An original landing in this 1812 American Federal-style home, constructed of rubble stone, was a part of the 2017 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Decorator Show House in Timonium Maryland. This showhouse room was conceived as a space to display fine art and antiques.  A 19th Century rosewood Regency period center table grounds the space, which functions as an overflow entertainment space.

BRIEF:

Decorate an interior space to display fine art and antiques:

CONSTRUCTION:

• Repaint the existing chair rail
• Install new lighting

Overall, it required little construction, making it more decorating than designing the space. The existing Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper in a “casual” damask pattern, was in perfect condition. Sometimes, one does not need to change something just for the sake of change. Further, the dado area below the chair rail complemented the wallpaper beautifully.

The coral-red color on the chair rail was repainted white, to match the antique white painted window trim, baseboard, and stair stringing. A simple track lighting system (Plan B) highlights the colorful abstract art against the wallpaper. The relaxed Roman window shade is simple, allowing the window to fulfill its purpose of allowing daylight and air into the space. Black and white photography from the 1920s allows the eye to rest between the two vibrant canvases, and a plain wool Persian Gabbeh area rug from Main Street Oriental Rugs balances the intense red used as an accent color in the abstract art and the Roman shade fabric and trim. Finally, a pair of acrylic and white sheepskin benches add a playful element that is functional as well as beautiful.  Don’t you want to just pet them?

FURNISHINGS & ACCESSORIES:

Existing Wallcovering: Brunschwig et Fils; Wool Area Rug: Main Street Oriental Rugs; 19th c. Rosewood Regency Center Table with Paw Feet and Brass Inlay: French Accents Antiques; Sheepskin and Acrylic Stools, White Porcelain Eagles, Five Framed Oil on Board Paintings, Crystal Sphere, Resin Bowl, Black & White Photography: Knightsbridge Charleston, SC; Modern Canvas Art (2) on Main Landing: Gayle Goldstein – Mandela Canvas c.1974 on the second landing: Private Collection; Window Treatments: Roya Akbari/Great Dreams Interiors; Roman Shade Fabric: Kravet; Roman Shade Trim: Brunschwig et Fils

Photography © Todd A. Smith Architectural Photo & Video