Totally Ugly Furniture From the Salone del Mobile
Okay! So, one might think that everything in the Contemporary Halls would be (a) contemporary and (b) well designed and (c) useful in some sort of way. You would be wrong. Here, I offer proof that, just because a company can afford the price of space at the Salone (super-duper furniture and design show held once a year in Milan), your offerings are just as super-duper. Read on…
This lamp just makes me laugh. All the lamps this company makes were just as hideous. If this were in my house, I wouldn’t get much sleep for fear that those claws and the base might creep into my bedroom and I’d find that shade sucking my blood at two o’clock in the morning. Those beads are red, after all. Yikes. Read More…
Choosing Colors, by Kevin McCloud, and My Current Color Palette Favorite
I just picked up Choosing Colors by color genius, Kevin McCloud ($16,47 at Amazon). He’s so inspirational and really knows his stuff. His book explains color theory in an understandable way and suggests all kinds of ways to mix them up.
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Best of all, he gives you these little squares of black and gray so you can check out his colors against the best background. And, he has color numbers from the major paint companies, so you can scoot over to your paint store and get colors from his book in paint form. I like that.
Kevin wrote this amazing book titled Decorative Style about 20 years when faux finishes were really in. Sadly, it’s out of print, but if you can pick up a copy, it’s a good one to keep in your design arsenal. Read More…
Are Canopy Beds the Most Romantic Style?
I sort of think so. Maybe it’s because you feel enclosed in all the fabric that might hang around it. It becomes a private hideaway, enabling you to let go and get your groove on. A 12-foot ceiling, French windows, Paris, and some chilled champagne wouldn’t hurt either. And, since we’re having fun, I’ll throw in Guy Pierce.
Okay, so here of some of my top picks for canopy beds.
I really love this bed designed by Annie Selke for Vanguard. I wanted to use it in a client’s home, but the ceiling was too low and for some reason they weren’t willing to rip out the roof. This bed is so stylish, it would rip off the roof all by itself (I am such a cool writer, no?) Anyway, I love the gold. It’s super hot right now. Read More…
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Just In the Nick of Time
This is my idea of the perfect Mother’s Day gift. If your children are small, why not give Mom a beautiful, one of a kind gift she’ll keep forever? After all, this is supposed to be a day when children (not husbands!!!) celebrate their mom.
I know Hallmark and Tiffany’s would disagree with me, but that how I feel. Therefore, if you’re too old, or don’t feel in an artistic mood, here are a few ideas from sites that can ship in time for the big day. Don’t forget breakfast in bed (are you reading this Spencer?).
I’m choosing gifts that I would like to have. My son could afford any of these, starting with this red Marimekko umbrella from FinnStyle. If you live in Seattle, or The D, you need one of these. It has been raining cats and dogs here. I wish I had a stylin’ $30 unbrella like this to go with my raincoat.
Next is this collection of square vases. A square vase is very versatile and , since I keep breaking mine, I’m thinking just about any mom would love one of these from Pottery Barn ($12 – $44).
I LOVE these. Okay? I’ve seen them in real life at Restoration Hardware. These real boxwood balls look great. You can buy just the ball, but online they’re teamed with a cute pot. Prices for the balls are $15 – $179. The topiaries are $39 – $59).
And that’s it! Photoshop quit on me, so my ideas from Tiffany’s and Henri Bendel’s will have to wait until next year. But they have lots of great things there, especially if you’re the dad.
I’dd leave you with this thought. I really think that a holiday invented by a card company shouldn’t go beyond the card (homemade would be best). You can include breakfast in bed, but I don’t think my husband should have to buy me a gift. I was given the best gift ever when my child was born. What’s your opinion?
Important Interior Design Trends from the Salone del Mobile: New Colors Rule the Day
The Salone del Mobile celebrated its 50th birthday this year. Furniture companies, and the designers who work for them, stepped up to the plate with terrific new designs that pay full attention to the economy and current lifestyle changes. This was by far the best show I’ve seen in the years I’ve attended. Let’s take peek at what’s coming your way.
The typical straight lines and black and white colors that we think of when it comes to contemporary furniture are still on hand, but say hello to soft pastels and vibrant colors. They were everywhere and not just in lighting and accessories. Color is a major trend in furnishings.
Patricia Urqioula’s Klara Collection for Moroso. This was one of my favorites. I love the soft pink and the knit pattern.
More pastel colors, a soft blue, were a hit with me. I love that toile in the background. The juxtaposition with the contemporary against the classic is terrific.
Salone del Mobile 2011: The Best Designs for Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. I’m beginning my Salone report today because eco-friendly designs were one of the major trends at this year’s show in Milan. Here are a few of my Earth Day favorites.
Emeco has created one of my top favorites – forgetting the eco-friendly element. Each of their new 111 Navy Chairs, is made from 111 plastic bottles, 65% recycled PET plastic and 35% glass fiber and pigment. This year, the chair has diverted 3.5 million bottles out of landfills. 111Navy is made in the United States, beginning in Tennessee and molded in North Carolina. Love it!
I’ve always loved the soft, buttery woods from 1920R. A few years ago, they had a small, lonely space. This year, their space was huge and business was booming. Their Briccole di Venezia collection was the star of their show. Made from Briccole, the posts standing in the lagoon from time immemorial. The old posts are replaced every year and 1920R is using those to create some beautiful tables and chairs. Venice is my favorite. See the rest on their site.
My other fave is their Aukland table made from Kauri trees that have been buried, due to earth quakes, under the earth for centuries. The wood has been preserved, not fossilized. Super cool. You can see a number of their Kauri designs here. Read More…
Reporting On The Salone: Stay Tuned
I’m back from Milan and ready to report on all the new trends in furniture, lighting and must have accessories. But…
boy do my feet hurt! LOL. I have a friend from Chile visiting me, so my posts on the show will begin tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Salone Del Mobile: A Sneak Peek At A Few Favorites
The Salone del Mobile is a ginormous event. It’s really impossible to see everything. That’s why it’s so much fun to scout out previews and create a map ahead of time for “must sees”. Here are a few things I’m looking forward to seeing in real life.
These Tetris-shaped bookshelves are lit using a computer program that allows you to change the colors as you like. Designed by a2. Can’t wait to see just how this works. This is the sort of design that has a thousand and one uses. Read More…
I’m Baaaack! Interior Design World Rejoices As Design Hole Reopens Its Doors
Am I overstating the excitement? Perhaps just a wee bit. At any rate, I’m back after a much-needed break to take care of personal business. For my loyal readers (thanks for all the notes, by the way), I’d like to share with you that Spencer is doing really well. He’s back to his normal, teenaged self, with all the joy and eye-rolling that comes with the package. In fact, he made it into the National Honor Society. Woot! and Brag!
My botched hip replacement of two years ago continues to plague me a bit. I’m still seeking some answers and I’m learning to manage how to live with the after-effects. I really needed that time to pull myself together. New words in my lexicon: mindful, radical acceptance, “Friday, Friday”. (blissful sighs and gag.)
I’ve also been busy being an interior designer. Believe it or not, there is a lot of design work here in The D. And that’s been a lot of fun for me.
And that brings me to some excellent news. I’ll be traveling to Milan next week to report from the Salone del Mobile. Yipsters! For those who don’t know of the Salone, it’s like the Paris fashions shows, only it’s in Milan and they show furniture. There is no cat walk.
I’ll be sharing some sneak peeks at some of the new products from the show all week long (see photos, above).
It’s nice to be back. I’ve missed practicing my mad writing skills and sharing my particular point of view on all things designerly.
Design Hole’s Fourth Anniversary (and a little more news)
Thank you.
To all of the people who’ve read, liked, linked to, and commented on my blog, I thank you.
Today marks Design Hole’s fourth anniversary. Writing Design Hole is one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It has helped me make friends from all over the world, put me into contact with designers I’ve always admired, even helped me become a better interior designer (and writer) myself.
Along the way, I hope that you’ve found the posts I’ve written informative, useful, or inspiring.
My design business is also a great source of inspiration and fun. I’m happy to say that it’s busier than ever. Much more important is the fact that my son, an extremely intelligent teen with Asperger’s, is facing some struggles that I need to attend to.
I’ve been really torn (very, extremely, ever-so) making this decision. But the truth is, for the next few months, my life will be too busy to devote the time to my site that I think you, as readers, deserve. So I’ve made the decision to take some time off.
When my life calms down, and I’ve got some extra help sorted out, I’ll be back. I expect that will be later this Spring. If you’re interested in being notified when I’m writing again, please email me with your address and I’ll let you know. Also, if you’ve got a quick question about a design problem, don’t hesitate to drop me a line (and a photo). I’ll be happy to help you out.
You can email me at: designholeonline [at] gmail [dot] com.
In the meantime, keep up your passion for great design. Don’t settle for something ordinary. Challenge yourself to create something great. Your home is your heart; not just the decoration, but the people living there with you. Create an environment that embraces and celebrates both yourself and your loved ones.
I’ll see you in a few months.
The Stenciled Room: Cheaper and Easier Than Wallpaper
This is not wallpaper. It’s an amazing wall decoration made entirely with stencils. Please, don’t cover your entire room with this or you’ll have a perpetual headache. But one wall – wow!
Stencils are a terrific way to decorate a wall without having to buy and hang wallpaper. Personally, I hate hanging wallpaper. I love stenciling. It’s really easy, as long as you’re careful with things like straight lines. All you do is stick the stencil to the wall and paint, or dab, or spray. It all depends on what medium you’re using. Read More…
Where The Heck Has Jennifer Been?
I guess my dedicated readers have noticed that I’ve been missing in action for most of the last several weeks. Here’s the scoop. I’ve been struggling with the after-effects of a hip replacement I had two years ago. Things didn’t go as well as they should have. I was left with nerve and tendon damage which effects my ability to walk up stairs, exercise, and drive (among other things). After a bad reaction to a steroid injection, I’d had enough.
I went to hospital in Baltimore (no, not re-hab) to help with the steroid overdose and get my pain management under control. I saw lots of doctors to see if anything could be fixed. Sadly, no. I Read More…
How To Wrap Christmas Gifts Using Handmade & Recycled Things From Around The House
If you haven’t guessed yet from the shortage of posts, my life has been super busy. But not too busy to wrap Christmas presents in a new way (for me). I decided that this year I would wrap everything with materials I already had on hand. I started with newspaper, and embellished each package with decorations I cut out of wallpaper samples, left-over wrapping paper, etc. I also used rubber stamps and markers (particularly silver and gold). Read More…
Design Hole’s Gift Guide For Design Lovers Who Love Food
Jeez, how do I follow up misterarthur’s man-manship gift guide? It was obviously spot on. Well, they say that the way to man’s heart is through is stomach. So if you can’t afford a riding snow blower, here are some gift ideas for the special man in your life, or anyone who loves food. Read More…
The Man Decorating Gift Guide for 2010
Hello, misterarthur here reporting for Design Hole on gift guides for men. It’s never too late for Christmas shopping in a man’s world. Need proof? Visit a mall on the twenty-third of December and see for yourself. You’ll find the shoppers are 90% male, shopping at the last minute.
This being an interior design site, you might expect me, the man decorator, to have some interior design-y gift ideas for Christmas. I think it’s important to point out that in most homes, the manly parts are limited to the garage and/or the basement. Hence, while this gift giving guide may not appear to be directed towards improving the look of your home, it might make for a happier home life overall. Read More…
