I hope you’ll join me on my never-ending search for beautiful pieces, with history, for your home. Find my curated treasures, in Booth #154, at the Antique Trove, in Roseville, CA. ~ Barbara
What do you look for, when purchasing a sofa? There are lots of things to consider, besides the price tag. Here’s my list… The Look: First and foremost, I have to love the way a sofa looks, before I’ll even bother to sit in it. I shop for simple lines and fabrics, traditional designs that can be dressed up or down. Huge, over-stuffed sofas take over a room. They become the focal point. Most average sized family rooms and living rooms in today’s homes just aren’t big enough to compete with these ‘big boys’. I say, keep walking! Comfort: Look…
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While the outdoor rooms in the prior post are certainly impressive, there are many ways to create a wonderful outdoor space,without ‘breaking the bank’! Instead of custom made or ready made outdoor curtains, consider cream colored painter’s drop cloths. It’s easy to install grommets for hanging and the material is washable and long-wearing. Pillows tossed on a chair or bench can add comfort and visual interest. Pick up an old coffee table at a garage sale; give it a light sanding and paint it with a glossy enamel in a fun color to complement your other pillows and accessories. Mirrors…
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Happy Sunday to you! On this grey and chilly afternoon, I’m dreaming of the warm Sacramento summers and life out-of-doors. There are so many possibilities! While we don’t have an ocean view, I am enjoying a view of deer feeding in the pasture next door! What do you think of this Moroccan style outdoor room with Sunbrella curtains, photo by Robert Trachtenberg, all images courtesy of “House Beautiful”. What about this expansive terrace, featuring Janice et Cie’s Veneto furniture? And while we’re dreaming of a little sunshine, what do you think about these gorgeous Restoration Hardware sofas? (photo by Karen…
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Duralee, one of the fabric companies for the design trade, showed off their new season of fabrics. Fabric trends included tile block prints, crisp bright colors, suzani inspired fabric designs, menswear inspired plaids and even embroidered fabrics that would be stunning used in draperies. Lilac was everywhere, especially paired with grey. Yellow, grey and white was another combination I liked. Texture showed up a lot, especially in a metallic lilac animal print! Simply gorgeous! Visit Duralee
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One aspect of the Design Blogger’s Conference last week, was little about social media and everything about interior design. We were near a state of nirvana, listening to design icons Jan Showers, Tracy Porter, Barclay Butera and Suzanne Rheinstein speak about their favorite looks as well as a few design tips. Designer favorites include painted wood floors, old, refurbished lighting in new homes, wallpaper on the ceiling, blue and white porcelain and animal prints. Decorating tips included buying furniture, whether new or antique, with quality and longevity in mind. The mantra is fewer is better, adding pieces over time. It…
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Just like in every business, social media is “the rage”. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and Yelp have forever changed the business marketing landscape. Blogging about your business and/or passion probably won’t make you rich, but it’s another way to “level the playing field”, reaching the masses, while solidifying your marketing brand. All good things. I learned so much about all of this, straight from the experts, but in two short days, I only scratched the surface of available knowledge. More to learn! HGTV was at the conference, filming for a new show.
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The sample sale at the San Francisco Design Center is right around the corner! It’s open to the public and you’re sure to find some great bargains. If nothing else, you’ll enjoy seeing all the gorgeous inventory on display!
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Next time you’re in Carmichael, I recommend that you visit Veranda Living, next to Cottage Girls on Palm, just east of Fair Oaks Blvd. Susan Powers is the proprietor, and you’ll find a very nice mix of vintage antiques and collectables at reasonable prices. It’s worth a visit and a welcome addition to the neighborhood!
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If the weather forecasters are accurate, tomorrow will be a wet one; the perfect day to complete an indoor project. How about creating a “window pane” wall of mirrors, as was done in Amy Dragoo’s Manhattan loft? After painting the wall black, Amy and her husband hung 48 mirrors using a laser level and mirror mastic. Their marriage survived the project, which now brings great light into their main living space!
Read the rest >>Are you trendy or traditional; cottage or mid-century vintage; contemporary or simply not certain? Well, if you’re not sure, you’re in good company! And that’s where some people can benefit from the services of a design “mentor”…someone who will help you stay true to the style that serves you best. In my mind’s “eye”, good style has little to do with “taste” and everything to do with editing, to maintain a look and feel that’s consistent throughout a home, bringing a harmonious balance to the entire space. Creating “harmony” takes discipline. While I’ll see fun displays of brightly colored hot…
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