Forever design

A Blog by Cindy Barganier

Cindy Barganier Interiors / A Blog by Cindy Barganier

Beth Webb: An Eye For Beauty- Book Review

I am so far behind on posting that it is not even funny anymore. Sweet Beth Webb’s book has been sitting on my desk for about 2 months and today is the first chance I have had to even pick it up.

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I have no idea how she found the time to write it. This is not just a pretty picture book. While the book is driven by the expected poignant photography of one of my favorite photographers, Emily Followill, Beth took an unexpected route and divided the book into 5 sections based on the five senses: sight, touch,sound,taste and scent.  As a lifestyle designer, this is how she thinks as she designs.

Poetry of Place by McAlpine- A Book Review

I was thrilled to receive my copy of Poetry of Place, the latest coffee table book by McAlpine Home.  As a true fan of the work of these friends  I knew that I was in for a pleasant Sunday afternoon of amazing photography and prose.

book review of Poetry of Place

It did not disappoint. Of course they had me at hand renderings. Am I the only one who finds these drawings so romantic and…. well… perfect that I am sometimes disappointed that the actual buildings can’t match the charm of the pencil? Happily, these homes met my standard.

 

How To Paint A Marbled Floor

You might be wondering, “Why would I want to know how to paint a marbled floor.” Good question.

As most of you know, last year we were selected as one of seven designers from the Southeast to design a window display for Behind The Windows, an event at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. It was a huge honor and a huge undertaking.

This is what the space looked like the first time that I saw it. Yes, that is a big window! Two sides are all glass and the area is very narrow so arranging it is a challenge.

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Each year there is a particular theme and for mine all the designers chosen had a fabric line represented by one of the showrooms at the center so the window had to feature our product used in creative ways.

Designers Hate It When You Think This

When I saw this quote in a design magazine talking about the fear that people have to overcome when they are deciding whether or not to use a designer I just had to post it. [caption id="attachment_1081" align="aligncenter" width="460"] Cindy Barganier Interiors[/caption] The thing that saddens me most about my job is misconceptions that people have about me: "I could never afford her." "I would...

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Renovation Magic

Even though they are  messy and always filled with surprises (often unpleasant ones) renovations are exciting to me. It’s like taking a person who thinks that they are washed up…that life has passed them by…and helping them find purpose again. I like to think of the transformation as renovation magic.

It is hard to see your own home the way that others see it. Because we walk through rooms every day, the familiarity blinds us to what is really there, I think. I know it is true for me. As an artist, I am a messy; so, when papers and paints and inspiration photos are covering every flat surface I just think, “Wow, exciting stuff is about to happen here.” Everyone else thinks, “Is she ever going to clean this place up!” LOL It’s what makes the world go ’round.

Sometimes, a room can be filled with good pieces that don’t need to be replaced but because of their age or the colors used, the room feels more like a museum than an inviting place to sit and visit. It is my job to see through the visual clutter and breathe fresh life.

Such was the case with this living room.

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renovation BEFORE

Renovation Magic

Even though they are  messy and always filled with surprises (often unpleasant ones) renovations are exciting to me. It’s like taking a person who thinks that they are washed up…that life has passed them by…and helping them find purpose again. I like to think of the transformation as renovation magic.

It is hard to see your own home the way that others see it. Because we walk through rooms every day, the familiarity blinds us to what is really there, I think. I know it is true for me. As an artist, I am a messy; so, when papers and paints and inspiration photos are covering every flat surface I just think, “wow, exciting stuff is about to happen here.” Everyone else thinks, “is she ever going to clean this place up!” LOL It’s what makes the world go ’round.

Sometimes, a room can be filled with good pieces that don’t need to be replaced but because of their age or the colors used, the room feels more like a museum than an inviting place to sit and visit. It is my job to see through the visual clutter and breathe fresh life.

Such was the case with this living room.

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renovation BEFORE

It has great bones and lovely family pieces that hold sentimental value but it was so dark and “stiff” that no one really ever used the room. My challenge is to lighten and brighten without significantly changing the layout or the furniture pieces used.

I started by stripping away the dated sheers and heavy window coverings, allowing the space to be flooded with natural light. The window and door flanking the fireplace open into a beautiful sunroom that we re-decorated a couple of years ago so there is no reason to have heavy drapery covering them. That change alone makes a huge difference AND saved the client the expense of new custom drapery and hardware for two windows, a considerable savings when you have 12′ ceilings.

Without really realizing what I was doing I actually just flipped the wall color and the ceiling colors.

The blue walls became white and the white ceiling became blue. Blue ceilings always feel like you are inviting the sky to come inside and bring its sunny effect with it. I am getting very happy!

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