COTE DE TEXAS: Jun 2, 2007

Goodbye to Ugly Hardware!

2 comments


A broken front door handle has changed my life and yes, for the better. After 14 years of hard duty, it was dead beyond repair and thus, began the dilemma: do we replace the handle in the same hated brass finish or do we buy it in one of the "newer" more fashionable finishes??? You probably can guess my preference. Sweet husband said to change the finish and he well understood that that meant ALL the hardware in the house would have to be changed also, because, well, it HAD to match! Sweet words: new hardware. After a few months of searching, I finally decided on Emtek hardware. It's relatively inexpensive for the quality and essentially, it's a knock-off of the much pricier Rocky Mountain Hardware. My hardware has been installed this past week and I don't miss the brass at all. Instead I have beautiful, hand-applied silver finish hardware. I still need to change my plumbing fixtures, but I want to change my countertops to Carrera marble at the same time, so that may wait for a few months. Here's the new hardware in place. Notice how the handle is placed on a backplate, instead of directly on the door. That's the one feature I really wanted in my hardware. It's gorgeous, if I may say so myself. And so French!!!

My Designs: French Design Client

5 comments


I visited a client today about a year after we stopped working on her house. This is the view from her front door and it's heavenly I think! Her living room and entry are filled with French antiques that we purchased especially for each space from Tara Shaw. The period chaise is in the entry, though today we decided if she ever moves, it would be perfect as a room divider in a bigger space. Just through the arch, is one of two period French fauteuils, upholstered in a luscious linen raspberry check with a smaller silk check on the back. Past that chair, peeking on the left, is an armchair upholstered in a classic Lee Jofa print. You can just barely make out the scalloped hem! I loved working on this house because my client and I share the same taste and that is always the most fun job to have. Working with these fabrics - bluish greens and raspberries reaffirmed something that I had just begun to realize and utilize in my design: using colors that make the owner's complexion look good is the perfect starting point. This owner has blond hair, blue eyes, and a bright glow to her skin. She's the quintessential Lily Pulitzer type (who 40 years ago wore Denise dresses and Pappagallo shoes) and she just looks perfect sitting on the raspberry pink upholstery. I'm finding that nothing is better than when the owner looks good in her home.