Providence Design: It’s Spring and Time to Get Outside!

April 21, 2015 by ark_admin

Spring is our very favorite season…We are so ready to get out and dig in the dirt and enjoy the sunshine after being cooped up all winter! We love helping our clients plan outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and useful.

Herbs are so fun to plant, and they give instant gratification in this kitchen cutting garden…

It’s time to clean out those fountains and plant annuals you’ll enjoy all season long. We like to plant in the ground where the sprinkler can take care of them and also in pots, which lets us layer and achieve different heights. You can also move the pots around to different locations when entertaining.

One of our very favorite spaces to decorate is a cozy porch…Great for relaxing with family or entertaining with friends…

We love, love screened in porches. We did this one several years go and it’s still our clients’ favorite spot in their home…

Love a fireplace on the porch too…makes everything cozy and beautiful year round…

We like to mix materials and furnishings on outdoor porches just like we do inside the home. But remember: less can be better or the space can become cluttered looking. This little courtyard is perfectly manicured and well appointed. A great spot to enjoy morning coffee…

Always edit…But no reason to skimp on great details like this awesome old concrete statue or the antique iron balcony console with the concrete top…

We furnished the porch off an upstairs master bedroom in Fayetteville in a fresh palette of blue and white. A perfect spot to sit and watch the neighbors stroll by.

Slip covers can be wonderful used outside…We use them all the time. So easy to throw them in the washer to keep clean.

Outdoor entertaining is what Spring is all about…Every detail for this party was planned to perfection. Notice how well the bright colors coordinate and pop off the neutral background. And again we have mixed lots of different textures for interest.

Set aside a weekend to do some outdoor cleaning and planting…Make a list of a few fresh additions like pillows, lanterns, or garden statuary…When you have pulled it all together… throw something on the grill and invite a few friends over…That’s just a good time waiting to happen.

It’s your turn. Let’s talk!

Providence Design is Mona Thompson and Talena Ray, a sister duo who are antiques dealers and interior designers. Learn more about them on their website, providenceltddesign.com.

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: April Update

April 14, 2015 by ark_admin

Hello, and happy April! Well, it has already been a busy spring here at the Outside the Box House! As you would expect, flowers and plants are popping up everywhere in the garden, and it is a lovely sight!

The tulips are in full swing. I planted a mixture of three white varieties: one early-, one mid-, and one late-blooming, so the show lasts three times as long as a single variety. The first wave has been great, and I can’t wait to see the next two!

In fact, everything has seemed to be blooming at once and came together perfectly for one of this month’s highlights: a garden tour and lunch by the ladies of the Evergreen Garden Club of Little Rock.

Even as the tulips exploded, the daffodils were still in full force, and the dogwoods had just begun to open.

The dogwoods were so lovely that we took some of the branches inside to create a dramatic display on the dining room table.

Elsewhere throughout the house, we made several gorgeous arrangements from various spring flowers gathered and given to me by a friend. Their natural beauty was the perfect way to bring the feeling of spring indoors!

The bath got an arrangement of its own, made from delicate soaps, perfectly molded into realistic leaves.

Back outside, in the courtyard, the ladies and I lunched on delicious boxed meals from Bouchée, a wonderful bistro located on the Downtown Fayetteville Square.

More spring branches and hurricanes converted into terrariums by adding Maiden Hair Ferns adorned the tables.

The weather was perfect, although a tad bit breezy, and the ‘Snowdrift’ Crabapple trees in the fountain garden lived up to their name, showering the whole courtyard with tiny, white petals!

It was a beautiful, fun day, and it was a pleasure spending it with such a wonderful group of fellow garden lovers. I hope you are enjoying this spring, as well, and have the opportunity to get out and Live Outside the Box! See you next month!

Exterior designer Daniel Keeley is an Arkansas native and founder/principal of DK Design. His work has won numerous awards and accolades and is featured regularly in various publications. For more information visit dkdesignoutdoor.com.

Living the Good Life with Chris H. Olsen: Shelve Your Life

April 7, 2015 by ark_admin

We all want our houses, yards, and work spaces to evoke our personalities and to highlight our interests and energies, right? But I think we may spend so much time paying attention to the big items, that we sometimes forget the key to energizing—and personalizing—those areas may literally be in the small stuff.

A great way to infuse your home with real warmth might just be stacked right in front of you: your bookshelves. Instead of lining up best sellers and that old set of World Books in dust-catching formal rows, occasionally punctuated with a formal photograph, why not jazz it up? Add some light, color, small art objects, and yes, the occasional book, to create a sensational view of who you are at a glance.

It’s actually quite simple; make each shelf a little world of its own, by incorporating what you already have. You’ll want unifying elements for every shelf, such as candid group photos, unusual books, or at least books with interesting covers, found objects, little art pieces, and one or two colors you really love, which can be found in ceramic pieces or vases. By using the same sort of item in each shelf, you make it all look that much more important, even though the pieces you use are pretty small, and maybe not especially noteworthy by themselves.

But when used together, and in just a few shelves, they rev up your room and brim with warmth and personality.

Utilize photographs with settings and activities that are informal, ironic, or just plain fun, instead of showing formally posed subjects. Translation: if it’s a photo from Olan Mills or Sears Portrait Studio, you probably don’t want to use it.

Look around your house for small, insignificant pieces of art, crafted items, things you’ve picked up on vacation. And don’t forget unusual found objects. Each one can be a focal point for a shelf. I bet as you pick them up and place them on shelves the fond memories of the trip or purchase will come back to you, and these little artistic finds will become that much more special, that much more personal and vibrant.

Look at your books as sources of interest, and not just to read. This time, think about how that book can be used as something artful or interesting on a shelf. Old books, parts of antiquated sets, hand-me-down volumes, unusual titles, covers, or typeset are what you should look for. And you’re not going to line them up platoon-style, either. Lean, tip, stack, prop. Position your volume any way except the way it was lined up on the shelf before. And don’t forget a book can make a great riser for a little art piece or candle.

Find a single color or pair of contrasting colors to use in what you already have, such as vases, ceramic pieces, pottery, and maybe something you’ve put away and forgotten about. And don’t forget geological possibilities, either. That little fossil, crystal, geode, or even a lowly—but unusual–rock you picked up can make a powerful statement on a shelf, when placed along with a photo, book, candle, or other small object.

Don’t forget your decorating trinity; three objects make for the best design. And carry out your theme on each shelf. When you finish, step back and gauge your work. Does each shelf ‘pop’? When looked at as one piece, do your shelves all of a sudden make a statement? The same shelves that just a short while ago did little more than act as ordinary storage? If you can answer ‘yes,’ then I’ve done my duty. You now have another unexpected source of personality, color, and design, a place for your friends to admire and enjoy when they visit.

**ENTER TO WIN a chance to have Chris H. Olsen give your home a Curb Appeal Makeover this spring! For details, CLICK HERE.**

Chris Olsen is a nationally known home and garden guru, designer, author, TV personality and public speaker. In his book, Chris shares his landscape and gardening knowledge along with his unique flair for home decor and design.He is also a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. Learn more about Chris and all of his work at chrisholsen.com.

Talking Textiles with Kelli Wilson: Textiles à la Tara

March 19, 2015 by ark_admin

Last month I took you inside the luxurious plantation home of my present client. We discussed the drawing room and how we “grew” the view by installing draperies in a way to frame the windows.

In the main entrance, or grand hall—which leads to the living quarters—we accented the height of the ceilings by installing coffered copper ceiling tiles with a custom crown molding, also from copper. We added faux-finished library panels in a copper paint and installed a sensuous silk Damask by Lee Jofa within the framework. Then, using the same damask fabric, we balanced the entrance on the opposite end of the grand hall by using it on a custom drapery treatment installed directly below the copper crown molding. I wanted to add some depth to the draperies so I lined them with a complimentary silk stripe and added two bands of coordinating trim down the lead edge of the triple widths of fabric. I also added the banding across the bottom of the valance treatment above the doorway.

We added another layer of textiles by using a striped silk by Ralph Lauren on the walls above the chair railing down the main hall. Below the chair rail, we applied an over-scaled Damask wallpaper by Osborne and Little.

With such a lush variety of textures, textiles, and patterns coming together in one area you truly do create that feel of plantation living…à la Tara! More textile talk coming next month!

Kelli Wilson is the creative mind behind Kelli Wilson Consulting, based in Little Rock.

Living the Good Life with Chris H. Olsen: Three Summer Garden Stalwarts

March 4, 2015 by ark_admin

Yes, you read the word ‘summer’ in my title. It may be a bit chilly outside and you’re currently hearing the steady tink of sleet against your window, now’s the time to start thinking about your summer color. I have three plant suggestions for you that will fill up your flowerbeds, provide bountiful show, and require only a bit of maintenance. They are Rudbeckia, also known as Black-Eyed Susan; ‘Knock Out’ roses in a cherry, cheery pink; ‘Limelight’ hydrangea, which provides an icy color contrast to the first two members of this hardy triumvirate. And, as we all know, three is the best number in terms of design.

I recommend these bloomers also for three reasons; color, texture, stamina. But you’ll like them for three other reasons: low maintenance, contrasting hues, and their ability to fill in any place you put them.

Rudbeckia has been around for a long time, but is just now getting the respect it deserves. You’ll find it in both annual and perennial varieties, and it can be depended upon to perform when everything else has grown too weary of the heat. I’m talking as much as six months of color, depending on the hybrid you select. It even comes in a dwarf variety, called—of course—‘Little Rudbeckia.’ And you can be forgiven if you still refer to it the way you did as a kid, ‘black-eyed susan.’

Rose hybridizers have been hard at work for years on a bush that will bloom in many conditions, thrive in neglect, and bloom for an extended time. The ‘Knock Out’ series does all that. The color I like is the hot pink one, and it doesn’t fade, like other bloomers will in scalding sun. And it contrasts perfectly with the gold of rudbeckia. It won’t grow tall and rangy like typical roses, either. Which means you can put it behind your rudbeckia and be confident that it will know and keep its place. And you won’t grow tired of the color, either. Even if you’re not a pink person, the bloom color has a liveliness you’ll enjoy.

Finally comes the glamorous member of the team, ‘Limelight’ hydrangea. This mid-summer bloomer is not the blue mophead you may be thinking about, but rather, is its aristocratic cousin, with blossoms in a sherbet shade of chartreuse. The blooms are erect in the summer breeze and the plants won’t flag in the heat the way mop head hydrangeas do. Plus, all you have to do is prune them back in late winter or early spring for large reliable bloom cover every year. And, rather than plant a third hot color, you’ve injected a bit of cool into your planting.

Place your ‘Limelight’ at the back of the border, so it can nod and gaze out over rudbeckia and ‘Knock Out’ roses.

And note how these three fit well into beds and against the backdrop of any style house. Lovely in masses, too.

Their height arrangement seems flowing and natural and there’s no real point of one plant leaving off, and another taking its place. Their growth habits mean they mingle well.

The Rudbeckia are masters at reaching for the sun, and finding all the spaces to fill. They thrust over foundation plantings and provide real energy to summer beds.

These three really will fill in wherever they’re placed, and fit in not only with each other, but any neighboring plants as well.

They aren’t expensive, delicate, or fussy. But these three will give you the show you want, and won‘t play out before the season ends. What else could you ask for? Unless you require them to feed and water themselves, they’ll do everything you want and more.

Live Life to the Fullest!

**ENTER TO WIN a chance to have Chris H. Olsen give your home a Curb Appeal Makeover this spring! For details, CLICK HERE.**

The Art Fix with Joshua Plumlee: Scale Matters

February 24, 2015 by ark_admin

(Architectural Digest March 2014, design by Sandy Gallin)

Large scale art—pieces sized anywhere from 4ft x 4ft on up to 6ft x 6ft and bigger. The bigger, the better. Big, big, BIG! (Size does matter in this case.) Scale is equally as important to a room as textile and color—maybe even more so. Maybe scale is the single most important factor governing a successful room design. Maybe. But more on what I think makes a room successful later.

Back to art. BIG. ART.

Place an over-scaled piece in an entryway and instantly you will signal drama and excitement. Or in a living room to establish conversational interest. Or in an intimate space, such as a bedroom or private study for an enveloping sense of glamour and solidarity.

Here’s how I look at art…

Mankind needs an arena in which it’s safe to loose oneself. Art is that arena. We all need an environment in which we can feel safe in stepping out and away from the everyday, from the mundane. Art in the home helps us lean a little bit closer to inspiration and all that is beautiful. Wonderful art has the capacity to transcend the everyday and carry the viewer somewhere more extraordinary. And this factor is compounded by introducing large-scale works into a space.

Art is a lifestyle. It is for sure my lifestyle. Collecting and surrounding myself with artworks. Someone once used the word “custodian” in regards to how I treat my home and its collection of art. And it’s true. Somehow I feel safe knowing that at the end of the day, I can come and be surrounded by beautiful things that I love. Oh, and also my family and friends. But they’re not as important. Stuff is more important.

Anyway, what I’m talking about here is somewhat philosophical but not impractical. So let’s get into the meat of it – the fun part! Take a look at some these spaces, made all the more impactful thanks to the inclusion of large-scale artworks…

(design by Coddington Design, photo by Matthew Millman)

Notice how the furnishings are relatively normal in proportion to the rooms, however, the artworks command attention due to their size. Try to imagine these rooms with much smaller pieces and that commanding authority is lost.

(image source unknown)

(Robert Brown Interior Design)

(from Collected Cool by Jay Jeffers, photo by Matthew Millman)

I’ve written previous blog posts on gallery wall installations, tightly connected groupings of smaller pieces, even a post on what I dubbed “humble art,” or artwork that you might find in a flea market or even DIY. And all of this has a valuable place in the home. But basically what I’m saying is that each home should have at least one large-scale piece of work, whether you buy it from a fancy gallery or make it yourself. Proportionality and scale—and having fun with those elements in regards to your art placement—is key to elevating any space.

Check out this Manhattan apartment by designer-genius Steven Gambrel…

(Architectural Digest Feb 2015, design by Steve Gambrel)

Notice how that single large painting forces you to look at it. It’s like, “look at me, look at ME!” And yet, while its color and energy provide a sophisticated, nuanced foil to the otherwise balanced tonal palette of the room, it’s largely the proportion that makes such a statement. Check it out again in classy black-and-white…

It still packs a punch. And how great is that teeny-tiny painting on the other side of the window??! It makes me grin it’s so good.

That painting by the way is the work of Cecily Brown, an amazing New York-based artist. She carries on the tradition of the Abstract Expressionist master Willem de Kooning, currently an unhealthy obsession of mine. I’m obsessed in the sense that I cry a little bit everyday over how I can’t afford his work. He’s dead, so pretty much each of his paintings is worth about a trillion gazillion dollars. Note: after you die, your work is MUCH more valuable. Write that down.

Anyways. De Kooning. Look him up. Buy a book. If you haven’t, you need to. If you’re not interested, then you should be. And if you’re still not into his work, then shame on you.

Here is a foyer, very traditional in look, but instantly energized and made current by introducing a lyrical, expressive work by de Kooning. We won’t talk about how much I want to sneak into that apartment and steal that painting and then try and run away with it tucked under my arm. But again, notice how its scale is at once arresting, unexpected and still completely composed and curated. Brilliant.

(Vanity Fair 2010, photo: Jonathan Becker)

That’s about it for now. But take another look at some more spaces with wonderfully over-scaled artwork. Notice how the proportion of the art somehow manages to be both center-stage and also complement the rooms’ furnishings. Melts my heart. Cheers!

Active in the Little Rock design scene since 2006, Joshua Plumlee is passionate about reimagining elegant interiors with a focus on original artwork and an unconventional approach to luxurious style.

Talking Textiles with Kelli Wilson: Plantation Paradise

February 19, 2015 by ark_admin

I consider myself very fortunate for the opportunity to work with clients that appreciate and understand the importance of textiles in a design project. I have been working with such a client for the last nine months to recreate the beauty and grandeur of her family’s 150-year-old plantation home.

We started with a concept that was worked around a custom wool carpet in the Drawing room in a very soft sage green. The carpet was in excellent condition so we simply “wrapped” the room in a custom paint color of the same hue. We painted trim, bookshelves, and ceiling with tones of this green to make a luxurious palette from which to build.

We then found a FABULOUS silk damask by the GREAT Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa in a deep teal color with an embroidered design of a semi-traditional, over-scaled pattern. This was to be our jumping off point to create beautiful window treatments that we would install 12″ above the actual window height to give the appearance of larger more prominent views. From there we simply added luxury by layering patterns and textures to complete the “Gone with the Wind” feel. We discussed that by pulling the draperies all the way to below the crown molding and adding a beautifully crafted top treatment the windows became our main point of visual interest. We billowed the fullness of draperies by using three widths of fabric per panel and added drama with a 3″ puddle. All of the textiles we used in this drawing room were painstakingly thought through, so as to build on the luxury of the space.

Stay tuned next month for more on this project!

Kelli Wilson is the creative mind behind Kelli Wilson Consulting, based in Little Rock.

Mark Your Calendar: 24th Annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show

February 11, 2015 by ark_admin

Spring is quickly approaching, and–if you’re like us–you’re happily anticipating being outside enjoying your garden, deck, or patio in the warmer weather. On February 20-22, the Statehouse Convention Center, in Little Rock, will play host to a gardener’s dream weekend that is sure to inspire you. Featuring speaker presentations, display gardens, how-to demonstrations, silent auctions, floral competitions, shopping, and more, the event is a perfect way to prepare for spring. Don’t miss family day on Sunday, which includes special activities and workshops for children. Tickets, $10; 3-day pass, $15; Children 12 and under, free. To learn more, call (501) 821-4000, or visit the show website at argardenshow.com

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: February Update

February 10, 2015 by ark_admin

Hello again; I hope you are having a fantastic February! Although February can be a pretty slow month when it comes to your garden and outdoor living spaces, it is a great time to organize your thoughts, make plans and get inspired for the upcoming spring. To that end, I thought I would share some more photographs from my visit this past summer to Charleston, South Carolina. While there, I took a day trip out to Middleton Place, one of the many historic properties in the area. Middleton place was first settled in the late 17th century and encompasses our nation’s oldest landscaped gardens. The estate has remained under the control of the same family for some 320 years and is well worth a visit! The formerly grand main house was burned during the Civil War. This is the principle structure still standing today…one of two accessory dwellings that flanked the main residence. It is filled with historic artifacts and antiques, and as you can see, is surrounded by wonderful, old trees and plantings. This pile of rubble is all that remains of the old main house. A reminder of a dark chapter in America’s history, it is a bit eerie, but also a moving link to our historical past. Another link to the past is this massive tree base. As someone who loves driftwood and the like, I was captivated by its sculptural qualities, and it is fun to imagine it in its former glory, shading the house with its massive branches. As you approach the house, you pass through this charming garden gate. I love gates and try to incorporate them into designs as much as possible. They are an easy and attractive way to create a sense of arrival and coziness in a garden space. This gate, painted in traditional Charleston green, is visually light and airy and gives the path beyond an intriguing, mysterious appeal. Nearby, this bench is nestled against a centuries-old brick wall. Garden benches are another of my favorite design elements, as they can transform just about any spot into a relaxing destination. The low wall is also a noteworthy design tool. Here, it divides a large lawn from a shady pleasure path, giving both areas a sense of definition and purpose. I just love garden ornaments, so I couldn’t resist the remains of this old urn. It presides over the grand lawn that sweeps past twin lakes, known as the Butterfly Lakes because their design was modeled after the wings of a butterfly. Ornaments, such as urns, sculpture and statuary, offer appealing contrast value to natural plantings and are essential additions to any garden or outdoor space. The Butterfly Lakes also frame a stunning view of the Ashley River, which actually served as the primary mode of transportation to Middleton Place back in the day. So, what you see here was basically the outdoor reception hall! Not bad, huh? The precise alignment of this vista with the bend in the river was a deliberate design decision and exemplifies the expert skill and care that was employed in laying out the property. Having a well-designed plan always pays off! Another garden ornament, this sundial joins a glorious Live Oak in stealing the show in one of the formal garden rooms featuring geometrically arranged paths and clipped boxwood hedging. While you may not be able to recreate the shelter of this unbelievable oak tree, this is also another good example of how a simple garden bench can turn a forgotten corner into a place to stop and smell the roses. The lawn in this garden room may be a little worse for the wear, but the combination of a strong, deliberate design, structured evergreen plantings and central ornamentation makes for a great example of what I call a winter-worthy garden. A well-designed garden should be appealing throughout all four seasons, and winter is the perfect time for assessing the worthiness of a particular space. Even covered in snow, the value of the pathways, hedging and birdbath in this garden could still be appreciated. This is a view across the Rice Mill Pond with the mill, itself, in the distance. The pond is and was a source of irrigation for the gardens of Middleton Place and is a beautiful setting for a garden stroll. A pump house near the Rice Mill Pond is nestled among towering oaks dripping in mood-setting Spanish moss. This marble statue serves as a focal point at the termination of this garden path. Framed by hedges, it is another good example of the value of properly placed garden ornaments. Well there you have it…my version of a garden tour at Middleton Place. I strongly encourage you to experience the real deal, if you are able. Or, at least check out their website to learn more about this enchanting piece of southern history and to garner more inspiration for your own springtime gardening projects!

To see the progress at the “Out of the Box House,” read Daniel Keeley’s past updates!

Living the Good Life with Chris Olsen: Make the Most of Your Hardscapes

February 3, 2015 by ark_admin

Many landscape designs incorporate ‘hardscapes,’ a term that means just what it says: retaining walls, terraces, patios, concrete, rock, and stone—all ‘hard.’ Exterior walls can define spaces, create outdoor rooms, retain slopes, and become lovely extensions of the house itself. Because they can be interesting additions to many landscapes, you should consider them to be not just functional, but also an addition that can make your yard more appealing.

These keystone block walls are actually a replacement for a retaining system of railroad ties that had deteriorated and decayed over the years. Railroad ties are perfect for performing the function: they hold back the soil. But they can’t curve, or loop. In nature there are no straight lines, so railroad ties aren’t always the best choice if you want your walls to be a natural element in your design.

The pairing of slab steps and rock walls gives a bit of serenity and even lightness, even though they are stone. Stone walls are still functional, but are more natural, and can be a reflection of your own personal style.

Walls don’t just retain an upper level; they also can create additional space, as well as define another. It’s like adding an addition to your house. When the walls intersect the ground above, you have an opportunity to create another flowerbed, or sitting area. This area of the yard is no longer just a slope for grass alone. And using keystone walls also means you can create a rounded-out area to showcase and accommodate a unique plant, large piece of glazed pottery, or a sculpture. You can relieve the monotony of a straight wall with just such a design factor. Railroad ties would never permit this kind of serendipity.

Stone walls are wonderful for terraces and patios because they aren’t dark or even heavy. An added benefit to erecting them is that you can delineate shade gardens from sun, and feature your favorite seasonal color. Use of stone walls also means that if you hang a light fixture, it’s as if you already have a room that, in turn, needs to be lit.

By having the walls level off and create more space, you also will be able to put your plantings even closer to eye level. If you have a corner, or small space, use of walls means two display areas—one above, one below–which means creating another dimension to your plantings. Translation: Your plantings will look full and lush, and you’ve made optimum use of limited space.

And isn’t there something serene and comforting about stone slab steps? These look as if they were carved out by nature, not lifted from a quarry.

Finally, stone provides texture, which can be a good counterpoint to greenery or even smooth concrete. The nooks and crannies can be home to mosses and even the occasional lizard. Your walls become part of the landscape, not just something to keep it at bay. Using stone won’t make you a rock star, but it will make your landscape so inviting that you’ll want to spend more time in it, and savor the seasons.

Providence Design: It’s Spring and Time to Get Outside!

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: April Update

Living the Good Life with Chris H. Olsen: Shelve Your Life

Talking Textiles with Kelli Wilson: Textiles à la Tara

Living the Good Life with Chris H. Olsen: Three Summer Garden Stalwarts

The Art Fix with Joshua Plumlee: Scale Matters

Talking Textiles with Kelli Wilson: Plantation Paradise

Mark Your Calendar: 24th Annual Arkansas Flower and Garden Show

Outside the Box with D. Keeley: February Update

Living the Good Life with Chris Olsen: Make the Most of Your Hardscapes

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