Tag Archives: accessories

Add a little whimsy to your home decor

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Sometimes interior design can be just a bit stuffy.  Or maybe you just need a touch of whimsy in your home that will make you smile every day. 

Whimsy can be something as simple as an accessory placed in an unexpected spot, a fun piece of fabric or something larger such as a wonderful piece of artwork or elaborately designed piece of furniture.  

Check out this bed from Attila design on etsy.  This is certainly the ultimate in whimsy but what fun!

And this colorful and whimsical chandelier (photo courtesy of House and Home) turns an ordinary bath into something special.

You can express your sense of whimsy through your artwork as shown in this room by Woodson & Rummerfield and courtesy of Decorpad.  They simply framed pieces of old wallpaper, added molding and created a unique and whimsical wall of art.  You could accomplish the same look with pieces of fabric, children’s drawings or simple pieces of colored construction paper.

Or in your choice of accesories such as these lamps, pillows and knick knacks or a little suprise like the “feet” on this bench courtesy of m studios.  How about that crazy lamp !?  Isn’t it time for some whimsy in your home?

little white mice add a touch of whimsy to a bookshelf (available at shop 57)

 

Home decor: How to avoid the gnome and choose your yard art wisely

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It seems that many people are spending a great deal of time enjoying outdoor living areas such as sunrooms, patios, outdoor kitchens etc.  This usually means they are decorating these spaces as they would their interior rooms with comfortable furniture, beautiful and durable fabrics and artwork.  Sadly, yard art can become a real problem if care is not taken to choose wisely.  Is this really how you want your front yard to look? (photo courtesy of google images, debtorby.typepad.com)

 We are all probably familiar with that house in the neighborhood that sports the lovely pink flamingo standing proudly near a fountain, probably surrounded by lots of friendly little garden signs and the dreaded gnome greeting you at the door.  If you like this look, I say display it proudly and ignore what your neighbors say.  However, if you are looking for something a bit more sophisticated and tasteful here are some tips that will help you find just the right yard art to accent your home.

A tasteful St. Frances statue tucked into the garden is nice. (photo courtesy of southern hospitality blog)
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  • Choose your signs wisely.  A simple welcome rock in the garden may be enough.  A sign on the gate, another hanging on the door and a third planted in the bushes may be a bit of overkill.
  • Tucking a little suprise under the tree or in the flowerbed can be delightful.  However, a resin bunny family in one corner along with a friendly raccoon peeking out of another corner and a smiling snail creeping along the flowerbed planted with stakes of miniature flowers and butterflies really takes away the element of surprise.  Instead, consider a small critter in the garden or a funny frog near the water feature that will truly surprise the eye as you enjoy your yard.
  • A custom house number sign, beautiful flowers in ceramic pots, a unique doorbell cover, even your outdoor lights can be considered yard art and will enhance the beauty of your home as well as make a personal statement.

While art is a personal preference and what some people think is beautiful, others will not, remember that the outside of your house is the first impression people have of your home and you want that impression to be a positive one.  Am I the only one who is creeped out by those little gnomes?

OFS Book club: Discovering Home with Laurie Smith

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Does anyone remember the television show “Trading Spaces”?  It introduced us to designers like Frank, the jolly grandfather type, Doug, the sexy guy, Hildy who always claimed to be a designer but I was never sure, the cute hostess Paige and don’t forget Ty Pennington, the only carpenter I know who worked without a shirt.  One of the truly talented designers to come out of that show was Laurie Smith who always produced livable and elegant rooms; in sharp contrast to other designers who hung old vinyl LPs on the wall!

Laurie Smith has written a book that takes us, chapter by chapter, through the process of designing your own spaces.  She discusses important elements like function and flow and helps you find color and design inspiration.  She helps you choose color, fabrics and accessories and the book is full of big, colorful photos that make it easy to see what she is talking about. 

This book was first published in 2005 but good design never goes out of style.  You can find a copy on Amazon.com or you might get lucky and stumble across a used version at a flea market or vintage book store.  My used copy was purchased from Amazon and, as an added bonue, is actually autographed by Laurie!

Home Decor: Accessory trend alert from Highpoint Market, Fall 2010

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As I have mentioned in past blog posts, “market” is a word the interior design industry uses to refer to the bi-annual gathering in Highpoint, North Carolina of furniture and fabric manufacturers, retailers and designers.  This is the time to discover and/or view upcoming color, style and furniture trends.  Some highlights of this past market to look for are:

  • Organic accessories like feathers, driftwood, horns (real or faux), bones and shells will be popping up in tabletop items, artwork and fabric patterns.

Feather, bone and horn displayed in glass domes. Photo by AB Home Design
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  • Colors are bright and saturated and used in unusual places.  This traditional Chippendale chair, for example, joins the millennium when painted this vibrant green.

    This traditional Chippendale chair really pops when painted this vibrant green. Bungalow 5
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  • Equestrian style is all the rage even if you don’t own a horse.  Elements of this style include colorful plaid blankets, leather items like small chests, artwork depicting horses, fox  hunts etc., metal embellishments on tables, chairs and candlesticks.  This is a warm and inviting look that will feel right at home in a den, library or young man’s bedroom.

Once the style makers announce a trend you begin to see it appear in design magazines and on the shelves of your favorite home decor store.  Like all trends, you can choose to incorporate as much or as little of it in your home as you like.

Home Decor: Polka Dot Fabric is popping up everywhere

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Did you hear the news?  Polka dots are back in fashion, both in clothing and in home decor.  No longer meant for a child’s room, polka dots are popping up on fabric, furniture and accessories for many areas of your home.

  • Polka dots will add a whimsical touch to any room in your home and when used in a sophisticated neutral, like these chairs, they lose all resemblance to a child’s space.

 

  • If you prefer something a bit more “in your face” how about a bright red tablecloth sprinkled with cheery white polka dots; sure to wake you up in the morning. 

  • A subtle dot pattern adds texture and interest to a solid color.  For example, P. Kaufmann offers several different “spotted” patterns that are subtle enough for formal window treatments yet youthful enough to use in a playroom or family room.

Don’t be afraid to use this playful pattern in your home.  A bit of whimsy, subtle or overt,  never hurt anyone.

Home Decor: Decorating with our fine feathered friends

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You have probably noticed all the birds that can be found in decorating over the last several months.  These little feathered creatures are popping up on fabrics, accessories and artwork and it looks like this trend is here to stay.

Fabrics

There are literally dozens of fabrics available that depict birds of some sort.  You can choose high end manufacturers and pay several hundred dollars a yard for hand embroidered and hand loomed fabrics; you can choose low end and affordable cotton fabrics with a stamped design or the best buy of all, quality fabric that will withstand the test of time when it comes to fading, shrinking and durability.   The fabrics can be whimsical and fun or rich and traditional in design.  Use these fabrics to fashion accent pillows, chair cushions and drapery panels or go all out and upholster an entire chair.

Accessories

Birds of all species can be found on dinnerware, vases, artwork, lamp bases and candles.   A pair of beautiful pillows placed on your sofa can be enough to update your room with this idea.  Placing a candle in the powder room is a sweet way to introduce these little guys to your decor.  A beautifully embellished pillow like the one pictured will add sparkle and personality to a side chair.  A collection of beautifully framed bird prints hung in the entry of your home is a nice way to greet your guests.

As with any trend, don’t overdo it.  Choose your fabrics and accessories wisely and you can enjoy the sweet touch of a bird without the mess that goes along with the real thing.

Add a WOW Factor to your Home Decorating

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Have you ever been in a room where you just stood back and admired the color, the furnishings or just enjoyed the “feel” of the room.  Chances are that room had a “Wow” factor and so can the rooms in your home.

  • A great chandelier or hanging light fixture can make an ordinary room seem extraordinary.  This does not mean you have to hang a sparkly gold and crystal chandelier in your dining room.  There are many wonderful and unique designs to choose from that will fit with your decor.  Fixtures that feature a glass bell jar, a hand painted or blown glass pendant or light bulbs that look like pillar candles will add a pop of wow to your rooms.
  • Add an eye popping color to your walls or your accessories.  An all neutral room will benefit from an accent wall featuring a metallic finish.  A jumble of brightly colored pillows on a window seat or a sofa can say “wow”.
  • An unusal mix of color and pattern can be a wow factor if done correctly.  How many times have you been in a hotel lobby or beautifully decorated home and said to yourself “I would not have thought to put those fabrics together?” 
  • Attention to detail is a must if you are looking for a bit of “wow”.  Think of a thick and fluffy tassel hanging from a doorknob or beautiful beaded trim on a pair or drapery panels.  A grouping of collectibles or perfectly framed and matted artwork are small details with big impact.

Gather your personal photos and possessions, add a bit of life with books and plants and place them in a room that is beautifully lit and features furniture arranged in a comfortable and inviting fashion and, you too, will have a home that will make others say “wow” when they enter.