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
Emerald green may have been Pantone’s official color of 2013, but I think this shade is more timeless than trendy. Paired with gold or a classic black and white palette, emerald green is a guaranteed success. 1) Bestor Architecture 2) Show Home 3) Edison Avenue 4) Elle Decor 5) Bella Mumma
Four-poster beds are a traditional favorite, but recently they are coming back in a big way. They add a touch of grandeur and solidity to any bedroom. Sources: 1) Amelia T. Handegan 2) Style At Home 3) Parker Palm Springs Hotel 4) Oly Studio 5) Elle Decor 6) Charlotte Moss via Mark D. Sikes
Hillary Thomas has the market cornered on lamp finials. Look at these gorgeous specimens! Sources: <1> <2> <3> <4>
We all know guys like my recent clients: three bachelors who have been out of college for a number of years, but their apartment is still outfitted with broken Ikea furniture and family hand-me-downs. My clients had a very small budget for decor, but they knew it was time for an upgrade. So I gave them a quick and dirty living room overhaul. When I design on a budget, I like to outline general parameters for the room without setting my heart on anything too specific. In this case, I wanted to create a sophisticated, but unfussy space, filled with natural materials and vintage accents. My first purchase was a vintage leather couch on Craigslist for $400. I love the warm medium tone of the leather. We paired the couch with a grey loveseat, which we found at Target for $430. The tailored look of the loveseat is a nice balance to the informality of the leather couch, but the loveseat’s …
Ceramic garden stools can do a little bit of everything. Indoor or outdoor. Side table or extra seating. Or simply a beautiful accessory. Ceramic is also a lovely counterweight to more common textures like wood and upholstery. Sources: 1) Horchow 2) 1stdibs 3) Christie’s 4) Amazon 5) One Kings Lane 6) One Kings Lane 7) Instyle Decor 8) Scully & Scully
I bought this desk at an old mill in Lawrence, MA. The base is from a vintage industrial Singer sewing machine, and the top is a solid piece of reclaimed wood. It would make a perfect desk or console table.
I found this sweet little bentwood bench at an antique store last weekend. Luckily the caning is in perfect condition. I think this piece would be the perfect addition to a foyer.
I have always loved the look of ebonized cerused, or limed, oak. The overall finish is a deep black, while the wood grain is filled with white pigment. The sharp contrast accentuates oak’s beautiful grain patterns and creates a high-end, glamorous look. This finish can be achieved in any color combination, but the classic black and white is my personal favorite. This technique was originally developed in the 16th century as a way to protect wood from insects. Its popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, peaking in art deco and midcentury interiors. I followed Lynne Rutter’s wonderful tutorial over at The Ornamentalist. My table had a cerused finish originally, so I had to take a few extra steps to prep the surface. Two pieces of advice on this technique: Firstly, it is essential to create an absolutely clean surface to work with because aniline dye will not absorb through old varnish or residue. Starting with an unfinished piece would …