Sabtu, 31 Maret 2012

Flying high

Lately I'm seeing birds in many design magazines and home decor shops. They keep popping up on wallpaper, pillows, bedding, pottery, art work and in cages.  It seems the sky's the limit!  Here are some of my favourite ways to integrate a theme into your home. It doesn't have to be birds, it could be butterflies, fish etc.

Wallpaper 

Heather Garrett eclectic laundry room
 Houzz
 I love the design possibilities of wallpaper, but I can also remember all those hours of scraping it off walls.  My preference now  is to use wallpaper on smaller spaces or as an accent.  The colours in this pattern work perfectly with other colours in the room. In a small space which isn't lived in daily you can be a little more whimsical or adventurous.

living room eclectic living room
maison21

This vibrant yellow is hard to ignore and it is used sparingly.  Framing sections is a perfect solution for a shot of pattern and colour.  Look closely and you will see tiny birds.  The graphic pillow repeats the motif in a much bolder way.  
Creating Exploration eclectic kids

 And the bird theme is carried through this nursery even to the ceiling.


Wall Decals and Stencils

Four Walls and a Roof contemporary kids
 These white birds  are subtle and fresh even with the addition of pattern on another wall. I think white drawings are so minimal  because they just hint at their presence.   


Look up!  Look waaaay up! What a lovely finishing touch in a nursery!   

oniroco eclectic kids
 Oniroco

  You have to love these graphic birdcages and birds on the wall, but don't miss the pillows!




And here they  are again in  graphic black providing a  backdrop for this dark sofa.  I like how the curved lines of the sofa interact with the curves of the cages. And following up with the real thing......

Birdcages

Family Room Details traditional family room
 Cristi Holcombe

Using cages is a way to reference our fine feathered friends without having them actually  appear.  The absence of presence so to speak. I love the weathered driftwood with the straight lines of the cages.  


 You can also attach birdcages to your wall for a very three dimensional look which leads me to other forms of 3 D accessories....  


Sculpture
Accessory Closeup traditional entry
Nelson Wilson Interiors

Tucked away on a table top amidst  a display of flowers and books, 
Interieurs Showroom by Francine Gardner eclectic home office

 commanding a shelf in a very contemporary office space,



 or hanging in pristine whiteness to delight a new baby, birds take many forms in homes.


Eames House Bird by Vitra modern artwork

 The iconic Eames bird can be found in many styled homes. Charles and Ray Eames had the original carved bird and constantly rearranged  it in various vignettes around their home and when styling photos. Because of the colour and simple lines the bird was sought by Eames fans.   Using 3 D scans of the original bird Vitra is now creating reproductions of it.


Art work


Edgewood Townhouse modern

Silhouettes of birds and branches provide a very eye catching headboard design. 


Black & White Master Bedroom with a Touch of Teal contemporary bedroom
Small prints of various birds matted large and stacked on either side of this bed make for an interesting symmetrical layout.

Spring 2009 British Colonial Entry Room Design Ideas | Williams-Sonoma Home tropical

 Don't forget you don't have to hang artwork.  It can be beautifully displayed as part of a vignette.



Painted Furniture 
black birds

Birds appear to be a favourite motif on painted furniture.  This striking combination begs your attention.  It would make a fantastic art piece at the end of a hallway.


  

 What a difference from the dresser above.  This one is all calmness and delicacy. 

 Lighting

Mountain House eclectic dining room

 Ingo Maurer  birdy chandelier is a modern classic that will always inspire interest.


Lola Bs traditional living room

 And a more traditional take on a birdie chandelier.

 I could keep going but this post is already too long!


Do you have an interesting way you have included bird motifs in your decor?  Just click on the comments button and have your say.

Jumat, 30 Maret 2012

Old Stuff for a New House

One of my best friends from high school is in the very early stages of building her dream house. As a way to infuse some character into their new construction home, she and her husband are planning to incorporate old doors from a local salvage yard. Isn't this a great idea?

I asked her to send me a link to the website of the salvage yard so that I could take a virtual looksie.
But why stop at doors? Maybe they will consider one of these mantels,
(heck, these are beautiful, maybe I should consider one of these mantels...).
Or even a butler's pantry. This one has a price tag of $2800.
How about an iconic claw foot tub?
Here's a cool sink you won't find at a big box store.
All of these (and more!) can all be found at Nor'East Architectural Salvage located in South Hampton, New Hampshire.

Would you or have you used salvaged building materials in your new construction home?

Simple small home designs.





Simple small home designs.

Rabu, 28 Maret 2012

Mark Your Calendar

You'd have thought I won the lottery when I got a postcard in the mail for the Neighborhoods of Newport House Tour.  For $35 (or $40 if you purchase your ticket after April 27th), the general public is allowed entry into six of Newport, Rhode Island's private residences. The tour is scheduled for Sunday, April 29th 10am-4pm and proceeds benefit the Parents Association of St. Michaels Country Day School. For more information on the tour and the homes, click here.

These are some of the homes featured on the tour
Jacobs Photographic
Lila Delman Real Estate
Stephen Mattos courtesy of the Preservation Society of Newport County
Lila Delman Real Estate
Lila Delman Real Estate
I am as excited as a 4th grader waiting for Christmas morning. Will April 29th ever get here???

Senin, 26 Maret 2012

Sail Away

I've been obsessed with paintings of sailboats lately and someday I'd love to have a whole gallery wall in my house full of them.  Instead of hoarding actual paintings, I've been hoarding photos of them.
I saw this painting at a gallery in Newport, RI recently. It was an original and priced in the thousands. Needless to say, it was out of my price range.
Same with this one. Beautiful though...
 Here's one I saw at an antique store. I think it was around $50. I didn't love it, so I didn't get it.
 This is one that I saw at HomeGoods for around $85. That little certificate in the corner says it is an an authentic-original-hand-painted-work-of-art. Loved the painting, hated the frame.
So I'm still holding out.