Antique Stomp… What I almost bought.

So I mentioned in my last post that I enjoy poking though the antique store in my area on my day off… I often will buy things with clients in mind, hoping they might like what I’ve found and secretly hoping I’ll be forced to keep it if they don’t share my vision.  Well this week I found a few things I – they – couldn’t live without, and many things I wanted to buy, but left behind…  I’m wondering if there isn’t some web-based business where I could post the things I didn’t buy and offer to buy them for someone should they want it, and deliver or ship it to them.  That business model probably already exists but I’m thinking it could be a slow winter project – assuming I’ll have time over the winter… it’s already shaping up to be quite busy.  Anyway, here are the things I let slip by…

9 plus feet long, $400.00… I know it’s a crazy deal, I just don’t have a need for it.

Orange and White, great condition… $875 for the pair.

I might go back for these… $500 for the pair!  Crazy right?!?

Black glass, needs shade (duh) but it was $59.00 Wish there were two.

If I had that G.D. summer house I could install these in the showers… forget how much, but they were pricy.

the Farmhouse Wing Chair & Other Favorites

So I guess it’s been awhile since I posted product.  I mostly focus on the overall aesthetic of a room so today I’m going to post a few of my favorite pieces from vendors I use with some regularity…  Starting with the Farm House Wing Chair from Hickory Chair. It’s got great style and its a comfortable sit, it looks good in traditional and modern settings and you can order it from 28 inches wide up to 120 inches wide!  I’ve seen it upholstered with a “racing stripe” down the middle and that is a great look, breaking tradition further and adding to its modern sensibility.

Random I know, it’s a mixed bag today… but I’m just loving the Vincent table from Oly.  Inside or outside I love this table in pairs, flanking french doors, a fireplace or a sofa.  Available in several finishes the organic look of the faux-wood table adds interest to a space, plays well with traditional furniture and the dash of whimsy isn’t “too cute”… the table has sophisticated polish.  A great foyer piece too, I like it in white with a mirror above it.

This is the Cabrillo Nailhead Chest from Bernhart.  It’s gotten a lot of attention since it’s debut, and why not? It’s a stunner and Bernhart is known for good – not great, but good – pricing.  This chest probably isn’t “cheap” but well worth the cost, just look at the detail.  The chest is linen wrapped and the decorative nailhead details are most likely applied by hand, that’s some serious labor.  The piece itself is a show stopper.  I’d love this chest of drawers as night stands in a big bedroom against a dark wall. POP!

Ahhh… McGuire.  a San Francisco based company  that has been around forever, just keeps putting out chic product that feels fresh and holds up to the test of time (never trendy, always timeless).  The Barbara Barry designed Caned Lounge Chair is designed for comfort. The square back offers a delicate pattern of square mesh caning framed in rattan and accented by the collection’s signature half-oval, cutout detail… and it looks good too!  Click over to McGuire to see more.

And finally, I would be remiss if i did not include a rug from my favorite rug vendor Asmara.  This rug in particular is so elegant and so beautiful and so easy to design around and live with.  Silk, cotton, linen, leather… Eveything looks good with this rug.  I work on many coastal homes and the pale color palette is perfect to compliment beautiful views and maintain a balance between whats going on indoors and out.  Using ancient French Savonnerie dyeing and weaving methods and fine hand spun wool yarns, this hand-knotted Oushak pile rug has subtle shade and texture variations rivalling the best antique Oushak rugs.  If you want the best, start with Asmara.

White Sofas & Working with Clients

So I posted this from my iPhone and regrettably, not all of the copy made it onto the blog… only the last paragraph to be more exact… but here is what I had tried to say:  I love a white sofa.  They are like a design chameleon in that they can take on what ever you decide to pair with them, bright pillows, a patterned chair, a fur throw, whatever.  They can go romantic, country, modern and traditional and they look good doing it.  Now I appreciate that not all lifestyles support the practicality of a white sofa, but you can choose a chenille that would be very forgiving, or a cotton slip-cover that’s washable or you could teach the beloved dog not to jump on the livingroom sofa…  When I thought about writing this post I considered going back and looking to see how many times I’ve posted about white sofas, but I decided not to because I’m sure it’s a pretty big number and everyone knows decorators aren’t too good at counting that high.  For me a white sofa is truly a blank canvas.  You can still go any direction with a room and what I think I like best is that a sofa is typically your largest piece of furniture in a given room, it’s really a good idea to keep it neutral so that it doesn’t become the “elephant” in the room – no offense to elephants.  I have found that clients get excited about patterns and colors more so than a tonal or neutral scheme, this makes sense there is just more visually to see and fall in love with, but once you have lived with a white ( or neutral ) sofa and/or room you understand how great they are to live with.

I was at a wedding this weekend at a clients home – the one we designed and built the pergola for – and was chatting with a family friend.  He asked about the business and assumed that the very first thing I did to find direction was to consult the client.  Without hesitation I quickly informed him that was the third thing I did, after considering the architecture of the home and forming my own opinion as to scale of furniture, furniture placement, general color palette and the like.  Only then would I discuss with the client what it is they would hope for the space and we would begin the negotiation from there.  Don’t get me wrong, I give my clients what they want, but they choose from options that I have given them so It’s important to have a strong conviction and a strong vision to help guide the client to furnishings that will suit their lifestyle, budget and still give them the look they want and achieve a look I can be proud of as well.    What I have learned is: put the personality in the smaller pieces and the accessories.  Chairs and sofas should be able to stand up to your changing tastes, trends and any remodel or move.  Good furniture lasts a long time, choose carefully, and put your wild colors and patterns on your pillows.  
The last thing I’d like to say today is that it is not easy for me to create a room without pattern and with little to no color. It takes restraint, big time! Do you know how many beautiful prints and patterns there are? And how many more are being produced constantly? I LOVE the look in the three images posted today but the reality is it takes major control to create, clients don’t usually get very excited about cream, beige and tan color schemes and more people than not want color and pattern. That being said, this is a look I’m very comfortable in. Left to my own this is the aesthetic I would create for clients but the truth is the client wins more often than I do and that’s ok. I really do care more about making someone happy than flexing my design muscle and in the end I have my own home to decorate as I wish, white sofa and all!

the LINEN SOFA

 

I guess I’m a sucker for a neutral linen sofa.  Search it on this site and almost every post will come up… and here I am posting another living room with a creamy linen sofa as the centerpiece.  Whats not to like?  When you’re going classic and by that I mean picking a sofa that needs to last through trends and your moods think about getting the best fabric possible.  A plain sofa with average fabric can always be disguised with pillows and a throw but by putting the prettiest and highest quality fabric on a piece you keep simple and neutral without sacrificing a specialness.  It’s a large piece and often the most obvious in a room, you’re sitting – sometimes lying on it – so but something nice on it.

Make a stately statement. Pared-down styling transforms a typically highly ornamental piece into one grounded and subdued. Natural linen upholstery on an exposed natural oak frame give this sofa an elegant form and visual interest… Neutral doesn’t have to be boring.  This piece is $2400 from Global Home - globalhomeny.com

 

Sleek and modern can benefit from the quality of a well woven natural fiber like linen.  Often a bit cold looking modern or contemporary lines often look even better with the softness of a linen cover.  There is a bit of topography and an ease to the fabric that plays nicely with straight, simple lines.  This sofa is from zinhome.com and runs about $2400.00

 

Can leave out all the big box retailers so I’m going to include this sofa from Crate & Barrel.  It’s a transitional piece if you ask me, somewhere between classic and modern.  It would live well with antiques but could go the way of concrete floors, repurposed coffee table and exposed vent work easily.  At only $1600.00 its a great price – albeit perhaps not as well made as other options – from Crate & Barrel
And last but not least, I would be remiss if I didn’t include one of my favorite and best upholstery lines Lee Industries in this write-up.  Lee has been in business for many, many years, their sofas are hand crafted with kiln dried wood, 8 way hand tied springs, cushions are available with down-wrap or all down options and the number of styles available will astound you!  p.s. their lead time runs about 4 weeks!  …and you can’t complain about that.

 

 

 

Dark & Stormy

It’s the height of summer, and I’m thinking about Dark and Stormy.  Not the Rum and soda concoction, the graphite to black boldness that turns a neutral, tonal space into a more edgy, more urban (and it up’s the chic factor if you ask me) space.  What dark needs is lots of light around it.  That’s the key to making dark work.  Dark sofas? White walls!

It’s about the positive and negative spaces.  Dark, light, open… closed.  Love the ying/yang of this kitchen.  Check out the closed, open, closed wall cabinets around the window and the half-open half closed island… cool!  NOTE: floors, walls & ceiling = Light.

Dark sofa? Light pillows!  it’s that simple.  bring the wall color into the room via the coffee table, pillows and other upholstered items (and the rug?!).

Dark and Stomry-ish.  Here is a safe version of what adding depth to a room looks like.  The commitment is  minimal but imagine this room without the black in it… quite a different look.  Not all that dark but a statement none the less.

 

 

perfection.

This is what perfection looks like because it’s not perfect, but it is.  One great thing about this room is it feels like it happened, not as if it were planned.  There is a great balance between light and dark, delicate thin dark accents and wide swathes of whites and creams…  Dark floor grounds it all.

A new good friend told me say less, so I’m leaving it at that today…

Just met with a young client who has a wedding coming up in a year or so who has bought a beautiful waterfront lot along with a home that is in need of some up-dating.  Our first meeting went really well and we seemed to like each others ideas and the rooms are a good scale so I’m excited to begin the process with she and her fiance.  The major requests are tonal, natural, chic, comfortable, easy and no florals.  Easy enough!  It’s basically my dream home, but for her… I’m good with that at least I get to help create it.  I posted these pictures with the post because I think they all have something we could borrow for the living room in my clients house.    

Sisals will be laid, un-dyed linen covered sofas filled with down on top of wide plank floors and under a coffered ceiling.  White accents and white orchids everywhere.  I wonder if she’d go for a cowhide rug under the coffee table(s)?

There was much discussion around what patterns if any will be used.  Geometrics and trellis is ok, vine, floral, seashell motif are all out.  Can’t wait to have our next meeting, I already have a file bulging with clips and ideas.  Stay tuned for some “before pictures” I plan on taking them next time I’m there.

50 Shades of Grey

Nope, I haven’t read the book that is making its way though the mommy circuit (and countless teenagers hands as well).  Back in my day the book was Flowers For Algernon, yep that got passed around, and around and around… but I digress.

Yep, that color we all loved in the 80′s is back – Grey.   It’s cool and sleek, it’s dark and sexy, and it plays well with others.  Go get yourself some grey!

I’m Working On It

So this is an image I took over the shoulder of the professional photographer, but I couldn’t wait to share it with you.  I know his will be much better but here are my snapshots.  With this house the clients were really great to work with, they were so receptive  to my vision of something modern but soft, beachy yet crisp.  We stayed on message for the most part, a few times we were seduced by something Asian, or a painting the client had to have, we worked together quite well. I really do love the home we have created and thrilled to have it photographed.

Thank you all for stopping by as much as you do.  I am so flattered that so many of you keep coming back to see what I’m going on about.  I hope you all have a great Father’s Day Sunday!  See you tomorrow.

And just for fun they put me in front of the camera for one or two shots… here I am.  Yes, I know I may have only posted my picture on the blog once or twice before in 3 years!  But, I figured it was about time.  This screened-in porch is completely open to the dining and living rooms thanks to folding glass doors.  I love the soft palette that mimics the living room.

UNDECORATED a borrowedish blog

How did I miss yesterday?  It was a busy day, but that’s no excuse…  Here are the pictures I found at plastolux.com that I mentioned on Thursday.  Cool space right?  it’s random and very undesigned but it’s edited and curated and each individual piece is worthy of being in the room.  Of course the room itself has serious “bones”, who wouldn’t want that big open space to hang out in (it almost doesn’t matter that there seems to be no windows).

Different home (I think) sameish look. I’m going to call it undecorated – even though it is decorated, and styled and tweeked to look just so – it’s stylish without feeling planned or “decorated”.  colors don’t match, stripes are mixed, but don’t be fooled, it’s high style.  And, speaking of high style…

no words need be written, aside from… YUMMY!

Coastal Sophisticated Sectional

That’s what this look is referred to as by many, coastal sophisticated.  Why would I bring it up today you may ask, well today I’m having one of my recent projects shot by a professional photographer and the look is, well… costal sophisticated.  It’s a mix of transitional furnishings, some modern some tradtional, all in a warm earthy palette of neutrals and blues ( think sand and sky ).  To me the coastal  look embodies a casual relaxed vibe and little rustic or textural.  Color palettes can be all over the map but think sunny days and cocktails on the screened porch at sunset.

These sectional sofas have all be styled differently and they range in style… from track arm to english arm to rolled arm.  A few of these sofas have T cushions ( where the seat cushion wraps in from of the arm) others do not, but all are casual in their fabric and comfortable looking pieces.  Interesting none are skirted,  sofas (and chairs) all have exposed legs to keep the look light and fresh.

I think all of the rooms in this blog are well done and suit the coastal look quite well.  Ottomans as coffee tables seems to be a strong trend running though most of the pictures. There are few patterns, no prints or florals, wide stripes and texture are the look here.

 I have to get to the store early and pull accessories and a few extra pillows to fluff the room were shooting.   Typically clients love this day because it really is the icing on the cake day.  They get to see the room go from being done to finished, if you know what I mean.  Accessories are really what set the mood and finish a space, I like to make sure they speak to the clients and who they are but they also have to be right for the house and room.

Hopefully I’ll have a proof in the next few days to share with you all.  Thanks – as always – for stopping by and checking out BILLblog.  Have a great day!

Host Chairs

There is nothing like a host chair at either end of a dining room table.  It’s the perfect place to add a pop of color if the room needs it.  The architecture of a chair with more visual weight frames the table and creates a book-end aesthetic that cozies up a sometimes lean room (meaning there is typically less fabric and fewer accessories).  And, of course a comfortable chair is always in high demand for long nights around the table with friends and wine.  I like a tall host chair that gives some height at the ends of the table, for me the visual of that extra height helps the middle of the room for not feeling so flat.  If you entertain and seating is sometimes short in the living room, host chairs are the perfect pull-in chair, typically smaller in scale but comfortable (esp. with arms) and light enough to move around easily.

a favorite of mine right now, from Lee Industries… it looks great with and without arms.

Bunk Beds Seven Ways

I guess I’m a kid at heart.  I love the idea of bunk beds.  Wouldn’t mind having them for a guest room, wouldn’t mind sleeping in one for a weekend away, and visually I really like the way they look… Cozy.  The one featured above is from Oeuf – out of Brooklyn and Germany – and is part of their perch collection.  Isn’t it cool and modern without being to tricky?  Sort of Michael Graves like, or Philippe Stark esque and I mean those comparisons to both be a compliment.

I’m guessing this house was designed to have these beds built-in from the get-go.  How else would they have been so lucky to have the windows so perfectly placed.  This set-up is very sophisticated, and although it has whimsy and the stylist had to put in the stuffed animal, I would be proud to present this room as my guest room in my summer-house.  The color palette is grown up, the curtains add privacy and… and… AND I’m a little jealous.  There, I said it.

It’s an equal opportunity blog today! This one is for all the modern purists.  How cool is this set up?  Granted, low man is basically on the floor, to get three guest beds in this small amount of space feels a bit Japanese by way of the space being so well used.  I don’t know where this photo was taken, but I’d like to visit.

No shortage on style with these beds they are the Armani or Christian Liaigre of bunk beds… Sleek, dark, minimal.  Again with the perfectly placed windows, Love it.

two girls one bedroom? No problem… Build them bunk beds.  Lavender is HOT this spring and summer, jump on the band wagon before you blink and everyone is painting, decorating and sewing their way to a new trend color.  The mix of the taupey grey with the lavender is really, really good.  White would have been too sweet.  This is very well done, the niche they made for bedside storage is a great detail.

The best part of this picture?  They are someone elses children ( just kidding, not really, no really I’m kidding, not really).  The best part of this set-up is the built-in stairs.  Interesting that we don’t get to see the full wall, I wonder if the wall was just the right size or maybe it was longer than they needed.  In any case, this is a good looking double bunk bed wall if I ever saw one.

You didn’t think I’d write this much about bunk beds and not include one in “my personal style” did you ?  No, I didn’t design this casual summer-house bunk bed situation… But I’d have it in a heart beat in my coastal cottage for friends to crash in when it’s too late ( that’s code for when they are over served) for them to make it home.  Which is your favorite?

JANGEORGe Sag Harbor

My friend Richard turned me on to this great pair of designers turned shopkeepers a while back after he returned from Key West where Jan and George have their interior design shop.  Both have worked over a decade as Interior Designers and now with JANGEORGe Sag Harbor open their empire expands!  Besides Interior Design services, JANGEORGe Interior Design offers an exclusive mix of modern, contemporary European furniture, combined with antiques, lighting, art, fabrics and accessories.  Not only all of that, but a curated and edited version of it, so well-chosen you could shop with your eyes closed.  Located in an 18th century whalers home in the historic village of Sag Harbor NY, the furniture, furnishings and accessories all have a time-worn patina, a tonal vibe that is easy to live with and a chic factor that is off the charts.

What you’ll find there:

Furniture

JANGEORGe by Frigerio, Bonacina, Emeco, Flexform, Kirch & Co, Meridiani,  Moooi and Moroso.

Beds

JANGEORGe by Frigerio, Flexform,Gervasoni, Ivano Redaelli and Meridiani

Rugs

GT Design, Ivano Redaelli, Mangas, Merida Meridian

Lighting

Prandina, Lumina, Flos, Oluce, Luceplan, Moooi

…just to name a few of the amazing vendors they are working with.   Here is a link to their beautiful portfolio of work: www.jangeorge.com be sure to stop in if you find yourself in Sag Harbor (or Key West) and tell them Billblog sent you!

Surroundings

I think Work and Play should be kept separate – and this blog is play – but in all fairness I do blog about what I’m working on from time to time and have mentioned the store from time to time so I have decided to cross the line today and post a few pictures that were taken recently of the shop (yes, the place I work).   From the ground up:  The Dragon area rug is a one of a kind hand-knotted wool rug and I love the colors in it mixed with the Asmara rug hung on the wall.  They are a great pairing because the organic and “open” pattern of the dragon rug compliments the geometric pattern of the Asmara (also hand-knotted and all wool) and the color palettes are the same, only colors are used in different amounts.  So while they are opposites, they are in fact very much alike, and look quite good together if I do say so.

The Sofa is the Tilden from Hickory Chair.   I really do LOVE this sofa, and I know I love a lot of things on this blog ( and I know I shouldn’t love “things”… but I do) but seriously this sofa goes anywhere.  Modern, traditional and anything in between.  It all depends on how you cover it and the pillows you put on it.  Well made, comfortable and a great napping sofa the Tilden is at the top of my sofa “go to” list.

The Tables in the shot are from all over.  The garden stool was bought off the back of a truck, a wonderful Chinese man drives all over the eastern seaboard selling Chinese imports out of the back of his truck, and we love it when he drops in on us.  There are always treasures to be found in his mobile shop.  The small white-painted table is from another chinese import vendor we work with out of LA.  They offer great selection and prices so we can pass them along to clients at great prices.  This small table is only a few hundred bucks!  The barley twist game table were using as an end table is from G & J Styles.  They have a great showroom in NC and we buy from them regularly.  Their merchandise fits in to many aesthetics and the quality is great.  This little table has leaves that allow six – close friends – dine at it, but it’s also a great game table for puzzles and cards.

OK, pillow talk and then were moving on… the big embroidered pillow is made by Ryan Studio ( we love them and their great pillows)  and the little needlepoint pillow is by Michaelian Home.  A little whimsy goes a long way but their pillows are well made the colors are sophisticated and they work great for our area.

Another beautiful Asmara rug supports this grouping that includes the Hickory Chair wicker coffee table and gives interest to the neutral linen sleeper sofa by Lee Industries.  Lee offers so many different sofa frames and their shipping is usually 4 to 6 weeks so of course we depend on them for quality furniture and good prices that are not only American made but guaranteed.  Lee has a great line of slip-covered sofas, chairs and ottomans too called Coveralls.  Between the two lines we can satisfy any customer.  In the background you can see our display of Dash and Albert rugs ( we carry wool, cotton and indoor/outdoor) as well as the cabinet filled with Vagabond House platters and pewter.  Last, but certainly not least is the pretty polished nickel chandelier from Visual Comfort.  Yet again another vendor who offers a tremendous variety and good quality construction.  Their styles are great and their finishes suit every need.

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!

Happy June 1st everyone.  “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit” is one variant of a common British superstition which states that a person should say or repeat the word “rabbit” or “rabbits”, or say the phrase “white rabbits”, or some combination of these elements, out loud upon waking on the first day of the month, because doing so will ensure good luck for the duration of that month.

Ligne Roset’s Pan Pan Decorative Rabbit and Pan Pan Table  are a  little something out of the ordinary, a rabbit integrated right into the table top and his larger buddy, a free-standing decorative object. Both pieces were designed by Barbara Kuehne-Thompson, whose background is similarly intriguing.  She left the United States for Vietnam at the age of 24. While there, she met Swiss entrepreneur and founder of Wetter Indochine, Michel Kuehne. Together they have managed to combine the skills of Vietnamese artisans with creative design to “…transform the pure forms of nature, bringing them into the home in a subtle, elegant way…” Linea

The Rabbit Lamp ($516.00) was designed by Front Design for Moooi in the Netherlands. Moooi’s Rabbit table lamp is part of the “Animals Series” by Front Design for Moooi in the Netherlands. The “Animal Series” include the Rabbit Lamp, the Horse Lamp and a Pig Tray Table. Who wouldn’t want a rabbit or a horse to lighten up your living room and a pig to serve your guests? The Moooi Rabbit Lamp is a very attractive whimsical modern table lamp. Everyone loves this unusual lamp which is highly decorative in form. The adorable Rabbit Lamp will add a unique flare to any room in your house.Moooi designs and produces their modern lighting and contemporary accessories in the Netherlands. No wonder Moooi’s collection is so attractive: the Dutch word for “beautiful” is “mooi”. A combination of elegance, grace and timeless good looks typifies the Moooi collection. Legendary Dutch designers of note include Edward van Vliet, Bertjan Pot, Jurgen Bey, Job Smeets, Maarten Baas and Marcel Wanders. Museum curators clearly have taken notice as well. Several pieces of the Moooi collection have already been snapped up for museum collections including the MoMA New York.

And this little cutie for you child’s room or just a bit of whimsy… available from or whiterabbitengland.com.  I think it’s only $95.00 or was it pounds?!

The Neutral Sofa

I’m willing to bet well over 50% of every sofa sold in the USA is a neutral tan-beige-ish color.  It’s typically one of the more expensive pieces of furniture to acquire and one of the largest ( unless of course you play the piano ) and most people want it to last a long time…  And they do, if you buy a well made sofa to start and cover it in a fabric that will A. hold up and B. not look dated years from now.  Because the sofa is so big “playing it safe” means keeping it neutral and less obvious in a room, “make it disappear” or at least, make it less obvious than say something half its size.  All of these theories have merit.  You can change the look of a room with art, throw pillows and accessories, on a whim.  Re-covering or slip-covering a sofa is a more expensive and timely endeavor.It’s actually funny to me as a designer that most people was to make a statement with their furnishings, especially if they have a professional guiding them away for any wrong decisions.  I am all for making a statement, and if bold and playful is your thing I’d happily find a pattern or bold color or woven texture for your upholstery, but neutral can be a “look” not just a default.  Because there are fewer distractions in a room full of “quiet” furniture, scale, form, quality and floor plan become even more important, neutral isn’t always easy to pull off.  I think the room above works largely because the ceiling and floors a deep warm brown, creating contrast and interest, the floor plan is good and the lines of the soft-goods are pretty and the additional furnishings suit the look and maintain a calm tonal look. Here’s a neutral sofa that’s holding its own in a more bold setting.  The tufting of course adds am element, an additional detail giving the already stylish sofa a boost.  Throw pillows in bold colors and patterns wake up the sofa and give balance to the  Danish armchair covered in a strong geometric.  So this proves that a neutral sofa can go bold, you just have to layer in some changeable accessories to make it work for your look.  My last word(s) on neutral sofas (and chairs)…  Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring!  I’m not advocating for one fabric stretched from one side of your living room to the other.  Neutral can be any color from white to cream to beige to tan to camel to taupe to grey to mushroom.  Mix it up and give your upholstery some interest by varying the shades, add texture and even pattern – like neutral stripe, and play with combinations of colors greys and creams for instance.  Want a red sofa? Go for it! …just be sure it’s something you can live with for a very long time, or set aside a bit of cash to help pay for the recovering when it you get sick of it.

IKEA

I admit it, I’m a snob.  I prefer high quality, flawlessly designed furniture (and clothes).  I am of the school that “you get what you pay for” and my favorite line is: BUY THE BEST, CRY ONCE.  But, for the record IKEA really impressed me on a recent visit.  It’s down right CHEAP, it’s really well designed and they have their look “down pat”.  I could have spent $1000.00 – and in the world of home furnishings that’s not a lot – and left with a car load, ok maybe two car loads full of groovy stuff.

I would have spent the majority of my money on rugs, lighting and small rigid frame chairs.  I’m leery of IKEA’s upholstery, convinced it will not be comfortable.  And, I don’t like many of their case pieces – I don’t want to have to build it, and I’m sure it will fall apart in a year – But… the before mentioned rugs, lights and occasional chairs (and maybe even some window treatment options) looked like they would hold up, add a modern twist to any space and leave you with enough in your wallet to buy a quality sofa.

1stDibs Desk Shopping

I’m shopping for a desk for a client and 1st Dibs has many to offer.  I have never bought something via 1st dibs before but I do love the idea of getting something that feels special and original – more one of a kind – for this particular space.  You sort of have to take what you find when you’re not shopping new or custom, a finish might not be exactly what you had in mind, size might need to stay negligible and condition is always an issue, but buying vintage and mixing it in always gives an immediate always been there vibe.  This 60′s Executive Rose Wood Desk I’m loving… Guess the desk chair would want to be chrome and zebra?  Sexy!

This 1970′s custom-made parsons style parquetry desk with two small drawers feels very Jean-Michel Frank.

Not what I need – i am planning on floating the desk in the middle of the small room, but cool none the less.  This Omni wall unit by George Nelson & Associates is so cool.  Made in the USA in the 1950′s it features five uprights, two cabinets with drawers,two cabinets with sliding glass doors,two open cabinets, one cabinet with a drop front desk, three shelves with book divider channels, two slanted presentation book shelves, and four enameled task lamps.

Very rare but magnificently beautiful designed desk by one of Belgium’s most renowned designers Jules Wabbes. His experimental ways of approaching wood and techniques used during producing his furniture were far ahead for its time.  This Belgian desk circa 1960-something… this executive desk shows a slight curved top that makes the desk highly rare and exclusive.

The use of european craft traditions combined with the exotic wood make this desk very collectible.  Here are a few others I looked at, do you have a favorite?

This last one in a high gloss lacquer finish mixed with shagreen is the front-runner, I love the prettiness of this piece and it’s for a womans office, but because you walk into the front of the desk not the side – I guess I could change the floor plan – it won’t show off the desk at it’s best angle.  but it’s pretty isn’t it? …and the last few:

Check out these and 100′s others on 1stDibs.com

More Than A Hint of Thomas O’Brien

I don’t remember where I got this image, it could be a promo shot from Hickory Chair, it might have been in Elle Decor, or House Beautiful (their images usually have a watermark) but no matter… it’s the masculine yet pretty stylings of this room, the layers  and playful details that make me love it.  This room goes a bit 5th avenue for me, old school with a twist.  Urban sophisticated.  My style icon Thomas O’Brien is responsible for much of this furniture.

The exceptional lattice work on the back of the side chair is O’Brien’s refining and reworking of a simpler antique Georgian chair that he had seen at auction. An elegantly extended high back and more complex carving give the chair a scale that works for today, both as an occasional and a dining room option. In all, this is a caliber of chair that is increasingly hard to find from new furniture makers, which demands absolute finesse in fabrication. The Side Chair is designed two ways, to be used independently, or mixed together. A carved wood version with the lattice work back can be grouped ensuite with the arm chair for a more traditional dining room presentation. A second variation offers a fully upholstered seat and back, with the same distinctive, graceful shaping of the chair top. Standard nailheads front and rear help to outline the unique silhouette of the seat back. Also available is the Sebastian Arm Chair and Sebastian Upholstered Back Side Chair. Shown in optional Oxford finish.  Also in the shot – one of many pieces this season to feature paw or claw feet – the diminutive side table with a big personality is named after Thomas O’Brien’s dog Jones. It is a close translation of an antique occasional table found in upstate New York, with a charming, unusual, triple paw configuration of each foot. The paws are on such a bold scale that the design seems more gutsy and whimsical than nostalgic. Elaborate acanthus leaf details join each leg to the tabletop, and the carving overall is very true and fine. Shown in standard Dark Walnut finish, but this piece looks amazing – and a tad less serious – painted in the image above.

I could be wrong but I’m almost sure the armchair in the photo is the Paolo.  This continental-style design is based on French and Italian forms of the late 1930’s, with echoes of clubby origins on a luxury liner or Pullman car. For those who like a more angular style, flared arm panels reach beyond the high back, while distinctive block feet give the chair a dressy carriage. The Paolo Ottoman (2203-29) serves well in pairs and shows the same clean piping detail as the chair, a Thomas O’Brien trademark.

This low, three-drawer chest couples a spare 1950′s design with Neoclassic Brass Hepplewhite knobs. The evenly proportioned drawers, with blind parting rails, create a level, measured face, while the thin case, inset apron panel, and subtly flared legs impart a late mid-century sophistication. Standard in Antique Ivory with Neoclassic Brass knobs as shown above. Available in dozens of optional finishes and in Customer’s Own Hardware. To visualize optional finishes and hardware visit “Customize Your Furniture” on the Hickory Chair website.