Details v.1

I recently wrote about nailhead trim, but what about other fun details? Detail is all about the way you put things together and the extra-added surprise of showing someone in the room for the first time a little something that they didn’t expect. Details can be anything from architectural details to accessories, but they’re important to making a room look and feel finished and warm. Creative applications of detail are great, but remember, when you do something unusual or over-the-top you must do it well. Don’t skimp or stop short. Get the best and do it right- suddenly you’ll find it will make the room. Detail is a vast subject to cover, so I’ll get started with the images below and try to post something about detail at least once a month.

You may look at the above image from a room in Décor Magazine from 2004 and think, “that’s not my style” but you can learn a lot about details from this room. The overall feel is warm and finished. This designer, whose name I cannot find, had the presence of mind to think about details. Notice the nailhead trim on the chair. The contrast cording on the sofa cusion… the braid or ribbon on the leading edge of the drapery.. and of course, the pom-pom fringe on the pillows. I would have given the table a bigger, more weighty lamp, but then again, it’s hard to judge proportion when you only have one shot of the room.

This simple little tile detail around a fairly standard looking doorbell creates detail before you even walk in the door. Image from Kelly Wearstler's "Modern Glamour".

Trim is an easy way to infuse detail into a room. I love using trim in unexpected ways or in luxurious combinations. I figure, as long as your buying trim, get the good stuff and go for it. Tres McKinney designer. Image courtesy Traditional Home Magazine.


This is a wonderful space between a walk-in closet and a large master bath that we designed for a client several years ago. Custom details include the lampshades, the trim and the amazing assortment of antique silver jars that line the decorative table top. Design by Jenny Bova Associates

Blackberry Farm

I hesitated before I began this entry… Blackberry Farm is by far my favorite get-away on the mainland. When you find a place like this, you don’t really want the whole world to find out, but then again, you do want the world to find out and you want to see them do well. It would be impossible for the Beall family to not do well with Blackberry Farm. And unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve seen a write up on either the food or the spa or the impeccable décor. Kreis Beall, the wife half of the duo that started Blackberry Farm, originally did all of the design herself and has now set up a company that carries on this work. When I spoke about detail in an earlier post, Blackberry is just that kind of place. There is detail and thought in just about every design and decision they have made. On top of it all, the staff is kind and accommodating in every way. My advice: bring your hiking shoes and forget about your diet.


Above: Image of a well-appointed guest room. Courtesy Blackberry Farm web site.


Just a peek at some of the details you’ll find. Image courtesy of O at Home Magazine.



Above: This photo was taken in the guest room that one of my family members stayed in. I loved the creative solution to covering the flat screen TV. Can't wait to do this one myself!



Being an animal lover, I went down to the pasture to see the sheep during our stay. Their caretaker was about to feed them and let me hang out and watch. They are like giant dogs and seem to like to be near people. Image courtesy of Blackberry Farm web site.

Nailhead Trim

I’ve had a love-hate relationship with nailhead trim. One of the first places I actually took note of it was not in a good way. My Mom had hired a design firm in Phoenix in the early nineties to completely deck out their new home. The deal was, if my Mom didn’t like what they brought they would bring in something else, no obligations. I’m not so sure that was their idea with the window treatments because they had to be custom made. The window treatments were generally nice in every room except the kitchen where they selected a washed cotton in off-white that looked wrinkled but wasn’t and looked dirty but wasn’t… you get the idea. Anyway, they made cornice boards above really long windows… like 15-18’ long. Outlining the cornices (yes, more than one) were nail heads that looked and felt like plastic. It takes a lot of nail heads to cover 15 feet. And to add insult to injury, they put giant matching nail heads in the center of the cornice evenly spaced to create a tufted/ western sort of look. It was all a little too Vegas in the early 70’s for my taste. Luckily my Mom felt the same way. Out they went! I wish I had a picture for you.

Needless to say, nailheads haven’t been my detail of choice. But that could and should change. Lately (and in most cases since the aforementioned incident) I’ve seen many applications of nail heads that I love. I’ve seen the right fabric and nailheads bring and old upholstered piece right up to date. And the extra detail and emphasis for things like leather chairs and ottomans just goes to show you’re thinking about how to make things special.
Image above from Kelly Wearstler's book "Modern Glamour".


What a fabulous use of nailheads! Upholstered walls with a nailhead headboard built layered on top and the nailhead continues as almost a paneling motif in a very contemporary way. Ingenious- and by none other than Mary McDonald. While this application doesn’t necessarily feel casual to me, it is an intimate space and the nailheads work very well with the suiting fabric and the masculine feel. Notice the various different applications of nailheads on other pieces in the room- the bed and the stool and even the piece at the end of the bed. Image courtesy House Beautiful Magazine.


This is a chair from Gwyneth Paltrow’s entry hall featured in House & Garden. I like the minute nailhead detail on the base of the chair. A pinch of extra detail.



Sutherland teak outdoor with stainless nailheads.

This side table from Shine Home uses a technique called “close nailing” to create a decorative pattern with the nailheads. This is becoming more common, but very frequently it is done to an otherwise forgettable piece of furniture to try to make something interesting of it. I like this side table application because it is small, movable, and strictly an accent piece. Wouldn’t it be fun for a party or outside on a summer evening?… I’m thinking of the effect of the shiny nailheads with flickering candlelight. Image courtesy House Beautiful Magazine.

For more nailhead ideas, history and application check out the February issue of House Beautiful.