Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb2016

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“I’ve even seen people choose throw pillows that match
their favorite shirt,” she said.
Jenny Keenan of Jenny Keenan Design, who has been
in business in the Charleston area for more than a decade,
sees a change in the Lowcountry.
“Things are becoming less formal,” she noted. “People
like to mix inherited pieces that are more traditional and
then add items that tend toward a more
relaxed style to fit with kids – one big open
space with an eclectic mix of things with
pops of color.”
Color forecasters around the world
get their inspiration from many different
avenues, including runway fashion and even
automobiles.
“People listen to the color forecasters,
but often design trends have been pulled
from different countries, such as Old World
or European,” Tall explained. “A popular
choice lately is white on white with textured
cream leather.”
Incorporating patterns and designs is
a way for you to make a house a home.
Feeling comfortable in your space is
important, and, for most, it means
redesigning every 10 years or so.
“A great way to live within a budget is to
utilize neutral colors such as beiges or grays
for your bigger pieces and then accent with
the livelier colors,” said Tall. “That way you
aren’t trying to replace an expensive sofa.
Think about replacing throw pillows or
lamps to change your living spaces.”
Keenan agreed. She is a big fan of
working with a white house and adding
fabrics to create individualized living space.
“I love block print palettes,” she said.
“Essentially, you can just continue to
layer patterns over patterns. I love mixing
textiles.”
It is important to choose a color that
makes you comfortable, and, if you are
concerned about using a specific color, you
should start small.
“Add little pieces in one room, and, if you find you like
it, then expand to another room,” said Keenan.
She also recommended choosing a paint color with gray
undertones.
“Of course, it depends on how vibrant you want the
color to be, but having a gray undertone doesn’t mean it is
going to look gray on the wall. It simply translates better
and is not quite so bold. My clients seem to be happier
with this. What color people want most often is a good
blue,” she said.
When choosing a color, Keenan said you shouldn’t
simply go by the small color samples or color wheels:
“Paint a test sample on a board – or several samples – and
then carry it around the room to see if it is going to work.”
For many, one of the most important rooms to design
is a nursery. Winn Query, owner of Baby Bloomers in
Mount Pleasant, has been guiding clients for nearly 13
years, helping them make sure the room will be ready
when the baby arrives.