Built-Ins on a Budget

There is no mistake in the title of this post..you really can have built in entertainment centers, libraries, etc..on a 'b' word..BUDGET!  We make it possible and beyond beautiful within even the most modest of budgets.  Everyone deserves a home they love and are proud of, with architectural elements that are as functional as they are fabulous.  There is also no sacrifice in quality either, we're talking real wood from real trees, not laminate or other artificial imitations.

I like things with substance, style, and class..both in design and in people :).  Which is why in many of my design plans I work in at least some kind of magnificent milwork.  To me a space exudes these aforementioned qualities once it's completed with creative carpentry.   If there is even a remote possibility that there can be a shelving unit or library, I am all about making it part of the plan!   

 

 

With my caviar taste on a peanut butter budget, I was faced with the dilemma of how to get a house that trumps the rest, without the exorbitant rate it typically costs to get it.  So I rounded the troupes, putting the A-team together consisting of graduates in Architecture and skilled carpentry craftsmen.   I conceptualize style and purpose of the structure, sketch it out, then pass it on the professionals to bring it to life!  It was like magic..what once was on paper was now a reality in a room!  

 Best part was, money was still left over to fill the whole thing up with gorgeous goodies!  A LOT of books are needed to get a library wall fully filled in..however, a lot of money is not a requirement.  Total cost for all those books in the library pictured above was under $50...seriously.

Why Not Wainscot?!

What looks better on your walls than wainscoting?!  It's a timeless look that has been around since the 17th century and is still going strong today.  That's a long lasting style in my book and a safe route to take in your own home.  So if you're the type that fears change for the possibility of it ending up looking dated too soon, this is the updated your walls are begging for!  With so many styles of this type of paneling to choose from, first consider the overall feel of your home you would like to represent.  In a moment I will describe the different types of wainscoting and the decor styles they best correspond with.  Until then, lets take a look at why wainscoting is even in existence and the historical significance of it.  According to the holy grail of online knowledge..Wikipedia..The original purpose of wainscoting was to cover the lower part of walls, because homes were constructed poorly and were often affected by rising dampness in the walls. Today, wainscoting is decorative of course and I certainly advise against it not be used to cover up damp walls where mold will be growing!  ...That's not exactly the decorative wall treatment anyone wants :) 

Wainscoting began in the 17th century and was pretty much always floor to ceiling (this is still my fave), in the 18th century it changed to various heights on the wall, most popular being 3-5feet high.  This is when the chair rail became a hit (typically at a 3ft height).  Everyone has an opinion on chair rails it seems like, since this is my blog I am going to freely share mine!  I'm not a fan of a traditional 3ft high chair rail, that to me seems dated.  I like 5ft or higher.  But who knows, maybe in a few years the 5ft will feel like the 3 ft does to me now?!  At the end of the decorating day, if you like the 3ft, 5 ft, or all the way to the ceiling, go with what you love most because they are all in style and will always be in style.  So it's a personal preference and a win/win decision.

Wall Paneled: this is where the wall itself is smoothed out (skim coated) and used as the 'back board' look of the paneling, so it's painted the same color as the raised wood rails.  It's the most inexpensive route to take, but is also fairly versatile.  This could easily be used in any area of the home.

Flat Panel/Board and Batten: A thin wood is paneled on the walls (this is the board part of 'board and batten'), with raised wood rails attached to the surface of it and evenly spaced out (batten).  This is also versatile for use in any space.  One way we like to use this style is in a slightly more contemporary approach by placing the wood rails in a the pattern of a grid. Of all the wainscot styles, this one and the wall paneled version, are the more casual options. Flat panel wainscoting is also referred to as shaker style. 

Beaded Panel/Beadboard: This is when thin lines are grooved out of the board.  Bead board can be used as the backboard in the board and batten style paneling, or can stand alone as it's own style.  It works well as a wall covering (best up to 5 ft tall), but can also be a good look in a kitchen,bath, or laundry as a counter backsplash.

Raised Panel:  This is a favorite of mine and is also the most traditional version, although it can be used with just about any interior style.  Raised paneling mimics the design on most interior doors, but the pattern potential is pretty much limitless.  It's a dramatic, yet timeless look to take it all the way up to the ceiling, my fave, or can also be in a 3ft-5ft height, trimmed out with crown molding.

As a full service interior design team, La Dolce Villa has talented carpenters and milworkers on staff, who can get the job done beyond your expectations and for much, MUCH less than you would ever think was possible.  Phil, who leads the carpentry portion of our team, has a college degree in Architecture, several years of experience trained under the best, and a true passion for his craft.  All of this shows in the incredible end result of any style of wainscoting, built ins, etc.  Because our craftsmen are in house employees, we are able to design, build, and finish the work for unbelievably low rates not offered by any other trained professionals.  We believe that everyone deserve a home they truly love, with a level of style and unique design that only we can provide, regardless of budget limitations.  As a company, our main goal is to design, plan, and execute high end design at a below average rate.  Our formula to do so works and our results show it.  

Contact us today for a free consultation to see how we can transform your home!

Wine and Design

What could be better than when two great things come together to make something even more wonderful?!  That is the opportunity La Dolce Villa has been presented with, which we of course couldn't pass up. We're so excited to announce that our newest boutique venue for our furniture line will be available at Tana Dolce in Castle Rock!  Although the names may seem well planned out for this scenario, it was truly just ironic.  The owner of this fab Wine Bar, Delicious/Cute Desert spot, and Small Plate Menu venue..fell in love with our furniture design aesthetic and knew it would be a perfect fit to retail! Of  course, right?! :)

Tana Dolce is located right in the heart of the historic area of Castle Rock  The two story building exudes all things warm and wonderful, and is loaded with character.  The owner, an interior design enthusiast with a passion for Italian, has poured her creativity into every square inch of this location.  Her love for the look and authentic Tuscan feel shows in every way.  Sprinkled throughout this great spot will be a specially designed line of La Dolce Villa pieces, made exclusively for Tana Dolce.  What can you expect to see of ours there??.. All the touches of artisan skill, detail, and unique flair that we're known for, catered to fit with the feel of this space.  All will be available for sale, but we also let you try before you buy!  The cozy and conversational seating arrangement within the space, will be intermixed with case goods we've designed and made by hand, to coordinate effortlessly with their surroundings.  The feel is Tuscan with a slight shabby chic influence.  We took the owners inspiration for it and created this inspirational design board to help encourage some creative ideas for the pieces we're providing. 

With such an amazing set up and scenario as this, we would love to celebrate it and share it with our fans!  I'm thinking a soiree of sorts would be a great way to go about this ;)  Where there is wine, there should be great design, right?!

Cheers!

Tana Dolce in Castle Rock, CO is currently undergoing and exciting redesign and is closed until the beginning of February 2012, to accommodate all the mess and noise that comes along with that.  They will be re-launching their fab new digs in February.  Stay tuned for more info and exact dates :)

The Dream Team of Interior Design

We've recently expanded our skilled production staff with 6 more great employees!  We're pulling out all the stops when it comes to home and business interiors, with the best in the biz to execute our innovative design plans!  Adding to our already great furniture prep people and seamstresses, we now have 2 upholsterers, drapery seamstresses, 2 carpenters, and a welder!  Yes, there is a place for the welder, although it does seem a little random, but here are some visual examples of what we'll be keeping him busy with:

Bob is the master behind the metal.  He's creative and talented in his art and always open minded to any crazy sketch up I give him to make come to life!

Carpentry is a big deal in both our furniture division and interior design services.  We brought on the best for this and their quality of work shows it!  Phil is our lead carpenter.  He has his college degree in Architecture and has amassed a great deal of experience in his career path prior to La Dolce Villa.  His talent is truly great and he shares my love for salvaged architectural elements..which you can expect to see a lot of from us in 2012.  I'm very excited to showcase one of my favorite design styles of rescued relics paired with modern/contemporary elements, or with ornate/traditional styles. Randy is our other skilled carpenter.  He also has years of construction experience and works wonders with wood.  Wainscoting?  Built in Libraries?  Done and done.  With the skills of Phil and Randy, the more complicated and elaborate re-design projects just got much more stream-lined and efficient.  We're happy to do add-ons, build out, or built ins, all for a tiny fraction of anyone else in the biz.

Moving on to the softer side of design...our high end seamstresses quickly whip up the most beautiful window treatments we design.  They do impeccable work and are an amazing asset to our staff.  If I can draw it, they can sew it!  We've dramatically cut the cost on custom window work by having our own seamstresses.

We've made our name in wood furniture, especially case goods. But we're very excited to show you what we can do in soft seating and all forms of upholstery.  Having two trusted upholsters on staff, we've got your sofas, chairs, and headboards covered! The guys can tuft, tuck, stitch, and fix anything to perfection.

 It's been a fab 2011 bringing my childhood dream of design to fruition.  I've been blessed with the opportunity to work with the best clients here in Colorado.  The new year is already bringing about some great growth for La Dolce Villa, I can't wait to show you what we have in store!  We're doing something different in design.. staffing our own people keeps costs of the project incredibly affordable, while making a look, functionality, and overall style, uniquely different than anything you have seen before, but can't live without!

Brown Paper Packages...

When it comes to gifting, for me it's not just about what's on the inside that counts.  In fact, I think I spend more time preparing the way it's wrapped than I do actually shopping for the gift itself!  I love the presentation factor and as mentioned in a few posts back, i'm weak when it comes to anything well packaged in a store..regardless what the product is.  I LOVE masterfully marketed stuff.  I'm pretty sure i've wasted a lot of money on well presented crap.  But when my husband starts complaining about it, I just let him know that all is not lost, great design inspiration comes from it and i'm sure i'll find some resourceful way to make use of the ridiculously overpriced chocolate, or soap, bath salts, and butter!  These seem to be the types of things I find well wrapped up with pretty papers and bows :)  For example:

I walk into a retail space sometimes not knowing that I needed suckers or some whoopie pies...until I see these beauties...and then I think, sure..why not?!

This is especially the case in just about any type of boutique anywhere, and TJ Maxx stores...loads and LOADS of packaged stuff overstock from major department stores and manufacturers.  I don't mind that the once edible contents inside my be stale and outdated or broken... It's all about the branding on the outside, which to me boosts the value of what's on the inside.  I understand that there are much savvier shoppers than I, who don't fall victim to such ploys...we all have our guilty pleasures though ;)

Taking this well wrapped idea, we can apply it to much more personally constructive (and less frivilous), avenues.  The overpriced obsession I have has inspired a great deal of creativity when it comes to birthday, Christmas, or 'just because', gift giving..actually gift wrapping opportunities.  This does not have to be an expensive endeavor, it's all about decorating the outside, being resourceful, ingenuitive, and even personal, more than it is about adding a lot of cost to the gift and blowing your budget you had for the item in the first place.

I consider it a gift within a gift!  It enhances the overall experience and makes receiving the item all the more exciting and enjoyable.  Who dosn't like a little (or a lot) of eye candy?!  These are some of my favorite inexpensive ideas present a package with major pizazz:

Quick Video Tutorial on how to Make these Adorable Yarn Pom Poms!  

This is not me..Full credit Goes to "Art of Crochet by Teresa". 

Super Simple and Easy to Follow Step-by-Step:

The other side to gifting this flashy way, shows the recipient that you went to extra effort to make it special for that person.  This sentiment is often not lost on the receiving end (as long as they are at least 12+ years old) :).

On a grander scale, consider your home or business the packaging, and the people inside are the gift!  A well appointed space adds to the overall experience of all those who enter, exponentially.  In a business sense, aren't you more likely to buy a random unnecessary item in a beautiful boutique setting like this?

A lot of people want to be part of the overall experience they are surrounded by.  Purchasing a service or merchandise from a space that it visually intriguing, often gives that person a piece of that feeling they experienced that they can take with them.  Our 5 senses are key in productive design.  Obviously, sight is the most important, so give the guests to your home and/or business something to feast their eyes on.  A space with just enough details and a look that is not expected, or predictable.  It's much more exciting to walk into an area that has an overall look that most couldn't even imagine and is not a replicated look from page 16 of 'that' catalog.  This also leaves a mark in their memories, which helps with them spreading the word about your space, and remembering who you or your business are. 

Baby's Got Back!

I have a particular love affair with stylish seating..although I can probably say that same statement about any type of furniture...But this post is about chairs, so I'll stick with that for today :)  One trend in seating I am obsessing over is the contrast backs.  That is an unofficial term for this style, but I like it and will use it ..if you do..please 'footnote' me after using it..just kidding of course!  Since pictures speak more than words, this is what I mean by 'contrast backs'...

One of my favorite examples of this look is in this chair aabove.  I love the pattern on pattern and the colors.  So pretty!  Sure it's not for everyone and it makes quite a statement in a room, but for the daring I think it's a DO :)

I feel like this is a great way to add an unexpected pop of pattern (or maybe just color) to any space.  It's not too much that it overwhelms the chair or the overall design.  Also, since it's just a small portion of the chair, it's a very inexpensive way to add new life to the room or just that particular piece of furniture.  If you're a daring DIY'er, you can totally tackle this one yourself.  Or for a fraction of the cost of a full reupholstery, a professional can do the job for you.  If you're anything like me and you like to change big and little details in your home as often as you change your socks..this is the perfect piece to switch out every season or every style change..as that is ever evolving for me!

As with most areas of design, there are no rules to how to add a fun bit of accent to the chair.  It looks amazing to have it just on the back rest (front side), like this chair with the fab vintage text in gold..LOVE!

The monogram on the back of these gorgeous lavender chairs is a perfect touch:

I just HAD to include this example as well since it's so fun! 

Using a simple or crisp color scheme, the contrast back style can be beautifully applied to an entire dining set without looking busy or garish.  I love the well appointed look of this set and room:

What do you think of the idea of a Contrast Back (or front)?  Would you apply this look to a piece(s) in your home?  We would love to hear your feedback!  Visit us on facebook to join the conversation, click on  the link below to take you there:

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