Interior Design | Redecorate a Room |
A ROOM FOR ALL SEASONS |
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by CAITLIN SESSA photography by TOM and TASHA OWEN |
| Four distinct looks mark the redesign of a Bend home |
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"Simple but elegant. Rustic yet refined. If you can balance those four things, it comes together.”
When Dixie, her husband, Mario, and their two now-teenage sons moved into a small home in Nottingham Square six years ago, they renovated the main room, which includes the living and dining rooms and the kitchen. The real challenge was decorating the small space with an assortment of items that didn’t always complement each other. So one summer day, Dixie spread her belongings on a tarp in the front yard. She looked over everything from the first set of dishes she had bought, to items from estate sales, to things from the Pomegranate home furnishings store where she works. Using her eclectic sense of style, she grouped accessories together by seasonal theme. “Each season has its own look in nature so I tried to mimic it,” Dixie explains. Anything that was left over went to Goodwill. The next step was finding furniture that could be adapted to complement the seasons. Slipcovers seemed the natural choice; she also got a couch, chairs and an ottoman from a company called Chicago Textile. She bought end tables that could easily be covered and painted the walls a neutral color. Today, every corner of the main room features detail without feeling cluttered or overdone. Dixie has an eye for harmony—from the soaps, which change with the seasons, to the postcards on the trellis that reflect the overall theme. |
Spring
The room in spring takes on the feel of a garden picnic, complete with flowery cupcakes, for ogling and eating, and petite bottles of pink French soda. Splashes of powder blue accent and enliven the season’s pink-and-white color palate. The walls are adorned with vintage clothing and the room exudes a light feminine air. The slipcovers are light and the end tables are covered in white with hints of blue and pink. Accents such as pink pillows and mirrors add brightness. |
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Summer
Summer’s decorating is reminiscent of the beach and has a Caribbean flair. Coral-colored slipcovers and coordinating striped drapery bathe the room with a bright glow; a globe, travel posters and postcards lend the feel of a summer vacation house. The wood end tables are left uncovered, adding some natural texture and color to the overall theme. |
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Autumn
A trip to Europe in 1999 inspired this season’s look: The decor is reinvented by the rich golden tones of Tuscany and Provence. All of the room’s details take their cues from the earth—from color scheme to candles to vibrant golden sun-flowers and fresh rosemary. The summer slipcovers remain, but the use of sage-green-colored drapes changes the ambiance from Caribbean to Mediterranean. |
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Winter
The rich colors of autumn are removed from the room and replaced by winter white. Rather than feeling stark, however, the room is bathed in bright light and exudes warmth. crisp white flowers, and touches of brown and black, add dimension o the theme. White candles create an atmosphere ttat entices guests to relax and stay awhile. |
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SPRING ELEMENTS |
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| Flowered drapery |
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White and bright pink with powder-blue accents |
| Vintage dresses, hats and gloves |
| Garden accents and fresh flowers |
SUMMER ELEMENTS |
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| Caribbean beach theme |
| Bright slipcovers and drapery |
| Clean, crisp look |
| Warm-weather accents such as parasols and skateboards |
AUTUMN ELEMENTS |
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| Softer, earthier tones |
| Accessories inspired by the rich hues of Tuscany |
| Art has a European feel |
| Sage green drapery and autumn colors |
WINTER ELEMENTS |
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| Winter white on white |
| Brown and black accents |
| White drapery and slipcovers |
| Artwork is reflective of the white theme |
That’s
how Dixie Tryon describes her inspiration in
redecorating the main room of her southeast Bend house
for each of the four seasons.
