Our Favorite Room

September 3, 2009

Site Staff,

WHERE IT BEGAN: Designer Jane Cotter, of Edwards-based Slifer Designs, carefully navigated a client’s bold, vivacious tastes to pair traditional pieces with punchy, modern colors for a “Hollywood meets East Coast” dining room.

WHERE IT BEGAN: Designer Jane Cotter, of Edwards-based Slifer Designs, carefully navigated a client's bold, vivacious tastes to pair traditional pieces with punchy, modern colors for a “Hollywood meets East Coast” dining room.

The design began with the Schumacher wallpaper, which features a lattice pattern of bright green—a stunning marriage of traditional sophistication and bold modernity. From there, the room spoke through fabrics. “The inspiration for the room was driven by the clients,” Cotter says, “and the fabrics are really representative of the family. The prints are alive, bright, but still functional. It's a room they're happy to come home to.”

PERFECT TOUCHES: If the fabrics and colors were the driving force of the room, it was the finishing touches that perfected the ensemble. While the Guy Chaddock table and sideboard are gorgeous, the paintings from Walker Fine Art by Miani Carnevale (left) and Don Quade add a modern flair. Drapes by Robert Allen play an important role, adding yet another pop of color but also playing up the room's sophistication.

STYLE GUIDE: Looking to combine traditional pieces with color? Consider Cotter's advice: “With bold statement colors like greens and oranges, but traditional pieces, you have to be careful to avoid comical combinations,” she says. You can also make a statement with lighting. Here, Cotter uses modish lamps throughout the room to add to the up-to-date feel, and the space is topped off with a distinctive chandelier. Natural light plays its part, too. The gauzy drapes add enough substance to frame exquisite views while allowing sunlight to add to the freshness of the bright room.

Although this space draws style from the coasts, there is plenty of elegant modern design to be found closer to home. We asked Cotter to round up a collection of products available here in Colorado to help you get the look. Here are a few of her picks. For the complete collection, pick up a copy of the September/October issue of CH&L.

For more information about the products in this room, click here.

Milling Road Console Table by Baker Handsome dark hardwood, stylish ball feet, dark brass knobs and six delicately carved legs make this piece distinctive. Slifer Designs, Edwards, sliferdesigns.com.

View From Above by Don Quade The fresh colors and soft geometrics of this 36-by-36-inch contemporary painting provides a point of punctuation to a dining or living room. Walker Fine Art, Denver, walkerfineart.com.