No, Not a STUDY IN GIZA, EGYPT but a study IN Giza. The fabric Giza of course!
I am wrapping up some projects, and that is exciting to me. Not because they are almost finished, but because this is where I really enjoy the design process. Seeing a space really transform. Through hard work, cheers, and tears, push-backs and price-changes, seeing a room come alive makes the whole thing exciting.
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| The library one month after move-in |
This study is a wonderful space, completely panelled in wood with high ceilings and clerestory windows. When this family moved in to this new house 12 months ago, the homeowner told me he planned on really using this study as his home office. So I wanted to make sure in this case form followed function.
Right away, I knew I wanted a warm red colour for the curtains and accents. I didn't want super traditional, but it needed to be classic. When we found Andrew Martin's "Giza" in red, it was PERFECT.
Not only is this fabric have a wonderful hand to it (feels like a silk/linen blend but is actually 65% rayon, 35% ramie) but it has an exotic feel to it, which was instantly the right fabric for this space. The homeowner had recently been to Africa and loves to travel. So a ikat-style pattern in rich colours from the UK was spot on! (Also, look for this fabric in a spread in this months Elle Decor -- it takes on a whole other feel. So transitional and versatile!
Speaking of Africa, I also knew we had to incorporate some of Scalamandré's Le Tigre silk velvet. This is one of my all time favourite fabrics. It is a classic. But it is expensive. I find that there are a few sellers on eBay who sell pillows already made in this fabric, so you don't need to purchase the minimum yardage if you want just one pillow, which where I bought this one.
Speaking again of the homeowner's trip to Africa, he had requested to use some of his photographs he took on the trip. What a great idea, because they were truly works of art.
I asked him to pick his favourite 4 photos, and went from there. I took them to my favourite framer and picked a linen matte board, a gold fillet and a heavy gold and ebony frame. On these I made sure to use the new conservation glass so it was UV protected.
I tried to keep them all the same size once framed. Now where to put them? They are rather big.
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| Before, shortly after they moved in |
This wall opposite the window was the best location for the photographs. I knew I didn't want to line the entire wall in photos, because that would of overwhelmed the room, My solution was to search for a large mirror to put on the same wall, and place the frames around it.
Oh, I found the most wonderful one at White Elephant Antique Warehouse in Dallas. It is a very large gilt mirror with ghost mirror, circa late 19th century. I was worried about presenting something so old, formal and gold to this client, but he was totally on board. And I am so glad he was because not only does it set the perfect environment for the photographs, it reflects the window opposite it so there is double sunlight in the room.
To add to the traveling spirit of this library, is the trunk that belongs to the homeowner. It couldn't be more perfect for here. Also, he is an avid rug collector and we found this rich oriental rug at the Dallas Design Centre with his wife. Actually, I think she is the one who found it on her own!
What we all decided is that not only did the space need to be warm and cozy and reflective of the owner, it needed to meet his needs and function as a true work space. It needed a large desk, and a large sofa for television watching. Space was not an major issue. But instead of just having a sofa, I wanted to incorporate enough room for two more chairs. I found two basic upholstery frames that were somewhat modest in size, but deep enough to be comfortable. We covered them in a textural linen by Holly Hunt's Great Plains and put them on swivels. Now this space is conducive to conversation and entertaining.
On the desk, we found this great vintage trophy which I thought was fun since the owner is an avid athlete and has competed in marathons and recently the Ironman Triathlon. When I found these mineral obelisks at a showroom sale, I knew they would look wonderful in this eclectic library.
Well, this was supposed to be a little bit different here. The homeowner had a blue & white porcelain lamp that we were going to find a new shade for. Well, it was securely in my front seat until I opened the passenger door in my garage and .....*splat. Broken to pieces on my garage floor. That is a bad feeling when that happens to someone else's object. So I took a couple months to find one closest to hers and purchased a pretty linen shade and some braided trim and hopefully it looks just as good as the original. I think it's pretty lovely, broken pieces not considered.
Hope you enjoyed the fantastic voyage!
(intro to Coolio's Fantastic Voyage... ♪slide slide slippity slide ♫)
