My current favorite idea is one I've decided to use on my entry staircase. Having been in this business for a quarter of a century (!), and living in the Chicago area my entire life, I have had my fill of oak! Like the Midwesterners that love it so much, oak is a wood that is very sturdy, with a strong grain, yet still warm and beautiful. While I don't want to lose the benefits of this hard wood, it's time to give that golden oak a new, fresh look. So, my plan is to paint the treads and the handrails of the staircase high gloss black, while also painting the risers and the spindles high gloss white! The impact will definitely get attention when you walk through my front door!
Using a high contrast in a window treatment can also take a room to the next level. This Barrington client has been remodeling her older home for a while, but she has done it the right way. By taking her time in making design decisions, she has turned the 1st floor of her home into a show stopper! When I came along, I quickly understood that Sheryl loved to use strong graphic fabrics that make a statement and will complete her beautiful rooms. One of the most striking treatments we've done so far is in her dining room.
Simple flat roman shades, yet the high contrast pattern (Robert Allen - Lewis Range/Chalkboard) finishes the room in stunning fashion. There is a reason you are reading black type on a white page - it stands out! This particular fabric is actually a charcoal gray, yet the light to dark not only of the pattern but the wide white trim against the dark walls pull the room together to make an impact when you enter. You can't miss it!
Another less permanent way to achieve that high contrast visual is with your family photos grouped on a wall. By using simple black frames and wide white matting, you can draw new attention to those treasured shots as they become a statement work of art. It serves a second purpose by unifying what may have been a hodge podge of images and gives you the opportunity to change the photos as seasons change or children grow.
Now I just have to get to work on those stairs...
