We were shopping the other day and came across this wonderful gentleman.  He was a very nice man. He told us it took a YEAR for him to create this hat for the holidays!  

The Four Walls would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and a happy and joyous New Year!

Design Contest

The Four Walls would like to introduce our first design contest !!!  

Please Email us what you believe to be the best room YOU PERSONALLY have decorated.  One that you are very proud of.  If your entry is selected, you will win a $200.00 gift certificate from American Express !!!
All entries must be received by January 14, 2014. 

Rules and submission information:  

The submission must be yours and yours alone; no help from a designer.
There is no scope as to the size of the project you submit.
All photographic devices are acceptable.
Please include a written description of the project, with a title.

Here's how to submit your entry...

     *** like us on our Facebook page, then simply add your story and pics in the story text, status box.
     *** Don't forget to include your Email address with your entry!
     *** That's it!!!  Good luck to all you designers out there...

READY, SET, GO!!!

Best...   Robin

    

Post Thanksgiving restaurant suggestions

Now that Thanksgiving is over, and we're all ten pounds heavier, where do we go to eat?  I recently found a great little place, in Chestnut Hill, MA, called Season's 52. The great thing is their menu selection includes low calorie dishes, with all of the calories posted. 

First, they have great flat-bread selections.  For less than 400 calories, you get a long, thin flat-bread with your choice of toppings.  They also have a great selection of salads, both usual and unusual.  These are also low calorie. 

Next, they have a variety  of entrees.  Everything from seafood to chicken; from steak to pasta.  Each of the entrees is no more than 450 calories, with portion control.  Very impressive! 

To end a great meal, they have desert tastings.  These are small shot glasses with all kinds of sweet delectables.  We sampled the Key Lime Pie and the Belgian Cake Mousse.  They were outstanding! 

Season's 52 has a great interior design presence, all done in earth tones and blues.  The service is fantastic, with friendly, cheerful staff. 

Give it a try and tell me what you think.  What are your faves? 

Happy dining!

Robin

Thanksgiving Prep

Hi Everyone,
The last few weeks have been busy ones ! It's the the holiday season and some of my clients were in need of a dinning room refresh off with the old wallcovering  and on with the new! Re make of old drapery or starting from scratch with a new concept.Usually it involves any area that looks tired, a powder room that family and friends will use or a hallway wallpaper that looks worn and needs a stunning update.For me this is an easy task to juggle the talented workrooms, wallpaper installers and painters to get the task finished well before the turkey is out of the oven! With all the visual design magic that happens and the meal prep and silver polishing, it is important to remember the basics. The fact is, when all is said and done, we are lucky to be with loved ones and friends celebrating Thanksgiving together and having the memories of loved ones who are no longer with us in our hearts.

 Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Warmest Wishes,
Robin

Birds of a feather!

Check out some exotic, new wallcovering from Matthew Williamson.  Becoming a new client favorite. 

Just chose this same wallcovering as an accent wall on one side of a stairwell .Vibrant colors and patterns are back.Don't be afraid ! Roll with it !!!

Room Remodel... Bottom to top

So, you are redesigning a room. Let's say, the living room. Where do you start? This is the question almost all my clients ask. And I say... If you do it this way, there is never a mistake. First, I start off with the flooring. If you are lucky enough to have a hard wood floor, in great shape, we build on that. Then, you decide on an area rug. If it's printed, then do simple on the walls; I prefer a texture; for example, grass cloth, a neutral tone. This means you carry the print from the rug and coordinate it with the fabric on the draperies, either a geometric or a floral, in keeping with the same color tones as the rug. Now comes the furniture. I personally never like to put a printed sofa on a printed rug... a design NO NO!!! Add some art work, some great lamps, comfy chairs, printed pillows; and there is your outline for the room! Throw in some coordinating end and coffee tables for the finishing touches. Voila!!!! HINT: End tables and coffee tables do not have to match... Don't forget your friends and matching cocktails in the room also... Send in some questions and comments for a design discussion. Any topic is encouraged. Best, Robin

Picture Hanging

Hello Blog Readers, Over the past several days I have been asked many questions regarding the correct height of picture hanging on a wall. It is correct to hang art at eye level. Most clients have a tendency to hang their art much too high on the wall, for fear it is too low. Also, they are in great fear of wall groupings. Generally, I tend to center paintings around furniture so the gallery wall does not appear to be floating in mid space. Hallways are a great area in the home to do a gallery wall. There is more freedom to be creative, only being concerned with size and overall scale balance. A very important factor that client's forget about is that the frame and matting are very important. The frame and matting are what I call "the jewelry."If you are given a piece of art as a gift or from your family's collection, it may be necessary to re frame the piece so that it fits in with your decor. One exception to the rule; if the piece is an antique, I would personally not take it out of it's frame as the value will be compromised and the integrity of the painting will change. The art in one's home is very personal. With this in mind, I tell my clients to hang art that inspires them and has meaning or fond memories. Do not be concerned with friend's or visitors opinions on your taste in wall art. Happy hanging! Robin

Well, hello all. Here we are, just sitting here in New England, on a rainy Sunday. So, with that in mind, how many movies can one watch? Lots, I suppose. However, there is one thing we can do, that is lurking in the back of our minds... How about taking the day to clean out those closets??? How about rearranging a room or two, three, creating a more open environment. Maybe we should just take the day to look at some new design ideas around the house? We could always take the day to get rid of some unwanted furniture or other items we never used? Really? I think it's time to sit back and relax, have a glass of wine and stay warm and dry. If you have a fireplace; all the better! Remember, write in with your questions and comments any time! Enjoy the day!!! Best, Robin

New Season!

With the weather and seasons slowly changing - regretfully - it's almost time to bring in that deck and lawn furniture. Unfortunately, I just did it myself. However, now it's time to take the family on a weekend to go and look at the beautiful fall foliage, wherever that may take you. With this in mind, wouldn't it be a great idea to bring those magnificent color tones into your home? This leads right up to Halloween and all of those little ghosts, goblins and princesses parading through our neighborhoods. It always amazes me, as an interior designer, how the changing color tones of the leaves are the same tonality from Halloween, right through Thanksgiving. All of those brilliant golds, rusts, greens and stunning reds that excite us for the upcomming holidays. Incorporate these warm tones into your home design ideas, giving everyone that warm feeling, as the holidays approach! Best, Robin

Grass cloth - The Organic Look

Grass cloth Wallcovering is a natural fiber used to warm up many spaces in the home. It has become very popular recently among interior designers. The reason is mostly because it now comes in funky new colors and exciting metallic backgrounds. Not your parents sixties den!!! Being harvested in Asia, this organically grown fiber fits all seasons and can adjust to any mood. Because grass cloth comes from different area of the orient, the pricing structure varies. For example, grass cloth from Japan is among the most costly; whereas, product from Korea is less expensive. Because grass cloth is a natural fiber, it can be applied to hallways, dens, family rooms, bedrooms and powder rooms. However, always avoid areas prone to heavy moisture. In summary, grass cloth is a versatile, hip, timeless accent that is easy to live with! If you would like to learn more about this wonderful product, or if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to blog-on or call the store. Remember, don't be scared!!! Grass cloth is Eco-friendly! Best, Robin

New website; new blog.

Welcome to The Four Walls new website! The site will feature new photography of the latest projects, contact options, links to other sites and a brand new blog! Here, we can share our thoughts and design ideas for your home and commercial space. Feel free to leave as many messages as you like, and share as many ideas and thoughts as you may have. Each week, The Four Walls will post a new thread with new ideas, tips and recommendations from my design world. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss any design topic that you may be considering for your home or office. All ideas welcome!!! I look forward to hearing from you soon. Best, Robin