see so good: wallpaper treats

several months ago I came across an image in the September 2011 Elle Decoration (UK); side bar -my all time fav magazine in the entire world….  broken walls with contemporary furnishings and layers of antique and ethnic embellishments, is a delicious feast for my senses, who needs to eat when such yumminess lives within the pages of glossy confections!

okay, where was i…my point is that I have been hanging on to this image that keeps asking me to share it’s loveliness!  in a prior post, I shared some ideas about wall stickers and murals, “wall stickers so fun!”  but here are a couple other uses for wallcovering, very cool “treat-ments” for you.  enjoy!

above wallcovering from Cole & Sons – Geometric Collection.

and another yummy tasty “treat” was featured in the April 2012 Architectural Digest – Emily Summers Palms Spring’s home (to die for!!) feature a very clever idea, handmade wallcovering applied to a tv cabinet or shallow hinged box, aaaahhhmazzzing!

The wallcovering is from Porter Teleo, their website features lots of beautiful designs to nibble on.  sending you wallpaper love and kisses!!

see so good: to the maxx

the other day i went to tj maxx on a whim and was completely bowled over by the home furnishings that were in the store that day.  i actually had never seen such a great variety of furniture options and prices in the well, ummmm, let’s just say decade that i had been shopping there.  it was like a treasure chest filled with all kinds of goodies - upholstery, wood pieces, fun accessories and even a yummy cowhide rug.  this was too good to be true and i needed to share my new found pot of gold.

so away i went, snapping my camera phone like a mad photographer, when an even better idea formed, why not pull a whole room together!  what a wonderfully happy idea, especially since i had reigned in a lovely sofa and wood pieces that rival high end retail furniture stores.  the fun began and i staged the scene with pillows,  a concept for a clock wall and a color palette of plum, taupe and black.  there was no stopping me…like a scene from Saturday Night Fever, the wheels were spinning out of control…and the next thing i knew…

The Trammps, Disco Inferno (video from www.youtube.com)

okay, okay i’m back, but really, why not compare what i had found at tj maxx with matching (or close to it) brand name items, it was pure shopping genius, not to mention a super fun challenge.  i hope you enjoy “to the maxx” and for those of you who have $$$ to spare, check out “maxxed out” for the retailer goods!

  all the above from tj maxx, prices of some items as follows:

1. sofa - $699.99
2. black leather chair - $199.99
3. various clocks - $19.99
4. wood chest – ?
5. metal stool - $59.99
6. wood chair - $199.99
7. wood chair – $199.99 + fabric from Designer’s Guild to recover the end chairs (see no. 7 below)
8. column lamp - $39.99
9. table lamp – ?
10. pillow - $24.99
11. pillow - $19.99
12. accessories – ?
13. accessories – ?
14. coffee table - ?

sources and links to the above items…

1. Kensington Sofa from Restoration Hardware
2. Neptune chair in black from Chiasso
3. various clocks from Restoration Hardware
4. Ettore Console from Anthropologie
5. French sewing stool from Restoration Hardware
6. Louis XVI End Chair from Wisteria
7. Culswick (Phipps-Rasberry) fabric to recover end chairs (no. 6) from Designer’s Guild
8. slender rustic table lamp from Wisteria
9. Off-White Cotton Linen Table Lamp Shade and Prema Punched Metal Table Lamp Base
10. Vintage French Linen Pillow covers from Restoration Hardware
11. Hand Blocked Paisley Pillow from West Elm
12. sculpture from Global Views
13. Buffalo Horn Ring on Stands from Z Gallerie
14. Printmaker’s sideboard from Restoration Hardware
15. Carved Wood Coffee Table from West Elm

see ya soon [X] [X]!!

i’m just seeing: “tie dye for” grooviness

i’ve been loving the milder form of tie-dye fashion seen in clothing and also hair styles.  and as we know, what happens in fashion follows in home wares, which is why i’m dyeing to share this very fun look (wink, wink)!  the hippie movement in the 60’s most certainly was inspired by the ancient tie-dye technique that has been a popular expression of design in many countries for centuries.  but within the past few years, the new trend is a dip-dye technique, chic and subtle, and ever so shady… what can i say, it’s the alter hippie in me that laaahhhoooves this new interpretation!   so hold on to your faded and dyed socks my friends, cuz there’s some juicy stuff to see below, but before you sneak a peek i gotta share this “how to” from Martha Stewart Living especially if you’ve got a box or two of RIT dye (check out their site for lots of fun projects) you’ve been itchin to use.

ombre (which means shaded or graduated in tone; French meaning shadow, shade; darkness, obscurity) options are a close cousin of the dip-dye look  and are characterized by two or three colors within a close range.  there’s another version of this trend i like to call graduated grooviness,  which is a mix of ombre, dip-dye and a cleaner striated-stripey version of tie-dye.  so as i was gathering all my design inspiration for this post, the items that blew me away and circling back to “tie-dye for” is the line of furniture produced by SCHOLTEN & BAIJINGS, 2005 PHOTOGRAPHY: INGA POWILLEIT, 2007, titled COLOUR PLAID 05 (c).  i mean where have i been?  i can hardly believe this amazing design had escaped me…

…until now and i’m sooo happy to share with you more styles just as luscious, so without further adieu, i give you

 

sources:

1.    John Lewis Gradient Outdoor furniture

2.    Colour Plaid 03 produced by Scholten and Baijings

3.    Trift by Judith Seng from BLTD (betterlivingthroughdesign.com)

4.    Unique Rugs by Esti Barnes from Captivatist

5.    Do-Lo-Rez Sofa by Moroso from yliving.com

6.    Ombre 18” pillow from Z Gallerie

7.    Woven Ombre Placemats from Anthropologie

8.    18” x 36” carpet tiles - “Vertical Edge” from the “On the Edge”     Series Contract Carpet from Shaw Contract Group

9.    Louisa Sette from Anthropologie

10. fade print table mat in cucumber by chilewich

happy seeing and have a groovy day {g}{g}!!!

polka dots & moonbeams

it’s incredible to watch your children grow up to be semi-clones of yourself, sometimes for good and others times not so much.  i often wonder why each child seemed to pick and choose what kinds of behaviors and tendencies that i displayed over the years and then stray at times from my more redeeming traits.  i am grateful for their differences and individuality, and am happy to say each of my children has a very big heart.

this post is focused on the matters of the heart, especially with the recent engagement of my daughter Kirsten.  when we speak of the heart we think about love and romance. sometimes love for our families and relationships, but today i am not writing about people, this is the polka-dot kind of love in which kirsten and i share the same genetic chromosome .  when we were recently discussing her thoughts on her wedding she recited that she would like the theme of her wedding to be polka-dots.  after my long and exhausting happy dance upon hearing this news, i quickly set to work to determine how we can neatly fit this super cute theme into the most perfect wedding design concept so no “dot” or “i” was left unmarked.  they say when an idea is destined for it’s course, the magic begins and this was no exception.  yes, we had the graphic, but we needed the substance, the glue, the one main idea that would always turn us back to where we should be, and as if my nuptial prayer was answered, there it was, a gift from the internet heavens in the form of the song “polka dots and moonbeams” sung and recorded by Frank Sinatra in Los Angeles in May of 1961.

perrrrrfection!

Polka dots and Moonbeams – by Frank Sinatra

[Recorded May 2, 1961, Los Angeles]

A country dance was being held in a garden
I felt a bump and heard an "Oh, beg your pardon"
Suddenly I saw polka dots and moonbeams
All around a pug-nosed dream

The music started and was I the perplexed one
I held my breath and said "May I have the next one?"
In my frightened arms, polka dots and moonbeams
Sparkled on a pug-nosed dream

There were questions in the eyes of other dancers
As we floated over the floor
There were questions but my heart knew all the answers
And perhaps a few things more

Now in a cottage built of lilacs and laughter
I know the meaning of the words "Ever after"
And I'll always see polka dots and moonbeams
When I kiss the pug-nosed dream

enjoy the style sheet and stay tuned for more updates…dot, dot, dot!

happy seeing [@][@]!!

i’m just seeing: winning windsors

i remember the purchase of my first dining set (in the 1980’s buying a furniture “set” was the norm), it was an oak table and a set of 6 sturdy windsor styled chairs, heavy to move and thick parts and pieces.  i loved that set especially when country décor took over the nation by storm.  being a youngling then my taste was right there in the thick of everything country.  it seemed that this set, in all of it’s oakey glory, would be something I would pass down to my children and it of course was forever to be in my family.  but alas, there finally came a time to let the set go to another owner who hopefully had the same zeal for it’s chunky character and english heritage.  it’s been quite sometime since the passing of the country craze and my dining room set and now that my tastes are much more refined, less trendy and definitely more contemporary, i am intrigued by my new fascination for this iconic chair.  i admit i am drawn to furniture that is historical in nature and spun in a new way, it’s the saying “what old is new again” that makes me do a double take!  and as this chair takes on a newer modern aesthetic, the roots are clearly visible. i am so happy to report that windsor chairs are making a comeback and more stylish than ever.

1. New country by ethan allen burton arm chair – talk about a whole new attitude, this furniture company has defintely reinvented itself, I would take one of these chairs in a heartbeat.

2. Windsor Love Chair by anthropologie – I love, love, love the gradated painted finish, so tie dye like, hippie meets modern country!

3. and if you weren’t yet convinced, look at how amazing these red windsor like chairs look in this very hip and contemporary restaurant!

4. Smile Chair by Lievore Altherr Molina by Andreu World – one of my favorite examples of this new modern classic, I think the red is perfection!

5. Wegner PP550 Peacock chair by Hans Wegner from the Danish Design Store – there’s something to be said for iconic never goes out of style, like this masterpiece designed by Hans Wegner in 1947, so current, simply stunning in it’s scale and proportion.

6. Pair of Blue Windsor Chairs offered by Huniford from 1stdibs – the blue paint instantly updates the look of the chairs that are actually quite old, yet they are slim and uniquely interesting enough to showcase. This pair mixed with a group of simple clean wood chairs is definitely a “do”!

7. Modern Windsor Accent Chair from West Elm – I loved it when I first saw it and I still do.

8. Straight Backed Chair by George Nakashima for Knoll from DWR - another timeless classic that will endure all the trendiness of design.

9. Windsor Chair by Chris Specce from materialicious – a fun twist and super cute windsor chair design

Well there you have it, windsor chairs are no longer old fashioned or countrified, and hopefully will be around for a long time to come! Happy seeing {6}{6}!

see so good: dining ala serengeti style

in a world of imagination and love of design, i embark on an anthropologie (www.anthropologie.com) wonderland, with the first of my stops to be the african serengeti plains.  a subtle promise, to be sure you will not be left high and dry on this excursion, oh no, a dining setting that sets the scene of watercolor like grasses, parched and rustic weathered wood, exotic fanciful animal imagery layered among tribal inspired handiwork, please join me as we safari to the serengeti…

{all from anthropologie}

1. Constaninople Chandelier – candlelit beaded dining heaven, 3 of these centered over the table in various heights keep the look relaxed.
2. Sculptor’s dinnerware – handmade dinnerware that is so rustically refined.
3. Bright Morning Teacups, Blue – sipping just became more intentional, no hurry to go, savoring the moment and keeping it real with no handles.
4. Menlo Lamp – a randomly placed small grouping give instant ambience without being pretentious, can you say very romantic and inviting.
5. Brushstroke Branches Mural – this paper is so modernly beautiful I want to frame it, i think i can see the zebras and gazelles just beyond the tall grasses yonder.
6. Ettore Console – who could have known something so rustic could be so hip and simple, the perfect piece for trays of tiny little cakes!
7. Springkbok Benches – the inspiration for this post and i gotta have these benches or else, i mean how fun are they…you can split them apart or cuddle them together, placed on one side of the table with some soft cushions, you’ll want to camp with the animals.
8. Idling Iguana Pillow – a couple more animal friends to share the night…
9. Lucid Outline Pillow – and a pillow or two for extra comfort.
10. Lever and Lumber Table – a solid table for a backdrop to the magical moments and stories to be shared.
11. Grafton Chair – a homespun chair with a sophisticated frame equals sitting pretty.  a pair of these on the short ends break up the animals from the natives.
12. Dutch Wax Ottoman, Green Diamonds – 3 or 4 of the colorful fabric wrapped ottomans look like the dresses of the native land.
13. Grass Striped Rug – what’s better than a field of grass to soak your toes into after a long day on safari or to lay on and soak in the beautiful sunset?

Thanks for traveling with me, stay tuned for more dining experiences and happy seeing <0><0>!

see so good: HB relief

work has been so good that it’s taken my time away from blogging but when presented with this new design challenge my mind had a migraine/design fever and it would not subside until i finally became my own client.  so here’s the symptoms of my predicament:

• a slightly numbing plain apartment in HB (for you west coaster’s you’ll know what i’m talking about, Huntington Beach, California of course)
• existing conditions -  his and hers mish mosh of furniture
• compounded with the function of second office for my husband and me as his pain in the neck
• and then finally severe delusion of the designer brain until i’m completely metaphorically semi-conscious because i simply have to figure out how to make this place look beachy cute without spending hardly any $$!

prognosis: good, thanks to the inspirational images from Belle and Elle Decoration magazines…

 

prescription #1: the inside, take the following 19 items, sit back, enjoy and you should be on the road to recovery!

1. ornate mirror – from World Market
2. amazing image of the ocean (this is even better because it is actually a HB beach pic), get permission or buy from the photographer, enlarge to a really big size at least 6-7 feet, have it stretched onto 2” deep stretcher bars, hang, you’ll feel like dipping your toes in the water – image from Flickr by by John Paul Rodriguez
3. own it…or something like it, a dark stained TV stand – from IKEA
4. own it…or something like it, two floor lamps to flank each side of the sofa – by World Market
5. for texture, rattan poufs – by Pottery Barn
6. my happiest beach ikat pillow find, two for a double dose of goodness – by Z Gallerie
7. own it…it’s a hers/mine from my bachelorette days from Z Gallerie
8. own it…
9. how do you combine office meets dining, just roll on over with this white leather office task chair – by World Market
10. my next happiest beach tie-dye pillow find – by Z Gallerie
11. beachy is not beach without a stripe or two, pillow – by Pottery Barn
12. what’s a design haven without a collection of apothecary jar for seashells and rocks – World Market
13. pretty glass balls – Pottery Barn
14. wanna ditch the table and eat alfresco the sofa, this tray is just the answer – by CB2
15. hair on hide pillows add a touch of glam and fab – by Restoration Hardware
16. own it…Lack coffee table – by IKEA
17. layers of rugs to help the speed up the recovery time or to add extra yumminess, striped rug – by World Market
18. own it…flokata rug – by IKEA
19. own it…his dining table from the bachelor days – by Bo Concept

prescription #2:  the outside balcony, add these 11 items and you are sure to be in beach heaven!

1. in or out this rug is double fun, striped rug – by World Market
2. super cute side table or stool – by World Market
3. get in touch with your inner elephant so your memory stays strong, outdoor pillow – by World Market
4. layer the back of the sofa with some neutrality, chunky weave pillow – by Pottery Barn
5. a couple of blue outdoor rattan chairs add spice and flavor – by World Market
6. the best outdoor deal i know of, $160.00, this sofa is big enough to lounge the day away and still have money to spare, outdoor wood sofa bench – by World Market
7. mixing it up with some pattern, blue outdoor pillow – by Pottery Barn
8. not much space on the balcony, this will do the trick and weather the weather, coffee table - by CB2
9. line these babies on the coffee table and you have just created zen meets HB cool, oil lamp – by CB2
10. don’t forget to string out the lights for impromptu get-to-gethers – by World Market
11. mix this green little guy in and the scene is set, lumbar outdoor pillow – by West Elm

get well soon and here’s to a beach-speedy recovery!