Moonefield Interiors

relaxed and stylish interiors

  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Services
  • Work With Me
  • Gift Certificates
  • Featured Projects
  • Book Now

5 Easy Ways to Prepare Your Home For Spring

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Dining Room, Living Rooms, plants, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Baby daffodils from Trader Joes–I buy them every year 🙂

As I write this it’s 45 degrees and cloudy, but I have every hope that spring will eventually come.  With that hope held tightly in my heart, I have six things that we can all do to prepare our homes for spring.

  • Kondo your family room! You’ve spent the past few months curled up on the sofa swapping germs with the kids.  Spending more time indoors means the accumulation of more “stuff” indoors, so tidy it up!  Anything that isn’t purposeful or meaningful needs to go. I’m looking at you, cluttered coffee table!  Accumulated magazines, kids books and toys, random chargers, chewed beyond recognition dog toys…Be ruthless!
  • Doctor your plants.  Read the plastic tag (you kept that, right?) and make sure you’re following the instructions for light and watering needs.  Fertilize if you need to.  Cut off any dead portions and repot if necessary.  If a plant is truly on it’s last legs, throw it away (and don’t feel guilty.)
  • Fluff your throw pillows. Carefully unzip the cover and place the pillows in the dryer on the air fluff setting.  Look over your covers and snip off any loose threads and spot clean with a mild detergent.
  • Rotate your sofa cushions.
  • Switch out the oil in your diffuser for a scent that smells crisp and clean.

Here’s a bonus tip: Don’t buy anything new! At least not until you’ve done the above five things.  I know, I love Target, too, but most impulse purchases really are just clutter.  Seriously!  And after you’ve tidied and fluffed, you may be so happy with your clean, fresh room that you won’t want a thing 🙂

Does your home need a refresh?  Craving a new paint color? Schedule a two hour, in home consultation.  Our home consult is an information-packed, working session that will leave you with concrete ideas for moving forward with your plans.

 

What’s Missing From Your Dining Room?

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Blog, Dining Room, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

My girlfriend recently decided to turn her large but mostly unused formal living room into a dining room to better accommodate family get togethers.  Great idea, right?  I thought so, too, but the process turned out to be more of a project than she thought it would be, mostly because the new room is so much bigger than her previous dining space.

In a small or average sized dining room, you’ll usually have space for a table with seating for six or eight and either a buffet OR a china cabinet, but not both. The space and shape of the room will normally dictate where you’ll place these items.  Throw up a mirror and a couple of pieces of artwork and call it a job done.

But in a large or long dining room, there are more decisions to be made.  Larger rooms need larger chandeliers.  Maybe even two.  A large room can often feel “flat” without decorative moldings or wallpaper to give it added dimension.  A large room can easily handle a sideboard and a buffet.  Large rooms also benefit from larger artwork and larger mirrors.

For inspiration as I help her tackle this space, I’ve gathered together some ideas for creating drama in a dining room that might be larger than average and therefore need more decorative elements to help it feel “finished.”

First, consider adding wallpaper or a mural to give the space visual interest and dimension.

Leta Austin Foster

 

emily henderson design navy wallpaper dining room with white dining chairs

Emily Henderson

 

Check out these incredible murals from Mural Sources! This one is of an “idyllic Virginia coastline.”  This would be gorgeous along one long wall in a dining room.

Grand Haven Watercolor

Grand Haven Watercolor

muralsources.com

 

Built-ins are always a great way to add practical storage as well as depth, dimension and a feeling of coziness.

Benjamin Moore “Harbor Haze”

Skip Sroka

 

A large room or long table can easily handle two chandeliers instead of one.  Two lighting fixtures are practical, providing consistent lighting for large gatherings, and also add elegance and drama. Just remember to put those babies on dimmers!

Andrew Howard Interior Design | Arch Top Medium Lantern by E.F. Chapman | circalighting.com

Andrew Howard

 

Our dining room reveal... A traditional dining room features cloud wallpaper, double beaded chandeliers, parsons chairs and a beautiful wooden cabinet.

Addison’s Wonderland

 

Oversized artwork always works on a large expanse of wall.  This room doesn’t have any mill work or crown molding to add interest, but the large print in the dark frame adds drama and contrast on the light walls.

Studio McGee

 

The dark mirror in this otherwise light and bright room accomplishes the same task, reaching all the way to the ceiling and drawing the eye upward.  Imagine if the mirror were only half the size?

Image unknown

 

Last, consider adding wainscoting, crown molding or mill work to add dimension to the walls.

Romo Kiku Wallpaper

Decor Pad

You could argue that this room needs artwork or a mirror, but the mill work adds so much interest that the wall becomes a feature.

Transitional

Kerry Spears Interiors

 

The dining room below, with it’s pale, neutral palette, would fall flat without the built-ins and wainscoting.  With it, the room is full of architectural interest.

Corner China Cabinet

Decor Pad

 

And here we have the ultimate in stunning mill work and lighting.  I. Can’t. Even. with this dining room.  See this entire INSANELY gorgeous 1920s colonial here. 

 

HB_Gridley_DiningRoom_0243.jpg

 

Janet Gridley

Wanna take your dining room up a notch?  Contact me to make an in-home appointment!

 

 

Dining Room Plan with Sherwin Williams

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Accesories, Art, Design Boards, Dining Room, fabric, paint Leave a Comment

After a little summer blog break that somehow seeped into fall, I’m back with a dining room design board since it’s that “gathering” time of year.  Even if you don’t host a big sit-down meal around the holidays, I think many of us see autumn as a time to spruce up a bit and transition our homes from summer to a quieter time.  Having dinner in the dining room, even in the middle of the week, is a wonderful way to reconnect as a family and enjoy your home.

This plan features Oceanside, Sherwin William’s 2018 Color of the Year..  It’s bold and rich but I contrasted the drama a bit with warm wood tones and textures.  I love blue with yellow (well, I love blue with anything!) and Lauren Leiss‘ Live Paisley fabric looks so pretty with the paint color.  Lauren used the fabric in the Southern Living 2016 Idea House master bedroom it was amazing.

I love vintage prints and I can never get enough birds, so I chose two prints of etchings by Mark Catesby, an 18th century English naturalist.  The owl is a nod to the season and the blue and yellow tones in the artwork play well with the fabric and walls.

Dining Room by michele-wesdock on Polyvore featuring interior, interiors, interior design, home, home decor, interior decorating, Pottery Barn, Nearly Natural, Allegra and dining room

I chose the lamps for their textural stone finish and “weightiness.” They look so chunky and sturdy–no accidently tipping these guys over!

I love this beautiful, wire-brushed table. A little farmhouse, but the elegant base keeps it from looking too rustic.  I chose the same one for a client in a lighter finish and she loves it.  Round tables are so perfect for gathering, I think.  You can always squeeze in another chair and visually it’s nice to have a piece without hard edges in a room.  The chair’s slim arms slide easily under the table and the upholstered seat means people will want to linger.

Magnolia Round Dining Table - Four Hands

That chandelier is a beauty, right? I think it’s the perfect mix of modern and vintage.  The linen shade keeps the black and brass from looking too buttoned up in a space that’s more relaxed and less “mind your manners.”

I like using natural, sort of “weathered” accessories and vintage object and Adry Vintage has some great pieces. I love the way she styled this bowl.

isn’t this mirror amazing? The antique brass finish and the carved edge are so pretty against the blue walls.  A unique interpretation of a basic shape always keeps a room interesting.

Cru Large Mirror, Aged Gold

The table, chairs and mirror are available through the trade so if you’re interested in them, contact me for more details. I love designing dining rooms and it’s the perfect time of year to make a change!

lamps/artwork/wooden bowl

picture lighting/lamps/rug/chandelier

 

Happy fall!

 

Sneaking in Office Space When You Don’t Have an Extra Room

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Dining Room, Inspiration, Uncategorized 2 Comments

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people is that they don’t have an office or dedicated space to corral the endless stream of papers, mail and just stuff that seem to come into our homes.  Even if you’ve managed to cut down on the amount of paper that enters your house, an official landing spot and workspace can do wonders for keeping an organized home.  In this post, I’ve rounded up three fantastic ways to squeeze in an office when you don’t have a spare room.

1. The Dining Room/Office

Even though I do think formal dining rooms are making a bit of a comeback, there’s no reason they can’t pull double duty.  A room that’s only used a few times a year really isn’t the best use of space, so why not turn a formal dining room into a dining-office-library combo?  I guess that would be a triple-duty space!  The key to making this work, of course, is to incorporate stylish and unobtrusive storage.  I lovvvve a library-dining room for the coziness and character. Here, Emily keeps office storage on the bottom shelves in neat baskets the same color as the shelving. Decorative touches (vases, prints, mirrors, bowls, photos) as well as a table centerpiece keep the room pretty and help retain a dining room “look.”  If she needs the entire workspace, she can simply slide the centerpiece over. When it’s time to dine, she can squeeze in another chair or two.

Hello gorgeous! We love Emily Clark's office/ dining room. This multiuse space does double duty as her office and then transforms into a space to entertain at night!:

Emily A. Clark

This room from House Beautiful is a good example of unobtrusive storage.  Office supplies can easily be kept behind the doors of a china cabinet or bookcase.  It’s always fun to use a piece of furniture in a new way.  A traditional, antique china cabinet that holds books instead of china is a fabulous way to add character and interest in your home. When it’s time for a dinner party, clear the table and pull up some more chairs.

The artist table and bench:

House Beautiful

This dining room from Real Simple uses a secretary as a desk instead of the dining table.  If you have an antique dining set or a table with a delicate finish, you may not want to use it st a desk and risk damage.  A secretary is a great alternative because you can simply raise and latch the desktop when you’re finished with work.  Notice too that simple file boxes, again the same color as the shelving, are a low-profile way to contain paperwork.

organized-office-dining-room

Real Simple

2. The Closet Office

If you use Pinterest, you’ve probably see many closet offices.  This one uses pegboard to make efficient use of wall space. If you want to carve out office or crafting space in a guest room, this is a great idea.  The concealed area is perfect for a printer or less attractive storage boxes.

Small Space Inspiration: 10 Closets Turned Workspaces & Home Offices | Apartment Therapy:

Traci from Beneath My Heart

This cloffice can be concealed by a sliding barn door!  Just think, you can be as sloppy as you want and hide the evidence by slipping the door shut!  A stool instead of a chair makes sliding the door easy, as the stool fits neatly under the desk top.

 This study nook is cleverly concealed behind a sliding door within a living room. Photo: Maree Homer / bauersyndication.com.au:

Interior Barn Doors

Kati from Houseful of Handmade stenciled a wall in her “cloffice” but you could use a gorgeous wallpaper, too.  And you wouldn’t need very much!  Even if you conceal your office with doors or curtains, I firmly believe that an attractive space is more pleasant to work in.  It’s all in the details, right…?!

Create a beautiful budget friendly desk option. Learn how to build a desk in a closet for the perfect office space. Housefulofhandmade.com | Closet Office | Desk Build Plans | Free Build Plans | Office Makeover | $100 Room Challenge

Houseful of Handmade

3. The Anywhere Office

The key to having an office in your bedroom or living room is to keep it as attractive as possible and congruent with the rest of your decor.  You want the entire space to flow together naturally.  You don’t want a beautiful room with a clunky computer desk and black plastic roller chair at one end.  I love how Kristine from The Painted Hive added the gallery wall and the plants which almost completely hides the fact that this area is actually a convenient workspace. The computer hardware and cords are tucked into a vented cabinet.  And that gorgeous chippendale chair!

 Eclectic Budget Home Office | The Painted Hive

The Painted Hive

The stunner by Kate Ridder puts a gorgeous desk and chair behind a sofa!  This is a perfect solution for a small space. The desk can act as a sofa table as well, providing a spot for a lamp or a drink.  If you’re worried about the finish, protect it with a piece of glass cut to fit the desk top.  Instead of going with unobtrusive storage, go the other way with something beautiful like these woven baskets.  You’d never think there might be old bank statements and bills shoved in there 😉

Chinoiserie Desk Behind Living Room Desk

Katie Ridder

Here’s a secretary again in an 1700’s farmhouse.  A beautiful antique secretary, armoire, or desk can serve a practical purpose as well as add to the overall style and character of the home.  Add a vintage chair and you have the perfect work area that feels at home in any area of your house.

Farmhouse Home Office farmhouse-home-office
Photo by House of Funk. See more farmhouse home office designs

House of Funk

So now you know!  Anyone in any sized home can manage to squeeze in some sort of workspace and storage even if space is at a premium.  All this inspiration makes me want to tackle my husband’s hideous $25 Ikea desk in our guest room.  Next project!

Inspiration: Rattan Dining Chairs

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Dining Room, Inspiration Leave a Comment

Do you like dining areas with rattan chairs?  I’m always drawn to these spaces for the relaxed, airy vibe.  Rattan chairs add loads of texture and charm to a room and seem to say “Come linger over mimosas!” A little cottage, a little beach, a little farmhouse…perfect just about anywhere!  Here’s some of my favorite spaces.

Reclaimed Whitewashed Wood Ceiling. Reclaimed pine tongue and groove wood ceiling with hand painted whitewash finish. Reclaimed Whitewashed Wood Ceiling #Reclaimed #Whitewashed #Wood #Ceiling

Lisa Michael Interiors

Country Living

White Round Dining Table with Wicker Dining Chairs

Carla Aston

Planete-Deco

Black Band Design

Southern Living

Reclaimed Wood Dining Table with Wicker Dining Chairs

Gianetti Home

Jeanette Whitson via Southern Living

Wicker Dining Chairs

Alexa Hampton 

These rooms have me ready for spring!

Favorite Pieces from Pottery Barn’s Small Space Line

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Budget Design, Dining Room, Living Rooms Leave a Comment

I was so surprised to see a new line of furnishings in the new Pottery Barn catalog that are designed for both smaller spaces and a smaller budget.  So cool, right? My favorite part is that the pieces are all neutral and fairly basic which I think is so important when shopping at a lower price point.  Always look for value priced furniture that has clean, simple lines and basic upholstery.  The more bells and whistles, the more room for error.  Nothing cheapens the look of furnishings (and therefore your home) more than a shabby finish or poor upholstery that’s “trying” to look upscale.

Here’s a few pieces that really caught my eye.

Love, love this powder coated console!  Small scale consoles are really hard to find and I love the unique, textured finish on this one.  $169 isn’t bad at all.

A small scale coffee table is something else that hard to find.  I love this Mateo coffee table because it has storage on the bottom! Even though it has a farmhouse style sort of shape, the finish isn’t too rustic which I think is a good thing.

 

Rayne upholstered storage cube.  You can find these anywhere, but the shape of this one is really unique and sets it apart from all the square ones I’ve seen.

 

 

This swivel chair probably isn’t wide enough to be really cozy for an adult but it swivels!!! If you have a small room and need another seat in view of the television, a swivel chair is perfect.  Parents on the sofa, kid in the swivel chair.  I love the track arm style and the slip cover is removable which is always a plus when you have kids and pets.

Speaking of slipcovers, this chair is my favorite bargain of all.  $99!  The slipcover has flange seams which I adore.  This parson style chair can fit in with so many styles and linen is always a good choice.  My only issue is that the seat is a little deep, so make sure it will slide under your table and not look bulky.

Carissa Upholstered Dining Side Chair, Linen Weave Charcoal

Have a great weekend!

Library-Dining Room Combos

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Dining Room, Inspiration, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

I have long loved library dining room combos ever since Emily Clark created a home office in what was “officially” the formal dining room in their old home.  What a wonderful way to make a little used room more accessible for everyday use.  Using a table instead of desk means the room can accommodate  dining with minimal effort. The stacks of books and treasured collectibles up the cozy factor and help take the notion of “formal” down a notch or two.

home office with built-in bookcases

Emily A. Clark

Wouldn’t you want to linger in this room long after dinner?  I love a stuffed bookshelf…

New England Home

Another gorgeous room that begs you to linger with a glass of wine and a book!

Veranda

I don’t always love mismatched chairs, but they work so well in this room!

Dining Room / Library - Maine Home + Design:

Maine Home Design

I’ve adored this space since the first time I saw it.

Inside a Bungalow That Maximizes Its Small Space

My Domaine

That window seat!  This room is perfection, no?

One Kings Lane

Love the use of space here and that gorgeous pocket door!

Diane Bergeron Interiors

This blue with pops of red.  An energizing palette that’s soothing at the same time.

22 of the most beautiful libraries in Vogue.:

Vogue

How do you feel about this combination?  Open floor plans had their moment but I think dining rooms are coming back into vogue these days.  Creating a library in a formal space, in my opinion, is the perfect way to marry function and beauty.

signature

Can Black and Navy Work Together? (Yes!)

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Accesories, Art, Design Boards, Dining Room, Etsy, Inspiration Leave a Comment

navy-black-dining-room

One of the concerns I hear pretty often is “I don’t want my room to be too dark.” People are often afraid to go dark on their walls and the thought of black and navy together?  Yikes!  Official or not, it sort of sounds like a rule that shouldn’t be broken for fear of…what exactly?  I’m not sure, but I can tell you that I probably wouldn’t have considered this combo until fairly recently either.  But dark colors, even in a small or dark room, can add depth and help create that longed-for”cozy” factor that lighter colors don’t always offer.  Paired together, black and navy can create a lush and sophisticated palette that’s anything but gloomy.  Check out these spaces!

Dark, Navy Blue Walls in Contemporary Dining Room With Country Table, Spherical Chandelier and Driftwood Mirror Frame

HGTV

miles-redd-kitchen

Miles Redd

ABD Studio

Living Rooms. Stylish Eclectic Navy Blue Living Room Design with Classic Dark Wood Finish Table and Dark Wood Fireplace Frame also Classy Black Leather Sofa. Top 13 Mood-Enhancing Eclectic Living Room Designs

source unknown

luis_bustamante131[1]

source unknown

The secret to making these two neutrals play well together?  Add natural elements, like leather, reclaimed wood and natural woven rugs to bring some life into the space.  Second?  Add bright metals and lighter elements to reflect the light.

The design board below features Sherwin Williams Naval, one of my favorite navy paints.  It’s a beautiful, true navy, without any gray or green.

navy-and-black-dining-room

art/mirror/pillow/chandelier

plant stand/baskets/draperies/table

bookcase/chairs/rug/bamboo blinds

How do you feel about blue and black paired together?  Would you ever try this combo in your home?  I’m actually getting ready to paint my dining room blue this week.  Can’t wait!!

signature

 

Inspiration: Black Walls

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: bathroom, Bedroom, Dining Room, Inspiration, Living Rooms Leave a Comment

If you follow decorating blogs and read interior design magazines with any frequency, you’ve probably noticed black walls coming into vogue after years of light! bright! white! trending everywhere.  Suddenly, Scandinavian minimalism is being replaced by moody and dramatic interiors with a bit more sophistication. Not that there isn’t room for both.  Of course there is!  But I think darker paint colors are the driving trend at the moment and I predict we’ll be seeing more and more as we move ahead.

I gathered some images of black walls (yes, black!) that are really beautiful.  Black is the perfect backdrop for gold hues, organic elements and textural pieces.  It’s all about the contrast!

1398343810356.jpeg

Ginny Branch

source unknown

Edie at Life in Grace loves her intoxicating walls, painted in Graphite by Benjamin Moore. The color seems to change from navy to charcoal to true black depending on the light, but always acts as the perfect soft backdrop to her carefully curated bedroom.
See more at Life in Grace »

Life in Grace

Sasha Adler via Elle.com

dark grey walls via the chromologist

via Mad About the House

Black walls in the Powder Bath || Studio McGee

Studio McGee

source unknown

Black dining room with white tulip table. Mixed dining room chairs | One Room Challenge

Suburban Bitches

LittleGreenNotebook.blogspot.com: nightstand arrangement  black walls, gold frames, celadon lamp, black nightstand, white bed linens:

source unknown

Would you do a black room?

Happy Friday!  Here’s to a dry, sunny weekend 🙂

Affordable Blue and White Striped Rugs

by Michele Wesdock Filed Under: Bedroom, Blog, Budget Design, Dining Room, Living Rooms Leave a Comment

After spending a good part of this summer working on a dining room project, carting kids to camps and lolling about the pool, I’m finally back with a round up of classic blue and white striped rugs.  These flat weave rugs with their nautical flair work well in a casual space but can also sway a little more sophisticated, like in the traditional room below.

Image credit : Bountiful

source unknown

I love everything from Tom Sheerer.  Those beams!

blue rugs, blue rugs for sale, blue oriental rugs, blue geometric rugs

Tom Sheerer

And who can forget Diane Keaton’s stunning Hamptons beach house in A Good as it Gets (one of my favorite movies ever!)

Hooked on Houses

blue-rug-blue-and-white-rug-enclosed-porch-amos-house-in-maine-by-Suzanne-Kasler-Les-Cole-architectural-digest-July-2016.jpg

Suzanne Kasler and Les Cole

Madeline Weinrib Blue Vice Cotton Carpet, Interior design: Anne Miller, Photo: Michael Partenio, Via New England Home:

Anne Miller

HGTV

Want the look? Here’s a roundup of affordable blue and white striped flat weaves.

blue rug collage

Top row: 1, 2, 3

Middle row: 1, 2, 3

Bottom row: 1, 2, 3

Hope you’re enjoying the summer!

signature

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

I'm Michele Wesdock, founder of Moonefield Interiors in Smithfield, VA. I collaborate with my clients to design warm, thoughtful spaces that reflect the unique needs and personalities of every family. My goal is to help each client realize their own vision and create a relaxed, stylish space that functions beautifully. Let's connect!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Subscribe to the Newsletter!




Get Social!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Categories

Search

Archives

Instagram Feed

emmaandjeaninteriors

Emma & Jean Interiors


Instagram post 17901953485731223
Spending the weekend watching vintage Golden Girls and listing things in the shop. Living the life! 😁

Instagram post 17884307087003853
Image for post 17884307087003853

Instagram post 17878560709995313
Trying to finish up all the Christmas decorating today. Ignore the odd tree skirt/collar thing that I still can’t quite figure out 🎄😆

Instagram post 17920395598491166
Last night’s view with the new lamp. Hello lover 😘

Instagram post 17898170755664544
It is blooming after all!!! And how cute is my pup on the sofa? ❤️

Instagram post 18148919032097810
*SOLD* Last one! Small box with a fox etching on the top.  Swipe for more photos! $24 includes shipping 🦊🦊

Instagram post 17853044738386414
These guys haven’t been claimed yet! 4 1/4” tall and 3 1/4” tall. $29 includes shipping. Swipe for purchasing instructions 📬

Instagram post 18131000926134818
Pair of brass pineapple candle holders. Holders are slightly different from one another which adds to their charm :) Larger one is 5” diameter and 3 1/4” tall and smaller is 4” diameter and 2 1/4” tall. Swipe for more photos and instructions. $35 includes shipping 🍍🍍

Instagram post 18089823718208336
Brass candle snuffer with angel detail. 12” long. $15 includes shipping! Comment “mine” to purchase. 🎄


Follow on Instagram


Copyright © 2021 · Swank WordPress Theme By, PDCD