Shopping (Need I Say More?)

Last week, I spend an entire Saturday afternoon at some of my favorite retail stores.  You know the ones we all love (Crate and Barrel, West Elm and Pottery Barn).

Here are photos of some of my favorite finds:

Crate & Barrel

Pottery Barn Mercury Glass - Love

Crate & Barrel Color

Crate & Barrel Art

Crate & Barrel - For My Office!

West Elm - Love the Bedding

West Elm - Another beautiful bed

Crate & Barrel - More Color

Crate & Barrel - Blake Armoire (My go to tv cabinet)

Crate & Barrel

West Elm Leather Chair

Pottery Barn - 4th of July Perhaps

Crate & Barrel Ottoman - Reminds me of rag rugs but made out of silk.

Pottery Barn Pillow

Pottery Barn Summer

Crate & Barrel

Just for fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love This Lamp

The changing season and warmer weather prompted me to search for some fresh new ideas; so this past week, I spent much of my extra time searching the web for new design sources.

I stumbled into Stray Dog Designs.  The above table lamp is one of their designs, and I adore it!  The best news is that the “Sarah Lamp” as well as countless other furnishings they offer are available in numerous other colors.

 

This lamp is happy and fun and is just the type of fresh idea I was hoping to find.

Shine a Light on It

Interior lighting is often one of the most overlooked elements in interior design.  I have worked with clients who spend thousands of dollars on a room only to neglect one of the most important elements in a room.  What is the big hoopla with lighting?

online interior design services

  1. The first reason to focus on your interior lighting is that everything, yes, everything looks better.  Your new paint color, the beautiful sofa, the smallest accessory, and even you will look better with a little illumination.  Tell me, who doesn’t want to look their best?  And why wouldn’t you want your home to look its best?  There is simply no good reason to update a room in your home and then not shine light on it.

 

  1. Lighting to a room is like jewelry to an outfit.  Mariano Fortuny  would have never sent a dress down the runaway without accessorizing the outfit.  You wouldn’t leave the house without at least a of pair of earrings on, right?  Same with lighting!  Chandeliers, table lamps and floor lamps such as Fortuny floor lamps are the “bling” in a room.  They give the room sparkle and that added bit of shine (not to mention light) that is oh so necessary!

 

  1. Mood and atmosphere are the next reason that lighting is your friend.  In a room such as a Dining Room, a well-chosen chandelier can shine down on the table to highlight a special meal.  In a bedroom, cozy lamps add warmth and possibly even a little romance.  Who knew a bedside lamp from Fortuny Lighting could do all that?  The ability to set the mood and tone of a room is why lighting matters.

 

  1. The final reason, while not as exciting as the others, is probably the most important.  From a functional standpoint, a well-lit room improves the functionality of those in the space.  One of my favorite sayings in the design world is “function over form”.  A well lit Kitchen or office makes daily chores much smoother and easier.

 

As you see, lighting does matter! Please remember when designing your own spaces, not to forget to this important element of design.

Have you discovered Pinterest yet?

For all of you that have already started pinning you know what I mean when I say I am in love.  It was actually love at first sight and I cannot get enough of this craze!  For those of you that have not discovered this gem, let me tell you a little about it.

Pinterest is a new social media type website in which users create visual boards of images they find and like from the web and other Pinterest users.   To quote from the Pinterest website “Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.”

This is the ideal place to organize your thoughts, ideas, and inspiration for your next home design project. 

Follow Interior Design Service Online on Pinterest to see what we are pinning.

In Praise of the Pouf

 

What exactly is a pouf you may wonder?  Well, wonder no more.  A pouf is a modern “wonder” of design.  Somewhere in between an ottoman, a hassock and a floor pillow is the pouf.

 

 

These movable, comfortable and practical little cushions add a modern touch to any room.  I love to use them in Family Rooms with children as kids can perch on them while playing or watching television and grownups can use them as a footstool.  A pouf can be such an object of affection that typically I use two in the same room so there is no squabbling.

The above pouf is 100% wool and measures 18” x 18” x 18”.  The retail price is $250.00 and they come in a multitude of colors.  Please send me an email (designer@interiordesignserviceonline.com) if you are interested in owning one (or two) for your home too.

Fabulous Find – Affordable and Awesome Looking Console Table!

Cost Plus World Market has impressed me again.  For a long time now, they have been one of my go to sources for colorful and inexpensive art, indoor / outdoor area rugs and kitchen goods. 

And now, I have a new discovery.  I absolutely adore this Campaign Style Console table and it retails for only $199.99.

Image: Cost Plus World Market

Use it as a sofa back table to draw a visual dividing line between to two spaces or as a catch-all table in an entry space.  The clean lines, X stretcher, washed toned wood and of course the price, make this table one of my new favorites.

A Delightful New Source

Just when I thought I had seen about every source out there for home décor, a new discovery delighted me.  Today, a super cool home furnishings / accessory catalog arrived in my mailbox.  What a wonderful little surprise to brighten my day. 

At West End features products that are rustic and charming, and happily not too expensive.

This mermaid vase is a hoot and would add a great touch of whimsy and color to a neutral room.