My Client, Sal

Picture a 30-something, real estate investing art collector with simple, chic, modern design tastes. Got it? Think Italian, with dark hair - a tinge of gray, bright smile and charismatic energy. Now think of the same modern art loving 30-something, in an 1890, 7600 square foot Victorian mansion, filled to the brim with chotchka and, of course, art. That juxtapose, is my new client, and friend - Sal.

Looking through the grand column opening of the main parlor into the second sitting area with fireplace. Take note of the generous carved detail of the columns, the crown molding, and more than generous variety of furnishings he'd like to re-purpose, edited of course.

Sound familiar? Many of you followed the journey at Karen's house. That was not a design endeavor, though that be the initial intent. Karen's house was a catastrophic mess, and the task of designing was overrun by the immediate need for cleaning. It left me with little time, and even smaller budget to do any design work at all. And although I was proud of the bedrooms chocolate brown ceiling and celery walls, (a grand departure from the white on white) her belongings were not in the house - and her style was yet to be seen. Since Karen has moved into the area, she's spent most of her available design budget on other necessary evils, and I haven't been able to work on pulling well thought out plans, in shell phase, to beautiful finished spaces.

Looking into the main parlor, from the informal sitting room pictured above. Take note of the very ornate window molding and detail. The furniture here ranges from French Country to Eastlake Victorian, and anything - and everything - in between. Convincing this self-confessed minimalist shouldn't be a problem (in theory), but it's never easy to tell someone that "it" has to go.

For Sal however, I have a great space, filled with delicious art and antique furniture. He has specific design tastes and, although they are a departure from my own, our values are very much the same. He's looking for useful, well composed space. He loves natural textures and hues, and his home has wonderful bones, and fantastic energy. His budget isn't large, but luckily we'll be able to do a great many things with the budget he's proposed.

The most exciting (for me) of the two rooms, the sitting room, taken from the dining room doorway. Notice the beautiful tile around the circa 1890 fireplace mantle, and the over sized rusted iron chandelier. There are two matching sconces that I'll be working with - but I've decided the amber glass shades will go, to be replaced by silk chandelier shades.

I hope you'll follow along as Sal's house is transformed - starting with the double parlor off the main entry of his gorgeous home. I'll catalog my findings here, with hopes of course that you all may benefit from and comment on the details and "tricks" we use to make these very formal spaces, more friendly - masculine, and useful. Though tonight was the first night I spent any great deal of time in the rooms, they have already started to speak to me. The colors, like those in the wood, and fireplace trim are shouting loudly - "Love me!, Enhance me!"

The beautiful tiles of the fireplace, their glossy emerald green voice crying out!

Saturday, I will be presenting the design board to Sal, and shopping with him at a few select showrooms and fabric shops. As always, I'll keep you all informed every step of the way! Also, don't forget to enter the shelter magazine give-a-way here.