How to achieve a Timeless Design

Many designers know that there are key pieces of furnishings that transcend time & trends.  By investing in & using these key items, you can make your room design last. So when it's time for a change, you can incorporate new trendy pieces without investing in a complete re-design.  You can choose to spend a lot or a little for these.  There are great options in all price points.  These items also can be used in any design style.  Here they are.... (in no particular order)

1 - The round mirror

It can be a sunburst or bull's eye mirror or simple modern - the key is "round"

1st Dibs - 19th Century Italian Sunburst Mirror $3,125

Ballard Designs, Suzanne Kasler Sunburst Mirror #3 $149

1st Dibs - 1920's Federal Style Mirror $995

2 - the French Chair

It can be any type of french chair

A bergère is an enclosed upholstered French armchair

A fauteuil is a style of open-arm chair with a primarily exposed wooden frame 

Bergere Style Chair

Fauteuil Style Chair

Design Sponge French Chair History

3 - Clear Furniture
This can be glass, plexi-glass, acrylic or lucite.  It can be tables or chairs.  Here's some great options...

CB2, Peekaboo clear coffee table $279

DWR, Louis Ghost Chair $410

4 - Odd Chair or Designer Chair
Having a small odd, old, funky, crazy, antique or designer chair in a room is a great eclectic touch!  It's the exclamation point in a room!

Something funky...

Kenneth Cobonpue Yoda Easy Chair

A classic...

Barcelona Lounge Chair by Mies van der Rohe

Usually this chair is opposite of your overall design style or has special meaning like grandma's rocker.

5 - Stack of Large Books - Any kind of books with lots of pictures!

6 - Natural, grass, bamboo shades.  There are lots to choose from.  Try "The Shade Store".

7 - Tray

It can be any style of tray, whether it's lacquer, brass, wood or clear acrylic (two design Keys in one!)

West Elm, Large Lacquer Trays $59 -$69 each

8 - Black and White is classic, whether it's black & white photography prints, art, rugs, or fabric print.

9 - Parsons Table

This is a simple design table and it can be in any texture from lacquer to fabric to mirror.  Because it's so simple it can adapt to any design.  My favorite is the West Elm Parson's Desk in white but it comes in lots of colors and textures.

West Elm Parsons Desk with Drawers $349

10 - Arc Lamp
Originally designed by Achille and Pier Castiglione in 1962

Achille and Pier Castiglione Arco Floor Lamp available at 1st Dibs for $2,900

Crate & Barrel Dexter Floor Lamp $299

11 - Upholstered Headboard

There are many styles... tufted, nailhead, shaped, rectangle.  

Ballard Designs, Camden Tufted Headboard starts at $359

12 - Animal Print

Any animal print as well as animal skins.  Make sure you do this is small amounts, like a rug or pillow.

Here's some great rooms that incorporate these keys to timeless design (refer to the list).....

~Brandy

Outdoor Lounging

Let's just dream a minute....

oooh

aaah

love

amazing

heaven!!!!

luxury

Ok, back to reality.... We don't all have these amazing views (even though we wish we had).  Most of us have to create a view in our backyards or patios.  All you really need to create a retreat is a comfy place to sit.  The more comfy the longer you will sit.  It helps to give yourself a little view like a fountain or plant or a fire.  There's nothing more mesmerizing than a fire.  A bit of seclusion can help too.

Here's some great examples of some simple retreats...

comfy rugs

fire pit

very secluded

 So simple and low budget!  They used painted wood pallets for the sofa base.

Plants, plants and more plants!

Color can make you feel happy too and may draw you out to your little haven!

It doesn't take much, a blanket, plant and pillow!

a natural retreat

 How fun would this be to have, not just for kids but adults too!

 Find a small tucked away area and create a place for relaxation!  

This is still my dream spot for relaxing!

Happy Lounging! ~Brandy

Masculine Bedrooms

Is your husband sick of the flowers and frills in your master bedroom? Does he feel lost in all the ruffles and roses?

Adding some masculinity(I'm referring to decor ;) to your master bedroom doesn't have to be as difficult as you think. Today I thought I would showcase some pretty awesome bedrooms that definitely have that strong man factor.

This is a great example of a bedroom that is decorated nicely but still very masculine. The strong lines of the art and the simple bedding make this space feel more manly. 

I love this space. Still very masculine, even with those skirted bedside tables. 

This room is a great example of mixing masculine and feminine. The dark colors and the warm woods are masculine and the curved upholstered headboard and the flowers add that feminine touch.

I love this eclectic room. Even though the headboard is tufted, it feels more masculine because of the dark gray/blue color.

A classically eclectic man's bedroom. This man has a taste for the finer things. I really like the small bench that can slide under the bedside table. 

Some manly styling 

Here's a more retro masculine feeling bedroom. This is a great space! I love the plaid blanket on the bed with those orange chairs. It reminds me of the sets in Moonrise Kingdom.

Here is a modern manly space. Those bold X base benches at the end of the bed are really cool. I love all of the geometric aspects of this space.

A neutral masculine bedroom

Awww, LOVE that warm leather headboard.

A simple stripe can add that masculine touch and I love that hide pillow!

Or you can just go all out manly and add a sailfish above the bed!

Here are some tips to remember when trying to add some masculinity to your bedroom:

1. Add warm wood tones

2. Simple tailored bedding, think of a man in a suit

3. Strong lines in art or accessories (geometrics, graphics, stripes)

4. If something is feminine in shape i.e. tufted headboard, make sure it's in a more manly color like grays, blues, greens and browns.

5. Add in a leather piece (chair, bench, ottoman)

6. Mix in masculine curiosities with your accessories (antlers, maybe a globe, vintage shaving pieces, cool sculptures, clocks)

I hope this helps you add a little of that man factor to your bedroom. Think freshly showered and shaved good smellin' man! 

~Jessica