Beach House 101: Bringing the Sea Home
You probably saw the title of this post and thought, “great! just what I need…another blog to tell me about seashells in the bathroom and glass lamps with starfish in them wrapped in rope” …. well, you would be wrong. We all know that any mass retailer rolls this fare out in the summer, trying to capitalize on the beach fever of those who are landlocked. I think that all of that is just wrong wrong wrong. Unless you specifically HAVE a beach house, that paraphernalia will look strange come winter. I think to bring the beach into your home, you have to take a broader look at your space from a design point of view, and ask, “what will give me a beach-like feeling (operative word!!!!) without looking like I live on Martha’s Vineyard 365 days a year in a perpetual August?”.
There are three ways to get the feeling (as opposed to the look): Color, Texture and Objects.
The beach is a sensory experience for the eyes above all. And color is the reason. After all, the beach reminds one of so many shades – water tones (which vary from bright blue to deep green), the variety of sand shades, the sky during various times of fay, the dunes and the native grasses, the shells, the found objects, etc. The easiest way to infuse a beach feeling is through color, and while everyone thinks bright blue and beige are the ultimate beachy colors for home decor, they are actually anything but. Those colors are not relaxing and don’t immediately evoke last summer in the Hamptons. Instead, give your space colors that remind you of the ultimate beach in your mind….that vacation you’ve been dreaming of, far away. It’s calming, cool, relaxing and mid-toned. Blues that are reminiscent of water should have some green and some gray to them, and never be too bright or too dark. And to recreate the feel of sand, it’s more realistic to do muted gray/beiges to off-white. To get this, I have selected the Ultimate Beach Palette for your beachy room (all colors are Benjamin Moore). Use these colors as reference points, which can be picked up in fabrics for draperies, pillows, etc. This palette is a “shore thing”!
Azores - Harbor Haze
Solitude - Coastline
Refined - Sea Haze - Wish
For texture, every surface is worth considering. The beach is sand grains and driftwood and water and rocks and dry skin! Leave no surface untouched. My favorite idea for a beach feel for texture is using grasscloth wallpaper. It’s back! And it comes in so many colors (hot pink!!!!). My favorites are by Schumacher and Philip Jeffries, and I used the one on the left (in photos below) for a client who wanted a “Tulum beach feel” to a master bedroom. Also, the grasscloth is great for lampshades, doors, etc. Why not?
Grasscloth Wallpaper
For added texture, I would suggest paying attention to the windows and floors. A window gets the beach effect with gauzy off-white curtains that could blow with an open window. Or some rugged raw canvas, as in a boat’s sail. Both of these ideas can go for any decor style; grommet the canvas for a modern feel, or pinch-pleat the gauzy drapes for a more tailored yet casual feel. If that’s not your style, why not try split bamboo shades? The floor is another prime opportunity to bring in the beach. If you have a wood floor, and are willing, a coat of porch and floor paint will certainly make you feel like you are in a beach house! In the winter, cover it up with an area rug! Or if paint isn’t your thing, try a jute or sisal area rug, or any natural fiber rug that will add texture to your feet and keep you in the palette.
Painted Wood Floors Jute Area Rug
Objects will tie it all together and give a subtle nod to the beach. If you are into antiques, perhaps an old anchor, leaning in a corner will give some kick. Maybe a vintage life vest hung over a mantle. If you want a striking centerpiece, how about a large conch shell or piece of coral, on a table covered in a gorgeous glass bell jar? The focus will be on the whole piece, and not just the sea treasure it holds. Also, I like the jewel tones of beach glass. They are a great kick of color, whether in mosaic table tops, in a bowl or placed in a very simple cylindrical glass vase. The look can be made modern by getting various sizes of glass cylinders and filling them with beach glass of a single color (and repeated with other colors). However, if you don’t have it on hand, beach glass can be found in new bottles and vases, vintage and reclaimed large and tall vessels, etc. In these photos, the pieces scream “beach glass!” and can be placed anywhere you need a kick.
Glass Objects Made Of Found Beach Glass
Two other object ideas are natural. Driftwood and plants. Driftwood is the ultimate beach souvenir. Placed on a mantle, hung on a wall, standing in a corner or lying on a console table behind a sofa, this is a powerful beach-like element that never seems out of place. Lastly, try some air plants. They are wonders of nature, require no water and are very reminiscent of those found on the shores of the western part of the US. Tuck one in a special shell or even just a pretty bowl.
Just Like Being In A Dune!
In the end, it’s important to find your ultimate “beach” feel. If a beach reminds you of calm and peacefulness, then that is what you should add to your room. Starfish and mounted seahorses might not be all there is!
Combining Green and White for A Super Chic Room
Green. It’s everywhere you turn. It’s outside of your window on leaves and plants and weeds. Its the color of your emotions when your best friend gets a big raise. It’s the color of the traffic light when you accelerate. The governor of Arizona is talking about green cards. Even the word green itself now applies less to the actual color and more to anything organic, recycled, natural, organic or reused. But above all, green is one of the most widely used – and timeless – colors for your home.
If you think of color as the energy of your life, green can represent many things. As the primary color in nature, it corresponds with vitality and health, freshness and growth. It soothes and uplifts the spirit. In nature, we often see the lush green of a leaf or plant; however, when that plant blossoms, the green merely accents the gorgeous color of the flower. It supports and complements it, regardless of the bloom’s color. That is why as a basis for home design, it generally makes everything else look it’s best.
An admission: for clients, I try to avoid using the color green. The biggest reason for this is also the reason for it’s timelessness: there are so many variations of the color. It can lean to blue or yellow (it’s parents, of course), to brown or gray, from dark to light. And as the ultimate neutral, it can go either way on the temperature scale with the teensiest subtle hint of another color: too much blue (towards the uber-hot mint green side) it’s cool and icy; too much earth in it (your olives and avocadoes) and you have seriously warmed things up. But I will happily go green on someone if I can pair it with my personal favorite decor color: white. And yes, white is a color (in fact, it is all colors. But don’t get me going on the perfect whites – that is next week’s post!)
Not sure? Ask yourself why white is the most popular color for homes, both modern and traditional. The answer is a very unscientific reason: look at how bold both the green and the white look when paired in a homescape:
Traditional and Modern White Homes, Accentuated With Natural Green
Green and white as a design duo tackle that tricky challenge of temperature. When you pair any color with a bright, crisp, pure white (don’t get me started yet on choosing the perfect white. It’s a pet peeve, and I will tackle it next week!), you get the instant benefits of a true read on your primary color as well as a decidedly modern feel. You eliminate the need to post 37 green swatches on your living room wall because you are afraid to pick a green that feels too cool or too earthy, or because it leans a bit too “grandma’s living room” or maybe is a tad “neon 80s green“. Pair it with white and let your decor, furniture and accessories tell the story for you. Beyond temperature, how you use your green and white combo is important to consider.
One of these two colors must lead the other. Let your favorite green determine which leads the charge in your room. If you really like a strong green (lime, apple, foliage shades), use them boldly, but minimally. That is key to potential overkill. Let the bright color be a focal point that is accentuated by white all around it. Both will shine. Conversely, if you are using a paler, more subdued shade of green (sage, eucalyptus, celadon), use white sparingly as a supporting player; as a color buttress. It’s bright and strong splash will instantly and continually remind you of the exact green and won’t let it feel faded. Here are some examples of that delicate balance:
In these rooms, a bold green is supported and enhanced by a dominant use of white.
In these rooms, a softer green dominates the design, and the addition of white reasserts it's green power.
Of course, by now you know I love an accent color. And this pairing just begs for added pops of color. My favorite additions to this palette are blues. While most jewel tones (hot pink, orange, some yellows) would support the green and white, I think blue offers the most versatility. Don’t agree? Look at the modern house photo at the top of this post. Doesn’t the glorious blue sky feel like the third guest at the table? In a way, the sky blue is in nature the perfect complement to the color green – sky and earth. Here is how to use it in your home (because leaning out the window isn’t always an option): If your scheme contains a bright green (lime, apple), I suggest a darker blue as an accent color. This will ground the brightness and provide balance and harmony. If you have a calmer green (sages, celadons) as your focal point, it would get a burst of life from a pop of brighter blue via accessories.
Bursts of Blue: various shades of green, partnered with white, and enhanced by blue.
Going green never looked so good! You can’t possibly go wrong with the color of health and wealth.
Getting Over it: Bold Turquoise for Neutralists
How many of you watch that television masterpiece, “The Real Housewives Of New York City” ? I know you do, whether you admit it or not, so go with me here.
The Countess Luann is, to me, a well-presented and put together woman, who generally wears clean cuts, simple designs and a palette of bland or neutral colors. She wears a lot of earth tones in browns and tans, basic black, whites and creams. Her closet is awash in neutrals. Even her hair is middle-of-the-road brown; it’s not too dark, and never too bright. It, too, is neutral. So how is it that this woman is chic beyond words? The answer is one word:
TURQUOISE!
She absolutely knows the power of the stone and how it’s blue/green hue will light her up, flatter her look and add the much-needed boost in her neutral wardrobe. This season, she has sported no less than 7 or 8 big bold pieces, and has never failed! Necklaces, pendants, cuffs, earrings….it all worked.
The Power Of Turquoise: Countess Luann
Inadvertently. the Countess has become a poster child for one of the latest in home design trends…using the vibrant turquoise to add life to the lifeless. The design powers-that-be anointed this rich color as THE color to accent your home with this year. In fact, it has been bubbling under for a few years. The modern wallpaper resurgence was first ushered in with bold geometric patterns with vivid colors like turquoise (and it’s brethren orange and fuchsia. Take note: when one comes back, the other 2 are rightbehindit. Trust).
Right now, you are probably thinking that the slightest hint of turquoise in your home just reeks of southwestern bric-a-brac or perhaps the Miami-inspired set of “The Golden Girls“. But make no mistake: this color trend is decidedly urban and modern, and involves no terra cotta or wicker sofas. If you insist on a metaphor for the use of turquoise, jump right back to the Countess Luann: jewelry. It is the jewelry for your neutral design palette. As she adorns her neutral self with turquoise in the form of a stone, you should adorn your neutral (read: cream, off-white, eggshell, bone, tan, beige, khaki and all forms of white) home in this color. It’s fresh, it’s direct and it’s an instant transformation.
Why turquoise? A few reasons actually:
- One’s first reaction to the color is a beach. Of water. It’s soothing and relaxing to see, like the Bora Bora vacation you’re dying to take. It’s the same effect.
- It’s not as polarizing as it’s parents, blue and green. The wrong shade of either of those can change the warmth of a room in no time. Blue and green are a challenge to get right, and many people do not agree on the right shade of either of these colors.
- It pairs easily with other colors in a complementary way, not in an overpowering way. It goes well with both light and dark colors (in my experience, I like it best with navy blue and pale yellow).
As I said before when talking about zebra prints, trends are best used as accents. Again, as jewelry. If we are talking about neutral spaces, that is the only approved use of turquoise – as an accent color/wall/object, etc. To add to a neutral space, consider why it’s neutral in the first place, and let that inform your usage of turquoise. Here are the most likely:
- The owner has a deep fear of color. I see this time and time again. They just assume that anything that isn’t “safe” and “tried and true” will annoy them over time, that they will fall out of love with any non-neutral color, etc. These are people who will need a design personal trainer, like me. For these folks, all we can do is accept that they will not change, champion turquoise and suggest minimal, subtle ways to incorporate the bold color. Suggest pillows, throw rugs, window treatments, creative use of a great fabric, maybe a small wall papered in a chic but subtle print, etc. Just do not change their basic neutral elements and ADD to it, not replace.
- Maybe they don’t really like a neutral palette, but because they are renters, they cannot change the wall colors. Sadly, these people have embraced blah as a design technique. For them, the answer is the same as above: accent and accessorize, but not in a permanent way. Maybe a great fabric stretched on a frame with a coordinating set of pillows? These are the ideal people to take advantage of a trend like turquoise, especially when it is on in mainstream stores. My first experience with turquoise was for a renter, and my answer was a vintage pair of 1970’s turquoise jar lamps with lucite bases. Instant glam factor.
- Lastly, there are the people who keep neutral because they are into a clean aesthetic and are uber-modernists. You have seen countless versions of the all white room, the all white room with hints of black, the all off-white room, etc. These people shop in Design Within Reach, they order linear furniture from European designers, etc. They have great taste, but let’s be honest: their rooms look sterile and just plain boring. What’s more, these rooms always look uncomfortable. A pop of turquoise can instantly add comfort and life – even a tiny pop! You really can do clean and modern and sleek and still incorporate turquoise.
Have a look at this bathroom. It is generic apartment rental or new home neutral – on steroids! But a few VERY accessible accessories have amped it up notch, to a more inviting and joyous space. It’s brighter, but you can’t possibly say it is loud or over-the-top. It’s actually MORE relaxing with the addition of the turquoise.
From BLAH! to AHHHHH!
Finally, my favorite turquoises:
- Paint: Benjamin Moore’s “Rhythm and Blues“. A great color for an entire powder room or for an accent wall in a foyer.
- Wallpaper: Bubbly, by Flavor Paper. What a striking and modern print – perfect for those with the minimalist POV. Even though it is dark, a single dining room wall or a large swatch framed would light up a room like the 4th of July
Bubbly!
- Accessories: Blenko glass. For a mid-century feel or for just that pop of color, this highly collectible brand of glass makes vases, bowls, decanters and so much more in every shade of the rainbow. But the brightest aqua tint is truly gorgeous, timeless (i.e. not trendy! built to last! worth the spend!) and available in flea markets and eBay! Put it anywhere and see the transformation.
Blenko Glass
Zebra: Best Practices for the Home
I hate the word “trends“. And “trendy” even more so. But like all style-based endeavors, home design is subject to those dreaded terms just as much as is fashion. And without fail, the annual deluge of home decor catalogs arrives a season ahead, touting all that is supposedly new and fresh for your home. And the trends begin to reveal themselves.
From the higher-end mainstream stores like Williams-Sonoma Home and Design Within Reach right down the more affordable West Elm and Crate & Barrel (and everything in between), you start to notice a lot things looking strangely similar. Suddenly, you are taken over by imagery of one look or motif that is omnipresent in every single catalog and retail website. For example, you might see a leopard theme running amuck. From rugs to pillows to upholstery to drapery…you feel like you are in Kenya on every page or site. Or you might see an abundance of one color, such as gray. Gray walls, gray painted cabinetry, gray sofas. Gray for days!
If you feel like the design gods are conspiring to make you feel like your home is “less than” because they have flooded every possible source with the same feel and look, you’re right. None of this is by accident, of course, as you are meant to buy! buy! buy! But of course that isn’t always possible. Unlike in clothing trends, you can’t simply buy a new wardrobe for your home when someone says a certain look is in. Your sofa is not like a long skirt that you can take in when the trend changes to a shorter look. The key is to simply dabble in the trends.
Your furnishings and decorative items are less disposable than any other design area that is subject to trends. They cost more money, and certainly get used and seen more often. Keeping that in mind, it is best to avoid trendy prints and patterns on major purchases. Those are built (and priced) to last, so keep those simple. The same is true for trends in color (such as this season’s turquoise and fuchsia) because those are always meant to be accents – pillows, vases, accessories – and not primary visual points. Try to think of trends you see repeated in home design catalogs and websites the same way as you think of those bold colors you see as well….never should they drive any style decision or room direction. They are accessories themselves; they are jewelry for a room.
A great case in point is the zebra trend. This one has oddly been around a lot longer than expected. A few years ago, the black and white pattern came back in a fierce way and dominated every store, catolog, website and design blog you can name. It was on wallpapers, it was used as upholstery fabric, as a carpet, a lampshade, a trash can, a shower curtain, on every piece of bedding and as china. You could not escape it. Then it branched out: red zebra, green zebra, neutral zebra…there was a zebra for everyone. Zebra then spread it’s loving arms into every room in the house, planting roots that show no real sign of wavering. So since it is still here, let’s embrace it.
The Bad and The Good
Again, the key to this pattern is ACCENTS. That means NO to the following:
- upholstered furniture;
- drapery;
- wall-to-wall carpet;
- full sets of bedding (quilt, ruffle, pillows, sheets, duvet, etc).
I am not dismissing those choices if you are completely in love with zebra. But by and large, chances are good that next year, when someone decides that a zig-zag pattern is to dominate design, you might fall in love with that, too. Therefore, use the pattern loosely. Be confident in your larger purchases of furniture, and consider the trends as enhancements to your investment. That means a big and resounding YES to the following:
- throw pillows;
- throw blankets;
- area rugs;
- lamp shades and pendant lights;
- framed art.
Throw Pillow in Zebra
Alluminare offers the best of these accessories in a great, basic zebra pattern that can be scaled and used for everything from table lamp shades to throw pillows and more. For a complete list and photo of Alluminare products in zebra, look here.
Legend has it that Coco Chanel uttered the famous dictate of “take one piece off before walking out” when asked if a model was wearing too many accessories. For home design trend use (and abuse), I’d like to offer this pearl of wisdom: If you even think you may have too much of a trend, you definitely do.
10 Throw Pillows that Make Us Smile
We confess: we love, love, love a nice throw pillow. The best throw pillows can change the look of a whole room – and they’re inexpensive to boot. Decorating with an ever-evolving collection of throw pillows is one of our favorite ways to keep our home looking fresh and ready for each approaching season.
We’re in a springtime mood these days (obviously! It’s April!), so we went in search of some great pillows that will add some fresh air to our stale, just-out-of-winter interiors. We found more lovely pillows than we could count, but here are our 10 favorites:
Anthropologie is absolutely brilliant at creating unique, fun home accessories, like this pillow, which asks the age old question, “which came first”"
We love the cheeky subject, not to mention the edgy lime-and-tomato color combo.
Etsy is one amazing place to find truly one-of-a-kind home finds – especially pillows. It can be overwhelming, actually! We love all the pillows by Etsy seller VeeDubz, but this “tree of life” graphic is our favorite:
Great color and neat, simple design. We think this pillow would work perfectly in a kid’s room, a family room, or even the kitchen.
Pigtown Design is another Etsy favorite of ours (and favorite blogger). She’s recently started frequenting a warehouse that sells leftover stock of very fancy fabrics, and she’s begun making fantastic pillows with her finds. For spring, we’re all about toile and we love this Charlestown town toile fabric she found:
We love Wendy and her “shabby nest” (that’s shabby in the chic way, of course). We also can’t get enough of her pillows, which she makes herself. They’re sweet and very, very pretty:
Nina van der Goor’s blog is one of our favorite places to get design information – her combination of bright color and Scandinavian minimalism is right up our alley. So are these fun pillows in her living room:
They’d be a cinch to make yourself, too – just find the right fabric and make a simple pattern and you’re in business!
6. The Carioca
Summer begs for bright colors and big patterns, doesn’t it? That’s why we love our very own Carioca pillow in cantaloupe, aurora red, orange and pale buttercup:
It doesn’t get much more energetic than red and orange…though we also love that the pattern itself has some traditional elements, so it can help brighten up even conservative spaces.
7. The Lilly Pulitzer Treasure Chest
This spring, Lilly Pulitzer and Garnet Hill announced they were partnering on a new line of bed linens and preppy girls all over the world went wild. The resulting patterns are – no surprise – a lot of fun. So much fun, in fact, that we think they could move from bed to sofa. We especially love the island bright patterns of the Treasure Chest collection:
A little bit India Hicks, right?
8. The Brunschwig & Fils Fabriano
Some of our favorite Very Fancy Fabrics come from the textile designers at Brunschwig & Fils (even the name sounds fancy). For spring, we love the idea of lightening up a traditional living room with pillows made of a delicate, but fun, pattern, like the B&F Fabriano in butter:
9. The Alvine Floral from IKEA
Ah, IKEA. Our home for all things Swedish and really, really cheap. It’s the perfect place to lay your hands on some super fun accessories that don’t need to last more than one season. This year, we love the Alvine Floral, which has fun flowers on one side and great stripes on the other. A perfect combination!
10. The Knitted Pouf
Who says pillow have to be, well, pillow-shaped? CB2, the more modern, less expensive spinoff of Crate & Barrel, is full of fun home accessories, including this adorable pouf:
Its color is great for spring – we love lime! – but it’s knitted texture makes it a fantastic year-round addition to the home.
What are your favorite places to find great pillows? Any secrets to share?
Design Inspiration: Dining Rooms that Get Us Ready for Spring
We can’t hide our excitement anymore – a few warmer-than-average days on the East Coast and we’re ready to break out the bikinis – or at least breakout the boat drinks.
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.]
Design Query: What Do You Think about Decorating with a Dog Theme?
We love decorating, obviously. We also love dogs, with all of their loyal, sweet, snuggly cuteness. We can’t quite decide, though, about how we feel about mixing the two. Decorating with dogs: is it a do or is it a don’t?
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!
Stuff We Love: Marimekko
We’ll be the first to admit it: we’re suckers for all things bright and sunny and fun. Color puts us in a good mood and bouncy patterns give us energy. Fortunately, Marimekko specializes in all those things. It’s like they’re made for us!
We think the clothes are a blast, of course – how great is this hat:
As fantastic as the clothes are, it’s the interior design products that we really love. They’re amazing all over the house – from kids’ rooms to dining rooms. Take the fabric-covered beanbags above. Cool and comfortable in a kid’s playroom or a funky grownup loft. Something for everyone.
Its products look consistently fresh and new, but Marimekko has been around for nearly sixty years. In 1949, the Finnish couple Viljo and Armi Ratia bought a fabric company called Printex. Armi sought out young artists to design fabrics and the result was bold, dramatic, and fun – all the things we associate with today’s Marimekko.
In 1951, Printex spun off a new company, Marimekko Oy, to produce a small line of clothing to show off the wild fabrics. The company went international in 1956 and in 1960, during the presidential campaign, style icon and future first lady Jackie Kennedy bought several Marimekko dresses, making the brand a household name all over the world. The company expanded and evolved over the following decades, but still today remains true to their commitment to young, vibrant designers and super friendly, exciting products.
Marimekko products fit neatly with one of this year’s big design trends: the fun, “refreshing” interior. “Fun” is all about bright colors and bold patterns. But bright colors and bold patterns require a little care.
Some rooms – and the people who live in those rooms – are designed to be absolutely dominated by color and activity. Busy rugs, saturated walls, wild upholstery. Airy rooms with big windows (and owners with big personalities) are perfect for this look. So is Marimekko. Check out this room from the AlwaysMod Marimekko blog:
Talk about energy, color, and personality – we’d love to hang out with the owners of that room! The intense color and larger-than-life pattern are a force to be reckoned with, but their pairing with simple furniture and a pure white, fluffy rug calms them down a bit, creating a room that’s fun, but bala
nced.
Plus, over-the-top color and mod patterns aren’t the only way to incorporate Marimekko into a living space. The company produces smaller products, like the coffee mugs at the left, that pack a smaller punch, but a punch nonetheless. Morning coffee should be fun, too, right?
In our own houses, we’ve incorporated Marimekko everywhere from the bathroom (we love fun towels!) to fabric-covered bulletin boards in our kitchens. The fabric is perfect in a lot of ways, actually. We love easy-to-recover chairs (think easily removable chair covers + 30 minutes with a staple gun) and consider Marimekko the ideal fun fabric to liven up our home to welcome a new season. For an even simpler project, a few yards of fabric are easily transformed into a vibrant tablecloth and napkins – perfect for a picnic, right?
With chilly, gray days outside so many windows this week, anything bright and sunny is definitely a welcome sight. Lucky us to have Marimekko to help us dream of summer!
[Photo credits: Product shots from Marimekko. Orange and red room from AlwaysMod Marimekko blog.]
What’s your favorite use of Marimekko style?
Design Trends for 2010: Global Harvest
2009 is rapidly drawing to a close and we’re busy exploring all the great new design trends we’re likely to see in 2010. We’ve looked at the trend towards fun, lively interiors and the trend towards incorporating “weathered and treasured” items in the home. But those are just the tip of the iceberg.
A number of trends we’re seeing for 2010 are likely to take hold in part because they really work together. When designing rooms, we can incorporate two or three trends at once without the room looking weird or overly decorated. In fact, in these cases, two trends are even better than one.
Two of our favorite new design trends offer the perfect example. The first, Global Village, is all about desigining with, well, global themes in mind. Our friends at Sherwin-Williams call this trend “rooted” and describe it this way:
“Rooted,” embodies the rich, earthy colors associated with African, Aboriginal, and Native American cultures. Jackie Jordan, the director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, says inspiration comes from members of Ethiopian tribes who paint their bodies with green and red pigments sourced from volcanic ash, as well as weeds, grasses, and shells. The deep teal and ash gray of African wildlife and landscapes, as well as the bright designs of the locals’ textiles and beads, also serves a launching point for new designs.
And the San Francisco Chronicle reminds us that a carefully curated “well-traveled” look works on a lot of levels. We like it best when globally-inspired items are mixed and matched with simple and traditional pieces, so the room doesn’t look overly “designed.” The comfortable sitting room at the top left is a great example of this style working. We might even add a little more color with a Bridgehampton Strip pillow in Ochre, Hampton Blue, and Pumpkin:
We love the way the strong colors in the pillow complement the rug, but the simple stripe doesn’t overpower the rug’s elaborate design or any of the amazing pieces in the room. In fact, it lends a little bit of a preppy edge to the space, keeping it from veering into kitschy territory.
We think Global Village is a match made in heaven with another trend – Harvest. While it sounds a little hokey, this trend really got to us. Here’s how the UK publication UpWorld describes “harvest” in the home:
Natural – Innocent – Conservative. Think white linens with attention to detail, restrained but textural, sentimental. Wholesome and innocent, this style will have a slightly sophisticated edge through the use of neutral colours such as beige, ivory, black, taupes and caramels. Formality is mixed with informality. This style is all about family and acknowledges where our food comes from. Think rural, wheat fields in the sunshine, farm houses – abundance of an earthy kind. The current ‘Classic Contemporary’ interior style will evolve into this.
Since we’re always designing with family in mind (after all, isn’t that who uses our spaces?) this trend appealed to us. We love clean lines and calm colors in comfortable, family-friendly spaces like this one:
love the way the warm colors are set off by the cooler shade of blue. Overall, we think it conveys that feeling of home and harvest – in a cool, modern way.
Best of all, of course, would be to mix the two styles. Pepper a room with souvenirs from fabulous family trips, like amazing rugs or framed artwork painted by roadside artists, then accessorize with big cushions and warm throws to encourage family lounging. Add a low table and a bunch of appetizers (inspired by those trips abroad, of course) and you’ve got yourself the perfect mix of a couple of great design trends.
[Photo credits: Family rooms from Houzz.com. Throw pillow and pendant lamp from Alluminare.]
Design Trends for 2010: Weathered and Treasured
This week and next we’re looking at some of our favorite design trends for 2010 (check out “have some fun” right here). Today’s trend comes to us courtesy of the design folks at Sherwin-Williams, who have predicted a couple of cool new trends for 2010. Our favorite? They call it “treasured.”Here’s how they describe the treasured look:
“Treasured” is the third trend, where natural aging and weathering enhance the design. Jordan cites the Rough Luxe Hotel in the United Kingdom, where the original layers of peeling paint and ancient wallpaper are still visible on the walls. This “less-than-perfect aesthetic” also includes the use of distressed leather, vintage tapestries, found objects, and patina.
Pretty cool, right? We love the mix of luxe and rustic, the fading star-Grey Gardens aesthetic.
That’s why we fell in love with the kitchen at the top of this post. It’s modern in terms of technology- the stainless steel confirms that – but all that rough wood just looks like it has a story behind it. We’d pair it with a pendant lamp in a pretty print that might look old-fashioned, if it weren’t for the very current color scheme, like the Suzani pendant in Cream, Blueberry, Light Spring Grass and Gray.
Sometimes we think that Paris has a corner on the “treasured” look. The city does, after all, lay claim to one of the greatest flea markets in the world in La Marche aux Puces. And where better to find items that bear that fabulous patina than at a flea market?
Plus, Paris is home to rambling old decaying mansions with rooms like this one:
The room above is in a Parisian home that’s used these days mostly as a movie set. Easy to see why, right? We love the look of faded luxury. It’s almost as though you can see the years peeling away from that majestic mantle.
A space like that demands equally regal lighting. Our vote goes to a three-pendant lamp in Silver and Sage Modern Damask:
The treasured look isn’t all about rough wood and damp chateaux, either. Consider this antique sugar chest, topped with a vintage cocktail shaker and a very bright, modern (and funny) painting:
The chest has definitely seen its fair share of use, but careful care has helped it retain luster that makes it a good match for bright colors and a fun, Jetsons-like mid-century aesthetic. (We admit, we’re a little stuck on this sugar chest, since it’s in our own dining room!)
We’d love to see the wall behind the chest papered in something just as bright and fun and with the same retro vibe as the cocktail shaker – something like Maven in Light Spring Grass, Caribbean Sea, Pink Berry, and Sand Dollar:
The bedroom is a perfect place for a single piece of furniture that’s both treasured and repurposed, like this amazing bed made from antique doors:
The bed is such a showcase piece, we wouldn’t want to overwhelm it with lots of accessories. But wouldn’t that warm wood, with all its age, look fantastic with a couple of Napa throw pillows in Cream, Hampton Blue, Light Spring Grass, and Dark Goldenrod:
We especially like the way the Dark Goldenrod picks up the warmth of the wood.
What do you think about this trend? Are there any pieces in your homes that fit the “treasured” profile? Please share in the comments!
[Photo Credits: Rustic kitchen from Apartment Therapy. Paris apartment, sugar chest, and wooden bed from Houzz.com. All product photos from Alluminare.]
