What happened to all of the Gems? - "What A Gem" (Bavaria, Germany) - Design Home Game Challenge

What happened to all of the Gems?

Well, it seems like the “What A Gem“ Design Home challenge really wasn’t a gem!  In fact, for many of us, it was a lackluster moment as soon as the results were in.  There was such player enthusiasm as all awaited the scores, feeling self-assured that the stars would reflect a brilliant design; no exception for this designer-player, either.  After all, my tagline for McKinly Ray Interiors is “The Guiding Light to Brilliance in Design”!  But, once the votes were tallied and revealed, designer disappointment and frustration with the voting process infiltrated the Facebook player groups.  So much so, that some players vowed to never spend another dollar buying diamonds.   

I feel it is safe to conclude that this challenge was a decorating conundrum for most of the players, (notice my 4.38 score in the lower right corner of the cover image).  The starting point of this design, was just as it is in preparing a gem, ‘rough’.  And, in my opinion, the ‘rough’ of this challenge were the emerald green walls.  As it is in the realm of professional Interior Design, player designers often encounter problems within the scope of the design and have to find creative solutions which offset or diminish an undesirable feature, such as those emerald green walls. 

For the winning players, however, designing a traditional style living room (which most did not) with emerald green walls, dark molding, blonde hardwood flooring, and white ceiling proved not to be so rough.  They produced beautifully polished designs adding clarity and diamonds to their “What a Gem” design scores.

Designer Denise; Score 5.00
Further neutralizing, of the already dullness of the green walls, can be achieved by finding what I call a “distant cousin” on the color wheel (split complementary color scheme) that is of a high contrast and  will deflect the darker green undertones.  This “distant cousin” for Denise’s design is yellow-green, which is very effective in drawing attention away from the walls and into the conversation area.  The two  oversized, green apple Hillandale Chairs by Apt2B fill this spacious room with good proportion and scale, and creates harmony with the Apt2B Logan Sofa.  The green geometric patterned rug from Loloi Francesca Collection pulls together this stylish look.  Other furnishings used to complete this winning design are:  Kathy Kuo Home Fossey Wheat Antique Wood Coffee Table; Peninsula Home End Table Palisades; The Rutherford Black and Gray 4 Door Tall Sideboard by Madera Home;  Worlds Away Taboret SB, and; Noir Dede Table Lamp, Antique Brass.  Some might and will say that this isn't a traditional style (and, it isn't), but I say (and, voters did, too) it is a "AAA" gem.

Dhcoffeegirl: Score 5.00
Now here's hidden gems, here!  The designer has created a space that is harmonious and creates balance with the emerald green wall.  By marrying the furnishings in tans, browns, and greens, Dhcoffeegirl depicts a beautiful design story.  This design illustrates well the principle of unity, through the repetition of color.  The multicolored ikat patterned rug from Loloi Xavier Collection might have been Dhcoffeegirl's inspiration that led to her 125 diamond award. This foundational central piece forms a strong cohesive look with, not only the walls, floors, and trim, but with all of the furnishings including: the two Kathy Kuo Home Pascale Modern Classic Overstuffed Tweed Brown Armchairs and Cassius Coastal Beach Natural Rope Quatrefoil Stool; Serene & Lily Spruce Street 3 Seat Sofa with Nailheads and Essex Ottoman serving as the coffee table; Noir Watson Dresser, Pale;  Madera Home Cavalier Black 6 Door Tall Sideboard, and; Apt2B Wintrop Table Lamp.

Designer JFK0616: Score 5.00
The idiom "diamond in the rough" is certainly an understatement for this design!  Designer JFK0616 has effectively produced a harmonious design by using a black and white color scheme to unify and balance the living room.  The scheme transitions, and thereby, creates rhythm starting from the floor, to the furniture, unto the walls, and the ceiling.  The geometric patterned rug from Loloi Alder Collection initiates this rhythmic design principle and centralizes the grouping to form a functional conversation area.  Here, it is the visual weight of the larger scale Apt2B La Brea Studded Sofa and Chairs that adds symmetrical balance to the design.  CFC Romero Coffee Table is partnered with Kathy Kuo Home Pocono Acrylic Spotted Hide Vanity Stool to give the black hue its proper attention in the space.  The eye then moves to the black and white photo collection that adds variety and interest while establishing two, well defined focal areas.  Having the emerald green wall anchored by DWR black Morrison Credenza and Noir Givenchy Sideboard, Black topped with the DWR Nelson Lantern Lamp with Stand gives this wall a well-deserved exuberance.   




For more information on the featured brands and furnishings, click on the link, or call McKinly Ray Interiors at 281-627-0269.  If you enjoy decorating and designing, you'll love the Design Home Game.   

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