Be Inspired No. 54 - Turn Your Attention to the Back

A chair is not just a chair for sitting.  Oh trust me the comfort and lines of a chair are of the utmost importance.  But stick with it, because the selection of the fabrics and designing the chair are almost as important.  Look at this chair you've selected with all the possibilities that it holds.

Because not every chair can hold a fabric handsomely.  And not every chair placement allows for selecting fabric for the chair that will be seen from all angles in a room.  So if the back of the chair will be seen by all means turn your attention to the back.

Contrast fabric - let the fun begin!  Now is your chance to use a bold fabric in your room in a way that is in your comfort level.  If you love an exciting fabric but aren't sure you want it as a focal point in the room or that the whole piece of furniture covered in it might be a bit much, use is on the back of a chair!

If the back of that chair is exposed it is your duty to play it up!  There are far too many wonderful options for this blank canvas to opt covering it in the same fabric as the rest of the chair.

Trust me, you will have a chair crush on your hands.  This chair will be swooned upon, even petted by its occupant.

The contrast outside back of a chair can be the "other art" in the room.  Notice in the image above how this very thing happens.   Subtle...beautiful.

There are those fabrics who are just meant to be together in very close proximity, on the same piece, side by side in all their loveliness.

Animal prints are the perfect contrast for outside chair backs - for me they are the perfect contrast for inside backs too!  

Image Sources:  Henredon, Hancock Moore, Sherrill Furniture, Veranda, Pearson, Nest Egg, Mrs. Howard, Interior Design Greensboro, Houzz, Henry Link Trading

Well Dressed Home No. 36 - Suspense, Wall Shelves

We are all familiar with the phrase "the suspense is killing me."  Here in this blog post is a visual translation of that phrase.  The wall shelves are suspended and they are amazing in placement and use. The suspense is killing me with inspiration!

The suspended wall shelf takes a display to a whole other level.  It brings the display to a level of appreciation that simply cannot be bettered.

I love how it not only accomplishes the look of art but in its utilitarian form declutters a space fantastically.

What a way to create a wonderful bar almost anywhere without the need for cabinetry.

Suspended shelving works to create artful wall entertainment "centers" in a clean way.  Where space might limit a location for an entertainment cabinet - wall shelving comes to the rescue.

It's hard to miss the suspended shelf, but when painted the same color as the walls in a room, what is noticed is how it serves as a quiet artful way of displaying one's treasures and collections.

An ingenious headboard is created simply by suspending a wall shelf above a bed and it is superb!

The suspense is killing me and I am alive with inspiration!

Image Sources:  West Elm, Calligaris, Hulsta, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Coco Cozy, Metropolitan Home, Archiproducts, Apartment Therapy, Cocoon Interior Consulting, Pinterest

House Crush No. 4 - Mod Retreat

Okay, this is bizarre!  Did you ever have a feeling that someone creeped on your dreams? I've heard of social media creeping, but dream creeping?  Sorry to be the bearer of this news, but it is possible as evidenced by House Crush No. 4.

Where tradition says mountain retreat = rustic, the naysayers (me included) say not necessarily.  Or in a sassier frame, "who says so?"

I am crushing on how the rustic character of this home is so much more prominent by the contrast of of the unpredictable furnishings and decor.

Seriously, the view seems clearer simply because the old adage "bring the outdoors in" wasn't on the agenda. Well done!

My kind of room, a barn door and a modern chandelier.  Opposites attract!

The air inside is just as crisp and clean as the air outside.  Now that's how you bring the outdoors in!

Mod retreat indeed!  I have a house crush!

Image Sources:  Elle Decor

Be Inspired No. 53 - Swings, Indoor and Other Places

Many find rocking chairs and swings soothing because of the gentle motion. Did you know that rocking chairs are also comfortable because when a user sits in one without rocking, the chair automatically rocks backwards until the sitter's center of gravity is met, thus granting an ergonomic benefit with the occupant kept at an unstressed position and angle? Neither did I, until Wikipedia.

What I do know is that it is hard to sit on a swing or rocking chair and not subconsciously create the movement we know will, if even for a moment, give us pause and bring memories of those childhood days on the playground or on the lap of someone special.

I love how our quest for relaxation can be fulfilled by bringing those swings into any place in our home environment.  Places where it doesn't matter if it is a rainy day and the playground is not on the agenda.

Swing sets, to me, bring memories of competition.  Who can swing higher and faster?  Can one actually swing so high and fast that they can swing themselves over the top bar?  Whose going to swing so fast and high that they rock the swing set posts out of the ground?  Whose going to leap the furthest off their swing when we count to three?

Even though competition drives adrenaline, in my memories of the swing set competitions are happiness and contentment.  Not bad ingredients to repeat in one's home surroundings.

So whether indoor or outdoor, protected from the rainy day restrictions, the addition of swings are that brave fantasy that seem to make sense.

Even if the swing acts as a table or console, as in the image above, it still brings back those memories of good times at a glance.  And might even remind us to visit that park we pass by on our evening walk and stop and play on the swings.

And don't even get me started on the benefits of a lazy afternoon nap.

Image Sources:  Elle Decor, Pottery Barn, Feng Shui Dana, Elements of Style, Cypress Porch Swing Beds, Pawley Island, My Home Ideas, Pinterest, Porch Swing Beds, Rubbish Furniture