Nailed it!

28 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Accessories; details

As I mentioned earlier, I recently had our very tired, very sad red and white buffalo check sofa reupholstered. I’ve been using a more neutral palate wherever possible. I have read it will calm me, so far, not so much. 🙂 You can take the Type A personality out of the chaos, but you can’t take the chaos out of the Type A.

We decided to add oil rubbed bronze nail heads to the arms this time (in the picture they look brass, but in person they are definitely oil rubbed bronze in color). I like the extra detailing on the sofa and began to notice how many pieces of furniture in my ‘saved’ furniture file have nailheads. {Sorry about the dog dishes in the kitchen, missed that in my viewfinder while taking this picture}

The New Jersey Star Ledger explained that this is an enduring element of furniture design…

The decorative use of nailheads on furniture is believed to have begun in 17th century France with the ornately carved wooden seating of the Louis XIII period. During this time when the most luxurious furnishings were coveted, craftsmen would use decorative nails to secure fine upholstery such as velvet, brocade, tapestries or leather.

I want to share some of my recent, and not so recent, furniture with nailheads finds…

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I love the nailheads on these chairs, as well as the ikat fabric.

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Aren’t these beds wonderful? Perfect for a room for adolescent teens or visiting guests. {also, isn’t this wallpaper great?}

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This pretty chair is covered in Sebastian Tattersall in Sky, a part of the new SMW Home textile collection.

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What are your thoughts? Do you like nailheads or could you skip them?

♥ Karen

Matching paint – trim and walls

21 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Paint Color

≈ 22 Comments

Hi there! Happy Wednesday.

There is a relatively recent trend to paint walls and trim the same color. I’ve seen some rooms done this way that are very appealing. I confess, I’m old school and appreciate a distinction, no matter how subtle, between the two.

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Houzz gave the trend press in early 2013, with a quote from architect Treff LaFleche who states that matching trim and walls “emphasize the functional purpose of architectural trim and creates a more understated and contemporary composition.” I agree, but my traditional leanings probably balk at the “contemporary” reference.

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There is something modern and soothing about trim painted the exact same color as the walls. It creates a seamless look and works well if you plan to leave your walls bare or cover them with a thousand pieces of art. -Houzz

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This butler’s pantry is striking—slate walls, cupboard fronts and trim.

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The wood beadboard, crown moulding, window trim, and casing, match but the toile breaks up what could be too much of any one color. A lively example of contrast between wall and trim.

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All white kitchens are always beautiful to me. Maybe the variance found in the counter, the stainless steel appliances, and the tile backsplash over the range give it the added pop of contrast.

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What do you think? Would you paint the trim and walls the same color?

♥ Karen

Books, the subtle accessory in a room

14 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

accessories, library

hello my friends, happy wednesday!

If you’ve visited me throughout the years you may have picked up on the fact that I love libraries. Weather public, university or home libraries, they all hold equal interest for me. [HERE, HERE, and HERE] I love books and the warmth they give to a room.

This post was inspired by a post in late spring by my friend, Vanessa, of Reviving Charm. She shared information of a London based company known as Ultimate Library. They will curate and assemble an entire library for you, whether it be a residential or commercial project. To read more about how this works and some of the locations where they have done this service visit HERE.

Today I’d like to talk about the role of books as an accessory. I realize that anytime a book is placed in a stack on a coffee table it could be considered an adornment, as well as something to read, but it seems to me books have advanced to a more prominent place in a room today.

Beribboned antique books are used alongside an assortment of other tabletop antiques.

These beauties make such a statement in this bookcase. Wouldn’t you love to open one {carefully} and read it, look for the date?

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This desk vignette is beautiful and the books definitely play a role.

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I’ve always loved a library table. Wish I had room for one. This book display hits all of my hot buttons. Art work, a vintage pocket watch, the tray and a scented candle, and the still life effect of it all by adding the bowl of apples, perfection.

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I’m certain you’ve seen this trend in displaying books. I guess you either hate it or love it. I confess it appeals to me and I’ve done a version of it in my own bookcase with my design books. Where do you stand on the color coordinated books topic?

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…and what about removing the jackets. Again, I’m sure there are those that feel it is sacrilege and others, like me, that actually like the look of the books better without their jackets than with!

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I really like the way we all use books to elevate items such as this orchid and the smaller accessory on the chest when decorating.

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Blue and white beauty with books and other wonderful items of interest.

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I also like color coordinated books in a vignette. Intentionally placing a stack of green books with the blue, white and green set-up just makes it all the prettier in my view.

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The collection of magnifying glasses, along with the leather books is divine!

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This space has a library feel to it. The vintage prints, marble bust and books!

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I love this narrow opening in such a formal setting, filled to the top with vintage books!

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Tell me, do you decorate with books?

♥ Karen

Walls with a “Wow” Factor

07 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements, House and Home

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

walls

Hi friends, happy Wednesday!

Today I’d like to talk about walls. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, you have walls. Painted walls can be wonderful, and comparatively economical, a benefit I always appreciate.

They can also add drama to a room.

I’ve had walls on my mind lately since I’m seeing lots more wallpaper ideas online providing options for texture and color. You know how tempting a concept, like wallpaper, can become when you see a gorgeous room!

Wallpaper today is manufactured in so many patterns, including some with great texture. I’m happy wallpaper is back in the design spotlight.

This textured wallpaper [below] (grasscloth?) gives depth to the wall while providing a similar contrast to the trim, as paint would.

Custom paneling, whether more formal or informal, can be the wow factor for any room.

The knotty pine tongue in groove in the bedroom below is ideal for the room’s decor and the pitch of the ceiling.

Reclaimed wood, whether man made or actually aged, adds character.

Then there’s the unexpected. The walls in this room [below] convince me it could be a lodge in England as easily as America. Love this room!

The talented Amy Meier brought warmth to this kitchen with the addition of brick on the wall.

Stone walls are a favorite of mine, maybe because they are not often seen unless the home is custom. A custom home isn’t in my immediate future, but I love the look.

This stone wall with the farm apron sink set in an antique cupboard gives the room a historic feel.

The materials available to those building a custom home can create authenticity in any room.

Using aged, or distressed beams, stone on the wall and floor gives me the feel of an old farmhouse kitchen even though this may be a newer home.

Actual age is hard to fake. That’s a good thing for some of us—but we’re talking about homes. Oh to live in an old house in Europe!

If these walls could talk. My imagination runs away with me when I’m in a room such as this.

Living in a tract house, our walls in most rooms are painted and we have beadboard in a couple of the rooms. No stone walls in our little cottage. I’ll have to get my stone wall fix from the beautiful homes I find online. 🙂

♥ Karen