Friday, April 30, 2010

This Weekend...Run for the Roses

I'm a Kentucky girl.  I love Kentucky basketball, Kentucky hot brown's and, of course, the Kentucky Derby.  This weekend, as the first weekend in May every year, I anticipate putting my money down on the pony of choice and dressing up pretty.  I hope everyone has a fantastic Derby weekend and Good Luck!

Etsy Shop of the Week: Mireio

Since getting our precious puppy dog, we have been investing feverishly in scented candles so as not to become one of those households or couples that always smells like wet dog.  In search of beautiful "smell good," I came across Mireio.  This shop offers one of a kind scented candles showcased in vintage glasses.  
 

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Trina Turk - From Glamourous Clothing to Stylish Decor

Trina Turk has for years been a style icon for me.  Her clothes have the power to instantly transport me to my favorite vacation spots.  I love that her residential line can do the same for my home.   For an instant boost of inspiration, I love to fix my eyes on her residential boutique, designed by Kelly Wearstler and styled by Trina Turk.  Can it get any better than that?
 

To purchase the Trina Turk Residential Collection online, go to TrinaTurk.com

Monday, April 26, 2010

Giving a long hard think about... Wallpaper

I was raised to believe wallpaper is the enemy, and to only succumb to it when there's no other option.  Now, I'm finding myself being drawn to the bold dramatic spaces wallpaper can create.



Friday, April 23, 2010

Etsy Shop of the Week: Danny Phillip's Art

Danny Phillips is an artist out of Austin, TX.  He specializes in using recycled materials and reuseable paints.  He offers his original mixed-media pieces as well as prints for incredibly affordable prices.  I love the vintage beach quality his art exudes.  Check out his one of a kind artwork at his Etsy shop, Danny Phillip's Art.
 Danny Phillips is also a part of "the In Your Space team [that] has created award-winning custom wall finishes in both commercial and residential spaces."  Check out his authentic wall designs at www.inyourspaceart.com.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Bed in the Living Room? Yes, Please!

 In the May issue of House Beautiful, Designer Thomas O'Brien tells why he loves having his bed in the living room.  His arguments were compelling.  I'm now convinced every living room needs a comfy bed for lounging.
Thomas O'Brien's Bed via Apartment Therapy
Crate and Barrel daybed via Apartment Therapy
Erin Featherston's Parisian-inspired daybed via Apartment Therapy
Mark Cutler's Design using a sleigh daybed via Elle Decor
Sue Hostetler's NYC home using a modern daybed via Habitually Chic

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Mid-Week Must Have's: Pendant Lights from Pure Modern

I love a touch of the unexpected in every room.  Growing up, my mom used to accomplish this by adding a spot of black to a room where black normally wouldn't make sense.  Funny how just one black lampshade could add so much drama.  This is why I love these pendant lights from PureModern.com.  Adding just one of these to any room can transform it.  Here are a just a few of the many amazing options.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

DIY Artwork: Ceiling Medallions

I know ceiling medallions as artwork has been tapped into before, but recently I have been considering a few decor projects using these beauties.  
Here's why: 
1.) They're easily accessible.  They can be bought online or at home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowes).
2.) They're affordable. You can find them from $10-$100.
3.) They come in various styles, shapes, and sizes.
4.) They're lightweight and can be easily painted and hung.
5.) They look great, especially grouped together.

Image courtesy of Home and Garden
Image courtesy of daveandjoi.blogspot.com
Purchase these medallions from goceilingmedallion.com

Monday, April 19, 2010

Design Inspiration: The Shining

Besides being an insanely good movie, The Shining's stunning set design mesmerizes me every time I catch it on tv.  Stanley Kubrick has a way of turning interesting plot lines into equally interesting visual creations.  While the interior of the Overlook Hotel is incredibly retro, I can't help but imagine incorporating the aesthetic into a modern interior design.

Here are some of the more memorable designs...
The geometric carpet
 The retro sea foam green bathroom
The ballroom's mustard, brown, and teal geometric carpet with coral couches

Friday, April 16, 2010

Etsy Shop of the Week: Cynthia Vardhan Ceramics

Cynthia Vardhan creates some of the most lovely hand-made vases, cups, and bowls out of her little studio in Colombus, Ohio.  She uses pigmented clay and layers to give life and character to each piece.  I just love the shapes, patterns, and colors she uses.  I'm so glad I stumbled across her Etsy shop at Cynthia Vardhan Ceramics. Check her out.

Here are just a few of her lovelies...

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Happiness Is...

Any Room Designed by KELLY WEARSTLER
Images courtesy of www.kellywearstler.com

This woman creates fairytale environments.  I can only aspire...

To bring a touch of Kelly Wearstler style to your decor, check out her many collections...


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

NYC Room Makeover

Over Easter weekend, I was able to go back to NYC to visit a friend.  After living in her apt. for a year, she has still yet to buy any furniture for her bedroom.  It's a long narrow room with the door and closet at one end and a large window with a furnace in front of it at the other.   She'd like to turn it into more of a studio but she had no idea where to start.  The only thing she has is a tall dresser that needs to be refinished or painted.  She doesn't want to go to the trouble of painting the walls since she's renting and the floors are hardwood.

Her likes: White linens, clean lines, muted tones.

Her dislikes: patterns, a lot of color, themes.

Her wants: A chair, abstract piece of art above her bed, bedside tables, flat screen tv.

After taking in all the considerations, this is the idea I have for her room...
The main focus of the room is the art above the bed.  This piece can be purchased from Etsy.com/shop/jennifersgallery1984.  To bring in a bit of the blue, I chose blue glass lamps with grey drum shades.  Blue glass lamps can be found on Ebay and Etsy.  I liked the idea of round mismatched side tables in white or metallics.  On the bed, I threw in a few chocolate brown silk pillows and a silk ivory throw pillow.  The chair is from Urban Outfitters and is a blue/grey tweed.  On the wall is a metallic magazine rack from Ikea.  I added a floor lamp from Adesso and a tan storage ottoman from Target.

On the adjacent wall...
 I would stain or paint the dresser a dark brown and put the flat screen on top.  I would add a metallic trash bin and a large potted plant.  For the wall, I would add a mirror with some character with a few white floating shelves and some picture frames, candles, and jars and trays for personal items.

Voila!  A beautiful personal space to come home to everyday!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Rethinking...Eagle Convex Mirror

This is posted on the Baltimore Craigslist for $50.  I'm considering buying it.
 
Here are some of the ways these federalist convex mirrors have been used...
Image courtesy of Elle Decor
 Image courtesy of theregencyfurniture.com design by Markham Roberts
Image courtesy of theregencyfurniture.com design by Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn
Image courtesy of theregencyfurniture.com design by Tom Hayes
Image courtesy of I Suwanee
Image courtesy of Oprah Home

Still think I'm crazy?
Check out this project board and tips on decorating a la Federalist by Principal Interior Designer for J Steinberg Design, Janelle Steinberg.

Fresh Federalist by Janelle Steinberg

My basic guidelines for executing contemporary American Federalist Style:
-Correct use of period colors, with a few liberties

-Updated furniture with classic lines and proportion. For a truly fresh and contemporary take, few antique furnishings should be used (rather than all the furnishings being antiques- which puts the room on track for being a "period room"). However, antique accessories are absolutely called for.

-Use of hallmark Federalist style motifs, such as the eagle and dentil mouldings.

-A general use of symmetry in layout and room arrangements, with playful asymmetric elements in the details such as accessories and art arrangement.

-Heavy concentration on the interior architecture: custom built-ins and appropriate mouldings are key.

-Brass or gold metals for hardware, lamps, etc.

-In general, darker wood stains and dark paint colors when one desires an alternative to wood grain.