Charlotte Moss who is also from Richmond Virginia has been a source of design inspiration for me from the beginning of my career. Love this picture of her breaking all the Beach Rules (sounds like something I would do) with her two Cavalier King Charles - love dogs!
Chatelaine Interiors (French meaning “Keeper of the Castle” and since our homes are our castles and my middle name is Elaine it seemed the appropriate choice) was my retail design studio in Virginia.
Chatelaine Interiors named one of 66 Standout Stores in Richmond Magazine. John Derian, Artel and Juliska were new lines to the Richmond area at the time…loved that charming gazebo shaped building!
Richmond Symphony Designer House 2002…the stately Scott-Bocock House on Franklin Street in the V.C.U. area. My first Designer House…so fortunate to be chosen to participate in this project!
First Step: Prepping the walls of the Richmond Symphony Designer House required covering all areas not being spray painted with plastic. First coat was a flat, but very bright turquoise color then layered with two coats of Ralph Lauren Metallic paint in Blue Zircon.
Second Step: Application of a bright turquoise base coat, now preparing to spray paint two coats of Ralph Lauren Metallic paint on the plaster walls at the Richmond Symphony Designer House. Very very laborious, but so worth it!
Third Step: Painting finished…now onto decorating this huge bedroom at the Richmond Symphony Designer House. So much fun! Beautiful Blue Zircon walls courtesy Ralph Lauren.
Richmond Symphony Designer House bedroom complete with a Marge Carson bed, Neirman Weeks chandelier, a beautiful Aubusson rug, bronze taffeta drapes with blue rosettes and those special metallic walls…one of the highlights of my career.
It’a all in the details…Richmond Symphony Designer House bathroom with faux marble walls and ceiling, custom shower curtain and 24-karat gold Sherle Wagner lighting.
Before: Richmond Symphony Designer House closet…yellow and very boring. What in the world am I going to do with this space?
After: Richmond Symphony Designer House closet with a faux painted chest and new hardware, walls faux painted, custom floor cloth, “Smile, and the world smiles with you; Weep, and you weep alone.”
A pretty laundry room makes doing chores a little less boring…this one has hand glazed cabinets with a sealed butcher block countertop. Every room can be a special space with a little planning.
A complete master bath renovation including heated tile floors, soaking tub, hand glazed his and her vanities…several different color coordinated types/sizes of stone and tile in the room (floor, countertop, shower) created more interest.
Bringing the inside out to create an elegant porch setting by incorporating greenery, textiles and accessories for a beautiful outdoor space.
Fast forward to southwest Florida…Italian hand painted custom panels, agate chandelier, Scalamandre fabrics, Houles trim on custom drapes and hardware, cowhide rug and a beautiful Florida orchid complete the casual elegance look.
Geodes, ponies and alligators…IT IS WHAT IT IS!
A display of Herend hand painted porcelain collection with a statue of David covered in shells. Everyone should have a collection of something they love. I love coral and shells!
Why not faux finish the lanai walls? Love, love, love Janus et. Cie outdoor furniture…a classic, comfortable, stylish investment. Outdoor living at its best!
Attention to detail. Beautiful lighting and hand painted wall covering adds color and creates additional interest to a space. Imagine this room without the pendant lights, chandelier and wallpapered fireplace wall.
Love the juxtaposition that was created with chipped pedestals, rustic urns and then the silk textiles, shiny sunburst mirror and gold table. You can never have too many pillows…ask my husband!
Princess Gracie…our sweet rescue that was abandoned by her original owners. How sad for them and lucky for us!
My Sweet Kessy, a demanding Diva…how I miss her! Love Yorkies!
Ending on a little humor: Custom bedding with gorgeous Thibaut fabrics for a great couple here in my neighborhood included a bedskirt in this beautiful Flamingo color. Ann sent me this text the day after installation with a caption that read “There is something wrong with the bed skirt…it’s got a cat paw”. Their pretty cat Fred was having fun grabbing their ankles as they got ready for bed…too funny!