What better time to unfurl “Old Glory,” not just on the front porch or in the yard, but as picnic decorations and, more enduringly, in a kids’ bedroom or the guest room?

Teens revel in independence. Surrounding them in stars and stripes shows that you do, too, while also helping to put the real spirit of independence in historic perspective. At the same time, the bold stripes and bright stars of America’s most recognized symbol will enliven their waking hours.   Guests, too, will appreciate a room dressed up in  Old Glory decor. It  is easy to create: design a  flag chair  by mixing star and stripe fabrics, then add a novelty flag paper on the wall and finish it off with  pillows and comforters in different coordinating patterns of red, white and blue and voila…. you have designed  a room-size tribute to American tradition.

Don’t forget the center piece, using red flowers, available in abundance this time of year, make the ideal centerpiece, shown at their best in a vintage Americana earthenware pitcher.

Follow the hot dogs and corn on the cob –or your more elevated dinner fare –with Martha Stewart’s mouthwatering, color-coordinated fruits of an American summer: blueberries, red raspberries, and maybe a dollop or two of frothy white whipped cream to complete the picture.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!

images via:saragilbaneinteriors.com;jaimabrownhome.com;marthastewart.com;celebrating4thofjuly.com

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. Home fashion’s recurring appetite for the clear-cut distinction of black and white decorating is back in style. One reason is a growing taste for classic modern style, which originated in Europe in the 1930s. Black and white provides an ideal complement for the clean lines of modern furnishings.

Another reason, however, is the versatility of black and white. Perfect as it is for contemporary rooms, it also adds clarity and sophistication to more traditional surroundings.

Sonata, a graceful damask from the Sarong collection by Jaima Brown Home, proves the timelessness of black and white. This pattern provides an unobtrusive backdrop for furnishings and architectural details, but becomes increasingly interesting in close-up. It makes an especially grand entrance of a two-story foyer, for instance, where it connects the décor of the first floor with the hallway and rooms above.

Like the little black dress, black and white décor is comfortable in any surrounding –formal to casual, vintage to cutting edge, urban penthouse to country cottage and everything in between.

The combination of black and white is also right for any room, by itself or accented with color –from bright to subtle. In kitchens and halls,  black and white walls, ceilings and/or checkerboard flooring present the perfect counterpart to black appliances, white beadboard while also accenting colored walls for any room.

Black and white in a hall makes an easy transition into adjoining rooms.  And don’t count out the drama black and white brings to a kitchen, living room, dining room, bedroom and master bath. In the latter, the contrast of a positive/negative effect works especially well.

Using a black and white awning stripe not only complements any other pattern, but also, installed vertically, makes a short room seem tall, or, installed horizontally like in this bathroom, broadens the vista of the smallest of rooms.As Mitchell Owens states “Patterns give any room a graphic punch, but few do it more boldly than stripes—they’re clean, crisp, simple, and effortlessly glam.”  Especially true for black and white stripes.  The only decisions you need to make are vertical versus horizontal, wide versus narrow, colorful versus muted, and hand-painted versus wallpaper.

The timelessness of black and white makes an instant statement no matter how little or how much you use!

Images via:elledecor.com;jaimabrownhome.com;crateandbarrel.com;katespade.com;contemporaryflooring.com

It’s easy. Just pick a pattern you like, such as a floral, stripe, damask, or any bold motif image to decorate your wall of choice.  It just makes your living space so much more fun to be in!  When you use  a bold pattern in a room decor, it draws your eye to it and  automatically creates a  focal point.  Just like the Designers Guild large floral above, it totally creates a unique atmosphere  in the room.  The latest trend in wallpaper in Europe is to wallpaper one wall! Yes…….that’s right, wallpaper one wall and paint the other three. Bedrooms are especially popular for this style of decorating as you can see below.  The black and white Anna French wallpaper is  the backdrop to this mod bedroom, with the other walls just painted white, the main feature becomes the bed and is the focal point of the room.

You probably think this is bold decorating, but hold on, everyone has a different perception of what bold means.    Bold means different things to different people and so when one is more conservative but wants to reflect a bold statement, usually neutral patterns and colors are intergrated with one grand pattern and color.  The drama in this neutral room is created by the  large  cobalt blue damask  pattern on the walls.

It’s very personal how we perceive patterns in general.  If you feel you need  more and want a  bright and bold graphic look,  then patterns like this Merimekko Print is  one of the looks to go after. This would be a great paper in a powder room, hall stairwell or even a teenagers room.

Bold isn’t limited to just wallpapers. Make a statement with large bold patterns on  pillows, bedding, upholstery and fabrics.  If your not sure where to start to do this, here are some guide lines to help you bring  a bold look into your home.

1. Select a large scale, one color wallpaper pattern and hang it on one one wall only.   This creates the feature wall in your room. If you pick an aqua and white pattern like below, white can be the color for the wood  trim and book shelves. Keeping one color consistent in the interior makes a cleaner, simpler  design statement.

2.  Select  a tone on tone pattern. Keep it simple is our motto!  It’s so easy to create a fabulous atmosphere when less is more!  The gold tonal floral print looks softer as tones of one color are visually softer to the eye which then softens the graphic motif image and  leads towards making a more textural statement  to the decor.

3. Choosing traditional patterns offered in simple one color stories updates a traditional room and makes it more transitional for today’s lifestyle.  The Persia Paisley print is a great example of a classic paisley design but comes off in a more graphic approach as it is only a two color pattern visually making it simpler and bolder.

4. Surround a small room with a big pattern. Nothing says ” hello” more than big prints in small rooms; powder rooms are perfect for these kind of prints.

As they say “Bold is Beautiful!  So  go for it and be daring with your print in your home.

Images via:

annafrench.co.uk; alwaysmod.com;jaimabrownhome.com;designersguild.com;elledecor.com;designsponge.com;minimoderns.com

She is really brave but as they say, greet your fear and you will overcome it! I think this may be true. There are a few other great photographs of her featuring a real  snakeskin necklace. Her bravery continues!

The greatest looks range from handbags to our high heeled shoes we women love but not necessarily love to wear. From belts to boots, you can find lizard skins in a wide range of offerings.

But what about the environment and the snakes?  We need to protect them and the ecosystem they live in.  To be honest, I never really thought about it until one gets educated about the facts. The truth is, mankind now  makes fabulous faux products and snakeskin is one of them.

I know  of  several fantastic looking faux snakeskin and crocodile skin synthetic materials and often  they  just like the real thing. Sometimes even better.

Betsey Johnson Faux Snakeskin Dress

A wall covered in a faux crocodile or snakeskin wallpaper definitely exudes a luxury look while being eco  and animal  friendly.

So get wild  and bring a little exotic flare into your home and your waredrobe with faux snakeskin and  please remember  you can be stylish while  protecting the wildlife and the ecosystem at the same time.

Thanks! Jaima

Images:fashiongoneroque.com;Vogue Paris February 2010 | Vogue-à-Porter by Inez & Vinoodh;wallpaperstogo.com;telegraph.co.uk

Chanel is targeting trendy clients, but I see it a little differently.  Tattoos,  which are a technique of  etching  has been growing influential in fashion and in the home design arena for quite some time.  This year, botanical drawings and etchings are on the rise in home interiors and in fashion textiles but I will talk about that design trend later. If you love your brand and are truly loyal,  then why not brand oneself and make a statement?   It is the ultimate   compliment to  the classic design maven, Chanel.

I congratulate Chanel on this unique idea and on being the first to venture into this new age arena. That is the beauty of Couture and high end design, no matter if it’s for fashion or home, there is always an element of surprise.

Of course, others are getting the look through pantyhose or leggings. Just as easy and less work!

Until next time…..you decide which design maven you want to sport wearing……. or not!

Images: myitthings.com;harpersbazaar.com;Chanel.com

The lights glisten and reflect
from all those gorgeous shiny ornaments trimming your tree and cast a warm
glow throughout a home.

Silver mixed with various colors with a hint of glitter, sparkles like Christmas itself. Gold mixed with silver is an excellent way to ring in a new style which instantly adds visual interest to ones decor palette. When setting a table  it’s easy to mix and match silverware with gold chargers or gold stemware with silver cutlery and metallic deer or luminescent birds, what ever pieces you choose to accent your table, the look is warm and luxurious.

Now lets not leave out the center piece or the mantle……..simply elegant! Leave it to Martha Stewart!

So go bold and  use metallics  to bring  a little glamour into your Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas!

Images via: MarthaStewart;JeremyGoldberg.com;countryliving.com;hgtv.com

The last time I visited, we went for my cousins wedding.  We were all dressed to the nines in our finest headgear…yep that’s us!   Hats are always in fashion across the pond and they are becoming more popular over here.

Hats are attractive and bring that extra touch of couture to your ensemble.

Women of all ages look stunning in a hat, it brings back our femininity and a mysterious allure.

My 5^th Avenue design was developed just for us ladies.  Scarves, hats, bags and shoes were just a few of the items I personally used to create this fun pattern.  It’s the perfect print for decorating a powder room, walk-in closet or girls bedroom.

It’s ageless, what girl  doesn’t love a little primping!

Images via: homewallcoverings.com;millionlooks.com; OctoberVoque.

I loved the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha”. Her life was filled with so many layers of color and design but also of life’s choices, commitments and what we must often do to complete and fill our heart with  love and happiness.

The designing of kimonos is a fascinating story just by itself. The silk and designs embroidered and painted onto these fabrics is amazing and an art all unto itself.  Many kimonos today are worn according to a person’s age, season, event or marital status. The word Kimono means things to wear and has a long history in Japan reflecting their society and culture. I actually own a genuine kimono gifted to me from my father while on a trip to Japan.

My Kimono wallpaper pattern was inspired from other personal gifts from the Orient as well.   Asian influenced decorating style never goes out of fashion.

When  East meets West we get a great  Asian American fusion of  timeless style. Enjoy!

images via: Japanesekimono.com;jaimabrownhome.com;homewallcoverings.com

Why do some people paint their front doors red?  The front door is considered the “mouth of chi” where good luck and energy enters, this stems from the Asian Feng Shui custom.

Not only for homes, red is hot in fashion this season for boots, purses and accessories.

Red was especially hot on the New York runway for the Hearts Truth Celeb-filled Red Dress Collection this fall.

So bring a little warmth into your home  this season and get RED HOT !

Images via: focusonstyle.com;  Kirsten Handbag; Jessica Bennet boots; jaimabrownhome;better  homes and gardens.

The color purple evokes an aura of royalty, mystique, power, wealth and magic. Powerful Roman Emperors such as Julius Cesar, as well as being a favorite hue of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, wore garments in rich shades of purple, reigning supreme power. Today’s celebrities and designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Chanel, Christian Louboutin plus many more  are re-introducing  purple,  bringing life back  into our waredrobes.

Spiritually, it reflects pure thought and symbolizes intelligence and knowledge. This is no ordinary hue, for the   palette includes violet, grape, lavender, lilac, orchid, plum and aubergine. A wide range  of shades to suite all needs and desires.

Greyed lavenders  and violets are perfect hues for  an interior if you want to create a calming yet sophisticated living space. Whether one uses softer tones as a backdrop or deeper accents for a focal point, purple brings a regal air of beauty and harmony into any decor.

So get passionate with  purple!

Images via: glamor.com; www.coolspotters.com;www.jaimabrownhome.com,