Be Inspired No. 67 - 2014 Year of the Horse

According to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar 2014 is the Year of the Horse, which begins on January 31, 2014. Those born in the Year of the Horse are said to be extremely animated, active and energetic. They are trustworthy and friendly. 

Years of birth are 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014. So if you were wondering why you have a tinge of desire to add equestrian design to your home, maybe this might explain it.

Loving this up close photography of a horse's braid!

Way to soften up a stiff Chesterfield sofa!

The image above from St. Mark's Basilica in Venice reminds me of a Showhouse I participated in a few years ago. The room we were chosen to design had two pieces in the room that couldn't be removed. One was a grand piano and the other was a very large wooden horse that was almost as big as the grand piano. Didn't mind one bit that we "had" to work around these two elements! The horse received embellishments of a saddle custom made from a fabulous woven leather from Schumacher and passementerie reins of glory.

An original Vanity Fair lithograph of this guy hangs framed in my kitchen! Mine has patinas

from age that make you want to just stare and beg to be introduced. Yeah, I 

walk by and "pet" it sometimes.

 Appropriately so, one born in the Year of the Horse is said to have favorite colors of red, green and purple.

Is the Year of the Horse pulling at your equestrian style love? Don't worry that the personality of persons born in the Year of the Horse are said to be a little self-centered. At times we all are. And just in case you need them your lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9.  Happy Year of the Horse! 

By the way I was born in the year of the Dragon, but I still love equestrian style. Rebel? Think not!

Image Sources: Thibaut, Houzz, House to Home, Ralph Lauren, Pinterest, Eye for Designl, Flicker, Palmer Training, Fuller View, Pennington Hardwood, Seeds, Zsa Zsa Bellagio, Tumbler

Translation - Fashion to Home No. 17: Chanel Pre-Fall 2014

 "Never use anything the way it is meant to be used." 

Karl Lagerfeld

Lagerfeld's translation of this statement?  Classic cowboy boot designs enlarged and used for sweater designs and embroidered on a velvet LBD. Loving the using the motif on trompe l'oeil-printed hosiery and worn with shoes that looked like chopped off boots. If this doesn't inspire bold new design in the home!

Blanket skirts, hammered silver belts, turquoise jeweled jewelry, gobs of fringe, a fresh look at the Chanel suit, and boots....oh the boots. This is the Chanel Pre-Fall 2014 Collection. Translate this into the home and inspiration abounds. Home, home on the range where the deer and the antelope roam!

This is a fresh and modern approach where color is invited in like an old friend from afar.

A new definition of transitional design. A fun embrace of classic designs, textures, and hints to the old west.

And even the classic jean jacket wasn't left untouched - scalloped tiered layers of denim, oh my! Kinda makes you want to be a cowgirl!

Image Sources: Zsa Zsa Bellagio, Vogue, Pinterest, Raw Hide, Design Sponge, Decorupon, House Beautiful, Houzz, Gypsy Wagon, Dwell, Kings Lane

Color Palette No. 14 - High Gloss Lacquer

I know high gloss lacquer is not a color palette, but more a finish. However, this finish is something that should definitely be considered when selecting your color palette for your design project. The finish isn't for everyone nor is it for every room. Use it sparingly, but when you use it, use it boldly!

High gloss lacquer isn't a trend or something new. It just is something left on the table, forgotten way too often. That is why when we see it, it makes us catch our breath. It's stunning to say the least.

Walls, floors, ceilings, mouldings, doors, furniture. These are all areas where high gloss lacquer is fitting.

Even applying a coat over wallpaper can enhance a perfectly picked pattern.

 As a matter of fact, this application enhances everything around it. Takes everything to a higher level of beautiful.

To take a page from my design preferences, every front door should be painted in high gloss lacquer color!

When you've picked your color and  you run to the paint store to get a test quart - get another in high gloss lacquer. I dare you!

As with anything of beauty, preparation is the key. When prepping the walls for high gloss lacquer - they need to be impeccable. High gloss will show every imperfection if they are not.

Image Sources: Miles Redd, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Coco+Kelley, Jeffrey Bilhuber, Windsor Smith, Pinterest, Cote de Texas, Houzz, Paloma81, My Home Ideas, Return to Home Interiors, Steve Gambrel, Tommy Smthye