This young couple's house in Charlottesville,
Virginia, rang my bells with its easy, confident style. Christy Ford
is co-owner of And George, a drop-dead chic home décor shop named
after George, her adorable bulldog. Christy and her husband, Ryan,
renovated the 1911 structure themselves. There are many notable
elements in this informal dining room. The glossy black walls and
houndstooth rug seem so of-the-moment, in a Tory Burch sort of way.
White upholstery and slipcovers set off the furniture's rich
wood tones. And I love a square pedestal table to center a
conversation group. But the juxtaposition of the antler chandelier
with staghead ferns (hung on the wall -- so '70s!) cinched the deal
for me. Your eye doesn't read the visual pun right away, but
your brain knows that something sly is going on. I am intrigued by
the idea of a black room, and I have always had at least one chocolate
brown room in my own house. I like the way it feels at night, cozy
with the glow of lamps. But I also appreciate its cool dimness during
the day, especially in the summer, when it's hot and bright outside.
SEE IT IN PRINT: "A Fresh Start," Southern Accents, September-October 2005, pages 188-195; interior design by Christy Ford, And George (R), 434/244-2800, andgeorge.com; 18th-century English square pedestal table from Kenny Ball Antiques (R), 434/293-1361; settee by Lee Industries through And George (R), 434/244-2800; wall paint, Black Metal, by Duron, duron.com.
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