Design by Congoleum-Nairn Inc. - a linoleum and rug company

Learning from the past can often be a good thing.  I was leafing through one of my vintage design books, “The Doubleday Book of Interior Decorating” by Albert Kornfeld and found some great photos that back up this point.  The book was published in 1965, and it is a great reminder that, just like fashion, if you wait long enough the trend will come right back around. 

The den/guest bedroom shown above draws me right in because this color combination is very popular today.  The rug provides a large block of color that serves as the perfect backdrop for the striped and floral fabrics.   The look is bold and crisp against the white woodwork.  The canopy roman shade gives a fresh, beachy look while drawing your eye out the window (a view of the Golden Gate Bridge always helps!).  The only items that clue us in on the date are the patio furniture and size of the paper lantern, which I would scale back a bit.

Room by Jerome Manashaw, A.I.D./William Grigsby

While the color palette of this living room is a bit more dated, I chose it because of the quality of the individual elements.  A very warm and vibrant room that was the epitome of modern at this time.  First of all, I love the Danish modern server in the background with the collection of photos above.  They provide visual interest and the colors are well balanced.  The rug does not catch my fancy but the coffee table is perfect to show the pattern off.  The chairs and sofa work well together with similar back heights and lines.  If you tweaked the color palette, the rug and flooring, you’d be surprised at the change.  Just check out the black and white version below to see the difference.

The black & white version of this room allows you to appreciate the design without being distracted.

Please feel free to share any past decorating memories you have from the house you grew up in or one you decorated yourself.   I would love to hear your thoughts!

“Home is the most popular, and will be the most enduring of all earthly establishments.”  ~Channing Pollack

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Exotic red, orange and purple/blue Bird of Paradise flowers make this sink design a colorful addition to the powder room.

Looking for the finishing touch for your Powder Room?  I have just the thing.  The Decorated Porcelain Company creates one-of-a-kind decorated vitreous china bathroom sinks, toilets, tiles and accessories.  I thought I would share some photos to give you a taste.  They have a comprehensive selection of designs to choose from or they can create a custom piece to match a pattern or color of your choosing.

This little bit of leopard adds a bit of elegance without overwhelming the space.

A fun touch for the gaming family.

The decorations can only be applied to new fixtures and they are happy to help you make your selection.  Most designs can be applied to undermount, vessel or drop-in sinks.  The pieces will stand up to regular use, just don’t use abrasive cleaners.  Check out their FAQ for any other questions you may have.  They are clear with their pricing information and you can order tile samples to get a feel for the finished product.  This is yet another way that you can create a truly custom look like an interior designer!

Check out the Decorated Porcelain Company!

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We are happy to announce that the winner of the $100 Gift Certificate to Viva Terra is Shirley from Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania!  Shirley was very excited and her prize is on its way.  If you want to be the next Big Winner, then be sure to Enter our latest Giveway for a $100 gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond!

Bookworm

The inspiration for today’s post is my overflowing bookshelf.  I love to read for pleasure and will gladly pass books on to my friends so that they can enjoy them too.  However, I am very protective of my design books.  They are great for reference and inspiration and if I do lend them out, the borrower gets a friendly email reminder of the due date. :-) 

These books will help you answer those nagging questions:

• What are some interesting options for window treatments?
• What type of banister would look best in my Victorian Home?
• How do I highlight the artwork featured above my fireplace?

So consider a small investment that may help you avoid a blunder ot two. Even the most creative people get stuck and they are great to browse through.

The only book on the list that I recommend that you read cover to cover is Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by WIlliam McDonough and Michael Braungart.  McDonough is a famous architect from Charlottesville, Virginia that works with a variety of clients including Herman Miller, The Gap and on a variety of Green residential projects.  Braungart is a genius chemist who teaches in Germany and serves on many environmental protection boards.  They both have accomplishments too numerous to mention so check out their websites for more information.  I promise that this book will get you thinking about how everything in your environment is made and the fact that recycling is not the highest good.  We need to make products so that when their useful life is over they can provide nourishment for something new.  The ideas and projects they propose are not just fascinating, they are real and some of the most innovative companies in the world are putting them into action.

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The Rowan Crib in Antique White is a great, basic style. I recommended upgrading to the luxury crib mattress.

Did you know that right now we have 550 companies in My Secret Database?  Pretty good, huh?  My aim from the start has been to weed through the oodles of online shops and give you my best professional recommendations.  I include a mix of familiar retailers with the smaller ”Designer Secrets” that you are less likely to find on your own.  All sites are carefully reviewed and categorized.  I look for a creative and thorough product selection, user friendliness and solid customer service options.  Only the best make the cut.  I am adding a couple of new vendors each week but unfortunately some sites fall by the wayside and one such favorite did this week.

Brocade Home was well-known for their laser cut furniture such as the headboard above.

On the Losing Side - Brocade Home is a catalog and online company that carried items that had a feminine, romantic feel mixed with crisp, modern colors.  It was started by Restoration Hardware and was a nice contrast to their classic buttoned-up look.   Unfortunately, after two years in the furniture arena, they seem to have closed their doors.  If you go to their website, there is a message that thanks you for your patronage but indicates that they are no longer taking orders.  Rumor has it that new investors took over Restoration Hardware and they are cleaning house. 

Very pretty collection for a sophisticated young lady.

But on the Winning Side - The Stork has arrived!  If Restoration Hardware is your go-to spot for furniture, lighting and accessories, then I am sure the “mini-you” will find the selection at Restoration Hardware Baby & Child delightful.  They carry all the basics: furniture, bedding, lighting & decor.  There are seven styles in the crib collection that are tested to the highest JPMA standards.  Everything comes in coordinating colors and with customized options such as monogramming and a selecting the lamp shade of your choice. 

My gripes:  I realize they are trying to continue their brand identity but I think they wimped out on the colors a bit.  This is pastel to the extreme and they are a little late on the chocolate brown/pastel trend.  They have conversion kits for the cribs but the styles don’t translate well. 

The solid colors give you flexibility and the border on the drapery gives it a finished look.

Overall, I am most impressed with the one-stop-shop window treatment options.  They have various lengths of basic drapery panels in many colors with the valance and shade options as well as hardware.  It makes it simple.

As a welcome gift, they will give you a $100 gift certificate if you create a registry online.  It can be used toward any purchase of $400 or more.  Make sure you register before September 18th!

Make sure to enter our Giveaway for a $100 gift certificate today!

Cocktail hour is making a huge comeback and I can see why.  It’s a relaxing and affordable way to spend time at home with friends and family.  I enjoy a good cocktail as much as the next person but I am a bit of a light-weight, so I usually nurse the same drink for 2 hours.  This gives me ample time to take in my surroundings and come back to you with inspired ideas. 

Butler tray tables are enormously useful pieces of furniture that can float from room to room because they are light and mobile.  Here are some of my top picks in a variety of styles: 

The Bauer Stiles Brothers Butler Tray Table is made from mahogany and rattan. It converts easily into a coffee table and has an Exotic edge.

Here are my top recommendations on how to use this multipurpose piece:

1. Bar table
2. End table
3. Night stand
4. Out on the deck near the BBQ grill
5. Holiday dinner overflow table
6. Hors d’oeuvre tray
7. Holiday wrapping, ribbon and tape station
8. Breakfast in Bed

A beautiful side or accent table design with a white lacquer tray, from Jonathan Adler.

Cherry Blossom Tray Table in Ebony and Gold from Horchow

Tray tables are a sensible and useful addition to your home furnishings collection.  A great investment piece that you will use time after time.  Search My Secret Database to find one that’s just your style!

A lightweight option from CB2.

The Maitre D' Table from Pierre Deux is made from alder with a distressed walnut finish.

***Note of clarification! Butler Tray tables are quite different from the TV tray tables that typically come in sets of 4.  They are purchased singly, are a lot more stylish and most times the tray can be removed from its stand.

Make sure to enter our Giveaway for a $100 gift certificate today!

Attention everyone!  I have a great Design Secret to share with you today.  Over the past few years some of the companies that were previously “to the trade only” have changed their tune and are also selling directly to the public.  The big move toward Internet shopping has given them a convenient venue to sell their wares.  These companies are not the kind you are going to see advertised in home magazines but that’s where you are lucky to have me, because I will give you the latest scoop! 

The standard White Bisque finish on sconce #903 is a beautiful contrast against the bold wallpaper.

Today I am featuring a company called Fabby Lighting.  Ian Arthur, a Scottish artist, moved to LA in the 1980’s and planned to build on his strength of creating interesting ceramic vases which he sold on the Boardwalk and the gift shops of Venice Beach.  Then a friend asked him to handcraft lighting for her home and that’s where the story begins.  The company now makes over 350 designs of earthenware clay fixtures and they are incredibly versatile. They feature indoor and outdoor lighting, sconces, pendents and overhead lights.  They are lovely in the standard off-white bisque finish but you can also paint them yourself for a customized look.  Any water-based paint will do, not primer necessary.

Why choose one? This child's rooms features a cowboy and a dog sconce.

From Classic to Modern, the choice of fixtures is amazing!  And so are the light patterns cast on your wall that create great mood and drama in any room.  Personally, I love the motifs they have for children which are very subtle and childlike but not too cutesy.   Give Fabby a look, I am confident you will like their style, pricing and versatility.

Fabby #49 adds a graceful and modern touch.

Shop at Fabby Lighting here!

Make sure to enter our Giveaway for a $100 gift certificate today!

The Empire Poster Bed from the Trump Home Central Park Collection. Comb-over not included.

Home Furnishings dealers are going to do whatever they can to get your attention and lately it seems they are relying heavily on the names of famous people and places, both past and present.  Years ago, furniture was furniture.  It was named by the style or its period in history and your purchasing decision was usually based on three things:  your taste, your budget, and perhaps what your neighbors had.  But now the market has exploded and because it is so tremendously gargantuan, furniture companies are using familiar names to gain favor with customers.  In my eyes, some of the connections are logical while others seem way off base.  Having said that, I thought that the topic was worth exploring in more detail.

Tommy Bahama Curacao Reef Round Dining Table and Chairs

The Logical

Certain celebrities or famous places have a unique style all their own that others would like to replicate in their own homes.

Tommy Bahama has 6 collections with Lexington Home Brands:  Bungalow, Curacao Reef, Jimbaran Bay, Kingstown, Rumba Del Sol, and Tommy Bahama Home.  Through their clothing line, they have quite successfully portrayed an image of easy island living.  This translates well into the furnishings lines which are featured in their retail clothing stores.

The Ernest Hemingway Collection from Thomasville has a lot of exotic details built into solid-looking, traditional furniture.  Hemingway was a gifted writer who traveled the world on exciting expeditions and this resonates with people.

The Cindy Crawford Home Hudson Cardinal 7 Piece Living Room from Rooms to go. I doubt Cindy's living room has a similar look.

The Barbie Dream Home

Forgive my cynicism but what exactly is the connection between a super-model and a furniture line?  The short answer:  There is none.  Wake up, people.  Not only have women been sold a bill of goods when it comes to how we are supposed to look, act and dress, but now these same women are going to tell me what they think I should put in my home.  Sorry, sister, I’m not buying it.

The Cindy Crawford Home Collection from Rooms to Go comes to mind first because the television commercials are particularly annoying.  Cindy’s strutting down a runway and then tells us that her experience as an international super-model has logically morphed into her becoming a home furnishings expert.  Oh Paleeeze!

Kathy Ireland has licensed her name out to so many companies that it’s difficult to keep track.  Desks at Staples, lamps, rugs, carpeting, candles, socks (not kidding) and exercise videos.  She is seriously working the magic of her name.  But I don’t really get what the Kathy Ireland look is.

The Elway Home Classic Motion Sectional from Bassett. Ah, the allure of your husband and his friends getting a little more comfortable.

The Locker Room

For the men who are in on the furniture purchasing decisions in their home, the manufacturers know that sports figures will turn their head.

The Palmer Home Collection from Lexington Home Brands has been around quite a while and has enjoyed widespread appeal among women and men.  It used to be a solid American traditional line with heavy influence from his North Carolina home.  But now, they also have the Palm Canyon (think Palm Springs) line with a heavy Mediterranean look.  I guess you cannot expect Arnie to stay in NC in the winter:-)

Elway Home from Bassett Funiture is sure to attract some attention.  In their words: “Rugged good looks, stunning craftsmanship and comfort inspired by legendary Hall of Fame Quarterback and CEO of Elway Home, John Elway”.  Entertainment centers that hold big screen TV’s, coffee tables that don’t show scuffs from shoes and sectionals that cradle your body in comfort during those Sunday 12 hour football marathons.  All the elements for a man-cave paradise!

So, there you have it.  A sampling of what the celebs are doing to get their piece of the home furnishings pie.  Please let me know what you think of Celebrity Branding and if it has any impact on your shopping or purchasing decisions.  I am curious.

~Lorrie

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The Viva Terra Entwined Root Table is 30% off right now.

We are kicking off our Giveaway program with a $100 gift certificate from Viva Terra.  They are one of my top sources in My Secret Database for items that are stylish and Eco-Friendly.  The table above is a great example of the imaginative items they have to offer.

Foyers are great place to feature a special table.  It gets maximum exposure as guests come through the door and it can offer a bit of a departure from other furnishings in your home without being out of place.  I love how this table looks like it’s growing from the ground up!

Enter our Fantastic Giveway here!

Good luck!
~Lorrie

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What is resilient flooring?  It’s one of those materials that people kinda, sorta understand.  I wanted to explore it further with you because these days it’s offering some interesting design options.  First of all, resilient flooring is a broad term used for a few different kinds of flooring that you may be more familiar with, for example linoleum, vinyl and cork.   By definition it refers to flooring material which has a relatively firm surface but that also has some give and “bounces back” after objects of heavy weight have been moved.  It has long been used in many commercial environments, such as schools and health-care facilities, because of it’s many positive qualities:  it’s durable, comfortable under foot, good looking, long lasting, cost effective and relatively easy to install. 

The Cork Collection has a clean and modern Swedish look to it but it's not real cork.

The stone is really handsome and warmer on the feet than porcelain tile.

In the past, homeowners have used it mainly in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and foyers.  For a while, it was not very stylish and the first thing that was ripped out when moving into a new home.  Homeowners got bored with the muted colors and flecked designs, though I have always loved a great black and white checkerboard pattern!  The reason I am talking about it today is that quite a few companies have really stepped it up with the style options and it’s definitely worth a second look.  Armstrong, in particular, has come out with it’s MODE Flooring collection and I bet you will be surprised at the cool options being offered.

I love the mix and match options, they are endless!

Most of the styles come in 16″x16″ tiles and some of the wood styles come in 6″x36″ planks.  You can mix and match the tiles to create whatever look suits you.  This is a very affordable way of getting a custom tile look at a fraction of the price.  You can have it installed using traditional adhesive if you are confident that you are going to stick with the floor for a while.  Or you can use Quick Tac if you want an “easy down/easy up” option. Either way, it’s worth considering for your next flooring project!

The Planks Collection has a warm, rustic look.

Shop for a variety of flooring options in My Secret Database!

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Antique & Eco-Friendly

The Canaan settee from Arhaus - Regular $1,899, now on sale for $1,359 and availabe in over 400 fabrics.

Beach House

The Nicki Collection from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is a 17 piece collection that is filled with white-goose down blend. It's relaxed slip covers give it a chic Beach House look.

Classic

The Delaney sofa from Restoration Hardware is available in 72 different fabrics and on sale with prices starting at $2,220.

Country & Casual

The Triomphe sofa from Pierre Deux features a woven floral fabric and is $2,995.

Exotic

The light upholstery against the wicker frame give the Excursions sofa from Lane Venture an exotic yet liveable look.

Modern

THe Shelterback Sofa from West Elm is sophisticated, modern and simple at $1,999.

Mountain Retreat

The Morris Sofa from Lexington (The World of Bob Timberlake) has a rugged frame and muted fabric that would be at home in a cabin by the woods.

Have a good weekend and shop for your perfect sofa in My Secret Database!

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