The Rural Voice, 2006-11, Page 43Home Decorating
Split-level home gets radical makeover
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Think of a subdued, burnished
wheat tone that we see in late
autumn. Now pair that with the
warmed baked earth colouration that
we see on sunny fall days...this is the
colour palette used on the walls of n
newly renovated split-level home that
I have been excitedly assisting with
for over a year now.
As with all split-levels the
entrance splits the stairway that
traverses up and down within the
home. The main floor which usually
consists of an open concept "L"
shaped living/dining combo with an
enclosed kitchen and small "eat -in"
area with entrances leading to the
living room and dining room
respectively...then a long narrow
hallway leads back to the bathroom
and three bedrooms. On today's
market the .layout leaves a lot to be
desired as it is not very innovative.
Picture instead, all the walls
surrounding the kitchen on the main
level gone and in its place an
amazing "great room" that
incorporates all into one spacious
open concept.
We started by replacing all
cabinetry in the kitchen in a warm,
natural cherry. Next we selected a
natural granite in black to top off all
the countertops. The flooring in the
kitchen defines the space with the use
of a tumbled stone tile product that is
also ,incorporated into the backsplash
in tonal values repeating the hue of
the walls. A large island also helps
define the kitchen and provides not
only extra workspace but also a great
casual dining area. Bar stools at the
island are of a brushed nickel and
sport black suede seats. The
remaining floor space, the banister
and railings along with a fireplace
and entertainment unit are all of
natural cherry to unify and assist with
the flow and spacious look of our
new floor plan.
We reupholstered the sofa and
loveseat combo as it fit our space
perfectly and they now are wrapped
in a durable fabric with a black
background and golden arabesque
motif. A golden -toned sisal textured
carpet also assists in defining the
living space. The windows have been
draped in the exact same shade as the
wall colour in a raw silk fabric, and
Windsor -style valances top off the
style adding both texture and interest
to our subtle decor scheme. A round
cherry dining table and chairs sit to
the left of the, fireplace and allow for
formal dinners and family occasions.
The accessories have been
selected to add all the pizzazz the
open concept exudes as I carefully
chose pieces td mix -match and add
character to our tonal value setting. In
the entrance I positioned an
interesting bowed oblong mirror
which visually expands the space.
Above, on the entrance wall I hung a
"one of a kind" painting, of a huge
Etruscan pot in the tonal values of
burnished gold but dominated with a
brilliant classic red shade.
On the common wall of the
defined areas of the living and dining
room we positioned silhouette tree
motifs in a large scale that range from
burnished golds, bronzes, metallic
golds and blacks. A matching
horizontal piece hangs above the
fireplace. A midsize set of Etruscan
jugs and pots and a hammered metal
tray positioned to the one end of the
entertainment unit, add interest and
catch one's eye.
In addition on the dining room
side of the fireplace are two huge
Etruscan pots in red and gold.
Grasses in bronzed gold and russet
red are worked into the decor where
appropriate and lamps are a combo of
raw silk shades and burnished pot -
styled bases. Dinnerware is an
interesting combo of gold chargers,
black dinner plates and burnished red
companion pieces.
The space captivates you with a
blend of tonal values, keyed to
perfection so as to appear to extend
the modest space, which now in no
way resembles the split-level it
originally was. Needless to say it has
been a great project to play such a
pivotal part in, as it was a challenge
to bring this space to the height of
elegance it is today.
TIP: Check out the new decorative
grasses and reeds at your local
florists. These are the latest craze and
have replaced silk florals and
greenery for home decor.°
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcouerings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
NOVEMBER 2006 39