Wild about...wicker???

Soane Ripple Console Table

http://www.soane.co.uk/product/tables/the-ripple-console

Last weekend, I was in Florida visiting family.  On Sunday, for 11 hours, the Tallahassee Regional Airport was my home.... and THAT was before they decided to cancel the flight.   Grumble!


Trying to search for a silver lining, there WAS plenty of time to read magazines.  Six to be exact... cover to cover.   In addition to helping the bottom line of Hearst Publishing company this month, I realized that one topic seemed to be in abundance..... wicker.

A definition is probably in order.  Wicker is a "hard woven fiber" that can be made into "baskets and furniture," and wicker furniture "has been documented as far back as ancient Egypt."  Wikipedia.


Wicker is the decorating equivalent of cilantro... you either love it or you hate it!  I happen to really like it.


Several years ago, David Jimenez's home in Kansas City was the blog buzz.  He used banana leaf chairs from Storehouse with a Pottery Barn pedestal table and a Ralph Lauren chesterfield sofa in his breakfast room.  The room was spectacular, and those banana leaf chairs kept the space from looking too fussy. 

www.davidjimenez.com

www.housebeautiful.com

Just before Storehouse went out of business, I found a couple of those chairs in Raleigh.  Very excited............ until I tried to sit in one of them.  Sadly, they were some seriously uncomfortable little bastards; pretty but not practical!

So, I went on the search of a similar look for my sunroom....something woven or wicker, comfortable, traditional lines, with an updated silhouette.  Pottery Barn to the rescue.

Pottery Barn Seagrass Wingback

www.potterybarn.com

Two of those seagrass wingbacks currently reside in my sunroom.  They are delightful AND comfortable.  This photo is from Christmas... wasn't in the mood to straighten all of the magazines that are currently on that ottoman.  HA.  But, you get the idea.

Sunroom, chez moi

 

So, with the current wicker discussion, throw away those old attitudes about your grandmother's wicker patio furniture and give it a second look. 

Soane Britain is responsible for that great console at the top of the page.  Loved the idea of that console and thought that it was just a grand idea.... until I saw the price.  $9000.  Really?????  Ok, that's nuts.  Let's look around for a few other examples.

 

Wicker chairs always look great in dining rooms and breakfast rooms. 

Wicker side chairs in an informal dining area

http://www.cococozy.com/2012/03/see-this-house-inside-out-of-49-million.html

 

Note to self:  $49 million dollar house in the Hamptons.  Bet that those little wicker chairs are expensive.  Just a sneaky suspicion.    So, maybe this is a litle more budget friendly. 

 

www.lonnymag.com

 

Another great example from Lonnymag is to use them in a more formal space to "lighten it up."   Wicker framed chairs look great in this formal living room. 

www.lonnymag.com

 

 Wicker is great for outdoor furniture, too.  In addition to the usual natural fibers, synthetic wickers are resistant to the elements and can be stylish for years. 

Traditional wicker sofa

www.southernliving.com

 

Montauk Nest Chair

www.westelm.com

 

Chaise lounge from Manutti

http://www.trendir.com/archives/001184.html

Apple shaped outdoor wicker by Skyline

http://housedesignarchitecture.com/unique-rattan-wicker-outdoor-furniture-apple-shaped-by-skyline.html/unique-rattan-wicker-outdoor-furniture-apple-shaped

 

Alseda wicker stool and pouff

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/20929/

 

Wicker porch sofa

www.lonnymag.com

 Wicker can also be used for great accent pieces in the home.  Tray tables or antique baskets can bring lots of character and texture to indoor spaces. 

Butler's tray table

www.ikea.com

 

 Antique picnic basket

www.ebay.com

 

Woven materials are great.  They can be comfortable AND stylish.  So... don't be a wicker hater!!!   {Wink}

Happy wkend.  

Gallery wall

"Empty frame" gallery arrangement

www.marthastewart.com

 

"Hello.   My name is Joey and I am a gallery wall snob."   There, I said it...  but, I'm not certain that I want to recover from this affliction. 

We've all seen rooms in which the art is hung near ceiling height.  Or, those poor 15 ft feature walls that are accessorized by a lonely 8 x 10 photo.  In this case, my prayer is, God bless them... and "forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23.

Why is it soooo difficult for people to figure out where to hang a piece of art?  It just ain't that hard.

Ideally, art -- be it from the dime store or an auction house -- should be hung at eye level.  Most agree that the center of the piece should be 60 inches from the floor.  There are, of course, lots of exceptions.  But, it is important to know the rules before you decide to break them. 

With gallery or salon displays, most of the rules get thrown out the window.  But, while the "rules" may be more permissive and lenient, there are still some guidelines to follow that will prevent total aesthetic disaster. 

1. There should be one unifying element.  For example, keep the frame choices consistent... maybe, black or white.  Though a bit "girly" for my taste, this is an amazingly well done space.   

 

http://its-like-tiffanys.blogspot.com/2010/09/photographic-collection-of-design.html

2.  Understand that the eye reads "collections" as an upside down letter e.  The item in the center is seen first and then the natural tendency in Western cultures is to read the collection "counter clockwise."  So, the most important item should be hung in the center with the supporting art hung around it.   And, this center element should be hung at eye level. 

http://interiordesignhq.com/2012/02/hang-head-high-artwork/

Look at this collection.  What is the first thing that you see on the wall?  The black and white flowers???   What is the last thing that you see... the small round silver object at the 8 o'clock position?    It's a cool trick!

3.  The space between the items should be as similar as possible in order to help unify the look.

http://www.happysammy.org/2011/02/looking-for-ideas-wall-photo-gallery.html

4.  "Hang your head high, NOT your artwork."

http://theinspiredroom.net/2011/03/30/gallery-walls-inspiration-pictures-a-linky-party/

I HATE everything about this gallery wall.  There is NOT a cohesive element linking all of the elements.  It is hung waaaaaaaaaaay too high.  Check out the art on the right hand wall... it is at eye level.  So, why did they mount all of the gallery items at the ceiling?  And, there is just too much crap on that wall.  This wall needs a big ole...RE-do!

5.  When combining multiple items, keep the color palate simple.  In this case, the entire wall "reads" as a black and white art instillation.  Why?  The frames may be different colors, but... all of the items have white mats.  And, the art itself is all black and white.  It works! 

Room by David Jimenez

www.davidjimenez.com

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/kansas-city-style-0807

6.  Scale is important.   The idea is to use between 2/3 and 3/4 of the wall space above a piece of furniture to compliment it and not overwhelm it.  For instance..... this entry is DREADFUL.

http://www.thecreativityexchange.com/category/wall-ideas

In all honesty, I think that the rug is great... and the faux taxidermy horns are clever.  But, the scale is all screwed up.  To accomodate that much art, the table needs to be MUCH larger... the art dwarfs that little table.  I also think that it is a little odd to have a perfectly symmetrical arrangement on the table while not carrying that symmetry idea onto the wall.  It just seems off.

Don't get me wrong, I don't always practice what I preach.  The mirror above my foyer table is waaay too small.  Currently, it is just not on my "to do" list. 

On the other hand, this space rocks.... The scale is great, especially with the edition of that large floor lamp in the corner to anchor the arrangement. 

Room by Preston  Lee

http://designers.elledecor.com/designers/11-preston-lee-design-west-hollywood-CA-designers

7.  The pieces of art should compliment each other or help to tell a story.  Just because you have 26 pieces of art, it doesn't mean that you should hang them all together on the same wall.   What in the world were they thinking?  Just say, NO.

http://museumca.org/exhibit/gallery-california-art



8.  Start with a plan.  I've certainly been guilty of putting 10 nail holes in the wall to hang one item.  But, you don't have to do that...  plan it out before you start destroying the walls. 

http://interiordesignhq.com/2012/02/hang-head-high-artwork/

9.  Keep it simple...  When I first started working, art wasn't really in my budget.  Unfortunately, I had a great deal of wall space.  And, gallery collections can be a cheap way to fill up some of that space.  In my home office, I used frames made out of glass and bleached wood to display postcards from my favorite trips.  Sorry that the photo is a bit blurry, but you get the idea. 

10.  Just follow the rules and gallery walls can be a spectacular addition to your space....

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/kansas-city-style-0807 

Pottery Barn

http://naptimedecorator.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-heart-gallery-walls.html

http://plainfancyliving.blogspot.com/2011/02/gallery-walls.html

http://thedailydigi.com/great-gallery-walls/

http://designlove-cynthia.blogspot.com/2011/04/gallery-walls.html

http://www.ciaochessa.com/2012/01/how-to-create-gallery-wall.html

Borrowed from the boys

Borrowed from the boys

Menswear inspired home furnishings

http://blog.decoratorsbest.com/featured/new-breed-of-tweed/

Never forget what inspires you!

Allow me to tell you a short story.

This is a story about my master bedroom.  About 10 years ago, “Designer Guys” aired on the Discovery Channel.  It was the Canadian version of HGTV, and on one particular episode, the guys covered the sofa in some high-rise condo with… black   wool   pinstripe   men’s   suit   fabric.   And, the look was, quite frankly, sexy!

http://www.moderndesigntrends.com/

During this same time, the folks at Williams Sonoma – those purveyors of All Clad and olive oil – had decided to jump into the home goods business.  As a precursor to Williams Sonoma Home, they started out with a line of bedding and towels called “Chambers.”  In one particular Chambers catalog, a herringbone duvet cover was displayed that was simply magnificent.  Unfortunately, at the time, I was struggling to buy groceries and certainly could NOT afford to pay for a $450 duvet cover.

Fast forward to 2007.  House Beautiful featured an article entitled, “Quintessential Kansas City,” featuring the home of David Jimenez, the vice president of visual merchandising and design for Hallmark Cards, Inc.  And, guess what he had in the master bedroom…. that damn herringbone duvet that I saw years ago.

http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2007/08/david-jimenez-hallmarks-new-hall-of.html and http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/kansas-city-style-0807?click=main_sr#slide-1

Hence, the inspiration for my master bedroom was reborn.

Then, there was that pesky little problem… that duvet was no longer available.

Why?

Well, home décor has historically been done for women.  Fortunately, as more men have become interested in their surroundings, we are putting a big kibosh on some of those awful florals, chintzes, and toiles.  Hence, a trend toward menswear inspired home furnishings has emerged during the past couple of years.

From flooring and rugs to lamps and upholstery, here are some great ideas...

  Recycled leather belt flooring..... LOVE this idea      http://designindulgences.com/2012/02/06/fellas-this-one-is-for-you/

Plates and nakins with a masculine edge

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/776222/list/Guest-Picks--Tastemaker-Items-You-Can-Afford/

 Mid century modern chairs in blue plaid tweed

http://www.reinspiredhome.com/index.html

 Check out that lampshade

www.wandrlust.com

Grey and yellow argyle feather pillows

http://www.bytheseadecor.com/product.php?productid=1410

That rug is GREAT... that wall color is dreadful!

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/776222/list/Guest-Picks--Tastemaker-Items-You-Can-Afford/

So, you get the idea....

http://threadhautedecor.wordpress.com/

Even some flagship stores have gone this direction.  Despite being the Women’s Store, the Ralph Lauren store on Madison Avenue has a decidedly masculine edge with the wrought iron, marble floors, and black and white décor.

http://www.luxist.com/tag/madison+avenue/ and          http://www.fashionfoiegras.com/2010/10/ralph-lauren-womens-flagship-store-on.html

If you think that the RL women's flagship store is masculine, then just walk across the street and check out the men's store.  An absolutely amazing space.....

The Ralph Lauren Men's Store in Manhattan.  http://www.luxist.com/tag/madison+avenue/ 

And, Tom Ford’s Men's Store in New York has a sexy masculine vibe with the zebra wood and dark furnishings.

photo from Veranda

http://nymag.com/shopping/openings/30610/ and    http://themanofstyle.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/the-world-of-tom-ford/

Thankfully, this trend has gotten some press lately.  Recently, it was featured on the Nate Berkus TV show.

 http://www.thenateshow.com/

Just remember, if you are re-doing a bedroom, rehabilitating a kitchen, buying a pillow, or thinking about wallpaper, don't forget about the men in your life.  We live there, too.

 Flannel upholstered walls and that leather headboard are amazing!

http://designindulgences.com/2012/02/06/fellas-this-one-is-for-you/

Spectacular kitchen.  Not really my taste, but I really like it!

http://designindulgences.com/2012/02/06/fellas-this-one-is-for-you/

Pinstripe wallpaper fabric in blue from www.doyoulovewhereyoulive.com