Tag Archives: furniture

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)

 

Design trends from High Point 2011 Fall Market

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As we have discussed many times on this blog, High Point North Carolina hosts a bi-annual “market” every year for designers and retailers involved in the interior design industry.  This is an opportunity for professionals to view the latest furniture, fabric and decorating ideas that we can expect to see in the upcoming year.  At this year’s fall market several trends appear including:

  1. Menswear fabrics that include tweed, worsted wool, plaidand other items that are reminiscent of a fine men’s suit.  These appear on upholstered items such as chairs, sofas and headboards as well as in accent pillows, throws and lampshades.

    quilt made of menswear fabrics

  2. Global design remains popular.  Tribal patterns, moroccan design, jewel tone colors and reflective surfaces are all elements of this design.
  3. Gray has been king of the color for several seasons and this year we find it paired with mustard gold for a warm and inviting color combination.
  4. Nail head trim is appearing on everything.  Love it!!  Add some trim to your headboard, around a chair, on a picture frame etc.
  5. Basketweave patterns were seen everywhere on dishware, fabric patterns, furniture and accent pieces.  Expect to see a lot of this next year.
  6. The industrial trend is still going strong.  Repurposed items such as crates, rolling carts and light fixtures are finding their way into your home as coffee tables,  storage units and unique lamps and pendants.
  7. Last but not least, mid-century design is making a comeback.  This could be due to the popularity of shows like “Mad Men’, “Pan am” and “The Playboy Mansion”.  Expect to find sleek furniture in light wood tones along with geometric patterns in bright colors and plenty of color blocking.

The next High Point Market will be held in April 2012 and I am certain there will be new decorating ideas for all of us to incorporate into our own interior design.

 

Retro fabrics and color blocking all the rage

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As Mad Men continues to win all the awards and new shows feature 1960 airline stewardesses and Playboy bunnies everything retro remains trendy and popular.  This includes fashions (mod mini dresses), entertaining (i.e. old fashioned cocktail parties) and home decor.  Color blocking and mod colors and fabrics are all the rage.

Remember this?  Well it’s back in style.

Color blocking is just what it sounds like…blocks of color are used throughout a room, often with no pattern in sight.  A perfect example of color blocking is this dining room designed by Todd Klein.  Each chair and the window seat pillows are done in a different solid color fabric.

photo by Simon Watson for House Beautiful

 Elle Decor shared this color blocked bedroom featuring ottomans and throw pillows as well as a colorful throw tossed against the solid white bedding.  Even though the colors are bright it is a restful and inviting room.

photo courtesy of Elle Decor

This living room is color blocking at its best.  Set against a white backdrop the colorful chairs, ottomans and even the accessories really pop.

photo courtesy of Elle Decor and abramowics

 

What do you think of this everything old is new again trend?  Is it something you will incorporate into your own decorating?

Home decor: Go big or go home with overscaled furniture

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When it comes time to decorate any room in your home, scale and proportion are one of the hardest things to determine.  We often get hung up on whether something is the correct size or we don’t think about it at all and end up with something that looks way out of place.  In these rooms, the homeowner said “to heck with scale” and chose a piece that has big impact in their rooms.  What do you think of their choices?

This large red leather chair is clearly oversized for the other furniture in the room but it sure looks comfy, doesn’t it?  You will notice that the seat height is the same as the sofa so it doesn’t look like a giant’s chair in a fairytale.  The other pieces are neutral in color and style, allowing the red chair to become the focal point without any competition.

from book "Undecorate" by Christian Lemieux
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The oversized ottoman certainly makes a statement in this room designed by Jamie Drake .  It works because the room is large but also because of the scale of other pieces including the artwork and the extra long sofa.

Designer Jamie Drake, photographed by William Waldron for Elle Decor
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It takes a lot of volume to create a bookshelf like this but I am sure it is every booklover’s dream.  Any furniture piece will be dwarfed by this piece but the volume of the room can handle it.

 

Have you struggled with scale or do you have one large piece you just love?  We would love to see your photos!

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?

Home decor: go BIG or go home with your decorating

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When it comes to interior decorating, sometimes bigger is better.  If you are trying to make a statement, need a focal point or just want a particular item appreciated, then I say go for it and go BIG.

It would be hard not to notice the artwork in this room by Elle Decor
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The wallpaper in this room designed by Martha Stewart certainly makes a BIG statement
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While this bedroom does not have any overscaled pieces of furniture or artwork the fairy lights hung over the bed certainly have a big impact.  They are the first thing you would notice when you walk into the room and that is what going BIG is all about…..making a personal statement in your home. (image courtsy of corbis images)

Home Decor: New life for old fabric.

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Sometimes things get a bit dreary; a little too predictable; downright boring.  When that happens it is time to shake things up a bit around your house.  Check out Design by Leftovers, a truly innovative site that will provide you with inspiration and leave you wondering if you could also do this.  After all, how many of us have literally yards and yards of leftover fabric just looking for a new purpose in life?

The key to placing a unique piece of furniture like these in your home is to have just one.  A room full of unusual items makes the pieces, all of a sudden, seem quite ordinary.  But they will definitely add that “Wow” factor we all are looking for in our homes.  Here is just a peek; for more eye candy you will  have to visit the site.  My personal favorite is the Charlotte sofa but check out the very edgy Rockstar line.  Enjoy and be sure and share your favorites with the rest of us.    

The Grandma chair by Design by Leftovers, photo by Katarina Hansson. Too cute!
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5 rules to break when decorating a small space

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Let me begin by saying that I do not believe in very many “rules” when it comes to decorating your homes.  If it works for you and your family, then it works.  But there are often ideas or rules published that tell us what the “experts” say we should do with certain spaces including small rooms or small homes. Let’s be rebellious and break some of those rules.

  1. Use light colors on the walls and upholstery.  While light colors will make any space, large or small, seem bigger it is just an illusion.  Dark walls and upholstery can create a moody and romantic feel and make the space seem intimate.  Paint your walls a rich color or add a dark sofa if that is the mood you are looking for.
  2. Small furniture for small spaces.  The key here is to choose furniture that is appropriate in size to the room, allowing plenty of space for movement.  While a giant overstuffed sofa may look out of place so, too, will a teeny tiny chair that is not comfortable for anyone to sit in.  Make sure the scale is correct and the piece is functional as small spaces do not have room to waste on non-functional items.
  3. Mirrors.  Yes, mirrors will open a room and expand a view but in a small space they can also be disorienting.  The key to using mirrors properly is to reflect a pleasant view and if your mirror is reflecting the windows, furniture, artwork and everything else it will appear crowded and even smaller.  In stead of mirroring an entire wall, group small mirrors together or add a mirrored top to a coffee table or end table.
  4. Don’t use large fabric patterns.  This is strictly a personal choice.  A small victorian cottage is lovely when decorated with oversized chintz.  A small loft apartment shows a bit of personality when large sized graphic patterns are displayed.  Whoever thought up this rule wasn’t thinking!
  5. Avoid clutter.  I would say this is a good rule regardless of the size of your room.  However, it is a good idea to limit those items you display if you live in a small space.  We are still going to break this rule by saying that you do want to display those things you love but do it in a pleasing manner.  If you have a collection of items that are spread out all over the house how will anyone know it is a collection?  Group like items together and try to limit the number to 5 or 7 items.  You can alternate them over time so you can enjoy everything if you like.  Remember, just because you own it does not mean you have to use it.

There you have it….five rules you can break without getting arrested!

Home Decor: Does your furniture like to wear a skirt?

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Just like many women, some furniture pieces look better in a skirt and some look better bare legged.  The decision to skirt your sofa and chairs is based on many things i.e. the style of the furniture, your overall decorating style and just personal preference.  There are many skirted styles to choose from.

Chair and couch from William Sonoma both feature skirts
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  • For a casual country look choose a ruffled skirt.
  • A contemporary space can be warmed up with furniture skirted in a crisp, tailored style.
  • Add inverted pleats to the corners for a masculine feel.
  • For a feminine touch add buttons or small bows to the top of the pleats.  This looks great in a nursery or little girl’s room.
  • In place of a fabric skirt, add large buillion fringe to the bottom of your sofa or chair for a rich, formal look.
  • Place contrasting ribbon or fabric on the bottom of the skirt for added interest.
  • Mix and match your skirted upholstery pieces with furniture that has exposed legs to draw the eye around the room.
  • In a large, open space with high ceilings, a skirt can visually “weigh” your furniture down and make the space appear warmer.
  • At the very least, a skirt provides a hiding place for items like toys, magazines, bedding etc.  No one will know!

You decide what pieces of furniture you would like to “dress” in a skirt and those that can go bare legged.

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.