Tuesday Tip

Cheap tricks for adding small amounts of fabric to a room. I have a few options beyond the toss pillow that I've used over the years. Whether you want to add a designer fabric remnant or just the need to be thrifty with your decorating, these ideas can help!

My daughter, who recently celebrated her 18th birthday, has announced she is ready for a bedroom makeover. I must admit, it's long overdue. Her room has been frozen in her 12 year old wishes about 4 years too long. She asked for a makeover 2 years ago and then couldn't commit to a color scheme, as she knows this is to be the final version of her room. We are going to start the process again of searching for the perfect fabric, that we both can live with!

From the time my children could talk and express their interests, they have always had a say in how their rooms were decorated. And because of that, I have always been quite thrifty about what goes into them.

Especially when it comes to fabrics. Typically, I don't recommend using use high-end fabrics for children's rooms. Between the wear and tear and pace at which children's interests change, it usually doesn't make sense to invest in textiles. That doesn't mean the room can't be stylish, but I tend to put the emphasis on function and enjoyment when decorating kid spaces. Once they're older, then by all means invest in key pieces and fabrics that can easily transform into guest rooms or that your children can take with them when they leave the nest!

Cheap trick #1

 

Add color and pattern to an inexpensive chair with fabric. This one happens to be from Ikea. It's perfect for a youth/teen room.  It's not particularly attractive, so recovering the seat cushion and lumbar pillow in discount fabrics went a long way in infusing it with some personality. The gingham welt on the seat cushion was cut from a Pottery Barn Outlet hamper liner! Some of you may recall that I am not beneath using shower curtains for fabric options either.



Cheap trick #2

Cover the drawer fronts of an old chest with fabric. Technically, this chest was my first antique. As a child, I was with my mother when she bought it. She painted it black and used it in the guest bedroom. It's had many renditions over the years and was used in both my children's nurseries. The fabric on it is from Laura Ashley and has remained this way for the last two room makeovers.  I hate to admit it, but I never got around to putting the same fabrics used on the chair on the drawer fronts.  It too will definitely get a much needed and more sophisticated update!

For those of you that have inquired, I have not abandoned Tuesday Tips, but have simply had a busy few months. I do hope to be more consistent, and recently had a client give me a good tip which I'll feature in an upcoming post. And, dear readers if any of you have a tip to pass along that you would like me to publish, just send me an email!

Get Your Creative Juices Flowing...

Whether you're in the biz or just design obsessed, admit it...you buy fabric for no reason, other than you just liked it! I am no different. Although, I do it quite selectively and controlled...meaning my tiny office doesn't contain dozens of bolts, swatches and books. I edit out whatever I think I'm not going to use. I have been especially diligent in recent months with the re-organization/update of my office...still in progress.



Detail of urns and scrolls on linen


In these fabric frenzy moments that you don't know why you are buying a remant or what you will do with it, I am just guessing it spoke to you. This was a case when I heard the little voice that said "get this or you will be sorry and regretful." So I did!



There is about 2 1/2 yards of a full width bolt.
 Stretched across my queen bed you can see the full pattern.


A few months ago this absolutely gorgeous linen, by Gaston y Daniela the Spanish textile company that first opened it's doors in 1876, spoke to me. Even though I'm still not sure if I will keep it, a few possible ideas of what could be done with it quickly came to mind. But is there an idea I've overlooked? That's where you all come in...

If this was your fabric, what would you do with it?

Is Trend A Four Letter Word?

The word trend is really at risk of being too "trendy" I think. Not when it comes to fashion, we all need to be aware, lest we continue strutting around in the worst offenses ever- also called the 80's. Rather as it relates to the design of interiors. I feel like every time I pick a magazine, lurking around the next page is something telling me "what's hot". Yes, if we are in the business, it's our job to know. But, it's also our job to know trends will come and go and well designed rooms do not need to and should not incorporate all the latest trends.  I know this is hardly a new topic on the blogs and I thought I'd made peace with trends. Turns out I haven't.

Over the weekend I came across an article about houndstooth. Basically, I got my knickers in a bunch over hounthstooth being called "trendy" in this month's  Elle Decor. I happen to like this magazine and have been a longtime subscriber. Nothing trendy on the cover this month. It was an unexpected look of a women's loft office by Bunny Williams and I loved it!

Why is houndstooth a design trend?  It's been around forever. Another thing the Scot's gave us. In fashion, I used to associate it with Geoffrey Beane. Now I think of Chanel. I have a houndstooth skirt that I like, it seems traditional. I'm traditional. Recently, I found a pair of houndstooth shoes that I was madly in love with. The heel was just too high for me. They weren't practical. Besides being traditional, I am practical. Especially when it comes to making purchases for my home or wardrobe. 


My Fairfax ottoman by WSH, covered in brown & cream houndstooth.  Purchased nearly 6 years ago. Does this
mean I was previously un-cool and now I am hip? Please...say it isn't so.

As far as my home, it is highly unlikely anyone will ever going say "your home is so trendy!" Thank god. I think for many, trendy is equated with having style...being stylish.  I like a variety of design elements and styles. I have antiques, retail items along with some modern elements, like glass block lamps. Mostly, I like homes that have things that are reflective of the people who live there and I strive for that in my work. As for houndstooth, I think it's so practical for upholstery, curtains or pillows.  Put it in just about any room, and it works.


When our Golden Retriever was a puppy, she took a little nibble.
 She has no regard whatsoever for trends...imagine that?

Don't get me wrong, I am not at all opposed to the use of  Lucite furniture, garden stools, foo dogs (okay, I am opposed to these only because they remind me of darling Pugs that have gone Cujo) an animal skin rug, antlers, etc...but only when it's reflective of the person's interest and their style.  I am opposed to using them because we read somewhere that we should. In other words, trend alarms are being sounded way too often in my opinion.


One of my favorite tear sheet images. A foyer designed by Nina Griscom. The rug is described as an antique.
Generally, this means a real skin that was from a hunted animal, long before anyone considered it may
cool for decorative reasons. Imagine if the wood console was Lucite and the wood chairs were garden stools?
Would it seem too trendy...would you love it in five years...maybe, maybe not?

I have never purchased a single item ever because I thought it was trendy. I am an emotional buyer. I have to be drawn in by the item. I have to feel like it could live with me for a very long time and I would still find it interesting in 5, 10, or 50 years.  Especially, when it comes to antiques, books, accessories, artwork or collections.


When I was a child I first began a collection of keys. I was fascinated with a diary, clock key as well as the skeleton key to my grandmother's attic. Not only did I think they were pretty, but also mysterious. On one visit I took that attic key home with me- I liked it that much. I also thought by taking it I would be protected  from the scary things that I was convinced were up in the attic! I have been collecting interesting keys ever since. 

The most recent additions to my key collection. The 3 smaller keys given by my son's girlfriend. The 2 large keys
from my husband's travels, found in my stocking. All were among my favorite Christmas gifts this past year.

Yes, they're trendy too. Ridiculous faux keys are being mass produced and can be purchased everywhere. But, I am passionate about them, so the collecting will continue. The same could be said about Ikat. I like it. I just haven't seen a pattern/color that I'm passionate about.  However, I did buy a blue and white Ikat cotton blouse that I love and wore quite a bit last summer. I likely wear it again this summer, Although I am quite sure by then it won't be considered trendy. Perhaps, I will like it even more.

I guess this rambling is really just to express how sick I am of entire rooms that are filled with the items magazines tell us are the latest trends, Worse, when it's passed off as good design. Creative work. Applauded. Granted trend is spelled with five letters, but are we all beginning to say it as much as our other favorite four letter words? Sh*t, I don't know. Maybe I'm crazy? Jaded? Or could it be, you are sick of it too?

Panic Room

There is no underestimating the excitement of working on a new project with someone you have worked with before. Except....when they say they want a newly decorated space using yellow. Then, if you're me, there is a moment of oh, no....please anything but that color.  Instead I casually say great, we could begin by looking at it combined with gray. No. Okay, how about aqua because it's fresh and hip (like she is, not to mention I'm really comfortable with that color). No, not feeling it. Thus, the pangs of anxiety began creeping in.

When our meeting wraps up, I jump into my car. I am going to need help. I take a deep breath, reapply my lipstick, devour my emergency stash, barely minding the grossly substandard ingredients.

Now say the words construction, remodel, renovation, demolition and I am completely enthusiastic and calm. I know my way around this scenario. I feel confident and excited. I know it makes no sense to most, and I can not explain it except to say I have not been in a relationship with yellow since I said goodbye to my yellow and white daisy bedspread when I was about ten.

 As an adult, I can only assume when French Country decorating became very popular, I decided the pairing of yellow and blue was something I disliked. Granted, I've realized over time that it had more to do with the saturated nature of the colors and bold patterns which they accompanied. But even with this understanding, the combination went into my archives labeled as colors I don't like. I also never wear yellow.

I've started the arduous process of searching out fabrics, paint samples, possibly wallpaper in that foreign land called yellow. Oh, these are really pretty and I love houndstooth...but what else to combine it with?

Again, anxiety. So I reached for more fortification. And, by now my fingers are too sticky to do anything, including wrap the little gift on my desk intended to humor a friend.

 I succeeded in making myself completely nauseous and have vowed never to combine anxiety with too much sugar.  I am beginning to get excited about the possibilities of delving into uncharted territory, because there on my desk, seemingly out of nowhere, looks like just the inspiration I needed.

Images courtesy of A&A, Google, Williams-Somoma

The Divine, Mr. Devine

It's been snowing here in Virginia, not like the 3 blizzards of last winter, but still when you have 8.25 inches of heavy wet snow dumped in a few short hours, it's just no fun. My Crape Myrtle was splayed out on the lawn once again like a giant spider. I think I've saved most of it along with my Korean Lilac, but the Bradford Pear is history and a few others are not looking too good. The back yard has so many fallen limbs, it's resembles a a giant game of Pick-Up Sticks! The snow is falling again as I type this.



This looks like the perfect fabric for a Midsummer's Night soiree.


The mail man didn't get here until after dinner, so I didn't even bother retrieving the mail until this morning.  After shoveling yesterday, I spent some time nursing my aching wrist and knee and reading some of my favorite blogs.



Stylish, sophisticated and fun!

 I was reminded I needed to send follow-up note of information providing additional details regarding some fabric samples. No need. Turns out yesterday was a really good mail day! In my box were the fabric samples I had recently contacted MDH about. His web site was being worked on, and I never got back to him on specifics. Instead he just sent me a wonderful sampling of the patterns I indicated I liked and plan to use for a current project. Excellent customer service and a little mind reading!




Samples of the collection at Maison et Objet, Paris 2008...
 add up to divine artwork!!! 

 Getting samples is always exciting, they're like getting presents....oh, and these were too...each one carefully wrapped in tissue, each one gorgeous! I am loving the collection, the designs are perfect for both traditional and modern interiors, hand made by local artisans.  Mr. Devine's fabrics were recently featured in Elle Decor as well as Southern Living. I won't tell you which ones I plan to use, I think it will be best to wait until it all comes together!

Have A Great Weekend!

Peacock Blue, I Love You!

If you read my blog with any sort of regularity, it's no secret that I love aqua. But did you know that I've had a long standing love affair with peacock blue? I especially like adding it during the fall and winter. Toss in brown, green and cream and that rounds out the color palette for the main floor of my house.



Tissue box cover


Much like aqua, it pairs well with so many other colors such as red, purple, gold and orange. Today I found this trash can and tissue box cover.



Trash can

The detail on the back!

 I thought they were really attractive and fun. It may need to find a place in our library, to keep my favorite peacock blue velvet pillow company...

I am so behind on reading my magazine subscriptions, but last night I tossed and turned over this:



January 2011-Canadian House & Home living room
of designer Colette Van Den Thillart, Photographs
 by Chris Tubbs.

 Her library/office/dining room! I once had a chair with the same
 tray shaped back, sadly it became too wobbly to be of any use.
Maybe I need to find a new one!

 And, today while sourcing fabric, I became obsessed over a cream,  green and peacock blue houndstooth. There must be something/someone that needs it. And, I wonder if Mr. A&A would be interested in a new wall color for his beloved brown library? Yes peacock blue, I am still so in love with you!

Have A Great Weekend!

Fabric & Wallpaper: Gone to the Dogs!

I became completely smitten the first time I saw this fabric by Eric Cohler in 2006 aptly named, Unleashed! I tore these pages out and slipped them right into plastic sleeves the moment I came across them.  I love the fact the design is appealing for both young & old!!! I've yet to come across a dog themed fabric I like better!

Red

Blue

Orange

And, the selections in canine inspired wallpaper are giving a case of puppy love! I think it's so wonderful when good design doesn't have to be too serious!

Osborne & Little's Best in Show-black

Peter Fasano's Maxx

Peter Fasano's Calvin & Lewis

Peter Fasano's Bow-Wow

Thibaut's Best in Show-aqua

For The Birds!

Springtime is always associated with birds singing outside our windows in the early morning hours.  But it seems as if our feathered friends are flocking indoors...in every room possible!  Everywhere you look birds have found a place in decor.  From the classic to the whimsical, they are seeking the spotlight!!! 

Here are some wonderful examples of birds in fabric, wallpapers, art, lighting and accessories:

A few now live in the A&A nest!  Anything chirping at your house?

Oh, and look at what flew all the way from Australia this weekend:

This is the beautiful work is by Coty Farquhar, stylist and photographer extraordinaire! I was lucky enough to win these in a blog contest!

Images courtesy of Calico Corners,Thibaut, Lee Jofa, RSH, Etsy, Oly and A&A  

Tuesday Tip

Fabric alternative.  Can't find the perfect fabric at a price you can live with?  Or maybe you simply don't have time to search for it.  The solution: head to the bath section of your favorite retailer and pick out a shower curtain.  Seriously.  I have found some fantastic 100% cotton shower curtains everywhere from Target, to Restoration Hardware, to Macy's.  Over the years, I have scouted them out and treat them like any fabric remnant that can do a small job.  I have recovered the seat of a vanity stool and a child's small chair.  I have used them to make tablecloths, sink skirts, pillows, cafe curtains, etc...

Last year, a client embarked on a project that involved moving her main floor laundry room to a more convenient location upstairs.  The existing space was then then turned into a mud room where her husband and two teenage boys, all ice hockey players, could be free to move about with all of their hockey gear.  She already owned the the black cabinet and storage bench and did not want to allocate any significant portion of her renovation budget to this room, but still wanted to give it an update.  The new additions included a Pottery Barn sisal rug and a skirt for the unattractive utility sink. I had the skirt made from a Target shower curtain.  I had my workroom add a simple pleat to the front and then double sided velcro so it could be attached to the mud sink and removed easily to wash.  The large pillows on the bench belonged to the client and serve to cover up the plate where the washer/dryer connections once were. I had the small pillow made with the leftover curtain pieces. 

This pillow assortment below occupies a basement media room...mine!  Can you guess which one is made from a shower curtain?  It's the large pillow with the fantastic, trendy paisley!!!   I purchased it  in December on sale for $15.99 due a damaged package.  The other two fabrics are from Calico Corner.  I wanted lots of pillows in different sizes and could not find another that fit my criteria of low cost and easy cleaning.  This space is used primarily by my teenage son and daughter and their friends.  The goal was to give it a modern, cool, lounge-like feel for guys and gals! 

20/10 rule: Next time you are shopping in your favorite stores, spend 10 minutes browsing the bath section for a shower curtain for less than $20 in a fun fabric!