Nostalgia or Its Pursuit

Wreaths in a Row

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 07:29:00 +0000

Up above is my first decorating of the holiday season! I thought I'd start early so that I can do a little bit each week before Christmas. The star of this little display is my take on the traditional Christmas wreath; there's three of them, they're small, they're framed, and they couldn't be easier to make!

I was so charmed by these cute mini wreaths at the craft store, that I felt I needed to present them in a more special way than just hanging them on a door. I had a vision of them in shadow boxes, and I must say, the result is as special as I expected!

I lined the frame backs with neutral striped wrapping paper to add some contrast and shine, and hot-glued the wreaths directly on the backs. The wreaths really stand out against the white, and are perfectly festive.

I love them standing on the mantel as opposed to hanging on a wall - they take up enough surface area to create a full mantel, but maintain a streamlined clutter-free look.

The candle goblets and samovar reinforce the colours of the display, while the garland mimics the berries in the wreaths and adds a bit more festive glint!

Bring on the holiday spirit...

From Russia with Love, and Something Like It

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 02:25:00 +0000

This here makes 2/3 of my posts so far - about rugs! I never knew I had so much to say about them until now. The reason I am posting about rugs again is because of a specific collection, one that I can't believe I forgot to mention before - the one that epitomizes a modern-traditional aesthetic, and should have been #1 on my list to discuss!

Behold: "From Russia with Love" by Jan Kath. I went to an event at Colin Campbell this past summer and saw these rugs for the first time - displayed vertically in all their giant glory. It was love at first sight...

Jan gets the inspiration for his rug designs from traditional motifs and reinterprets them in a modern way - this collection is obviously no exception. Taking inspiration from traditional folk textiles, Jan has created very contemporary interpretations of slavic floral designs...ones that I would one day like to get my hands on.

I didn't bother inquiring about the cost of such a rug, knowing that it is well out of my reach (and comprehension), but I haven't been able to forget those designs and the impact they would have in a room.

Similar rug used at Kate Spade New York

"The look for less" is something most of us want, and I've found a couple of alternatives for these gorgeous rugs. Good old Anthropologie's got the look, and in 4 different sizes!

Gloria's Garden Rug

Want the look for even less? Check out Urban Outfitters. Agreed, the less the cost, the less the rug resembles the real deal - but it's still a contemporary floral with traditional roots...right?

It's only $44!

Bouquet Rug

Fabric Story

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:28:00 +0000

While I impatiently wait for the coming weekend so I can complete my DIY project, I have been spending my evenings (and late, late nights) developing ideas for a fabric line that I will launch for accent cushions. Why am I blogging about this?

Well because this collection is inspired by Russian folk art! Though I don't aim to persuade anyone to get rid of their nesting dolls, or replace a teacup with a pillow, I want to create a line of textiles that is reminiscent of these iconic souvenirs, and reflective of Russian heritage.

In case you are wondering - the cushions will not be in the shape of dolls, and will not have images of spoons on them or anything too cliche...so far.

Aside from the predictable inspiration above, there are two other sources that I want to draw from;

#1) Old houses of the Russian countryside. If I say anymore I will give too much away. All I can say is - I love them!

#2) The art, colours, and simplicity of Soviet times. Okay that's also predictable, but if that doesn't appeal to most, I'm not sure what will.

Original photo via PictureofRussia.net

I wish I could share the designing process, but I won't. I just hope it doesn't take too long, and that in the end there will be a design and cushion to satisfy everyone's taste!

Art from the Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 06:01:00 +0000

Art - a room is never really complete without it. If you're having a hard time choosing an artist or photographer to start your art collection, why not look to your own belongings first?

A lot of the items stashed away in our storage rooms can actually be displayed on our walls instead. Take a tip from these clever designers and bloggers and display some personal or sentimental items - every time you look at them it will make you smile, and bring back a fond memory or two.

Here, Barbara Matson of hodge:podge created her interpretation of a plate collection. Instead of just displaying plates, she used her collection of new and heirloom dishes to frame two botanical prints, and crowned the installation with a carved gilt mirror. Unexpected and beautiful!

Via hodge:podge

If you're committed to the sentimental route, consider framing some old family letters (if you're lucky enough to have them, probably in a shoe box). Make a collection of the most interesting letters - unifying the look with similar frames. The old penmanship and patina on the paper will give an old-world charm and would be perfect in a den or home office...just make sure you're not displaying anything too personal!

Via Pink Wallpaper

I've had this image below in my inspiration folder for a long time. The graphic and bright nature of these handkerchiefs make them perfect to display as art, and the simple framing really lets the prints shine.

Michael Penney has a knack for creating vintage-casual vignettes that I love. I can imagine this cheery grid in an entry, mudroom, or kids bedroom. Even if you don't have a collection of your grandmother's handkerchiefs, this is an inexpensive project to achieve - check local thrift stores often and you can score great authentic textiles at a low cost.

Via Michael Penney Style

This is quite unconventional, and wouldn't have a place in every room, but is a great alternative to art if you're on a budget (and have a lot of jewellery). Display an eclectic mix of earrings and necklaces in different style and colour frames. A lot of earrings can be quite bold and colourful, and the great thing about this is that you can mix and match, and change the display as often as you desire!

DIY via Camille Styles

This last image, of textile designer Bev Hisey's bedroom, showcases just how creative you can get with art. She has chosen to display her collection of wooden machine-making moulds above the bed. The strong graphic shapes and variation of colour and texture are such a striking focal point that she has forgone the headboard! I love it.

Via Design*Sponge

Breader Believe It!

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 00:16:00 +0000

I love bread - glorious, fresh, steaming hearty bread! Apart from being my indulgence, bread is also an important part of slavic culture. Traditionally, guests were greeted with a round loaf of braided dough and salt, and this "kalach" bread is a symbol of luck and prosperity, and served at various ritual meals.

Karavay, another traditional bread predominantly made for weddings, gave the name to an artisan bakery that is serving up traditional Russian and Eastern European delights in style!

Karavay was established a year ago in London England, and bakes products the traditional way, using authentic Russian and Eastern European ingredients.

What excites me just as much as the loaves, buns and pies, is how beautifully ico design developed an aesthetic that is contemporary but clearly reflects the heritage and tradition of Eastern Europe.

"Red, the national colour of Russia, was chosen as the brand colour and both the illuminated letter used for the ‘K’ logo and the pattern created to embellish marketing materials were inspired by Slavic artwork...

...A strong emphasis on the use of natural materials is evident throughout the store — from brown paper carrier bags, to linen staff aprons and handwritten price tags, all chosen to complement the honest ingredients used by the bakery. ico worked with architects 31/44 to develop a warm and welcoming interior, perfectly echoing the brand values. The open plan shop seeks to create a market experience — wooden crates and wicker baskets feature as part of the décor, allowing the customer to chose from an array of openly displayed breads." - Josie Price via Identity Designed

I hope to one day visit this place that combines three of my great loves - design, Russian tradition, and bread - but for now, I will have to make do with Cobs. Mmmm, cranberry-custard danish...

D1Y - Girl's Entertainment Unit

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 02:14:00 +0000

I went on a trip to the dollar store recently in search of push pins, but instead found a box I fell in love with. The pattern was very pretty and distantly reminded me of the Russian head dresses (kokoshniks).

I really had no need for another box, but my hungry eyes made me buy it!

Very shortly I was perusing Craigslist as I do occasionally (or regularly, whatever), and stumbled on an entertainment unit. Despite it being a new century, many of us still possess these unsightly things...

This one was is very good shape surprisingly, and was just calling to be made over. I answered its call and in the end, not only did I get this unit free - but the owner even delivered it to my house!

It goes without saying that this "beauty" will be the vessel for a design inspired by my dollar store find.

And to kick off my design plan I picked up a few more key pieces: A mini-ornate mirror in the same electric cyan as the box, an antique silver tray, and a set of petal gift wrap. *Spoiler: There will be no gift wrapping.*

Stay tuned to see how I use the gift wrap, and how this budget project turns out!

Modern Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 08:48:00 +0000

I must tailgate my previous post on kilims with a contrasting one: Rugs do not necessarily need to be reinterpreted to work in a modern space. To demonstrate this, here are a few interiors that have used the traditional rug in a traditional way, and have maintained a beautifully modern look!

First up is a loft dining room designed by Sarah Richardson. Trust Sarah to make a rug on the wall look contemporary and stylish - it's art, it's character, it's warmth, it's perfect!

This next example is the Moscow apartment of Dmitriy Samokhin (director of Russian's NTV Plus). Two-storey windows bring in maximum light and airiness to the high-contrast interior. The home is decidedly minimalist and modern, but the rugs on the floor inject a subtle air of traditional style and help to add a cozy factor to the large open space.

Via ELLE Decor

And the last interior - a Philadelphia townhouse - displays an industrial-modern aesthetic all made from salvaged materials, and built by homeowner and carpenter Jayme Guokas. This bare-bones lounge is reminiscent of a Russian sauna, and the rug (along with cushion upholstery) adds just enough colour and pattern to liven space.

Featured on Design*Sponge

Off the Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:52:00 +0000

For my first inspiration post I will have to borrow Margot Austin's (of House & Home magazine) recent post topic - Kilims. A kilim is a flat-woven rug...and there are few things more definitive of a Russian interior than a big rug displayed on a wall!

This decorating move was popularized in Soviet Russia as an efficient way to add warmth to often cold apartments. This staple of interior decoration has become synonymous with ex Soviet homes, and an element that would definitely help russ-o-fy a modern interior.

To bring this look up-to-date I would in most cases, definitely, take the rug off the wall! Lee Jofa's new fabric collections allows you to reimagine traditional rug patterns as upholstery, drapes or pillows.

A sofa or armchair upholstered in a bold kilim pattern makes a strong statement- it is also very forgiving to stains.

And for those who aren't as committed or adventurous, there are always toss cushions. Even one of these pillows is enough to make an impact on a neutral sofa or chair. The more cushions - the more impact!

etsy.com/shop/sukan

Motivation

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 08:59:00 +0000

With each visit back to Russia I get more and more disheartened by the dissipation of a Russian aesthetic (be it traditional, or Soviet) from today's interiors.

Most (if not all) renovations and new purchases try to achieve what is considered to be a modern "European" look, but the renovations are executed in a way that doesn't look as stylish as intended, and doesn't seem to suit the Russian lifestyle and its history.

There isn't a huge interior decor market in the slavic countries, and unfortunately the furniture industry in Russia hasn't progressed much since the "Euro Reno" craze of the 1990's- leading to cheap versions of European-style furniture and bulky styleless seating.

When I was faced with the aforementioned style faux pas again this summer, I started seriously thinking about what it is that makes a Russian interior "Russian";

the wallpaper, the glass chandeliers, a table tucked into the corner of the living room that's pulled in front of the sofa for parties?...

Maybe these and other essential elements - that have become so familiar to the everyday lives of regular Russians - can be reinterpreted to create beautiful and current interiors that still have a slavic and nostalgic essence. In this blog I will share my inspirations and ideas on how to help a contemporary home nod to slavic and soviet tradition.

Olya Thompson's House. Vogue Magazine.

The post to start all posts

noreply@blogger.com (Vera Summers) — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 10:26:00 +0000

My story begins in June 2006. Though I was studying psychology at university, I always had a keen interest in design. One summer morning, I woke up and found the new House & Home edition had been delivered. On the front page was the makeover done by one of the style editors which I instantly zoned in on. That headboard! That colour! It reminded me of Russian khokhloma - bright red, feminine curvilinear strokes; I automatically started dreaming up a room based off of the headboard as inspiration, and khokhloma as the concept. I thought, and I sketched, and I got very excited.

I needed to have those headboards.

I got in contact with the designer and explained to her that I had to have at least one of her headboards. She was very willing to sell them to me...but for an unreasonable (for my budget) amount. I considered it at first, but recovered from my frenzy and decided to put my design on hold.

Another sleepless night brought on by a design idea led me to an epiphany - this is what I should be doing with my life. I had been sketching rooms and kept awake by thoughts of painting and remodelling for years, how didn't I come to realize interior design is my path sooner? It didn't take me long to decide that I should withdraw from next semester's psych courses and apply to Design school, and I haven't looked back.

Though it took several years (5 to be exact) to find a similar headboard, and a willing client to implement my design, I finally got that dream room that led me here. Traditional and slightly contemporary, it's more than I hoped for that summer break from Psychology.

If it wasn't for that image in that magazine that morning, I might be blogging about my current Psych patients (only I would't because that's not ethical. I would be reading a psych book, or filing, or something)-- thank you, House & Home Magazine, for nudging me into the creative world of Interior Design!