Now if you've learned nothing else about me while reading regularly, you've probably figured out that I love a bargain. By that I don't mean something cheap just for the sake of having something; but instead a great deal on something wanted/needed. But lately I've been thinking more about investing in fewer and higher quality items. My wardrobe doesn't know it yet, but half of it is about to leave my closet for this very reason. In that vein, I wanted to feature some truly stunning textiles from Aviva Stanoff.
Ommmm......supper time Do not adjust your screens or question your eyes. That really is some guy sitting in the lotus position, meditating. In the middle of the AD Home Show. And no, he didn't break his concentration at all. Let's focus instead on the design aspects, which only result in moderate head scratching. Anthropologie retail store in London This entry is not so much design as it is gardening. Considering I have the "black thumb of death" (seriously, I managed to kill a catctus), it's a little surprising for me to write about gardening type issues. But one trend that I've noticed in both retail design and backyard design is vertical gardens. Benjamin Moore DIFFA table This weekend I hit up Design Nerd Expo '10--better known to laypeople as the Architectural Digest Home Show--and came away with lots of great ideas and sneak peeks into what's new out there. One element I saw consistently was the use of potted succulent plants grouped en masse as centerpieces. This works out perfectly for several reasons. So, you've got a big wall that you'd like to hang some pictures on. You've seen wall groupings like the one here and while you find them attractive, they're also rather indimidating. I mean, who can measure all the spaces perfectly to get them to fit right? And what's the best way to arrange the pictures? May I provide the solution? I've got to give the folks at West Elm serious props. They rolled out some great things in their spring line in one of my favorite color ways-yellow and grey. I've got the formal version of it at the day job, but this is a great modern interpretation. I'm a big believer in investing in quality pieces for your home and very often one of those pieces is an area rug. The rug in my living area was one of the more expensive things I purchased but it completely set the tone for the room. Sometimes, though, you just want a little fun. This rug may be a little trendy color and pattern-wise, but it is still 100% wool and nicely made. I found it on the World Market site for $449 (on sale with no shipping charges) for a 5'x8'. The deal of the century? No. But a good balance between fun and smart. The Times had another article in their "On the Cheap" series in today's paper. This one featured a man in his late 20's moving into his first apartment with no roommates. The design services were free but the client had about $8000 to spend on furnishings and minor construction. This sounds like a lot, but you'd be surprised how fast that money can go. Shower curtain from Target Do you play bingo? Do you wear chunky, Buddy Holly style glasses? Do you listen to NPR? Do you decorate your home in mid century classics? Do you live in Williamsburg, Brooklyn? If you answered yes to two or more of these, you may just be a hipster. I'm not judging, I'm just here to introduce you to the perfect shower curtain for the sweet bargain price of $24.99 As you may have heard, color authority Pantone has christened turquoise as the 2010 color of the year. I wanted to share a decidedly cool representation of turquoise currently on display in the front lobby of the day job designed by the folks at HQ. It's ikat, which I think has only a few minutes left on the current style clock, but the miter square pillow makes it irresistable. And lest the other colors of the rainbow feel slighted, the rest of the lobby is a shout out to chartreuse, magenta and orange. I don't care what Pantone says, I love you colors all equally. |
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
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