Fatboy Junior Marimekko from 2Modern, Marimekko Lethimaja Bedding from Crate and Barrel, Marimekko Silkkikuikka Umbrella from Always Mod, Marimekko Oona Fabric from dc Concept Store, Marimekko Umi Wallhanging from CB2, Fleur Dress from dc Concept Store, Vanitas 920 Grey from kiitosmarimekko, Marimekko Unikko Coffee Mugs from Finn Style, Marimekko Scarves from Always Mod
Monthly Archives: January 2009
Marimekko on a Wintery Day
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Filed under Friday Collage
Fatboy Junior Marimekko from 2Modern, Marimekko Lethimaja Bedding from Crate and Barrel, Marimekko Silkkikuikka Umbrella from Always Mod, Marimekko Oona Fabric from dc Concept Store, Marimekko Umi Wallhanging from CB2, Fleur Dress from dc Concept Store, Vanitas 920 Grey from kiitosmarimekko, Marimekko Unikko Coffee Mugs from Finn Style, Marimekko Scarves from Always Mod
Blocked Vision
Filed under Book Review, Living Rooms, Look What I Found!, Rooms
This morning I visited a client with whom I have been working for many years. The icy path to her door was treacherous, so it took a few deep breaths for me to notice her front room. But once I trusted the ground below my feet and was able to gaze straight ahead instead of at my feet, I was pleased.
A few months ago I had suggested to her that she rearrange her Living Room. Her sofa was positioned against a wall not viewable upon entry to the space. A large armoire loomed, smack center of the sight-line. The complaint from this family was that this space, with its wonderful furniture and global decor, was seldom used.
My suggestion was very simple. Move the armoire to the corner of the wall not seen. Place the sofa on the wall opposite the entry, and flank each side with chairs. Position the rug beneath. Creating this conversation U draws occupants in.
And she confirmed this is now the case, and this Holiday season the room was used more than ever before.
My camera motor is dying. Unfortunately I have no photos to illustrate this post. But in the spirit of yesterday’s post, I will borrow a few from Domino, The Book of Decorating.
Recently released by Domino editors Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello and Dara Caponigro, this book covers the fundamentals of decorating enough to be useful for the most design challenged. I find the layout to be sloppy and a little chaotic, but if it is read like the magazine from which it came, in little bits and pieces, than it is navigable.
Three photos drawn from the book illustrate my earlier point. In the first illustration, the sofa back is impeding entry (if we assume entry is at our viewpoint.)
In the second, the conversation area is closed.
In the third photo beacons. “Come in. Sit and talk to me.”
The Demise of Domino
Filed under Trend Spotting
More from Grace at Design*Sponge. (Don’t judge me for being unoriginal. This is big news.)
Domino Magazine is no more. Finished. Caput.
My client, Bonnie, used to give them to me when they first went to print 3 years or so ago. She HATED the magazine and was happy to have only paid $10 for it. I thought it was simple, small but otherwise OK, and I was getting it for free so I was happy. Her subscription ended, and a period of time went by. I started to read more and more about it on the blogs. We got a free issue in the mail and my husband (the wonderful metrosexual that he is) loved it and ordered it for me. Er…him. Well whatever.
I enjoyed reading Domino. I found it interesting how very eclectic it was on the price scale. The designs featured were sometimes a little low side and WAY high end other times. It was still rather thin, and seem to be stuck on one style, but who’s complaining. It is all history now. Is this a sign of the times to come?
I did complain once, if you remember. The editors bragged about a dinner party where children were allowed to join in. The adults at the table were smoking.
Cool Stuff That’s Not Cheap
Filed under Look What I Found!
Last night we had freezing rain, so my youngest and I curled up in bed waiting for the county to close the schools. She is a big fan of Jonathan Adler- the butt vase cracks her up (bad pun noted…). I have been lusting after the Fish Salt and Pepper shakers for years. I know, I know. They don’t exactly meet my criteria of all white, streamlined tableware. But they ARE all white, and they would add a little humor…
As we admired them yet again I noticed a sad sad fineprint. “Sorry! The Fish Salt & Pepper Shakers are out of stock.”
The horrors.
So crazily coincidentally, today’s post from Design*Sponge, ny gift fair: jonathan adler, features a picture of what-I-assume-is-the-new-model.
Not as cute. Excuse me while I get a tissue.
I did have a bright spot in my inbox this morning. Thanks to my client, Danielle, I now have an eSubscription to Daily Candy. Check this.
It’s a laptop! If it were ANY other color, my income tax rebate would be GONE!!
Faux Foyer
Filed under Foyers and Entryways, Individualized Advice, Rooms
We are having our first snowfall in over a year, so my later appointment to work on basement window treatments was postponed. So instead I draw from my inbox.
I received an email from a reader asking me for help with her decorating dilemma.
Denise,
Can you help me with the design for the front door in my living room? I have no foyer and the room is long and narrow.
Thank you,
Jill in Mass
I assume from your note that when you enter your home, you walk directly into the Living Room. This is an awkward setup visually and well as functionally. I am going to assume that there is a coat closet nearby. But I realize that here in the metropolitan Washington DC region there are hundreds of thousands of townhouses with entrances directly into the living space and no coat closets whatsoever.
Tidiness is of the upmost importance here. Use the closet to hang coats and place a basket on a shelf for hats, scarves and gloves. And add a small cabinet to house any miscellaneous items and place a tray or another basket on the top for items often dumped at the door, like keys and mail. Whatever you do, tame the beast that throws coats on the sofa!
Since your Living Room is long and narrow, paint out a foyer. Use good quality painters tape to mask off an area near the door three or four feet on either side. Paint this “Faux Foyer” an accent color. Choose something bold and dramatic. Just be sure your color harmonizes with the current Living Room scheme. This could be the perfect spot to try a graphic wallpaper.
Consider purchasing a console table. Try something like the Pia Table from Crate and Barrel, which looks attractive from all sides. To create a visual break, place it perpendicular to the wall at the edge of the painted out area. Avoid placing a lot of items here, but fresh flowers or a potted plant will add life and energy.
Finally, paint your door and add it to your cleaning routine. Because it is a visible element in your living space, it must be maintained like any other structure there.
Covering a Small Window
Filed under Design Principles, Windows
Tomorrow I have an appointment with a client who would like some help with her basement windows. Hers are very small and near the ceiling of the finished basement. The windows are currently completely covered by a stagecoach valance and consequently the room is very dark.
I looked through 7 books on window treatments. I only found ONE picture of a small window, can you believe that? I found this in House Beautiful Window Workshop.
I guess it makes sense. Small windows do not allow enough space for the elaborate treatments usually on display in books and magazines. Any they certainly don’t photograph well. But still, they are a decorating reality.
Any ideas?
Green Glass
Filed under Friday Collage
Pair of Green Glass Vintage Lamps from Pieces, Atlanta, GA, Oceanic Mirror from Z Gallerie, Cordelia Curtain in Olive and Slate from Anthropologie, Hand Blown Glass Jars from And Beige Washington, DC, Rolly Side Table from Design Within Reach, Hutton Left Backed Sofa in Vance from Room & Board, Pila Vetro Glass Tile from Ann Sacks, Beads Rug in Charcoal from Room & Board
The Object of My Affection
Filed under Uncategorized
Books. I love books. I dreamed of them last night. I was a short walk from two amazing and completely made-up bookstores and I had to make the glorious choice of buying anything I wanted there. The sun was shining very brightly and I had to squint to find my way. Apparently I had a pocketful of cash as well. I awoke feeling happy. This was one of those dreams you never want to end.
I love everything about books. Not just the ideas within, but I love the feel of books as well. The weight. The substance. I love the smell. I love old books. I love brand new books. And the sound the still stiff pages make upon the first opening.
I mostly buy books that pertain to my field, but any book is worthy of my devotion. Of course, children’s books hold a high station in my heart. Especially those I had read to me. I learned to read very early; I was four. My mother still carries a slightly irritated tone when she recalls having to teach me strictly to maintain her sanity. I pestered her constantly. She said the final straw came when one day I was fussing and crying, having spread the newspaper out all over the living room floor, upset by the fact that everything there was a secret kept from me. I confess I still feel like that. I get a little anxious by all the news delivered to me every single day that I don’t have time to read.
I measure my financial success by how much money I can devote to my habit. Like a crack addict, my blood races when I stand at the checkout, or get my email confirmation that my sale is complete. I chose my spouse because of a $60 coffee table book, but that’s a story for another day. My favorite job was when I worked for Waldenbooks when I was going to Ohio State. My retirement fantasy includes owning a rare bookstore on Sanibel Island.
I have two new friends, a married couple, who are very smart. They are both professors, highly educated and truly wonderful people. There were at my house recently alone with just my children. I was arriving a little behind them. Having time to wait, they wandered to my library. I display my books on the lowest two shelves backwards, their spines to the rear. Perplexed, they asked my daughters why I did that. My oldest replied, “Those are the books she read.” Before you chuckle and think how sweet children are, realize: My daughter is FIFTEEN!
A bibliophile I am, but not to the point where the books and all their chaotic colors, textures and decorations ruin my design plan. I turn the bottom books to prevent the room from looking too busy. (I stole this idea from Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams.) I have no fear of not knowing where the one I need will be. Searching, I have an excuse to admire each one, even for a millisecond.
Oh, and in case you are wondering, I haven’t yet read all the backward facing books. The realization just put a knot in my stomach.
The Rear Endcap 1/21/09
Filed under The Rear Endcap
Today our bargains are all rugs. When the weather is below freezing, the last thing you want is to wake up and put your feet on a cold hard floor.
This wool rug looks exactly like the tie my friend Wes was wearing this morning at our business meeting. The colors are so untrendy and friendly. The Momeni Chambord Collection Gold Wool Rug in the 5.6 x 8.6 size is $700. It was originally $1800 and is available at Smart Bargains.
Much more graphic, I love this rug from Rugs Direct. From Surya Closeouts Contemporary Collection, this rug is only $440 for the huge 8 x 11 size from $1300. It is listed as below cost.
From World Market comes this cute natural fiber rug. The Petal Print Jute Boucle Rug is only $37. Wouldn’t it be perfect in a breakfast area under a small iron table? I can see this one sitting on terracotta tiles.
A Day of Service
Filed under Creating a Sense of Place
President-in-a matter-of-hours Barack Obama declared that he would love to see Martin Luther King Day become a day of service. I can’t imagine a better way for the entire country to spend a free Monday.
My youngest daughter and I participated by picking up trash around Old Town Manassas. The event was sponsored by my church, and posted on the USA Service website. We had over 40 volunteers, many of them youth, from many reaches of the metropolitan area. We even had two different groups who had traveled from California to attend the inauguration, and found the event online and pitched in to help. Fluorescent vests on, with pickers and bags in hand, we worked for two hours under the threat of a snow storm. Afterward, we shared stories of oddest items found, heard a silly song make up by a group of who declared themselves the “Singing Samaritans”, and ate pizza and subs. We were all proud of the 300 pounds we picked up, but distressed at the same time that so much litter can be found within a few blocks.
So for those of you are reading this and are thinking, who cares? What does this have to do with Design Strategies? Let me make this connection: Your home should relax, rejuvenate and inspire you. Creating your haven is of vital importance, but it is my deepest wish that one of the ways you are inspired is to reach out beyond your door, and help create a little bit of Better, right here and right now.
