Question Answered

So many of you have been asking about the branches in the vase that was featured on The Nate Berkus Show that I thought I'd do a post about them too.

The branches are from a shrub called Harry Lauder's Walking stick.  It's actually selected as a planting for its gnarled branches, not its foliage.  Here's what it looks like.  It's homely and interesting at the same time.

  It's super easy to copy this idea, even if you don't have a Harry Lauder bush.  Any twisty branches will work.  I filled the bottom of the jar with sand.  I then added shells a little past the halfway mark; then placed the branches and filled up to the top of the jar with shells to support the branches.

Initially, I created this as a display for the store.  I was selling Christmas ornaments made from shells covered in glitter.  The jar filled with shells and sand and the gnarled branches were my "shell Christmas tree."  Only after the holidays as I was packing up did I think about using it in the sun room.  If you look at the pictures of that room you'll see that the vintage classroom shell reference map and the coral prints in mirrored frames on the window inspired the room decor.

I placed the vase and branches on the mirrored table and decided to paint the branches Chinese Red too. 

I think the color really makes them pop.  

Give it a try.  It's easy and dramatic.

  Let me know how yours turns out.

Kathy

How I Assembled the Table and Chinese Chippendale Chairs

Many of you have asked where I got the Chinese Chippendale wrought iron table and chairs that was featured on the Nate Berkus Show.

It was assembled over time.  If you shop "previously owned", you know that you have to be patient.  Vintage is not one-stop-shopping.

The first thing I found was the table.  It was only $30.00 because it was missing its glass top.  I bought it because I loved its base with its X and knob.

If I had known how expensive it was to have tempered  glass cut and to add a beveled edge,  I probably wouldn't have purchased it.  But you know me, I came up with an affordable solution.  I decided to find a mirror to fit the top.  I carried around the measurements for a short time and found the perfect mirror in an antiques store.  Not only was the size perfect, but I love the filigree corners.  In fact, I like it better than a plain piece of glass.  What do you think?  Here's a close-up of the corner with a reflection of the branches.

I was thrilled when I found the chairs at a consignment shop.  It took me several months to assemble the table and chairs, but I am so happy with the result.  The chair was so easy.  The seats were held in with four screws.  I removed the seats and covered them with the drapery fabric.  (I purchased the fabric on line and sewed the draperies and pillows too.)  As for the color selection, I already did a post about that here.

Here's the final result.

What have you assembled over time and loved?

Kathy

The Chair That Nate Wanted and How It Became Chinese Red

 
First, thanks  to all of you who watched The Nate Berkus Show. 
And, a super big thank you to Nate and everyone at the studio who provided me with an exciting and a fantastic opportunity to showcase my style.  I even got a peck on the cheek from Nate and he said "When I saw the image of  her room I thought I was looking at the cover of a European magazine."

This is my chair that Nate loved.   How flattering is that?  But, I had to tell him that he couldn't have it.  I do change things around frequently though, and he gets first dibs. 

As for the chinese red color on the chair,  I am not a color specialist.  But, I always know the exact  color I want.  Translating that into a paint chip doesn't work for me.   In fact, that wall of paint chips is totally overwhelming.
I do have a trick that works for me every time.  I find an object that has the color I'm searching for and drag it to the paint store.  My inspiration for the red was the inside lid of this lacquered box.

I have a favorite guy at the Benjamin Moore Store in Germantown, MD.  He has a terrific eye for color and gets me an exact match every time.   That box is probably the smallest thing I've dragged in to him.  I've brought painted trunks, dresser drawers, small tables, chairs, fabric and scarves.  And, if you look at my first welcome post you'll see an orange flower pot next to the bench.  Yes, I brought him the pot, and voila, the paint color for the front door.  He's amazing.
If you can't find someone like Jamie, there is always a Color Consultant on staff who will walk to the wall of paint chips and pick the color for you without a moment of  hesitation.  Yes, they're that good.

Give it a try and let me know how it works


Kathy