Tuft it Out

 

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There's something about tufts that just makes any piece of furniture look divinely comfortable.   Maybe it's because tufts are usually used when there's lots of cushion or maybe my brain is just playing silly tricks on me to make me believe tuft = comfort...  Either way, I dig it and I look forward to owning a giant, ultra comfy, tufted couch one day.  Preferably in a crazy color or print.


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Nick Olsen's infamous couch screams comfort.  His DIY tufts make this blue beauty a winner!

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May I just say, this is quite possibly the coolest chair I've ever seen. The
suitcase for the traveler in me and the tufted seat for the designer in me; it's all perfection.

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Headboard (and footboard) heaven is awaiting you in this bedroom.  The minimalist
decor lets the tufts take center stage, a fully deserved spot in my opinion.

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Take about luxurious!  That jewel-toned tufted ottoman makes me want to take my
shoes on and off several times a day just for an excuse to park my rump on that baby.

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When Amy Morris used this zebra tufted R. Hughes' Porter chair she
created the ultimate dramatics.  Have you ever seen such a showstopper?

If you're as taken by tufted furniture as I am, then you should check out I <3 Tufted Furniture, which I found while writing this post.  An entire blog dedicated to this Rococo design detail, can you believe it?!  Or if you're looking to purchase, I've heard good things about Horchow, a Neiman Marcus furniture affiliate.

What's your take on tufts?  Share some of the beauties you've come across.
Got another design detail you're obssessed with?  Please comment & share!

Pedal to the Metal

Do you like to make your wardrobe or your house sparkle?  If so, you are not alone, my friend.  If not, maybe seeing these photos will change your mind.  2012 has been big on metallics, so let's talk shiny!



The term metallic generally refers to colors in the silver or gold family, as well as bronze and copper.  But it doesn't have to stop there!  Any color can be given the metallicized look by adding in metal flakes (or a sparkled sheen when it comes to makeup or wardrobe).  This gives you endless possibilities... But be careful!  Because metallics command attention, they are best used in small doses to avoid being overly bold or cheap-looking.  Pairing them with deep colors can help ground them and create a more pleasing space or outfit.

Here's a roundup of some great ways to bling out you and your home.

For You 

via Mama Knows, Southern Charm, & Real Beauty

Left:  Feeling daring?  Take a page out of the runway handbook and choose a staple garment in a very loud metallic and you'll be sure to turn heads.  These floral jeans would certainly do the trick.

Center:  If you want to make a statement not a shout, try a shimmery yet subdued blazer like the Emilio Pucci one Blake Lively wore in Gossip Girl.  This foil linen one from Anthropologie can fit the more budget-friendly bill.

Right:  Kate Beckinsale provides the perfect example for testing out the metallic waters with her subtle silver eyeshadow.  If you want to try a trend out and see if you feel comfortable, try working it into your look through makeup or accessories.  Between Nars and Stila you can have all the metallic colors you dream of right at your eyelashes.

via Naturalizer

Or check out Naturalizer, where I picked up the flat sandal version of these shiny babies last summer to trek around Europe.  They are amazing!  After breaking my foot, Naturalizer is my go-to brand for shoes because you don't need to sacrifice comfort for beauty!  And at $79 you don't have to break the bank either!

 For Your Home 

via Pottery Barn & Tonic Home



Left:  Mercury is very hot right now, and these antiqued candlesticks can bring glam to any mantel, especially when layered in front of a gilded mirror.  Two metallics for one!  If you're looking for a touch of shimmer without the overwhelming shine, antique and gilded finishes are the perfect way to create understated glitz.



Right:  Tell me you don't love this gold leaf table. With a mirror top and that beautiful graphic design, it's the perfect way to glam up any space!  Because it isn't a visually heavy piece, it can be the subtle detail that plays off a beautifully covered bed, or sit next to a sofa as the perfect spot for your books or a vase full of flowers.



via Houzz



If you're interested in giving your walls some panache, try Benjamin Moore's metallic paints, as mentioned in Sketch 42.  Or try using the same paint color in a matte for the entire wall, with high gloss squares being painted to give that metallic interest to the room like this photo.  Pretty sweet don't you think? 

 



What's your favorite way to add some shimmer
shine to your wardrobe or home?  Found any great
metallic buys lately?  Comment & share!



Mixing it Up... the Right Way!

Yesterday I posted about the benefits and drawbacks of mixing furniture rather than buying matching sets.  For a brief recap, some of the pros to mixing furniture include:

1. The freedom to use any pieces you like, which can lead to a better reflection of yourself.
2. Mixing styles can create a timeless look that saves money by avoiding the need of a massive redecoration.
3. Furniture can become a focal point and build a unique atmosphere.

When mixing furniture in a room, the key is intention.  Everything chosen for the room should look as though it belongs, as though it was made to be surrounded by the other items in the space.  Before searching for new pieces to add to a space, know very clearly what you already have and what gaps need to be filled.  Mobile phones are great for this!  I take pictures on my phone of anything I need to match or complement, be it a necklace or an armchair.  And don't forget measurements!  If your perfect couch is 6" too big for your space, it probably won't look as dreamy as you're envisioning.  Scale and proportion are also mega important, and should always be considered.

via Porter House Designs



A room with assorted furniture can end up feeling disorganized and uncomfortable.  Repetition is a must if you want to avoid this.  A sense of continuity can be created in many ways, including similar shapes, styles, time periods, colors, or fabrics.  This could mean a pair of accent chairs to brighten up the room, or it could mean furniture from all time periods being painted the same hue.  In the picture below, most of the furniture is square or rectangular, with few curves in sight.  This allows the modern, bright magenta cubes to coexist in the bedroom along with the antique black and white nightstand without seeming misplaced.  Repeating colors in the artwork, arm chair, and flowers tie the room together even further.

via Elle Decor

When deciding on what pieces to purchase, keep in mind if you want it to blend with the space or stand out as a focal point.  In the living room below, the furniture is kept neutral to combine the different styles while the accessories do the talking.  In the second photo, the dark elements all over the room allow the bar to steal the show with its bright seafoam green color, which is then repeated in the mosaic rug underneath to keep the space cohesive.

via Style at Home

via House & Garden

  

When it comes to making a special piece of furniture match your space, don't be afraid to change it up a little!  If there's a chair you just know  would look great in the room but the fabric is awful, don't let that stand in your way!  There are reupholstery services everywhere, and if you're feeling adventurous you could even try to tackle it yourself with the help of online tutorials.  And why stop at the fabric?  If you think the frame would look better a different color, go for it!  Your home and your furniture should be a reflection of you, so make what you want, and what you have, work.

When have you mixed up your furniture to make a room look oh-so-you?
Do you have other tricks to making a space look cohesive?  Please share!

Mix or Match?

The time-old question – should furniture be mixed or matched?  The majority of designers and trade magazines will suggest mixing furniture to add character to a room, yet furniture stores still sell room sets.  My mom and sister both prefer buying furniture sets, whereas I tend to combine various pieces.  So which is right for you?  Here are a few pros, cons, and examples to help you decide.

 Matching Sets

via Sectional Reviews

 Pro:  With a matching furniture set, any other furniture you may need to get is easier to find because you have only one design to pair it with.

Con:  Sets tend to pidgeon-hole a room with a specific look or time-period more so than several pieces collected over time that complement rather than match exactly.

 

via Modern Home Designs



Pro:   Rooms become easier to decorate when all the furniture is exactly the same and can act as a jumping point for accessories.

Con:  Sets bring very little personality to a space and can come across as dull.  Your room can very easily look like several others' who bought the same set.

via Furniture Bedroom



Pro:  Most value furniture stores and big box companies sell furniture in sets, making it easy if you are in need of something quickly.

Con:  Spaces can feel cluttered when too much of the same color, pattern, and texture are in such close proximity. 

Mixing Items

via Elle Decor



Pro:  If a specific piece speaks to you, it can be incorporated into a room without looking out of place.

Con:  Mixing items that complement one another can require a lot of time, thought, and energy.





via Chinoiserie Chic



Pro:  Mixing modern and traditional pieces can keep a room looking timeless, which can mean less major overhauls will be needed, saving money in the long run.

Con:  Without some continuity or repition, the space can feel overwhelming or disorganized.



Janette Mallory via House Beautiful

 




Pro:  Rooms become more interesting when pieces are unique and create places for your eye to gravitate towards.

Con:  Buying separates can become more costly than a set, depending on the amount of time you are willing to spend or places you search.

What do you think?  Which do you prefer, mixing or matching?
Check back tomorrow for a follow-up post on how to mix furniture succcessfully!