Gotta Love No. 36 - The Tulip Table

In 1956 Eero Saarinen, a Finnish American architect and industrial designer, introduced his Tulip Pedestal Table.  It was produced by Knoll and, along with his Tulip Collection of chairs, is still manufactured by them today.  A pure true classic for sure!

In describing his inspiration, Saarinen is quoted as saying, "the underside of typical chairs and tables makes a confusing, unrestful world.  I wanted to clear up the slum of legs."

In no irreverence to Saarinen, I love his Tulip Table best when mixed with a combination of leg styles. Not his vision, but an interpretation of design styles melded together to create a beautiful tribute to a classic, in a fresh way.

This room is divinely done to perfection.

Sleek, sleek, sleek!

Though the Tulip table can't be ignored it almost seems to disappear.

So "just right".

Bravery achieved!  Well done.

No matter the space - the dream of owning a classic can be achieved.

It holds its' own in this space, proudly.

Wonderful interpretation!

Classic skirted sofa, Chippendale side chairs, Tulip table = stunning!

No other table could pull this off!

Vicente, you get me every time!

Iconic!

Brilliant!

Image Sources:  Elle Decor, Live it at Home, Vicente Wolf, Veranda, Designers Call, Elemants of Style, Design Manifest, Tom Sheerer, Summerfield Design, House Beautiful, Tumbler, Mark D. Sikes, Pinterest, Design Chic

When it Could be a Don't No. 2 - Clever Mix

This is No. 2 of When it Could be a Don't, and it is a toast to the rule breakers!  These images remind me of a recipe given to you by your friend who swears, even though the combination of ingredients sounds awful, it tastes marvelous. 

Loving the ingredients of these rooms that could be a don't but clearly are fabulous.  They can cross my taste palette anytime!

Ingredients: farm table, chinese chippendale chairs, twig chandelier, beadboard.

Done and delicious!

Ingredients:  Sleek white sofa, iron base cocktail with reclaimed wood top, iron beams,

claw foot wing chair, parsons stools.

Done and savory!

Ingredients:  Cow hide rug, tulip table, brass tea cart, two bamboo chairs,

two acrylic chairs.

Done and lip-smacking!

Ingredients:  seagrass upholstered wing chairs, modern graphic rug, 

round pedestal base dining table, chesterfield sofa in velvet.

Done and may I say, feels like Mom's chicken noodle soup, that comforting!

Image Sources:  Waldow Social, Bijou Kaleidscopr, Elle Decor, HRH Collection, Saffronia Baldwin

When It Could Be a Don't No. 1

We are all familiar with a popular fashion magazine that features do's and don'ts. You have to admit that it was the inside back page we turned to first when we were reading it. The infamous black box over the eyes protected the fashion don'ts.

But most times in design, it is the rule breaker that sets the trend for the new and accepted. The rule breaker doesn't set out to achieve this. They are simply doing what comes naturally, pairing together things in a creative way that please the eye, standing back and saying "ta-dah".

This is one of the reasons I love interior design. It is truly an expression of creativity without regard to standards.

Take a look at these rule-breaking rooms. These are definitely DO's in my book!

DO:  Bertoia chair with a vintage desk!

DO:  Modern leather bench with sleek legs and a carved marble top table!

DO:  Floor mirrors as bedside backdrops!

DO:  Carved mahogany billiards table in a revamped garage!

DO:  Tulip table with traditional chairs and settee! (And antlers on the wall.)

DO:  Madonna by Andy Warhol in a traditional living room!

DO:  Paint the brick floor gloss white!

Image Sources:  Elle Decor, Ty Larkins, Todd Romano, Southern Living, La Dolce Vita, Houzz