STYLEBEAT'S MOOD BOARD SHOWS HOW TO PLAY UP A ROOM'S NATURAL LIGHT WITH HUNTER DOUGLAS

Photo courtesy of Town and Country and Hunter Douglas

When the marketing team over at Town and Country Magazine asked me to participate in a collaboration with Hunter Douglas, I jumped at the chance.  I created a Mood Board for the March issue, where I chose their new tailored Vignette Roman shades to play up a room's natural light. From there, I built a room around 5 key elements I think are essential to making a room great.

I share some tips on how to get started with the design process:

- Consider your lifestyle and how you will use the room

- Chart the scale and proportion of furniture so it fits the space

- Determine which colors you like, and then use them in pillows, rugs, and lamp shades
I had a lot of fun including traditional pieces with staying power and those that best reflect what is most exciting about design today. Considering room use, scale, proportion, functionality, pattern, color, texture, surface finishes and the way you live are just the beginning!

To get more ideas, check out  The new Art of Window Dressing ipad app at Hunter Douglas or iTunes and follow me on Pinterest. Thank you T and C!

Photo courtesy of Hunter Douglas
Hunter Douglas Vignette® Modern Roman Shades lend a tailored sophistication.
I chose to start with Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades because of their clean lines.

Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Think in terms of the space you have to work with, then aim to create harmony with scale and proportion.
When thinking about the right furniture for a space, consider the function of the room. A sofa is a major decision as well as purchase, so choose wisely. I chose Century Furniture's Carter Skirted Sofa for it's traditional lines, comfortable seat cushions and tailored arm.

Photo courtesy of Lee Jofa
Tip Stylebeat SuggestsDetermine which colors you like, and then use them in pillows, rugs, and lamp shades to tie it together.
Blue is one of the best loved hues. It reminds us of the water and the sky, so that might be why. Lee Jofa's Groundworks Bengal Bazaar by Kelly Wearstler in teal has a varied contrasting pattern like those you might find in an antique document fabric, giving it some soul.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Jofa
Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Test colors by daylight and lamp- light to ensure you like how they look throughout the day. This can ensure you are liking the overall effect.
Coordinating fabrics work if they have texture and pattern and can relate to one another. Lee Jofa's Groundworks Fuji Moderne in teal with a zigzag texture keeps things interesting.

 

Photo courtesy of Stark Carpet 

Stark Carpet's cotton Dhurrie with a soft blue ground and loose geometric diamond pattern added a soft textural element with color and visual interest. Every surface deserves consideration and attention.

Photo courtesy of Baker

I love this cocktail table's strong silhoette, dramatic ebony color and total functionality. Designed by Jacques Garcia for Baker the Saint - Tropez Cocktail Table is modern and cool but mixes with any style.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler

Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Reflective surfaces maximize the glamour quotient. 

I can't get enough brass these days. Jonathan Adler's Ulu Convex Table with highly detailed brass looks vintage. It's substantial and delicate looking and adds pattern and lightness beside a sofa. 

Photo courtesy of Visual Comfort

Tip Stylebeat Suggests: A strategic mix of reading and ambient light sacrifices neither form nor function.

Proper lighting is so important. It changes the mood of a room in an instant. Visual Comfort's functional Paolo Swing Arm Lamp by Thomas O'Brien at Circa Lighting moves for from side to side providing targeted light where needed. The brass finish provides a warm glow.

If you want to partner on something, let me know!

IN FLORIDA? JOIN ME AT DCOTA THIS THURSDAY FOR A SCHUMACHER PANEL WITH CELERIE KEMBLE

Photo courtesy of DCOTA

Being on panels, moderating panels, and listening to panels always leave me inspired.  The questions they answer, dialogue they spark and the camaraderie they engender are just fascinating. If you are in Florida this coming Thursday, November 15th, I hope you will come out to DCOTA in Dania, to hear a  panel I am moderating with PB/NYC designer Celerie Kemble and Schumacher's creative director, Susan North. We will be discussing The Influence of Fashion on Wallcovering Design and the recently-launched innovative wallcovering collection Kemble has created for the brand. The event, in Atrium C, begins at 10:45am and goes till 12pm, followed by a reception in the Schumacher Showroom. Then at 2pm, I am looking forward to introducing Charlotte Moss, whose newest book, her eighth title,  A Visual Life: Scrapbooking, Collages and Inspirations, reveals her extensive collages she has assembled over the years on inspired travel, fashion, color and more, which she has incorporated with the historical entertaining documents of stylish, inspiring women through time. After Moss shares her visual inspiration, join us at The Century Furniture Showroom where her Icons Collection is on view. Excited to see you there!

FALL 2012 HIGH POINT MARKET ROUND UP: 15 SMALL OTTOMANS WITH BIG APPEAL

Whether it has an x-base or is fully upholstered, small benches and ottomans are a great addition to the end of a bed or in seating arrangements. Providing an extra perch or a place for a bag or throw, they serve a smart dual function role. Small pieces were aplenty at High Point Market, and here is a round up of some favorite pairs for bunching  and to use stand-alone pieces.

A pair of white Consulate x-base benches in turquoise upholstery at Century Furniture.

Slatted x-base Rockwell benches at Century that feel very Spanish in derivation.

Century's upholstered Canter Ottoman with nail head trim and tapered leg.

A diminutive low footstool at Hickory Chair.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard from Sherrill has these cut corner upholstered benches with cushioned tops and storage inside. All I could think of is that they would make the best dog beds for a pair of dogs.

Wesley Hall had an upholstered pair of curved ottomans, version 75, with skirted base.

Bernhardt's wooden base bench with leather top is very French 40s.

 Resembling highly coveted vintage finds, Drexel Heritage had the Eve Ottomans. Tufted, upholstered stunners with an arched leg merge the best of old and new. 

Thibault Furniture's Preston Ottoman with a cushion top and bamboo ridged white leg are perfect for country and coastal settings.

Ralph Lauren Home's classic x-benches with tight seat and nailheads in a blue fabric.

A pair of 69W Parsons-style upholstered and tufted x-benches from Wesley Hall have got it going on with contrast trim.

Upholstered in a graphic geometric fabric with orange trim.

Mr. Brown debuted a quatrefoil tufted ottoman with contrast trim on bobbin legs and casters that sits next to an upholstered clean-lined one with button tufting, both in natural linen.

Studio A had a metal bench with an x-base and dog head finials called The Bow Wow Bench.

 In a zippy red, Arteriors x-base upholstered Tennyson Bench with nail head border is a plush option.

2012 FALL HIGH POINT ROUND-UP PART I: WRAPPED AND READY TO GO

I have been off the grid so to speak for the past few days, doing a deep dive into furniture land in High Point, North Carolina. Sponsored by Bassett Furniture and the new HGTV Furniture Collection, fellow design bloggers and I hit the ground running and I have not come up for air till just now.

 I uncovered great new design finds, interesting silhouettes and reinterpreted and refreshed vintage classics. I noticed linen, faux shagreen and shell and rope-wrapped pieces in a variety of traditional shapes that bring fresh, light  perspective. Here is sampling of my design finds, with more to come on upholstery, tables, decorative accessories in gorgeously styled showrooms soon.

An HGTV Home Dresser wrapped in natural raffia with nickel inlay and classic circle pulls on a nickel foot.

A Parson-style raffia-wrapped desk with single square nickel pull also at at HGTV Home. This is a piece that's easy to love. I think my apartment would agree.

Next to a sofa, these raffia-wrapped HGTV Home nesting tables are the perfect place to rest a drink and place a lamp.

Enrobed in burgundy Penn shell, this diminutive dresser at Century Furniture has style by the mile.

Now this is a creative way to use a printed fabric! Hickory wrapped a large cabinet in Hable Construction's Marble fabric for Hickory Chair.

A sweet little round topped pull-up table by Hickory has a faux-shagreen wrapped base that compliments the rich polished mahogany.

An Art Deco inspired waterfall coffee table from Bassett wrapped in capiz shell has two handy drawers for storage of remote controls and extra stuff.

A veneer of agate makes the top of this tiny table at Century truly glamorous.

Bernhardt blew everyone away this market.  With the appointment of Ron Fiore as their creative director, he refreshed the brand in exciting new ways. He was brought over from Hickory Chair, where his styling and innovative eye ensured the showroom always looked divine. Hickory has tapped Skip Rumley as their new creative director, luring him away from Edward Ferrell Lewis Mittman. Having had Foire as a mentor, Rumley is bringing his own unique brand of chic to the hundred year-old iconic company.

The rope-wrapped arch table above is an example of Fiore's taking a classic and adapting it for today in a unique material.

 

Citrus hues on a stripey Oggetti drum table is zippy and great for tropical climes.

 Oggetti has done rope-wrapped pieces before, but the tri-color variation looks great on a little drum table.

Tres French, their tapered leg round topped bulls eye table in greys and browns is oh-so-chic.

A small seagrass table from Bernhardt in a wavy design looks as though it is covered in a drapey skirt yet it is actually a stiff material.

Nailhead trim and clean lines in Bernhardt's Parsons-style square coffee table with a storage shelf underneath is a boon to book lovers. Hello storage!

EJ Victor also had it wrapped with many simple silhouettes covered in raffia or linen or for a lighter look and feel.

The finish fan at EJ Victor.

A wrapped side table with inset drawer on top.

A round two table with simple leg and lower shelf.

With a removable tray top and metal x-base materials co-mingle.

They even have a Ming-style card table which I can never get enough of!

Oggetti's red shagreen-wrapped French Deco-inspired side table was a stunner.

On a raised gold base, Regina Andrews Jean Michel Frank-inspired raspberry faux-shagreen dresser left me agog.

The companion mirror with pointed geometric surround was also to beyond stylish.

Baker Furniture artisans hand finish this small drum side table to resemble marble. Glam alert.

RIGHT SIZED: THE BEST STYLISH UPHOLSTERY FOR CITY LIVING

After years of attending High Point Furniture Market, trade shows and visiting showrooms galore, I have had plenty of time to hone my eye for upholstery. I find my tastes have changed over the years, and currently I am really liking tight-backed sofas and chairs, and pieces with a cleaner silhouette. I am in the process of an apartment overhaul and carefully considering everything I choose. As I think about what I would like to live with, I have taken a deep dive into the subject.  Examining proportion, pitch, length and depth in small, right-sized sofas and upholstered chairs, I seek pieces to complement city apartment living. Tight back, loose back, the reverse, tufting or not, roll arm or straight, exposed leg or skirt? Here is what I have come up with, and as you can see, there is no shortage of great pieces that fit the bill. I hope it will help you when making decisions for clients and your home. Being that the sofa is often the star of the living room, it is an important, considered purchase.

The only hard part is choosing! 

TIGHT BACK SOFAS:

 Photo courtesy of Century Furniture

The Berry Sofa from Century Furniture has a chalk white leg and long seat cushion that I love. Pared down chic.

Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
If you prefer two cushions, here you go. Wesley Hall does a loose seat tight back version, 1742-77 with deep sink-into cushions.

  Photo courtesy of Lee Industries

The 1009-2 Loveseat from Lee Industries is adorably right-sized.

 Photo courtesy of Cisco Brothers

The Geranium Sofa by John Derian for Cisco Brothers with a high arm and minimal decorative accents is reminiscent of an early American design.

 Photo courtesy of Century Furniture

The Oscar de la Renta designed Dutch Sofa for Century Furniture. I sat in it today at NYDC 200 Lex and I love it.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Industries

A nice thick, long cushion to sink into for naps on Lee Industries 3278-11 sofa makes it a contender.

 Photo courtesy of Cisco Brothers

The Meadow Sofa from John Derian for Cisco Brothers can take lots of pillows.

 Photo courtesy of Kravet

Kravet's Tulane Sofa with nice turned leg and roll arm with tight back and seat for perching is perfect for one stop shopping- get your fabric and upholstery all in one showroom.

Photo courtesy of Drexel Heritage

Drexel Heritage's Tisbury Sofa with a roll arm and two pillows is another great option.

 Photo courtesy of Century Furniture

Century Furniture's Oldfield Sofa with a cross stretcher base and casters comes with two bolster pillows.

Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
Ooh more bolsters! High sides and a tight back on the 1840-72 settee from Wesley Hall for those that want a piece with an historically-evocative silhouette.

  Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair's Monroe Sofa by Suzanne Kasler has a loose seat, tight back, exposed leg and curved arm.

 Photo courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Howard

Sherrill Furniture's new Mr. and Mrs. Howard line is easy to love, as is this pared down chic two seater sofa with clean roll arm and light wood base with turned legs.

EXPOSED WOOD LEG SOFAS:

 Photo courtesy of Lee Industries

A straight arm and loose seat and back on a Lee Industries Apartment sofa mean movie watching comfort. If skirts are not your thing, this has enough interest going on at the base.

Sink into a three seater, The Pelham, with loose seat and back from Kravet. A Lawson sofa is always a good way to go for a more masculine look.

 Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler
The Templeton Apartment sofa by Jonathan Adler for some mid-century flair.

LOVESEATS:

 Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

A classic two seater, the Colefax Sofa from Hickory Chair.

The addition of the tape trim at the bottom adds that extra special detail.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Industries

 A nice two seater with straight arm from Lee

 Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

Mariette Himes Gomez designed this girly Boudoir Loveseat for Hickory Chair with a sweet pleat

   Sometimes a small kidney loveseat is just the thing. Oomph's new Tini Loveseat would work at the end of a bed as well as in a second seating layout in a larger room.

Currey and Company has this nice Lancaster Swedish Settee for tete a tete's.

 Photo courtesy of Century Furniture

The Elkins Tufted Settee from Century Furniture is tailored and old world.

 Photo courtesy of Kravet

The La Salle armless sofa from Kravet is great for the foot of the bed. Cushiony cozy too.

Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
A tight seat and tight high back on Wesley Hall's 700-54 settee makes it a good piece for a hallway. The curved apron is a nice touch.

TUFTED SOFAS:

 Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

 Hickory Chair's Marler Tufted Apartment Sofa is a classic and refined for a sitting area or a nice add on in a bedroom seating arrangement.

Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
Another classic tufted choice, Wesley Hall's 1740-77 sofa.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Industries

Tufted with a tight seat this sofa 1331-03 by Lee Industries is gracious and the tailored skirt gives it polish.

SITTING PRETTY:

 

Photo courtesy of Dwell Studio
Dwell Studio's Mallory Chair has a touch of mid-century modness with tapered leg and cut out back.

Photo courtesy of Jayson Home
Milo Baughman-inspired, The Clarke Chair from Jayson Home rocks.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Industries

I like the mid- century- meets- arts- and- crafts lines of this Lee Industries 1290-01 chair.

TUFTED BACK CHAIRS:

 Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

Cozy for reading, Hickory's Holly Chair designed by Mariette Himes Gomez is like a tufted marshmallow. I mean that in the best way--

 Photo courtesy of Century Furniture

The Hawk's Ridge Chair from Century Furniture upholstered in a great color velvet is a good fireside chair.

 Photo courtesy of Beeline Home

Cozy time with a throw and a book in Beeline's T42 tufted reading chair has me dreaming.

 Photo courtesy of Lexington Home Brands

Lexington Home Brands take on a classic bridgewater chair, The Augustine.

 Photo courtesy of Mr. Brown

Mr. Brown's Lounge Chair has a nice deep seat and a few tufts for good measure. The curved back and slim arm are very appealing.

 Photo courtesy of Drexel Heritage

The Julian Chair from Drexel Heritage with tufted square back and loose seat is long on English charm and a workhorse.

SLIPPER CHAIRS:

 Photo courtesy of Drexel Heritage

Diminutive charm with the Elkins Chair from Century Furniture.

 This little darling, The Mini Chair from Oomph is the perfect pull up chair. Piping trim adds a little more oomph.

Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
Beyond. The new Charleston Slipper Chair from Charlotte Moss is part of the Century Icons program in specific showrooms around the country.

 Photo courtesy of Drexel Heritage

With casters, the Cabot Chair from Drexel Heritage will fill in nicely when guests arrive.

TIGHT BACK CHAIRS:

Photo courtesy of Century Furniture

Century Furniture Emma Chair is like mini wing chair.

Photo courtesy of Wesley Hall
Perhaps you prefer an English-inspired armchair on turned leg with turned arms. Wesley Hall's 783 Chair has you covered.

Elite Leather has a version too, The Flores, created by Nathan Turner for them.

 The Pierre Chair from Beeline Home has a splayed arm and curvy back that adds some movement and personality in an upholstered piece. This one had me from hello.

 Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

I am just so taken with the cut corners on the Boyd Chair and it's upholstered leg from from Hickory Chair.

 Mr. and Mrs. Howard for Sherrill Furniture had a slightly deco rounded arm that worked well with a turned wooden leg and base.

 Beeline Home's Azure Chair is polished with a tight back and exposed chalk white leg. I like that it is really upright. Does that mean it will make my back feel better? Gosh, I hope so.

 Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

This go anywhere Virginia Chair from Suzanne Kasler for Hickory Chair with a small roll arm and tight back is good for the tall folk, i.e.,  not me!

 Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

Hickory Chair's March Lounge Chair from the Gomez Collection is the epitome of refinement.

 Photo courtesy of Cisco Brothers

 Cisco's Tulip Chair by John Derian has just the right amount of curvy detailing at the top of the back and always grabs my attention when I see it.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Industries

A curved back and loose seat on 1846-01 for a bit of polish from Lee Industries.

 Photo courtesy of Julian Chichester

The Virginia Chair from Julian Chichester has a nice profile and fit arms.