Gold and brass finishes are creeping back into Interiors. It started with a few small features – a mirror here, a brass knob there, gold leaf inside of a lamp shade. Now the moves are getting bigger and bolder. Gold. Shiny, shiny gold. It’s making a comeback in Interior Design and Decor. Will you love it again, or are you going to leave it?
Source Unknown
Gold. Love it or Leave it?
Are you ready for the holiday season? Sadly, I am not. Not even close. My mind is somewhere in early October. But it is officially upon us and I’ve got to face it. Have you planned your decor or table settings for the Thanksgiving holiday? I am thinking about it today. Below are several images that I find inspiring for the 2012 Thanksgiving celebration at Casa Wood. I hope you’ll find inspiration for you decor, too. Enjoy!
I love the contrast of blue and orange together. It’s a nice twist in the decorating color scheme. The rustic place mats are a nice textural element.
Simple, yet clever use of candles in a centerpiece.
A modern take on Thanksgiving table settings. It’s simple, with a great color palette in the graphic table cloth.
A wonderful natural centerpiece – pine cones, twigs, berries, gourds, rice. It feels very mountain cabin -like to me.
A colorful take on Thanksgiving. This feels like Cinco de Mayo meets Thanksgiving and I love the energy.
A wonderfully simple design. The burlap place mat and brown paper and a great contrast to the white plate. And the message is perfect.
For more information on each image, visit the Pinterest Board Falling for Fall
Looking for even more inspiration? Check out previous posts on Holiday Decor:
Happy Thanksgiving!
No matter the style of your decor, mixing finishes (wood, metal, or both) works beautifully – when it’s done intentionally. You may feel a bit intimated at first, but once you see the room coming together you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Here are some examples of how mixing finishes results in sophisticated spaces.
This living room offers a nice example of how mixing light and dark woods and gold and silver accents works to add interest to the space.
A living room/dining room, decorated in an eclectic style, mixes painted woods with dark wood adding contrast.
Brass on the window rods, floor lamp and fireplace screen meld well with a chrome and glass coffee table.
This room is full of contrast between light and dark woods. Look at how beautifully the room flows.
Medium-hued wood floors are made brighter when contrasted with the dark black wood of the furnishings. If this space were all black it would be overbearing.
A dark wood pedestal table and chairs are paired with a light wood informal cabinet and hutch. The blue of the wall and china is pulled through the space to the upholstery on the dining chairs, tying the space together.
An unfinished harvest table and flooring are dressed up by the dark wood of the dining chairs.
Gold, silver and platinum are brought together in this glamorous bedroom. The mirrored and metallic surfaces reflect light into the space.
I am currently working on a very fun and interesting project that involves both Architectural Salvage and Commissioning Custom Furniture. Before embarking on both aspect sof this project, I came across two wonderful articles from Colorado Homes and Lifestyles Magazines.I don’t know about you, but I’ve always dreamed of commissioning custom furniture. Much like building a custom home, or certain remodeling projects, it’s an opportunity to create exactly what you want.
Here are 10 Things You Should Know About Commissioning Custom Furniture, as printed in CH&L.
Custom Table via Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture
10 Things You Should Know About Commissioning Custom Furniture
I’ll be honest – I did not do #’s 1 or 7. Regarding #1: I had a vision in mind for this particular table. The room itself didn’t call for a unique piece. Instead, the homeowners did. They are adventurers that really want a statement piece for their dining room. They called for something bold, unique, and using reclaimed materials. Regarding #7: I just went straight to a furniture builder that I know and trust. The new table (to be revealed in a few weeks) is currently being built by Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture in Loveland, Colorado.
Custom Table via Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture
For the full post and access to other “10 Things You Should Know…” at Colorado Homes and Lifestyles.
Have you commissioned or built anything custom? Share your experience with us here, or on Facebook!
Last week I wrote about using sofas, loveseats, settees and benches as banquettes. This week I pay homage to the built-in banquettes. Enjoy!
I’ll start with 2 photos from Candice Olson. This dramatic red velvet tufted banquette that goes right up to the ceiling is the banquette that started my obsession. I have a wall that would be PERFECT for such a grand statement. It’s the dining room and the first wall you see when entering our home – the place to make a statement.
Alas, The wall has multiple light switches and an air-intake that make reconfiguring electrical and HVAC for such a built-in banquette very costly. I’ve repaired my broken heart and now I’m searching for the perfect sofa, loveseat or settee per last week’s banquette post. Still, I enjoy and envy the built-in banquette. I hope you enjoy this collection and find inspiration for your own home!
Candice Olson
source unknown
via Houzz
via Luxe & Lillies
via HGTV
via Absolutely Beautiful Things
via Tell Your Interior Designer
For more banquette inspiration, check out these posts:
Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I’m jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.
As I’ve mentioned before – I love banquettes. There is something inherently glamorous about a banquette. Or perhaps it’s because I imagine a dinner party of my friends piling onto a big banquette in my dining room. I can’t quite put my finger on the source of this love, but it’s there. Oh, it’s there.
Banquettes are often thought of as built-in, such as this dramatic gem of a dining room via Toby Fairly. These built-ins can be a great solution to a tricky area.
However, the look and feel of a banquette can be easily achieved by pulling a sofa, loveseat, settee or bench up to your table, without the expense and construction mess of a custom built-in. Allow me to explain… visually.
A sofa fits perfectly between cabinets in a kitchen nook. via House Beautiful, February 2012 issue.
Another perfectly sized sofa. This one features a beautifully shaped back and another favorite: nailheads. Source unknown.
A very simple sofa becomes more interesting as a banquette. Source unknown.
This dramatic settee makes a big statement in this otherwise understated dining room. source unknown.
A punch of pink pattern brightens up this kitchen with the sofa turned banquette. Source unknown.
This clever Kitchen design features an armless sofa as banquette with a table where many others would have used bar stools. I love the originality and out of the box thinking! Source unknown.
An elegant sofa creates a contrast to the more rustic dining table in this interior design. The effect is stunning. via Four Walls and a Roof.
The Interior Designer of this hotel went big and bold. This space features a large, curvy hot pink sofa as banquette. Wow. via Ohmygosh! Design.
A beautiful curved sofa in a glamorous dining room, via Elle Decor
I wanted to add a built-in banquette to my dining room. However, the location of light switches and the air-intake vent make that project well beyond my budget. No problem – I now have my eye on a settee that I want to include. Stay tuned for more!
Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I’m jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.
Hi! I’m Joanna, a writer with Arcadian Lighting, a go-to source for all things lighting, including awesome light fixtures. I love my job, but to be honest it doesn’t seem like work at all. I spend my days searching the web for lovely interiors and terrific decorating ideas to share with blog readers like you. Thank you Tennille for allowing me to share today.
With grey being one of the dominant colors in interiors going into 2012, it’s no wonder we are seeing weathered salvaged woods, like driftwood, popping up in rooms everywhere. From farmhouse to loft, woods are light, rough and unfinished. Tables are perhaps the most popular pieces being made from driftwood, but there are many ways to incorporate it into the home. A driftwood table lamp anyone? Here are a few ideas I found from around the Internet. Which is your favorite?
This seaside cottage features a remarkable driftwood coffee table which goes nicely with the room’s style.
Three starburst framed mirrors are made from small pieces of driftwood. This would make an easy DIY project if you are fortunate to live in close proximity of the beach.
A small end table of driftwood and metal goes well with the rustic elements of this screened porch.
Rustic driftwood shelves make a nice place for showing off a vignette of books, candles and a jar of seashells.
This unexpected lighting fixture, tall driftwood floor lamp, creates a can’t miss focal point in an eclectic living room.
Small pieces of reclaimed wood are joined together to create an unusual flower vase. This would make a lovely centerpiece used in multiples down a long dining table.
A cottage bathroom gets its own touch of driftwood on the framed mirror. The contrast between the patinaed wood and the rich marble below works well.
This isn’t driftwood but you can see the many possibilities of using driftwood and other reclaimed wood around the house. I love that handcrafted hanging lantern. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Accentuate your beautiful driftwood decor with pendant lights and beautiful lamps!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, you may be making dinner or hotel reservations or picking out a new dress for the occasion. Make Valentine’s Day that much more special this year by decorating a room for the holiday.
Flower Arrangements, Bouquets, and Centerpieces
A simple, floral centerpiece could add an extra boost of color to your dining table, if you’re planning a special Valentine’s Day breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Of course, pink or red roses are the Valentine’s Day go-to but they can be softened with a pale blue, art nouveau-esque vase that would accentuate their sensuality. We prefer shades of pink and white over the stereotypical and sometimes harsh red bouquets.
Candles
Nothing ignites the flame like decorative candles, which cast a flattering glow on the faces of lovers and friends. Wood and other rustic candleholders can add a flame to the dining table or bedroom, without looking over the top or strictly seasonal. We love the idea of flipping wine glasses upside-down, then placing scented candles on their base, too.
Banners and Wall Hangings
For the crafty among us, a heart banner, comprised of individually crafted valentine hearts, could blend perfectly in the eclectic home. Pink-tinted doilies can hang on invisible string over a dining table for a Valentine’s Day party.
Whether you’re throwing a Valentine’s Day party or planning a dinner for two, decorate with flowers, candles, and hearts galore to celebrate romance this holiday.
About the Author: Ryan is a guest writer and interior designer who specializes in seasonal trends, especially in houses for sale Austin TX and Florence homes for sale.
I’ve said it before: ceilings are the most neglected surfaces in any room and in the realm of Interior Design and Decorating. Think about it – have you ever painted a ceiling? If so, did you paint it anything other than white? Hove you ever even thought about your ceilings from a decorative aspect? You should – and I’m going to help you! There are several benefits to treating your ceiling in part of your interior design plan. If you’ve got a shorter room or low ceilings, adding ceiling interest can draw the eye up and make the room feel taller. (Find an example in this post: Designer Tips: Using Bold Wall Color). Conversely, if you’ve got a very high ceiling, a darker paint or more dramatic treatment can help to bring the ceiling down and add a cozier feeling to the space. And simply by adding interest to your ceilings, you just add something special and unique to your rooms and your home.
Painted ceilings
I’ve blogged before about the most simple ceiling treatment: a coat of paint that is anything but white: Painted Ceilings
Here are some additional inspiring paint options.
Papered Ceilings
Wallpaper and metal leafing are great options for adding interest and texture to ceilings.
Special Treatments
Whether with paint, paper, other materials, or a combination, here’s where we get really creative with ceilings. I’m so inspired!
And, my personal favorite of this particular collection, with both coffers and a special design treatment:
If you’d like to see even more of these great ceilings, or to get additional information on those ceilings featured here, check out my Pinterest board appropriately titled Ceilings Need Love Too.
If you’d like advice on where to start with your own ceiling project, read these previous posts with Interior Design Tips: To Paint or Not to Paint… The Ceiling. Before & After: Choosing Wall Color, Designer Tips: Using Bold Wall Color.
And if you do add some interest to your own ceiling, please do share it with us! You can email me directly, share here, or share on Facebook!
I have always been fascinated with lighting design. As it was so astutely stated by famed Interior Decorator Ruby Ross Wood, “There is one fundamental fact about lighting: Where there is no light, there is no beauty.” Lighting is an important element to a successful Interior Design. However, we’ve also elevated the light fixture beyond a functional necessity into pieces of artwork.
The Mother Chandelier from designer Baran Baylar at Hudson Furniture, is lighting, jewelry and art mixed into one amazing fixture. I admit that I am in love.
The frame is made of laser cut rings, with jewelry-like chain details hanging down and adding a balance of drama, elegance, and edginess.
The Mother Chandelier is available in Nickel, Black, Bronze and Polished Bronze finishes and sizes can be customized.
In addition to the Mother Chandelier, Hudson Furniture has several similar offerings with equal glamor and drama, but even larger in scale.
Dragon Chandelier in Black
Atlantis Chandelier in Nickel
