Shed a little light on things

Living room by Studio Reed Design

Hello, all! I wanted to share another item that is currently listed on Chairish! I also wanted to give some examples of how this piece could fit in any room. Today, I'm featuring this gorgeous (and massive!) vintage drip glaze lamp:

Isn't that glaze amazing?!

Although this piece is mid-century, I don't think it necessarily has to be used in that setting. You could go all out with vintage pieces - barkcloth curtains and shag carpets - or you could take a different approach....

Living room of Aerin Lauder

I think it would work in all sorts of settings. Against warm, rusty peach walls, like in Ms. Lauder's living room.

Foyer by Bunny Williams via Veranda

Or in grand and glamorous entryway, mixed with classic and modern elements.

Chris Barrett

Home of Cece Barfield Thompson

I love the idea of the lamp in a lovely eclectic setting like the one above. So pretty!

Via House Beautiful

Image via Vogue

Barbara Westbrook

As you can tell, I like the idea of mixing it with other shades of blue and green! I think that combination - along with some warm woods and textural accessories - would keep the lamp, and the room, looking timeless. Here is how I might put it together with other pieces:

Wall Covering - Lamp - Table - Sofa - Tapestry Pillows - Velvet Pillow - Chair - Lantern - Curtains

It would be neat to do some moody artwork as well. I love the selection at Anewall on Etsy. For the room above, I might do something like this:

Or you could go more modern and graphic and do an overscale print like this one:

There are so many ways to blend an item you love with your own things and your own style. You don't ever have to let the age or providence or style of a piece dictate how you want your space to look and feel. Although this lamp may not be what you're looking for, I hope this post delivers some inspiration for your own home!

Madeline Stuart

I hope y'all have a great day! And keep checking my Chairish shop for more fun furnishings, and back here for more ideas and inspiration!

Spanish Colonial... with a twist

I love the fun mix of patterns and textures Madeline Stuart uses in this beautiful Spanish Colonial home. The bold colors, plus the modern artwork, combine to create something really unexpected, fun, and beautiful!

Lovely!

Gilded

Vignette by Madeline Stuart

I love to see flashes of gold throughout a home: in frames, mirrors, table legs, or lamps. It is so classic and, yet, it can be so glamorous. So, with that in mind, here is a little bit of sparkle for your Tuesday!

Dining room by Amanda Nisbet

Gold plus crystal and ebony equals some serious glitz!

Design by Thomas Britt

Design by Thomas Britt

Bleached wood acts as the perfect, neutral counterpoint to this enormous, gilded chandelier.


Entryway by Hillary Thomas



Veranda' Greystone Estate Showhouse bedroom by Windsor Smith

Fabrics, such as upholstery or curtains (like on the canopy bed above), are another clever way to add a few more karats to a room.

Bedroom by Westbrook Interiors

I hope you all have a great day today!

A Woman's Touch



Dining room in home of Raina Penchansky - Photo courtesy of Lonny


I don't want to be too prejudiced here, and maybe it's just all the time I've been spending with my sister and her precious new baby, but I think women have a different outlook on a home and, therefore, cultivate it in a different way... a softer way.

Living room by Madeline Stuart

Whether it's using a hint of pink, a cozy furniture arrangement, or accents that soften sharp angles (like pillows, lots of upholstered items, or billowing curtains), women can create warmth in myriad ways (and recognize the importance of that creation).

Home of Erin Fetherston - Photo courtesy of Vogue

So, with that in mind, here are a few examples of interiors that have that woman's touch. Enjoy!


Foyer by Susan Ferrier

An antiqued mirror reflecting the warm glow of light from underneath pink silk lampshades? Who wouldn't love to come home to an entryway like this one!

Living room by Chris Barrett (who is a "she")


Looking at Miss Barrett's portfolio, you could confuse her work with some of her male designer counterparts like Martyn Lawrence Bullard or Jesse Carrier, but, if you look closely, you can find softness in even the most modern of her projects, such as in the floral fabric on a banquette or the curved leg of a metal stool. She is amazingly versatile and you must give her website a look!

Living room by Barbara Westbrook of Westbrook Interiors

Another fabulously talented designer (and fellow Southerner) is Miss Westbrook. The room above is one of my absolute favorites. It is structured without being overbearing, and engaging even when done in a neutral palette.

Foyer by fellow Alabamian Melanie Pounds - Photo via House Beautiful

I cannot say enough good things about this foyer. I am a big fan of juxtapositions and this space is full of them: the stone floor paired with the pale rosiness of the rug, the solid structure of the chair upholstered in soft velvet, and the dark plaster of the walls contrasted against the cool damask tablecloth. So lovely!

Living room by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker and Marks

This last photo of the day is another one of my faves. It is so well-blended with its plush upholstered pieces and graphic modern art, layered mirrors, and tidy layout. To me, it's just one of those rooms that grabs (and holds) my attention.

I apologize for my extended lag in posting, but I am back on track now, so check back often for more fabulous design!

I hope you all have a great week!

Tipping the Scale

Living room by Bunny Williams

Large rooms are always a challenge. Whether the rooms are tall or wide, finding pieces that match the scale of the space can prove to be difficult. Whenever I think of scale, I think of John Saladino talking about monumental, residential, and human scale. With big rooms, you have to break up the space into liveable portions.


Design by Sara Gilbane


These designers don't seem to have any trouble tackling these vast spaces, using large furniture, built-ins, curtains, artwork, and other accessories to make the most of every inch.

Living room by Fiona Weeks

I love how these rooms still feel spacious, without feeling cavernous. In the room above, Weeks capitalizes on the height of the room and vaulted ceiling with the bookshelves and mantel surround, while large scale furniture (like the sofa in an eye-catching gingham print) and colorful oriental rug bring the focus down to the seating level.

Vignette by Chris Barrett

I love this pretty yet grand table and how it contrasts so well with the more modern (but coordinately large) artwork above it.

Living room by Diamond Baratta Design

Multiple seating arrangements are a great way to break down a large space like the one above. Not only do you end up with lots of places to sit (great for entertaining), but it creates a nice flow for the room, leading the eye from one spot to another.


Design by Madeline Stuart

Sometimes rooms are so large that it's hard to even tell that the scale of the pieces within it are as grand as they actually are. For instance, look at the greenish blue lamps on the console above. At first glance, they don't seem that large, until you compare them to height of the sofa and fireplace, and begin to see that they are probably over three feet tall each! 

Living room by Dan Carithers

I love the room above. The recessed overdoor, the simple but beautiful chandelier, the massive tapestry, the exposed wood beams, and those cushy full-sized couches all work together to create a space that is elegant but warm, as well.

Bedroom in home of Matthew White - Photo courtesy of NYSD

Have a happy hump day!

A Dash of Drama

Living room by Charles de Lisle

Hello, all! I am quite excited today, for I am finally posting from the comfort of my own home, at my very own computer! My internet connection was set up mere hours ago and my pretty new desktop has a screen so big and bright, I am practically drooling at my collection of design photos!

So, without further ado, let's get to the pics! Today I wanted to post a couple of photos that exude drama. (I am just in a dramatic mood, I guess!)

I think what sets that tone in the room above is the black/white contrast, the graphic, modern artwork, and the bold pattern on the chair fabric. (Is it Vervain perhaps? They seem to like the fuzzy embellishments!)

Despite the limited amount of furniture/accessories in this entry by Katie Ridder, the space feels pretty dramatic. I think it is due to the color and finishes (i.e., white/black contrast again, bright artwork, polished floor, sparkling chandelier). What do you think?

Design by Delphine Krakoff

Okay, I'm starting to see the pattern here... More black and white perhaps?

Living room by Windsor Smith

I believe that Miss Smith certainly knows drama, but I think the best word to describe her work (especially this room) is "glamorous"!

Our last photo of the day is of a room by the talented Madeline Stuart. I have not been so into red recently, but I cannot help but be drawn to the drama it so delicately imbues in this warm, sophisticated space. Many of her interiors seem to have this mysterious hint of the exotic that takes what would be traditional spaces to a different level. A true talent indeed! (What do you think of that floral wallpaper? I am actually a fan!)

On a side note, some of my friends have suggested that I start adding more personal touches to the blog, such as fabrics I am in love with, furniture I am having reupholstered, etc., so look out for these new topics in the near future. And definitely let me know what you think!

Have a good rest of your week!

Up close: vignettes

Arranging items on surfaces, such as console tables, dressers, and nightstands, is a great way to display favored belongings and add interest to a room, but I also see it as a chance for organization as well. Most people live with limited amounts of space, and covering usable space with unusable items is not ideal. I think there can be a balance of design and function, though.

Creating spaces that serve a purpose while looking stylish can be as easy as stashing mail or remote controls in decorative boxes or turning a console table into a bar area. The following photos show a range of stylized tabletops that provide beauty and function to the spaces they inhabit.

 Ashley Whittaker makes use of this pedestal table in a foyer to display a collection of books, but, if you look closely, you will also see it is a place to toss keys and phones when arriving home.

In this foyer, Eric Cohler uses a console table to show off an interesting sculpture and photograph, while a basket (used for stashing dirty boots) hides below.

Lawrence Rizkowsky also uses a basket (which I love for their texture) to stash items, in this case a collection of liquor bottles, shakers, and glassware.

This glitzy tabletop, styled by Madeline Stuart, serves as a showcase for a collection of crystal and silver serveware. I think it's great when people put out and even use their "good" china, crystal, etc. My mom has a wonderful collection of Waterford wine glasses that we use all the time. "Why not?", she says. "That's what they're meant for!"

In some cases, small or empty spaces are a great place to create a vignette. Here, Kathryn Ireland brings texture and life to a would-be unused space by placing plants, pictures, and a lamp on a table covered in decorative paint. Just think how less interesting the space would be if she had left the mirror as the only adornment between the windows!

It seems like there is never enough storage in the bathroom and, although this is a large one, Michael S. Smith still makes efficient use of the space by storing extra towels and other necessities on a beautiful etagere.

Nightstands always end up hosting a myriad of items, and Amanda Nisbet cleverly chooses one with three tiers to handle this task. However, she doesn't stop there; she also adds colorful boxes and bowls to artfully stash any unsightly clutter.

In the country home of fashion designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka (of Badgley Mischka, if you hadn't guessed), an already useful chest of drawers gets dressed up with an assortment of shimmering accessories and a simple oil painting.

In my own bedroom, found, purchased, and hand-me-down items congregate on a tall dresser, situated against the pale pink walls of the room. Silver drink stirrers in an antique tea cup as well as shell and coral pieces (discovered on a North Carolina beach) find a home together below an oil painting by my father.

The space is not for decorative purposes only, though. The mirrored box holds large-scale jewelry items (such as cuffs, cocktail rings, etc), while the small, lavender box serves as my travel case.

Any surface can easily become a display for pretty things; making it functional is the challenge. However, I think these pictures have shown what a lovely challenge that can be!