“Always look for common ground, but don’t ever be afraid to choose sides.”
- Mark Deklin, Actor
Finding Common Ground
February conjures up relationships and those we love. While we want to maintain harmony, oftentimes, it is hard to strike a balance between our own desires with the ideas of the people around us, our spouses, kids, parents, and friends.
When designing homes, we find the same give and take between husbands and wives, parents and children, friends with ‘ideas’ and us as the designers. The best solution is to find a common ground that balances with the ultimate goal of peace, harmony and beauty!
This month we highlight some scenarios where there was some ‘give and take’ during the design process. Our job is to come up with a design that finds the balance between what we think and where you stand. Ultimately, we want you to love your home and, of course, love the one you're with.
Lots of love,
Terrell and Joyce
Discovering the Balance
Adding wallpaper to this space took a little convincing. This wallpaper selection was the perfect balance of simplicity yet stylish sophistication. The client now can’t imagine the space without it.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
Sometimes it’s just staying within the budget. Finding the perfect rug, paired with high and low pieces, made everyone happy on this project.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
A comfy chair was a must for the husband. The fabric selection provided the whimsy that the designers desired. Peace and harmony prevailed.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
Oftentimes, it is the pets that rule!
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Megan O’Brien
At first, we recommended a patterned wallpaper, but the husband raised concerns. So we switched the wallcovering to a neutral grasscloth and selected a patterned drape instead. Now everyone can sleep soundly.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Megan O’Brien
Everyone has an opinion when hanging art.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
Sometimes the kids have strong opinions.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Megan O'Brien
Sometimes kids ask for a little glam.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Megan O’Brien
Sometimes their only input is to keep the car posters.
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Megan O’Brien
And sometimes they just let us do our thing!
Design: Perfitt Richards Design / Photo: Jess Isaac
We Loved it so Much, We Bought it!
An inside look at what we recently purchased.
Nili Lotan corduroy pants with the just a little bit long hem are a huge hit!
Terrell couldn’t resist this pig ceramic candle holder. Oink!
A pretty brass cordless lamp will look pretty on Terrell’s bar cart.
After using the same place settings for 25 years, Joyce treated herself to a set of Ricci Argentieri flatware.
We fell in love with Craig Greene’s portrait of a girl.
We found these sweet Molly Mahon block printing kits at the FSchumacher showroom in Nashville.
What was Joyce thinking when she decided she wanted to learn needlepoint and bought this for her first try. Check back in about 10 years to see final results! The Fabled Thread has some beautiful (and much easier) kits.
What We Are Watching
We’ve been needlepointing and watching lots of shows. There haven’t been any huge standouts, but here is the one we liked most.
The Playbook: A Coach’s Rules for Life
An inside look at some of the most successful coaches - how they motivate, what motivates them, and their personal stories. Fun to watch and you can pick up some helpful hints along the way!
What We Are Reading
High Conflict by Amanda Ripley
At some time or another, we find ourselves in a disagreement with our loved ones or friends or neighbors with differing political views. High Conflict takes a look at disagreements, how they start, how we end up in high conflict and how to transform high conflict into good conflict (because we have news for you, conflict is here to stay).
The book moves from small town city council feuds to Chicago gang vendettas to a social experiment of liberal Manhattan Jews and conservative Michigan correctional officers living in each other’s homes.
The author provides us with a fresh take on how to deal with those we don’t agree with, how to move on from “us” vs. “them,” how to disagree productively, and ultimately, how to be better people.
And we want to leave you with this….
Happy February,
Joyce & Terrell