Design In Five: Wilson Kelsey Design

To start the new year off right, we have not only one guest for the Design in Five series, but two:  the fantastic design team of Sally Wilson and John Kelsey, of Wilson Kelsey Design.  I learn so much from John and Sally's blog about New England design - blending traditional decor with a fresh perspective - not to mention great writing!  I was excited when they said they would like to participate because I knew they would bring a unique perspective, and they didn't disappoint.  In additional, all of these pictures are of their original work, so we can all learn directly from the source!  Take a look at their ideas:

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Sally and I were thrilled and honored when Barbara asked us to be part of her Design In Five Series. My first impulse and thought was, “WOW! This is the equivalent of the kid in the candy store! LOVE IT!!! I can do anything I want! Cyberspace Show House! Room of my Dreams!” Then Barbara’s questions became very hard very quickly… There’s so much to consider when you design a room! But ultimately, Sally and I winnowed it down to these 5 Points – the aspects of a room’s design that emotionally resonate with Sally and me. The ones we use to tell a room’s story.

1.      Millwork and architectural detail
2.      Lighting
3.      Color
4.      Fabric
5.      Artwork

Using examples of our work, we’ve illustrated these points.

Number One: Architecture. If a room is basically sound, but it needs personality, then millwork and architectural detail will give a room context and style. It is the stage upon which the rest of the room plays out. Design a great room architecturally, and everything you add will be so much more successful.

Wilson Kelsey Design: Custom millwork and crown molding in dining room.
Photo: Laura Moss

Wilson Kelsey Design: Custom millwork and crown molding in master bath.
Photo: Laura Moss

Wilson Kelsey Design: Custom millwork in library.
Photo: Michael Lee

Second: Lighting. Lighting creates mood and emotion. Lighting can make or break a room’s design, no matter how well the room is done. We see everything based upon the lighting we have, whether natural sunlight, reflected light, or artificial light. I really feel let down when I see a new home with rows and rows of recessed down lights. That is not the way to make people feel comfortable in a room. It is with sconces, lamps, both table and floor, and candles that we feel connected to our environment. Somehow it is related to the thousands of years that mankind lived by natural daylight and candlelight. By changing the style of lamp you choose, you can support the style of the room. There are great modern table lamps and great antique ones to choose from.

Wilson Kelsey Design: Antique chandelier in dining room.
Photo: Laura Moss

Wilson Kelsey Design: Louis XVI style sconces in living room.
Photo: Michael Lee

Wilson Kelsey Design: Antique table lamps in foyer/reception hall.
Photo: Rick Mandelkorn

Third: Color. The room will be perceived by its color – whether white or pink! Color can be a neutral backdrop or it can take center stage. So much of it depends on the story you want the room to tell – and how loudly you want the room to speak… Sally and I love working with color, and we always start our design process by designing toward “feelings”. The right design, and the right color, come from our understanding of the feeling the client wants to create. Is it warm and cozy? Or is it fresh and casual? Is it formal for X room and casual for Y room? Is it sedate, or is it energizing? Whatever adjectives our clients come up with, we relate our experiences to that.

Wilson Kelsey Design: Neutral fabrics. It’s all about the view.
Photo: Rick Mandelkorn

Wilson Kelsey Design: Richly layered colors and textures.
Photo: Laura Moss

Wilson Kelsey Design: Blending strong wall color and fabrics.
Photo: Eric Roth

Fourth: Fabric. The choice of fabric continues the storyline of a room, but in a different way – through pattern, texture, etc. Furniture is a given, but the fabrics you choose to cover that furniture can establish the character of the room. That is where the adjectives come to life! Fabrics can make a room feel formal, or casual. They can be tactile, or a visual feast. (silk versus chenille for instance.)

Wilson Kelsey Design: Contrasting patterns, tones and textures add richness.
Photo: Rick Mandelkorn

Wilson Kelsey Design: Lush silk velvet on recamier contrasts with floor and fern.
Photo: Sam Gray

Wilson Kelsey Design: Needlepoint parrot, multiple fabrics and tassels.
Photo: Rick Mandelkorn

Five: Artwork. Artwork is the eye candy, where there’s an opportunity to conclude the story with an exclamation point. This, also, can help the descriptive adjectives to complete the statement. Is the artwork formal or not, and how does it contribute to the room? It helps to establish focal points, resonance, color, personality and completeness. Framing is especially important. The right framing and matting for the pieces as well as the room can make all the difference.

Wilson Kelsey Design: Antique tapestry graces a grand foyer.
Photo: Michael Lee

Wilson Kelsey Design: Antique oil compliments colors in the room.
Photo: Michael Lee

Wilson Kelsey Design: Contemporary oil draws you into the room.
Photo: Eric Roth

Both Sally and I often find ourselves drawing parallels between interior design and a symphony orchestra. Both are composed of different parts, each fulfilling different and ever changing rolls over time. Both done well can cause goose bumps, gasps of delight and applause. Both have encores.  In the case of a well designed room, you keep coming back for more.

 

Wilson Kelsey Design: French villa style living room, in construction.
Photo: John Kelsey

Wilson Kelsey Design: French villa style living room, progress photo.
Photo: John Kelsey

Wilson Kelsey Design: French villa style living room illustrating the Five Points.
Photo: Laura Moss

We’ve had a lot of fun putting his post together. It challenged us to stop and think very carefully about how we go about designing a room. We learned a few things about ourselves. Thank you for that opportunity, Barbara.

Cheers,

John and Sally

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It was my pleasure giving you both the opportunity - thanks so much for your ideas!

I especially loved their points about adding millwork and architectural detail to a room. 

And how amazing was it to see how that French-inspired room came to life??  Stunning.

I'd love to hear what you all thought about John & Sally's perspectives on Design In Five!