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It’s a basic rule of drama that every story needs complications, and the
guesthouse presented a few. “It’s very small, just four tiny rooms,” Nikki says.
So they used a clever mix of special effects to open things up. In the
living room, vertical lines (tall cabinets, Hollywood lights) alternate with
horizontal ones (bookshelves, a sleek contemporary couch); wooden stools do
double duty as end tables. In the kitchen, shelf and counter space are
maximized, minimizing the need for a large table. And everywhere, mirrored
surfaces, playful artwork, and unusual window treatments create the illusion of
more space.
Like every good story, the guesthouse is full of
surprises. “It changes every few months as we find new pieces and rotate
collectibles,” Carolyn says. “We don’t know how this tale will end—and that’s
what makes it so much fun!”
Fueling Around
(16) An old filling station sign marks the kitchen entrance.
A shiny chrome porch table is just right for two. On the overhead lighting
fixture, a silk shade balances the room’s many reflective surfaces. (17) and
(18) “I like pairing old-fashioned things with sleek pieces, like these
grandmotherly glasses and plastic-handled forks.”
Shine & Dine
(19) A long, narrow counter topped with shelves makes the most
of a tiny kitchen. “Simple tulip lights look modern but fit the old-fashioned
mood we’re trying to create,” Carolyn says. Hammered aluminum and other metal
accents add polish. Artwork, Nikki Moore.
Curtain Calls
Carolyn puts the “treat” into window treatments. (20) In the
kitchen, she pinned strips of old negatives together and hung them on wire. In
the living room, (21), she made a shade from postcards. “Fabric
curtains are too ordinary, I guess.”
The Great Wall of Small
(22) Taking a cue from the movie Everything Is
Illuminated, Nikki and Carolyn bagged some of their favorite things and pinned
them to the wall. “It’s a fun way to protect your treasures and share them at
the same time,” Carolyn says.
SCRIPT WRITING 101
Start with what you’ve got, and build a story around it.
“For us, it was those Hollywood lights,” Carolyn says. “Once we decided on our
theme and came up with a story, we found other pieces to enhance it.”
Trust
your instincts. The builder tried to talk Carolyn out of the pine board walls in
the bathroom, warning her that they’d crack and pull apart. “But I want it to
look like an old Sunday house, so I don’t care if the walls crack,” she says.
“If you like the way it looks, that’s all that matters.”
Be open to
inspiration. “What I call ‘middle-of-the-night’ ideas are often the best—that’s
how I came up with the window treatments.”
Have talented friends. “The
design community in Fredericksburg is endlessly inspiring and helpful.”
Be
adventurous. “My motto is, ‘I’m not sure what it is, but I love the way it
looks!’”
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