Memo to those of us lacking the Martha gene : Not every home accessory or piece of furniture in a designer ’ s nest is carefully sourced as part of a grand plan . Consider the massive four-by-six-foot chandelier that belonged to a former client . “ She wanted to hang it but at ninety-five pounds , it ’ s so heavy , she would have needed a structural engineer to verify the ceiling could hold the weight ,” Blakely says .
Instead , the fixture found a new home in her own front hall . The bold black trim on the stairs and other areas of the ground floor echo the color of the chandelier and was a deliberate choice . “ It makes a statement ,” she says . The gallery of artwork leading up the stairs brings together the palettes of blacks , pinks and vibrant blues .
Next on the to-do list : An upstairs bedroom is kitted out with pieces Blakely bought for a show house a couple of years ago , including a bed and nightstands that she later offered , without success , at her warehouse sale . “ It ’ s hard to sell a blue king-size bed ,” she says , matter of factly . “ My husband wants me to repaint it . He thinks it ’ s drab .”
Still , headache-inducing supply chain issues ( waiting for furniture takes months , Blakely notes ) aren ’ t even a glimmer when you can reimagine your own retreat , she assures . “ One of my favorite things is homes are re-adaptable .” �
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