dwellings and décor

If your thinking about purchasing a new dining table for your Thanksgiving feast than you might be interested in buying a fancy leg dining table. I have noticed a trend of dining tables that are pretty clean lined and modern on the top and very decorative on the bottom. Below are my favorites ones. In the next couple of days I will posting inspiration for your dining room thanksgiving decor and also some lovely place settings for the upcoming holiday. I can’t wait to share them with you!

From top: 1. Conran USA 2. Robert Austin Gonzalez 3. Jayson Home and Garden 4. Robert Austin Gonzalez 5. Maisons du Monde

Last week I was talking about how something can be turned into something so fashionable and great by adding a small thing to a simple object. The stools below in the bottom right hand image are just stumps with a thin circle painted and then attached to the top of the stump. I love this idea and its great because you can practically make it yourself. I have always loved the idea of stumps as stools or side tables in a modern or natural styled interior. The tall branch divider is so cool to me because its bringing a sense of the outdoors in and there is this really magical feel for me as well. The other two wood pieces are also really fun and stylish and I am especially loving the take on the tête à tête in the top right hand corner.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Bleu Nature 2. Hidden Art Shop 3. Bleu Nature 4. ECC

A wire framed chair or stool usually has a distinctive outdoor look. But not always. The pieces shown below are a great examples of wire framed seating that looks fabulous indoors and out. So now that its getting colder outside and most people aren’t enjoying the backyard, lanai, or rooftop terrace you can bring these guys in for now and out for later.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Moooi 2. Jules Seltzer 3. Saba Italia 4. CB2

It is finally cooling down and raining more here on Maui and I absolutely love it. Lately I have been quite inspired by water whether it be rain drops, waves, or puddles. I love how these light fixtures emulate rain drops coming down from the sky. They are just lovely and great for an entryway. The top left one would also look beautiful in a dining room and I think the one on the bottom right would look fabulous above side tables in a bedroom.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Horchow 2. Eurofase 3. Boyd Kentfield 4. Neidhardt Inc.

Many designers are inspired by natural elements and in the autumn season many are inspired by leaves. Here are a few examples of furniture and decor that have a leaf type design for beauty and usability. I love how the designers incorporated the veins of the leaves into the design and made it functional especially in the shelf design.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Adrift Mobiles 2. Finnish Design Shop 3. FCR Design 4. Finnish Design Shop 5. John Lonsdale

Many items found via Crib Candy

I am always in awe when I come across wood furniture and decor that has more of a curvilinear nature to it. I am really liking this new trend where designers create these curvilinear wood pieces and create furniture and decor with it. Most wood furniture is very geometric with straight lines mainly because it takes a lot more work and time to make wood curvilinear. The products shown below are just a few examples of what is being done out in the design world. I can really appreciate the craftsmanship and attention to detail and I am hoping to come across more pieces that have a similar look.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Plush Pod 2. Architonic 3. Yomo 4. Godoy Lab

There is something so natural and beautiful about real block wood furniture. I love the wood grain that shows through and the smell is amazing. I have mixed feelings about the environmental factors of wood furniture. On one hand I don’t want to see more trees cut down and on another I don’t think we should have furniture made with formaldehyde which is a type of glue found in particleboard and MDF. I have read that some environmental companies are starting to not use formaldehyde in the furniture making process so this is a nice compromise. You will notice that with most furniture companies there is a huge price difference between the furniture you see below and furniture made with particleboard or MDF and veneer. A few things to consider when purchasing wood furniture is how long you intend to keep it and how often you would be using it. Particleboard and MDF will on average not last as long as hardwood furniture therefore you may end up spending more money in the long run if you have to keep buying the same piece every few years. For instance you might want to go with a less expensive piece of furniture in your guest room because drawers and such will not be used as often and therefore it will last longer. Hopefully this information will give you another perspective on furniture buying and I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have on the subject.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Neiman Marcus 2. Style Park 3. Room Online 4. Artful Home

A great alternative to paint is wall collages and these beautiful examples are sure to give some inspiration for people considering this route. Its cheap and easy to collect photos of flowers whether it be from a magazine or an old book. Wallpaper samples like in the bottom left image is also a great idea. There are endless possibilities of what you can do with this idea. Some examples are small grouping of images together to create a one of a kind art piece. You can also create a headboard look or cover an entire wall to create a colorful accent wall. I remember in high school I dated a surfer and he created a whole wall of surf posters so when you looked at it from a glance it looked like one big wave.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Rooms in Bloom 2. Schmidhofer Photography 3. Debi Treloar Photgraphy 4. Skona Hem

Silhouettes are popping up everywhere in home decor. Commonly seen in picture frames the silhouette motif can be seen on pillows and shelving now. Once known to be a Victorian and traditional art piece for the home is now stylish and modern. Make your own silhouette art by tracing someones shadow and then apply it to the wall or frame it. I love what Trace Face did in the top right hand picture.

Clockwise from top left: 1. 101 Woonideeen 2. Trace Face 3. Modern Dose 4. Keltainen Talo Rannalla

Most A-Frame Desks have such a sophisticated and strong look to them. The top two have a very elegant and stylish look mainly because of the shiny metal legs and functional drawers. I imagine these desks would look great in an office boutique or in an office located in a skyscraper building. The bottom two are little more down to earth made with beautiful hardwood. I feel like these two are more masculine. I imagine the bottom right one going into an architectural office. The bottom left one has a safari style to it and could work well in a large tent so you could pack it away nicely when you need to get on the move.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Williams Sonoma Home 2. Liz  O’Brien 3. Room Online 4. Richard Wrightman Design

I really love how modern these chandeliers are. I think what makes them more modern looking is the fact that they have a shiny metal band that holds the strands together. It also seems like there is less fuss in the design. The table lamp is also a great idea to glamorize a modern or traditional space.

I have been putting together a more finalized wedding inspiration board and I am considering having a chandelier either in the tent for the reception or having one hang on a tree outside. I think I am leaning towards twinkle lights in the tent and a chandelier outside on a tree.

Clockwise from Top Left: 1. Eurofase 2. Modiss 3. Axo Light 4. Eurofase

Cork isn’t only for wine stoppers and flooring anymore. I recently went to a restaurant here on Maui and they had cork menus. I loved the way it felt and it had a nice clean sophisticated look to it. The menu had a similar design to the purse in the top left hand corner. Next to the purse are cork lamps and I think they would be perfect on the desk because you could just pin up notes to yourself on it. The ottomans are also great for its elasticity and are wonderful for kids because there are no sharp corners. Here are some cool facts about cork from Wikipedia:

1. Portugal produces 50% of cork worldwide.
2. Cork stoppers represent about 60% of all cork based production.
3. Cork is used in musical instruments, particularly woodwind instruments, where it is used to fasten together segments of the instrument, making the seams airtight.
4. Granules of cork can also be mixed into concrete.
5. The sustainability of production and the easy recycling of cork products and by-products are two of its most distinctive aspects.
6. As late as the mid 1600s, French vintners did not use cork stoppers, using oil-soaked rags stuffed into the necks of bottles instead.
7. Cork has been used in rocket technology due to its fire resistance.
8. Cork can be used as bricks for the outer walls of houses, as in Portugal’s pavilion at Expo 2000.

Clockwise from Top Left: 1. Cork and Cotton 2. Shop Lum 3. West Elm 4. DWR

So I have been asking myself what makes a vintage inspired light? I have come to the conclusion that it is the materials used in the design and the way the light shines through the material. Some elements might be lace, etched glass, shells, or glass droplets and the light being shined through it is soft and subtle, almost as if there is a candle inside it. I have been thinking a lot about the style vintage because I am designing my wedding around a vintage but natural feel. I found my dress yesterday and I am so excited! It is sooo beautiful! I purchased it from a boutique in Paia here on Maui and the store is called Tamara Catz. You can see the dress I purchased here. I am actually removing the straps because we all agreed that it looked better without them. I just love how comfortable it was and it felt like I could be myself in it. I tried other ones that were gorgeous with a train and beads and all but they just weren’t me. My mom and I went to the shops of Wailea to see if there was any wedding dresses in the shops. We didn’t come across much but I did see the light that is on the bottom left hand corner over at this store called Tori Richards. You can’t tell from the picture but this light fixture is made with shells and was made with much detail and precision. Its funny that even when I am shopping for a dress I am trying to find new interior products. Please visit the links below to see more about these beautiful light fixtures and if you have the time I would love comments on what you think makes an item vintage.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Modern Dose 2. Kathleen Hills 3. Horchow 4. Nice on Etsy 5. Swank Lighting

I thought the coral craze was fading away but it seems that its still holding on strong. Coral pillows, coral light fixtures, coral fabric and coral tiles are just to name a few. I am now seeing coral products in blue and not just red anymore. Coral decor can work in traditional to modern dwellings and works best in transitional style interiors. Coral motifs are commonly found in beachy and coastal locations like California and Florida. I hope you enjoy my coral craze roundup and please comment below if you know of any places that have more coral decor.

From Top Left to right: 1. Hickory Chair 2. Seaside Inspired 3. Popham Design 4. Gumps 5. Pier 1 6. Domestic Modern 7. GV Interiors 8. Beach Dwelling

These simple yet ornate dark furniture pieces can work in either a modern or traditional style setting. Since these pieces are so dark it looks best if you create contrast by adding lighter colors near or on top of them. For instance I would choose light color bedding for the beds and light vases and other table decor on the dresser. A medium or light color for the walls will also help to keep these bedroom pieces stand out on its own.

From Top: 1. Reeves Design 2. Ikea 3. Conran USA 4. Reeves Design

These fun but elegant circle side tables are perfect for your modern home. The first one on the top left is called the Machinist Cocktail table and they are made with Mozambique wood with a natural satin finish with a clear acrylic top. The one next to it on the right can be used as either a side table or a stool or even a play area for your cat. I love the ornate carvings in this sustainable bamboo side table. The image below it is shown in a limed ebony. It is from Bobby Berk Home and they suggest ordering 2-4 to create a great coffee table. The last image on the bottom left hand corner is called the Geisha End Table and it is designed by Jacques Garci. He was inspired by a piece designed by him for his Paris apartment. You will notice that all of these side tables play with very familiar forms; the circle, the line and the cube.

Clockwise from Top Left: 1. Cliff Young Ltd. 2. Kalon Studios (Green Product) 3. Bobby Berk home 4. Kohler Interiors

When the sunlight hits these midsummer white interior items it creates beautiful shadows. The photo on the top right shows that the inspiration for these great products is vintage crochet. The first image on the top left is called the Midsummer Light. It is made out of paper and the designer used no glue. The three products at the bottom is actually made out of handmade crochet cotton held together with an epoxy resin. I just love how unique these products are and they blend a nice style of vintage and modern together.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Tord Boontje 2. Irina Graewe 3. Moooi 4. Marcel Wanders 5. Moooi

Add some tropical flair to your space for the summer with these bright and beautiful decorative pillows. The first pillow on the left hand corner has a retro look but keeps it tropical with the blue and green leaf motifs. I also really love the modern and clean look of the top right image and the image on the bottom left. The pillow on the bottom right hand corner is more detailed and I love the abstract leaf pattern. Pillows are such a great decorative piece because you can change them out so easily and cheaply. If your one to change your space quite often its best to keep the large pieces like a sofa neutral and then you can change out your decorative pieces seasonally for a fresh new look.

Clockwise from top left: 1. 2Modern 2. Horchow 3. Tracy Porter 4. Pottery Barn

When I first came across this beautiful lace umbrella by Conran USA on the bottom left hand corner I knew I wanted to do a post on pretty outdoor umbrellas. Not an easy task. Come to find out most outdoor umbrellas are pretty simplistic and plain. If you know any good sites with more interesting designs please leave a comment with the link. The first one on the top left hand corner is from target and it is definitely less decorative but I love the subtle touch of the tie backs. It gives it a pretty appeal probably because its similar to a ruffly skirt. The one next it and the one on the bottom right hand corner are from The Urban Garden. They are also very beautiful but I am not sure how well they would hold up in a tropical storm.

Clockwise from top left: 1. Target 2. The Urban Garden 3. The Urban Garden 4. Conran USA

Here are some links to other fun and interesting outdoor umbrellas.

Tuuci

Warp Weft & Co.

Nicamaka

Jardinico

Bamboo has been a popular trend in interior design lately mainly because of its environmental factors. We are making bamboo flooring and bamboo furniture and even bamboo sheets. Bamboo is a renewable resource meaning that it grows fast and plentiful and it is even biodegradable. Although these light fixtures are not biodegradable they are inspired by the shapes and curves of bamboo. The first floor lamp on the top left hand corner is from Eurofase and I love how modern and clean it is but it also has character because of its curvy lines. The second one from 2b mod is called the Legna table lamp and it is designed by Jeff Designs. You can purchase it in teak or zebra wood veneer and it comes in a variety of styles. The third layered linear floor lamp is called Stacking D and you can purchase it from Ecosta. I like the different varieties that Rockwell Group designed. The last image on the bottom left hand corner is from Leucos and I love the color composition of the white, gold mirror, tobacco, and white gold mirror. Click on links below for more information.

Rachel Mallon
www.roominabook.com

Clockwise from top left: 1. Eurofase 2. 2b mod 3. Ecosta 4. Leucos

Happy fourth of July everyone!

These vibrant and striking lighting designs can give your home the burst you are looking for. They make your eyes go straight to them just like fireworks on the fourth of July.

Rachel Mallon
www.roominabook.com

1. Room Online 2. Plug Lighting 3. Gnr8 4. Rian Rae

These natural interior products are not only made out of wood but are also curvy and beautiful. The lamp on the top left hand corner is made in a walnut finish and is elegantly twisted with a bell shaped shade. Click here for link. The candlesticks are from a Swedish company called Impressionen and they carry a lot of beautiful natural looking furniture and décor. The top right image is the Medusa Nest of Tables and not only do I love the name but I love the unique design and functionality. They are from The Conran Shop. The Neema side table below is from Anthropologie and it is made out of an acacia wood which was carved out to create this gorgeous spiraling effect. The last image on the bottom left hand corner is called Weston Twisted Stool or Side Table and it is eco-inspired. If you start out using it as a side table and then you decide to rearrange you can always use it later as a stool. People in search for beautiful natural looking furniture and décor will start to see a lot more products with the curvy wood look.

Rachel Mallon
www.roominabook.com