Gotta Love No. 57 - Grommets and Learning the Art of Detail

It presents a sophistication or a relaxed feel. What's your style? It's nice to see it out of the loo and off a metal spring-loaded rod. It belongs out in the open just adding embellishment, rather than function. Pretty or edgy.Metal rings, choice of size and finish. The grommet gives a cool, hip vibe to textile and leather. Fashion and home.

Whether the fabric is a relaxed Belgian linen, soft sheer, luxe silk, denim, leather, or even vintage - once the grommet is added it becomes yours to define.

I talk a lot about detail. The lure of detail for me is its subtlety. It's what I look for when I walk into a beautifully-designed space. It's what makes me enjoy life. Detail is quietly waiting and winks when you notice it. It's like a secret between it and you. And sometimes you point it out to others and sometimes you keep the secret to yourself. Yours to enjoy. Let the others notice on their own. Let the others experience it. Because when it is pointed out sometimes the joy is not as intense.

Detail is all around us. Notice it and you have elevated your moment! The telling of a story is our interpretation of the details we caught, listening to a story is learning the detail we didn't. Walk a different way to see newness, drive a different route to be awed with freshness, learn the art of seeing. 

In our home or upon our wardrobe - grommets are one of those details that add flair and pizazz to our space. It's a detail that can take bravery to say, "I want that." And it is a detail that rewards that bravery with a nod every time you glance it's way. 

The grommet application partnered with repurposing vintage fabrics, flags, and even a Pendleton blanket turned pillow takes this detail to a coolness level that makes one shutter and wish for a sweater.

Gotta love grommets!

Sources: Harpers Bazaar, Etsy, 1st Dibs, Pinterest

Well Dressed Home No. 63 - Dark & Sexy Exteriors

The dark side is defined as spiteful. I like it! Because for one to go to these dark and very sexy black color palettes for exterior themes is definitely a "in-spite-of" direction. In spite of what is common to exteriors, I am going to the dark side. In spite of what color every other house is in my neighborhood, I am going to the dark side.

In spite of the architecture of my home, I am going to the dark side. In spite of be it modern or traditional, I am going to the dark side.

In spite of the norm, I am going to the dark side. In spite of the stone or brick surfaces, I am going to complement them by going to the dark side. 

In spite of the cookie cutter exterior color charts, I am going to the dark side. In spite of my landscaping, I am going to the dark side, because landscaping doesn't define exterior colors.

In spite of my natural instinct, I am going to the dark side. In spite of comfort zone, I am going to the dark side. In spite of it be brick, siding, shutters, no shutters; I am going to the dark side.

I am going to the dark side and loving the home that called out my brave side! So bring it Benjamin Moore - bring your Black Beauty, your Soot, your Black Ink. Bring it Farrow & Ball - bring your Off Black. And Sherwin Williams give up your Black Tricorn and your Black Magic.

Sources: Bobby McAlpine, Lonny Magazine Ladisic Fine Homes, Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, Sherwin Williams, Pinterest, Chris Loves Julia, Huff Post

Well Dressed Home No. 62 - Revisiting Flange Detail

Welcome back my old friend! How lovely to revisit a detail that has become an afterthought lately. Reminds me it is still all in the details! The flange detail on upholstery and accents is a delight worth remembering. It's a subtle one but one of those fun ones when noticed. Need help with that room image above? Notice the flange on the round bolster on the bench? Okay, I saw you smile.

Something about flange detail in lieu of a welt that gives movement to a cushion or a pillow. Or pairing the flange with a welt. What a partnership! Leather flange, yum!

I'm not a pleat person, however a pleated flange paired with a smaller flat flange gives a drapery panel layers and personality!

And oh my detail-loving heart - the double flange is a good blind date to be sure! It's not just a cushion or a pillow. It's a design element - take the time to add the details!

Whether a contrast flange or not - this detail works in so many ways. But just like any other design detail - don't common it out. Give the flange it's throne.

Enhancing. Thought-provoked. Layered. That is what design detail is all about. This is the flange detail. Respect its place in your room design. 

Welcome home, flange!

Sources: Traditional Home, West Elm, Instagram, Pinterest

Speaking of Walls No. 10 - Hitting a Brick Wall (or Ceiling)

 

A partner to the layering concept in interior design, adding texture is in my top ten most important elements of good room design. And the wall and ceiling surfaces are the perfect places to add texture that sometimes seem to go untouched.

Since we cannot not all live in a Tribeca loft, finding a brick wall isn't in the cards. But adding this design element is a royal flush. Just don't go overboard. Use a keen eye to determine if you have a space in your room where a brick wall won't look contrived.

Another consideration in either exposing an existing brick wall or adding one, is the desired look that you want to achieve. The wall and ceiling surfaces should be part of the grounding of a room. A grounding element is one that should be looked at like the artist sees their canvas. A structure that is layered onto.

Once it is determined that a brick surface is a desirable and suitable textural element in your space, then the color needs to be decided. Is the brick surface left raw, painted, German smeared or slurry washed? Do your research and I highly recommend planning your entire room around this brick surface, whether existing or adding it to your space.

Planning is always important, even more so with a brick surface. Electrical planning is necessary and if you are adding ledges as design elements to the brick surface there are structural bulking up that will be necessary prior to adding the brick.

There is something to be said of a dramatic dark brick surface and the same quiet sophistication of one that blends into the walls surfaces around it. So what works best in your space is an important design element consideration. 

One thing to know is that, though there are limitations where a brick surface will work, like structurally - you can treat this surface like any other wall space. Nifty hardware is made specifically for hanging artwork onto brick walls. With all the important factors you need to think about at least you can take that one off your list.

A brick wall surface that is an accent or backsplash is a great way to add texture to a kitchen, a bathroom area, and let's not forget leaving it exposed behind built-ins; even glass door cabinets. The layering of shelving with exposed brick behind it is wonderful - even with glass doored shelving or cabinets.

So what are these German smear and slurry wash options for brick surfaces? They are beautiful finishing techniques that enhance or give historic looks to brick. German smear mimics a look found on old cottages and castles throughout northern Germany. It's a coating of wet mortar applied to brick while leaving some areas of exposed brick.

Slurry wash is another mortar wash that gives a stucco look. By applying a heavy wet mortar coating, the slurry wash provides full coverage while still having brick texture showing through. This gives the brick surface a rustic but modern look.

On smaller brick surface areas - like backsplashes, the pattern of the installed surface is something that should be brought to the table of discussion. I wouldn't recommend any pattern on larger surfaces - just keep it the traditional staggered brick install, no matter the ultimate decision on the color.

Adding this textural design element makes hitting a brick wall a good thing!

Sources: Pinterest, Reno Guide Australia, Home Bunch, Elle Decor France