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Archive for the ‘Trend Alert’ Category

Gimme Shelter: Wing Back Chairs

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Thom Filicia, arbiter of all things cool and cozy in home decor, first introduced me to the canopied wing back chair in his interior design book, Thom Filicia STYLE. Filicia describes canopied wing backs as “personal cocoons of coziness” and, I must say, after sitting in one myself this Christmas, I couldn’t agree more.  In a way, these chairs remind me of a more traditional take on the Lee West Stereo Alpha Egg Chair, surrounding the sitter with a roof and two walls, safeguarding from the rest of the room.

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In the case of these canopied chairs, the burlap upholstery balances out their stateliness.  And, though the chairs are certainly the focal point of this conversation area, the southwestern saddle blankets definitely complete the look.  The two featured on this table-scape are more reasonably priced than their authentic forefathers and are from Urban Outfitters.

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Thank you to Susan Larsen for sharing her Arizona dining room with us here at the LoftLife blog!

Out with the Old, in with the Navajo

Why is it that so many trends in fashion can be traced back to starting in home interiors? We’ve seen it in the nautical/maritime trend: anchor andirons, blown glass buoys woven in rope, and porthole window mirrors all leading the way for pea coats and French sailor shirts.

Stores like Urban Outfitters and Topshop have taken the taxidermy trend of stag’s heads and horns and turned them into screen prints on t-shirts and button-fronts. Sheepskin rugs, first thrown over chair backs and on hardwood floors, have been transformed into puffy sheepskin vests and bolero jackets.

Given this tendency, it shouldn’t take a crystal ball or visit to the local psychic to have forecasted today’s Navajo textiles trend. This interiors trend was first revealed to me last year during my visit to HD Buttercup in LA’s Culver City region. These European, handcrafted trunks, upholstered in a woolen Navajo pattern, definitely stood out from the classic leather trunks and cases. (So much so that I was compelled to invest. The large trunk now resides in my living room as both coffee table and storage space!)

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Navajo covered trunks at HD Buttercup.

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One year later, Navajo blanket ponchos and jackets are popping up all over the contemporary fashion market. Whether in the home or in your closet, one things is for certain: Navajo textiles and designs are a great way to add a little color and texture to your aesthetic!

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Thornburg Navajo cloak.

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Maharishi men's Navajo poncho.

Elements of Style: The Ever Unifying Power of White Pottery

Ever wonder what on earth should go in a room to bring it all together? Whether it is in a corner beside a chair, on a bookcase in the library, or on the center of a table in the foyer for all to see, people are using clean, white ceramics of all kinds as focal points to draw in the room’s elements. We’ve scoured the internet for some great finds in the pottery world, and think that these accent pieces are just what you need for a space teetering on the edge of boredom. The truly great thing about this trend? No matter the color walls, bedspread, or furniture, these simple, yet elegant white pieces will fit in anywhere.

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(Pictured above: Natural Stoneware Flowers by Caroline Swift)

Each of Caroline Swift’s stoneware flowers are delicate, sensitive works of art, just like nature. Hand-crafted in England, the flowers are made individually from charcoal or natural stoneware. The centers of the flowers are works of art in themselves; a honeycomb of delicate ceramic fibers can be removed or placed in the center of the flower as desired. These intricate blooms would look beautiful on a mantelpiece or as table decorations.

The sets of three charcoal flowers are presented in a black gift box, while the natural stoneware comes in a white gift box. All are tied with a porcelain rose and gift tag, embossed with the message “with love.” Would make for a nice gift, don’t you think?

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(Pictured above: Porcelain Leaves by Caroline Swift)

These truly unique porcelain leaves are as thin as paper yet remarkably strong. Hang the three strands with approximately forty leaves together or separate them to hang individually. They would look beautiful on the wall or near the light where they have a ghostly translucence.

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(Pictured above: Pine Cones by Coe&Waito)

Each of Coe&Waito’s porcelain pine cones are meticulously hand sculpted, capturing the intricate beauty of natural specimens. Prices and sizes vary by type of pine cone, but you can find them in four different kinds: black pine cone, white spruce cone, red pine cone, and white pine cone.

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(Pictured above: Coral Vase by Coe&Waito)

This slip-cast porcelain vase shines with a creamy clear glaze.

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(Pictured above: Asya Palatova Ceramics via Graphic-Exchange Design)

Influenced by her Russian upbringing in St. Petersburg and her graphic design experiences, Asya Palatova merges classical and modern to develop objects with a purity of form that compels people to touch and use them. All of her tableware pieces are porcelain and handmade in her Rhode Island studio. This plate could be used as traditional tableware or as a decorative piece on a coffee table or mounted on a wall.

Gleena Votives

(Pictured above: 410 Votives by Asya Palatova)

Translucent and paper thin porcelain, the votives glow gently with the standard votive-size candle. The unglazed, slip-cast porcelain will vary slightly in shape due to the hand-built process.

Jung Porzellan Vase

(Pictured above: Jung-Porzellan vases)

The German porcelain maker Jung-Porzellan handcrafts each of their pieces in their Berlin studio so no two items are alike. This vase puts a modern spin on the typical flower holder. They also have an amusing looking banana holder, which can be hung from the kitchen ceiling. Be sure to check out the rest of the items in their shop, as you’re sure to find a variety of handy and charming products.

Karen Swyler Siblings, 2007

(Pictured above: Siblings, 2007 by Karen Swyler)

Karen Swyler’s work is quiet, subtle, and transitory. Her pieces are evocative because they function on many levels. The sensuous surfaces, muted colors, and fluid forms create quiet relationships meant to entice people visually and physically. Surface, line, and color bring attention to the delicate and subtle elements of design.

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(Pictured above: Touch, 2009 by Karen Swyler)

Due to their understated nature, the nuances of Karen’s pieces take time to notice as they require the close attention and a heightened level of involvement from the viewer. Closer exploration gives way to different colors, while surfaces reveal themselves and hint at a more sensually profound level.

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(Pictured above: Bowls by Nathalie Derouet)

French ceramist Nathalie Derouet has created remarkable fixtures for a home. Beautiful, elegant and fragile, she puts a twist on the everyday bowl shape that’s hard not to admire. Sophisticated with style and functionality, her bowls and vases can literally be used anywhere to yield a Zen-like atmosphere.

Nathalie Derouet Dentelle

(Pictured above: Dentelles by Nathalie Derouet)

With the intricacy of lace, these contemporary dentelle pieces are sure to lead to conversation. Some of her other medusa (or jellyfish) designs have a haunting quality that will leave a lasting impression on any beholder.

Textured Vase Heather Knight

(Pictured above: Round Textured Vase by Heather Knight via Etsy)

The serious quality of texture of each and every attention-grabbing porcelain treasure from the hands of Heather Knight is highly regarded. Delightful and appealing!

Textured Wall Tiles Heather Knight

(Pictured above: Textured Wall Tiles by Heather Knight via Etsy)

The North Carolina-based artist has both sculptural and functional pieces, like these textured tiles for your wall. Visit her site for enlarged images of her entire wall tile collection, where you can also find all of her other fabulous designs for around the room.

Williams-Sonoma Pierced Porcelain Gourd Candlelight

(Pictured above: Williams-Sonoma Pierced Porcelain Gourd Candlelight)

Light up your room with Williams-Sonoma’s white porcelain candleholders! They evoke autumn gourds, and their glossy hand-applied glaze enhances the glow. Each candleholder has a cup for a tea light. Or, Lekker also has a larger Dutch designed porcelain lantern available for instant ambiance.

Porcelain Origami Crane

(Pictured above: VivaTerra Porcelain Origami Crane)

There’s something mesmerizing about the Japanese art of paper folding, particularly cranes, but folded porcelain? That’s just crazy! Traditional figures of serenity and peace, these unglazed porcelain origami cranes add a sculptural touch of nature to your holiday tree. Exquisitely rendered, they hang from a white silk ribbon, and come in a set of 4.

ylighting Egg Vase

(Pictured above: YLighting Egg Vase from Moooi)

These little, lumpy vases were developed by Marcel Wanders for Droog Design. Made in the Netherlands, they come in three sizes. The white porcelain Egg Vase has a rather unique source of inspiration: the design was originally conceived by stuffing hard-boiled eggs into a latex condom! While that might sound a bit racy, there’s no denying the outcome is intrinsically endearing.

Posted by Nicole Bruce

Trend Alert: Chalkboards

With fall approaching and the start of the new school year, we’re finding that many are treating a certain classroom staple as unconventional home decor. It seems chalkboards aren’t reserved just for schools anymore. Blame it on the inner kid in us, but we love these chalkboard walls, doors, furniture and even lamps! We think you’ll find yourself wanting a corner or whole wall for doodling too.

An entryway is a perfect place for a chalkboard wall. Notes, appointments, and shopping lists can be checked on the way out the door.

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(Pictured above: Country Living via PoppyTalk. Photo credit: Keith Scott Morton)

Instead of writing grocery and ingredient lists, you could keep the menu for dinner or a wine list on your kitchen chalkboard.

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(Pictured above: Melanie Acevedo via DesiretoInspire.net)

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(Pictured above: Alan Higgs Architects via DesiretoInspire.net)

Or consider a giant chalkboard as a work of modern art in the making (remade every time your friends come over for a visit).

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(Pictured above: Bruno Helbling via DesiretoInspire.net)

For a different look in your home office space, try painting or bordering a wall with chalkboard paint. You can write important notes, scheduled meetings, and motivational quotes right on the wall in front of you.

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(Pictured above: Wish via DesiretoInspire.net)

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(Pictured above: Bo Bedre via DesiretoInspire.net)

For a less permanent and space consuming way to get the look, you can turn any wall into an instant chalkboard for jotting down ideas with Chalkboard Wall Schtickers, which are easy to clean, removable and reusable. For the kitchen, this could also be a brilliant way to keep a kid entertained while you’re cooking!

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(Pictured above: Schtickers via Decor8blog.com)

You can also find adhesive chalkboard vinyl wall decals made by Modern Dose. Such an adorable idea for a kid’s room!

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(Pictured above: “Hootie” by Modern Dose)

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(Pictured above: “Invasion” by Modern Dose)

UK store No. Eight is featuring this blackboard cabinet in its collection, but you could easily transform the idea onto cabinets or other furniture in your own home, such as this endearing piece in a kid’s room.

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(Pictured above: 123 Cabinet by No Eight)

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(Pictured above: Living Etc. via DesiretoInspire.net)

Handmade by St. Louis artist and designer John Beck, these lighting fixtures are the perfect canvas for any youngster’s musings, and they’re made of 95% recycled steel. Since they come in three different sizes, you can choose exactly the right one for your child’s room, kitchen or living room. We can’t think of a better place to write or draw something glowingly lighthearted and have it really shine.

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(Pictured above: John Beck Writeable Chalkboard Pendant Lamp via Inhabitat)

Country Living has suggestions for making your own blackboards out of items you already have handy around the house. Check out their fun project ideas. Or Make Magazine will show you how to create this blackboard globe. For those of us who can’t make a big commitment to the blackboard trend, Canadian House and Home suggests creating these DIY placecards.

Rocky Bella has even turned an old mirror into an inspirational chalkboard shelf.

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(Pictured above: Rocky Bella)

Posted by Nicole Bruce

The Best of NYIGF

At this year’s second New York International Gift Fair, it was all about functional design. In the “Accent on Design” section, the part applicable to us the most, we were overwhelmed by the innovative designs exhibited. Here is a round-up of our favorite, top three participants:

#1 – Moleskine

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Just when you think this forward-thinking journal company has reached their creative limits, they present ingenuous product design. Some stand-out new products include a tear away desk calendar (pictured above), the 2010 “Color A Month” Daily Planner box set, extra large folio journals, and the 2010 Pocket Softcover Project Planner that features 54 accordion pages.

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#2 – Design House Stockholm

This steady favorite of ours specializes in providing a context for designers of all fields to create, develop and produce various high-quality home and lifestyle items. This “publishing house” for designers has resulted in unique accessories that mix form and function, many of which have playful overtones. Our favorite new designs they were showing include a white table that swivels, a candleholder meant for dripping wax, and a foursome of Swedish stick-back chairs.

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#3 – DESU DESIGN

According to their mission, DESU DESIGN “strive to make innovative products that blur the boundary between art and design” using modern manufacturing technology to mass produce their products. Every single furnishing and accessory that they sell has a specified function. Their small products for the home feel especially custom. Our favorites: the spice rack series.

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Trend Alert: Denim

Denim may be one of the world’s oldest fabrics, but it has remained eternally youthful at the hands of designers and denim devotees worldwide. And, with the spring/summer season upon us, it seems that varying shades of blue denim are flooding the pages of fashion magazines and boutique racks everywhere. But this trend is definitely not limited to your closet. Adding denim touches to your home can enhance a room with just the right amount of ruggedness and bohemian flare to an otherwise polished space.

According to Elle magazine’s Denim Guide, bleached and tie-dyed denim went from fad to high fashion this season. From big brands like DKNY and BEBE, to smaller ones like Erin Wasson X RVCA and KSUBI, the bleached look is trickling down from the runways to wardrobes, so why not to your home too?

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Purchasing vintage denim curtains from the thrift store, cutting them to size, and then tie dying them with bleach yielded these denim cushions. The bleached effect gives a more relaxed, hippie vibe to the room and they provide just enough padding for a comfortable fireside chat.

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These CB2 napkins might not be denim, but the certainly give off the same effect! The napkins are actually tied, then dyed in blue and brown on 100% white cotton. Pair with jute place mats and crisp white plates for a summer tabletop sure to pleasantly surprise any dinner guest.

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Sherwin Williams has certainly taken the blue jeans trend and run with it! As seen in the latest issue of Lucky Magazine, the paint brand showcases their catalog of paint colors sure to match your favorite pair of jeans. Whether they are “’70s blue”, “retro blue”, or “acid blue”, they have just the shade to make your home into “your own blue heaven”.

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2Modern Design Directory