The Coastal Design Balance in Annapolis

Coastal Design Balance in Annapolis

I haven't blogged in a while. We have, luckily, been very busy with our design projects.

But, when Megan, SeDell and Leeann put together this beautiful vignette in the store, I was inspired to take to the internet and dissect and interpret their creative results with our new furniture arrivals. Three great designers, in their own right, they worked so well together as they brainstormed, arranged and set up the perfect example of what we all strive for in our own homes, " Balance".

I love the "Easy Breezy" , relaxed look of this compilation. It has a "Coastal Flair" without the port holes and anchors! The vignette has the calming color scheme of gray, cream and navy, which is a very soothing palette. It has mixed media, worn driftwood finish, nubby  textured pillows, natural wood, metal finishes, geometric patterned rug, pottery and ceramic textured surfaces, and whimsical art of pesky sea gulls to tie it all together. By mixing all of these elements, the texture against the smooth, the light against the dark, and the hard against the soft, one has the "Balance" that I have been talking about. It has the effortless look, as if it had been put together over a period of time, not just one day. It looks like it evolved with favorite touches of pottery, lamps and accessory pieces that have been purchased over the years and moved about from room to room.

Instant gratification seems to be the desire of a lot of people lately, however, we don't want our inner sanctums to look as if it was just dumped off a furniture store truck. That type of interior design is only ever published in the newspaper sales flyers not Architectural Digest.

I want to commend the trio for their natural abilities and talents.  I stood in front of this display in our store for quite a bit of time when I first saw it.  I was just taking it all in. The vignette looks as if it could be the start of a family room by adding a creamy colored sectional to the grouping or even a guest bedroom by adding a queen size bed to the mix. I hope the three have inspired you to pay a visit to our store. We love our jobs and really appreciate our audience and clients.

Please follow along with our blogs, as we create one space at a

 time, looking for the perfect Coastal Balance to our lives. 

We are all so  lucky to live on the Chesapeake Bay!

Well done, ladies!

Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID

Annapolis Designer does Baltimore Show House Library!



The Baltimore Show House this year at Oak Acres
was a huge success! The rooms from top to bottom
were really well done and brought the house back to it's Former Glory!

The House had loads of Charm and Detail! Talking with the Public was so enjoyable. Year after Year we see a lot of the same Supporters. After awhile, you start to recognize each other!

Take a look at the Photos below and enjoy the tour!

Gina

 

 

 I was speaking with the owner of the property and she said that she didn't think that she would be able to part with the house because of the flood of memories every time she enters the house. She said, " Men have Man Caves, Why can't women have a Woman House?" Now there is a concept!

 I know exactly what she means, I would love to buy my Grandparents house in Massachusetts and totally refurbish it to a 60's look. Just being in the space feels almost like connecting to the past and it fills you with a special bond to your departed loved ones.

 

Well, on to the finished Library! The fireplace use to be painted the exact same grayish green shade as the walls and moldings. Below I have loaded the before and after shots of the fireplace wall. The architectural detail, to the 100 year old mantle just popped, when we lightened up the mantle and painted it like the contrasting trim of the room

 

Just look at the Before Shot above and the After Shot below!

 

 

Look at the beautiful detail in the Mantle!

 

Upon entering the room we had a Library Table set up with two very comfortable Chairs. With this age of laptops and Ipads it really isn't necessary to have a full blown desk anymore.

 

We have injected a contemporary cocktail table with great lines to complete our Style of Traditional.

Keep it fresh! Keep it current! Keep it relevant!

 

 To "Beef Up the existing Crown molding we added a Panel Molding on the Ceiling and painted the outside of the panel a bit deeper shade of paint to add dimension and give the effect of a tray ceiling to the room.

We did a small Bar just inside the doorway from the Dining Room. The Library is a perfect place for an After Dinner Drink in front of the fire when you have company for Dinner!

 

Our Upholstered Cornices got a lot of attention! We upholstered the crown molding at the top of the Cornice as well! A great idea shared with the public! 

 

We brought all of the Accents, Artwork and Accessories from our Retail Store, Details of Design in Annapolis. If you need a few pieces and can not make it to the store, please look online at

 Detailsof Design.biz

 

What a great experience the whole project was! The Designers all pitched together with the Symphony Members and manned the rooms, while buses and buses full of people arrived one after the other to view all of our hard work.

 

Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID

 

 

Interior Designer Creates Coastal Christmas Tabletop

                                                                                                                                                                                    Bring the Beach home this Christmas! It's always fun to create a tabletop for your Holiday Meal with your existing accessories. In the midst of winter pull out all of your shells, candles and anything else that you may have to remind everyone of those warm days at the ocean.                                                                                                 Add Agapanthus in white, for a fresh Christmas floral arrangement by each table setting. Use a water bottle or whatever you have for the container. Think Beachy! As you can see, even the wine is Coastal appropriate!

                                                                          Here I have pulled out my Martini Glasses to bring out the colors of the Ocean.  It's fun to use antique mismatched Silverware for a more casual vibe as well!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The Herons on the table make a great centerpiece with the low tray of shell balls and votives. Pull out all the accents that you are not using right now and you would be surprised what you can pull together.

 I have used a 12"  runner down the center of the table in a teal mesh with glitter from the ribbon department, at the local craft store. I've even had it drop to the floor on each side for a more dramatic look!                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Don't forget to do a display on your sideboard! Here I have used those new battery operated flicker candles from Details, they look so real from a distance! I have reused some French Wire wide ribbon from last year and threaded it through a collection of Christmas balls and berry stems.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

It is so satisfying when you have finished and you have used what you have on hand. The colors are refreshing and will be well received by your Guests this Holiday!

...and remember, if you don't have anything to work with for this fabulous Christmas Dinner Display, come in and see Marie at Details of Design and show her what you do have and I'm sure she can turn your drab into fab!

Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID

Interior Designer Selects Driftwood in Annapolis

It's new, it's hot, it's what's happening!
The casual finishes that are distressed and carefree like the Driftwood finish, pictured here in our Vignette this month, are gaining in popularity. Whether it be an upholstery company or casegoods manufacturer the new finish is Driftwood.

There are not many people that want to be a slave to protecting every surface anytime they have visitors. The distressed finishes already have the patina of a lifetime of living, so, what's a few more dings?

In our area the driftwood finish fits in with our  Comfortable Chesapeake Cozy way of life. The ambiance that it adds to a room encourages putting your feet up and relaxing.

See the close up on your right------
The arm of the chair has one of the new finishes as well as the skinny depth console in the background!

The mixing of different finishes is effortless! As you can see in this photo the light bleached finish on the frame of the handmade paper art works well in this eclectic grouping.

Driftwood can be a color as well as a finish. This rug is very attractive with it's steel

 blue and driftwood colored bamboo leaves.

Please continue to follow our blogs on our website:
www.fitzsimmonsdesign.com and on
detailsofdesign.biz or you can subscribe by clicking on the box in the side column at the top right of this page and filling in your email address. If you fill it out the new posts will go directly to you when we get new merchandise in our store! Easy Peasey!

Maryland Green Show Home is Extended

The Interior Designers in Annapolis were glad to hear that the Maryland Green designer Show Home is going to be extended to Sunday,December 16th. This will enable all the people that wanted to visit the Show Home but have had trouble with Hurricane Sandy and other holiday issues to still be able to go and show support for the two great charities, The Chesapeake Hospice and The Make a Wish Foundation.

The Show House is open on
Thursday- Sunday, 10-5,
 except Thanksgiving Day

The admission price is $20.00 per person

We at Fitzsimmons Design have really had the best time designing the Living room and Kitchen area of the Show Home. We have met so many fun people that volunteer for these two charities. Also we want to say a few words about the builder, Mike Baldwin. He is one of the most dedicated people we have met. He turns out a beautiful home with top knotch quality with his easy going personality.

Here is a shot of the Custom Kitchen that Fitzsimmons designed

Here we have the eat-in area of the kitchen

We have had a lot of compliments on our drapery panels!

The Oyster Shell wall above the Fireplace was the hit of the Show!

                             

The patchwork rug made from old Orientals is really Green!

                              

Wait till you see the rest of the Show Home. The Designers in Annapolis went all out to create a warm and inviting home with a cohesive design. Stop in and see us before the 16th of December!

Maryland Green Designer Show Home

                              Maryland Green Designer Show Home


Fitzsimmons Design Associates has been chosen to do the Living Room in the upcoming Green Show Home. The proceeds form the home will go to the "Make a Wish" foundation and the Chesapeake Hospice. These are two very important charities in our area. If the home is sold during the duration of the Show Home Baldwin Homes will donate the profit of the home to the two charities. This can be a substantial amount of money, so, please help support their efforts and plan to attend September 8- October 31st.

Corey and Gina are planning another Chesa-Chic interior for the "Tidewater" style Home designed by Cathy Porple Cherry. The Living Room will have custom built-ins in recycled wood and a rug made up from a patchwork design of orientals redyed . The fireplace wall wil be encrusted with oyster shells and wall washed with recessed lights. The whole effect will be tailored and comfortable as are all of the designs that Fitzsimmons Design is known for.

Follow their blog as they plan and implement every piece down to the last detail. You can become a follower by clicking the box on the top  left and entering your email address. Every story will be directed to your email automatically.