Leah Moss Interiors did the design work - www.mosseclectic.com - I owe Leah a big glass of champagne so I can get her to spill all of her secrets of design - cheers Leah!
Here is the full view of the shop as you walk in from the street:
Here is another full view of the shop if you turn to look in the opposite direction:
Now..let's focus on some of the best features - I plan on using some of these at home! I love the branch theme - starting with the wall installation - this is a unique focal point that consists of a spray painted branch adhered directly to the wall and then volume is added by painting additional branches. The combo of 3 dimensional branches and flat paint create an interesting conversation piece that can be dressed for all the seasons.
Some close ups:
Christmas ornaments could be replaced with Easter Eggs or dried flowers in the Spring - sea shells in the Summer - and then fallen / pressed Autumn leaves come September - the possibilities are endless.
Weaving around floating shelves adds both structural support and more design impact. Be sure to match your shelving colors to the branches for a cohesive look.
Carrying on with the rustic and natural theme - the wall space between the two front windows is dressed with wood paneling. Wood paneling used to be a scary scary thing (see the 1970s)- but Leah has made it so "now" by choosing randomly sized and painted wood pieces - creating art. This is simple to do if you go to your local lumber yard or hardware store - you can ask for scrap pieces and then paint them or distress them with nails and random hammering. Cut the pieces at different lengths and you can dress a feature wall on the cheap.
Perhaps the most interesting feature in the shop was nearly hidden behind the truffle display cases - truffles can be very distracting! - was a window surrounded by moss - yes, as in moss that you find on logs in the forest. It's been dried and preserved - then fixated around the window.
Kudos to Leah for taking a risk with this choice - it pays off in a big way. I would use this idea in a sun room or around french doors that lead out to a garden. It adds both color and texture - I've seen moss used so often on tablescapes and to dress mantle pieces - but never around a window as a permanent fixture.
As you all know - I love my antiques. I couldn't help but notice her great collection of antique mirrors arranged in random order on the wall. This is a great example of how to effectively arrange collections - you always want to have an odd number featured and Leah shows that you don't have to kill yourself measuring perfectly - create more impact with an asymmetrical layout.
I also love the metallic yet earthy wallpaper - the branch design fits next to the moss adorned windows and plays nicely off of the branch wall installation on the opposite wall.
Last but by no means least - the ladder! Using ladders as a decorating feature is super hot right now - Leah and Ashley found this ladder in the trash and decided to salvage it with some Restoration Hardware paint - the slate collection (www.restorationhardware.com) was painted on and then quickly wiped off while still wet using a cloth - be sure to leave areas inconsistent with paint coverage to achieve a vintage look.
The steps of the ladder provide creative real estate for holiday decor - if you want this to function as shelving like shown - look for step ladders or simply add wood inserts and adhere to each step. Another great option is to leave the wood inserts out and simply hang plants off of each step and treat the ladder for outdoor use with water seal - leaning it against your deck railings or directly against the exterior of your home will provide a super fun new feature.
Now..let's try the key lime truffle!
