Something Old, Something New...

So many of us have a favorite, upholstered antique (or just old, worn and tired) piece of furniture.  Maybe it’s a family heirloom that was passed down to you through your family, or, maybe it’s a vintage find that has become a treasured favorite over the years. Or it could be an older piece that you had in your first apartment, and it has too much sentimental value to part with.

What happens when this piece is looking too worn for comfort and is sticking out like a sore thumb in your freshly re-designed space? 

Kellie Burke Interiors has the perfect solution; reupholster!

New fabric and filling can make a world of difference when it comes to an older piece of furniture. In addition to making the piece more comfortable to sit on, it can also breathe new life into the piece itself, and the design of the room.  The above picture is a chair we reupholstered a few months ago; it’s an heirloom piece with sentimental value. Rather than finding fabric that is of the same time period and style as the chair, we decided to go in a totally new direction with zebra print and distressed leather. At Kellie Burke Interiors we absolutely love the contrast of the antique shape and style of the chair with the modern fabric choice; it gives the piece life and character. Because of its eclectic look it fit beautifully into any design scheme; it could add some funk to a more traditional or old world space, or the traditional shape could offset sleek lines in a modern room. Either way, it’s a great way to give a special piece an updated look and add a lot of character into a space!

Setting the Mood with Lighting

One of our favorite custom lighting vendors recently held a contest for Best Lighting Application.  We knew we had to enter, and decided that Bricco Trattoria in Glastonbury, CT was the design that would take home the gold; and now we are excited to announce that we WON! 

When designing a lighting scheme you first want to consider the practical uses for a space.  A restaurant is similar to a residential dining room or family room in the sense that you don’t need bright lighting; it is more about creating ambiance than anything else.  Lighting that is too harsh, that would be more appropriate in a home office or kitchen, makes it hard to relax and get in the mood that you are trying to create in the space. 

Light fixtures are also a great way to set the style for the room.  If you are going for a romantic look in a bedroom, than an ornate, crystal chandelier is perfection. For a modern kitchen, sleek pendant lights not only provide excellent task lighting but simple lines will add to the minimalist look.  And for an Old World style family room? Think ornate and over the top, with gold shades, intricate iron work, and lots of scroll work. 

Lastly, light fixtures often can bring texture, as well as light, into a space.  As seen at Bricco Trattoria, we’ve mixed chandeliers with a rope detail, cylinders in a metal cage design, sleek, oversized pendants, and chandeliers with clusters of metal caged globes. What you get is a mix of textures that adds to the design scheme.  It is also important to use a variety of fixtures in a space. Rather than repeating one fixture over and over in either a home or a restaurant, it is better design to choose several fixtures with similar characteristics, and mix them to keep things interesting. 

View pictures from our award winning lighting design below!

Vote for us! Best of Hartford Magazine 2012!

Kellie Burke Interiors needs your votes!  Hartford Magazine's annual Best of Hartford Survey 2012 has officially started.  After winning in 2006 and 2011 we are going for a third win, but we can't do it without you!

Click the link below to cast your ballot

http://hartfordmag-survey.wehaaserver.com/survey-8-hartford_magazine_survey_2012.html

Glam Up That Table!

It may feel like you were just scrambling to set your holiday table yesterday, but Kellie Burke Interiors is ready to talk tabletops! 

A beautifully set table can be the visual highlight of any dinner, whether it’s a holiday party, special occasion, or “just another weekday dinner”.  After participating in “Set To Celebrate” Holiday Table Show at the Town and Country Club in Hartford last December we are ready to share our tips!

Layer, Layer, Layer!

Just as layering helps add interest to an outfit or a window treatment; it can do the same for a table.  We decided to feature Vietri’s Incanto line, we liked the crisp “winter white” that it brought to our holiday-glam table, but also viewed it as a neutral, every day dinnerware set that is found in many kitchen cabinets. We love that there are different shapes within this collection to layer on top of another, rather than having circle upon circle. Then, we placed the Vietri Chiaroscuro appetizer plate on top; the black was a great pop against the white.  By adding our Kellie Burke Interiors as a party favor, it ties all of the layers below it together as well as adding height to each table setting.  

Texture 

The next element we incorporated was texture. With the intricate detailing of the Vietri dinnerware, we already had some texture from the get-go.  Our flatware, also Vietri, has some texture as well in the basket weave pattern of the metal at the base of the handle.  The holly berries sprigs that we tucked into the candle ribbon also add texture (as well as a pop of color). Lastly, our centerpiece, which consisted of branches with glitter and sparkles, enhanced the texture as well. 

The Element of Surprise

Last, but certainly not least, is the element of surprise. That unexpected something that takes your table over the top.  We took a ebony faux fur blanket and layered it over a plain white cloth as our dramatic tablecloth. Not only is it completely out of the box it adds to the layers that we have going on as well as brings a different texture to the table.  Faux fur was having a major moment this year so we were so excited to glam up our table and participate in this trend.

It is helpful to have a color scheme in mind beforehand, as well as having a general idea as to the direction that your table will take, but after that use these three tips and watch your table go from drab to fab! Have fun! 

To purchase Vietri, or any item seen please contact us!

Kellie Burke Interiors

993A Farmington Avenue

West Hartford, CT 06107

T: 860-232-9128

www.kellieburke.com

Monday-Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Embellished Candles = Decorative Eye Candy

So here we are, nearing the end of January, still trapped in the winter blues while we are wrapped in our cozy blankets, waiting for spring to come.  Since this is the time of year when we are spending the most time indoors, we think that it’s the most important time to keep your home looking fresh and exciting, and at Kellie Burke Interiors, we’ve got a great way to do that; embellished candles! 

We all love the ambiance that a room full of lit candles has, but these amazing decorative candles are a way to add some excitement and life to a space.  They are oversized to be even more dramatic and come in a variety of colors and sizes. The Fleur de Lis is a great motif to add to an Old World Style room, whereas the Skull and Crossbones adds a touch of sparkle and edge to any space you can think of.  At Kellie Burke Interiors, we all fell in love with the pink “Key to your Heart Candle” a great pick for Valentine’s Day!

Haute News! Now Introducing Kellie Burke Interiors Private Label Fabrics!

Kellie Burke Interiors is proud to announce our new line of Private Label Fabrics, exclusively available at our West Hartford Center showroom: Window by Kellie Burke.  After opening Window in Fall 2011, we were looking for the next way to bring style into the homes of our clients; this new line of fabrics is the latest and greatest way to get Kellie Burke Interior’s signature look. 

The Kellie Burke Private line includes fabrics in a full range of colors and styles, varying from sheers to silks; linens to lavish wovens, ensuring that there is something for everyone in the line. In addition to becoming a go to line for our design clients, we also utilize this line as part of our Window showroom services to assist clients in selecting window treatments that are perfect for their décor and lifestyle.

Come explore our signature fabric line or to get a design consultation! 

Kellie Burke Interiors 

993A Farmington Avenue 

West Hartford, CT 06107

T- 860.232.9128

kellieburke.com 

Hours: 

Monday- Friday: 9:00am- 5:00pm

Window by Kellie Burke

Kellie Burke Interiors has been a staple in West Hartford Center for years. Aside from being our design studio, Kellie Burke Interiors is also a boutique specializing in unique home accessories as well as candles, jewelry, and Vietri dinnerware.

In September 2011 we expanded our offerings with Window by Kellie Burke! Window is a unique showroom where clients can come in, browse row after row of beautiful fabrics, and work with our designers to achieve a custom look for their windows. If you've got a room that  is already decorated but needs a fresh update or finishing touch, new window treatments are the best way to do that. New window treatments can breathe new life into a not so new space, all the while making it comfortable and cozy to live in. Window by Kellie Burke is a great way to get a dose of Kellie Burke's signature style!

Stop by and visit us today!