We’ll start with the dining room. In a lot of homes, the dining room is sort of a special occasion space – an area that’s only used when company’s in town, and there’s something to celebrate. To my way of thinking, that’s kind of a shame. So when I designed this space, I wanted to make sure it could be used for those occasions – but that it would still feel comfortable and accessible enough to use on a regular basis. So, to keep things grounded, we opted for paper-backed burlap wallpaper. The texture is simple and functional, but its rich earth tone is a natural complement to the cast iron and glass chandelier. The ceiling paper picks up on the chandelier’s metallic finish, with hand block printed gold details situated against a soft, sage-green background. The paper’s four-color process feels rich without overwhelming – giving the room a welcoming feel that dresses up easily for formal occasions – and dresses down just as easily for a family meal.

Following on the dining theme, our next stop is the kitchen (pictured at the top of this post). Given the fact that this is likely to be the highest-traffic room in the house, it’s designed to work well – and to feel instantly familiar. We made choices that were intentionally rustic – from the recycled bucket island lights to the reclaimed timbers – that contrast beautifully with the modern appliances that make cooking a pleasure. We also found the perfect use for a pair of reclaimed semicircle windows, which we combined above the sink to form a perfect circle of light. I’ve had the windows for years, and like so many of the pieces I love, it was just a matter of time before they found the perfect home.

Finally, we’ll turn to the entry areas. Like most homes, this one has a main entrance – which is unlikely to see much traffic – and a rear entry that will see the majority of everyday comings and goings.

In the grand foyer, we opted to use three-quarter light doors. Typically, main entry doors are solid. But because of the beauty of natural light, the three-quarter light doors add a whole new dimension to the room. Once inside the door, visitors will notice the distressed oiled oak floors, with a traditional herringbone pattern that adds a touch of sophistication. The entry light is a converted candle lantern that provides warm, usable light after dark. And the salvaged brackets framing the doorways – covered in more detail in my previous post – add another touch of tradition.

The rear entrance is every bit as grand as the front. A second round window is situated to provide a clear view of the outside fireplace – making it a perfect vantage point to see what’s going on outdoors. The back stairs are outfitted with reproduction fence balustrades, to provide a welcome variation to traditional square round balustrades that are more commonly used.

So things are moving along well. And while it’s required a flurry of activity, the results of the hard work are coming together really well. Check back in a couple of weeks. With a little luck – and a lot more hard work – we should be able to show you the finished project.

Nicola Manganello, owner of Nicola’s Homes, a design studio and boutique on Commercial Street in Portland, said her clients seem to be using more color in general.
“I think with the economy and everything, there’s just a general overall gloom and doom,” she said. “I think color is kind of coming back as making your space a happier place to be.”
Deep blues, with accents of yellow, are really on trend right now, according to Manganello. A beige room with more blue in it would “definitely be a little bit more edgier of a look,” she said.

To read the entire “Room and Bored” article, click here. And if you are looking for a fresh approach to a room or your entire home, call the Nicola’s Homes Design Center at 207-899-3218 right away.

For the past couple of months, the Nicola’s Homes crew has been making plans into reality on my latest design/build project on 30 Maeve’s Way. For those who aren’t local, Maeve’s Way is a neighborhood named after my daughter, and located a short hop from Casco Bay on the Cumberland Foreside, just north of Portland, Maine. Projects like this are personal favorites, where I get to see my ideas take form, from initial sketches to plans to reality. Granted, it requires a lot of focus, but it’s immensely gratifying when the dust settles, and everything comes together. At this point, 30 Maeve’s Way is already well underway. The exterior and landscaping are largely complete and the interior is taking shape. Over the next several weeks, I’ll share some photos and stories of work in progress, to give you a sense of how things are coming together.

As a designer, I’ve always been drawn to materials that make spaces feel warm and inviting. And few materials provide that warmth more effectively than reclaimed wood and stone. In this first photograph, taken from the kitchen, it’s tough to miss the impact of the antique timbers used for the dual purpose of structure and beauty. From a purely visual standpoint, the beams define the living space, making it feel both warm and familiar. As the process moves forward, I’ll choose furnishings and fixtures that play off the structural aesthetic of the beams to bring the room together.

Like the old barn beams, the fireplace surround is also made of reclaimed material. Crafted of three granite foundation stones from the original house on the property – which we moved and renovated, and now sits at the entrance to Maeve’s Way – the scale of the fireplace anchors the room, and will serve as a natural gathering place for the family that eventually calls it home.

The second photograph shows still more reclaimed materials in the main entrance to the house. From the simple sophistication of the antique leaded-glass interior window to the ornatereclaimed shoulders, these details add a sense of tradition to offset the home’s contemporary, open-space design. By incorporating the shoulders, we’ve broken up doorways that wouldotherwise feel too open, lending a sense of intimacy that helps to make the home feel more familiar and inviting.

To learn more about 30 Maeve’s Way, send me an email. I’d be more than happy to share details about the property, and even to arrange a walk-through. And staytuned. I’ll be sharing more details as the project moves forward.

Gayle showcased my work on her wonderful Vintage Farmhouse blog and it was so well received by her readers – and a wonderful surprise to find while browsing. Thank you, Gayle! And for all you other vintage farmhouse lovers, her blog is a treasure trove of inspiration – and a great read.

A sense of belonging, comfort and familiarity that’s both personal – and universal. Now, in my brand-new Nicola’s Home online store,  you’ll find everything you need to create the home you’ve always imagined. And because I want you to feel truly at home, I’m offering a very special grand opening discount – 30% off all online purchases through January 16, 2012.

Start shopping!

And remember, just a few more days until you can shop my pieces online!

Thank you, Erin, and all your wonderful community for your sweet words. To read the entire post, and to spend some time browsing Erin’s other finds on House of Turquoise, click here!

This has been a rainy spring – slow to start, gardens and lawns blurry visions through wet windows. Last week we finally had a wonderful string of crisp and sunny days, and I drove past one of my favorite summer sights – a clothesline pinned with sheets snapping in the breeze. So many colors and patterns filtered with light, all those fresh-washed linens billowing like sails. And I thought, I’m going to have a sale.

My seasonal collection of bedding and decorative pillows features all the best trends (lattice prints, French knots, crisp greens and warm corals) and timeless details (the finest materials and most exquisite comforts). And best of all? Now through July 4, 2011, all bedding and decorative pillows are 15% off at the Nicola’s Home design center and retail boutique in Portland, Maine’s Old Port. This even includes my spring and summer lines for Garnet Hill!

So stock up your linen closet. Prepare for house guests, open your cottage or camp, or just tuck yourself into a brand-new bed with summer-ready sheets, duvet covers, quilts, blankets, throws, bolsters, accent pillows and more. Visit us at 215 Commercial Street this holiday weekend and let our design team help you make up your perfect bed!

Quilts—vintage and modern—were one of my very first design obsessions, and my love affair with all things pieced continues today. My ever-growing collection of vintage quilts is a treasure trove of inspiration, and one I dug into when I created my popular Picnic Quilt for Garnet Hill. The blend of sunwashed seersucker and ticking stripes is impossibly soft, with just the right amount of weight for a Maine spring, summer or fall. And the hand-tacking with golden thread? Like pollen dancing in drowsy, late-afternoon sun. I just can’t get enough.

And so I took a few of the quilts we had on the floor at my Nicola’s Home boutique and design center, and created a year-round indoor picnic by using the quilts as upholstery fabric for a handsome, inviting sofa and chair set that you’ll want to snuggle into year-round. I gave the quilts to the master craftsmen at CR Laine, who create bespoke furnishings of exceptional quality. Bench crafted, hand tailored and just … beautiful. I kept checking in on their progress, and they always indulged me with photos!

(Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Remember, the Nicola Home Design Center can custom-create upholstered furnishings for anyone, using found fabrics as inspiration, or as actual upholstery materials. Cutting into vintage fabrics can seem like a sacrilege, but quilts in particular were made to be used as much as admired. When time has not been kind to the entire quilt, playful projects like these can give them new life. If you’re holding on to a treasured quilt, curtain or embroidery, bring it to our design experts to explore the possibilities.)

Finally, the finished Picnic Quilt set arrived. Come visit the store to see them in person, or email our design consultants for more detailed measurements and photos! I think they would be inspired accents in a little girl’s room or a sweet baby’s nursery – this styling will grow with your little ones, as the color palette is quite sophisticated. The Picnic Quilt sofa and chair would also be quite at home in a cottage-inspired living or guest room, and would add a splash of summer to any cozy corner in your home.

Like all my pieces, this set was designed and built to be a new family heirloom … and quilts, like anything homestead, is very on-trend for fall 2011. An indoor picnic, all year round—thanks to my Nicola Home Picnic Quilt from Garnet Hill!

Our doors are flung open wide at 215 Commercial Street in Portland, Maine, welcoming locals and travelers alike.