Knight Moves

Stripe Happy

2013-09-23T11:01:00.000-05:00

Besides the change in weather, I love the fall because there are so many lines and collections making their debuts. I went to High Point Market in April and saw tons o' new and upcoming things and I'm ready for another dose of freshness, especially in the home accessories realm. I couldn't be more tired of the patterns and motifs that have been repeatedly recycled over the past four years (think ikat, quatrefoil, chevron, etc.) and I'm hoping that there will be some new ideas this season. I haven't seen anything too groundbreaking yet, however, I do find myself pinning lots of fun striped tidbits. I'm a lifelong superfan of stripes so this isn't unusual behavior, but it does seem like there are plenty of stripe-adorned goodies out there right now...

Striped Trinket Boxes, C. Wonder - Diagonal Stripes Picture Frame, Zara Home - Ish #00 Blanket, Leif - Cirque Curved Decorative Vase design by F. DeLuca for Tozai - Bolivian Frazada Rug/Blanket, Leif - Stripe Tin Boxes, Ferm Living - Edward Nightstand, Made Goods - Indigo Inlay Picture Frame - Zinc Door

And this book actually came out last fall, but I thought it was worth mentioning given the subject matter...

Stripes: Design Between the Lines by Linda O'Keeffe

Are you stripe-crazy too? And favorite things from the roundup above?

And do any of you have the aforementioned Stripes book? I'm intrigued. The one review on Amazon is good, but I haven't had the chance to flip through the book in person and I'm always leery to buy a design book without a preview.

Goods from the Alpha Workshops

2013-09-16T11:03:00.000-05:00

I really love the charitable concept of giving people the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills so they can be responsible for their own success and self-worth. As it's said, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." I also love a charitable cause that sells beautiful, handmade items created by artisans that will benefit from sales. With those two tenants in action, it's no surprise that I think the Alpha Workshops is a wonderful organization.

The Alpha Workshops is a New York-based non-profit organization that provides HIV-positive individuals with industry-specific training and employment in the decorative arts. Its mission is “to provide a new model of economic development for people living with HIV/AIDS or other disabilities.”

The org is comprised of a vocational school, the Alpha Workshops Studio School (AWSS), and Alpha Workshops Studios, an AWSS-grad-staffed professional art and design atelier. Interior designers and architects can count the Alpha Workshops’ Studios as a resource for decorative arts services like gilding, special finishes and art installations in addition to design goods like hand-painted wallpapers, custom casegoods, lighting, and accessories. You can purchase items through a designer or at Alpha Workshops' Dering Hall storefront.

I'm especially excited by their wallpapers and the possibilities of creating custom designs! I just adore these two patterns, Caper and Oh So Faux...

These little stools are awesome...the finishes are the jam.

Faux Tortoise Side Table/Stool

Chairs in Faux Ivory Finish

And last but not least, behold Alpha Workshops' gorgeous lamps!

The Surface Lamp in the faux Malachite finish is my favorite.

Almost as much as I love their creations, I love the Alpha Workshops ethos and how the org brings education, art, and business together. I haven't purchased anything from them yet, but I definitely plan to!

Sink Stalking and China Ogling

2013-08-20T00:32:00.000-05:00

I don't know a lick of Spanish, yet I regularly go to Spanish decorating magazines for inspiration. Who needs words when you've got awesome photography, right? Well, on a recent journey to Elle Decor España, I found this funky yet utilitarian bathroom...

I immediately fell for the scalloped sink and went on a mission to track it down. Low and behold it is designed by Paola Navone*, the Italian who designed the entire space featured in the Elle Decor España spread. The sink is called Doppio zero by Ceramica Flaminia. Mission accomplished.

Other than the sink, I loved the lively graphic cement tiles that were used on the floors. The monochromatic color palette keeps them from looking too crazy...

And I also have to proclaim my love for the freestanding tub. I chickened out on painting mine black and seeing this definitely fires up the urge again!

Photos by Max Zambelli

*Incidentally, Paola Navone is also the mastermind behind some collections of china that I've been coveting for years. Made by Reichenbach, "Taste" is exquisite. The style is an ideal blend of traditional and modern. The shapes are abstracted, yet straighforward. One of the things I love best is that each piece of the service has its own personality reflected by a subtle, unique design detail. Along with classic white, the iconic pattern is now produced in blue and gold and I want every piece in every color. I wish it had been around when I got married!! I'm seriously obsessed...

Not of the Taste family, this one was labeled Light Blue Glaze, but I had to include it because the image was just too perfect...

Lots of meandering thoughts today! Any feedback to share? What do you think of the scalloped sink? Do you like the wacky mix of cement tiles? And are you adoring Paola Navone's "Taste" china as much as I do?

Second Shout Out

2013-08-19T11:16:00.002-05:00

I'm probably late to the game on this, but I just found my way to Second Shout Out and I'm pretty intrigued. Have you heard of it? If not, the site has a broad spectrum of vintage items ranging from furniture to cars. Their inventory is not huge like my favorite-site-in-the-world, 1stDibs, but it's kind of nice that you can click through and see all that they've got in one sitting.

But the most exciting difference between Second Shout Out and 1stDibs is that SSO offers "custom and private shopping tours." I guess this arm of the business is called the Antiques Diva & Co. and it offers guided antique shopping adventures in France, England, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, and Germany.

Excursions are planned according to clients' shopping list, style and budget. You can do just one day at the flea market or a full-blown buying fest spanning multiple countries over multiple weeks. The latter is basically my idea of heaven! The Antiques Diva & Co.'s bread and butter is helping US and Australian antique dealers and designers with sourcing, but they don't discriminate if you aren't a professional shopper. All clients get access to trade-only sources and benefit from their guide's negotiating skills, price prowess, and familiarity with the local language and currency. There are tons of other perks too...the most appealing to me being that they handle customs paperwork and shipping. Sounds like fun, right??

So I assume that some of the buyables on the Second Shout Out site are from the European sources that guides take their clients to. Or maybe some are antiques dealers in the US/Australia that have been escorted on Antiques Diva & Co. trips? Both are guesses, but regardless of whose inventory it is, here is a sampling of what you'll find...

Set of 4 Tufted Leather Barrel Back Chairs - Mid Century Dresser

Zulu Basket - Brass Armillary - Ombre Turquoise Ceramic Lamp

1920's Transport Trunk - Mid Century Bar Cart

French Settee with Ikat

Also, there is an Architectural Elements section which has some pretty amazing reclaimed flooring and tile...

Antique Oak French Parquet Versailles

French Reclaimed Hexagonal Terracotta Tiles

Interesting site, isn't it? Have any of you shopped it? I think they have some good stuff (especially the selection of trunks) and that most of the prices are very reasonable.

Has anyone taken one of these escorted shopping tours? It seems like it would be really efficient and a great way to gain new sources and learn about the whole process of getting things shipped back to the US. It's officially on my bucket list!

Cabinet Hardware: Finding the Right Mix

2013-08-01T12:03:00.001-05:00

As you probably noticed yesterday, my office cabinets are naked. At least in terms of hardware. My decision making process on the matter has been woefully delayed, partially because I'm waiting on my desk, but mostly because I haven't had time to figure it out. The desk will have nickel plated legs that look somewhat like this...

So, nickel is definitely in the mix of finishes. The sputnik chandelier that is currently hanging has a chrome finish, however, I might be changing that. I really want to use a fixture that combines gold/brass tones and nickel/silvers ones. Currey & Company's Allusion chandelier is a favorite, but it hangs long so it might not work.

And I plan to install a picture light at the top of the center cavity in the cabinet unit, so that finish needs to be taken in consideration as well. I'll probably use Circa's 30" Cabinet Maker's Picture light in Polished Nickel...

With all that in mind, I have decided to use brass pulls and knobs to provide some contrast. I don't want everything in the room to be monotone silver/gray! So, here are some of the options I've been considering...

1) Hexagonal Faceted Handle Pull - Nest Studio
2) Pyramid Cabinet Knob with Backplate - Rejuvenation
3) 6" Modern Pull No. 73850 - P.E. Guerin
4) Brass and Acrylic Handle - Nest Studio

1) Gothic Cabinet Knob No. 73300 - P.E. Guerin
2) 5" Bar Pull in Brushed Brass - Lewis Dolin
3) 3" Mission Style Solid Brass Ring Pull (Antique Brass finish)
4) Cabinet Bar Pull, 5 in. - Harney Hardware
5) Mission D Drawer Pull - Rejuvenation

1) Continental Cabinet Pull 8" C to C - Allied Brass via Wayfair
2) Mission D Pull with Backplate - Rejuvenation
3) Solid Brass Faceted Knob - Nest Studio
4) 3" on Center Square Glass Cabinet Handle with Solid Brass Base - House of Antique Hardware

Brass is tough because it's not a finish that is consistent across manufacturers (like polished nickel, for example). As you saw above, there is a lot of variance in the tone and texture, so I'd recommend sticking with one maker or getting samples prior to ordering.

Anyhow, over the weekend I photoshopped hardware options into a pic of the cabinets to help narrow down the possibilities. Here are a few of the mock-ups...

Pyramid Cabinet Knob with Backplate + Mission D Drawer Pull

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

These are the Mission D Pull with Backplates...

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

3" Mission Style Solid Brass Ring Pull (might need to do the Polished Brass finish) + Pyramid Cabinet Knob with Backplate + Mission D Drawer Pull

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

Pyramids + Rings

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

Rings + simple bar pulls

Artwork - Louisa by Michelle Armas

The Pyramid knobs and Mission pulls from Rejuvenation are definitely more budget friendly than my other favorites from P.E. Guerin and Nest Studio, so I'll probably end up using some combination of those. I guess I could get samples of ALL of them so I could play with the mix in person.

Also, In the mock-ups I included a painting called Louisa by Michelle Armas that I'd LOVE to get for the space. I also put a polished nickel picture light in there to show what that finish looks like near the brass.

What do you think? Any big opinions or preferences?

Office Update

2013-07-31T03:00:00.000-05:00

If you follow me on Instagram, you might've have already caught wind of the fact that I've been giving my office a much-needed facelift. It's the room that I spend the most time in and it desperately needed to function better. For too many moons there was no effective storage in the space. After listing out my wants and needs, I tinkered with unit design. And finally after working on the project for months (in the start-stop fashion that I do everything at Chez Knight these days), I had a cabinet unit installed at the end of May. Shortly thereafter it was lacquered and Thibaut's Etosha wallpaper went up. The lacquer was color-matched to the wallpaper so I don't have a formula name/code to provide. Here's a look at the current state:

This shot shows a bit of my organized chaos...

Also, I got my battered old Eames Time Life chair recovered in a Quadrille design that was printed on Perennials indoor/outdoor fabric...

I'm also having a massive custom desk built (that will be over 7' long) and I can't wait to get that into the room. My current desk is a hand-me-down from my parents and it just doesn't offer enough desktop space. I need to be able to spread out the samples, plans, and paperwork that consistently litter my world. SO excited to get my desk...hopefully it will be ready next week.

Other factors that I'm still figuring out are the hardware, artwork, rug and lighting. I'll drill down on those things in another post though so this one doesn't drag on and on.

So, that's where I am with my half-baked office! What do you think so far?

The Paperback Bookshelf

2013-07-30T17:03:00.000-05:00

Just quickly dropping in to tell you about a super cool book storage solution. I saw it on Design Indaba's site and instantly coveted it. Unlike a traditional bookcase, the "Paperback" shelving unit displays books horizontally so that their spines can be more easily read. Along with that functional aspect, the horizontal orientation makes for a stunning visual display. As you'll see below, a mass of colorful books can achieve an aesthetic presence similar to a piece of abstract art.

Studio Parade, the Dutch design group responsible for the creation of the Paperback, calls it the "ode to the book" and I quite agree because it highlights each book and its title and provides a fresh new visual context for enjoying a library. Take a gander...

Without books it looks pretty spartan...almost like cardboard actually. I think this design would be awesome in acrylic!

Pretty cool design isn't it? I don't think the Paperback comes in multiple sizes or finishes, but I just love the idea of it. I'm itching to experiment with the concept!

Clay McLaurin Textiles

2013-07-25T03:00:00.000-05:00

Breaking news...I have a new fabric line crush. And I'm pretty sure you're going to love it too. Behold Clay McLaurin Studio textiles, a boutique collection of printed fabrics. The patterns and designs are simple but fresh and are produced in really lovely colorways. Printed right here in the USA, each design seems to have one or two ground options including 100% Belgian linen, 100% cotton, and a cotton + linen blend.

Clay, one of the founders, is an artist and paints each design. There is definitely an organic/modern vibe going on, however, the aesthetic is very versatile and I can imagine these fabrics in lots of spaces. For instance, Elena in Peony would be so stinkin' cute in a little girl's room and Wave in Midnight would be awesome in a study.

Have a look at a few of my favorites:

Elena - Wave

Brush - Bleeding Heart

Medallion - Elena

Wandering Stripe - Manji

Wandering Stripe

Image via Chairloom

Wave - Medallion

Shibori - Hay Bales

If you're loving their goods like I am, be sure to follow their latest happenings and see more photos on the Clay McLaurin Studio Facebook page. Purchasing inquiries can be directed to the studio or if you live in or around Atlanta, the line is represented at Ainsworth-Noah, & Associates.

Online Basket Sources

2013-07-24T02:44:00.000-05:00

The basket is the one functional accessory that can probably be found in most homes across the globe. There are countless iterations of the concept, but the idea is the same...contain and look good while doin' it. As you probably know, baskets are perfect for stashing towels, toilet paper, shoes, toys, magazines, blankets, laundry, and wrapping paper and keeping all of those things from making your house look messy. The key is to find the right style for the setting and that isn't always easy.

Two-Tone Hamper - Zara Home

Baskets are totally one of those things that you see all of the time but can't find the perfect one when you're actually on the hunt. So, in case you're looking for one of these handy vessels, here's a quick list of good online sources:

And here are a few of my favorite styles from some of those sources...

Jillian Totes - World Market | Turq Rope Storage Bushel - Hable Construction
Aster Silver Foil Basket - Pier 1 | Graphic Printed Baskets - West Elm
Palm Rectangular Towel Basket - Waterworks
Tala Basket - Crate & Barrel | Colorblock Wicker Basket - Terrain

Hyacinth Rectangular Basket - Waterworks | Strapped for Storage Bins - Land of Nod
Sweep Baskets - CB2 | Heavy-Guage Wire Basket - Rejuvenation
Tala Basket - Crate & Barrel | Juice Mercado Baskets - Serena & Lily

Am I missing any good basket sources?

Media Cabinet Unit Solutions

2013-07-23T14:57:00.001-05:00

One of the things in my house that irks me is the media cabinet unit in our den. First off, I hate that the TV is left exposed. I'm one of those people that believes in concealing electronics when they're not in use. I'll spare you the nitty gritty details, but basically there is no good way to add doors. After pow-wowing with several carpenters, I've found that any potential solution is annoyingly expensive and doesn't produce the truly desired outcome.

And besides the doors-over-the TV-section issue, there are other problems with the current unit. The door lineup in the center section of the unit is not symmetrical (and I worship at the church of symmetry). Plus, the whole thing was made during the era of tube TVs so it has a super deep cavity in the center, which of course, is no longer necessary with the super thin flat-panel options we have these days.

Here are some shots of imperfect piece...

One day, our unit will get ripped out and replaced. And when that day comes, I'll employ the magic of the sliding bookcase in the new cabinetry plan. The sliding bookcases will conceal the TV - pure genius, right?!? Well, I can't take credit...I spotted the setup in the following Grange Furniture ad:

The genius TV-hiding solution is brought to you in modular form by Grange. They sell some great-looking Modular Units that allow buyers to put together configurations that meet their needs. Besides the sliding bookcases, I'm also obsessed with the library ladder + rail option that Grange offers...

As you'll see below, Grange has caters to many aesthetics and its modular units can work in almost any room thanks to the variety of thoughtful customization options...

I'm a huge fan of the drop-down desk! It provides storage and a workspace that can be neatly concealed...

Such a KILLER wardrobe/closet - the black with contrast trim is perfect...

Grange's modular units sure beat the pants off of most modular cabinet unit options, don't they? I'm obsessed and have it on my list to go investigate further. Apparently Grange is represented at a showroom here in Big D...was news to me! I'll report back with any interesting findings. I'm super curious about the price range and how it compares to custom.

Art Crush: Caryn Scrimgeour

2013-07-18T02:25:00.001-05:00

I am super excited to have found my way to the artwork of Caryn Scrimgeour and I wanted to share her work with you all...because it's so awesome. At least to me it is. I found her oeuvre on the site of Cape Town gallery Everard Read and subsequently had a fantastic time clicking through everything on Caryn's page.

The pieces that instantly earned my devotion are the ones that offer an aerial view of a tablescape (that description is majorly simplifying the subject matter though). Scrimgeour paints in a photorealistic style, however, she is seriously skilled at creating a mood, and an atmosphere in each tableau...this isn't a cold, lifeless realism. There's a sense of life in every canvas. Upon viewing, you start to feel like you're spying on whomever was sitting at the table. It would be impossible to not be curious about those people.

There are countless perfectly painted details and nuances to absorb in each piece but the complexity is presented in such a tidy, orderly fashion, that it is visually inviting. Take a look and be sure to read Everard Read's description of Caryn Scrimgeour's work because it's far more articulate than mine!

CARYN SCRIMGEOUR / LOST IN TRANSLATION / oil on canvas / 150 x 150 cm

CARYN SCRIMGEOUR / THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY / OIL ON CANVAS / 150 X 150 cm

CARYN SCRIMGEOUR / DIVERSIONS / OIL ON CANVAS / 150 X 150 cm

CARYN SCRIMGEOUR / THE GO-BETWEEN / oil on canvas / 40 x 130 cm

CARYN SCRIMGEOUR / SPIN / OIL ON CANVAS / 50 X 500 cm

Oh my, I just want one for my own so badly. I am certain my computer isn't close to doing these paintings justice, so I hope to get to Cape Town soon so I can bum around Everard Read and view in person (plus the gallery and its garden look amazing). I'd gladly hang any Caryn Scrimgeour piece in my house, but if I got to pick, The Go-Between and Lost in Translation are probably my favorites. What about you? What are you thinking? Love / like / apathetic / hate?

Random Pink Picks

2013-07-17T02:02:00.001-05:00

Bits of pink keep popping up on my lust list. It's funny how you find tons of great things in the one color that you're not specifically hunting for, isn't it? Well, I have no client projects that require pink nor do I need anything in that color for my own house. So of course, I have a digital war chest of rose colored goodies with no place to put them. But I figured, perhaps some of you need some pink...

Il Conte Arm Chair - Hand Painted Silk Scarf "Allyson" - Firenze Velvet Tassel Pillow - X-Bench - Double
Reversible Canvas Storage Bin - Tea Room Wall Mirror
Custom Color Lutyens Bench - Richardson Allen - Ana Candles Striped Tapers - Stem-To-Stem Candlestick

Any favorites? I'm really loving the double X-Bench and would pick that if I could only have one thing from the grab bag. The hand-painted scarf is another favorite...it's made by Kate Thomas. Her Etsy store, Little Things Studio, has lots of cool, one-of-a-kind options in a wide array of colors. I've been stalking her creations for a while and one of these days, I'll have some pillows made out of the scarves and/or have a couple framed.

Nomi Outdoor Fabrics

2013-07-15T12:07:00.002-05:00

Lucky for us, we live in a time where function is catching up to form in the textile world. We have tons of awesome indoor/outdoor fabric options that are soft, pretty, and relatively indestructible. Obviously, they are great for making outdoor spaces look fabulous and unique...what may not be so obvious is that they are also perfect for interior use.

If you have kids and/or pets (or messy adults), I highly recommend using indoor/outdoor fabric on upholstery that sees daily abuse. It's more expensive up front (for the good stuff usually between $50-90+/yard), but it will hold up and you won't stress over stains because it's super easy to clean (it can even be bleached). And I know you are thinking that outdoor fabrics don't feel good like indoor ones do, but I can assure you that they've come a long way from the good ol' Sunbrella basics that we all know. From a tactile perspective, outdoor textiles are much softer and have better texture on the whole than ever before.

I'm a diehard fan of Perennials but I'm always looking for more sources and I've definitely found one in Nomi. Nomi produces gorgeous indoor textiles in addition to an outdoor line that is made of hardy solution dyed acrylic. Besides solids and plain textures, Nomi offers lots of really fun patterned options like these (all of which come in different colorways, so be sure to click through to their site to explore)...

Rumba, Coral - Boa, Lagoon
Taza, Midnight - Grecco Linea, Poseidon

Yoruba, Tangerine - Sinbad, Cerulean
Tangier, Parrot - Runway, Sea

Croco, Elephant - Mobia, Badrani
Labryinth, Blue Agate - Cowry Shell, Indigo
Kalimba, Yohimbe - Nile, Pearl

A few of the patterns remind me of Quadrille / China Seas, but honestly, the fabric is much better than the outdoor option that Quadrille offers. Q's is really stiff and it looks like outdoor fabric, whereas Nomi's does not. Anyhow, what do you think? Loving any pattern(s) in particular?

Are you a fan of indoor/outdoor fabrics like I am? Any favorite lines? Besides this one, I like Erin Flett for Al Fresco, Holly Hunt's Great Outdoors, and Perennials. Duralee, Schumacher, and Kravet also make some great options.

Intrigued by Organic Modernism

2013-07-02T13:30:00.000-05:00

As far as design goes, I'm a bit of a traditionalist at heart but I crave freshness and truly appreciate uniqueness. I love seeing uncommon points of view and without a doubt, Brooklyn's Organic Modernism has its very own style direction. When I first saw their set of furniture, lighting, and home goods, I immediately knew that my husband would appreciate their aesthetic because it's edgy and has a mid-century modern vibe, but maintains a natural, handcrafted flavor. To me, most of what they sell reads masculine but it's a sophisticated masculinity (think the opposite of an oversized leather sofa) so it can be easily blended with other styles.

I am totally into the mix of materials that are used throughout their set...lots of wood paired with bronze and brass. I also like to combos of hard lines and organic shapes. In a nutshell, Organic Modernism has really cool stuff that you aren't likely to find anywhere else...and isn't that refreshing? Take a look at this sampling of their wares...

Texas Dining Table - Alma Brass Chair

Lucia-A Dining Table - Peacock 4 Cabinet

Trilight Floor Lamp - Cliff Side Table

Ming-B Cabinet - Emperor Cabinet with Cloisonne Doors

Malibu-B Coffee Table - Kashgar A Hand Forged Bronze Chair - Berlin 2 Sofa

AND...Organic Modernism has an awesome gallery of original paintings (that are super well-priced). It looks like they are all created by local Guangzhou artist Hidir Jiang Tapanoglu and curiously enough, dear/elk and George Washington seem to be his preferred subject matter. Here are some of his deer pieces...

And finally, in honor of the upcoming anniversary of our great Nation's independence, here's one of the original paintings of George Washington...

So, what do you think of Organic Modernism's offering? I'm a fan, even though it's not wholly in line with my personal aesthetic. Any favorite pieces? I totally adore the Malibu-B Coffee Table and the Emperor Cabinet (although I'm not 100% sure about the hardware).

Next time I'm in New York I'll have to go check out one of their stores. Have any of you been?

Entry Makeover

2013-07-01T03:29:00.001-05:00

Wow...can't believe it's been over a month since I posted. Clearly things have been a bit too hectic for blogging lately. Anyhow, I'm coming up for air now and hope there are a few of you still out there reading despite my vanishing act. I do have lots to report, so stay tuned!

I've been trying to rework some things around my house over the past couple of months and it's definitely been a struggle because I just haven't had spare time to focus on it. Slowly but surely, I'm chipping away at my list and I have glimpses of progress to share. First off, I changed up my entry. Step one of the process was installing wallpaper. I chose Schumacher's Mosaic in silver, which looks white but has a subtle silvery tile-esque pattern...

It feels really light and fresh and is a good change of pace from the dark bluish gray paint that was on the walls before. This shot shows the pattern a bit more closely...

The new wallpaper called for fresh paint on the trim and ceilings...and I took that opportunity to change out the baseboards and beef up the door frame moulding. I'm pretty sure the existing moulding was original to our 1952 home, so it was pretty spartan. I asked my carpenter to layer a trim piece over the old moulding to create more interest. This route meant I could improve the look without ripping out all of the old stuff. Here's a look at the trim before it was primed and painted...

After the walls and trim were dealt with, I sent the main piece of furniture in the space, a commode that belonged to my great great aunt, off to be refinished. I chose an ebony stain with a light wax finish because I wanted to highlight the lines of the antique and its pretty hardware. The original finish was a flat light/medium walnut and it just wasn't doing the gorgeous chest any favors. After the finish facelift was underway, I selected a Calacatta Danby marble remnant for the top and voila...

Another major change in the room was the rug. I transplanted one from the living room and I'm loving it in the entry. It's amazing how different something can look in new surroundings. It brings just the right amount of color to the area.

In case you never saw it (or don't remember), this is what it all used to look like...

So, the entry is almost finished aside from hanging more artwork and improving the front door situation. Our door is pretty ugly so I either want to get a new one or just change the glass (it's that rippled Flemish glass) and have it lacquered or restained. I'm anxious to get that underway. It's totally one of those things that I've tried to ignore since we moved in four years ago and I think it's officially time to make a move.

So, what do you think of the changes? I'm liking the new vibe...it definitely flows better with the adjoining rooms and it just feels light and airy.

Reasonable Rug Resources

2013-05-20T16:56:00.001-05:00

Rug purchases often make people wince because high price tags aren't uncommon. And with pets and kids, many aren't willing to put anything too precious or expensive on the floor because it will surely see abuse. If the budget allows, I will always argue that high quality, hand-knotted wool rugs are amongst the toughest textiles out there...there's a reason why decades-old antique Persian/Turkish rugs are still alive and kickin'. They are tough as nails. But, those kinds of rugs can cost tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars and for most folks finding something that is durable and affordable is the real key.

Well, durability is certainly a relative factor and I won't bore you with my long-winded thoughts on the matter right now. The gist of my spiel is to buy woven or knotted natural fiber rugs. As far as composition goes, avoid viscose/poly, and other synthetics and for construction, I'm not a huge fan of tufted or hooked options. Flatweaves are all the rage these days because they are so cheap, but keep in mind that they may take some time (or ironing) to lay flat and depending on the weight, you'll probably need to rig something to the corners so they don't curl up.

And with those points made, let's move on to sources for affordable rugs. Here are some of my favorites, beginning with Lulu & Georgia. L&G is a darling web boutique that carries a wide selection of fabulous and inexpensive rugs. I especially love the ones by Alix Soubiran (the first one shown below) and these other picks:

Two of my other favorite sources are actually kids' retailers! Despite their juvenile focus, both The Land of Nod and RH Baby & Child stock some rather modern and/or sophisticated looking styles. Land of Nod is definitely more punchy and fun while RH offers more muted, low-key looks...

Other good places to look include:

Shades of Light

Serena & Lily

Calypso Home

West Elm (they're having a 20% off rug sale right now!)

Capel

One Kings Lane

Any sources I'm forgetting about? Do share...

Lacquer Tray Source

2013-05-16T14:04:00.004-05:00

One of the random little items that I get tons of questions about is this mint/aqua hexagonal lacquer tray that currently resides in my master bathroom...

I snagged the piece a few years ago at Homegoods and therefore can't provide a current source for where it can be purchased. I've been pointing people to the Jonathan Adler Lacquer Hexagon Trays and Plantation's Lacquer Trays as the closest known matches, but both of those are pretty pricy. Well, I'm happy to report that C. Wonder is stocking a product that looks similar to mine (aside from the shape) and has a better price tag at $78. Behold the Lacquer White Trim Serving Tray:

The tray also comes in a super cute navy colorway. Plus, C. Wonder is also peddling matching lacquered boxes if you're into a coordinated look...

Besides the Pistachio color shown above, the Lacquer White Trim Box is available in the navy and this awesome coral color, which is called Grapefruit...

So, if you've been hunting for a tray that looks like my one-off HG find, I hope this helps a bit. Happy shopping!

Lula Fabrics from South Africa!

2013-05-10T11:49:00.000-05:00

I am newly obsessed with Lula Fabrics, a boutique South African textile company that produces super fun bright and bold prints on linen and cotton. Fabric junkie Melissa Kerkhoff started the company in 2007 and serves as its creative director and so I must say, well done Melissa - I LOVE your work!

All fabric is made in my favorite city (aside from Paris), Cape Town, and is distributed throughout Southern Africa. The line is enjoying international success as well and is currently being sold in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. I'm so hoping one of the showrooms in Dallas will pick up the line. Until then, I'll have to find it next time I'm in New York or LA or better yet, during my next trip to Africa!

Behold the beauty of Lula Fabrics...

AMAZING palm frond and graphic botanical prints from the Delicious Monster Collection

Image via Lula Fabrics

I just adore the Broken Stripe fabric on the chairs...it's from the African Mischief collection :)

Image via Lula Fabrics

Scenes from the showroom...I want to hop on a plane and go there so badly!!

Image via Lula Fabrics

And finally, this shot shows off Lula's latest collection, called Silk Road...

Image via Lula Fabrics

You can keep up with the latest from Lula Fabrics on Facebook and Twitter. And if you live in the good ol' USA and are dying to buy, get in touch with Kathryn Ireland's showroom in Lalaland or Annika Studio in Brooklyn.

Highlights from High Point Round 2

2013-05-07T15:02:00.001-05:00

As I mentioned last week, I had a very productive trip to High Point Market and found TONS of great things! I went non-stop and hit dozens of vendor booths and showrooms. I took about 1,100 photos (no joke) so you won't be able to see everything, but between a few posts, I'll share a sampling of my top picks. So here we go...

The Bernhardt showroom is a doozy and it's organized by collection, which is fantastic because it's easier to focus on individual pieces. Here's a small taste of the goodness...

Perfect lacquered vanity/desk and oversized mirror...

And I'm a sucker for bone inlay pieces and there were lots of those in the mix, including this dining table...

This bench with rolling storage baskets was a clever design...

Another glam desk/vanity...this one had faux shagreen drawer fronts and a brass base. I was obsessed with the chair too (which you might've seen already on my Instagram)...

Classy little hexagonal side table + chair...

There were numerous dressers and chests that I fell for including these pretties...

Finally, a pair of zebra striped cocktail cube tables constructed with bone...

Festoni goodies included lighting, mirrors, upholstery, case pieces, and objets like these...

Amongst a sea of worthless giclées, I was pleased to spot some stunning original art at Charles Harold Company....

Mixed media by Carol Hu

I liked the nail trim on this little stool by Kim Salmela...

I was thrilled to finally see the Thibaut furniture line! I loved it all (and everything was amazing to sit on) but this ottoman and the chairs below were amongst my favorites...

SUPER comfy little slipper chairs...

I stumbled across Orientalist Home which turned out to be a great source for pillows, flat weaves, and dyed rugs. This style looks amazingly similar to a design that Madeline Weinrib sells...

I was so glad to find small manufacturers like Rogue Wood, a group that produces all of their furniture in Oregon. This was a nice little chest of drawers...

Whew...you probably won't believe me but that's a majorly edited set of picks from each vendor!

Any favorites?

Architectural Admiration

2013-05-01T16:45:00.001-05:00

Today I want to share a few shots of a fantastic home designed by architect Heather A. Wilson. It was a new build and it has a great flow, a killer outdoor setup, and lots of special elements that make it a notable home. Among my favorite spaces are the outdoor bathroom and the wine room (which isn't of the cheesy builder sort that are in so many McMansions these days). The style is clean and spartan and a tad industrial, however, it still seems cozy and very livable. Have a look at Ms. Wilson's handiwork...

I love the boarded walls and the expanse of windows and doors...

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

The kitchen cabinetry is quite modern...

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

Pitched ceilings in the breakfast area are boarded as well...

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

Here is the fabuloso wine room I referred to earlier...

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

And onto the lovely back patio + pool. The deck material looks like Limestone and I am pretty obsessed with it.

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

Here's a shot of what the outdoor bathroom looks like from the exterior...

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

I'm so jealous of this!!

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

This covered outdoor living area is connected to a kitchen, which you can see on Heather's site. For now, let's talk about how cool that porch bed/swing is...

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

And finally, here is a shot of the front exterior...

Photo via Heather A. Wilson, Architect

Pretty great house, huh? The layout seems to be very smart and the finishes are wonderfully straightforward and perfect for the style of house. You need to click over to see the rest of the photos on Heather's site. You'll get a better sense of the flow and layout.

Highlights from High Point - Round 1

2013-04-29T12:01:00.001-05:00

Last week I ventured out to High Point Market...my husband refers to it as a "furniture festival," which is hilarious and relatively accurate. Held in High Point, North Carolina, HPMKT takes place in the epicenter of the American home furnishings industry so it draws manufacturers from its own backyard and from abroad. Designers, shop owners, and buyers descend upon the area twice a year to see, feel (and sit on), and price everything from furniture to rugs, lighting, and accessories. It's a rare opportunity to see a massive quantity of goods within a few days.

I went out to shop for a few current and upcoming projects and I found lots o' great stuff. I took nearly 1,100 pics while I was there! After pounding the pavement for four days, I noticed a few trends that popped up in multiple showrooms...

1) Faux Shagreen - aka Stringray, this faux skin was wrapped around all sorts of tables and case goods. It's a great texture and the colorways I spotted at market were most often neutrals like gray and ivory.

2) Cerused Wood - There's an example directly below via Global Views, but basically it's a type of finish that highlights the wood grain and has a modern/rustic look.

3) Lacquer - high gloss, super saturated paint finishes were everywhere...even on lamp shades.

The two chests shown next are both by Bungalow 5...

4) Natural materials used to create unique, luxe adornments.

Pebbles/rocks at Lee Industries

Glass/Mirror/Resin at Made Goods

Bone at Mr. Brown

Pyrite at Emporium Home

Resin/Teak

And aside from the "trends" (I actually hate that word), here are a few other favorite items I spotted...

Linen-covered studded chest at Mr. Brown...

Platinum and gold toned fireplace screens...

Glass pineapple light fixture via Global Views...

Well-priced ceramic gourd lamps with trimmed shades...

Brass swing-arm sconce...

This lamp looks strikingly similar to my beloved Hermès' Balcon du Guadalquivir china...

Woven stools at Palecek...

Globe chandelier with wood beads at Regina Andrew...

Stunning mirror at Arteriors...

COCOCOZY Bedding!

Chair with pull-out mini side table via COUEF

Embroidered arm chair at J. Douglas

Dining chairs + table from Made Goods

What do you think of the things I snapped? Any favorites? I want that first shapely Shagreen cocktail table for my own house!

In case you've fallen in love with something and want to buy, keep in mind that pretty much everything at High Point is trade-only, so you'd have to buy through a retailer or a designer.

JLG Showhouse Detour at High Point

2013-04-25T01:27:00.001-05:00

I made a last minute excursion to High Point and on my way to market from the airport, I stopped by the Junior League of Greensboro Showhouse. A talented set of designers breathed new life into the historic Adamsleigh Estate, including a few of my personal design heros like Miles Redd, Eric Cohler, and Suzanne Kasler. It was a pleasure to walk through and study their handiwork and see the beautiful old manse. As with most showhomes, there were rooms I loved and others that I didn't care for...these were my favorite spaces:

This is the Suzanne Kasler-designed Den, it was a perfect blend of traditional and modern styles...

And I'm 99% sure this is Eric Cohler's Sun Porch...

This room also had a ceiling adorned with stripes

There were parts of Miles Redd's Living Room that I liked, but to be totally honest, I was really distracted and confused by the use of the not-so-luxe Dwell Studio bird fabric, especially in the same room as De Gournay wallcovering?!? The rug was a stunner though!

Another favorite was by Kara Cox and the room is one of the Daughters' Bedrooms. It's light and fresh and had a lovely, feminine color palette.

I'll take the pink sheets (I think they're Matouk) and the Michael Clement hand-painted lamps!

Besides the gorgeous Tommy Mitchell gilded flowers, this pic shows the AMAZING sculpted plaster walls...

Such a chic little vanity, isn't it?

Perhaps my number one pick of the house was this bedroom, designed by Megan Winters for Thomas & Gray. The room was defined by a bold black, white, and gold mix. I'm always drawn to black and white stripes, so the first elements I fell for were the draperies and the bed canopy...

Oh, and the striped ceiling was the jam...

This was the men's dressing area and it was designed by Traci Zeller and Lisa Mende...I LOVE the socks wallpaper, the brass sunburst light fixture, and the studded shelving.

This shot shows part of another Daughter's Room (I think), which was put together by Jack Fhillips. Lots of animal influence in here!

Here is the lady's bedroom and dressing room, which was designed by Robert Brown. Clarence House's legendary "The Vase" fabric and wallpaper was the star in here...

And finally, they called this the Maid's Room and it was pretty swanky with Quadrille fabric, Oomph tables, and lacquered walls.

And that's it...at least, those are my favorite spaces. Tell me what you think of the showhouse! I'll post more photos on Pinterest too in case you want to peek in other rooms. So far, do you have any top rooms picked out?

Mia + Finn Linens

2013-04-18T14:50:00.001-05:00

I'm newly obsessed with a line of bed and table linens called Mia + Finn. I'm especially into the bedding...the collection is full of cheery, playful, delightfully boho prints that would be perfect for casual bedrooms and kids rooms. Owner Caroline Defrance, a French women (ironic last name, right?), has the linens handmade in Rajathan and the aesthetic of Mia + Finn definitely reflects a French meets Indian sensibility. I particularly love the contrast edging that adorns many of the pieces. Here's a sampling of what they offer:

So cute, isn't it? If you're a Dallas reader, you can buy these at Mary Cates & Co. Otherwise, you can buy directly on the Mia + Finn site!

Outdoor Punch List

2013-04-17T12:24:00.001-05:00

It's been pretty gorgeous lately here in Texas and the warm weather means that it's time to put our pool and patio to good use. I didn't get to enjoy it enough last year because of the bathroom remodel...having workers around all of the time (even on weekends) kills the desire to parade around in a swimsuit!

I've been cleaning things up out there (the massive maple trees make quite a mess with all of their droppings), planting a few things (including tomatoes and herbs), and making a list of odds and ends I'd like to get to complete the set-up. One of the things that I already knocked off the list was a new umbrella for the dining table. Here's my new black and white striped beauty in action...I opted for a rectangular one with a teak pole:

Another major item on my list is wall-mount lighting. Last summer I ordered some lantern sconces from Quoizel and after having them installed, I had to take them down and return them because they were constructed so poorly (made in China, of course) and would not sit straight on the wall. The situation really irritated me because the engineer at Quoizel that I spoke to about the issue just argued with me and tried to blame my electrician for the problem. I will never source anything from them again...poor quality, bad design, bad customer service, and most (if not all) of their products are made in China. Fail.

So, I had to start over with my sourcing mission which has been an absurdly long process. Because the j box is located close to the fascia on our house, most lights won't fit so it's been a bit of a nightmare trying to find the right size, finish, and style. I've seen tons of great fixtures that I've logged on an Outdoor Lighting Pinboard for future reference and along the way I found a couple of options that suit my needs. Here are the two finalists:

Shades of Light Arched Outdoor Light - 2 Lights $200

Minka Winward Manor 3 Light Wall Mount $150

I keep going back and forth, but right now I'm slightly leaning towards #2 (Minka) because it has a black finish as opposed to the darkened copper. Since our furniture is black and I want to do polished nickel door hardware, I'm not crazy about the idea of throwing another metal finish into the mix. The fact that the backplate is mounted higher on the fixture is also swaying my vote. #1 might sit too close to the fascia.

But, I love that the Shades of Light fixture is made in America (the Minka one is China). And maybe the antiqued copper will look pretty black?

Here are some quickly Photoshopped mock-ups of what each would look like:

What's your vote? I'm totally rooting for the Shades of Light one because it's made in the USA, but the finish and size are potential problems. I so wish I could see both in person! Unfortunately no showroom in Dallas has the Minka one on the floor and Shades of Light is catalog/internet only.

Affordable Fabric Sources

2013-04-10T11:44:00.003-05:00

The cost of high quality fabric can be crippling for many budgets. At $50+ per yard (not to mention minimum yardage requirements), a relatively insignificant project can become an expensive one. While I'm a pretty strong advocate for spending extra for the good stuff because it typically looks/wears much better, I understand that there are places where it just doesn't make sense. For instance, I don't often use premium textiles in kids rooms and nurseries or for accents like shower curtains or dog beds. But when sourcing fabric for a major element like a living room ottoman, then I definitely stick with textiles that are truly upholstery-weight because the cost of adding backing to a cheaper fabric often defeats the purpose.

So if you're on the hunt for well priced fabric options for a small budget project, then check out Pink Chalk Fabrics. They have a section of home decor weight fabrics that includes lots of fun prints like these...

Anna Maria Horner Field Study Linen Parenthetical Porpourri - Trenna Travis Bekko Billow Kiwi

Fab Mod Dot - Trenna Travis Bekko Tatami Slate

Trenna Travis Bekko Swell Navy - Amy Butler Alchemy Fairy Tale Sky LAMINATED

Trenna Travis Bekko Thin Stripe Kiwi - Trenna Travis Bekko Swirl Aqua

Lotta Jansdotter Glimma Kulla Slate - Trenna Travis Bekko Parquet Coral

Another good source is City Craft, which is local for me here in Dallas. Thanks to the super talented and hip owner Callie, they have an awesome selection of modern styles including neons, metallic linens, and graphic prints. Check out their Home Decor fabric if you're looking for sturdier weights for small upholstery projects. Here is a tiny sampling of what CC offers:

Ikat - Cherry Fuchsia Pink

Artemis Chartreuse - Beaded Chain Cornflower - ZigZag Coral

I love Bear Hike print or Penguins Blue for a boy's room

I hope that's helpful for some of you. If anyone out there has other recommendations, please share! I store most of my favorites fabrics on this Pinterest board and I usually put bargain options that are suited for kid spaces on this one.