While we might be jumping the gun a little with our sunscreen purchases, it’s actually the perfect time to give the house a spring-is-here refresher. We’re starting in the dining room. Open the windows, add some flowers, and trade out the wintry brocade for some lighter-than-air linens in pristine white and bright colors and you’ll transform your eating area from a cozy wintertime space to one that’s ready to bring on spring and summer.

Flowers are an easy switch – and we love those banana leaves in the room at the left. They’re dramatic and definitely scream “tropical.” Without them, the room would be a little bland, but they add some fantastic strong color.

We’re big fans of the modern, Scandinavian look, but often think it looks more appropriate during the winter than the spring. Not so, though, with this bright dining room. We especially love those windows and the way the huge window magnifies the natural light.

Hydrangeas, bright green grasses, and windows open to the sea – what more could you ask for to get you in the warm weather mood?

Monet’s dining room at Giverny is a study in springtime festivity. Just like his riotous paintings of the flowers at the estate, this room is full of color and energy.

We’re cheating a bit with this next room – it’s more of a porch than a dining room – but we just can’t wait to start eating outside! Plus, we love the way the simple table has been dressed up by the paper poms. We’ve got a few of those poms (we bought them from Etsy seller pomlove) and we can attest that they turn every room into a party space.

This room is a great example of a space that could easily transition from season to season. We can imagine it around the holidays, dressed up in red and green and silver and gold. Switch out the Christmas colors for the blue accessories and you’ve got a space that’s ready for a summertime meal.

Slipcovers are a wonderful way to give a dining room personality – and a wonderful way to easily change that personality. We love these candy-colored stripes for the way they mix a traditional pattern with a super fun color.

As far as we’re concerned, Rebecca Thuss is a table-setting genius – and this table is why. With colors that range from lemon yellow to lime green, she’s created a table that’s summertime all the way, without sacrificing formality.

We love lemon and lime – but we’re also a bit obsessed with turquoise right now. We love the way these accessories pop off the table. And that view – who wouldn’t love that view?

Finally, we think it’s easy, sometimes, to create a fun, casual dining room that’s perfect for spring and summer. Creating  a formal dining room for the laid-back seasons is a little more of a challenge – but the room below handles it with aplomb. We love the white chairs, which combine an airy color with a formal shape, the fabulous blue of the wall, and the crisp white of the ceiling and details. The overall effect is formal, but not stuffy.

What are you doing to spruce up your diningn room for the summer? Please share in the comments.

[Photo credits: banana leaves room, hydrangeas room, and first all white with turquoise room from Coastal Living; Monet at Giverny from Apartment Therapy; poms over outdoor space from Making It Lovely; white modern room from sfgirlbybay; white room with a few blue accents from Martha Stewart; yellow table from Rebecca Thuss; striped chairs and traditional blue and white room from House Beautiful.]

Zoe Brench

Meet Zoe!  We are so excited to have Zoe Brench, who hails from the Netherlands, as one of our World Class Designers.  Zoe has amazing style; her beautiful, organic patterns are both nostalgic and modern and we are thrilled to offer three of her patterns as part of our product line.  Be sure to visit Zoe’s profile page to read her bio and check out  her favorite designs and colorways.  Don’t miss “Rose Leaves”, her most popular pattern we offer. I recently had the opportunity to meet with Zoe to learn more about  her and her incredible work.  I came away inspired.  I think you will too…        

How does your design process start?  In other words, how do you take your ideas and inspirations and turn them into the beautiful patterns we see on all the fabulous products here on Alluminare?     

I seem to begin designing either in my head or by sketching or doodling on paper and then transferring these into vectors that I can then turn into (repeat) designs on the computer.  Sometimes it can be the most insignificant doodle, which turns into a great design. The simplest of designs seem to work the best for me. I definitely believe in the ‘less is more’ theory but I can’t always leave it and have to take it just one step further until I am happy the design is ‘finished’.      

What about your designs makes you the happiest?      

There is nothing more exciting than getting something back from the printers – something real and tangible to hold in your hands. But also when someone tells you that they really like your work – this never fails to put a smile on my face. This motivates me greatly.      

Well we LOVE your work…What do you think it is that makes your designs so appealing to designers and buyers?     

I think it’s the way my classical or hand drawn designs are combined with modern colour schemes to make them look vibrant and ‘now’.     

Where and how do you envision your designs that are shown here in their new “spaces”?    

I can see my designs in all sorts of spaces, whether it be on someone’s couch in the living room or in the lobby of a chic modern hotel.    

"Rose" Pillow

I could really see the Elegance design in a city bar or bistro used for large light shades over tables and fabric upholstered on fixed seating with really high backs.   

"Elegance" Swatch

The Rose and Rose Leaves designs would work really well together in either a modern or classic setting. 

"Rose Leaves" Roman Shades (not available just yet!)

Wallpapered walls with white woodwork would look really modern if vibrant contrasting colours are used, yet really classic when using ton-sur-ton combinations. I am envisaging piles of cushions on leather couches, wallpapered walls, large light shades and a varied array of wooden furniture. It would also be fun to hang a few canvases painted in just one solid colour – just for fun!  

"Rose" Wallpaper on backsplash, "Rose" on Pendants

How do you stay motivated creatively?  

My eyes and ears are always open to things, which make me say ‘hmmmmm!’ and then I either memorise it or write it down in my sketchbook. It can be something I see in a book or magazine, on the street, on tv, during a forest walk or in the garden. The internet has changed so much too, in the sense that a whole entire library or the high street is at your fingertips at any moment. I have my favourite sites, which I refer to regularly.     

What is your “go to” color right now?     

Ever since I was little, my favourite colour was blue. Wherever possible, I always seemed to prefer blue. I still love blue very much, especially combined with green. I do have to consciously steer away from this in my work otherwise it would be too dominant in my designs!     

Red is definitely not my colour.     

What design trends are you absolutely loving this moment?  Which ones do you wish would go away?     

I love the vintage revival, which is going on at the moment. Its really exciting to see ideas being redone yet differently for today’s commercial needs. There is however a fine line between kitsch and trendy chic and sometimes this could disappear for me!     

What is your favorite possession in your home?     

I can’t possibly pick just one! But my absolute favourite at this very moment is a picture we had taken at the photographer recently of my husband, our daughter and myself. The background is black and we all seem so happy and our daughter just looks beautiful. The picture frame arrived this weekend, which just makes the picture perfect. I just know that when my daughter is much older that this photo will remind me of how she is right now – wonderful!     

Where is your favorite getaway spot or place to go for inspiration?     

A walk in the fresh air does wonders to me, it either clears my head or recharges my energy or both. The sun doesn’t have to be shining – but it helps! Living in the Netherlands I have to make do with the forest for this, but if I can go further afield it would have to be somewhere hilly or mountainous, quiet and remote. Norway, Sweden and various places in Ireland and the UK spring to mind. Fabulous!     

If you could meet any designer (dead or alive), who would it be and why?     

William Morris – his work totally got me into surface pattern design in the beginning. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have a nosey into his creative process? Obviously this isn’t possible any more! It would be just as interesting to show him how we design today – I wonder what he would make of the internet and our creative software!!        

Thanks so much Zoe for sharing your inspirations with us!    

It’s that time of year again – just about springtime. The air’s still crisp in most of the country, but days are lengthening and outdoor days seem within reach.

Of course, that also means it’s time for a little spring cleaning. As we start to open the windows and doors, it’s just natural – we all get an urge to sweep out all the dust and clutter we’ve accumulated over the wintertime. But spring cleaning is also a daunting prospect – after all, it was a long winter, and that means a lot of dirt and clutter!

We’ve got a few tips and secrets, though, that will make your spring cleaning satisfying:

1. Make a plan

Everything’s less daunting when you start with a plan. That’s part of the reason we love Martha Stewart, actually – she’s a great planner, especially when it comes to overwhelming projects like spring cleaning. Her checklist is a great start. (OK, maybe it’s a little over the top, but don’t be afraid to skip a few items – we know we do!)

2. Stock up

Cleaning’s a lot more fun when you ditch the old cleaning products (and their crusty tops) in favor of a fresh new set of bottles and jars. We love the light scents (and pretty packaging) of Mrs. Meyers Clean Day products, but even a brand new bottle of Target brand does the trick.

3. Get to those windows

Even if your home isn’t covered floor to ceiling in windows (like that great kitchen at the top), they’re a good place to start. Cleaning the glass will make your house seem much brighter and crisper, and though it’s a bit of a pain, dusting blinds and having drapes dry-cleaned will make you feel like you’ve accomplished something big – we promise.

 4. Change the bed

Fresh sheets always make us feel better. When the seasons change, it’s time not just for clean sheets, but also for a whole new linen scheme. Go lighter in weight (no need for that heavy quilt) and in color. There’s nothing quite as crisp as clean white linens in the spring  – they make even the coziest room feel fresh and summery.

5. Hit the fridge

It’s an ugly job, we admit, but cleaning out the inside of your refrigerator pays dividends. Every time you open the fridge (for at least a week!) you’ll be greeted by an organized, clean interior.

6. Dust the lightbulbs (seriously!)

It sounds a little picky and maybe even a little crazy, but dusting your lightbulbs can really brighten up your home. First, make sure all your lights are turned off and remove the lightbulbs from their holders. Next, dust all around the bulbs and the lamps. You’ll be treated to bright light you didn’t even know you were missing.

7. Organize

Spring cleaning is a great time to get your whole family organized. We love central bulletin boards that neatly divide everyone’s activities and obligations, like this one:

How do you tackle spring cleaning? Any tips? Please share them in the comments. And happy Spring!

[Photo credits: Rooms from Houzz.com. Flowers from Martha Stewart.]

We love adorable accessories, like the fun rain boots at the right, this Dooney & Burke bag that’s as pretty as it is useful, and notecards cute enough to make writing thank you notes exciting:

These days, it’s easy to make your life all about the giraffe. But what about your home? Giraffe print isn’t as ubiquitous as zebra or leopard, which means it feels fresh compared to those classics, but giraffe products are readily available. In fact, if you were so inclined, you could outfit your house in top-to-bottom giraffe.

Foyer

The foyer is the introduction to your house and in decorating, first impressions definitely count. Carpeting the entryway with a fabulous, sumptuous giraffe print (like the ones below, from Karastan) sends a bold message. The combination of luxury carpet and wild animal print means you’re a force to be reckoned with!

Living Room

Giraffe prints can even go preppy, especially when they’re paired with traditional patterns and smart fabrics, like lime green grosgrain. We love these pillows, which would be simple enough even to make at home:

Kitchen

The kitchen is also a good place for a more clean-cut version of the giraffe. We love the idea of giraffe print in non-traditional colors. This lamp perfectly balances prep, fun and drama:

Bedroom

And then there’s the bedroom – where giraffe prints can go either way. There’s the clean, crisp, cotton option, which looks fresh and airy in light tan sheets:

And then there’s the sexy version. We love these Murano glass lamps and the story they tell. They’re just a little dangerous, aren’t they?

Bathroom

The bathroom offers just as many options as the bedroom. For the seriously daring, there’s a custom vanity from AdattoCasa Couture. Like the lamps above, it’s got a sexy shape and a sheen that’s all drama:

If a vanity is too much of a commitment (or too much drama), giraffe-print towels are a great (and not too permanent) way to bring the safari to the master bath. We love these for their fluff:

Playroom

The grownups shouldn’t have all the fun, either. Out of all the animal prints, we think giraffes are the most fun – so they’re perfect for kids’ rooms and playrooms. Why not stencil a wall or two with this fun (and easy) pattern:

And of course, don’t forget the big animal himself. What kid (or adult, for that matter) could resist this guy?

We’re all about the giraffe print – but what do you think? New classic or flash in the pan? Perfect for grownups, or strictly kids’ domain? Let us know in the comments!

Here’s Libby’s post:

I had some leftover wallpaper, so I decided to use it in this china cabinet spruce-up.

Before

After

Even put crushed velvet on the doors. Now, all those heirlooms have a proper place!

[Thanks to Libby for this! She can be found at http://www.lugraphics.com/ and her prints are available on lighting, lamp shades, pillows, fabric & wallpaper, which can be found here:  http://www.alluminare.com/world-class-designers.asp?designer=6]

Sitting down to a wonderful dinner with great friends is one of our favorite things to do. So it’s no surprise that we’re always on the lookout for fabulous dining room tables. We like them in all shapes and sizes – from big and rectangular to tiny and round.

When you’re buying a dining room table, it’s important to think about how you’re planning to use it. Fancy dinners or casual nights of dinner and homework? It’s also important to think about how many people you’ll want to seat at the table. Twenty-four inches per person is a good rule of thumb – though most guests won’t mind if you squeeze them just a little, as long as the party’s fun enough.

Plus, what’s a little closeness between friends, especially when the table itself is absolutely gorgeous. It’s tough to narrow down, but here are ten of our favorites:

1. The Tulip

We love round dining room tables – it’s the best way to see everyone’s face. This table, designed by Eero Saarinen, is a classic – as it should be. The shape is simple and perfectly elegant. We love it with a marble top: 2. Th Spanna Extension Table

Finding the right dining table for small homes and apartments is notoriously difficult, especially if you don’t host dinner parties every other night. For spaces like that, we love extending tables, like the Spanna extension table, which looks cool whether it’s open or folded up tight:

3. The Portman

In some homes, a traditional, conservative solid wood table is the obvious – and best – choice. For that look, we love Restoration Hardware, which creates tables with gravitas that are built to last generations:

4. The Bruges Tailor Table

The tables created by Turning House Furniture are gorgeous and they’ve also got a great story, as they’re all made with reclaimed wood. We love anything with a history – and the sustainability of the tables is extra icing. It’s difficult to choose a favorite, though we admit that we’re partial to simple lines of the Bruges Tailor Table:

5. The Strut

Blu Dot is famous for very simple, straightforward, modern design, and their Strut table is not exception. We love it in red – it’s a bold statement and definitely declares that its owner is a lot of fun: 6. The Norfolk

We’re a sucker for any tables that look right at home outside – dining al fresco happens to be one of our favorite pastimes. We’re smitten, then, with the Norfolk table from Pottery Barn. It’s pretty and could easily be dressed up for a fancy dinner party, but is also just perfect for Tuesday night dinner with the fam:

7. The Aspen Table

The Amish are (deservedly) famous for their high quality Mission-style furniture, which is very much at home in casual and modern environments. We love this table, especially, with its trademark Mission bars:

8. Double Limed Oak Tables

We absolutely love the double-table look for small spaces and areas that need flexibility. If you’ve got a big crowd, you can always move one of the tables to a different part of the home for double-duty as a bar or side table:

This look doesn’t have to break the bank, either. A pair of Parsons style tables from IKEA can do the trick, too, on a seriously attractive budget.

Do you have a dream dining room table? Please share your favorites in the comments.

[Photo credit: Dining room from Houzz.com]

Take, for example, the Vermeer painting Girl with a Pearl Earring. Vermeer was, famously, a master of light and color. He used shadow expertly and his paintings emit a lifelike, but mesmerizing, sort of glow.

Take those same principles – a focus on light and shadow, and a commitment to colors that are both rich and muted, and apply them to home design. The result could be something like this:

Gorgeous color and interesting light make for an intriguing room, don’t they? We think the rust-colored chair perfectly captures Vermeer’s mastery with color. It’s both intense and muted at the same time. Plus, light from an unseen window at the left and from the standing lamp give those living in the room a sort of careful control over how shadows fall and how the room’s colors are perceived.

And, unrelated to Vermeer, we just love those beat-up school lockers!

We also love the clarity and simplicity of Jean-Louis David’s Death of Marat. David’s classicist roots are on clear display in the painting – and we think they’re easy to translate to a clean, traditional interior:

That bathroom is so pretty and classic, in fact, that it could’ve been David’s inspiration. It’s lines are simple and straight, with only simple architectural details as adornment, and the colors are straightforward. The room is a serious one – no gauzy curtains or fun patterns.

The delicacy and frippery of the Rococo movement, typified by Fragonard’s ode to frivolity, The Swing. Swirling detail, pastel color and intense light create an undeniably feminine and elegant image. The same femininity and elegance are on display, minus the obvious frivolity, in this home office:

We love that wallpaper – it’s feminine without crossing over into little girly. The shades of pink and green are ladylike, but rich enough to be appropriate for a grown woman. And the delicate lines of the writing desk are perfectly elegant. We have a mental image of the lady who sits at this desk to write – she’s a modern, grown up, mature version of the girl on Fragonard’s swing.

The 20th century has a role in influencing interiors, too. We’ve long been fans of the Fauve movement and, especially, Raoul Dufy, who’s use of outrageous color and strong brushstrokes turned out paintings full of energy and fun, like his Regatta at Cowes. Dufy’s bold use of color has informed our decorating choices since our dorm room days – he makes it easy to be unafraid of wild color combinations and super bright shades.

We love this translation of Dufy’s aesthetic:

Plus, design aside, table lamps provide some really great light. They’re perfect for reading, give off intriguing shadows, and keep the light low and manageable (we love three way bulbs). Everybody looks better in low light with a little mystery, right?

With all that in mind, we went in search of some great table lamps. Check out what we found:

1. The Fruiteria

We love this lamp for its great colors and its versatility. It manages to be a lot of things at once – modern, traditional, fancy, casual. And, most importantly, fun!

2. The Bourgie by Farruccio Laviani

Check out this shape. We love the way Laviani, the lamp’s designer, managed to blend aesthetic elements that are both Baroque and modern for a very dramatic effect.

3. The Baton

Sometimes, the best lamp is one that’s understated. We love the simple lines of this model, and its clean commitment to great materials. No need for bells and whistles here – sleek is perfect.

4. The Bell Jar

This lamp combines the best of both worlds. It’s glass, so it’s able to work in lots of environments and be dressed up or down, but it’s shape and slightly uneven surface make it interesting. It might be clear, but you don’t just look right through it.

5. The Green Cube

Some rooms call for a little burst of fun – and this green cube is exactly right for that. It’s available in a few other fun colors, too. In fact, we’d love to see a collection of these guys.

6. The Crystal Palladian

Some rooms call for a Serious Lamp and this substantial crystal lamp delivers. It’s traditional, elegant, and very pretty.

7. The Magie Swrill

If some rooms call for a “serious lamp,” others just beg for fun and color. We love this swirly glass lamp for it’s color and dynamism.

8. The Slim Lamp

With some lamps, it’s all about the shape (though we love this teal color, too). This slender base reminds of a Brancusi – all skinny drama.

9. The Textured Lamp

A little bit of texture can go a long way. In this case, a plain black lamp is saved from being boring by a surface that would fit perfectly with this year’s “global” trend in home design.

10. The Champei

Black + white + swirly flowers make for a lamp that’s a bit girly, but right at home in an elegant drawing room. We love the stark color contrast and the design that marries fun with tradition.

What are your favorite table lamp looks and sources? Please share them in the comments!

[Photo credits: Pierre Allen living room from Houzz.com. Lamps from linked sources.]

Our fascination with the Spades runs deep – we love their spunky American style. So we were especially excited to get a quick glimpse inside their apartment (at left). We instantly fell in love with the eclectic, preppy look of the place, so we set out to create our own four-step guide for injecting Kate and Andy’s style into interiors of our own.

 1. Go Gallery

The Spade’s apartment barely has a spare inch of wall space and while it doesn’t look as though there’s any particular rhyme or reason to the placement of the pictures, the overall affect isn’t messy. It’s more like a really great, nicely curated collection. With some planning (and lots of measuring) it’s not too hard to recreate the same look at home.

Start with a color that’s interesting, but not overpowering, like the Spade’s cornflower blue, or like the pink in the room at the left. Add art that covers a variety of genres – we love seeing traditional oil landscapes saddled up next to abstract expressionism – and mix up the frame width and style. Start your arrangement on the floor, where it’s easy to move around to play with the right organization. When you’re organizing, variety is the key. Keep the distances between paintings fairly uniform, but mix them up by size, shape, frame style, and content.

2. Embrace Vintage

Treasure-hunting is one of Andy Spade’s personal passions. He outfitted the J.Crew store with stuff he found here and there and at his home, little knicknacks add personality to the overall decor. Whether you find your treasures on exotic jaunts or while digging through downtown flea markets, incorporating vintage finds into your decor is a quick way to add tons of personality into a space. In the room below, we love the cluster of goodies that sit on top of the dresser:

3. Showcase Your Library

There’s a lot going on in Kate and Andy’s apartment, but our eyes immediately go to that great bookcase in the back. We love books, which means we love how they look as a design element (it’s practical, too – when you love books, you have to store them someplace!). A great bookshelf is a must-have, in our opinion. What you fill it with says as much about your personality as those vintage knicknacks you pick up on your travels. In fact, books and interesting pieces pieces of art make for a fantastic combination (like in the room at the right).

4. Stripes

Finally, what’s a preppy interior without a few stripes? In the Spade’s apartment, they’re wide and clear, on side chairs, offering some clean balance that keeps the rest of the space from feeling overly cluttered. We like strips on chairs – you can move them around to change the overall feel of the room (and chairs are easy enough to recover if you want a change). We also like the way the Spades’ stripes fit neatly into the color scheme of the room. We love this dining room version of the look:

Subtle and sophisticated and a great expression of clean design.

Of course, the Spades apartment is just one example of preppy style. How do you preppify your home?

[Photo credits: Spade apartment from New York magazine. All other interiors from Houzz.com.]

To be clear: we’re talking decorating using dog prints and such, not decorating in houses where dogs live (of course we think that’s a do!). Plus, we know there are a lot of approaches to dog-themed decorating. We’re thinking more along the lines of scotty prints than dogs-playing-poker (though the latter has some kitsch value that could work in a man room, maybe).

We took a look around the internet to see how other people are using doggies in their design. Here’s what we found:

Traditional

Decorator and writer Ann Pyne (interviewed here by New York Social Diary) loves dogs both as companions and as part of decor. In her library, chairs are covered with a discontinued dog-print fabric by Brunschwig & Fils. Throughout her apartment, tiny dog statuettes and even stuffed dogs dot the rooms. It’s a look that’s undeniably old-school – certainly not one that’s going to pop up in the latest issue of Dwell - but it has a traditional charm that draws us in.

Mod

On the other side of the coin, there are some very stylish and modern doggie designs out there – Etsy is a an absolute treasure trove. We think this silhouetted schnauzer wall decal is pretty stylish:

We’re partial to this sweet pillow, too:

Actually, we could probably spend hours on Etsy, just browsing the dog-themed pillows!

Kids

Many doggie prints and accessories are geared towards kids. Like both of these, which we found via Etsy (here and here):

Both the poster and the growth chart wall decals manage to make kids’ decor cool – they’re cute, but not overly childish. We like that!

Kitsch

As we mentioned, we think there might be a place in a certain type of room for a cheesy, funny poster of dogs playing poker. Using dog accessories in a kitschy way can be kind of charming – when it’s done right (think: small and limited, not floor-to-ceiling and creepy). These great dane salt and pepper shakers are a funny example – regal and charming and silly all at once:

So that brings us back to our original question: doggie decorating, hot or not? Where does it work and where doesn’t it? And what are its limitations?

Please share your thoughts in the comments!