An inviting dining space is a home essential and chances are it’s one room in your home that could use a little attention. It’s not only about function, but a little fashion as well. It’s much more than just eating. It should be about the ambiance people feel when they dine in your home. A space where family and friends make time to share their lives. A place where a little drama may erupt in conversation or a place where a little drama can be felt within the décor.
Your table is the anchor of the room and the surrounding chairs are just as important. You want a table set that looks great, serves your dining needs and will last a long time. It’s important to take the time to select the right table for your room’s size and purpose. If you’re looking to go smaller or for great conversation and social gatherings, a round table is a great option. If you’re looking to go larger, a rectangular is popular choice. Most importantly don’t forget to confirm your dining room’s available space before making any table purchases. “Measure and measure again to before falling in love with a table that just won’t work. 
It’s fun to add an eclectic mix of chairs to your dining space and a great way to add your own personal style. Make sure they are the right height for your table before falling in love with them! I also love the look of a bench. So often in a dining space we think of individual chairs as our only choice. A bench with a medley of chairs works for any style of dining space from formal to casual, traditional to transitional. You can also cozy up to your favorite person and squeeze in a few more people during the holidays. 
Plan for beautiful lighting in your dining room. Include that uniquely gorgeous chandelier you have been eyeing for a while now. The right fixture can do your space a major favour and exhibit your personal style. It can easily contribute to mood and functionality of the room. A light fixture is like a beautiful piece of jewelry that’s enjoyed from a far. It can be more adventurous because no one’s touching these hanging works of art. Your chandelier can act as the sculptural element in your dining room. It can create the exact mood in which you choose to feel in the space. Don’t forget to consider the diameter and height in which you choose to have your chandelier hung when redecorating the space. 
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Design Concepts
Marking the beginning of Fall, pumpkin spiced lattes have made their presence in our favorite coffee shops and fall festivals have begun with their variety of fun filled activities. The shades of Fall such as orange, yellow and brown make for bewitching accents for the home. This week I want to focus on how the happy color orange can be introduced into your home decor and how its many flavors can bring warmth and energy into a space. Physically, this flamboyant color stimulates activity and socialization. It's time to inject a little fun into your life, don't you think? In home decor, it can revitalize and refresh a room in the most attractive way. Playfully dramatic, orange can wake you up in the morning, draw attention to a space or act as the star, making it the focal point to a room. If your not ready to take the full "orange" plunge, introducing a piece of artwork, bedding, lamp or pillows will add a surprising splash of color your room craves to have. The brightly colored hue of orange makes for a great contrast to neutral furnishings. It won't be a overpowering, but can still be beautiful. Today we appreciate orange in all its varying shades and the spark of energy it can add to a home. Let's commemorate it in your home and allow this versatile color to bring an uplifting mood. Let us inspire you with the many ways our design team incorporated orange into their designs. Enjoy the photos as we say cheers with our pumpkin lattes in hand. 
In order to preserve ones treasures & enchanting secrets, Boca do Lobo designed safes to secure them. Art for your home, each one has a personality of its own. They've been materialized into pieces of artwork for your home or office. With inspiring details, their mere presence creates a fascinating world of their own. Some of their safes are inspired by the great artistic movement- surrealism. They not only guarantee the preservation of your most valued possessions, but exude confidence and validity. Several of Boca do Lobo's treasures contain watch winders and cigar humidors. They're unique flavor materializes into beauty and function in the most poetic way. I believe these safes have become more personal. They've reached a point where the unique functionality embodies pure luxury in a life well lived. Answering the question- "What is luxury" may be more complex than one knows, but I believe these safes are works of art. The're undeniable unique and give one pleasure by their mere presence. They're not just objects in your home. They are an experience, a journey per say. They lend themselves to craftsmanship that will evoke feelings inside us all.Jorge Canete, the founder of Boca do Lobo was once quoted saying "I strongly believe in encounters; encounters with clients, with artists, with brand and with places. I love my job because each time we can write a new story". Then there's the talented Marco Coasta, Boca's head of design who stated "I believe that society is getting tired of industrial processes and mass production, my fight is to change this “way of living” from everyone." I am in agreement with both of their beliefs. I love my job and the weekly encounters the interior design field brings into my life. The places we've been inspires us to reach beyond the conventional home decor. Our Beasley & Henley team is always on the search for ways to bring more value and interest to a space. We enjoy desiging each clients home with a story in mind. A sweet story of beauty in a voice that speaks to them in the most beautiful way.Below are a few of my favorite safes coupled with a sprinkled of Boca's cabinet designs that I have a slight love affair with...
Cream Diamond
When I talk about the gold trend there are some that may feel a slight jolt from the 1980's. As designers we don't see it that way and I want you to see and feel the sophistication and glamour it could bring to your home. Unlike the 80's, today's gold trend is more about style and less about the "bling". I have to admit, I have a reinvigorated love affair with a touch of gold. When used correctly the gold trend can be quite flexible and endearing. It can be used as a stunning focal point, such as a coffee table, chandelier or piece of artwork. When incorporated into your accessories the richness in tones can enhance the simplicity of a space. It's my job to incorporate this trend into a clients home in a timeless way. In a way that will hold its value and remain engaging for seasons to come.I believe what a multi layered statement necklace does for a simple white dress, a gold piece of furniture or accessory will do for your home. It will provide style, evoke a feeling and respond to you on a personal level. When it comes to gold decor look for pieces with personality. If the pieces could talk what would you want them to say? Keep them interesting, light and fun. Allow them to add shine to your space, wake up a neutral backdrop or even compliment brights. I do believe they should come with a little warning sign that reads, "Please Distribute Carefully In Your Home." There is an art to striking the right balance and gold furniture in access can awaken your senses in a way that is not ascetically pleasing. The trick is to mix them with softer textures to balance them out. Here are a few ways Beasley & Henley Interior Design has incorporated the ever so appealing "gold" trend into our clients homes:
Here we added gold to this gorgeous home in Naples Florida. We've incorporated this timeless trend with a brushed gold cocktail table, side table, foyer light fixture and wall accessory.
A cocktail table and wall sconces were chosen to add a little glamour to this home.
A polished chandelier was incorporated into this guest suite to add a touch of interest to the space.
We chose gold mosaic tiles to embrace the refined look of the bar in this luxurious home. The gold compliments the marble top beautifully.
Here are a few of our favorite home decor pieces from Inside Avenue Home Decor:
I am loving the gold accented legs of these bar stools, console table and chandeliers from Lexington Home.
Yes, I believe in the power of flowers in a home. Whether real or imprinted on a pillow, they have positive physiological payback. Not only will they brighten up a room, but will touch one's spirit. Flowers are associated with good will and positive feelings. Their presence alone will enhance a person's sense of well being and heightened feelings of self satisfaction.The anticipation of Spring is gracefully haunting me these days. I've got Spring fever bad and its warmth has inspired me to write about the botanical trend that's embracing the market today. Floral patterns have been trending, and they are certainly a great addition to your home. Their ever growing popularity is a trend I like and hope is here to stay for a little while longer. Delightfully linguistic, the pure shape of a flower can highlight your favorite color or balance the dominate shades of a room. Be careful not to overload your patterns, especially if a room has a strong theme. Take a step back and look at your space. Can it handle botanical infused curtains or just a few delicate floral throw pillows? Look around and decide the best place to bring Spring into your home, and choose wisely.The photo below is a super-realism painting of a crape myrtle. Its illusion of a new reality reflects the color, light effects and shadows that a photograph cannot capture. This undeniably gorgeous painting breathes life into one of my clients family room. This is one of my favorite ways Spring can graciously be felt in ones home.
Finding a great accent piece is an easy way to give your home the floral trend it needs. When you are ready to incorporate this trend go ahead and add that perfect pillow, drapery panels, painting or small area rug. If your ready to go big, reupholster your favorite sofa in a bold print or wallpaper your walls. Below are a few ways you can incorporate the floral trend into your home, including a few of our favorite design projects!
I'm loving all shades of blue right now. Like I mentioned in last weeks blog posting "Pantone's Color Of The Year" , I think blue can bring life to any room. 
Harmonious and softly mindful are Pantone's colors of the year: Rose Quartz & Serenity. Their gorgeous pairing bring a refreshing feel to one's home and I feel it's a nice departure from last years rich color, Marsala. They dance to a song of equality and peace. A beautiful story of well being can be told with these calming colors, in this uncertain world. Rose Quartz & Serenity give off a hint of whimsy. A magical being of sorts, created from sweetness and fairy tales. I see these colors working seamlessly not only in home decor, but in fashion and beauty products as well.
SERENITY
I love the color blue! It's been my favorite color from the moment I could feel the beauty in colors. I love the blue of Key West, hydrangea blooms and my favorite blue jumpsuit with golden zipper details . I think of all that's good in the world when I think of the color blue. It brings a sense of peace and serenity to a mind that stays in constant motion. Pantone's light blue is like a cashmere blanket on a Fall's day. It can bring warmth and serenity to a space with its appearance. Once you acknowledge this pretty shade in a space you can truly appreciate its beauty. 
Rose Quartz
The color pink reminds me of sweet lullabies, cotton candy and pink lip gloss. It's an antidote to the stresses of life. I can see this compassionate color being used in a nursery a serene painting or a few well played accessories . Airy and light, I can see Rose Quartz in both modern or glamours spaces. Appealing in many finishes this relaxing color can be surprisingly sophisticated and livable. I can see Rose Quartz paired with many colors. I can see it paired with cream, black, gray, teal, burgundy, taup or shade of metallic. 
The occasional chairs are adorned in a rose quartz fabric. The designer at Beasley & Henley Interior Design incorporated serenity into the stripe of the drapes.
Rose Quartz Wall Paint
The long awaited question "do I love my new metal roof?" is about to be answered today, and I answer this question with an unalterable YES! I say yes to the style, form and function of this beauty. I never thought a clean, crisp roof could administer the butterflies as our new kitchen did, but it does. It gives my home a little pick me up. It's a fetching protector of my home and has not only added to the numerical value, but a striking design element as well. You could say it gives my home that certain je-ne-sais-quio I had been looking for.As of today I don't have a single regret. I don't regret choosing this shinning beauty over a shingle roof. I don't regret spending 20% more, because most of the cost will be recouped over the next several years. Like I mentioned in my previous blog, "To Metal Or Not To Metal", I would like to reiterate all the reasons why it was the best choice for me...Metal is non-combustible and will never catch fire, i'm a big fan of this one! It will protect my house against extreme weather conditions such as hurricane level winds. During heavy rain storms metal roofs can be noisy, "so I heard", but since installation the heavens have opened up several times and I've heard nothing! Not a pitter, not even a patter of sound against the metal . It won't crack, chip or warp, unlike all other common roofing materials. It's going to save us as much as 25% off our annual home energy bill. It's cooling reflective surface reflects solar heat right back into the atmosphere. I cannot wait to see the savings on my electric bill this summer! My roof will certainly last past my lifetime and will remain 100% recyclable at the end of its service life. It will never end up in our landfills and for that reason alone the choice was a wise one for me!
Roof Before
Complete!
Blog By: ModernizePaneling has, over the years, developed a poor reputation within the interior design world, and many homeowners are reluctant to use it in an important place, such as a dining room. This low reputation, however, is largely a product of poor quality and terrible applications. Wainscoting, a paneling method that only partially covers a wall, is a superb approach to adding accents to a room. Wainscoting also allows homeowners to create subtle contrasts, such as pairing white panels against matte-colored paint work. With the right choices, we at Modernize believe wainscoting can provide a dining room with a classy accent.An Architectural Look
Photo: Via Modernize.comOne of the most popular styles of wainscoting employs a strongly architectural style. These types of wainscoting are reminiscent of Victorian-era plaster cast elements that were added to luxury homes. A newer generation of materials, however, allows these types of panels to be very durable, and they’re also easy to clean, making them ideal additions to any dining space.Raised Panels
Not every interior is compatible with a traditional look of luxury, but there is a type of wainscoting that’s suited to more modern styles. Raised panels look good, and they add a strong element of visual interest to otherwise plain walls. They’re a superb choice for homeowners who wish to create a contrast against plain interior walls.Wall Panels
Wall panels are a more aggressive approach to deploying wainscoting within a dining room. They’re best utilized in rooms that have high ceilings, and they can be a clever way to break up the monotony of a large wall. They look glamorous, and they play nicely with accent features, such as chandeliers, that are popular in many dining areas. Wall panels can also be integrated with other features in a room, including doors, allowing a homeowner to hide those elements and reduce the attention that dining guests might pay them.Wainscoting is a detailed accent features, and homeowners should keep a few issues in mind when using it. As with many accents, it’s a good idea to only use wainscoting in spaces that are relatively simple and subtle. Wainscoting plays best with matte finishes and paint colors that are light or subtle. It also works nicely when stylistically integrated with other elements, such as large windows and doorways.
I love Shagreen and during our most recent visit to High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina we saw a lot of it. From light to dark, it's being used in a fashions. For those of you that are not familiar with shagreen, it's the skin of small sharks and stingrays in it's natural state. It's highly labor intensive and the exquisitely constructed furniture and accessories will show in cost. If the cost has deterred you from purchasing an authentic shagreen find in the past, there's no longer a need to worry. You can thank modern day technology for developing faux shagreen. Now we can all have a little piece of luxury in our homes, which is a good thing for the sharks and rays too! During the reign of Louis XIV, hides were used for inlay work on pillboxes, scientific instruments and sward hilts. Shagreen became very popular again in the 1890's. The Duke of Windsor started a new fascination when he commissioned humidors and the most sumptious furniture out of shagreen.Shagreen is in vogue today and you'll continue to see this luxurious material stay strong in 2016 . It's pattern is delicate in nature and defines what makes up great design. Shagreen's granular surface gives it an incredibly striking look and feel. It's durability make for great furniture.Below are a few snap shots of this luxurious trend we saw at High Point this month.
Brass, gold and copper have been steadily creeping into our homes for sometime now and we are loving it! Metals are in all places, from wallpaper to flooring, furniture and accessories. Using metal is hardly a new concept. Our early ancestors discovered that copper was impressionable and could be fashioned into weapons, tools, ornaments. They discovered metal was easier to manipulate than stone, thus changed humanity forever. It was the first step out of the Stone Age into the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Should you run out and replace all your home's hardware to brass? Should every piece of furniture have a metal element to it? An overflow of metal's can give off a super-rich ostentatious look. I'm not sure that's necessarily the answer for all, but a subtle introduction can be the ticket. Metal finishes are obtainable for additional materials such as wood. The mixture of the two makes the appearance of metal achievable, without the additional cost. If you fall head over heals with a metal accessory, cabinet pull, light fixture or piece of furniture, I say have fun and go for it! Don't be afraid to mix and match. Blending metals like brass, chrome and gold is an expanding trend. The warmth of metals like bronze and gold have shifted from silver over the past years.
If your looking for ways to incorporate metal into your own home décor while keeping the look modernistic and fresh? From accessories to furniture, here are a few of my favorites.
Bite Table Lamp Photo courtesy of: http://www.phillipscollection.com/ 