The Sofa, Reimagined

One surprising design trick I really love is mixing fabrics on a sofa.

Some of the best ideas in interior design are things that catch people off guard and challenge their ideas of the way things are “supposed to” look.  One surprising design trick I really love is mixing fabrics on a sofa.  It’s not something you typically see, but it adds true visual interest and contrast.

Brompton Sofa by Ralph Lauren
Central Park by Duralee Furniture

Perhaps the ideal way to find your perfect sofa is to have it custom-upholstered.  You start with the style of sofa you prefer and use it as your blank canvas.   What do you imagine for this sofa?

Custom upholstery by Luther Quintana

Another detail I love:  a mattress cushion on a sofa!

Cover Source

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.

Decorology

When it comes to design blogs full of eye candy and inspiration, you can’t beat Decorology.

When it comes to design blogs full of eye candy and inspiration, you can’t beat Decorology.  Featuring photos from magazines, blogs, and suppliers, Decorology has everything from do-it-yourself tips to luxury accessories to environmentally friendly design ideas.

Here are some photos from Decorology to give you an idea what the blog has to offer.  I encourage you to then visit the site yourself and browse around the many pages of gorgeous photos.

Paris, France

Few places inspire images of romance, class, and beauty like the great city of Paris, France.

Few places inspire images of romance, class, and beauty like the great city of Paris, France.   Think aged buildings, gold, painted ceilings, a wealth of antiques, and an attitude of gracious living.  Parisians have turned everyday living into an art form.

 

 

 

 

Designer Betty Burgess created this room, inspired by her clients’ years living in France.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This gorgeous hand-painted ceiling graces the ceiling of a private dining room in Paris.

 

Adding details that evoke thoughts of Paris takes only a bit of imagination.  Look for prints, accessories, and antiques to evoke emotions and thoughts of Paris.

Framed print of Notre Dame gargoyle
Antique French chair
18th century French mirror

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.

A Luxurious Guest Room

Being nestled away from the main section of the residence, this small room offered a place where we could be more whimsical and theatrical with the design elements and colors.

For this project, I designed a beautiful third-floor guest room.  Being nestled away from the main section of the residence, this small room offered a place where we could be more whimsical and theatrical with the design elements and colors.  I wanted people to walk up the stairs and feel pleasantly surprised by this hidden jewel of a room.

I loved working with so many material in this room that it’s difficult to talk about just one or two favorites.  Our color palette of yellow, grace, and sienna gave me ample room to explore the capricious style of the room.  I covered the walls with a gorgeous Brunschwig & Fils chinoiserie grass cloth left over from the client’s previous residence.  I hadn’t the heart to discard it and was so pleased to use this amazing paper again.

One striking aspect of the guest room is the overabundance of elements that work so nicely together.  From the solid cotton velvet fabric of the canopy to the leather window seat and tortoise shell window shades, details such as the unusual guacamole color of the seat and the amazing tiger print silk on the interior of the canopy make this room a real treat for the client’s guests.

You know you have a great client when that client truly lets you shop.  Finding wonderful items for this guest room made it such a fun experience.  I found these amazing Chinese male and female lamps, the final piece added to tie the room together.  They both wear custom green silk shades with a yellow trim accent.  Initially, the client had a different, extremely heavy and massive bed allocated for this room.  We decided it overwhelmed the small space.  Instead, I found an antique bamboo bed at United House Wrecking.  The bed was a true diamond-in-the-rough, needing to be cut down to Queen size and missing several turnings.  I was so excited when I found it, and even more so when the client was also able to see the bed’s potential.  After refurbishing the entire piece, we couldn’t be happier to have such a gorgeous bed as the main focus of this guest room.

Designing a room like this takes a certain willingness to take risks.  Don’t be afraid to add multiple color combinations.  Sienna ingested with yellow and lime green adds warmth and striking contrast to this room.  Mirrors on the side tables add reflection at a completely different level and are an unexpected touch to the room.  Be careful not to overdress every window, as a simple and inexpensive tortoise shell works equally as nice.  Finally, invest in at least one set of high thread count sheets.  You (or your guests) will sleep better for it!

 

 

 

 

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.

Design Therapy by Brad Ford

One of my favorite designers, Brad Ford, writes an incredible blog called Design Therapy.

Brad Ford

One of my favorite designers, Brad Ford, writes an incredible blog called Design Therapy.  Having been involved in the world of interior design for 13 years, Brad uses his blog to share sources of inspiration with his readers.  His blog showcases everything from images to other designers in his desire to give others some of passion for design.  In his own words, Brad is “drawn to a more modern sensibility that’s equally warm and soulful.”  Readers of Brad’s blog see this immediately in the wonderful variety of images in each blog entry.  For inspiration, resources, and ideas, take a look at Design Therapy and enjoy some blissful browsing time!

 

The Adirondacks

The Adirondack Mountain region of New York is a visually stunning landscape of mountain peaks, vast forests, lakes and waterfalls, and soaring blue skies.

The Adirondack Mountain region of New York is a visually stunning landscape of mountain peaks, vast forests, lakes and waterfalls, and soaring blue skies.  It’s no wonder the area attracts so many tourists to its millions of acres of natural beauty.  Many aspects of the Adirondacks translate well into interior design.

Natural, organic materials form the basis for design inspired by a wild place like the Adirondacks.  You don’t have to live in a post and beam home to borrow the beauty of the look for your own rooms.  No ceiling beams in your home?  They can be installed and either stained or painted by a professional decorative artist to match existing wood or look like any type of wood you might prefer.

Wooden beams don’t need to be confined to the ceiling.  Reclaimed wood beams make furniture that is rustic, beautiful, and green.  A nice complement to this look is an accessory reminiscent of old tin roof or barn tiles.

The extensive forests of the Adirondacks can also provide inspiration.  Luxurious wall coverings evoking wood patterns or leaves as well as paintings or prints can easily reflect the botanical influence of the Adirondacks.

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.