But there has been so much buzz that it got me more interested. Plus, they run contests and who doesn't love to win prizes?  The current contest running requires entries to be 3-D man cave designs using sports themed art from <a href="http://www.spiritofsports.com/default.aspx?Key=HOME" target="_blank">Spirit of Sports</a>. <br /><br />This is my entry below, which I've called "The Brady Boy's Man Cave", in honor of Tom Brady and the New England Patriot's <strike>playing</strike> <b>winning</b> the Super Bowl this coming weekend. (<-- see what I did - thinking positively!) If you wish, you can <a href="http://olioboard.com/boards/65882-the-brady-boy-s-man-cave" target="_blank">vote for me here</a>, although you do have to create a free account. <br />                 <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeROtFLQwogmY5tlVuMokcpy8Sa_ylsOTA4kn65OyDm6y6a2jwdQEITUh7CEczFCIM391vXPEDCQdq7pLuDpE544BzqqwqjouNHEAhvzQDeDlhJjWq_9eq6LpieMKUxymIFDuoQ-zyhg_/s1600/OB-The+Brady+Boy%27s+Man+Cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieeROtFLQwogmY5tlVuMokcpy8Sa_ylsOTA4kn65OyDm6y6a2jwdQEITUh7CEczFCIM391vXPEDCQdq7pLuDpE544BzqqwqjouNHEAhvzQDeDlhJjWq_9eq6LpieMKUxymIFDuoQ-zyhg_/s640/OB-The+Brady+Boy%27s+Man+Cave.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I </b></span>thought I'd show a little of what I've learned this week. There have been references to 2D and 3D Boards. Of course, we all know the difference between 2D and 3D, however, when it came to Olioboard, I wasn't sure. I kept thinking there was some technology I wasn't aware of.  In fact, it's simply this:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATp7mUkiPPG2ebDoF-eMgrDmX_QTbwfs8CfBkfub4USkUS2bLvHksB9OKZ5FxFUg6SYCTR9SNs_0ctlzCWB1hV3lv5JJ_kpzVSpcAaE5YZQG5eDrWzU6BeGfVFMRjDpxfGwK0C7P0NOn-/s1600/OB-2D+Brady+Boy%27s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATp7mUkiPPG2ebDoF-eMgrDmX_QTbwfs8CfBkfub4USkUS2bLvHksB9OKZ5FxFUg6SYCTR9SNs_0ctlzCWB1hV3lv5JJ_kpzVSpcAaE5YZQG5eDrWzU6BeGfVFMRjDpxfGwK0C7P0NOn-/s640/OB-2D+Brady+Boy%27s.jpg" width="612" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he above is basically a simple "board" with the elements you might use in a space laid out in 2D fashion. This is more the classic design presentation type board. And, it certainly illustrates the concepts for a design plan, or wish list, depending on how you're using it. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b>n Olioboard, there are many different ways of creating a design scheme. The 2D version above, or a more 3D version as shown directly below.  As designers know, not all clients can "visualize" a space as we can. So, while a designer might look at the 2D board above and immediately know how it's all going to fit together, our client's may need a bit more help. But, there is no technological difference between the creation of these two boards, it's simply how they are laid out and the addition of a background to create context. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVPBO5cn5coFHP9vGNRxcAKdSQFVWl4gAqjV5vtrXSohwMOf_ViMUtTGV4mFZuFgY1ejlgmNwwAdeXlqJdkPFnH4prJs6PeKT61MKwo45AGIbTsoYwJypP5q8BF18fb9eagazM7uAidSV/s1600/OB-T&G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVPBO5cn5coFHP9vGNRxcAKdSQFVWl4gAqjV5vtrXSohwMOf_ViMUtTGV4mFZuFgY1ejlgmNwwAdeXlqJdkPFnH4prJs6PeKT61MKwo45AGIbTsoYwJypP5q8BF18fb9eagazM7uAidSV/s640/OB-T&G.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he image above was my "first draft" of a 3D man cave. All the same elements are included in the 2D version and my final version. This was done using only the items currently in the Olioboard libraries, which include flooring, wallpapers, lighting, etc. It's not bad, but still a little rough looking. It does tell more of a story, but I am bothered by the flat wall and floor onto which furnishings are layed in a room-like manner. Meanwhile, I was noticing some amazing boards that included perspective elements like receding horizons, hallways, windows outside, etc. Hmm.. I wanted to do that! One of the best parts of Olioboard is that you can upload your own images, and actually "pin" (cross reference, but oh well) items from the internet into your account - so you don't have to stick with the existing libraries. I haven't actually done that yet, but will try it at some point. I did, however, upload an image. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF78ZBypO_dduCpqnQA4OcIswJ1D_IXqScSZmoBgRW2hAVYrMCTvOP7ciwgzSDeRMPGeS8RdVRacgMuZ1bub4AebHSSGsg3r8fc4Xa3QYtQ8G_AM4wAHYEe-ddPK12fQCyhzRAz_OKr9J/s1600/Brady+background.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtF78ZBypO_dduCpqnQA4OcIswJ1D_IXqScSZmoBgRW2hAVYrMCTvOP7ciwgzSDeRMPGeS8RdVRacgMuZ1bub4AebHSSGsg3r8fc4Xa3QYtQ8G_AM4wAHYEe-ddPK12fQCyhzRAz_OKr9J/s640/Brady+background.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>here are some room background images available on Olioboard, but I didn't love any of them. Meanwhile, I've been working on improving my skills at Live Interior 3D, which creates floor plans and 3D renderings, including lighting and shadows. So, instead of trolling the internet for a background I could use, I created my own design for Tom and the boy's man cave. Since I was using the large gray sectional in my design (see above), I did my best to orient the room angle to match the sofa, while still getting in the 3 walls. I laid in a dark stained floor, two dark orange walls and two gray walls. The ceiling is a glossy dove gray. I included sliding doors on the windows on the left to block out the sun when watching the tv on the right and I added the architectural columns because I suspect there are more than a few in Tom and Gisele's new California house...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043704089_66EljmrJ_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043704089_66EljmrJ_f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span> create a JPG image of the empty "room" and uploaded it to Olioboard onto which I laid all the furnishings and accessories. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1AqaDDUa-8DWvLowCcZEhz2SEbOxRSbraoVlLjm7tjjCSIh5vQ56hL7AVqSf6YGNFtz5RbgH9w5-9NLf9Hei5nnxFPXkRCB8tjWtNwlxU9v4U3jWMtifb5LNtgcf97Uapuj9x5VnHe96/s1600/OB-The+Brady+Boy%27s+Man+Cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1AqaDDUa-8DWvLowCcZEhz2SEbOxRSbraoVlLjm7tjjCSIh5vQ56hL7AVqSf6YGNFtz5RbgH9w5-9NLf9Hei5nnxFPXkRCB8tjWtNwlxU9v4U3jWMtifb5LNtgcf97Uapuj9x5VnHe96/s640/OB-The+Brady+Boy%27s+Man+Cave.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">F</span></span></b>or the final decorations in my <a href="http://olioboard.com/boards/65916-2d-brady-boy-s" target="_blank">Brady Boy's Man Cave</a> - and yes, there's room for Gisele too - I have included big comfy teal tub chairs and orange pouf and side table. And there's even a play area for Tom's two sons complete with child size Knoll Womb chairs and Saarinen table. I wanted to create a comfortable space that has modern and traditional elements - a little New England stability mixed with California warmth, all topped with a star light fixture - because they are stars after all. <br /><br />For me, the 2D and final 3D version with custom designed backgrounds are the best. The middle version in 3D isn't polished enough to be a good representation of a design concept, although I know from what I've seen on their site that some people get amazing results doing it this way. <br /><br />So, if you're looking for yet another way to spend hours playing with digital design, check out Olioboard. There are many more features I didn't cover as I'm still learning myself. You can learn more in two different Blog Talk Radio recordings hosted by <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/designtalkradio1" target="_blank">Leslie Carothers here</a>.<br /><br />Meanwhile, check out my board and all the <a href="http://olioboard.com/challenges/89-enter-the-spirit-of-sports-man-cave-contest-for-your-chance-to-win/entries" target="_blank">amazing entries to the Olioboard Man Cave contest here</a>.  <br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span>f you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Olioboard, Man Caves and Go, Patriots!

T his is likely to be the only sports related post I am probably going to do. (Unless I get hired to create the perfect man cave or media ro...

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Why a good upholsterer is your best friend in design

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ2sioW7-DagGQ21kOvgSoKw4y0IzPAeQfAJ0uETDyWi8bVt1lXMUy-WAPiCUhiXYpH_qp3TV0XlYiLRpngXS1zdHXVWBQLrGzheeu2_cbK2iWjZrRDYI5f8kJLWfY8endX12KEph3Ge7/s1600/English+arm+chair.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJ2sioW7-DagGQ21kOvgSoKw4y0IzPAeQfAJ0uETDyWi8bVt1lXMUy-WAPiCUhiXYpH_qp3TV0XlYiLRpngXS1zdHXVWBQLrGzheeu2_cbK2iWjZrRDYI5f8kJLWfY8endX12KEph3Ge7/s320/English+arm+chair.png" width="290" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwezRhy7nXE6ZWmA2EgF6bkYwmPyLPK0x2xvo6MfNrgev50GcB3rPigfYxzFPeQjXNQJqnPoi77NlsXvg7M6baILoZOXD0NAF6lKKtdFRPpfd8-8WGhNt__MteI5o0bFQrlFH7HHPR1Mpj/s1600/Roll+arm+chair.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwezRhy7nXE6ZWmA2EgF6bkYwmPyLPK0x2xvo6MfNrgev50GcB3rPigfYxzFPeQjXNQJqnPoi77NlsXvg7M6baILoZOXD0NAF6lKKtdFRPpfd8-8WGhNt__MteI5o0bFQrlFH7HHPR1Mpj/s320/Roll+arm+chair.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>O</b></span>nce upon a time, my client owned these two different but still comfy arm chairs. Chair 1 on the left is an English Arm style with a box style back cushion  and Chair 2 on the right had rolled arms with a knife edge back cushion.  My clients wished to use both of these chairs in their new living room,  reupholstered in the same fabric. Aside from a slight difference in width and the arm styles, they are basically the same chair. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg-g9eKF1u9nX-GLh2xATF2cyn3zgaZV-dx_OR0fZZKxWiGiP_9jqh9BZ7rSRF7BgmU2hwzICsR6-svNEQGyVgsUiCRswZhsB7JPuoBUETovUYaoO9fBWqv4Y2n8IESGemq8jteKurbCi/s1600/icw_01_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg-g9eKF1u9nX-GLh2xATF2cyn3zgaZV-dx_OR0fZZKxWiGiP_9jqh9BZ7rSRF7BgmU2hwzICsR6-svNEQGyVgsUiCRswZhsB7JPuoBUETovUYaoO9fBWqv4Y2n8IESGemq8jteKurbCi/s1600/icw_01_12.jpg" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>his is the fabric we selected for the chairs, which is <a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/old_collection.php?patternID=908&productID=5195" target="_blank">Thibaut's Island Coral</a> in beige. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQktFxI-X1SDSkdWXDawusI9Siz9fkTJoLq_Z6Xz4c1dyi0ArkOtNbTfsKp_WjBp-SxNiEP-B5OmpHSL5H7-pSs-ACIR0oQDQAju04Wo1dKHWHCu1jEm7hWuZUVWbmAmAQgy54s7YcbIM6/s1600/Arm+chairs+closeup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQktFxI-X1SDSkdWXDawusI9Siz9fkTJoLq_Z6Xz4c1dyi0ArkOtNbTfsKp_WjBp-SxNiEP-B5OmpHSL5H7-pSs-ACIR0oQDQAju04Wo1dKHWHCu1jEm7hWuZUVWbmAmAQgy54s7YcbIM6/s640/Arm+chairs+closeup.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A</b></span>nd voila - old chairs made new again. Now, look again at the old chairs and then again at the newly reupholstered pieces. Notice anything different? These are the same chairs in the same spots as above.  The difference is obviously that the old roll arm chair was reconfigured by my upholster <a href="http://www.hellerfurniture.com/" target="_blank">Heller Furniture</a> in Norwell, MA and now sports a nice pair of English arms.  The back cushion is now a box cushion and the skirting is now the same on both pieces. Aside from the fact that the chairs are still slightly different in width (hardly noticeable unless you're looking for it), they are now a stylish matched set.<br /><br />And this is why I say that a good upholsterer is your best friend in design. Whether you're a homeowner, a beginning designer or seasoned pro - a good upholsterer is an invaluable tool in your bedazzled tool belt. Most experienced upholsterers are able to make these kinds of changes to an existing piece. I've seen the most used and awful pieces be literally reborn - made modern and fresh.   For this project, which is still in process, I brought a sofa, these two chairs and an order for 10 custom seat cushions for various chairs around the house. Everything was made completely to order and fits like a glove.  It's important to note, however, that this doesn't come cheap. My client's could have certainly purchased two new matching arm chairs for the same price at a decent store and in some stores they could have purchased two new chairs for the cost of getting just one of these chairs reupholstered. But the quality would never be the same and the chairs would never be as comfortable. These were good chairs to begin with; they were just old and well used.  By reupholstering existing furniture, my clients got the exact fabric and details they wanted and kept the old chairs out of the landfill. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/dam/designer/global/DM_logo_Main-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="74" src="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/dam/designer/global/DM_logo_Main-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I </span></span></b>recently wrote<a href="http://www.wsidesignermarketplace.com/content/designer/design_pulse/design_blog/6_tips_for_working_with_upholsters.html" target="_blank"> 6 Tips for Working with an Upholsterer</a> for Williams-Sonoma Designer Marketplace which I highly recommend. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/before-and-after-linda-merrill-and-a-19th-century-boston-town-house" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdmaE8YtUQZQdFByfrSgOWfLSM4bu3fSVbG_8UJNM8DNVatkIlMJpDB7mL-nAvlShJ3EyRfBVgHipcVzquhIV96hdTLjhrEp140FpCE0IzHCxbn3NARS8WhaThTMkgVy27Us18-eQ0U8O/s640/Modenus+b+and+a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>S</b></span>peaking of upholstery, I wanted to thank <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/interiordesign/before-and-after-linda-merrill-and-a-19th-century-boston-town-house" target="_blank">Modenus</a> for featuring a before and after of my Boston Townhouse Living Room project on their website today. This was a project that included several upholstered pieces. The sofa was a Dapha for Baker Furniture with Stroheim & Romann fabric (both to the trade), the arm chairs were Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (retail) with a Robert Allen washable velvet (COM to the trade) and the side chairs were Restoration Hardware in their own velvet (all retail).  I point this out because I think it's a good lesson in using varied resources to achieve the best results on a project. Retail store furniture can often be covered in COM (Customer's Own Fabric) or COL (Customer's Own Leather), so never hesitate to ask. It may be more expensive, but to get exactly what you want, it's worth it. <br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b>f you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Why a good upholsterer is your best friend in design

O nce upon a time, my client owned these two different but still comfy arm chairs. Chair 1 on the left is an English Arm style with a box st...

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