Murals instantly transform a space. They take you beyond the walls and into a landscape that visually moves you to far away places. That is the power of a mural!
Add another room to your home by creating a stylish outdoor living space. All you need are some ideas, great fabric prints and a space to call your own.
Shabby Chic Haven
Incorporating white painted furniture always brightens a room while showing off your fabrics. I love how Heather Cameron varied her rose vintage pillows, making this outdoor room feel cozy and romantic. Adding lighting really sets the mood and the crystal chandeliers make this greenhouse very glam.
Whether you have a summer place, cottage, cabin , weekend retreat or beach house, it’s a perfect place for you to play up your personal style and create a themed room. Coastal style is a look for many places as it exudes a relaxed, casual atmosphere that promotes an easy and care free lifestyle. One can easily create an escape with just a few coastal themed items added to the home or go all out and design a nautical space to be enjoyed everyday.
Ever heard someone say “Bold is Beautiful”? Well it certainly comes into play when decorating with pattern. First of all, get rid of that old decorating myth ” use small patterns in small spaces” because we no longer live by those rules. Large scaled patterns are perfect for small and large sized interiors.
Myth #1: Large Patterns are for large spaces.
There are no limits anymore when it comes to design rules. Turn a boring white walled decor into a stylishly bold space by using a large scaled pattern on one wall. I love how the designer took a traditional floral motif transforming it into a grand sized print, instantly creating an urban beauty. The look is simple yet dramatic and reflects how old ideas are revitalized with new technology in today’s design world. Read more..
Fortunately, we in the United States celebrate our most patriotic holiday and the glories of summer on the very same day: the Fourth of July. Rain or shine, indoors or out, a picnic table dressed in red, white and blue offers a spirited reminder of what we celebrate on The Fourth of July. Colored glassware is a tabletop trend, and cobalt blue wine or water glasses fit perfectly with this theme when mixed with various blue and white china to set off a gorgeous table cloth or place mat!
Ever dreamed of driving a car with a pattern on it? As featured in Trendhunter.com hip auto wraps are becoming the trend with automobiles in Europe and Asia. Yes, they are putting pattern to the test. If you live in Sweden, you can choose from over 20 different auto skins for your Volvo C30. Even Lotus was in on the Union Jack trend this year in Europe, creating a patriotic car for the English. China also loves pattern and offers various prints for Volkswagen Beetle lovers.
I love the fact that one can finally branch out and have some fun with pattern outside the home. If your a little more conservative like most of us, why not use pattern to enhance your decor? Pattern adds value to your home while making a personal design statement. Here are a few tips to inspire your decorating whether it be a room, a dresser or even a car! Read more..
Remember the old joke: What’s black and white and read all over? Although that joke, along with its punch line, the newspaper, as well as black and white television, may all be obsolete, the fashion cache of black on white and vice versa is never out of style. Like the little black dress, this distinctive combination reeks of sophistication.
On ABC recently, the classic black taffeta dress worn by Princess Diana at her first appearance with Prince Charles, fetched $335,000 at a London auction. Classics like Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana have encouraged our love affair with black and white through their elegance of style which resonates into home decor. Read more..
Do you get totally overwhelmed and feel frustrated when it comes to mixing patterns for your home? Well let me solve your dilemma! Stop going crazy and start enjoying your decorating experience. Keeping it simple in the beginning is always the best approach when mixing patterns. Let’s start with a few design rules to help you out.
Keep your pattern count to 3. Three sounds like an odd number, it is but it isn’t when it comes to placing patterns together for a visually appealing space.
Getting the look in 3 easy steps.
1. Use a solid colored or tonal colored fabric for the larger pieces of furniture in a room. This highlights the main color you want to feature. (like the lime cushion above)
2. Select a stripe to coordinate with the solid fabric. Stripes add dimension and structure. You can use simple stripes, ticking stripes, loosely painted or wide stripes. It is recommended if you do bring in a multicolored stripe into your color story, make sure it has some of the main color in one of the stripes so it coordinates with the other two patterns selected. In the lounge chair above, the multicolored stripe brings a variety of color into the picture but also features the main lime color of the chair cushions unifying the entire look.
3. Pick an accent print for the third pattern. An accent fabric tells a story and makes the overall design statement. These types of prints can include a novelty print, like the parrot fabric featured above from The Walfab Company, a modern graphic print, a floral, a paisley, a Jacobean or even a damask. What ever you choose, you should love it. Just make sure your accent pattern has some of the colors from your other two fabrics in it to finish the look. Always take your swatches with you when selecting your prints to make sure they all co-ordinate together.
Balance the scale of patterns and colors in a room. Scale should also be taken into consideration when mixing patterns. When you walk into a well designed interior, one pattern should stand out and make a statement. A usual guide line to go by is use one pattern & color scheme for 3/3rds of the rooms space, then another pattern & color for 2/3rds of the room and then the final pattern and color should be 1/3rd. It is important to keep one pattern and color the main focus so to visually ground the rooms decor. A good example of this is in the Traditional Homes interior above by Toby Wells Fairley. Aqua is the main color with the large scaled graphic screen and ottoman acting as the main focus of the room. The patterned curtains in red are secondary to aqua but they add a visual pop to the space, making it exciting and colorful.
Give your patterns some space. You don’t have to use a print in every corner of the room. In the room above the patterns are featured in the center of the room. Sometimes it works better to leave some space around your patterns. Notice again the balance of pattern. Three chairs are in an orange leaf print to one small sofa in zebra and the accent zebra rug. The rug draws the eye to the center of the room. If you can’t live with to much pattern, then use a tone off your fabric or a neutral shade to surround the room in so the main focus is on your favorite prints you have selected.
Mixing prints is Easy. Animal prints are always stylish and they definitely add pizzaz to any decor. This is one pattern that is universal and almost becomes a graphic print. Animal prints can also be tonal and can be considered a plain fabric, acting like a texture. They mix easily with stripes and floral’s.
Mixing prints is fun. Geometric prints, stripes and plaids coordinate extremely well with floral’s and paisley’s. Just remember, when blending various prints, use the 3-2-1 rule when it comes to scale. One pattern should be large scale and the main focal point; then the next coordinating print should be medium sized and then the third print smaller. This way, it is more pleasing to the eye and creates a visual balance amongst patterns. As in the room below by Erinn Valencich, the wallpaper is the larger scale pattern where the pillows are medium scale. Of course, a plain is mixed in to act as a calming agent to the entire look.
So mix a little pattern into your lifestyle today, whatever your style may be! Enjoy!
Images via: omniartedesign.com;traditionalhome.com;decoratingwithpattern.com;jaimabrownhome.com
Take flight within your own home and surround yourself with natures beauty: birds! Designer Miles Redd used this gorgeous bird wallpaper pattern to envelope this bedroom creating a warm and modern decor. It is like bringing the outdoors inside!
When I was little, we had a bird fly into my parents home one day. I think it came down the chimney but no matter how it entered our home, it certainly did create quite a commotion. My mother was running around opening all the doors and windows to let the swallow out. Lots of birds have many meanings and with our bird incident, I like to think positive and believe it meant “new life taking flight” which is a symbol of hope and of new things to come. Most people are unaware of all the hidden meanings behind bird images in design.
It is a fascintating world of birds. Remember the famous Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Birds”. Who wasn’t frightened after that? Well, as it turns out I overcame my fear and am now a proud owner of an African Grey named Lily. I inherited her from my mother in law, Alice. She loved this little talkative bird so I decided to carry on the tradition and continue to love Miss Lily. With summer almost here, we see birds re-surfacing into the home decor market like Pottery Barns Spring Sparrow Bedding. The bedding features blue birds which symbolize happiness; sparrows represent companionship and good luck for lovers while the cardinal represents beauty.
Birds have often been tied to some of the most profound meanings since ancient history and their symbolism has crossed many cultures worldwide. As birds travel in the air, they are often connected with the Divine, symbolizing the human spirit and soul. I am sure you have heard the saying ” a little bird told me so” well this quote is from ancient folk lore when birds flew ahead to forewarn a hero from danger.
Beautiful flights of fancy like Peacocks were popular throughout history and Religion. Peacocks were a symbol of immortality, royalty, nobility and spirituality during the Byzantine and early Roman Churches. Today, in Hinduism the Peacock represents kindness, patience, compassion and good luck. For thousands of years, peacock feathers have been used for spiritual healing energy to help with balance and harmony in peoples lives. Mostly everyone knows that peacock feathers are used to bring luck to oneself and reflect beauty, strength but also reflect vanity.
Today, peacock feathers are being brought back into fashion this year by designers like Tory Burch and Zang Toi. As usual, what is in fashion is now often found in home decor. As featured in InStyle Magazine “This spring, stylish stars are strutting their stuff in peacock-print dresses. And it’s no wonder—the retro print has what designer Tory Burch calls a “ladylike, but eccentric and quirky” flavor.” It certainly adds drama to ones wardrobe. It is amazing to see how bird images have graced so many items in today’s lifestyle products and in event planning. Depending on the style, birds can present a high end luxury look as well as a cottage style feel with warmth and charm. Coasters, plates, cakes, ring pillows, fabrics and furnishings are just a few of the things found with bird motifs in the home lifestyle catagory.
Most people are unaware of the hidden meanings of birds. At weddings, often newly wed couples will release two white doves after the ceremony, this is to bless the couple and wish them hope and peace (the symbol of doves). Other birds found in designer fabrics are roosters (pride), cockatoos, peacocks (pride and vanity) and parrots (Ostentatiousness). Below is a bedroom featuring a bird fabric on the wall with a parrot in the cage and a peacock on a branch.
The classic American Eagle represents power and strength. Herons mean self reliance and hummingbirds symbolize joy. It is easy to get inspired when decorating with these visually stimulating motifs as they make spaces unique and bring deeper meaning into a home. Using patterns in general always make a home more interesting but when you add the hidden symbolism, whether it is from folk lore or history, it just makes your story telling for your home interior more fascinating.
Here are a few ideas on how to use bird motifs throughout your decor.
1. Use them to create a focal point in a room. This can be done by using accent pillows on couches or beds. Coverlets on a bed can carry the theme of the room and add a color story. Use a dramatic shower curtain to accent a small bathroom.
2. Hang a large bird painting or print above a sitting area, fireplace or in a foyer to make a substantial impact when one enters the space. If the art is smaller, group 2 or four prints together.
3. Surround yourself with a beautiful wallpaper or fabric. Hang it on all four walls or only on one wall to create a feature wall in a room.
The birds in fabrics above like the Chickadees symbolize optimism; pheasants mean harmony; quails means family; Ravens mean shifting but a Robin means new growth. Of course, the list of bird meanings is extensive. There are many famous bird quotes as well, one I really like is by Salvador Dali “Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings”.
So add a little flight of fancy to your interior and fly away with meaning…..
Images via: jaimabrownhome.com;blisslivinghome.com;lindamackenzie.net;thesorrellcompany.com;potterybarn.com;walnutwallpaper.com;
Do you ever look at novelty designs and wonder where they came from? In the design world, they are known as conversational prints. They started to come into play around the early 1900′s but became extremely popular in the 1940s. When you look at some of the quirky patterns used on fabrics and wallpapers you start to understand why they were called conversational prints as they certainly gave people lots to talk about. These designs create a nostalgic link which often makes us laugh and smile. Most of the early designs were made for children and featured nursery rhymes, baby animals, children at play, cartoon characters, alphabet letters and numbers.
History had a huge influence on the subject matter used in fabric designs. During World War II, textile production was limited yet women and children often wore patriotic prints as it was a popular theme amongst the home and clothing markets. Even today in fashion, designers like Ralph Lauren love to use patriotic images to create the look of American style. Many emblems are found in items as wallpaper, bedding, glassware, accessories and more.
Around the 1930′s Disneys Mickey Mouse and many of his friends like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves were so successful, it spurred on the commercialism of these characters onto fabrics and various home goods. Comic strips had a big part of influencing novelty designs. One popular comic was Archie as well as Popeye and Olive Oyl. We remember these now as classics but back then, it was a fun brand to market. Many of these images were printed on feed sack as consumers loved the characters and what would be more fun than finding them on clothing or home items.
Even food got into the branding act and went from the kitchen onto clothing. Many products like the Jolly Green Giant and the Planters Peanut were popular icons. Do you remember the commercials on television with Tony the Tiger? They had the saying “Put a tiger in your tank.” Well, I remember having that faux Tiger tail hanging from our gas tank on our car. It certainly made life fun.
As soon as television was invented it became the hottest new visual medium and totally changed how we looked at everything. Important things were happening in America: Hawaii became the 50th State in the United States of America and space travel had started. One of President John Kennedy’s goals was to send a man to the moon. There was Sputnick in 1957, John Glenn, Alan Sheppard and Neil Armstrong’s famous walk on the moon. Of course the quote of the day from Neil “ That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind” all impacted design and famous world events were instantly being translated onto fabrics documenting history.
During the 1950′s and 60′s the wild west theme became extremely popular and many images of cowboys and Indians were featured on television shows as well as in fabrics. Do you remember Gun Smoke? Well, I remember my brothers having cowboy and Indian dress up outfits as well as wild west pj’s.
That trend faded for a while and then the wild west style came back into fashion with the help of president Ronald Reagan, uniting Hollywood and politics, once again. Hollywood certainly did its part in branding famous singers, dancers and actors. Singers like Elvis Presley even joined in becoming a design phenomenon.
Other major influences in design came about with Jackie Kennedy; the style goddess! Yes, even after her trip to Paris, she influenced many vintage fabric designs to include French poodles, The Eiffle Tower and hats to name a few.
Today, many top designers like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren use vintage fabrics to inspire their fashion and home patterns. Fashion designers of scarves like Faith Austin of the 1950’s was known for her whimsical novelty hankerchieves; below is the hatbox print hankie that inspired the 5th Avenue design for Jaima Brown Home. A classic example of how vintage fabrics are incorporated into today’s lifestyle products.
The themes for novelty prints from the past was extensive and still continues today. Travel was and still is popular in America. States and destination places were often featured on vintage fabrics yet they still are found, updated mind you, in the home market usually found in accessories like bags, bedding, pillows, towels and even mail boxes.
Other vintage conversational prints included sports such as baseball , golf , sailing and football. Today, we see novelty prints being used differently as they have moved into the luxury home and fashion marketplace. These unique patterns are being intermixed and used on pillows to make a small statement or in a wallpaper to make a grand effect in a room. Trina Turk, Brunschwig & Fils, Thibaut, Jaima Brown, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein are just a few of todays designers that use vintage fabrics to be inspired for today.
Get some conversations going with your patterns today, no telling what they will say about the past or future!
Images via:trinaturk.com;jaimabrownhome.com;brunschwig.com;Thibautdesign.com;secondhandrose.com;allpeoplequilt.com;pierrefrey.com
