Artful inspiration

Southern Living, Apr 2000 by Nesmith, Lynn

A painting sets the tone for this inviting kitchen and family room.

Ann and Jim Daws faced many decisions as they were building a new house in Macon, Georgia. But there was never any question that a painting by artist Barbara Gallagher would occupy a prominent spot in their home.

"Everything just came together when we saw the painting," says interior designer Gwen Moore Wilson.

Ann and Gwen had selected a number of fabrics and accessories for the kitchen and family room before they found the painting. The chintz fabric with the teapots was a favorite of Ann's, and this set the tone for the room. The fabric featured several styles of antique teapots, including one of a rooster, so the rooster chandelier fit right in. "When we saw the painting, we felt as though its vivid color scheme was commissioned especially for the family room," says Gwen.

Once the theme and colors were set for the rooms, Gwen started to have a little fun combining fabrics and adding the final touches. Here are a few of her trade secrets.

GUIDANCE FROM GWEN

Think about the scale of the fabric's print and the intensity of the colors. I always try to use large-scale patterns in an even balance throughout the room to give a dramatic effect," says Gwen.

Once your main pattern is selected, incorporate secondary or bridge fabrics that complement with smaller prints. In the breakfast room, Gwen chose a delicate silk check pattern for the pleated balloon shades as a companion to the animated teapot fabric of the valance. As a counterpoint in the family room, the Roman shade is a colorful plaid and the valance features a more subdued fabric.

Evaluate the texture and background of fabrics. Tone-on-tone designs such as the green fabric on the armchair in the family room provide a nice transition between bolder prints.

Be practical. Gwen covered the seats and backrests of the barstools with a heavy-duty upholstery fabric. "The stools had to stand up to the daily wear and tear of two young boys," says Gwen. A cutout of the teapots from the cotton chintz is inserted onto the back of the stools. "You really see the back of the stool," says Gwen. "And it's protected from most drips and spills." Lynn Nesmith