​As a Northerner who grew up with 8ft ceiling for many, many years, Texas homes provided an abundance of soaring ceilings.  When you walk into a property and 10 foot ceilings are the main level is considered average, borderline small...you know you are dealing with some HEIGHT!  

While the wide open space can lovely it can also be a daunting design challenge.  When you are dealing with insanely high ceilings paint, art, millwork, and meaningful mantles all play a part in pulling a room together.  Here are just a few of my favorites.  

​The use of an oversized rug is also, in my opinion, critical to flawless design execution.  Many of these rooms can be viewed from an upper level of the home.  I think it tends to look a bit disjointed when you have two area rugs or a rug that is simply too small for the space.  Custom rugs don't have be thousands of dollars.  Most carpet and flooring stores can convert a wall-to-wall carpet option to a custom size and serge the ends.  

​You can also make use of online stores like Natural Area Rugs for less expensive custom sisal, jute and seagrass rugs.  

I am a bit Type A...so I tend to love rooms that provide perfect furniture symmetry as seen in the image below.  The armoires that flank the fireplace are perfect...and that rug! 
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​After becoming an instant fan of Ekster Antiques at the recent Luckett's Antique Fair, I decided I needed to learn more about this wildly successful business.  Since so many of my favorite items were being sold out from under me, I quickly asked the owner, Caroline Verschoor, if she had any additional inventory.   I was then told about the Ekster Antique Barn Sale.  It was a wonderful day that included furniture, fun and an interview with one amazing lady.

I initially thought that the Ekster Antique Barn Sale would be a perfect story for my new "Design Bug" section.  After interviewing Caroline for my series "Mission: Design", I quickly discovered her story transcends mere design tips and tricks.

Caroline shares her incredible pain of the loss of her child.  She also shows that even from deep pain can come redemption and hope.  Read more about this awe inspiring and incredible woman!

Claudine: What brought you to the DC Metro area?

Caroline:  I first came to Washington D.C. in 1986.  The Dutch Foreign Service (State Department) sent me to the United States.  I worked for the Dutch Embassy in Washington D.C. for 4 years.  At that point I had met my future husband and had decided to stay in the area.  Unfortunately, the Dutch Government only offered two 2-year contracts.  I had a choice, to move to another country or change employers.  I joined the World Bank and later, the International Monetary Fund.

Claudine: With a successful career, what inspired you to start selling antiques?
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