The Gills are the lucky winners of Ballard’s Room Makeover.
The type of room that they envisioned – a “salon” – a room to sit around and enjoy each others’ conversation, listen to music and just hang out with family and friends.
So how do you go from two Leather Chairs and a Guitar to a warm, comfortable, workable room filled with style and function? Listen intently to the clients…the Gills wanted a room where they could entertain both family and friends – not anything “stuffy” just a comfortable room where they could swing open the French Doors and party on the front porch – a “keg” of beer for the neighborhood – lots of fun – a place to hang out and relax.
This is not a large room – 16’ long x 13’ wide. Architecturally it’s fabulous, but not a great deal of wall space: a window wall, French doors, large foyer opening, oh my! So how do you translate what Ina & Randy wanted the room to be? A workable floor plan! It took some doing to get the floor plan right. The first plan blocked access to the French Doors leaving the front porch walled off –not a great idea for people who like to entertain! So the finalized plan – one with plenty of seating for family and friends, access to the porch (expanding the salon space) and yet cozy enough for just Ina & Randy.
So what’s next? Choosing the furniture – how do we divide the space and make it all work. Keep the two Ballard Leather Chairs, add a Sophia Settee, a few accent chairs, small tables, a rug, accessories , lighting– the art of building a room! The soft curves and textural nature of the upholstered furniture makes the room approachable and inviting. The soft neutral tones compliment the feeling and yet “pops” of spicy orange keep it vibrant and alive! To accommodate guests, lots of small tables to easily move about the room. And the foyer (most of the time a dumping ground for coats & keyes) but the Gill’s foyer is now part of the salon with the addition of our Sablon Loveseat tucked under the stairs – a bit unexpected, but a thoughtful use of space and because it is opposite the salon opening, visually extending the salon.
This is a salon that is filled with interesting things wherever you look, from a stack of books and a leaning picture stacked on a chair to an eclectic arrangement on an etagere in the foyer. What a warm, interesting, stylish space. We know the Gills are pleased with their new salon and it certainly sets the tone for a house filled with warmth, panache and imagination that will withstand the test of time. Congratulations Ina & Randy!
