Saturday, November 19, 2011

Brass

I know, I know- just as you have almost eliminated all of the existing '90's brass in your home, I am suggesting that it is coming full circle.  How dare I?!  Trust me on this one, even Kourtney Kardashian's kitchen has grey-painted cabinetry with brass knobs similar to this one from decorpad.com...


And look at this mirror from one of my favorite blogs, http://www.younghouselove.com/...


And this antique campaign chest from http://www.antique-antiques-uk.com/.  It is something old that can definitely be "made new again" in the right setting...Image Detail

And this room by my favorite HGTV designer, Sarah Richardson...


Don't worry, oil-rubbed-bronze and stainless steel (or brushed nickel) remain popular sellers:)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Nailheads

Nailheads are nothing new; they have been incorporated into classic furniture pieces for centuries...
Cortona Dining Table
Click here to go to Pottery Barn's website.

And note that nailheads can be used in contemporary designs as well....
Sienna Room

This sofa and ottoman combination from Norwalk Furniture can be used in the middle of a room and is perfect for entertaining, because it features an ultra-wide frame and arms at a comfortable height for leaning or sitting...
Kiley Room

Click here to see other customizable furniture pieces from the Candice Olson Collection from Norwalk Furniture.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Floor-to-Ceiling Drapery Panels

Fabric drapery panels can soften a space, add color/texture/pattern, and play an important, functional role in controlling light and privacy in an interior space.  This room from Amanda Nisbet Design pictures drapery hung where the wall meets the ceiling which adds visual height.  The panels also gather slightly at the floor, which is a trend that I have noticed mentioned in multiple places...


Window treatments can be hung many different ways: with a decorative rod or with minimal hardware (as seen above); pleats, rings, hooks, gathered, grommets, rod-pocket or tab-top panels...and more!

Below is a great lesson in how to hang drapery panels to make your windows appear larger and expose more light...


For other examples of functional, beautiful window treatments, please go to www.hunterdouglas.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Design Trends

Our store recently held a Ladies’ Night where I hosted a presentation on kitchen styles and trends. While some of these trends are still fresh in my mind, I'll write a series of posts on general decorating trends I have noticed popping up in magazines, design blogs, decorating shows, and locally at the retail showroom where I work.  Hopefully these tips can inspire you as they have me:)

First, we cannot discuss decorating without mentioning color, and the hottest neutral on the scene lately is GREY.

Grey & yellow, grey & violet, grey & white, grey & brass, warm grey, cool grey, grey walls, grey carpeting, grey finishes, taupey grey, grey stain on wood, textured grey, shrimp cocktail, coconut shrimp, popcorn shrimp, jumbo shrimp, Bubba Gump shrimp…

Grey is so versatile, so do not be afraid that grey will set a tone of dreariness.  Instead, grey can be a crisp addition to your decor and serve as a lovely backdrop to enhance a space.  Here is the same room pictured two ways using Benjamin Moore paint. 

"Exhibit A" has walls in a cool, blue grey...



"Exhibit B" has warm, brown grey walls...

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Old pickups

L loves being outside...


So we often take walks around the yard to see what we can see.


On this day, we saw some pickups.  Orange pickup, blue sky...


Blue pickup, blue eyes...

Saturday, November 5, 2011

"How-weeeeen"

We had two puppies at our house this Halloween: L, the cute, fuzzy and wild one; and Barney, the big, hairy and other wild one.  We attempted taking a photo by the punkins...


..and we got this... (This picture was NOT staged, I promise!!)


L really just wanted to play in his sandbox...


...but then we went to a Halloween Party where he met up with his cousins, a dancing birthday-boy Michael Jackson, an excited little kitty, and a flying fairy.  "Sit, puppy, sit!"


"Goooood puppy!!"


Then, we did a little trick-or-treating at Papa's house....


Everything was "scaaaaaary!"  And he learned that when you "knock-ock" on someone's door and hold out your "bake" and say "choo choo chain" (which sounds a lot like 'trick-or-treat' when your 19 months old), they will give you "canny." 

Halloween is also his cousin's birthday, so he had a lot of fun singing "Bert-day TO YOU! Bert-day TO YOU!" 

I think he will love Halloween for years to come!

Exterior Decorating