decorating - ...Browsing by tag

Last week I was browsing through some photos of my kitchen in a former home when I lived in Portland. I had totally remodeled it shortly after I moved in. Since much of the wall area was covered with cabinets, doors, windows, and such, I chose a red paint to create a burst and energy to a busy area of my home

Many designers would concur that RED is a secret weapon that instantly adds a statement to a room. Even in small doses via a pillow, for example, it catches the eye. I also think red lifts your mood and is a happy color and introduces a ‘wow’ factor into your interior.

Red Kitchen

There is a shade of red for every decorating style and to match colors already existing in your home. For instance, I love red with shades of lime green. In traditional interiors red tends to be cranberry but in modern interiors it is more of a true red. Asian style often includes red. In a room with little light, it instantly brightens the room.

As a summer project, consider painting an old piece of furniture like a chair, chest or bench a bright red gloss paint. The furniture piece will quickly become the eye catcher in the room. On smaller pieces using a can of spray paint is an option after properly prepping the furniture.

Think of red as you think of how you select your nail color or lipstick or purse. If you have a built-in bookcase, consider painting the interior red or perhaps the ceiling of the powder room.

Here are some of my favorite reds from Benjamin Moore:
2004-20 Chili Pepper
2003-10 Million Dollar Red
1322 Ladybug Red
1309 Moroccan Red
1315 Poppy

Do you have a favorite red to share? Please share yours with a comment. More tips

Tags: color, decorating
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 4 Comments »

Designers Guild Wallpaper

I personally am very pleased to see wallpaper enjoy a resurgence. There are times when a coat of paint just won’t do and a special wallpaper is the perfect treatment.

According to LeRue Brown, “wallpaper designers are pushing the boundaries of technology and design with fresh interpretations of traditional patterns.” Often in smaller spaces like a powder room or entry, it is less intimidating to introduce wallpaper. But then at other times we desire a greater emphasis or some pizzazz. This situation calls for the use of wallpaper on a larger surface such as above the wainscot in a dining room or library or on all four walls of a living room.

The good news is these days wallcovering is much easier to install and remove since the industry knows past memories around either issue contributed to the decline of wallpaper. Renters, you too can install wallpaper and know that it will be easy to remove if requested.

With today’s emphasis on indoor air quality, you find many collections printed with water-based, nontoxic inks. Many are also biodegradable. Other coverings are made from recycled materials which allow them to ‘breathe’ and stay free of mold and mildew. The technological advances enable a better product and more importantly an eco-friendly one.

I think wallcoverings add a special ambiance and finished ‘touch’. And in the image above you see the altered attitude of the room with the pattern and color of the paper in combination with pillows, window treatments and painted furniture. Though paint remains the least expensive way to update, maybe it’s time to reconsider wallpaper and create a fresh, new attitude in your home.

Are you open to a fresh look with wallpaper? Let me more. More tips.

Tags: decorating, redecorate, Wallcovering
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 2 Comments »

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 »