Fashion Translation to Home No. 21 - Spring 2019 Inspiration

Adeam Spring 2019

If you want to better understand your home design likes and dislikes pay attention to those fashion runway outfits that cause you to stare. That cause you to imagine how you would interpret the outfit. Interior design inspiration is everywhere, including the runway. Be curious about what draws you in from the fashion runway, explore it. You may just find your answer to how your home design style is defined.

Be inspired by the gray off-the-shoulder trench coat with the feminine bow paired with a great metallic shoe. What a stunning, yet comfortable room this outfit translates into! 

The translation is yours personally, so take the softer gray from this outfit to a deeper hue. A feminine touch can still be achieved with a fringed throw and luxurious toss pillows.

Fashion designer, Hanako Maeda's Spring 2019 collection was inspired by Nineties club scenes in US and Japan. I selected the room above as a translation because it seems to include a nod to the dance club with it's great chandelier. The color palette is certainly verbatim to the gray trench coat outfit featured on the runway.

Longchamp Spring 2019

Sophie Delafontaine is quoted to say "I am not designing for static women" and her designs for the Longchamp Spring 2019 prove that. Vogue calls it an "ode to the free-spirited...". Translating this fashion runway show into room design is daringly beautiful. The elements of fringe, leopard print, flowing textiles, leather, and suede is a box full of love wrapped in bold.

Even a crystal chandelier serves as a translation to the fringe in a brilliant way for those experimenting with their free spirit. And for the one who already owns the fringed shoes and bags - a chandelier showing off a bit of that flair is a welcome smile to a room.

Yes, one definition of fringe is "an ornamental border of threads left loose", but it also means "not part of the mainstream; unconventional. If that reflects who you are, this fashion translation is all you! Go for it.

Hellessy Resort Spring 2019

Sylvie Millstein, fashion designer was inspired by abstract expressionist, Helen Frankenthaler for the Hellessy Resort Spring 2019 collection. What is catching my eyes are the long sashes that give movement in a fresh, unexpected way. Oh and those pink, rhinestone encrusted shoes which were paired in great contrast with several of her fashion runway offerings.

My selections for the fashion translation to home for this resort collection feature subtle "sashes". Like the abstract graphic metallic lines on a headboard, flowy blush window panels, the arch of a bedside table lamp, the elongated mirror design and kitchen range hood and multi-light ceiling fixtures. These touches add a flowing elegance that is noticed but doesn't shout.

Metallics in these room translations flirt with the rhinestone accent of the shoe. The degree of flirtation is up to you. But I believe that there should be a lightness to it They are fluttering eyelashes after all. 

Tailoring plays an important part in fashion translation to home. Fit these translations well to your design aesthetics like fine design should. Be brave, outspoken, and a bit sassy. Express yourself. Translate your language. 

Sources: Vogue, Flickr, Pinerest, Dering Hall, Apartment Therapy, Elle Decor, Saks Fifth Avenue

Rethinking the Look of Things No. 57 - Science of The Soul

What is it about finding an intriguing treasure that draws you to it, flirting with you until you cannot resist it? It has a familiarity to it, but for some reason "this one" also has a mystic that you must add to your home's story. That's what happen when I was captured by two age-worn, attractively discolored pages in a vintage book as I flipped through it in a back room of a antique establishment. The lithographs of Phrenology on these pages are now framed and hanging in my home. And, yes I walk a little slower past them often.

Then this Phrenology thing wasn't done luring me yet. Again it enticed me with ceramic versions of this "science of the soul".  That's what Thomas Forster titled it in the Americas. Viennese physician Franz Joseph Gall is known for his theory of brain and science of character reading in early 1700s England.

From plaster or pine, which is a rarer form, to ceramic models Phrenological heads have been introduced over these many years to tell the story of this science of the soul. So what does the "L.N. Fowler" mean on the later models? The Fowler brothers began reading heads in New York in the late 1840s. Gives new meaning to "get your head in the game" one could say. 

 Although my obsession of old paper got me at first, and then the eyes on a Phrenology head, the idea that a theory into the science of the soul was born and then evolved into such an amazing illustration, became part of my home's story. But after all isn't it our very soul that should be the expression we have in our home design?

Sources: Doe & Hope, History of Phrenology.org, Pinterest, Tumbler

At The Window No. 11 - Corner Window

It is the escape discovered. There are corners in our home that aren't meant to just have a tree stuck into it. Be inspired to reconsider a corner of a room. For in this corner one can find a longed for escape. An escape where our morning cup of coffee calls for a linger. Where our end of day glass of wine is enjoyed a little bit more. And the pages of our current read become an even more intriguing journey.

Yes, the furnishings we select for this coveted corner are important, so is how the windows are dressed. How we respect the light flowing into this corner and the privacy needed to tuck us away in our escape.

For me it is the classic stationary panels that keep the corner windows uncluttered. Honoring the getaway a corner offers it's guest. Narrow, unassuming drapery hardware is the perfect compliment to this look. And wrapping the panel around the corner softens this cozy corner.

Personalized style comes into play with these classic fabric panels with the selection of fabric and the top design. Consider a grommet top or a pencil pleat with the panel length just above the floor. A puddled look would be a bit sloppy for the corner window.

Be inspired to discover your corner escape. It's been there in your home all along... waiting.

Sources: Decor Pad, Traditional Home, Instagram, Pinterest

Gotta Love No. 56 - Skulls & Tattoos

I have a confession. I'm a Pisces and for those who know them you'll understand this blog post. The topic is one I have had in my writing ideas file for quite some time but had to decide when this reveal of myself was going to come out for all to see. Well today I blame the Pandora station I am listening to as I write this. You know the genre of music that throws caution to the wind? Yeah that one. So here goes. I think a touch of skulls, crossbones, and tattoos are sexy cool. No, I have no tattoos - skull and crossbones or otherwise. Just think they show an edgy coolness that is alluring.

And I have to say that in short order I just may find myself adding a touch of this to my home, somewhere. Why not? I express so much of myself in my home that I only invite family and good friends to share with me. My people - the people who know me well. So again, why not?

This flirtatious love I have for skulls and tattoos isn't about the macabre. Instead it is my daring character and love for artists that catch my fancy. 

I'm fascinated by the collaborative story behind the Union skull created by a tattooist on leather adoring a chair by Wish Interiors. I want to meet the designer who put the skull fabric on a vintage high back chair. I want to stare into the eyes of Alan Tanksley and tell him I love his placement of the Rani Arabella skull pillows in his design. And want to know more about the Bradley Hughes chairs meets Phillip Barlow skull fabrics creations. Because these are the brave souls that inspire and I'd like to say they are my people too.

Peter Sandback's skull bench has me swooning. And then there is Melody Rose London who designed the wicked sweet luxury bone china with skull designs. Grilled cheese will never taste the same! And I'll even wash the dishes when we are done having tea!

Mr. Ralph Lauren, sir, I tip my hat to you because you get me. From your Maddox pillow with skull motif to the tabletop crystal skull - love.

There is "just right" in our home design, remember your pasta lessons - al dente! So if it is just the addition of a skull motif pasta bowl that is just enough. Be inspired! Gotta love showing your authenticity no matter what that means. 

Sources: Ralph Lauren, Alan Tanksley, Melody Rose London, Wish Interiors, 1st Dibs, Zulily, Tumbler, Victorian English Pottery, Pinterest

Be Inspired No. 84 - I'm a Rebel Who Loves Other Rebels!

I see an idea in interior design that might scream sacrilege to some. It seems to bring the rebel out in me and says "dare ya".  But I wait. Wait to see if it saturates the design world. Because if it does I just call that a tacky trend. The dare isn't to copy, the dare is to find my sacrilege design element.

Not so with what I will refer to as altered artwork. This is not in the dogs-playing-poker arena. This is a very clever display of sacrilege that I wink at and say "nice to meet you". Because it takes a rebel to see another rebel. 

This act of altering artwork is one I will not duplicate in any project or my own home because this display of rebellion deserves its place card. Cheers to the rebel!

Don't take this idea and run with it. Be inspired to find an equally brilliant way to show your rebel definition of sacrilege! Go get 'em tiger!

Sources: Hotel Monaco, Oliver Jeffers, Pinterest