Design Details: Area Rugs

Yesterday I wrote about inspirational jumping off points, using an elaborate & colourful vase as an example. Another great method to finding a great colour scheme is to work from the ground up, using an area rug or carpet as a starting point. There are literally thousands to choose from, in a wide variety of colours, prints and textures.

Let's jump right in!! As you browse the photos, notice how the rug is used as a jumping off point to create a colour palette or design scheme for the room.

Here are some fabulous examples of area rugs from Pottery Barn:

Malika (wool) 8'x10' $649.00 USD
*My Favourite*

One of my favourite bloggers, Heather Clawson, who pens Habitually Chic, recently used the Malika rug in a client's bedroom:

Emma (wool) 8'x10' $649.00 USD

Jute 8' Round $249.00 USD

Flokati (wool) 8'x10' $239.99 USD

Coco (wool) 8'x10' $649.00 USD

The next two rugs are from West Elm:

Zebra (wool) 8'x10' $459.00 USD

Faux Bois (wool) 8'x10' $549.00 USD

Restoration Hardware also have an excellent selection:

Basketweave Seagrass 6'x9' $249.00 USD

Hakkari (wool) 8'x10' $1099.00 USD

Damask Tibetan (New Zealand wool) $1699.00 USD

How fun are these rugs from PB Teen:

Nottingham Floral (85% wool, 15% Rayon) 8'x10' $549.00 USD

Flora Medallion (New Zealand wool) 8'x10' $599.00 USD

Gradual Dot (wool) 8'x10' $599.00 USD

Hope these ideas help you find your inspiration point!!

Jumping Off Point

For those who are thinking about redecorating a space and don't know where to start, my advice is to find one truly special item and draw inspiration from that piece. I know that sounds a bit pretentious, but it works. One object can be the jumping off point for a theme or for a colour scheme.

Imagine a colourful room designed around this vase:


The walls would be painted Benjamin Moore White Opulence and the floor would be a dark, dark hardwood with a cream rug to anchor the seating area in front of the fireplace. These neutral elements allow for pops of colour in the furniture.

The vase would rest at the center of the mantle above the fireplace, reflected from behind by a simple mirror:



A settee like this one would be stained the same colour as the floor and reupholstered in a burnt orange velvet:



Across from that would sit two of these faux bamboo Hollywood regency chairs painted out Benjamin Moore Green With Envy:

I would sew toss cushions for the chairs using these Indian Silk Sari fabrics:



A modern glass table like this one would float in the center of the seating area:


This pair of gold cherub lamps, finished off with modern drum shades, would sit atop a sofa table behind the settee:


The sofa table legs would be sprayed creamy white to match the travertine marble top:


Two windows along the rear wall would be draped in these champagne silk panels from Invu Drapery:


Here's how the layout would look:

Each element in the room either remains Neutral or Relates directly to the vase, our Jumping Off Point.

Neutral Items:
Walls, Drapery, Floors, Rug, Glass Coffee Table, White Marble Sofa Table

Related Items:
Metal: Gold Oval Mirror, Gold Cherub Lamps
Colour: Burnt Orange Settee, Green Hollywood Regency Chairs, Indian Silk Cushions in Orange and Green

Helpful Hints:

• Be consistent when using metal elements, it should be gold or silver, not both.

• Use colour, but don't go overboard. Two strong colours in one room is enough.

• Don't be afraid to mix Antique with Modern or Italian with Asian - that's what makes a room interesting.
  

NYC Vibe

This photo reminds me how much I miss New York City...haven't visited since the 5 days I spent there in September 2007...

Isla Fisher stars in Confessions of a Shopaholic

So Far, So Good...

Back on January 18th, I wrote about upcoming projects for 2009, and today I am pleased to make the following announcement:

Project Bare Windows & Project Hang 'em High
COMPLETED!!!!!!!

Project Bare Windows

Project Hang 'em High

I may have gotten sidetracked along the way, since there was no plan to purchase a new bedside table and two new lamps, but I love the way the focal wall looks with the furniture balanced against the bold wallpaper. It's my new favourite room!!

The bedroom is now super cozy - the drapes absorb sound, insulate the windows, block out light and provide much needed privacy. Later this week drapery will go up in the living room as well.

One last look with the drapes stacked back:

Can you say
Fab
U
Lous?!?!

Where I Got It:

Drapery & Lining Fabric: Designer Fabrics, 1360 Queen Street West, Toronto
Wallpaper: Seabrook Designs, Special Order through Home Depot
Bedside Tables: EQ3, 222 King Street East, Toronto
Table Lamps & Shades: Winner's Homesense

Oneida Silverplate

I stopped into Value Village tonight on the way home from work, seeking the perfect chair that I am hoping will appear magically before my eyes. No luck - the chair was not there. I did, however, discover this lovely pair of silverplated Oneida candlesticks...

With a little bit of Silvo and a lot of elbow grease, my candlesticks look like new!!

Here's the kicker: The candlesticks were $3.98 for the pair...
...the Silvo was $4.27.