The Small Things In Interior Design That Count

J. Douglas Design is known as Dallas Premier Interior Design Firm and provider of the most unique and interesting pieces for your home. It's the small things that really count in your interior design - special, hand-picked home accessories you can't find anywhere else.

With the most exclusive brands of interior furnishings and accessories - and over 30 years of experience and the artistic skill to create an elegant space - we can suggestions for furniture selection, placement, color & texture and accessories to maximize use of your space based on your vision.

We only hand select the finest brands, the best quality and most unique pieces for our showroom and to use in our interior design.

J. Douglas Design is Dallas' exclusive retailer of Marge Carson fine home furnishings.

if you find a particular piece in any of the collections that you are interested in, please give us a call. We will be happy to assist you with a special order.

Russian Architecture & Design "Patchwork" Style

We were reading along Freshhome's blog  - and noticed several interesting shapes, patterns and inspirations for interior design. Since I am a Dallas, Texas interior designer - I've not really seen anything like this around here - so felt it worth writing a quick blog post about.  This naturally appealing and minimal architecture and interior decor in Russia caught my eye.

From the blog: 

Peter Kostelov envisioned "Volga House", a modern residence with intriguing wooden features, located in Konakovsky District, Tverskaya region, Russia. The design of the house is derived from the characteristics of other traditional dwellings in the area and showcases an interesting “”patchwork” look. Wooden planks trimmed unconventionally overlap to create a very original facade. The architects explain that the project was inspired by the Soviet era style, when private house construction industry used to be rundown and backward”. 

The exterior of course, is quite exquisite actually, with it's detailed craftsmanship and huge attention to detail. I think I am in love with the wood & metal feel, and sheer creativity of it.

But it's the interior that really caught my eye - because of the useful use of space and efficient 'applicable' items - bookshelves, lighting - all arranged in a way that would stylishly meet the needs of any artistic homeowner.  Luckily - creating a 'useful' space is one of a few strong growing interior design trends 2013.

For the full article, visit the Freshhome blog.

Featured Line - Fine Art Lamps

At J. Douglas Design - lighting is a huge part of ALL of our designs, as are the lamps and fixtures that deliver it. No design is complete without considering first the important aspect of lighting - and how best to layer in beautiful and timeless accessories that efficiently double as lighting. Think of a simple lamp, that doubles as a piece of art. Their name says it all - with Fine Art Lamps - we are able to achieve this mix.

At J. Douglas Design, we only hand select the finest pieces of furniture and accessories from the best-known lines for our interior design. And we're pleased to have worked with Fine Art Lamps for many years, bringing quality lighting to our clients - while also accessorizing with the 'fine art' of their pieces.

Lighting is an age-old necessity, from ancient flames in cave to Medieval oil lamps, to modern methods of lighting a space, the world has needed light - from the beginning of time. Man has found ways to light the way, and Fine Art Lamps has found a way to stylishly, beautifully, and well - artfully shed light on the topic.

Max Blumberg owned a glass factory in the late 19th century. His son, Jack, founded Fine Art Lamps in the early 40's. (1941) From the beginning - his goal was to employ only the finest craftsmen and artisans from all over the world, inspired by the fine crafts of ancient and Renaissance Italy, to produce top quality lighting - with unparalleled beauty and craftsmanship. It's no wonder that Fine Art Lamps has been a design leader in the lighting and interior design industry from the very start - they have always had the very best craftsmen, used the finest metal, glass and unique materials and offered a huge selection of style - and the most agile and unique designs. In 1965, Jack's son, Max has continued the quality and craftsmanship that Fine Art Lamps created and maintained for the family business.

Their commitment to providing only the best continues to this day in a state of the art facility in Miami. The continued quality and effort on behalf of this family-owned business has won Fine Art Lamps numerous honors and awards, such as the ARTS® Manufacturer of the Year Award (and they've done this 8 TIMES!) and induction into the ARTS® Hall of Fame.

Whether your interior design calls for an extravagant Italian-inspired metal-leaf flush mount design, or a hip and urban modern style chandelier with Asian inspiration - J. Douglas Design turns to Fine Art Lamps to complete the project. Fina Art Lamps has all styles - inspired from all over the world and every era of time to meet the interior design needs of the distinctive J. Douglas Design client.

And why not be efficient in efforts to style and design your space? You have to have light - so why not add a true piece of art at the same time? They picked the perfect name for what they do - FINE ART LAMPS.

Luxury on a Budget

Heavily sprinkled throughout our country are planned communities made up of homes that are identical to each other. With so many cookie-cutter homes, owners often seek out ways to make their interior more unique. Not just unique, but well designed too. Don't we all want our homes to look a little bit like those high end pro decorated mansions? Budget constrictions not withstanding, you can have a place that looks expensive, even luxurious, without breaking the bank. A home that looks professionally designed.

1. Crown Molding 

For very little money, adding crown molding to your home provides a level of richness to the space. Choose wide trim for the biggest impact. The wider the trim the more expensive the room looks.

2. Paint 

Choosing a color is the hardest step when it comes to painting. Painting itself is an easy choice when wanting the most juice for the squeeze. A crisp white or a neutral hue will lend an air of sophistication and affluence to the room. Another trick that adds a luxurious finish to a home is to paint interior doors black. It will instantly give the space a high-end vibe.

3. Pillows 

Throw pillows are always a fabulous accessory for your sofa, love-seat or over-sized chair. But don't settle for pillows you can find at any big box store. If the goal is to look luxurious, pillows that any home can have defeats that idea. Instead, opt for pillows with unique prints or even the over-stuffed variety. Both offer that luxurious feel you desire.

4. Window Treatments 

Avoid cheap-skating on your window treatments. Flimsy or unlined curtains are obvious signs of poor quality. Sure, the price might be nice, but you want your room to look elegant and expensive, right? Consider handpicking fabric and having curtains custom sewn. When you're ready to install them, hang them as close to the ceiling as possible to draw your eye up and project the illusion of fullness.

5. Hardware 

Tract homes are filled with cheap, lack luster hardware because that's what's most affordable for builders. Oddly enough, economically replacing hardware with personalized options is a breeze. Drawer pulls, door knobs, faucets etc. can all be found at your local hardware store, specialty shop or even at a flea market. The goal is to locate ones you love and not mirror your next-door neighbors.

6. Light Fixtures 

Light fixtures are another building standard that lacks personality, character and style. Toss out nondescript chandeliers and ceiling fans; replace them with a unique designer look. Shop flea markets or second hand stores for budget friendly pieces. A bargain found on a chandelier goes a long way toward creating that expensive designer inspired look. Add table lamps and floor lamps in each room, too.

7. Hardwood 

Flooring is where things get to be a little more pricey. Upgrading your flooring may seem like a budget buster, but it's an investment that lasts for years making it well worth it. Hard wood is a classic choice that comes in many types, some more luxurious than others. A dark wood will add richness to the space, similar to the idea of painting your interior doors black. Layer a beautiful, stylish area rug on top of the wood flooring to anchor the room and tie design elements together.

Fall in Love With Maitland-Smith

After a long day working and managing every detail of our lives, we all look forward to having an opportunity to relax in our favorite spot with a book in hand, our favorite show on the television, or our favorite tunes on blast. If you're like most people, when you are ready to relax, you look for a chair or sofa that feels like an old friend. The first thing we typically say to people who visit our home, after we invite them in, is 'have a seat.' Even at cocktail parties you typically see folks gather and perch to have intimate conversations. Sitting while you catch up is preferable to standing, after all.

Although comfort is typically top of the list when it comes to our favorite spot at home, savvy furniture hunters know that a chair needs to be functional too. Not to mention, stylish and complementary to your chosen interior decor. With elegant and distinctive pieces for your home, and quality to last a lifetime, Maitland-Smith is an obvious choice for professional interior designers.

Here are just a few of the reasons why we love Maitland-Smith furnishings:

- A love of details: Nail head accents, a variety of beautiful finishes, tufted leather, gold highlights, wing backs, chenille, jacquards, silks, hair hides, velvets...and the list goes on! The sky is the limit when it comes to detailing!

- Sheer beauty: Maitland-Smith sets a high standard in the interior design world. Inspired by 18th century classics, every piece is stunningly beautiful.

- Handcrafted, limited edition treasures: If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind type piece to accent your home, look no further than Maitland-Smith. Unique, quality pieces destined to become family heirlooms serve as elegant additions to any home.

Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure? What do you love about it? Tell us in the comments...

Seven Quick Tips for Interior Holiday Decor

Did you spend the Thanksgiving weekend getting the Christmas decorations out of storage? Feeling a little uninspired by what you found there? Year after year, making the hodgepodge in the tubs look great becomes a challenge for many folks. A little advice from an interior designer is just what you need. Today we share some tips for making your eclectic collection of holiday decor stretch a little farther.

1. Stick with a single theme and style for your holiday decorating. Shopping for decor becomes easier and it makes your space feel professionally finished.

2. Strategically placing scented candles, near your entry and throughout the home, adds a level of authenticity to your holiday. Or, better yet, bake some holiday cookies shortly before guests arrive. Anything with cinnamon or cloves will do the trick. Homemade gingerbread works beautifully too. Bonus, candlelight is warm and inviting.

3. Choose two to three colors for your holiday palette and keep it consistent. More than one color palette can make your decor appear disjointed and busy.

4. Get creative with your space for this special time of year. Rearrange your furniture so the focal point is the fireplace or wherever you hang stockings. If you don’t have a fireplace, arrange the furniture to create the best layout for cozy conversations.

5. Become a collector. Choose something you can grow through the years and that can be passed on to the next generation.

6. Bring the holiday celebration into every room. Kitchens and bathrooms are a great place to put scented candles and smaller seasonal knickknacks.

7. The holiday season is definitely one time where “less is more” does NOT apply. Have fun and do it up big.

Christopher Guy - A Cut Above the Rest

Christopher Guy Harrison

"In every culture, decorative heirlooms define a nation in much the same way as its music, poets and writers do..." says Christopher Guy Harrison, British luxury furniture designer, who founded and heads up the Christopher Guy brand of furniture. Raised in France and Spain, Christopher draws on his international exposure to come up with his award winning designs. As he says, "Elegance, sophistication, and grace have always transcended cultural boundaries; the objective has been to transfer this into distinct, decorative furnishings." If you have ever seen a Christopher Guy piece you'll know exactly why we choose this special brand to decorate with here at J. Douglas Design.

If it’s opulence, drama and unmatched quality of design that you are looking for the Christopher Guy range of furniture is humbly awe inspiring. Each piece has its own magic, projecting its own inner confidence, reflecting the skill and passion of the designer himself.

His furniture has been desired the world over and his work can be found in hotels such as The Savoy, The Hilton and Claridges. The designs have a sculptural and simplistic beauty to them with flowing lines and curves, encompassing you into a design lover’s dream! This is reflected in his Chris-X leg design, shown left, which was inspired by the corseted waist line of Scarlett O'hara in Gone with the Wind. What a stylish, statement making piece for any home!

Christopher's designs have been a part of nearly ten feature films including the Bond movie Casino Royale. Luxury hotels clamor to include his brand in their designs. You'll see his work at The Savoy in London, The Bellegio in Vegas and The Trump Plaza in New York, among others.

Want to see or know more about this spectacular brand? Just make a visit to our showroom.

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.