Tea time!

Photo compliments of Country Living.

Playing hostess or host is always the perfect excuse to exercise your creativity and show off your flair for setting a stunning table. For a change of pace in entertaining, try throwing a summer tea party outdoors. There’s something so aesthetically pleasing about tea cups and dainty fare. Even without the festivities, the vintage, colorful look of tea ware is the perfect way to dress up a bland table year-round. Here are some eye-catching ideas for getting those pinkies in the air:

Picture compliments of Tumblr user Strawberry Shortcake Xo.

Feminine pastels are utterly tea-worthy. Mix patterns that fit into the color scheme and set up a display on a vintage tray for eclectic table decor. Mismatched pots, cups, and saucers add more interest. Going matchy-matchy doesn’t evoke the Alice-in-Wonderland feel.

Photo via Etsy.

Etsy is a treasure trove for tea cups, tea pots, and saucers. eBay and local thrift shops are also great resources. Floral is always a winner when it comes to setting the table for tea. Pair pretty dishes and cups with a simple white table cloth or use a complementary pattern. To keep with the theme, accessorize with cloth napkins and the silverware you usually reserve for indoor soirees.

Photo compliments of Hostess (with the mostess).

Fresh flowers are the perfect centerpiece for the occasion. For a rustic look, use jars as vases and fill them with wildflowers. Dahlia domes displayed on colorful cake stands have a more modern feel, while roses (below) appear traditional.

Photo compliments of 1.bp.blogspot.com.

Seating depends on the ambiance you want to set. Outdoor cushions are a comfortable alternative to seats and add a bohemian style:

Photo compliments of Haven & Space.

A wrought-iron garden chair like the Versa Chair from Anthropologie, would be perfect. You can even mix and match several colors:

Photo compliments of Anthropologie.

Make the party festive with hanging lanterns or simple fabric banners:

Photo compliments of Country Living.

The food is just as much part of the decor as the tableware. Tea sandwiches are a must-have. Egg salad, ham, goat cheese and pecans, smoked salmon, and cucumbers are tasty fillings:

Photo compliments of Southern Living.

Desserts in a range of pastel colors are stylish and sweet at the same time. Cakes and cupcakes iced in buttercream ruffles and various tarts, scones, and pastries spruce up the menu:

Photo compliments of Sweetapolita. The recipe is also available on the site.

Display your culinary delights on pretty plates and cake stands. This blue number from Cake Stand Heaven is fitting:

Photo courtesy of Cake Stand Heaven.

No need to worry about making multiple trips into the house. Give a thrift store tea cart a fresh coat of paint for an adorable way to transport your supplies:

Photo compliments of Haverford House.

Of course, we can’t forget about the tea. Earl Grey is among the standards, but oolong tea, herbal tea, iced tea, and green tea are good additions as well. Brew several different blends to ensure every guest finds one to suit their taste. What are your ideas for setting the perfect tea party table?

9-Point Methodology for Evaluating Antique Carpets

I love oriental rugs!  Imperfections and age included.  The following article by Jan Winitz provides some great tips of what to look for if your thinking about purchasing an antique rug: 

Level of artistry - Aspects which determine this include the amount of movement and fluidity of its design, its sense of visual depth or lack thereof, effective use of proportion between design elements, contrast, shading and outlining to create visual depth, and the level of overall unity in the composition as a whole.

Level of beauty - Does the rug possess an overall balance and harmony between its various motifs, and between its colors and designs? Are the individual colors used appealing and do they work together harmoniously? Is the carpet’s appeal universal? Does it have staying power, i.e. the more one looks at it, the more one sees and is intrigued by it? Does the composition slow you down, even literally encompass you, giving you the sense you could look at it forever?

The carpet’s age - Rugs woven before the Commercial Period took hold (roughly circa 1900 or earlier) are the most desirable because of their much greater originality, purer, more beautiful naturally dyed colors, including exotic hues not found in later rugs, and expressive designs. The earlier the piece, the greater the value.

The rug’s condition relative to age - The earlier the rug was woven, the more wear and restoration is allowable. The impact on value is determined by how much restoration there is and how well it is executed. Chemical washing, extreme sun-fading and staining, and reducing the size of rugs have a deep negative impact on the rug’s value.

Quality and uniqueness of colors and dyes - All natural dyes are paramount for the carpet to have more than just decorative value. Beyond that, various dyers had varying levels of skill and invested different lengths of time in dyeing the yarns. The “quality of color”-its radiance and level of nuance within each color-is centrally important. Certain rare colors such as Tyrian purple, saffron yellow, cochineal rose and greens add to the carpet’s value.

Uniqueness - A carpet’s originality significantly affects its desirability to connoisseurs, as long as it maintains the elements of beauty listed above. Carpets that are entirely singular works of art are the most desirable. Does its design contain uniquely drawn or arranged motifs, used in a balanced, harmonious fashion? If the design is traditional to the weaving group, is it an exemplary representative of that style? Beyond the use of rare dyestuffs such as tyrian, saffron, cochineal and pistachio, some master weavers on the tribal and village level and designers for the larger town and city rugs also successfully sought other ways to create singular tonalities, which were too challenging for others. These one-of-a-kind hues also add value.

Rarity - Certain 19th century styles are much more prized, and the best pieces are the most sought after. In the city styles, these include superb quality Motasham Kashan, Hadji Jallili Tabriz, Kermanshah and Ferahan Sarouk; in the village styles – Bakshaish, the best Serapis, Camelhair rugs and Ziegler Sultanabad; in the tribal styles – Caucasian, Afshar and Qashqai.

Articulation of the design - Especially in City rugs (also known as “Court carpets”) the clarity of line is an important factor. Some rugs demonstrate a premier level of craftsmanship through the sharpness of their motifs and a level of detail work akin to a line drawing. This precision, enhanced by very even cutting of the pile’s surface, a higher quality of wool and the fineness of its weave, is an all-important attribute of a top-notch court carpet. Knot count in antique carpets is judged within a region’s traditional weave, which sets 19th century rugs apart from 20th century production where knot density was given much more importance while the articulation of design was demoted. Note that even the best examples of tribal rugs woven by nomadic groups have much looser knotting and less articulation of design, which actually contributes to their signature rugged aesthetic.

Wool quality - There were many different grades of wool used in rug making. The best wool possesses a very high lanolin content, making it extremely lustrous and giving a radiance to the colors and adding to the clarity of the design. It is elastic and lanolin-rich to the touch.

Jan David Winitz, President and founder of Claremont Rug Company ( http://www.claremontrug.com ) in Oakland, CA, has built a global reputation among antique carpet collectors and connoisseurs since he founded the company-at age 25-in 1980. Born into a New York family of art collectors and scientists, “Winitz inherited two things form his grandmother: a collection of great rugs and a love of art.” (Financial Times). His stated vision was, “to introduce fine families to antique carpets possessing equal or greater artistic magnitude to works of art usually displayed on the wall.” Claremont Rug Company continues to be a leading source of antique art-level Oriental carpets in the world. The author of “The Guide to Purchasing an Oriental Rug”, Winitz has a global clientele for whom antique rugs are a great passion.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jan_D_Winitz

Hot Trends now

1)  Mix the old with the new. Eclectic is a trend that is still going strong. While some may argue as to whether the Royal Ontario Museum is a successful, or ugly, example of mixing old with new, there is no question that the technique adds interest to a room (or building) from a design perspective. Plus, it’s an eco- and budget-friendly way to decorate. Why start from scratch when you have the opportunity to marry past with present?

Here is an example of this concept translated into a living room. The designer mixed antiques, modern white sofas, reclaimed barn wood floors, and white walls to give the space a modern vintage appeal.

Via Elle Decor.

2) Upcycle!  Everyone has heard of recycling and repurposing, but the newest trend is upcycling. Upcycling is taking useless and “ordinary” products, even trash, and turning them into something new and improved!  One of my favorite examples is this amazing chandelier by Stuart Haygarth.

Via Stuart Haygarth.

It’s lighting, it’s trash, it’s sculptural art!  While you are not likely to see one of these chandeliers in person, especially as the artist only made 10 of them, you can easily find these upcycled pieces of art on Etsy:

Via Etsy.

Via Design by Leftover.

And how adorable is this petbed?

Via Fresh Home.

Via Benjamin Bullins.

3) Another new trend is the preference for “handmade” over machine-made. We’ve been seeing a lot of crochet and knitted textures on the ceiling, walls, furniture, and even rugs. Combine this trend with either, or both, of the ideas above and you’ll have something like this:

Via Stardust Modern Design. Lace dollies crafted into modern cube tables.

Via ReadyMade.

Via curiosites-en-tissu.blogspot.com.

The Handelier via Design Milk.

Knit Stools by Claire-Anne O’Brien.

Via doyoulovewhereyoulive.com.

What are your favorite design trends? Do you incorporate any of these techniques in your decorating?

Seeing Red?

The color red is known to evoke an unparalleled range of emotions, from passion to happiness. Depending on the tone, it can be used to make a dramatic statement or simply add a touch of warmth to a room. Decorating with red is a bold move, but when done right, whether on walls or with well-chosen accessories, the color imbues any space with glamour, energy, and excitement. As an added bonus, it allows other colors to really pop and can be paired with a rainbow of hues. Here are some stunning examples of red in all of its glory:

Photo compliments of Decor Demon.

Hollywood regency style captured with a refinished, red lacquer flea market find. Serious drama!

Photo compliments of Elle Decor.

Paired with vintage wallpaper, this crushed velvet sofa creates an inviting ambiance. Though the wallpaper isn’t really my style, I love the dog and shades of red.

Picture compliments of Chandelier Lighting Style.

A modern red chandelier looks stunning when paired with a classic sofa and gold accents.

Photo compliments of ArchZine.

Incorporate glamorous Chinois style into your space with a vibrant pagoda chandelier.

Photo compliments of iSpace Design.

This dark, almost Victorian-era, red pops against the white and gray kitchen. Top it off with a white chandelier and you have a classy, modern space that doesn’t appear cold or sterile.

Photo compliments of eWallpapers.

This high-shine, ultra-modern living room even incorporates red in the speakers. A space this bold is not for the faint of heart.

Photo compliments of Design A Room.

This utterly modern red shelf looks as if it was conjured up by Tim Burton. So unique.

Photo compliments of Snaidero.

The key to pulling off this daring coral high gloss lacquer is keeping all other elements extremely simple.

Photo compliments of Design Wagen.

The Piccola Papilio chair by Naoto Fukasawa is perfect for small spaces and a simple way to introduce a dark, rich red into your color scheme.

Photo compliments of Filmore Clark.

Here’s a commitment-free use of red. For those who aren’t ready for a full-on red design, try accent pieces like a rustic chair or red throw pillows.

Photo compliments of CoCo Cozy.

Another way to sprinkle in some red accents.

Photo compliments of Apartment Therapy.

Beautiful red vintage claw foot tub and red and white wallpaper. The use of white, tones down the intensity of the red.

Photo compliments of Modern Decorations.

The deep red walls, sleek white fixtures, and dazzling chandelier create such a sultry look in this bathroom.

Photo compliments of Houzz user Becky Harris.

Perfect way to add interest to a neutral dining nook. Red stimulates the appetite!

Photo compliments of Gaita Interiors.

This homeowner manages to pull off bright red cabinets, without the ultra-modern look. The greens, yellows, and golds lend the space a cheerful vibe.

Photo compliments of Belle Maison.

We couldn’t say goodbye without including at least one striking red bedroom. The turquoise, white, and red playful accents lighten up the space.

Which one’s your favorite? Are you a fan of red?

Kitchens Go Bold

The kitchen can serve as the focal point of a home and some homeowners opt to go seriously bold. Here are some unique spaces that stand out from the crowd.

Photo compliments of Camilla Molders Design.

Eco-friendly space featuring bamboo cabinets, bench tops crafted from reclaimed iron bark, and unique turquoise tile.

Photo compliments of Mal Corboy Designs.

It would be remiss of us not to include this modern pink glass kitchen. It is daring. Hello Kitty’s vacation home?

Photo compliments of Lucid Interior Design Inc.

Yes. That is a car in a kitchen. Taking re-purposing to a whole new level.

Photo courtesy of Dijeau Poage Construction.

Green and gray kitchen. The green contrasts perfectly with the high shine dark gray counters.

Photo compliments of Celia James.

Cream and purple with a ceramic mosaic backsplash and black granite countertops.

Photo compliments of Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd.

Even white can be bold!

Photo compliments of Joel Kelly Design.

The stunning light fixture really pops against the black backdrop.

Photo compliments of Valerie Pasquiou Interiors + Design, Inc.

This New York City loft kitchen features industrial lighting, gray cabinetry, and funky chairs.

Photo compliments of Oz Architects.

Eclectic rustic kitchen with a fireplace! Plus, a cute dog.

Photo compliments of Jane Kim Design.

Open kitchen with no cabinets and an exposed brick accent wall.

Photo compliments of Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

Modern kitchen with industrial pendants and a beautiful black and gray tile mosaic backsplash.

Photo compliments of Alterstudio.

Bright, airy, with a pop of color in the form of red cabinetry.

Photo compliments of John Maniscalco Architecture.

Modern,  minimalistic, yet surprisingly warm.

Photo compliments of Archipelago Hawaii.

Tropical kitchen featuring soapstone counters and sky-high ceilings.

Photo compliments of California Home + Design.

This playful, eclectic space combines periods, styles, and bold color.

Photo compliments of Georgetown Development.

Last but not least, this kitchen is the ultimate in eclectic design. It’s rustic, fun, and breaks all of the rules.

Which one is my favorite?  Tough choice, but ultimately the fireplace and dog win!  How about you?

Green is Always Chic

If we all adopted a few “green” habits it would add up to one big impact on the environment. In honor of Earth Day and my love of sustainable design, here are some simple ways to reduce your ecological footprint:

• Practice BYOB (bring your own bag) shopping. Store groceries, flea market finds, or craft store purchases in a reusable tote instead of plastic shopping bags. Eco-friendly totes come in a range of colors, patterns, and materials.
• Put that Kindle to good use. Stop reading the print form of newspapers and magazines. Instead subscribe to the online versions.
• Plastic water bottles are just plain evil. Use a Brita or Pur filter for drinking water. If you need it on the go, store it in a 100-percent BPA-free, stainless steel water bottle. Go traditional with a Klean Kanteen or sip from something sleek like the special editions from Kor.
• If you can’t live without your print newspaper or plastic water bottle, definitely recycle them.
• Consider installing dimmers in the rooms that you use most. Just dimming your lights saves a small amount of energy.
• Carpool.
• Consider a car-sharing service like Zipcar.
• Start a compost in your backyard.
• Get off junk mail lists. Check out Green Dimes. It makes it easy for you.
• Opt for online billing.
• Use a diaper service to do the dirty work. They provide you with cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. The Real Diaper Association is a great resource.
• Do full loads of laundry and use the cold water cycle. Washing with cold water is effective thanks to detergents like Tide Cold Water.  Your clothes will thank you too.
• Recycle and reuse. Freecycle.org allows you to recycle your belongings and find gently used ones as well.
• Work online, at home or in the office, and limit what you print.
• Teach your kids how to be green. Tips can be found at National Geographic Kids.
• Go meatless once a week. Cutting out animal products, even one day per week, substantially reduces your carbon footprint. Find recipes at Meatless Monday.
• Repurpose your belongings. Turn weathered doors into a headboard or use a vintage suitcase as a bedside table. With a little DIY creativity, the options are endless.
• Gather some friends for an evening of shopping. Each guest should bring clothing items that they no longer want. Everyone swaps for a fresh closet.
• Switch to low-energy light bulbs.

What ideas do you have for going “green?” Tell us about your eco-friendly habits in the comments section. Happy Earth Day!

DIY Functional Art for Teenager

A 16-year-old was in desperate need of storage and organization for her collection of oversized earrings that are so popular right now. Not only are they too big for traditional jewelry boxes, but delicate materials such as feathers mean they are especially fragile.

The solution? An easy craft project to not only store the earrings, but put them on display and ensure they’re accessible.

Here is the breakdown:

1) We started with three inexpensive frames from Ikea (less than $10 per frame) to create a grouping.

2) Next, we purchased some decorative paper and mesh. We chose purple scrapbooking paper, but really any paper will do, including basic white.  The paper and mesh are from Michaels, but a small amount of mesh, like window screen material, from the hardware store would work as well.  Our mesh hailed from the wedding supplies aisle, so it is a little bit more decorative and features some shimmering strands.

3) With all of the materials on hand, the assembly began. We placed the mesh on top of the paper, followed by the mat, and then the picture frame as shown here.

4) The only messy step was the process of gluing the mesh to the back of the mat. We used a combination of tape and craft glue. A hot glue gun probably would have been easier, but it wasn’t available at the moment. I also wondered, but did not try, if the mesh could be sewn to the paper as opposed to being attached to the mat? I will have to try that in the future. Once the glue was dry, the mesh was trimmed and the frame was assembled. The finished product:

Be Pinspired!

Just in case you’re one of the few people who hasn’t heard of Pinterest yet, you may want to check out what has sent people into the spiral of Pinterest infatuation. Users typically go through several stages:

1. Initial curiosity.
2. A mild case of Pinterest fever.
3. Full-fledged Pinterest addiction!

So what is the excitement about? Remember in the past when you would stumble upon a great internet tutorial, some amazing photos that inspired a decorating project, or a yummy recipe that you just had to try? You printed out the material or bookmarked the links, and promptly forgot about them. It’s simply too overwhelming to keep track of everything and find it again.

Enter Pinterest. You can categorize all of your different “favorites” and images from Web sites on a variety of different boards. How genius is that? My boards include recipes, places I’d love to visit one day, and of course interior decorating themes organized by decorating style, color schemes, and lifestyles.

As a visual person, how did I manage before Pinterest? Honestly, I don’t even remember …

So how does it work?  It’s an online scrap booking tool that allows you to “pin” online photos to a virtual bulletin board. The really cool part is that it keeps track of the original source of the picture. Thus you can always go back to where you found it, simply by clicking on the photo.

I “pin” to keep track of my interior design “Pinspirations” with boards such as:

Color scheme – Keep track of pictures that include colors you love.

DIY ideas - Pin innovative projects.

Go green - Add pictures of sustainable designs that resonate with you.

Fun items for the home - Include photos of quirky, unique items that you don’t need, but absolutely want.

Baby’s room - Collect ideas to create a beautiful space for your bundle of joy.

As an added bonus, you can even “share” boards. I often encourage my clients to set up boards with their inspirations and favorites to be shared with me, so that I can better understand their style.

Now please note that there have been some concerns in regards to copyright permissions at Pinterest and they have updated their policies recently. So do a little research if you have concerns about this subject.

Leave a comment with your e-mail address if you would like to receive a Pinterest invite from me. In fact, if you have Pinterest fever “repin” this post!

Follow our boards!

Have you tried out Pinterest? What are your thoughts? Do you have amazing boards we should follow?

My neurotic dog!

When we adopted Marbles, our sheltie mix, almost eight years ago at the age of two, she was afraid of everything and anything. That old cliche,  ”afraid of her own shadow” absolutely applied to her.

Marbles

At the time we rescued her, she had just overcome parvo. The rescue organization told us that she was kept in a fenced-in backyard. In her two years on earth, she had never been on a leash!

Though extremely shy at first, she slowly warmed up and soon began playing up a storm with her new brother Ralphy, an Australian shepherd. Her feline brother and sisters were largely ignored, but everyone got along well.

From the beginning, it was apparent that Marbles had her psychological ”issues.” We even joked that if Marbles were human, she’d be making weekly visits to a therapist. I’d be hard-pressed to name one thing she wasn’t afraid of. The first time I took her for a walk in the rain, she pulled on the leash, jumped, turned, and tried to stay as far away from me as possible, despite the fact that she had been walking nicely on a leash up to this point. I was perplexed. She was already attached to me and on her way to acquiring her reputation as my “velcro” dog. What was wrong? It turns out, she was afraid of the umbrella. So I did what any good mother would do. I put away my umbrella and braved the pouring rain, just to make my sweet, neurotic dog happy.

The phobias don’t end there. Paper also causes her great distress. Yes paper! Never wave a piece of paper around her and be sure to keep her away when you get the mail.

Loud noises, too many people, and the sight of nail clippers make the list, as well. She won’t even accept treats unless she is able to eat them in the privacy of her own home. At the pet store, the vet’s office, and the McDonalds drive-through (an occasional treat when we buy chicken nuggets. No sauce of course!) she refuses to touch even the yummiest doggy delicacies. Instead, we must bring them home before she digs in.

We love her and her quirky personality and I am not even mentioning most of her unique traits. So, what’s her latest fear? Quickbooks!

Don’t you dare work on Quickbooks while she is in the vicinity. All is well when I remember to mute the sound. But if I forget and she hears the “beep” of an entry being saved, she runs and hides in one of the bedrooms, shaking like a leaf.

The poor thing!  And I thought I was the only one in the family who hates dealing with those dreaded, yet unavoidable accounting tasks…

Neo loves to sit in the bathroom sink

Ralphy & Pixie

Erin & Pixie

Marbles

Pixie, Neo & Deimos

Ralphy

All of my pets, whether neurotic or not, are an important part of my life. My design philosophy is that a home must be beautiful as well as functional. There is no need to compromise! 

What’s hot, what’s not?

Here are some of my favorite design trends, and yes, some not so favorite ones as well.

So what’s hot?  Still loving “chevron?” It’s been trending for some time and I am sure you have all seen the abundance of chevron pillows and chevron rugs online and in stores. You really can’t go wrong with a chevron pillow or this adorable chevron purse from Etsy. Wouldn’t this be cute paired with a white t-shirt and black capris for the spring? Although I’m not sure it could replace my standard giant bag that fits all of my “stuff.”

For the home, this slipcovered Ikea chair is one of my favorites (also from Etsy). I can just picture it in a baby’s room for either a boy or a girl!

Warm gray walls would be a great backdrop for the colorful chair. Yes, gray has become the new beige and the “right” gray can certainly make a design statement while still being neutral. One of my favorite grays is Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. I’ve used this warm gray in bathrooms and bedrooms. It always looks best when paired with hardwood floors or tile and white trim.

Lastly, wallpaper is one of the hot trends right now. The latest designs are a far cry from the overwhelming florals and primary colored stripes you may remember from your youth. Check out these beautiful wallpapers by www.wallteriors.com and www.jonathanadler.com.

  

So, what are my least favorites on the design front?

Excessive matching is not a good look. There is a huge difference between matching and complementing. Complementary pieces or colors coordinate and pull a room together but add interest. No color, no architectural feature, nothing interesting for the eye to see will be bland, while a pattern that spills from the furniture to the walls to the accessories is overwhelming. This room is certainly an extreme, but all the same it is a dizzying example of matching overkill.

Courtesy of Ugly House Photos.

Unless you live in a luxurious castle, swag curtains are a home decor don’t in my chapter. Windows in any regular home will be swallowed up with swag curtains. On that note, I’m not partial to any type of curtains that block too much of the window. Let in some light!

Jersey Shore style with loud colors and clashing animal prints is anything but classy. A zebra rug or other animal print accessory is stylish when done tastefully. The same goes for bold colors. But unless you want to be mistaken for a poacher, this style should be avoided.

Courtesy of JPD School of Design

Some spaces give beige a bad name. A warm beige that pops against a white trim is classic. However, when the walls and trim are painted in the same pale beige color with a flat finish without even a hint of semi-gloss on the trim, it becomes the dreaded builder’s beige. It will make any room sterile and uninviting. The example below, is thankfully a “before” photo.

Courtesy of Corea Sotropa Interior Design

So there you have it, my design favorites, along with the trends that make me cringe. What are some of the trends you either love or hate?