Well Dressed Home No.56 - Silhouettes, Not so Creepy.

What is it about silhouettes that makes them delightful or creepy? Perhaps the pleasant reaction to the silhouette is whether we know or recognize the subject that the silhouette was created from. I think that the enjoyment of a silhouette is that as well as the simplicity of this art form. 

A black and white silhouette of the familiar profile of a family member is classic. And what a fun twist on this classic on wallpaper, dishware, and fabrics for the home! 

The combination of the classic profile silhouette and an ode to cameo jewelry can be so chic. Even edging on hip.

When unlimited, the subject of a silhouette still remains classic. Think silhouettes of the family pet, beautiful trees, fashion trends, Chinoiserie images, and the newest addition to the family tree.

Silhouettes, whether tucked in a room in a family portrait kind of way or in the love of architecture or a design style, can be part of your style no matter traditional, transitional, modern, or global inspired.

Another thing that is clear, you don't have to be shy about your love of a silhouette. Silhouettes are not so creepy.

Image Sources: House Beautiful, Osborne and Little, Thibaut Designs, Elle Decor, Etsy, The Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica, Pinterest, Beezer, Barbara Barry

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 52 - A Little to the Left - Vintage Photographs

Let's rethink how we frame and display our vintage family photographs. Who says they have to remain in those glass-domed oval frames, I'm sorry but those frames are just creepy. Honoring our family heritage shouldn't mean old-fashioned. 

Black and white, as well as sepia tones of vintage photographs are pretty cool. A clean, simplistic ode to these great color tones in matting and frames gives vintage photography great attention.

Rethinking how you frame your vintage photographs just might have you also rethinking that hidden family wall usually reserved for the upstairs hallway.

Image Sources: Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Lonny, SDVETS, Pinterest

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 53 - "De-masking" Damask

Using a damask pattern in a modern setting also can mean keeping the reverence of the traditional ideal of it, but revealing a bit of your twisted self by inviting it in with no regret.

Willow Bee Inspired

Excuse my made up word. (or enjoy it!) But I'm rethinking the look of things by "de-masking" damask. A classic fabric design that translates beautifully into wallpaper and rugs as well. One that has a love for a more transitional or even modern style doesn't have to fore go this beauty.

Rethinking the use of damask in our world is sometimes as simple as using an enlarged, over exaggerated version of the pattern. Or finding it in a fun color palette.

Using a damask pattern in a modern setting also can mean keeping the reverence of the traditional ideal of it, but revealing a bit of your twisted self by inviting it in with no regret.

To me a room well-designed holds something that says "I'm comfortable showing my true self."

I doubt I am the only one who is drawn to a design element that lures me in and I am unable to explain why. A damask pattern is one of those elements no matter what media presented. Show me a silk damask, especially in a fun color, and I need to reach out and introduce myself to it.

Show me a damask pattern that shares two other loves of mine, ombre and aged metallic, and I need to check my composure.

And I just proposed my undying love to this stag damask! My made up word of "de-masking" is in the column of Gotta Love!

Image Sources: Designers Guild, Schumacher, Pinterest, Flicker, Kenneth James, Polyvore, Elle Decor, Churchill, Veranda, 

Gotta Love No. 51 - Spray it to Glamorous!

You'll love the change spray paint in a metallic palette can do to the ordinary that you'll have to have your BFF on speed dial to pry the can from your rubber-gloved fingers. Lest nothing will be safe if they don't.

Willow Bee Inspired

Cheers to hammered silver spray paint on this summer's seashells.

Gotta love how something as simple as a can of metallic spray paint can be so glamorous! You'll love the change spray paint in a metallic palette can do to the ordinary that you'll have to have your BFF on speed dial to pry the can from your rubber-gloved fingers. Lest nothing will be safe if they don't.

Glammy, glam on the birds nest found on your last nature hike.

And loving the bespeckled eggs! Purple Sharpie?

Giving thanks leaf garland with tips of glamour!

A glamorous shower of pine cones!

A beautiful welcome to your place at the table!

Welcome to our home in a shimmering way!

Brilliant painted plastic animals. Do you see the subtle genius?

Nuts on a string or collected in a beautiful bowl. Fab!

I haven't seen a cute-as-a-button mini pumpkin I didn't like.

One paper mache reindeer, one can glitter spray paint, and a holiday word.

Play on vintage decoration. Smile.

A coastal Christmas tree, a fun gift topper, or a longer ribbon

to create a metallic-painted bookmark.

Behold restraint with glitter paint! The restrainer rewarded.

Antlers, transformed to look like metal accessories!

Mixed metals twig votive holder. Keep it lit from Thanksgiving to New Years!

Nature's sculpture perfectly glammed!

Spraying it to glamorous, a practice in control and restraint! A fun one. No therapist appointment necessary. 

Image Sources: West Elm, The Loft on Broome, Pinterest, Bungalow Blue Interiors, Designing Home, Distressed Donna Down Home, The Sweetest Occasion, My Notting Hill, Monkednfifed, The Long Thread, Wedding Bee

Be Inspired No. 75 - Layering Rugs

Once you find the perfect rugs for your space, play a bit. Is the top rug laid on an angle, or straight, against one end of the room, or the other end, or centered? Not to worry it will fall into place.

Willow Bee Inspired

To embrace the concept of layering rugs in a room, one first needs to understand that rugs are like shoes. Yes, like shoes. Fashion for your feet. Fashion that can make or break a room's design. Just like shoes that can make or break an outfit.

Layering or using multiple rugs in a room can be tricky. But how great is it to know that you don't have to settle for just one rug! Don't fret, connect with your interior designer, they will help with the selection(s).

Here are some tips for layering rugs.

1. When layering rugs use a flatter weave for the bottom rug. Like a sisal rug.

2. Use a cowhide over a sisal rug.

3. And this shouldn't surprise you, use a zebra rug over any rug. That's right, any rug.

4. Proportion is very important. The bottom rug should be no larger than 12"-18" than the rug on top.

5. The rugs should balance each other not compete for attention. Pay attention to using a more neutral rug on the bottom with texture, like a seagrass or sisal.

6. Choose complimentary rugs, it isn't meant to look like a pile of rugs, rather a well-planned design element in the room.

Layering rugs is a great way to emphasize a seating area. Have a rug that you love but too small for the room you'd like to use it in? Layering it on top of a larger rug is your voila!

Adding color and foundation to your space is easy with a rug. Just like adding those great shoes to an outfit!

Layering rugs is no different than designing your space by layering texture, color, and pattern to build a well-designed room. 

Once you find the perfect rugs for your space, play a bit. Is the top rug laid on an angle, or straight, against one end of the room, or the other end, or centered? Not to worry it will fall into place.

Image Resources: Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Pinterest, English Traditions, Houzz, Paloma 81, Mix and Chic,