Sourcing for mom... the dining room edition

 

 

My mother, Lois, has a new house in the NC mountains!  And, it is freaking cute.   

 

I am sooooo thankful that she sold the log cabin.  That silly thing was a maintenance disaster.  And, mom referred to it as the Rice Krispie house -- as the ambient temperature of the of the house changed during the day, the wood would "snap, crackle, and pop."  Good riddance. 

 

 

 

Her new home is only 1400 sq ft.... so McMansion it is NOT.  Fortunately, it is absolutely adorable, and she's done a wonderful job getting it together. 

 

As you might imagine... {hint hint}.... there are a couple of ideas which could make her little mountain cottage the envy of all of her neighbors.  And, it might just piss off a few family members, too!  That would be like a gift from sweet baby Jesus. 

 

But, I digress. 

 

Let's start with the dining room.  The back wall of the dining room can be seen as you walk in the front door.  So, since that is the first sight line in the house, it needs to be amazing.  I know, it needs to be practical, too.  Don't burst my bubble!

 

Ok... the basics. 

 

1.  Crown moulding. 

The cost is only about $1 per linear foot installed.  So, that shouldn't completely break the bank.


2.  Back wall.   Options:  textured paint, wallpaper, or grasscloth.

 

http://www.dwelement.com/blog.php?post=200



Hmmmm.... that might really be a good thing!  Simple and tasteful.  Me likey.


3.  Light fixture.  Oh, did I mention that the light fixture in the dining room was TINY???  It is awful!   Simple drum shade to the rescue.  Fortunately, my mom is not a Venetian glass chandelier kind of girl... that could get expensive.

www.westelm.com

 

...and it is ONLY $100.  Score!

 

 

4.  Dining room table.  This is where there may be some gnashing of teeth.  History:  The table is over 100 years old.  Beautiful lines.  But.... it has been beaten all to hell.  Despite multiple attempts to strip, sand, and stain, the top of that little beast still looks dreadful.  Currently, it is hidden under a tablecloth.  Ick.

 

How about some color?????  Red maybe.  It IS mom's favorite color.

 

 

THAT could be....... amazing!!!

 

 

Ok, Joseph, focus.

 

 

5.  Storage.  Since she is seriously lacking storage, a buffet might be the practical and pretty solution.   And, since that crazy painted table is going to be the center of attention, lets stick to white or natural wood colors.

 

http://www.colemanfurniture.com/glen-cove-white-buffet.htm 

Reed buffet

 

 



Ok, I LOVE that Reed Buffet.  It's perfect.  But.... it is located in AUSTRALIA.  Thanks world wide web!  Grumble.  And, since I've previously shipped a didgeridoo from Sydney, the cost of that little trans-Pacific trip would be insane. 

 

That Coleman one isn't bad.  Dimensions are 16 x 18 x 62 inches at a cost of $765, with free shipping.   

 

 

6.  Lamps.  Need two lamps for the buffet.

 

http://www.circalighting.com/

 

Great looking balustrade-inspired lamp from Circa.  Sadly, there are 2 problems.  First, the $630 price point is a tad high.  Second, it is french wired... which means that the cord comes out of the socket.  Personally, french wired lamps are the aesthetic equivalent of nails on a chalk board.  HATE!  But, I do like the idea of that lamp.  Guess that I'll keep looking.  It may be Home Goods to the rescue. 

 

 

7.  Chairs.    The current chairs in the room are Queen Anne with upholstered cushions.  They have great lines but the off-white damask on the cushions looks a little too formal for the room. 

 

Guess that we need to find some fabric.  Something fun and festive...

 

Ikat?

For some reason, I'll bet that she will pass on the Ikat idea. 

 

Camel in velvet?

Pebbles in mocha?  I want THIS for me!!!

Vingage floral???

 



The best option... send her a pile of fabric samples and tell her to pick.

 

 

8.  Rug?   The floors are a light oak stain. 

 

Bold stripe rug???  Not blue.

Hmmmmm.

 

Graphic pattern?

 

Simple jute?

 

She will need to give me some ideas on the rug choice.   But, I suspect that we will steer clear of the imported Turkish varieties from ABC Carpet and Home.   Some of them are not very budget friendly. 

 

Holy sticker shock, Batman. 

 

 

9.  The wall above the buffet.  Oh, I have a great idea which was inspired by this 100(+) year old photo.......

 

My grandmother, Mollie, and her twin sister. 

 

What about a gallery mount of family photos?????   Personally, I love the idea and have about 25 black and white picture frames in my closet.  So, it would be cheap.  And, I think that mom would adore it!!!



http://accessorizeandorganize.blogspot.com/2011/05/gallery-wall-inspiration.html

 

 

I think that we have a plan.  Now... I need to talk her into it! 

History of herringbone

Marble floor tile in herringbone pattern

 

 

Holy crap!  Check out the floor.....

 

That was my initial response after walking into the Sea Catch Restaurant in Georgetown a couple of months ago.  It was a rainy afternoon in our nation's capital - time for a snack and an adult beverage. 

 

And, then.... a bar with miles of marble and a completely kick ass floor!

 



Sea Catch Restaurant, Georgetown, DC

I promptly took a photo of the floor with my phone.  Sadly, after lunch and two drinks, my attention had been diverted to our next shopping excursion. 

Recently, a phone conversation rambled toward the topic of herringbone brick patterns for fireplaces.  They ARE simply spectacular and had recently been featured in one of the home magazines... Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, HGTV Magazine, Veranda, Southern Living, Traditional Home, or somewhere. 

Herringbone pattern of the firebox brick (inside the fireplace)

www.Pinterest.com

 

 

Remembering the floor in that great DC restaurant, I realized that herringbone is such a magnificent design element... it is classic, timeless, yet wonderfully chic.

But, where did it originate????

Rome, Italy

 

 

Around 500 BC, Rome began to build a series of roadways.  Those Viae Publicae were created to move people and products efficiently throughout the vast Roman Empire.  Simple construction rules required an interlocking "paver system" on a base of crushed stone.  Over the years, nearly 50,000 miles of Roman roadways were created using this system.

As the old saying goes, "All roads lead to Rome." 

Italian brick floor in Trajan's Market, Rome

http://janestreetclayworks.com/2012/10/22/opus-spicatum/

Perhaps more interesting (in a slightly nerdy way) was that the fundamental design principle came from.... a fish! 

Skeleton of fish from the Herring family. 

http://www.theolinstudio.com/blog/opus-spicatum-a-history-of-herringbone-by-will-belcher/

Over the years, the Romans found that when the chevrons were pointed in the direction of traffic, the roads were extremely stable.  The official terminology for this type of interlocking construction is, opus spicatum, or “spiked work.”

Unfortunately, that brings up another topic in this discussion of zigzags.  What is the difference between chevron and herringbone patterns?

Simply illustrated, chevron is an inverted V-pattern; it is THE classic zigzag motif.   Herringbone, on the other hand, resembles a broken zigzag. 

Confused???

Here are some examples for clarification.  Start with chevron.........

Missoni pillow in classic chevron pattern

https://www.jossandmain.com/Orlando-Bloom-Curate-for-a-Cause-Missoni-Home-Nossen-Pillow~ECMR1077~E2352.html

 Chevron rugs by Madeline Weinrib

www.madelineweinrib.com

 

More examples of chevron patterns from Missoni, Dash & Albert, Urban Outfitters, and Company C

http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/mfamb-home/2010/9/15/your-hate-in-a-nutshell-part-1.html

Chevron parquet flooring by Atelier de Granges

http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/09/30/chevron-and-herringbone/

 

 

Paris apartment with fabulous chevron wood flooring

http://www.doorsixteen.com/2010/09/30/chevron-and-herringbone/

 

Now to herringbone.  Remember, the idea is a "broken" or "interwoven" zigzag.

Plates in herringbone pattern

http://www.greenteadesign.com/thedesigntree/tag/colors/page/2/

 

Herringbone fabric in wool

http://www.omiru.com/index.php/category/features/

 

Brick pavers in herringbone pattern

New Orleans Convention Center, NOLA

Herringbone pattern wood floor

http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2010/02/french-floors.html

 

So, you get the idea.

Since chevron is rather trendy right now, utilizing it for rugs and pillows seems like a good idea.  For the more permanent features of the home (back splashes, flooring, fireplace stonework, walkways), keep it traditional and classic.  A few great herringbone examples include:

Amazing floors featured in Style Hive

http://housetoyourhome.com/2011/03/16/herringbone/

 

 

Herringbone floor in an apartment by Miles Redd

www.HouseBeautiful.com

http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2010/02/french-floors.html

 

 

Herringbone brick in curved indoor hallway in Valentino's home

http://www.cococozy.com/

 

The only caveat to my love of herringbone is that the stone, brick, wood, or tile needs to be fairly consistent in pattern, grain, and color....otherwise it can look a tad busy!   Unless your aesthetic is Jonathan Adler meets Liberace with a touch of Vegas show-girl, less is more. 

 

Love the floor, but.... it only works because everything else in that room is VERY understated. 

http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2010/02/french-floors.html

 

 

The idea of designing a herringbone pattern gives me geometry flashbacks. 

 

Fortunately, today, there is NO need to grab graph paper, a pencil, and protractor to figure out herringbone patterns.  Tiger Stone makes equipment that lays brick in the herringbone pattern without all of that mathematical homework.  Currently, it is only for outdoor use, but their paving machine IS impressive.  Check out the photo and video from YouTube below.  

 

 

http://www.core.form-ula.com/2010/11/15/tiger-stone-paving-machine/

 

 

As you might have figured out, herringbone just does it for me!  Currently, it is the screen saver on my iPhone and the pattern of one of my favorite cashmere scarves.  (Well... a cashmere scarf is much cheaper than an entire Paris apartment!)  Even this photo of the floor from ABC Carpet & Home just makes me smile.  





Sixth floor, ABC Carpet & Home, NYC



Now you know this history of herringbone.   Happy Sunday.... and I need another cup of coffee!

...not just for chickens

Chicken wire....not just for chickens, anymore!

Chicken coop

Chicken wire, or poultry netting, has been around for a long time.  In fact, it was invented in 1844 by Geoffrey Chaucer.... a little random Wednesday trivia courtesy of Wikipedia.  And, while netting does serve a functional purpose for housing chickens, there are some other uses with a tad more aesthetic appeal.  (No offense to the farmers out there...)

Wire mesh inserts have been used in cabinet doors for centuries.  They've made a big comeback in the antique world, and here are a few examples from the online dealer, 1stdibs. 

Circa 1820-1840s with original chicken wire

Circa 1720, France. 

Both available:  www.1stdibs.com

Unfortunately, the antique world can set some incredible prices on their furniture.  The 1720's cabinet, for instance, has a suggested retail of over $35,000.   So, how about a few examples that might be more budget friendly?

Cabinets can be repurposed.  Remove the door inserts and insert chicken wire for a little funky flair.

http://eatcaketoodesigns.blogspot.com/2011/07/entertainment-console-80.html

Same idea is seen in this kitchen cabinet featured in Better Homes and Gardens.

http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/cabinets/styles/kitchen-cabinet-door-ideas/#page=20

True confession... I really HATE this room, but the idea of the chicken wire in that vintage and very fussy armoire is fun. 

http://futuredomesticgoddess.blogspot.com/2011/10/wordless-wednesday-chicken-wire.html

And, a great idea for doors for the bar... check out the bottle of Maker's Mark.  I knew that they had good taste. 

http://furniturereincarnated.blogspot.com/2010/06/furniture-reincarnated-barnwood-bar.html

Though this photo doesn't do it justice, the upper cabinets in this kitchen remodel have chicken wire...proving you don't need to be in love with French country style to appreciate it.

http://havenandhome.blogspot.com/2011/05/love-one-youre-with-velvet-linen.html

This room may look a bit "staged" for some folks, but the chicken wire inserts in those cabinets look amazing. 

http://nestegg.typepad.com/nest-egg/2010/01/knock-knock.html

But, if you aren't ready to grab the jig saw, staple gun, and a roll of chicken wire from your local hardware store, these might be just the trick...

Chicken wire around bottles.  My friend, Josie, gave me a set similar to this for Christmas or my birthday.  Great way to display single flower blooms.

http://www.11magnolialane.com/

This is my chicken wire "bud vase."  I keep it on the ottoman in the sunroom.  Sometimes, it might be missing the flowers... shhh!  Don't tell anyone.

Bill Mitchell's recycled light fixture featuring chicken wire, motorcycle wheel cap, and Eastern Red Cedar wood.  Was featured in Green Home Chicago, recently.

http://www.chicagohomemag.com/Chicago-Home/Design-Dose/index.php?cp=4&si=30

This drum shade is sexy, fun, and unexpected.  Would look wonderful in a loft space or in a modern kitchen above a long island.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/products/chicken-coop

Why not use it as a side table???

http://www.houzz.com/photos/products/chicken-coop

Also available at: ABC Carpet and Home, NYC

When all else fails.... take inspiration from Ivan Lovatt.  He made a chicken statue out of chicken wire!

http://freshpics.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html

This made me laugh out loud.  The irony... a discussion about the artful use of chicken wire, and Ivan Lovatt made a sculpture combining Andy Warhol (made from chicken netting) and his iconic painting of a Cambell's soup can.  You just can't make this stuff up...

http://freshpics.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html

One final example..... and one of my absolute favorite things!  (I feel like Oprah.)  Chicken wire encased in acrylic.  About a year ago, I saw this tray in BD Jeffries in Charlotte  (http://www.bdjeffries.com).  Since that time, they have become much easier to find and they make great gifts.  I've given several away to friends who would appreciate their humor.  Some of the best deals on these trays are from 7th Floor Barneys, New York... you have to call; they are not on the website.  The one pictured is from:

 http://www.homejameseasthampton.com/davidslaneacrylictray-wire.aspx