Category: Trends & Tips

Zebra Print

If you’re looking for something bold and dramatic to add to your home, zebra prints certainly fit the bill.

If you’re looking for something bold and dramatic to add to your home, zebra prints certainly fit the bill.  It’s difficult to open any design magazine these days and not see a zebra print area rug.  The black and white contrast goes well with many color palettes and looks modern and exotic at the same time.

Zebra stripes don’t have to stay on the floor, and they don’t only come in black and white.  Take a look at this nursery featuring zebra patterns in pink and brown.

 

 

 

 

 

Accents in a zebra print, like pillows or this mirror from Oly Studio, are another great way to incorporate zebra prints into a room.

It’s certainly possible to use zebra patterns in a space in other ways as well, from wall art to accent pieces.  Finding unique ways to show off this trend is a challenge that also allows you to personalize a space and make it into something unique.

Wallpaper, Off the Wall

There’s no hard and fast rule that says wallpaper can only go on your walls.

There’s no hard and fast rule that says wallpaper can only go on your walls.  Applying wallpaper to the ceiling instead adds color and interest to an often-ignored part of the room.  Most people spend a lot of time considering how they want to decorate their floors and walls but neglect the ceiling.  Think of it as a potential canvas, blank and usually bare of obstacles.  Why leave it white and bare when we have access to an infinite world of wall coverings that work just as well on a ceiling?

 

 

 

Here, a colorful striped paper on the ceiling of a nursery gives warmth to the black and white color theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This bedroom ceiling, with its pressed metal style wallpaper, has a stunning, classic look that works perfectly with the room’s interesting architectural elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This starry paper makes a lovely bedroom ceiling for a child or teen to fall asleep under.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applying wallpaper to a ceiling isn’t only beautiful, but can be functional as well.  It’s an easy solution to cracked paint or other flaws that paint alone can’t cover.  If the idea of papering the ceiling of a large bedroom or living room is too intimidating, consider a smaller space like a stairway, closet, or bathroom.

Antique Mirrors

Antique mirrors are hard to miss. They stand out in any space with their aged patina and elaborate beauty

Antique mirrors are hard to miss.  They stand out in any space with their aged patina and elaborate beauty.  Mirrors can make a room look larger, reflect light and scenery, and even become pieces of art.

Mirrors aren’t only meant for walls but make a lovely addition to a fine piece of furniture or a dramatic headboard.

For an even more visually impressive effect, work antique mirrors into kitchen cabinets or a back splash.

When you think of what mirrors can do beyond hanging on walls and take advantage of the aged beauty of antique mirrors, their possible uses in home decor become almost limitless.

Gary and Luke Stretar: Artists

I recently attended an art fair at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT, where I stumbled upon two wonderful artists: Gary and Luke Stretar.

I recently attended an art fair at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT, where I stumbled upon two wonderful artists:  Gary and Luke Stretar.  While these two artists share some similarities in style, they each have their own perspective and focus.  Both are from Ohio, a place that seems to figure largely in their work.

Gary Stretar’s landscapes struck me with their mood and rich colors.  These large, warm oil paintings with clean lines and sparkling realism draw the eye again and again.  Conservative enough to fit the most classic decor yet intriguing enough to appeal to more modern tastes, Gary Stretar’s paintings can’t be done justice on a computer screen.  To contact Gary about his work visit here.

Luke Stretar also takes a realism approach to his oil paintings.  His work features subjects not commonly thought of as beautiful.  Under his brush, however, beauty is revealed.   His current work focuses on metal and industrial objects.  For more information about Luke’s paintings, contact him.

Garden Stools

Who says garden stools have to stay in the garden? This is a perfect example of a functional object transformed into something beautiful and given a new purpose.

Who says garden stools have to stay in the garden?  This is a perfect example of a functional object transformed into something beautiful and given a new purpose.  As a place to sit, a place to rest a book or drink, or to add a spunk of color, garden stools come in a surprising array of colors and styles.  Take a look at these fantastic garden stools and the many ways they can be used in the home.

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Ikat

Ikat (pronounced ‘ee-KAHT’) is a very old dyeing technique used to create beautiful patterns in fabrics.

Ikat (pronounced ‘ee-KAHT’) is a very old dyeing technique used to create beautiful patterns in fabrics.  The ikat weaving style is common to many cultures from South America to India.  The process is rather like a reverse tie-dye.  In tie-dye, the fabric is first woven, then bound, and then dyed.  When the bindings are removed, the tie-dye pattern is clear.  The process of ikat varies in that the material (silk, cotton, etc.) is first treated with wax or tied in some way to prevent all of the dye from being absorbed.  After dying, the material is woven into fabric.  The pattern and complexity of ikat varies widely, which makes it an ideal choice for home design.

 

 

 

This colorful ikat rug from Madeline Weinrib demonstrates why the classic look of ikat has endured for centuries.

 

 

Ikat also makes a stunning fabric for furnishings.  This ikat chair adds exactly the right blend of color and pattern to accent a client’s India-inspired decor.

 

One of the wonderful things about ikat is that it has more than just the usual fabric applications.  Window treatments, pillows,wall art, and even lamp shades can showcase this timeless method of producing gorgeous textiles.

The Versatile Ottoman

There’s a good reason why we associate the idea of relaxing at home with sitting back and putting our feet up, maybe with a nice glass of wine.

There’s a good reason why we associate the idea of relaxing at home with sitting back and putting our feet up, maybe with a nice glass of wine.  That level of comfort is something most people experience at home, and nothing invites you to put your feet up at the end of the day like a well-placed ottoman.  Finding an ottoman to coordinate with a comfy chair or sofa is relatively simple.  What I’d like to do is show you some alternate placement for the many styles of ottomans and the various ways they can bring more to your home than rest for weary feet.

Let that ottoman double as a coffee table!  This is particularly a good option if space is limited and can work with both modern and traditional decor.



Along the same lines, a small ottoman can act as a side table.  Again, there are many styles to choose from and placement options to consider.  At the end of a sofa or between two chairs, for example.

                    

Finally, consider adding ottomans to a living or family room to act as both decor and extra seating for guests.  They are typically smaller, lighter, and easier to move than other seating choices.  An ottoman can certainly be more attractive and stylish than something like a folding chair.


With the ability to custom-design an ottoman by choosing your own fabric, the possibilities for adding such a versatile piece of furniture to your home are limitless.  When you consider how many choices you have for patterns and texture, it’s easy to see the many uses for an ottoman besides a simple foot rest.

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Nature, More Ideas

This week, I’d like to share some more ideas on ways to bring a touch of nature into your decor. Instead of focusing on individual items, a grouping of similar natural items adds a lovely decorative touch to a space. Take advantage of shelves, walls, and other display areas to show off a collection with true natural beauty.

This week, I’d like to share some more ideas on ways to bring a touch of nature into your decor.  Instead of focusing on individual items, a grouping of similar natural items adds a lovely decorative touch to a space.  Take advantage of shelves, walls, and other display areas to show off a collection with true natural beauty.

These hand-made nature prints make a bold statement when grouped together.


Vintage apothecary jars in a variety of shapes and sizes can be filled with natural finds like sea glass, shells, or pretty rocks and displayed in a sunny location.

Pressed and framed leaves, green or in vibrant fall colors, pretty way to bring a bit of nature indoors.

Pleasing Pillows

Few things have the ability to give a room an instant makeover like the throw pillow. It’s not difficult to imagine the infinite variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, textures, and themes pillows come in.

Few things have the ability to give a room an instant makeover like the throw pillow.  It’s not difficult to imagine the infinite variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, textures, and themes pillows come in.  Throw pillows are easy to store, easy to change on a whim, and even easy on your budget.  By following a few simple suggestions, you can make choosing the right pillows simple and fun.

First, use pillows to pull together other colors in the room.  Paint chips that match your furniture are an ideal reference to take with you when choosing throw pillows.  Avoid repeating patterns found in the room, but instead focus on specific colors

Try an assortment of pillows in the same color scheme.

If you can sew, choosing your own fabric to cover a plain pillow is a great way to get exactly the custom look you want.  Even if you can barely sew a button, however, you can still pick out fun throw pillows to change the look of a room with the seasons.  A splash of color for spring or summer, leaves for autumn, or anything else that invokes the feeling of a certain season while complementing or tying together elements already present in the room.

Whatever style you go with, have fun and try something new.  You’ll be surprised at how much of an impact a different set of throw pillows can have on a room!

Dimensional Tiles

This month’s product find features beautiful dimensional tiles created by Exquisite Surfaces.

This week’s product find features beautiful dimensional tiles created by Exquisite Surfaces.  These Moorish-inspired terra cotta tiles are hand-stenciled and versatile, offering an endless array of possibilities.  Available in a variety of colors and designs, these gorgeous tiles are a seamless blend of contemporary and Old World style.

To learn more:  exquisitesurfaces.com   800.970.9798