My Design Secrets

One of my favorite prints is Ocean Breezes. A more classic take on the brown and blue combo with both colors having a gently worn feeling.

My Design Secrets is the perfect outlet for my obsessive habit of collecting decorating sources.  Even with a busy design practice, and the homes of my friends and family, I still have overflowing amounts of advice and sources that are here for the taking!  Today I stumbled onto a site that makes me giddy.  Saffron Marigold carries exotic, handmade, eco-friendly bedding and linens that are bursting with gorgeous colors and good Karma to boot! 

A versatile tablecloth that goes from everyday to festive and then just throw it in the wash.

This black and white shower curtain lends some modern flair to this traditional paisley.

The owner, Anisha, is a girl after my own heart.  She has a Masters degree in Human Resources but her love of Indian Textiles was so overwhelming  that it led her to create Saffron Marigold.   It’s a small business run out of Petaluma, California that has a large heart that extends over the Indian Ocean and into Pune, India where the magic happens.  All of their products are hand-crafted according to traditional block printing techniques and each piece is an original work of art distinguished by the work of the artisan, the particular lot of dye, and even varying weather conditions.  They work with a couple of artisan studios with whom they have a close relationship.  They visit the studios to make sure they follow Fair Trade practices that Saffron Marigold values, as well as helping the craftspeople become more economically self-sufficient.

These white lace curtain panels are perfect for a soft touch that's a bit more sophisticated than most country curtains.

A 17" x 17" pillow cover is only $19.99. This is the most stylish sofa makeover bargain you are going to get!

With a broad selection of bedding, shower curtains, table linens, pillow covers, and sheer curtains you are sure to find something to spice up your home.  Cool blue and turquoise, spicy saffron and cinnamon, and breezy white on white. You can shop by the item or by prints with names like Lavender Dreams, Paisley Au Lait or Memories of Shalimar.  You will enjoy browsing the site and the fantastic prices are a wonderful bonus.

Enjoy!

~Lorrie

This Crewel Bench would make a beautiful accent in a foyer or hallway. I love the natural colors and nailhead trim.

Crewelwork is a very odd name for a particularly beautiful fabric.  This method of embroidery dates back at least 1,000 years; where it was used on tapestries.  Ususally crafted in wool, the embroidery stitches follow a pattern or outline that has been applied to the fabric with chalk, water soluble ink or iron-on designs.  Where does the word crewel come from?  Well, the exact origin is unknown but is thought to have come from an ancient word describing the curl in the wool used.

The crisp crewel accent pillow on top pairs nicely with other cotton prints.

An example of an intricate crewelwork pattern from the 1940's. You can really see the detail in the stitching.

Linen Source always manages to give you super affordable fashion. This tropically inspired King duvet cover is on sale for $34!

This traditional style of fabric was most often seen in interiors that featured more of a Jacobean motif (think castles, kings and ladies in waiting).  Over the years, it has resurfaced in more modern applications.  Lately, I have seen a lot of crewel work in light, bright patterns that are open and airy.  The detailed nature of crewelwork makes it interesting and adds nice texture to bedding, pillows and draperies.  Because it’s wool and raised off the surface of the fabric, it can be a little scratchy and not something you’d want touching your skin.  It’s best used on benches, chairs, throw pillows and bedspreads.  But not the ones you pull up to cuddle with.    

This tone-on-tone look from Williams Sonoma is a subtle and classic way to use crewel.

Layla Grace carries these crisp and refreshing drapery panels from Pine Cone Hill. A heavy fabric always looks lighter in bright tones.

I love this graphic print from Pottery Barn. A modern take on crewel.

One of the most compelling books that I have read in the last several years is Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by authors William McDonough & Michael Braungart.  Guided by the principle that waste equals food, McDonough, an architect, and Braungart, a chemist, explain how products can be designed from the outset so that, after their useful lives, they will provide nourishment for something new.

Using a cherry tree as an example, they note how “wasteful” it is.  Each year it dumps a great pile of fruit and leaves on the ground to rot.  But all of this waste goes back into nature to be reborn as new trees, bacteria, and other parts of the natural ecosystem.  According to the authors, we should try to emulate this natural system instead of replicating the “cradle to grave” model that has been so popular since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.

The following video, which I highly encourage you take the time to watch, has William McDonough asking what our buildings and products would look like if designers took into account “all children, all species, for all time.” 
 

It is nice to know that there are forward thinking companies that have already instituted the cradle to cradle design philosophy.  Take a look at these beautiful pillows from LoooLo Textiles.

Every pillow or blanket  the company makes uses hand and machine knit biodegradable textiles.  You can even throw them in your composter at the end of their useful lives and they will biodegrade within one year.  That is truly eco-friendly!

Are you following me on twitter?

~ Lorrie

Today’s giveaway is sponsored by Jenny Lee-Katz Designs.  Born in Wales, Jenny Lee-Katz is an award winning textile designer.  Now, working from her own studio in Pennsylvania, Jenny offers a variety of collections and standard products including pillows and eco-friendly floor cloths. 

The beauty of the Welsh coast line, and a photograph of a seagull taken on a visit to Newport, Rhode Island, inspired many of the shapes and patterns used in her latest collection, called Glan y Môr, which translated from Welsh means Seaside.

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Jenny designs are printed using eco-friendly textiles.  Both the hemp and 100% certified organic cotton have been whitened without the use of bleach.  The water-based pigment inks contain no volatile organic compounds (VOC’S), and there are no post-printing chemical finishes applied.

Jenny’s bespoke designs have won international design awards, been auctioned internationally to support African charities and have been created for one of kind corporate gifts.

Gwylan Pillow - $126

 

Would you like to win the Gwylan Pillow?  To Enter Simply…

1. Visit Jenny Lee-Katz Designs website and browse around.

2. Leave me one comment below telling me which product from Jenny’s website is your favorite.

If you are receiving this via email, go back to the site to enter.  Replies by email will not be accepted. 

One entry per person.  You have until 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, May 13th to enter.  One random winner will be chosen and announced soon after.

Are you following me on twitter?  You should be!

~ Lorrie

If you are not going to go green for yourself, at least think of your tots and pups. This sofa from Greener Lifestyles is made from FSC certified wood, natural latex cushions and is available in a variety of organic hemp, cotton and wool fabrics.

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Upholstery 

I have to admit this is a tough one right now.  As a designer, there are a number of companies from whom I can buy eco-friendly upholstery.  For retail customers, the options are few.  Plus you have to be careful because some companies are taking advantage of the “eco-friendly hype” to sell mediocre furniture.  Yes, a sustainable hardwood frame and organic fabric sound great, but how is the piece made?  What’s inside? (The answers should be a hardwood frame with wool or natural latex cushions)  What is the warranty?  Some companies do not sell directly to the public but you can find an authorized dealer in your area.

• Lee Industries - Crate and Barrel carries some of their items.
• Greener Lifestyles – A great selection of mostly modern sofas.
• Williams Sonoma Home – Offering some stylish options in their Green Collection.  Look for the little green leaf.
• Eco Terric- They offer the Inside Green line from Cisco Brothers.

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I have been admiring this Viva Terra table for quite some time. Reclaimed railroad ties-made from teak, pine, and ironwood have been crafted into a nesting coffee table with sturdy metal frames that have been given a waxed finish. It has a nice clean look but the weathered wood gives it an interesting twist.

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Casegoods

Casegoods are pretty much anything that is made out of wood.  Think coffee tables, armoires and dressers.   Here we have many options to choose from.  Antiques and used furniture are the most obvious way to go green.  You can use these items in exactly the condition you find them or refinish them to your taste using earth-friendly products.  If you are handy you can create furniture out of items or wood that had a previous life.  Lastly, there are plenty of talented artists and vendors that are making new furniture from eco-friendly and sustainable materials.

• Vivaterra – One of my favorites, a lovely selection of furniture and accessories.
• Green Culture Furniture - They offer everything from bedrooms to living rooms in traditional, transitional and modern styles.
• Design Public – Great Modern furnishings for your home.

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Pottery Barn has a wide selection of organic bedding in solids and prints. The Sanibel Collection is great for a vacation home or any room where you want that beach house feeling.

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Pillows, Bedding and Other Soft Stuff

If you like to sleep as much as I do, then you spend more than a few hours with your pillow snuggled under your head.  Since these items are close to your skin for many hours at a time, it’s a good idea to go green.

• A Happy Planet - If you are going with a simple white or ivory palette, they have got you covered with vendors such as Anna Sova and SDH Purists.
• Pottery Barn – They have a nice selection of organic bedding in lovely colors.  200 thread count is fine for shams and duvet covers but make sure your sheets are 300+.
• LAUREN SPA - Their new spa collection features the trademark Lauren style but with a softer look and feel.

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Lighting

Again, we can arrive from two directions.  Take what you have to a lighting store, make sure it’s safe and add a new twist with shades, beads or crystals.  There is also some great refurbished antique lighting on the web.  Bare in mind that compact fluorescent bulbs are available in many sizes.  You can also look for Energy Star approved fluorescent lighting that require 2/3 less energy than standard lighting, generates 70% less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer.  Some people are concerned that they won’t get the same warm light from a compact fluorescent but if you select a fixture with that has opaque glass, you can hardly tell the difference.

•  Chameleon Fine Lighting – If you are interested in finding a period fixture or just something funky for contrast, they have a beautiful selection.
• Rejuvenation Lighting- One of the few places where you can get an perfect antique reproduction that takes a compact fluorescent bulb!
• LBC Lighting - You also have the option of selecting light fixtures that are made of recycled glass or grass clot for an interesting twist.

I hope this helps you jump into the world of eco-friendly furnishings.  Just remember: consider what you can reuse, analyze what you really need and then do your research.  There are lots of great companies offering a wonderful selection of products that will make your home beautiful and eco-friendly.  Now that’s a smart way to go!

I was in Bed, Bath & Beyond today buying a tablecloth for my Christmas Eve Feast and decided to wander around to see what else they had going on design-wise.  I found a great mini-makeover item that is sure to fit into any budget.  It’s the “Make-Your-Own Pillow Decorative Pillow Cover.”  Take any pillow or insert you already have, pop it in one of these cool covers and it looks like you just redecorated.  There are three reasons I really love this simple idea:

1. You don’t have to keep finding a place to bunk the existing pillows.
2. You can invest in a quality feather pillow insert and use it again and again.
3. It is a low cost solution with high design impact.

I am not a fan of lumpy, fiber filled pillows.  So in my house, I have down feather inserts and a few sets of pillow covers so I can change them when the mood strikes me.  The 18″ x18″ ones from Bed, Bath & Beyond are only $9.99, which is a steal.  Here are a couple of other places I found that sell some nice decorative pillow covers:

Restoration Hardware

Pottery Barn

Just like some of the other tips I shared in “Low Cost Mini Makeovers for Your Home”, new pillow covers will do the trick.  And remember, be brave with your pillow cover choices.  Maybe choose 2 pillow covers with a pattern and add a plain one to mix it up.  Grab a couple of accessories that coordinate and you have a quick new look that doesn’t break the bank!

~Lorrie

Click to Win a $250 Gift Card from Amazon!

Summer is quickly approaching.  Haul out the patio furniture, tune up the grill and sweep off the deck.  The warm weather gives us an opportunity to expand our living space and get back in touch with nature.   So rather than living with the same decor year after year, let’s spruce it up with some color and accessories.  Like any room in your house, your outdoor space deserves some attention with a mini face-lift now and then.  Here are some fabulous finds to make your outdoor space feel like a special destination any day of the week.

•  Fire Pits Add Warmth – Whether you are enjoying their ambience with a glass of wine or toasting marshmallows, you cannot miss.
• Fun and Games – Why not roll out the Bocce ball, horseshoes or badminton?  They might moan and groan but soon enough everyone will be laughing and cheering.
• Color Infusion – Some colorful throw pillows make the space come to life.
• Aromatic Container Garden - Decks can look barren, so start a container garden with beautiful jars & urns.  Herbs such as Rosemary are easy keepers and give off a wonderful aroma.
• Cozy Converstation – Defining a conversation or dining area with a Pergola transforms a so-so space into a warm and inviting haven.
• Memorable Meals – Colorful utensils and attractive serve-ware make a meal special.

Kick back, relax and enjoy your newly rejuvenated space!

Check out Great Outdoor and Patio Sources in My Secret Database!

The weather has been a bit wacky across the country this week but the sun has been busting through and temps are rising.  Many readers are are pulling out the shorts and sunglasses with high hopes.  As I scan My Secret Database I am spying a lot of great Seashore related items.  Remember, the Beach House look is not purely seasonal.  Cobalt blue, Nautical themes and Slipcovers can blow some refreshing sea air into your home any time of year.  Let the season begin!

Explore My Secret Database with a Beach House twist!

Colors, textures, luxurious fabric and trim.  Who doesn’t love a great pillow?  A few beautiful pillows will change the feel of a room instantly and give you a jumping off point to accessorize your room.  Beautiful Pillows and Home is a treasure trove of pillows!  You can search by collection or by color.  They even have special sections for Kids Collections and Guy Things(because they don’t want those girly pillows!).  The great thing is that they have developed collections that each have 6 pillows that coordinate with each other. They give you a great “designer” look without that horrible “matchy matchy” vibe you want to avoid.  Feeling brave?  Venture outside of the “collection” and do your own thing.  Their pillows are made to order in the United States and are filled with a 50/50 mix of feather and down.  Enjoy searching their extensive selection. 

Visit Beautiful Pillows and Home on My Design Secrets!

Angela Adams says that her designs reflect the beauty of the Maine coast and she does a phenomenal job of backing up that claim. On first impulse I would not expect Maine to be a haven for modern design but her creativity as an artist who has a keen eye for interiors is evident.  The shapes and colors in her amazing rug designs reflect the beauty of nature with tranquil undertones.  She has a large selection in wool and additional designs in cotton as well as bedding and pillows.

I also appreciate that they are an affiliate of RugMark.  RugMark is working to end illegal child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in South Asia.  Good for your home and good for our world!