Thrilled to have discovered Leo Dowell, thanks to an email about a chandelier...

Making design decisions online, with an audience, has been one of my favorite things about blogging. Writing a post about a design decision helps me organize the choices, make smart considerations, and I might even get some helpful feedback.  While choosing a chandelier for my living room, this is one of the chandeliers I posted as an all-time favorite. I didn't necessarily think it was a good choice for my space, but shared it because it is so spectacular. 

The chandelier was designed by Leo Dowell of Leo Dowell Interiors in Charlotte, NC. He spent almost 3 years designing the house this chandelier resides in, and travelled to France several times to buy furnishings as well as building materials for the home. The 19th century Boiserie on the dining room walls was originally from a chateau in the south of France until it was torn down. When Dowell located the paneling, it was set up as two complete rooms at a salvage dealer in Paris. "This is your dining room," was all it took, and his client was sold. The house was then built around this purchase. 

Dowell found some wooden vintage tassels on one of the alleys at the Paris flea market and asked the dealer if he could fabricate a large chandelier out of them. "If you design it, I will make it," was the reply that set the design of this amazing chandelier in motion…

Although the house has since been sold to new owners, many of the Leo Dowell design elements remain...

Scott Smith stands in the dining room of the $4.4 million, French-inspired mansion, Chateau Lyon

I was thrilled that Leo Dowell emailed me about the chandelier. It didn't take long to realize that not only did he design my favorite chandelier, but pretty much everything he has ever touched is quite fabulous and unforgettable and french country…

Check out this home Dowell designed… the architectural details are beyond charming… and it kind of reminds me of a much more charming and a million times prettier version of my own home!

Here's another Leo Dowell designed home...

And a Leo Dowell designed luxury development...

Leo Dowell and Jim Phelps designed this Story Book Cottage to be built on a roaring river in the North Carolina mountains, but it can be built anywhere…

A Leo Dowell designed kitchen…

Leo Dowell is revered and well-respected in the design and building community and has partnered with several businesses including De Santana Stone Company…

 The Leo Dowell Collection

Dowell also designed the charming lanterns that were custom made by Potter Art Metal Studios for this home.

Take a look at the Marseille Door featuring heavy molding, distressing and grey glaze that recreate Paris Hotel Doors. 

Leo Dowell Collection, The New Vintage by The Hogan Company

Interior Doors by Charlotte Cabinets & Cabinetry The Hogan Company

Although I could go on and on, I think I have made my point: I am completely inspired by Leo Dowell! Visit his website, Leo Dowell Interiors, here.

There are additional images of the interior of Chateau Lyon where I originally found the chandelier image.. 

From Cote de Texas in 2010... (here)