Nature in the Home

In decorating, there are many elements that work together to create a successful room. One of the most important aspects that I often see omitted is nature.

As decorators, amateur or not, we go to great lengths to select the right colors and furnishings. However, the nature component is often overlooked. I believe that plants make a house a home. It is an innate need for all of us to have a connection to nature. That being said, some people do not want the responsibility of caring for houseplants. Fresh cut flowers are also a common, yet beautiful way to bring nature in. Perhaps, that too is a maintenance issue for some. There are many other ways of bringing a form of nature into the space. One trend that I have seen lately, is to place a sculptural branch with leaves in water, as in the image below. The rock next to the vase is also an element of nature that can be used in many places. Perhaps for a modern vignette, you could line rocks up on floating shelf. Other natural objects that can be used are seed pods, shells, and coral.

There are many objects that can be used to bring a bit of nature into our living spaces. So, stay away from artificials, be creative and use items from outdoors for accessorizing.




*The image above is taken from the book "Nest for Two", by Allison Serrell; photograph by Allyson Gowdy.

Corelle

I'm sure most of you are familiar with Corelle dinnerware. I remember eating off these "non-breakable" dishes when I was a child. In fact, I think my mother still has them. I was impressed when I saw the new collection of Corelle. I thought it was a product of the past that came only in a striped and a flowered pattern.

Corelle originated in 1970 and was sought after for its affordability and durability. The product is a result of the bonding of 3 layers of glass, resulting in a product that can withstand a lot of abuse (even from children). It even comes with a 1 year guarantee.

New patterns and decorations are introduced each season, from the timeless and elegant Winter Frost White, to the stylish and bold Marissa. New patterns include Asian inspired pieces as well as a great stoneware collection. I never thought I'd get so excited about Corelle, it just proves that you can find style anywhere you look.

Three Sheets 2 The Wind

Another vendor that I really liked at the Renegade Craft Fair was Three Sheets 2 The Wind. Artist Jenny Sauer creates custom textile wall prints, pillows, bedding, and accessories. Her designs are based on elements of style from the mid-twentieth century, organic shapes, and plant skeletal structure. All hand-made down to the hand-dyed colors.

What's great about these pieces is that they can go anywhere! They will fit into a variety of decors and can be interchanged. I love the linen feel and look. Every room should have natural elements to it, as they help to calm and relax, and any of these works will do just that!

These photos were acquired from Finch, where you can purchase Threesheets works.

Fernworks Fine Art

I had the opportunity to visit the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago this past weekend. There were a few vendors that caught my eye and I thought I would feature them this week.

Faryn Davis is the amazing artist who is responsible for Fernworks Fine Art. In her work she incorporates found pieces with wood, clay, paint, resin, etc to create an awesome and unique depth to each creation. In her own words: "For me, these intimate pieces evoke a world veiled, powerful, and raw; a world of hope and longing..." I have included a few of my favorites below.

My Favorite Desk Chair

My favorite desk chair is the Eames Aluminum Management Chair. It has beautifully smooth curves and emits classiness. The chair was developed in 1958 by Ray Eames for a private residence which was being designed at the time by Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard. Then, the furniture was called the "Leisure Group" and was a break-through product due to the seat-back suspension. The upholstery was stretched between aluminum side ribs and was not the solid shell style as was common. I'm partial to the classic black leather which is ribbed at 1-7/8" intervals creating a clean, refined look. You can obtain these chairs through your designer from Herman Miller, or you can choose from several colors at DWR. If you love the chair, but aren't ready for designer prices, Advanced Interior Designs has a knock-off at a reasonable $220.00.

Decorating Inspiration

Before my first meeting with a client, I request that they gather inspiration images. This allows me to engage in a productive dialog regarding their specific tastes. There are many design and decorating magazines in which to find these images. There are also a couple of great sites online which I like to use. Better Homes and Gardens has created a site called Decorating Inspiration, where you can select from several categories such as Living Room, Dining Room, Bedrooms, Entry, etc. You may also want to try Flickr, which hosts thousands of images.

The inspiration images are not meant to be used as a strict decorating plan, but to select specific design elements from. You may like a chair in one image, a floor in another, a color scheme, a piece of trim, or an overall style. It's much easier to plan a room visually, than for both sides to try to describe their thoughts.

Golden Retriever Bookends

Dan and I recently adopted a 1 year old puggle from the shelter. His name is Kyan.

Since then I've been obsessed with all things canine. I was thrilled to come across these "Golden Retriever" bookends in the September 2007 issue of Domino magazine. Elegant, sophisticated, with a touch of wimsy, they fit perfectly on a shelf in a formal living room or office, as well as holding up your favorite doggy treat cookbooks in the kitchen. Visit http://www.globalviews.com/ for stores.