This phrase can apply to so many things in our lives. It could be a small tweak in your golf swing that starts producing that straight shot you've been after. It could be a correction to your eyeglasses that clarifies everything you see. It can even be a shift in your attitude that clears away the clouds and lets the sun shine. Regardless of the situation, change is a real and necessary part of life. Since opening a month ago, I've been troubled by the north third of the shop. It felt like a dance floor, wide open, no interest. I put some thought into it and on Memorial Day my sister and I did a little rearranging. The minor changes we made have had a major impact. Bye-bye dance floor! Hello cozy, comfortable vignettes. I'd love to show you a few before and after photos, but I'd rather you come in and experience the space for yourself. See you soon!
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I LOVE MUSIC! There is rarely a moment in my daily life that is not filled with some melody, whether actual or imagined. You see, I think life should have a soundtrack. No movie or TV show would be complete without one, so why not compose one for your own life. Mine is filled with all types of music, but the standards of the Great American Songbook play the most prominent role. Composers and lyricists like Cole Porter, Ira & George Gerschwin, Harold Arlen and Jerome Kern produced music with meaning that is as relevant today as it was 50 or more years ago. Their notes and words have been given voice by thousands of singers, but the four above are the ones I will never do without. Dinah Washington, Stacey Kent, Michael Feinstein, and the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald never disappoint. They are tender, they are riotous, and they are honest. They bring calm and comfort every day! Give them a try...you won't be disappointed! I love putting together a room whether it's in a real house or it's smack dab in the middle of my showroom. The process for me is the same, regardless of the location. I start with fabric...finding the perfect palette to fit the mood and then I begin to layer those colors in area rugs, artwork, accessories and lighting. Some might consider this backward, but my fabrics selections have rarely led me down a bad path. Add some texture, some visual interest, some personality and your room will sing. Don't worry this sounds overwhelming, I've got complete Rooms To Go on the floor, and I'm more than happy to visit your space and develop a scheme specifically for you. This week I had a customer order two of these beautiful high-backed Griffin Chairs from CR Laine Furniture. While the nearly 48 inch height gives them an incredible presence in any room, my client was brave enough to shift the stripe from the usual vertical orientation to a more fashion-forward horizontal presentation. This kind of detail is what really separates the men from the boys, so to speak. I tell people over and over again that having interesting, personalized pieces are worth waiting for. It's only 8 weeks after all. To know that the chair was made especially for you, gives you a greater sense of ownership and it makes your interior distinctive. Don't be afraid to express yourself...you'll be glad you did. A few years ago, at home, I switched to a neutral palette for my upholstered pieces. What fun it's been to throw colorful pillows like these on my sofas and chairs. Get tired of one color scheme, find a new pillow and create a brand new look. Don't underestimate the power of a 20" square piece of material. It can be transforming! Detail, Style and Comfort. Find these three qualities in a chair and you have hit the Trifecta. Sometimes a chair is pretty, but you don't really want to spend any time in it. Other times, the comfort is there, but its looks border on ugly. I'm here to tell you that you really don't need to sacrifice anything to hit the Trifecta. Be willing to do a little searching, stray outside your comfort zone, if you have to, and I am sure you'll be able to find just the right chair, or sofa for that matter. I found it in the Gustav Chair from CR Laine...and there are many more from Home at Last standing in line right behind him that fit the bill. It's been a wild and wonderful opening weekend for us at Home at Last. To tell you I'm not tired, would be a total lie, but I am buoyed by the good energy you've all sent this way. If worse comes to worse, you may find me cuddling up on this little beauty! Redin Park Bed by Bassett. Ramala, Varkala, and Montego Stripe bedding by Pine Cone Hill |
AuthorI'm Dan Brungardt and have been the proprietor and designer at Home at Last for the past 15 years. I'm constantly inspired by the things I see around me and now I get to share them with you! Archives
December 2019
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