Question: I bought a home in San Francisco a few months ago. I absolutely enjoy decorating my home and I proudly admit that I have done a wonderful job. I have carefully decorated with Spanish-rustic colors, crafts, furniture and paintings (Diego Rivera). I am experiencing some difficulty, however, with my fireplace area.

The fireplace and chimney are in the corner. The furred wall enclosing the fireplace and chimney is curved and does not have a flat surface. Do you have any creative suggestions? Should I leave it alone?

Also I was wondering about the bottom of the fireplace. I have candles in the fireplace but I was hoping to decorate the outside as well. Too much?

My last concern is the entry. The walls are bare. I was thinking about putting up paintings or family pictures but I do not want to create a cluttered look. Thanks for any feedback.

Christine Crespo
San Francisco

 

Answer: Dear Christine:

One of the joys of purchasing a home is being able to apply your own mark on the spaces within it. Adding your own personal and creative touches transform the space from being just a house to being your own home.

The phrase "If you don't know where you're going any road will take you there" also applies to to interior design. You should know where you want to go before you embark so you can be on the right road to take you there.

Architectural features that are already in place will help you determine the direction of tyour design.

If you have the opportunity, you want to take this into consideration when you purchase your home. Select one that's consistent with your taste in furniture and it will make decorating easy. For example, if you already have and enjoy country style "Shabby Chic" furniture, don't buy a house that is ultra modern.

Any professional designer will tell you that consistency is the key to a well designed home. Having a predetermined direction makes the results easier to achieve, keeps you on track when making sometimes difficult choices and helps guide additions later.

Now the answer for handling dilemmas like how to decorate around a curved fireplace and how to select and place personal items in the foyer should be self-evident.

You mentioned that you're decorating your new home in a Spanish style using rustic colors, crafts, furniture and art. Consider this your road map and let it guide you at this junction. Be consistent. Stay with the Spanish feeling throughout.

For example, in your photograph of the fireplace we see candles inside the fireplace that appear to be on an iron candelabra. This is consistent with the Spanish style. However, we also see several small votive candles on the mantle and hearth. They aren't consistent so I recommend replacing them with iron candle holders, wall sconces. or a candelabra that stands on the floor next to the fireplace. The iron is consistent with the Spanish style and still provides the soft light you got from all those small votive candles.

Next is the vestibule. You're correct in not wanting to create clutter in this area. It's where your guests will get their impression of your home. Again, I recommend that your choices reflect the Spanish influence to be consistent with what they'll see as they come further into your home.

A console table in dark, heavy wood provides both functionality and is consistent with the look you're creating. If you don't have the space for this size piece of furniture, consider a demi-lune table that attaches to the wall. I recently saw one that was made of iron with a concrete top. It had an elliptical shaped top and its overall size was 15" wide by 8" deep. Perfect for a small space that needs something practical yet rustic.

Remember that a map will guide you and help you make decisions when you come to a junction at the road. Use your map and you won't regret your design decisions.

 

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