Details to Notice: Traditional Perfection

I’ve shared the portfolio of designer Caroline Gidiere before and her recent home tour (featured in Veranda) is a lesson in traditional perfection worth studying. While we might not all live in grand homes with amazing architectural elements, there’s always some good decorating takeaways we can apply to our own spaces, even if it’s just how to hang art in a new way or how to mix pattern. Keep reading for the details to notice and some of the best accessories I found to create a similar feel.

• Okay, first of all–that moulding!
• Love the mix of blue and white with the black and white. An instantly classic look.
• A lesson in the power of grouping collections together. Sometimes, it’s better to pack a punch by literally packing all of your blue and white, for example, together in the same spot rather than trying to dribble it throughout several rooms.
• A large basket gives visual weight to a console table and is a great “tuck away” spot. (In my house, it’s filled with jackets and the occasional basketball.)

• If you look at all of the sides of this room, you’ll notice that she uses multiple mirrors in one space. She adds symmetry to the doorway by hanging a pair of matching mirrors and tables on each side. Then, on the opposite wall, she used another large gold mirror over the antique chest. Another trick I love and have used: a convex mirror over a stack of framed art between the windows.
• You’re not limited to one style of art in a room. She mixes a large abstract with framed botanicals, landscapes and portrait art.
• Love her trick of adding height by hanging the pair of frames above the gold mirror/antique chest. A great “fix” if your mirror isn’t quite as big as you’d like.
• Floral + ikat + animal print all work in harmony, especially when whole space is tied together by a neutral rug.

• A pair of floating settees in front of the fireplace probably wouldn’t be most people’s first thought, but I like the way this spreads out the seating without using multiple sofas. She doubles the settees and doubles the accent chairs, using smaller scaled coffee tables for each seating area.
• Notice that the symmetry continues with the small consoles on each side of the fireplace where she also places lamps.

• Can I please have some wallpapered secret doors in my dining room for more storage??
• Another option for layered window treatments: a rattan shade for filtering light topped with a fabric shade.
• A floor length table cloth is such a pretty look, especially when paired with a wood buffet.
• While this wallpaper is the star of the show, a scaled-down, less expensive look could be achieved by framing two (or more) wallpaper panels or even a chinoiserie fabric.

• I love how this kitchen (look, dark cabinets!) leads into this open and very comfy seating space. Notice how the rug helps to define this spot.
• The burnt orange and lavender color combo is surprisingly fresh.
• Framing colorful kids’ art is the easiest way to tone down the formality of any space. Love the placement.
• I always like tiny, thoughtful touches like the small plug-in sconces in the window nook.
• A bookshelf full of cookbooks (or any kind) in the kitchen = instant coziness.

• Note to self: paint side table on my porch. I like how this little bistro set and serving table all coordinate.

Read more about this home here.

And see past “Details to Notice” posts here.