Modern Graphic Bedding

I have been shopping for a new duvet cover to compliment our now gray walls in the bedroom.  Although I still love it, I think it's about time to replace my aging cover, which is white with black grosgrain trim by Kate Spade. I love white bed linens, but I have a hard time keeping them bright and fresh.  (I would love some tips!)

To add some interest into our room, I really want a graphic print that is neither too feminine or too masculine.  Since our furniture is mostly mid-century, I want the bedding to have a young and modern appeal, so our bedroom doesn't begin to look like what my boyfriend refers to as a "grandma's room."

Since the duvet cover could be a pricey investment, I plan on choosing neutral hues that could still work if we move, buy new accessories, or feel like repainting.  The duvet can act as the canvas, and I will bring in punches of color and lots of texture by mixing in different shams, throw pillows, and possibly a folded quilt.  Here are some duvets I think fit the bill:

three sheets 2 the wind Rosette Duvet Cover and Shams

Unison Tatami in Taupe Duvet Cover and Shams

Dwell Studio Sketch Duvet Set

West Elm Organic Seedling Duvet and Shams

Gray Crazed

We decided to finally paint the bedroom after living in our apartment for over a year.  This wasn't the first attempt...I had originally settled on a warm tan that I thought was going to create a cozy retreat, but when I sampled it on the wall it appeared way too fleshy in our dark room. Think: Barbie doll colored. Yuck!

            

Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers 1466

 As much as I was reluctant to do it, I choose my third shade of gray to complete our apartment's palette, Ben Moore's Smoke Embers, and it looks great. (will post pictures soon!)  I am just so addicted!  There are so many directions you can go with gray; cool and silvery, warm and ashy, bluish, or taupe. It is truly endless. It was introduced as the new neutral in fashion a couple of years ago, but I think it is the most universal, and here to stay. It works with every style for any room and in combination with every hue. Check out this list of designer's favorite gray paint colors from House Beautiful that I keep in my permanent file. Here are some tasty pictures of vibrating colors paired with trusty gray walls for your color inspiration:

via decorpad

via lovehome

via Escapde

by Ron Marvin via decorpad

A stand-alone sconce

I have been searching high and low for a great sconce for my client's dining room wall.  Wall lighting can add another layer of ambient light to your space and also double as an interesting accessory, adding visual interest.  Typically installed in pairs flanking a mirror, doorway, or painting, one single sconce can look great in the right place.

Here are some amazing sconces I have been drooling over:

I love this industrial two-armed sconce by designer Thomas O'Brien

A single long panel sconce would look amazing on a narrow wall

I would install this to add a feminine and whimsical touch to a bedroom or foyer 

This carved wood sconce would add just a bit of diffused light and a lot of texture to a room

Well-Traveled Client

I want to share an update on the Hoboken apartment I am working on.  We recently installed the silver leafed chest I featured on a previous post about metallic furniture, and it looks even better than I hoped!  The clients have a worldly and eclectic aesthetic fueled by their travels, such as their African Safari honeymoon.  I tried to incorporate their passion when presenting them with furniture and accessory options.  While looking for a mirror for above the chest, I stumbled upon this beautiful piece from Made Goods.  The wood was originally a mold for cast marble window screens in India, and was backed with mirror and repurposed as a breathtaking work of art!

Baladi Mirror

The combination of materials and the scale of the mirror worked well over the chest.  I added a few inexpensive accessories from HomeGoods with a pop of turquoise for color.  I am so excited to complete the rest of the space!

Incorporating vintage finds

A couple of months ago I competed in an IKEA living room design competition filmed and edited into 3 short episodes for Babelgum.com.  Four designers were asked to come up with a creative concept showcasing IKEA products.  My plan was to mix in some thrift store purchases with the modern and sleek IKEA furnishings to inject a little personality and history into the space.  I think the trick to combine new and old furnishings is creating a perfect balance.  Without any interesting finds or heirlooms your space may look like a lifeless furniture showroom, but too many may make your living room seem like a museum.  Mixing items from different eras creates a unified timeless aesthetic and a space that is unique to you.

My friend Laura and I did some hunting at the Meeker Avenue Flea Market in Williamsburg, and photographed some interesting furniture and accessories to include in the design presentation.

Here is a selection of curiosities we found with a similar patina that we thought would look
great on top of a modern IKEA media console.   

 

I thought this dress form would be fun on a dressing table to loop jewelry and
scarves around.   The vintage fan caught my eye too! 

This nook in my apartment, photographed by Kelly Turso, is an example of mixing old and new.  I hung antique milk glass plates as wall art and stacked pieces of pretty vintage china to create this feminine vignette on a simple parsons table.

Trend Spot: Metallic Furniture

I am working on decorating a living room for a couple here in Hoboken who asked me to find some furniture pieces to compliment their existing ebony stained wood furniture.  Many homeowners tend to believe all of the furniture finishes should match exactly, but actually choosing pieces in new and exciting finishes that contrast what you already have can be really beautiful.  A great option that you can integrate with any wood tone is a painted metallic finish.  While looking for the perfect piece, I was surprised by how many amazing options there are out there in the market! My favorite look is silver leaf, which looks like it falls somewhere between gold and silver and works well with both warm and cool metal accents.  Check out some of my favorites below.

The bold design on this piece would add visual interest to an entry way or bedroom.

 Antique Gold Leaf Chest with Eglomise Glass

I absolutely love this glam set of silver leaf nesting tables, and I think it would be perfect next to a sofa to rest a cocktail on.              

This Sanctuary Chest I what I choose for my client.  I can't wait to see it in their space!  Will keep you updated when I install it!

This Silver leaf leather headboard would normally be too ornate for my taste, but combined with modern side tables with clean lines it would be a perfect pop of opulence.   

While I was searching online, I found this impressive DIY tutorial on Little Green Notebook Blog about applying silver leaf to a pair of HomeGoods side tables.  

Gift idea for a Top Chef Fanatic!

My boyfriend tries to turn every dinner attempt into a "quickfire challenge" so I used the hit Bravo show as a theme for his gifts this holiday season.  The Brooklyn Kitchen in Williamsburg regularly offers a knife skills class that is highly recommended.  We are going on January 9th so I will keep you posted!  In addition I bought him a Wusthof Classic 8 inch chef's knife and sharpening steel so he can dice, chop, and julienne in style.  Lastly I bought him the show's latest cookbook, How To Cook Like A Top Chef, Chronicle Books, July 2010.

The beauty of this is it's a gift that keeps on giving, since he is going to want to try out all of the mouthwatering recipes inside, and I will be around to sample!