Rethinking the Look of Things No. 11 - Faux Fur

If you've window shopped the new Fall collections for fashion this season, you couldn't help but notice that faux fur plays a major role.

This caused me to rethink the use of faux fur in home design. I've had a faux fur throw in our living room for years and a faux fur throw pillow in our family room that downright feels like a worn out teddy bear.

Image Sources: Ralph Lauren, Apartment Therapy, Elle Decor, Calico Corner

Gotta Love No. 9 - Castle Gibson

Castle Gibson is based in London with furniture for sale and props and locations for rent. Their four locations are oozing with creativity waiting to happen.

Ruby House is a Victorian townhouse with faded grandeur.

This location was host to a photo shoot featuring Amy Winehouse.

The Depository is an industrial warehouse perfect for photoshoots, filming, and launches.

And MC Motors is their industrial location which their website says has a chequered history with the largest room originally being part of an adjacent school.

MC Motors provided an amazing location for this image of Emma Watson.

And The House Next Door is a five-floored former building merchants location popular within the fashion industry.

I invite you to check out their website (http://www.castlegibson.com/) and visit their blog (www.castlegibson.com/blog). It is a delight to see such vision!

Image Resources:  Castle Gibson



Color Palette No. 7 - Tennis Ball Yellow

In honor of the US Tennis Open 2011 I'm presenting Color Palette No. 7 - Tennis Ball Yellow.

Here are my paint color picks for this "refreshing like a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day"-palette.

Farrow & Ball Babouche

Benjamin Moore Bright Yellow

Sherwin Williams Lemon Twist

Image Sources: House Beautiful, Decor Pad, Domino, Elle Decor, Veranda

Be Inspired No. 14 - Smoke and Mirrors

I'm inspired by mirrored walls. Though this was overdone in the interior design world in the 1980s, it was with glitz rather then sophistication. There is something warming about a smokey or antique mirror used on the wall in exaggeration.

The pairing of the architectural mouldings in enhancing the mirrored wall effect can create a fantastic atmosphere with dimension.

Image Resources: Kelly Wearstler, Elle Decor, Apartment Therapy, Bunny Williams, Metropolitan Home, Vicente Wolf, Veranda, David Easton

Translation Fashion to Home No. 5 - Ralph Lauren Denim and Supply

If you haven't checked out the new Ralph Lauren Denim and Supply you need to make it a priority. This collection, as mentioned on the company's website, was born out of the warehouse and artistic community of Brooklyn, New York. The creative pulse this collection has gives me such a vibe of ease of life. You'll see it's contagious!

Here's my translation from fashion to home from this collection.

Who hasn't dreamed of having a warehouse loft open floor plan where you can, on a whim, have a jam session with your musician friends or throw together an impromptu dinner party where the guests help with the cooking? I know I have!

Image Sources: Ralph Lauren, Elle Decor, Castle Gibson

Gotta Love No. 8 - Marimekko

Marimekko was founded in 1951 by Viljo and Armi Ratia after the former's oilcloth factory project failed and was converted to a garment plant. Armi asked some artist friends to apply their graphic designs to textiles. In order to show how the fabric could be used, the company then designed and sold a line of simple dresses using their fabric.

They have made important contributions to fashion especially in the 1960s and 1970s. They are particularly noted for brightly-colored printed fabrics and simple styles, used both in women's garments and in home furnishings.

Marimekko shot to fame in the US when Jackie Kennedy starting wearing their dresses in the 60's. And then Sex & the City brought Marimekko back again years later. Not only was Carrie seen in a Marimekko bikini and dress, but her curtains were Marimekko as well.

In the Fall Inspiration 01 issue of Crate & Barrel I fell in love with the Kaivo Bed Linens. The design was originally created in 1964 by Maija Isola for Marimekko. Kaivo ("well") was inspired by the circular ripples that surfaced as she lowered a bucket to fetch water from the well.

I love this graphic pattern for its simplicity and story.

And what fun would some of the other Marimekko patterns be, say in a nursery?

Image and Content Sources:  Domino, Kaboodle, Apartment Therapy, Crate & Barrel, Wikipedia

At The Window No. 2 - The Roman Shade

The Roman Shade offers a soft functional window treatment. This window treatment style is transitional from a traditional setting to a contemporary setting, and works great in a child's room. And it is not one that limits your fabric choices either.

Image Sources: Decor Pad Eric Cohler, Veranda, Jute Home