Parrot Home Decor

Adventures in France influence decorating style

Since opening Nell Hill's 30 years ago, I've had so much fun growing the stores and working with so many amazing customers that I've hardly taken a day off, let alone gone on vacation. So in May, I did something completely radical for me. I packed my bags and ran off to France! During my magical time in the Aquitaine region of southwestern France, I learned some invaluable things that will influence the way I decorate, and the way I live. We ate dinner one night in a chateau where the decorating was as memorable as the roast duck we enjoyed for dinner. In one seating area, the formal chairs were upholstered in a rich burgundy velvet and piped in a playful lavender - two colors I would never have recommended putting together. Yet it worked. And so did the wild parrot-green ottomans tucked up at the foot of each chair. I think it's wacky yet wonderful color combinations like these that made so many of the elegant rooms we viewed feel warm and inviting, not stiff and off-putting.

3 Secrets for Designing and Decorating Your “Soaring” Space ...

3 Secrets for Designing and Decorating Your “Soaring” Space

Tall walls are beautiful but, admit it, they can drive you bonkers trying to figure out how to design and then how to decorate them. In foyers you usually can get away with finding a great hanging light fixture to start inspiring the rest of your decor, but what about in your living room, family room…or even your kitchen? Here are three  interior design secrets that the designers don’t want you to know (shhhh!):

Coffered ceilings can be painted single or multi-colored to create contrast and depth. Image ( via Soaring ceilings can be “plain Jane,” ominous and daunting, but if you visually lower the ceiling, your guests will feel right at home. Adding architectural details (like a coffered ceiling or other moldings) can create interest and add value to your home. If you want to stay on budget, consider “dropping” your ceiling height by painting a 12”-24” band of your ceiling color at the top of your wall. Then add decorative trim to the bottom edge of the band. To stay with the same design elements that your home currently has, use something similar to your existing wood trim. Every mama likes drama when it comes to showing off their home, and using paint and lighting will also help ward off the “decorating Willies” when it comes to your soaring spaces. Why? It’s easy.

For a dramatic space, consider darker walls in gray, chocolate or even navy, and paint your ceiling the same, or even a darker, color. Then use a combination of up-lighting (lamps, wall sconces , etc.) and down-lighting to create light and shadows for big impact. Great lighting fixtures can make a space so concentrate on what works for your space, and stick to it!

Oh, an afterthought when it comes to darker colors for your room. You do know you can paint in any darker color, right? Crimson and eggplant are interior designers’ current favorites, but strong neutral colors might make it easier to work with your furniture and existing decor. Also, for decorating, consider using gilded gold, silver or even white frames to enhance the drama.

This big wall art is used as an accessory as well as decor. ( via home that has soaring ceilings (as opposed to someone else’s) then you only have one option. Going big means just what it says – size matters… So don’t chintz and sweat over the small stuff! Forget hanging that 8”x10” photo on the wall! Blow it up to 8-feet by 10-feet and watch your room begin to evolve into something spectacular, even before you stand back to admire the view. You can even add to your wall art by adding wall sconces to surround it!