May, 2009 - Browsing by month

Continuing on the Swedish theme, I have some ideas of how you can adapt Swedish style into your home. But first some background about Swedish style. The major influence for Swedish design is closely identifiedwith the Gustavian style, named after King Gustav III. With inspiration derived from French court pieces, Swedish style simplifies the ornateness and busy details of the French influence, as this region has plainer taste. The Swedes love their simplicity so they minimize details in furnishings by using clean lines, minimal carved detail, gentle curves and legs that are delicate and taper to the floor.

In a country that is dark for half of the year, the Swedes have come to cleverly use color to lift their spirits and brighten dark, gloomy spaces. White and the palest, powdery soft shades of blue are often seen in Swedish design, and bring a lightness to the interiors of this northern European style.

Wood is crucial in Swedish style and Swedish style is distinguished as incorporating painted pieces to make them look simply sophisticated. Painted, bleached or stained wood in pale tones of white or grey with distressing retains its elegance that is 18th century.

Swedish interiors keep accessories to a minimum, allowing open space and light to take center stage. Useful, visually appealing accessories include crystal and painted chandeliers, wood-gilt framed mirrors, natural raffia or light-colored woven textured rugs, soft, pale ceramics and clear glass pieces in simple shapes.

“Calm interiors, soothing, pale color palettes, elegance with a lightness in color and mood, formal but not stuffy with a comfortable, casually aged feel - that’s the essence of Swedish design.”
Penelope Voisen

Tips to create Swedish style in your home

• use pale, light and textured surfaces and furnishings
• select simply-woven, textured white fabrics in cotton and linen
• white and soothing blue shades on walls, furniture and upholstery
• woods are bleached, painted or stained with white or soft, pale paints
• minimal accessories allows space and light to take center stage

Tags: decorating, Swedish furniture
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | No Comments »

Edward Ferrell has been creating luxury upholstered furniture for nearly 25 years. While luxury for us is about indulgence and comfort, our designs also reflect livability and practicality; a reprieve, necessary for modern lives lived at a rapid pace. We do not, however, sacrifice the individual in our attainment of practical luxury. In fact, we specialize in the individual. Our designs span from traditional to modern, with unlimited options and the ability to customize most products.

Their Mission

At Edward Ferrell/Lewis Mittman
we create home furnishings that
enrich lives by delivering a
design-focused, luxury experience.

Most of their upholstery and cabinet making techniques have been handed down through generations to their own employees. Indeed, a number of them are second generation upholsterers, cabinetmakers, and finishers whose own parents learned their skills at Lewis Mittman, and have, according to custom, passed their knowledge onto their sons and daughters.

Browse their website here.

I enjoy your comments and questions, so please send them to me, Faith.

Tags: decorating, Furniture
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | No Comments »

For the past few years I find myself attracted to Swedish furniture especially Gustavian, the formal, more polished design of the 18th century. When you think of Swedish style, images of light-filled spaces with no rugs on the floors or curtains on the windows come to mind. The familiar Gustavian period was named after King Gustav III, who ruled Sweden from 1771 to 1792, and lasted about 30 to 40 years after his death, said van Breems. The colors of this period are creams, whites, blues and grays, hues that reflect the fleeting sunlight of Sweden.

According to Edie van Breems, ”It’s known for a return to neoclassicism, fluted, straighter legs, simplicity of line, lots of crystals, guilt and lighter colors. Clocks in Sweden are very important. Clockworks were made simply by local ironsmiths and were affordable for most houses.”

L. 18th C. Gustavian carved Swedish clock

For a magical tour of Swedish antiques visit http://evbantiques.com and learn about Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems.

Originally from Fairfield, CT, Rhonda Eleish began her career as a national merchandiser of retail stores before joining professional forces with Edie van Breems, herself a commercial photographer and Westport native. With a shared heritage and interest in Sweden, they opened the doors to Eleish van Breems Antiques in 1998.Their antique store in Woodbury, CT specializes in 18th and 19th century Swedish design and lifestyle on display. Eleish and van Breems have come to incorporate the historical components of Swedish design philosophy into each of their interiors with an emphasis in light, comfort and elegance. Eleish and van Breems’ antiques and interiors have been featured in such publications as Country Living, Victoria and House Beautiful, as well as having appeared on Martha Stewart Living and HG-TV Canada.

Please send your comments and questions. I love to hear from you, Faith.

Tags: Clocks, decorating, Gustavian
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 2 Comments »

Our world was already hectic and crazy busy before the economic meltdown. Now many of us cope with more concerns as we observe our daily world and interactions with family, friends, neighbors. In this post, I share some ideas, simple ones, that may make our daily routines less stressful.

The Master Suite is becoming an essential part of the modern home. Whether a remodel of an existing home or a newly constructed home, owners are incorporating features to the master bedroom which create a private retreat. From private, spa-like baths, to well-organized walk-in closets, to mattresses and bedding, designers recognize that the homeowners require a place all their own to relax and recharge.

Here are a few ideas to create a sanctuary in the midst of chaos.

1. A separate shower and jetted tub create an easy start to the day. Touches like dual showerheads and his-and-hers sinks allow room for everyone, especially when both have to be out the door at the same time.
2. Details like tile and granite vanities elevate these spaces from a bathroom to something like a high-end spa.
3. If you lack a budget to create a bath like this, consider changing out your standard shower curtain rod for a curved shower rod. A curved shower rod is a quick and inexpensive way to add elbow room to your existing shower.
4. Hotels place a coffeemaker in their suite’s bathrooms because they know that few grown-ups can start their day without a jolt of java.
5. Remodelers make special spaces for coffee and espresso machines right in the Master Suite. A small countertop with room for the coffeemaker, a few cups, and maybe even a small refrigerator below the countertop to keep milk or cream chilled. This way, you can get the coffee going and enjoy it the moment you’re out of the shower.
6. Choose soothing colors like earth tones, deep greens, browns and blues. These colors create a sense of harmony and well-being and will put your mind in the mood to relax for a peaceful night’s rest or a refreshed start to your day.

Send your comments and questions. I love to hear from you, Faith.

Tags: bathroom, bedroom sanctuary
Posted in Bedrooms | 7 Comments »

Teen bedrooms need colors and designs that are fresh and exciting. Benjamin Moore’s 2010 Color Pulse palette titled Ingenuity is about passion, creativity, free-form perspectives, redefining, renewing and re-purposing. Ingenuity colors are sporty with names like: Salsa, Mesquite, Mauve Bauhaus, Yellow Finch, Seaweed, Bronze Metallic, Hummingbird, Midnight Navy.

Most often a re-do of a teen bedroom starts with bedding. How about a rug to create a splash of energy as a starting point instead. Here are some colorful rugs using bright colors and unusual shapes to jump start a teen bedroom design:

Next Steps:

1. Let your teen weigh in on a rug of their choice.
2. Select an accent color from the rug.
3. Head to the paint store for paint samples to test on the wall. Remember color intensifies so go a shade or two lighter.
4. Use the accent color behind the wall with the bed
5. Find bedding in a solid color from the rug but different than the wall color.
6. Consider monograms on bed pillows.
7. Involve your teen for art like posters, photos.
8. Add a shelf to show mementos, stuffed animals, awards, ribbons, and such.
9. Find a funky, colorful lamp.
10. Fill in with fun, low-cost novelties like beanbag chairs in jellybean colors.

Tags: Area Rugs, color, teen bedroom
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 5 Comments »