Monday, March 17, 2014

Crazy for Reclaimed Wood!

There's a love affair going on.  I'm sure you're aware.  
There's not a barn, a factory or an old warehouse that isn't being eyed, even lusted after
for it's beautiful, worn wood walls, ceilings and floors!
We can't wait to get our DIY and designer hands on this reclaimed wood these days.
The older and more beat up, the better.  We'll pay a handsome price for it, too.
And look what all we can do with it...


Courtesy of Retropolitan, Original Art:  Candice Sone

This wall is from a project of mine.  The homeowners and I picked out the pieces 
together and I laid them all out on their driveway in the freezing cold.  
I think it actually started to sleet before I was finished with my layout!  
The installation turned out great, and they loved it.  
It added such warmth to the room and was the perfect backdrop for the 
commissioned art piece by Candice Sone.


 florelladesign.com & houzz.com   *   birdseyebuilding.com & houzz.com
I love the simplicity of these wood treatments.  Nothing fussy.  Warm but modern.
Nice, thoughtful uses of a beautiful, reclaimed product.  


rbrantdesign.com & houzz.com   *   indulgy.com & houzz.com
We're getting a little more daring here with rough hewn planks of different tones
and planks that are painted, layered, and scraped.  Lots of personality here.
I love that they carried the wall treatment right onto the shower door 
in the photo on the left.  You just want to run your hands
along the walls in these rooms, don't you?


unionstudio.com & houzz.com   *   mmarch.net & houzz.com
nnarchitecture.com & houzz.com   *   collectionsdebrueil.com & houzz.com
 No doubt, these installations are a feast for the eyes.
A little rustic, a little modern, and a lot architectural.
They create artistic, organic focal points with rich texture and pattern.

  
terrafirmahome.com & houzz.com   *   avaloninteriors.com & houzz.com
I love the thought put into the design in these two rooms.  
The top photo boasts a wood treatment that is as much art installation
as it is dramatic furniture piece.  And the bottom photo...genius.


peacedesign.org & houzz.com
Now this is beautiful, too.  I love all the woods of different hues, and on
so many of the surfaces, too.  I think the bleached out custom
bath furniture is warm and wonderful.  
Who wouldn't want to brush their teeth and wash their face 
in this lovely bathroom?


markhickmanhomes.com & houzz.com
And I would be straight up lying if I didn't say this was my favorite
kitchen...ever.  Just ever.


Courtesy of Retropolitan, Custom Wood Wall:  Doug Regen
  
This is another image from my own portfolio.  I must say, I didn't get to design
or lay out this wonderful treatment.  Its installation preceded my work
on the project, but what a nice feature wall to design and decorate around.
Gorgeous!

You are right on trend if you're loving these reclaimed wood treatments 
as much as I do.  It's nice when trending is also reclaiming, recycling
and repurposing, isn't it?

Go green!

- Amy





Monday, March 3, 2014

Enamored With Metals

                                                                  
Take it from jewelry...mixed metals work.
In fact, I've always thought of the metals in the spaces I style
as being the jewelry for the room.  

r-j-graziano.fashionstylist.com
There was a time when we all felt like the metals in our rooms had to match.
Remember those days?  
Well, shake it off!  Free up!  
Those days are long gone, my friends.
I give you my official permission to mix those metals 'til your heart's content.


agoodchicktoknow.com & houzz.com
Nice and balanced, the radiator grates and the Asian sculptural piece above
are the same burnished gold, while the retro inspired lamp and bedside table
bring in the shiny chrome.  It's a simple, but great example of the definition
to each piece you get when you mix metals.



sadieandstella.com
There's more complexity to this living room's mix of metal finishes.
Neutrals and texture abound, and the metals create that pop of bling like
the jewelry comparison we made earlier.  I love the play of the leafy golds against
the velvety charcoal sofa.  An interesting room, don't you think? 



rs3designs.com & houzz.com
The mix of metals in this bedroom is more in the softscape.  There are such 
magnificent metallic offerings in the fabric, floor and wallcovering realms these days.
It keeps the overall feel of the room soft, while still giving you that
interest and interplay of mixed metal finishes.  Beautiful.

  
twoartdirectors.etsy.com & houzz.com
I love the particular shade of gold used in this bedroom.
It's a bit more pewter-y so it reads more like a bronze, in my opinion.  It's the
perfect blend of cool and warm, I think.  And against all that white, it really pops!



panacheinteriors.com & houzz.com
How's this for drama?  Nice move doing gold leaf on the ceiling. 
The contrast of the warm gold with the cool greys - and certainly against
such a great cityscape - creates wonderful interest and romance.

As far as mixing metal finishes in interiors, there's only one rule of thumb,
in my book:  keep it balanced.  Make sure you have several of each tone
of metal represented, so all of it feels purposeful and intentional.

Now, off you go!  Get to it.
Explore a mix of metals in your space, create some interest
and bring your fabulous taste in jewelry home, literally.

- Amy