Mismatched Bedside Tables

I've had customers ask me recently to let them know if I get any matching bedside tables in the shop. I don't have the heart to tell them that it's very unlikely. Part of what I love about selling vintage furniture is that I encounter so many one-of-a-kind pieces. When it comes to lighting or cushions, pairs can create a sense of continuity. But matching bedroom and dining sets just aren't for me. Someone described it to me as, "walking into a room and knowing within 10 seconds what it's all about." Vintage pieces help to layer a room so that you want to come in and explore. To me, these images of mismatched bedside tables are proof that if you love something, there's always a way to make it work. 

Images: Vignette Design, My White Room, Manolo for the Home, Canadian House & Home, Apartment Therapy, Designing Home.

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Botanicals

Every year around this time I get a craving for spring that can only be sated by a visit to Longwood Gardens -- more specifically to the massive greenhouse that is home to an ever-changing array of tropical plants and orchids. The combination of humidity (even man-made) and layer-upon-layer of fragrances is intoxicating. Whatever my mood going in, I leave with a fresh perspective and a reminder that winter does not last forever. Perhaps because of this yearly pilgrimage, I've developed a taste for bringing botanical elements into the home. Old classroom posters, book plates, terrariums, forced bulbs -- all are welcome. I'm sure it's no accident that the Philadelphia Flower Show takes place in March. Just when we're all suffering from snow fatigue and our skin has turned green from hibernation, along comes an invasion from the natural world. This year, I'm not waiting for the flower show. I'm staging a mini invasion of my own at home.

Images: 1) Elle Decoration magazine, June 2011 Issue. 2 and 3) British Homes & Gardens magazine, November 2010 issue and November 2011 issue. 4) BBC Homes & Antiques magazine, November 2011 issue. 5 and 6) Vogue Living magazine, November/December 2011 issue. 7) Period Living magazine, July 2011 issue.

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Pallet Furniture

I recently discovered Pinterest, a virtual bulletin board for all the images that capture us on the web--and I'm now hooked on the constantly updated stream of funny, thought-provoking and inspiring images its members discover. As far as interiors go, I've been noticing trends in the images that are being pinned. One trend that I'm loving is the stacking of shipping pallets as daybeds, sofas and coffee tables. I love this idea on several levels. Firstly, it's extremely inexpensive. Pallets are a necessity of the shipping process that often end up in landfills when their initial task has been fulfilled. I've seen Ikea sell them for a song, which makes them the perfect candidate for recycling. But none of this would matter a bit if the end result wasn't gorgeous. To me these photos are proof that style doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg and that a couple of rustic pallets create a perfect place to crash at the end of the day, among other things.

Images: Table Tonic. WebEcoist. Creature Comforts. Apartment Therapy. The Stories of A to Z. Ashley Ann Photography. Papernstitch. ChrisFaves.Tumblr. Cal Interiors.

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Chandeliers

Having just purchased my first crystal chandelier for the shop, I thought I'd write a post celebrating the drama that a great light fixture accomplishes. Though my tastes are not especially girly when it comes to interiors, I have to make an exception for chandeliers. I've always wanted to makeover an otherwise understated bathroom with an elaborate glass chandelier adorned with lots of colorful baubles. A beautiful vintage chandelier can add elegance to a dining or living space. On the other hand, an up-cycled found object (such as a bowler hat, as was recently suggested to me by a customer) can inject a sense of humor into an otherwise classic room. Why else were high ceilings invented if not to suspend elaborate sculptures?

As the following pics show, Etsy is chock full of options for beautiful and whimsical lighting.

Classic Hanging Lantern from Rosebuds Home.

Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Chandelier from Fabulous Mess.

Pink Beaded Chandelier from Paris Couture Antiques.

Ball Mason Jar Chandelier from Boots N Gus.

Trouble Light Chandelier from Modern Upcycle.

Images: Lonny mag, Dec 2010. InsideOut mag; May/June 2010, June 2004. Thrifty Chic: Interior Style on a Shoestring by Liz Bauwens and Alexandra Campbell, photography by Simon Brown, published by CICO Books, 2009. Living etc mag; Dec 2010, Aug 2009. Rosebuds Home. Fabulous Mess. Paris Couture Antiques. Boots N Gus. Modern Upcycle.

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Red & White

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I would track down some photos of red-and-white themed eye candy. For some reason, I've never included much red into my decor. But these photos prove that the red and white combo works as well for sleek and modern interiors as for spaces that fit the pleasantly cluttered English cottage style. Having just endured a six-week snowathon on the east coast, I can imagine being cheered to come home to this color palette. The red dining chairs are so inviting that they could almost cure me of eating on the fly and draw me back to having meals at an actual table.

Images: At Home with Country: Bringing the Comforts of Country Home by Christina Strutt, photography by Edina van der Wyck, published by Cico Books, 2010. Lonny magazine, Aug/ Sept 2010 issue. Casual Living: No-Fuss Style for a Comfortable Home by Judith Wilson, photography by Polly Wreford, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2010. Simple Style by Julia Bird, photography by Hotze Eisma, published by Friedman/Fairfax, 2003. House & Home magazine, August 2010 issue.

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Boxing Shelves

A new year often brings plans to get organized and I have the same good intentions as everyone else. My father loves to tell me that, as a girl, my room would gradually turn into a tornado disaster scene until I couldn't stand it anymore. I would then completely clean and re-organize, keeping my space perfect for a month or so until everything would deteriorate again. Unfortunately, a bit of that girl remains. These single drawers and clusters of boxes stacked on the floor or hung on walls don't do much to eliminate clutter, but they create gathering spots for pieces that shouldn't be tucked away. That leaves a little room in drawers and cupboards to hide the things no one wants to see.

Images: Living etc magazine, January 2011 issue. Easy Elegance: creating a relaxed, comfortable and stylish home by Atlanta Bartlett, published by Ryland, Peters & Small, 2009. Living etc magazine, July 2010 issue. Honey's Treasures. Captain Cat.

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Work Spaces

Whenever a new book comes out featuring artists' or writers' work spaces, I dissect the pictures for ideas and insight into the people who spend their days in those rooms. I'm fascinated by the places where creative people do their work. A good work space requires a blend of functionality and inspiration. In my own office, I first need a large desk with lots of leg room underneath. As cute as some vintage desks are, I wouldn't last long at a desk that hemmed me in. Once I have room to spread my mess around, I need items of inspiration nearby--an industrial lamp, a bulletin board to pin photos of my latest obsessions, and a cool container with lots of pens. A globe is also a must for the moments when my mind wanders to places outside of my cocoon.

Images: Recycled Home by Mark and Sally Bailey, published by Ryland, Peters & Small 2009. Maisons de Campagne magazine, July/August 2010 issue. House Beautiful magazine, July/August 2010 issue. Living etc magazine, September 2010 issue.

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