Wallflower

Alabama home by Tracery Interiors

I found these pictures in one of my [numerous] folders and I just had to share. My younger sister makes fun of me for my addiction to chairs, but just look at all the possibilities for how to style even a simple side chair. Now, given, these incarnations illustrate a variety of exceedingly elegant styles. But still. You could use the most inexpensive piece purchased off Craigslist to make a similar statement.

Home of Ryan Korban via The Selby

See?

Foyer by Thomas Hamel

Okay, okay, so this look would be harder to just throw together, but you could still have a neat little moment in your own entryway using an unusual antique chair like this one, paired with a more modern piece like that concave sconce.

Todd Alexander Romano via Lonny

Adding an organized grouping of pictures is a perfect way to enhance a lonely corner of a room.

Home of Jim Aman and John Meeks via NYSD

Blarg. This is so perfect. The leather on the chairs, the sculpture, the pictures and they way they are hung. The bit of irreverence in the design. (See that skull?) Love, love, love.

Foyer by Victoria Hagan

And speaking of perfection... Victoria Hagan is a master. I love this serene, traditional look. Tapestry-covered chairs? Gorgeous!

I hope you all have a happy day!

Repose

Vignette by Jackye Lanham

It is finally Friday, time to start relaxing and thinking about the long weekend ahead!

Home of Jim Aman and John Meeks - Photo courtesy of NYSD

What better way to do that than kick off your shoes and kick up your feet?

Bedroom by Thomas Hamel

I hope you all get plenty of rest and have a wonderful weekend!

Klismos

Dining room by Thomas Hamel

Today I wanted to feature a piece that is so graceful and striking: a chair called a klismos that comes from a centuries-old Greek design. Ancient form translated into modern use? Classic!

Klismos chairs are typically seen in black, as above, but I'll feature a few twists on that tradition in this post, as well as some classic examples. (Don't you just love all the contrasting materials Hamel uses above: the pale wood fretwork against chunky stone floors, the almost dainty glass and chrome chandeliers above the slab-top table and deep black of the klismos?)


Living room by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Bilhuber goes in a completely different direction with his klismos: painting them white, upholstering them in a plush fabric, and placing them in a traditionally designed country house! (I love how he always keeps me guessing!)

Seating area in New York loft by White Webb

Isn't it amazing that this chair's design is so old, yet it looks perfectly at home in such modern digs?

Design by Courtney Giles

I love how fellow Southerner (and fellow Auburn grad) Courtney Giles uses these gilded-back examples in this hearth-side arrangement. They seem to mimic the gold of the Louis Philippe mirror above and the black fireplace surround below. Great design!

Dining area by McAlpine Booth Ferrier

Here are two photos that show the design range of klismos chairs... and of McAlpine's interiors as well!


Outdoor dining patio by McAlpine Booth Ferrier

Goodness, this picture gets me every time. It is from an Atlanta home that was featured in Veranda some years ago, and it is still just as gorgeous to me now as it was when I first saw it gracing the cover!

Patio seating area by Paula + Martha

Dining room by Martensen Jones Interiors

What an elegant space. I love how the klismos chairs help anchor all the pale and pastel tones in this room.

Living/dining area by Jackye Lanham

This last photo absolutely takes my breath away: so warm and, yet, so intriguing. Interiors like this make me wish I could just wander all over this home to take in all the fabulous details!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Worldly Wise

Home of Madeline Weinrib

Whether kuba cloth pillows or tribal masks, Moroccan rugs or Indian block prints, I love a bit of exotic flair in a home!

Guest bedroom by M. Design Interiors

Home of Theory's Istvan Francer

One of my favorite rooms ever! I love the accent colors (lavender and orange - so unexpected), the kuba cloth pillows, the glass lamps, the portraits, the accessories... I love it all!

Bedroom from the Viceroy Mayakoba - Design by Kelly Wearstler

Dining area by Peter Dunham

Typical Dunham style: colorful, cozy, and classically eclectic. (Yes, yes, again with my alliteration!)

Bedroom by Westbrook Interiors

Isn't this room so bright and so interesting? What an amazing combination of pieces.

Library by Tom Delavan

I love the traditional seating mixed with modern (aka, the Saarinen table and zig-zaggy task lamp) and exotic (antique suzani and tribal masks) elements. So sophisticated!

Bedroom by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

Sky-high mosquito netting? How dreamy!

Living room by Thomas Hamel

As you can see, exotic doesn't have to mean wild or over-the-top. These spaces are comfortable, sophisticated, and sure to intrigue both guest and owner alike!

Here's to a great week ahead!