Genevieve Gorder has long been one of my favorite HGTV designers. She always incorporates unique vintage pieces and Moroccan-inspired decor. HGTV recently aired Genevieve’s Renovation, a 6-part series documenting the transformation of her Manhattan apartment. Genevieve combined two separate apartments to create a roomy 2,400-square-foot space. It’s very satisfying to watch the process from start to finish and reminds me of some of Sarah Richardson’s excellent renovation specials, like Sarah’s House and Sarah’s Cottage. One of my favorite aspects of Genevieve’s renovation is her herringbone wood floors. The difference between herringbone and chevron is subtle, but significant. I prefer the look of herringbone anyway, but Genevieve makes a good point that the herringbone design is cheaper to install because it requires fewer cuts and thus less labor. Genevieve’s herringbone floors after installation. Genevieve painted her living room a rich black and allowed a select few pieces to anchor the space. Her guest bathroom features hand-painted tiles and brass fixtures. And I love the antique Moroccan door that she fitted to her bedroom …
Time for another bargain treasure! I found this gorgeous rattan vanity at a thrift shop for only $99, and it’s in perfect condition. I love the combination of simple, clean lines with the woven textures and natural color variation of the rattan. Of course, this piece could serve as a desk, but to me it looks like the ideal vanity. I would pair it with a small Hollywood Regency vanity bench.
I have been seeing fish scale patterns all over design blogs and magazines recently, and I have a feeling they are going to be a big new trend. Of course, this isn’t the first time fish scales were in vogue. They were a standard feature of art deco design– see Coralie Bickford-Smith’s Great Gatsby cover for proof! One of the best aspects of this pattern is how different it feels depending on its orientation. There is no “right side up,” so it can be arranged in any direction. I recommend giving this look a try! 1) I adore these fish scale iron gates 2) Gold stainless steel fish scale tiles would make a stunning backsplash or bathroom. Blue fish scale tile. Corteo 4 pattern from Tabarka Studio’s Palio Collection. I love the color gradations and texture in these hand-painted tiles. 1) This emerald wallpaper from Mimou reminds me of ginkgo leaves. 2) The Collect cabinet from A2 is overlayed with leather fish scales.
White is the default color for molding, doors, and window casements, but I think black trim can be a showstopper. It’s bold, graphic, and eye-catching. Check out these stunning examples. Lonny Mag via DecorPad. via Lonny Mag. Elle Decor via Lauri Jones Home. 1) Division Street 2) Apartment Therapy.
I have been reading a lot about ancient furniture lately, and it’s fascinating to trace iconic furniture designs to their roots in antiquity. Take for example the klismos chair, an Ancient Greek design circa the mid-fifth century BC. The klismos has a concave upper backrest and tapered legs that curve outwards. The seat was usually woven leather or some other cording, upon which sat a cushion or animal pelt. Our knowledge about klismoi has mostly been gleaned from depictions in carvings and other artwork. Depictions of klismoi in antiquity. Source: House Appeal. The klismos fell out of style during the Hellenistic period, in part due to a design flaw: without the support of stretchers, the outward curving legs eventually splay too far and break. Nevertheless European Neoclassicism returned the klismos to favor. Painter Jacques Louis-David commissioned klismoi as set props for his historical paintings. British-born Neoclassicist Benjamin Henry Latrobe helped insinuate this chair into American culture. Latrobe built a set of klismos chairs– with reinforcing stretchers– for the White …
Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of Scottish influence in interior design. The iconic Scottish style is of course plaid, but Scottish influence comes in many other forms: pheasant motifs, needlepoint hunting scenes, rich velvet sofas, and (faux!) mounted taxidermy. Here’s how to add a wee bit of Scotland to your home! Sources: 1) Braemore Phaesant Hunt Leather Fabric 2) Dark Green Tapestry Hunt Scene Pillow 3) Off-White Belgian Hunting Pillow 4) Lyre Chesterfield Sofa 5) 5th Avenue Throw in Breslin Plaid 6) Resin Stag Head 7) Cooper Navy Plaid Rug 8) Rustic Saltire Flag Pillow 9) Thomas Kay Weaver’s Plaid Pillow in Cedar Bark Sources: The Gifts of Life, Betsy Speert Sources: The Enchanted Home, Apartment Therapy Source: House Beautiful via Tartanscot
Cork is a natural material culled from the bark of Quercus suber (Cork Oak). Cork’s unusual set of characteristics– buoyancy, impermeability, elasticity, low density, and fire retardancy– make it the perfect material for many products. I particularly love cork flooring and wall coverings. It’s environmentally friendly, highly durable, and sound absorbent. Not to mention, cork is available in countless styles and designs. Elegenat cork wallpaper. Source: Pierre Yovanovitch via The D Pages. A traditional, natural cork wall covering lends itself well to mid-century modern decor. Source: Hartmann & Forbes. Anna French’s white cork wallpaper resembles birch bark. Thibaut’s Palm Springs Cork is stamped with a metallic gold overlay. Cork flooring comes in an endless array of colors. This pistachio sample via APC Cork. BBS-AG produces this chic white plank flooring.
There are few design elements I covet more than a library ladder. Of course they are functional, but there is something so dreamy and romantic about them. Check out some inspiration images below: Sources: 1) Book Riot 2) Indulgy 3) Rebloggy 4) Architectural Digest 5) Home Adore 6) Design by Milada 7) Las Cositas 8) Elements of Style
In my last post, I showed you the results of a master bedroom makeover. My clients had an existing Ikea Malm dresser that they wanted to keep; it was great storage, but not very stylish. So I decided to give it a makeover and I wanted to take you through the steps for achieving this look. First I roughed up the dresser’s slick finish with an 80-grit sanding block, which allows the primer to adhere better. I removed all the drawers, covered the edges with painter’s tape, and gave the piece one coat of Zinsser primer. Next I added two coats of Benjamin Moore’s Glacial Till, a light putty color. I bought 3/4″ panel molding from Lowe’s, and I expected to be able to have it cut down in store. Unfortunately they were only able to do straight 90-degree cuts, and I was looking for a 45-degree miter cut. I was about to rent a (gigantic!) table saw from Home Depot, but luckily the …
I just wrapped up a master bedroom makeover in Marina Del Rey, a beachside neighborhood in Los Angeles. My clients’ original decor was sparse: a matching dark wood bedroom set and a light Ikea Malm dresser. Their windows were dressed with vertical Venetian blinds, which had been installed by the landlord, and translucent black and cream floral curtains. My clients wanted their new bedroom to be sophisticated and tranquil. They asked for contemporary furnishings, a neutral backdrop, and pops of vivid color. Their existing furniture was functional, but they were missing a few key items: a workspace and a comfortable place to curl up with a book. My first recommendation was to buy a new bed. I am not a fan of matching bedroom sets because they lack personality and distinctive flavor. My clients kept gravitating towards inspiration images of upholstered headboards, so I suggested we go in that direction. I hired a local craftsman to make a custom winged headboard with deep, diamond button tufting and silver nailhead trim. We were able to hand …