Cozy Winter Beds for the Season

When there is a chill in the air and a flush in your cheeks, there is no better feeling than jumping into a luxuriously warm bed.   Plush fabrics, soft textures, and mountains of pillows instantly add comfort to any bedroom.  With the addition of  fabulous bedroom furniture collected over the years, a bedroom can truly be your sanctuary.  Personally, we at The Great House know an incredible amount of people who do not make their bedrooms a priority.  They focus on decorating the spaces guests will first visit, but short change their own private spaces.  We believe you deserve an incredible space to begin and end your day without compromising due to the practicality of decorating your public spaces first. 

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This French inspired tufted headboard and simple linens seem to pull you into plush comfort.  The interesting curving lines of the headboard along with antiqued gold trim serve as a feminine focal point for this bedroom.  To keep the headboard from making the space too formal, a simple neutral linen fabric keeps the piece assessable.  Crisp white bedding also adds to the simplification of the space.

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The combination of tan and white in this bedding combination leans towards French Country design in a simplistic way.  There is a rustic charm to wrinkled linens and loose ruffles that would be perfect in a guest room or girl's room.  This is a style you can recreate for a bedroom you want to be comfortable and carefree.

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We all can respect the architecture in this master suite, but the inclusion of simple furnishings truly makes this room speak.  There is a subtle beach style inspiration with the white painted wood walls, nautical inspired color palette, wooded roller shades, and easy styling.  This room would be a fabulous candidate for easy additions and subtractions of items to change the overall feel.  Imagine the space with accents of sunny yellow in the middle of the summer, or olive greens and browns in the fall.  By keeping the furnishings simplistic and solid upholstery, this room can easily be given a new look without breaking the bank.

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This room says "I am here to make a statement."  For that reason, I personally am in love with this space.  The eclectic mix of maps, safari fabrics, French headboard, rustic bench, lacquered mirror, and crystal accessories definitely makes a statement.  I can imagine this room having been collected over years of travel- which is an amazing way to have your guests be inspired by a space.  If a room makes you think, imagine, daydream, you have created a successful design.

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The first item making an impact in this cozy bedroom is the over scale mirror.  With intricate swirling wood frame, the piece adds a jolt of warmth into the cool colors of the space.  Notice there are no other natural wood pieces besides the mirror, only painted or upholstered furnishings.  If you have a favorite piece, make that the focal point, and design around it.  Over scale pieces will give your bedroom a more intimate, cozy feeling by instantly inclosing your space.  This will only add to your desire to curl up in bed and dream the world away. 

Currey and Company- Our Newest Obsession

We at The Great House Store have been working long hours to prepare our newest product lines for the beginning of the upcoming year.  In January of 2012, we will be introducing a vast array of new manufactures and products that will more than double our website's current product representation.  One of our newest additions will be Currey and Company.  This fabulous company headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, provides a vast array of lighting, home furnishings, accessories, and garden furniture.  Their aesthetic is sure to appeal to those of you enjoying any design style from French to urban.  The use of natural elements such as twisting branches or natural shells add a sense of whimsy to Currey and Company's aesthetic.  Founded in 1988 by Robert E. Currey, initially named Garden Source Furnishings, Currey and Company evolved from specializing in garden furnishings to their current strength in providing unique UL listed light fixtures.  Take a look at the following examples direct from Currey and Company, and we are sure you will fall in love.

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Known as the Chartres Wall Sconce, this flirty fixture will add sparkle to any space.  Imagine this reflective fixture flanking an over-scale upholstered headboard with bedding that accentuates the metallic silver finish.  One word- divine!

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The Marais Mirror pays homage to French design with the fluid, flowing lines coupled with nature inspired details.  The gray washed finish will add drama without overpowering your space.  This piece will be amazing over an entry table or vanity.

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For the more edgy of our followers, the Montauk Square Coffee Table is one of the newest pieces to the Currey and Company product line.  We adore the juxtaposition of the organic wood base and the rigidity of the concrete top.  By mixing your warm tones with cool tones, this table will accentuate any color palate as well as provide a strong impact.

Written by Cameron Coxworth

All images directly from Currey and Company's official website.

A North Carolina Custom Retreat- Simple Elegance Included

We at The Great House have been working with a wonderful couple in North Carolina this year.  Incredibly, this couple had the opportunity to travel to France and gain inspiration for creating their own custom dream dwelling.  To accentuate the French architecture they love, Randy Hall and our staff used design techniques from the past as well as present to accentuate the design of this lovely French home.  The results of combined partnership between homeowners and designers create an elegant space appealing to most any taste.  A bit of traditional, a touch of French flair, and a tad of rustic elegance all working harmoniously to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.  Due to the time of year, we also were able to add Christmas decorations to the finished product.  By keeping holiday additions minimal, our adornments do not overpower the casual elegance created with this dining and entry space. 

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The warm yet neutral color scheme instantly provides a sense of warmth and home.  The over-scale French inspired mirror is one of Randy Hall's trademarks.  Sitting atop the fabulous painted buffet, this mirror and accessories will be sure to be a beautiful yet functional serving piece for all of the home owners' holiday gatherings.  The addition of full garland and neutral ribbons provide the holiday vibe without overwhelming the color scheme with traditional bright reds and greens. 

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Have you ever wondered how to dress an arched window?  We had a rod custom formed to the shape of the dining room window and selected a beautiful gold stripe silk that effortlessly pleats and puddles on the floor.  The reflection of light off the gold fabric further emphasizes the warm glow that radiates around the space.

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We all love the light fixtures in this space. Each one has an antiqued gold finish that adds a sense of age and depth.  If you will notice, there is no shortage of light in this dining room.  Lit recessed ceiling fixtures, a chandelier, sconces, and table lamps add options to the lighting scheme needed for any gathering.

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This is the entry vignette.  A painted cabinet with tassels adds the rustic charm of a French farm house, while the addition of a modern adjustable arm lamp adds unexpected interest.  We have included pops of greenery throughout the dining, entry, and foyer designs to continually draw the eye through the spaces.

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We at The Great House absolutely love the homeowners' selection of this iron stair banister design.  The dark iron evokes a French feeling of days gone by while also adding an unexpected black accent to the muted warm tones.  This contrast of colors automatically makes the curved staircase an instant focal point.  To accentuate the small cavity formed below the staircase, we created a small sitting area with decorative accessories to complement the dining room.  We like to think of this small sitting area as a snug place to read, a place to drop your purse or coat as you come home from an event, or even a place for the husband to wait for his wife to finish getting dressed for the evening.  

All our best wishes for a happy holiday from The Great House... 

Written by Cameron Coxworth

Keeping Rooms

Continuing with our story board mini series on Keeping Rooms.... We give you- Maison: French for Home! Today we are providing a room designed around this french inspired keeping room. With a muted color palette and subtle color infusion, this room makes us here at TGHS feel at ease. Remember, all of these products can be purchased at www.thegreathousestore.com!

Enjoy!

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Item Name- Item Number- Manufacturer

1.Roseville Sofa- CFh173 - Zentique

2.Louis Cane Back Arm Chair- B008 CANE E272 A003- Zentique

3.Grayson Sofa- bio04UPHO- Bobo Intriguing Objects

4.Asher Rectangle Iron/Mirror Tray- 6293- Arteriors Home

5.Cabinet Mirror- 2473- Cyan Design

6.Gaston Stool- LI-S10-18-34- Zentique

7.Monceau Chandelier- L73CHAN- Aidan Gray

8.Marc 2 Door Cabinet- T262 301E255- Zentique

9.Ellington Gray Weathered Wood Floor Lamp- 76477-328- Arteriors Home

10.Medallion Wall Art- D51SET- Aidan Gray

11.Column Lamp- LI-05-66- Zentique

12.Italian Grisaille with Architectural Wall Scene- AC1026M- Tara Shaw Maison

13.Italian Grisaille with Pastural Scene- AC1027M- Tara Shaw Maison

14.Ferret Coffee Table- GTAB116HBR- Noir Furniture

15. Fais De Beaux Reves Pillow - D134- Aidan Gray

16.Oyster Bay Sideboard- SB143- Somerset Bay

17.Portia Chair Slipcover- CS4- Aidan Gray

18.Portia Chair- CH86- Aidan Gray

** If this room inspires you, DON'T FORGET, we are a full service interior design firm and would love to help you create this look in your own home** You can check out our design website at http://www.thegreathouse.info/