penny round tile

Penny Rounds are my favorite mosaic tile. As the name suggests, they're about the size of a penny and come in tons of colors, finishes, and materials: glass, porcelain, metal, stone--you name it. 

They've been used in design for a long time and are certainly nothing new, but they've gained some popularity over the last several years. The best part is, the never quite became "trendy," which means you can use them and not instantly date your home (so that twenty years from now no one can walk in your home and say "well this was obviously done in 2014"). 

Depending on how you use them they can be cute, sophisticated, dramatic, eye-catching, subtle--whatever you like. When you use the standard ceramic version, it's fairly inexpensive. And, did you know that the shape of a circle is the most aesthetically pleasing of all shapes?? It's true. All the more reason to use them.

Here are some great installation photos to showcase their versatility:

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Not a great install shot, but this was too cool not to post--it's cork!! image

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Have you seen enough yet?! Does it make you want to find a way to use penny rounds in your home?? It should. 

(But please don't fall victim to the mindset that you can install them yourself--mosaic tile installation--not unlike any tile installation--should be left to a professional. Once tile is laid, it's not coming back up without a huge laborious mess. Please make sure it's done correctly--not by your Uncle Ronny.)

I also want to take a minute to credit the fabulous website Houzz from which I get nearly all of my photos. It's great because unlike a browser search, you can always see professional (well, sometimes) photos directly from their source, so that you can get accurate info and we can give proper credit where it's due. Check it out for your own design ideas!

Ochre Arctic Pear

Since this week is all about items we're loving, I thought I'd share one of my dream purchases with you... the Ochre Arctic Pear chandelier.  Ochre is a company started by two friends who met at a London art school.  While still based in London, they now also have two stores in New York.  But back to the Arctic Pear.  This particular chandelier of their's haunts me...in a good way.  Oh how I love it.

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I first fell in love this when I saw it in an Elle Decor feature on Kerri Russell's Brooklyn home a few years ago.  I think part of the love affair was due to the fact that it was in "Felicity's" home, and Felicity was a girl after my own heart back in the day.  BUT the main reason I loved it is because it is simply stunning-- a showstopper with no fuss.  Here it is in Kerri's home.  Yes, we're on a first-name basis.

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Since then, I've seen this light featured in so many beautiful spaces.  It comes in several different sizes so you can get the perfect fit for each room.

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Double the pleasure at this Cobble Hill home designed by Blair Harris Interiors.  

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Unfortunately, these beautiful gems do not fit in my budget (prices ranging from $3,600-$9,000).  Robert Abbey does make a similar one for a fraction of the cost, but it's still around $2,000.   I have a feeling my husband won't go for that either.  *Sigh*  

Another one that I think it worth a look is Jupiter Chandelier from ZGallerie.  It is only available in one size (19.75" diameter), but it's also only $399.  For a fraction of the cost of the other two, I'd say that's a win.

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Not too shabby, huh?  Lighting really is one of my favorite places to splurge in a room because it adds SO MUCH to the overall design.  If you find a light that you truly love, I say save up and splurge.  I bought some Regina Andrew globe pendants for my kitchen over a year ago, and I still love them!  Money well spent if you ask me :)

Kilim Rugs

Kilim rugs are becoming increasingly popular in the design world. These beautiful Turkish rugs have been around for centuries. Because the tapestry-woven rugs are handmade, no two rugs are alike and come in a variety of sizes.  With their vibrant colors and killer geometric designs, they add a pop of color and interest to any room. Not to mention, they are versatile and can work with just about any design style.

Here are some examples:

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They also look great layered, as shown below.

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If you would like to get your own unique Kilim, Etsy and Ebay are great resources with hundreds to choose from.

my chair wishlist

My last post told the story of my tragic wishbone chair love story. And I touched on my love for iconic chairs there. Currently, I don't own any chairs from my ultimate wish list, but I do have two original JL Moller chairs that I scored on Craigslist for $25 each (you know how some people are great at thrift store and Craiglist finds? yeah, that's not me--those chairs are my only prize). I also have some other really great chairs in my house that aren't necessarily iconic, but they have great structure and history behind them. 

One thing I loved about my design school program was how much we were taught about design history. Not only that, but during a study abroad semester, some friends and I made a pact to see as much European design history as possible while there (like the total design history nerds that we are). These two things have created in me a great love for iconic chairs. I need them in my life. 

Here are some of the top contenders on my wish list (i.e. if you offered me a pick from any of these, I would find it nearly impossible to choose): 

The Barcelona Chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

My friend "Ploetze" and me in front of some Barcelona Chairs, at the Barcelona Pavilion. It's surprising how calm I look in this picture considering the amount of ecstasy that we were in moments earlier. This was a big day in my design memory.  

The Eames Plywood or "Potato Chip" Chair

The Eames Lounge Chair. You've probably seen this all over TV. I was watching "Celebrity Game Night" (hilarious, by the way) a few nights ago and they had one. One of the players carelessly jumped on the footstool. I cringed a little. 

Le Corbusier Sling Chair (or "Pony" Chair, as it's called with it's mate the "Pony" Lounge, named from the hide used). The Auburn University Architecture Library has these in brown leather. Sometimes I went there just to sit in one (and scope out delicious male architecture students). 

This is me sitting in one at Le Corbusier's Villa Savoye, outside of Paris. 

Saarinen Womb Chair. The name of this made me a little uncomfortable at first. Until I sat in one. And then I understood. Knoll makes kid versions of these. They are the cutest things ever and I need one. 

The Windsor Chair. One of the only chairs from my list not from the 20th Century. It's a classic. I've seen little versions of this chair too. 

Eames Shell Chair. This comes in many colorful side chair and arm chair versions, in addition to the rocker (see below), which is my personal favorite.

I've always wanted one of these for a nursery. 

I even got this convertible high chair for my toddler because it has a mid-century shell chair inspired look to it (well and ok I got it for other practical reasons besides just that it looks nice).

So there it is. The shortened version anyway. You'll notice several are Eames Chairs--designed by the husband and wife duo Charles and Ray Eames. You can read more about them and see more of their works here. Their designs are still in production today, many by Knoll and Herman Miller. You can also find more affordable versions of their products from Baxton Studios. Ikea even makes a translucent cantilevered knock-off. 

The great success of iconic pieces such as the ones above is that their creators managed to produce designs that are truly timeless. Many are more than half a century old (some approaching a century) and they looked as if they were created by a modern designer in today's world. This is one of the driving forces behind many of the things I do. I try to pull from many eras of influence, rather than just sticking to modern trends (not that I haven't been caught using them--hey, my bedroom side tables have been painted in chevron for over 2 years). 

What is it from history that drives you? What traditions do you hold onto and why? In any area of life--not just design. It's important to know your history, learn from it, and acknowledge your influences! 

Vanity Lighting...That Doesn't Make You Run

I'm currently looking to update the lights in my master bathroom.  They aren't horrible.  In fact, they are far cry from the standard builder grade light bar.  Y'all know what I'm talking about... This guy.  

We've all seen him and hopefully have all ran from him and to the nearest lighting store for a replacement.  Too harsh?  Perhaps.  But honestly, why is it so hard to find a great looking over-the-sink light fixture?  Personally, I'm a sconce on each side of the mirror gal but that doesn't always easily work if your bathroom isn't already wired for it and you don't feel like forking out some money for an electrician.  So what if you have an existing light box over the mirror?  How can you make that work in a design-worthy way?  Believe it or not, there are other alternatives to the mass-produced mediocrity out there.  Here's a few examples that I love.  

The swing arm

Gooseneck sconce with shade

Picture light in a powder room.

Picture lights in a full bath

Swing arms again...

And another gooseneck for a powder room.

Isn't it so refreshing to see something a little different?  I think so.  One thing you must consider when thinking about these single bulb options is the other lighting in the room.  If you're updating a powder room, you are good to go (it's not usually a space where bright light is needed), but if it's in a main bath, make sure you have ample amount of windows or can use high wattage in each fixture.  

Okay, now let's all go eliminate those ugly builder grade lights, shall we? :)

For image sources please click here.

a chair story

I have a great appreciation for chairs. It's become somewhat of a problem. I have chairs from all different eras scattered about my house. I love them all. Especially the iconic ones. 

There is a certain mid-century chair called the broomstick or wishbone chair that I've been eyeing for quite some time for my kitchen table. It's not quite iconic (at least I wouldn't say, but with as often as I see it these days, maybe it is?), but it's pretty recognizable. This is it:

This chair made its first debut to the forefront of my design mind when I spotted it on a manufacturer close-out list in black. For so, so cheap. I leapt for joy, sent my husband a desperate pleading text message (to which he kindly and smartly obliged), and I faxed in my order. About the time I expected a shipping notice I decided to call and check on them. To my dismay the order had never been placed (grrrrr) and they were already sold out. I was quite sad. Still sad.

Fast-forward about a year or so down the road. Here I am on my weekly TJMaxx trip to see if I can spot any good deals, and these bad boys leap out at me.

Not too shabby at all for knock-offs. But the knock-offs were not so greatly priced for being at a discount store ($99 each), and I needed at least 4 of them. I located two others at another store, but one was damaged. So l left without them. Sad again. 

Fast-forward to just a few weeks ago to my weekly scroll through Ikea's website, and what do ya know. Look who else is in the knock-off business? (But we knew this, right? Ikea has some other pretty great knock-offs, not limited to a knock-off of the Eames Shell Chair). 

I'm telling you, this chair is taunting me. We are meant to be together someday. But I'm holding out for the real thing. And, every so often you can find it in a trendy new color, in addition to the dark, medium, and light stained wood traditional looks. Take a look at this green! 

Bow-chicka-wow! It really is a great chair. And there are so many more out there for me to collect. And every time we move I'll accept with gladness the movers' comments that usually go something like "so uh, you have a lot of chairs--what's with that??" I've taken pride in weirder things ;)