Lowcountry Dining Room, after

A LowCountry Dining Room Makeover

Interior Design by Kerry Ann Dame  In a room that already has furniture, decorating completes the room scheme and adds warmth and sophistication. Adding window treatments, art and accessories makes all the difference between bland and beautiful. When I arrived, the dining room had a beautiful light dusty aqua paint color chosen by the homeowners, a nice French country cupboard, and a pewter chandelier. A beautiful table and chairs in a light driftwood stain were on order. Since the dining room adjoins a large, open great room, we decided that [...]

Outdoor stripe slipcover aqua and lime

What’s the Best Sofa Style?

If you like to sit up and read, or entertain more formally, choose tight-back furniture. Dressed-up guests don’t want to be flopping back into a sloppy pile of pillows, and if you really need back support, soft down-filled sofa cushions are wrong for you - even though the English Country House feeling is so inviting!

modern khaki sofa with colorful pillows

What Kind of Sofa or Chair Should I Buy?

If you like to sit up and read, or entertain more formally, choose tight-back furniture. Dressed-up guests don’t want to be flopping back into a sloppy pile of pillows, and if you really need back support, Scatter-Back down pillows are wrong for you. A tight back sofa is one with springs in the back, rather than loose cushions. Most common are Camelback style sofas, although nowadays there are many other classic tight-back styles being reproduced.

Formal dining room in British colonial style - exotic toile, flowers and mahogany.

True British Colonial Style

"British colonial style" has become popular in recent years. Mahogany "campaign" furniture, bamboo and rattan, wicker and leather, and design elements such as monkeys, palm trees, and ticking stripes have invaded our homes. But what does "British colonial style" really mean? Where and when did it orginate?