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wood tile front dresser from West Elm
 One trend I've noticed in home furnishings is tiled drawer fronts, though this exhibitor from the AD show also had mirrors, tabletops and other items. The first picture is wood "tile", this second one is glass. I'm curious to how this would work as a DIY project. For those of us who can't afford a backsplash of stunning Ann Sacks tile, perhaps this is a good alternative.
Remember back in the early 90s when everyone used the word "mint" to describe something extra great? Well, mint is back. I've been seeing it in fashion (lots of mint green skinny jeans and tops in magazines) and House Beautiful had a great little slideshow with inspiration. I wanted to put a few accents together for those who'd like to add just a little bit of minty flavor (oh, that's a bad one) to their home.
As a consumer, it's very easy to get locked in to certain stores as "the" place where you buy a particular item. Some people only buy their groceries at Whole Foods or only buy their clothes in Macy's. That brand has earned your business, which is great, but it probably means you're missing out on some interesting alternatives by not shopping around a little. Take the board below, which features items from an unusal source to create a Jonathan Adler inspired "happy chic" look. I found everything at Pottery Barn Teen and almost all of it was on sale.   Lately, I can't seem to flip through a design magazine without seeing some sort of horse motif in one of the rooms. It's either a sculpture or a painting or a very large scale photograph. Sadly no actual ponies. This month's issue of House Beautiful featured 3 different homes all with a nod (and perhaps a whinny) to our equine friends.
But I'm noticing a new trend. One that seems restricted to the bath for now but may soon, ahem, spread it's wings and branch out to other rooms of the house. Behold, the owl.  One of the design magazines, I think it's House Beautiful, has a feature that's titled "Why Don't You...." that offers some fun suggestions of things to try in your home. These aren't major investment items but instead small things that add a little flavor to what you've already got going on. Well, in the interest of avoiding a possible intellectual property conflict, I've tweaked it a bit. For instance, you know what you should try? Something purple.
 Table setting, Eddie Ross I've made my feelings on ikat clear in previous entries. I like it, but I don't feel it's worth a huge investment. In 10 years, that ikat print club chair (with ottoman) won't be rocking your living room quite the same way. Of course, there are exceptions. You've got a neutral room with lots of African art? That bench with the ikat print is still going to work really well. For the rest of us, Eddie Ross has a great article on his site that shows how to do ikat beautifully (and temporarily).
 Silhouette pillow from West Elm When you're five going on six there's not too many Christmas presents you can give your parents that are going to wow them. Macaroni necklace? Ashtray? Is that lump even an ashtray? But I (and every other kindergartener at Bowling Green) brought home a custom made silhouette, suitable for framing. I hope they're holding up that tradition at the old alma mater because silhouettes are the height of style these days.
 Flag tray from Target for $15 There's just something about this time of year that practically forces us to embrace decorating with Old Glory. Perhaps it's because you've got Memorial Day, Flag Day and July 4th, all within a 6 week span. Or maybe it's because some people think summer and think crisp beachy Nantucket style. Whatever the reason, the kick off to summer always coincides with a bit of red, white and blue.
 There's an interesting article in the Times today about the growing (pardon the pun) popularity of terrarium gardens. They're an easy and inexpensive way for us apartment dwellers to have a tidy little garden. But see, I've been cursed with the black thumb of death (RIP herb garden....) and would like to avoid an arrest for herbicide. Could this supposedly self-sufficient set up be the answer?
 image courtesy Traditional Home There's a scene in that movie "Along Came Polly" where Ben Stiller's character calculates the amount of time he spends removing and replacing the decorative pillows on the bed over the course of his lifetime and then promptly freaks out. I imagine most men feel this way, but pillow "murder" is hardly the answer. There is a better way.
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AuthorChristine Schwalm is an Interior Designer and Visual Merchandiser based in Los Angeles. This space will keep you updated on what's going on with CSD along with some ideas to inspire you. Go here for more information about pricing and services and here to make an appointment. Archives
January 2017
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