I am a big fan of emerald green interiors, so it’s no surprise that malachite is one of my favorite patterns. Malachite exudes opulence and luxury. Products made with real malachite can be very expensive, but luckily the pattern is easy to replicate. Design blogs are full of DIY faux malachite painting techniques– something I would love to try one day– but in the meantime, I’m enjoying these inspiration images! Malachite wallpaper via Lonny. Malachite throw pillow via Etsy. 1) Malachite chair via Dwell Studio and 2) L’Objet dinner plates via Architectural Digest. 1940’s faux malachite dresser, which has been covered in Fornasetti wallpaper and then lacquered via 1st Dibs. Tony Duquette’s home via Architectural Digest.
Concrete furniture and accessories are more popular than ever, and it’s not hard to see why. The marriage of a tough, industrial material like concrete with clean, elegant lines is a winning combination. I love mixed material furnishings, so the pairing of concrete and wood or metal is right up my alley. Plus concrete is durable and long-lasting– although I’m sure it’s heavy as all get-out! Sources: 1) GIO 120 via Archiproducts 2) Kathy Kuo Home side table 3) Sunpan Devons coffee table 4) Target cement vases 5) Magnus Petterson desk set 6) Crump & Kwash Knightstand 7) CB2 dresser (This piece is actually wood, but it has the look of concrete!)
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 …
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.
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
I stopped by the Kips Bay Decorator Show House this afternoon at The Villard Houses in Midtown Manhattan. I wanted to share some of my favorite spaces from the showcase, and for those of you in New York, the house will be open through May 29th. A Moroccan-inspired sitting room by Alexa Hampton, photos 1 and 2 via Curbed, photo 3 via Architectural Digest. Cullman & Kravis’ rose gold bedroom — further proof of a new trend! Photo 1 via Architectural Digest. Photo 2 via the Anthony Lawrence. Young Huh’s powder room and lounge area, featuring fabric-covered walls and a velvet seating nook. Photo 1 via Yahoo! Homes. Photo 2 via Lonny.
Years ago, I bought an antique Victorian settee for my living room. It served me well, but after several years of heavy use, the original red velvet upholstery was faded and threadbare and the springs had become misaligned. I am never one to give up on an antique, so I decided to give this beauty a top to bottom makeover with the help of my local upholsterer. In the coming weeks, I will reveal the finished product; but for now, I’ll just say, it will be a dramatic change! Antique settees can seem dauntingly formal, but they need not look stuffy or staid. Rigid designs and heavy wood frames can be beautifully offset by modern prints, bold colors, and contemporary accents. Sources: 1) Jessica Helgerson Interior Design 2) Design Par Deux 3) The Yellow Cottage 4) Domaine Home 5) Old House Online 6) Style Me Pretty 7) Tokyo Jinja 8) reStyled by Valerie on Etsy
In Colonial America, pineapples, then an exotic and expensive import, were considered a symbol of friendliness and hospitality. To this day, pineapples often adorn gardens and gateposts as a way to welcome guests. But pineapples are a great decorative motif anywhere in your house– a fun, graphic accent and a message of hospitality to all your visitors. Here are a few ways to bring pineapples into your decor: 1) Brass Candlestick Sconces 2) Mid-Century Wooden Dish 3) Pineapple Print 4) Adelphi Paper Hangings 5) Ice Bucket 6) Pillow
Call me crazy, but I have been lusting after pink couches lately– especially on traditional shapes, like an English rolled arm sofa. Go for dusty rose if you want a more subtle look or bubblegum pink if you’re looking for an impact. 1) Style Court 2) The Neotraditionalist 3) Ballard Design 4) Absolutely Beautiful Things 5) The Designer’s Attic