Click on image to enlargeDesign by Sheila O'Meara
My room is in a house with high ceilings. You enter this formal dining room and the Light Sock chandelier is at the centre of the room. The wall ahead of you is papered with a black lacy paper. The chandelier is quite white in daylight and when it is not switched on and I thought the white would look good against the black lacy wall. Also the sock itself where it is not stretched over the crystal is lacy too – hence the choice of paper. I have chosen warm neutrals for the other walls and ceiling and a lovely soft black called Vanilla Bean for the wood and trim.
To your right in the room there is a black marble fireplace and to your left there are two set of tall windows / doors leading to a terrace outside. There is a mirror over the fireplace and the painted walls are decorated with paintings that add a dash of colour to this black and cream palette. In the centre of the room there is a round dining table and four chairs around it. There are a couple of armchairs near the fireplace.
The choice of upholstery fabric subtly reflects the mesh of the Light Sock and the cut of the crystals. The backs of the dining chairs are upholstered in aniseed and the fronts in a colour called nougat. The thinking behind this is that if you were not dining but entertaining in an adjoining room or on the terrace you could push the chairs in so that only the backs are visible, turn on the chandelier and all would be black around the Light Sock to allow it to take pride of place. The size of the Light Sock depends on how many crystals you put in it – you buy them by the lb. The scale of the Light Sock in this room matches the globe at the base of the dining table.
The curtains are full but lightweight in bold stripes to balance out the intricacy of the wallpaper. The flooring is sisal again as a background and contrast to the high gloss and luxury of the rest of the rooms fittings.
Finally, on the table there is beautiful crystal and china.
About myself
I am originally from Ireland now living in Sydney with my husband and two young sons. I have been interested in interiors for many years and have just started my own design blog. The main aim of my blog is to share all the material I have collected in my 'folder of ideas' and to continue to add to it. I am about to start a diploma in interior styling in February 2009.
Visit Sheila's blog at www.folderofideas.blogspot.com.
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