topic Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO in Home

DOWNSIZED CONDO

Oznell — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:16:52 GMT

Sometimes, after the lavish bounty of Christmas, I like to look at interiors that speak of a certain peacefulness. This condo in the Turtle Creek section of Dallas, to me has that, with its airiness, its creams, greens, and natural elements-- yet there's a spark of drama too.

Love everything about this small entry. Starburst mirror and oversize Foo dogs have impact. Yet the details like the rich, muted ( leather?) screen, and the tiny painting, the plants, and the casual rattan console, are grounding.

A moss green velvet couch, one of my perennial faves! The condo residents are art lovers. Love the antique chest on the left, and the gorgeous prints in the fabrics. Wish I could show the other angles of this multi-faceted room, but the designer's (Josh Pickering) portfolio, wouldn't let me reproduce them for some reason.

The dreamy, pale tapestry sets a mood in the dining room which is so reminiscent of what you'd see in an old English country house. The green painted sideboard, candle hurricanes, faux bois chairs, and lovely print on the back of the chairs, for me create a fairy-tale-in-the-forest feeling.

The silvery lavender paint in the dining room, a favorite color of the homeowners, is "Destiny" by Sherwin Williams. Handsome, dimensional built-in for their china, has "beefier" than normal shelves, which to me gives more architectural interest. Ditto the subtle double recessing in the ceiling-- little touches that you don't always find in a condo. Josh Pickering is a master of detail.

Such a cozy, yet cosmopoltan den. Of course, as usual, I'd have to reduce the sheer amount of items in the shelves, just for 'visual tranquillity'. I'd have more simple books, with just a few objects salted in for variety. But I love the casual display of their art, over the shelves. Great, glinting lamps and rug. Moody color is "Garden Gate" by Sherwin Williams.

In the bedroom, more of that outdoorsy, vine motif, this time in the folded coverlet at bottom of bed. He mixes prints so deftly. Even though there are patterns in this room, I find it restful.

Detail of the woven, moss green curtains in bedroom. Homeowners requested no "black out" lining, since they want the sun to stream through. Pretty bench.

Love this vignette from the condo, overlooking the park toward downtown Dallas. The owner's mother had made the delicate, muted metal flowers, from old metal plates, petal by petal. The owner did not have them on display, but Pickering found the perfect brown and white vase to set off their wistful beauty.

You won't be surprised to know that Josh Pickering is an acolyte of, and worked for, the "dean" of American decorators, the great Bunny Williams. He often does extremely grand, luxurious houses, with soaring ceilings and endless amenities, like the house where he did this stunning dining room:

But I enjoyed seeing what he could bring about in a smaller scale setting.

If interested, his portfolio with its wide, large pictures of the condo and other houses gives a much better look. Just google Josh Pickering portfolio.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

Sooner — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:36:16 GMT

@Oznell Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures! I have a couple of Bunny Williams books I love looking at. And "back in the day" we sometimes ate at Mario's in Turtle Creek.

One time having lunch in their sunroom, sitting next to big windows, a squirrel in a bush apparently saw the reflection and jumped wham into the window right by my face. Scared the soup (literally! ) out of my spoon and back into the cup.

I sort of yelped and a waiter, who saw the whole thing, rushed over to make sure I and my dress were ok! LOL!!! Everyone had a good laugh.

Maybe not the squirrel.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

manny2 — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:45:22 GMT

It is a charming condo. @Oznell I can see they love art, but there is too much art behind the couch. It reads stagnant to the eye. It needs movement.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

stevieb — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:54:02 GMT

Other than the foyer (lose the lamps and the Foo dogs), I really like this one. Elegant and, at times, a bit overstated, but overall, a great looking traditional leaning home with many wonderful pieces and elements and a nice sense of color that isn't overblown. Those looking for a bolder use of color will probably not be satisfied, but I'm good with this one.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

ALRATIBA — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:03:04 GMT

Really lovely!

I'm generally "clutsy" and most rooms are a bit too "delicate" for me - but I'm loving the den/library!

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

kaydee50 — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:14:33 GMT

As usual, I'm in the minority. Do like the view from the window!! and the built-in in the dining room but otherwise overdone, too much clutter. I'm more a Frank Lloyd Wright type--less is more!

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

spiderw — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:48:53 GMT

My favorite is the dining room, the elegance of the chandelier and drapes, the furniture all appealing. I always appreciate art work on the walls and the tapestry is lovely. I am not a fan of everything about this condo but all in all, very creative and pretty.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

Foxxee — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 19:15:05 GMT

I am pleased to see more traditional interiors, not particularly liking all of the styles, but it's traditional.

I do like the Foo Dogs, have three colorful pairs myself, and the oriental vase. For those who don't know, Japanese make the most vicious looking Foo Dogs. Chinese much more pleasant, sometimes cute faces; although, we can still find a few nasty ones. The white ones in this picture look Chinese.

Still a lot of neutrals, though. They would be too depressing for me after a colorful Christmas.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

kindred cats — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:05:53 GMT

@Oznell ........I really love that "Garden Gate" paint color.

Beautiful photos, every one.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

Oznell — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 00:31:50 GMT

Ha, ha, great squirrel story, @Sooner ! I have the impression that Turtle Creek is a fun neighborhood.

I don't think you are necessarily in the minority, @kaydee50 . Like you, I also appreciate a somewhat lean, Frank Lloyd Wright sensibility, very much. My problem is, I respond to too many styles, when they're well done! Being mostly a traditionalist at heart, I can enjoy a somewhat layered, curated and collected style like in this condo, but not solely. Am just too eclectic for a strict and "pure" traditional look, and lots of times I'd purge about 1/3 of the accessories in many houses I admire....

@Foxxee, thanks for sharing that distinction between Chinese and Japanese Foo dogs-- I love learning stuff like that!

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

ECBG — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:59:17 GMT

I LOVE the leather panels and small picture in the foyer, as well as the rug and wall color.

I am drawn to most of the rooms except I am not a fan of floor to ceiling shelves.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

Oznell — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 13:27:22 GMT

Good point, @ECBG . The one sticking point for me in that cozy den is the presence of that many small, square shelves. It can create a busy look, or at least, visual disharmony. Longer, fewer shelves, and fewer objects, would straighten it out for me.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

gidgetgh — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 13:45:04 GMT

Once again, for me, way too formal and that entry is beyond cluttered.

And a huge no on moss green drapes.

I just don't care for this one at all. Wait, I did like the dining room built in if you lose the massive green plant thing.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

shoptilyadropagain — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 18:27:46 GMT

I'm not seeing a whole lot here that speaks to me. The lighter color scheme and especially using green is not for me. The living room is far too eclectic and I prefer a more cohesive look and feel. The library/den area leaves me anxious. It's too much clutter no matter how neatly it's arranged. There are some furniture/decor pieces throughout the condo that I do really like such as the lamps in the entryway and the chest and table on either side of the sofa, etc.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

QVCisFun — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 21:37:27 GMT

Nice vignette with the impressive metal flowers that the owner's mother had made - the colors in the flowers are a nice contrast to the neutral foreground colors and to the overcast hazy colors outside the window.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

Oznell — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 13:57:03 GMT

@QVCisFun, you picked up on those metal flowers, which also fascinated me. The fact that Josh Pickering saw their intrinsic worth, and knew exactly how to showcase this precious heirloom of the homeowners (which had languished undisplayed), speaks to me of his unerring eye for meaningful rooms!

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

wilma — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 21:50:49 GMT

I like the use of green in the otherwise neutral spaces. There's a bit too much artwork on the walls for me. I like the library, but I'd prefer the built in shelves be larger to allow for more versatility and creativity in the arrangement of books and objects. I would also remove the 2 large pieces of artwork hanging over the sofa. I would like the bedroom better without the 4 poster frame and material hanging on it.

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

Trailrun23 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 03:33:07 GMT

I love all of the rooms except for the den. Remove maybe half of the art and things on the shelves, and then it works for me. The art behind the sofa is too low....I would hit my head on it if sitting on the sofa...

Re: DOWNSIZED CONDO

Trailrun23 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 03:35:16 GMT

I love all of the rooms except for the den. Remove maybe half of the art and things on the shelves, and then it works for me. The art behind the sofa is too low to enjoy...and the shelves are too dark...the objects on them aren't enhanced.