Posts Tagged ‘Display’

A quick way to update an existing lamp shade is to add trim.  The addition of gold cord and tassels to this simple red shade makes it more formal and stately.  Have fun; there are lots of fabulous, colorful trims you can add to any shade.  A hot glue gun is the only tool you need to go from plain to regal or funky!

Dress up a lamp shade with trim and cord

Anna Quindlen said, “I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consist of mostly building enough bookshelves.”

Although I love books, read every day and collect various works, book shelves aren’t just for holding books.  In fact built-in or free standing shelving can solve all sorts of display and storage issues.

An old store shelving unit is perfect for display

The patina of worn paint gives the piece character

It even has wheels in case I need to move it.

It took me a lot of hunting to find the right shelf to fill an empty corner in my family room.  Fortunately I’m very patient when it comes to furniture.  I would rather do without than to settle for something I don’t love.  This white shelving unit probably came from a store of some sort.  It’s sturdy, has wheels and with just enough chipped paint to give it some charm.  The size is perfect for my empty space.

Displaying collections can be a challenge.  Remember the rule that things have a greater impact when grouped together instead of spread around the room.  So, throughout the year I will re-do my shelf to give you tips and ideas on how to display your own collections.

I had not idea I had this many wood boxes!

The simplest display is to group like items.  I didn’t start out collecting wood boxes, but when I pulled them all together, I realized I had enough to show-off.  I rearranged and played around with them until I found an arrangement that looked good.

• I placed the heavier trunk on the bottom.  Had I put it on the top shelf, the whole unit would have felt top-heavy.

Put the heavier items on the bottom shelves

• Stagger pieces; pull some forward and others behind.  Overlapping items gives depth and dimension.

Stagger the boxes for depth and dimension.

• Pay attention to height.  None of the items should be the same height on a shelf.  Stack them up to create height or use risers (like books!).   I placed the painted box on its side so the design is visible.

Separately, each box has its own shape, color and texture, but together they tell a story.  The collection makes an impact.

The shelf becomes a focal point with a single collection.

I can't pass up cute little doll house chairs.

I also have some miniature chairs.  Anything this tiny is much more difficult to display.  They would get lost if I set them on a shelf all alone.  But when paired with a couple of boxes, they stand out.

Use the same display principles for the chairs.

Pair of traditional dining chairs in miniature

Even little items have a big impact when grouped together

Voila! In no time I created an interesting display.

Go hunting in your own house.  You might be amazed at what you’ll find.

Once my Christmas decorations are down and packed away, I’m ready to tackle a new design project.  As usual, I want instant design gratification—I want something new right now.  The house is rather dull and dark after a month of light, color and holiday spirit everywhere.

The easiest, fastest and no cost decorating idea you can do is to replace the soap in your bathrooms.  Chances are someone gave you new soap or bath products and lotions as a gift.  Get them out and use them right now!  What are you waiting for?  Put them in a new dish and you are ready for guests.  Put them in a fun container in your own bathroom.  Soap is meant to be used not saved.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in someone’s home to see a dish of lovely soaps for display only!

This soap is divine! Even the box is charming.

I love anything French or lavender scented.   My mother gave me box of dainty French milled soaps.  Another friend gave me soap from Italy. They both smell wonderful. I have enough to share (some for me, some for the guest bath!).

These French soaps look really cute in a snowman candy dish.

I found this Homer Laughlin dish at an antique store for a couple of dollars.

A basic white vintage soap dish

A basic dish is a nice contrast to a fancy soap.

You can use almost anything as a soap dish. Try an appetizer plate.

My Italian soaps are perfect for the Paris plate!

Perhaps someone gave you a hand made pottery dish.

Rustic soap is the perfect compliment to a hand-thrown bowl.

You can use almost anything for soap. This pewter pedestal dish looks really elegant.

Pile a large pewter bowl will all kinds of soaps, but be sure to use them!

Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean you have to pack away all your decorations.  Snowmen and snowflakes are great for the holidays, but they can also brighten your home during the long winter months.  I live in a northern climate  where we get lots of snow, cold weather and more dark than daylight.   Snowmen are the perfect indulgence for this endless season.

• Take them off your mantle and tuck them into little nooks and crannies.  Just by moving them around the house, you’ve created a something new.

Don't pack the snowmen away just yet, move your collection to the bathroom or guest bedroom

When grouping the snow people together, vary heights, sizes and texture for a more interesting display.

• Move part of your collection to the bathroom or bedroom.

This snowman candy dish is perfect for fancy soap in a guest bathroom.

• If you’re expecting guests this winter, display them in the guest room for an unexpected touch.

• Set the table with snow friends.  Position one at each place setting at a winter party.

• Gather your men with a little quilters batting or fake snow on a tray for a centerpiece.

JI just love this snowflake plate my kids gave me for Christmas. I can use it all winter long.

Group your snowman collection on a pretty plate

• Make paper snowflakes (or have your kids do it) to hang in the window.  Line the snowmen on the window sill.

• Fill the empty corner in your kitchen with snowmen.
  

• Don’t pack away the snowmen dishes you used at Christmas time.  Fill them with appetizers at your next football party.

You can’t fight winter, might as well enjoy it!

The same rules apply to Christmas decorating as those for displaying your everyday collections.

• Display items in groups of odd numbers

• Group like items together

• Collections have a greater impact when placed together

• Put all your santas or angels together on the coffee table, shelf or mantle instead of spreading them around the room.
  

You will love the result!

Shabby Chic has been around for quite awhile.  It started when Rachel Ashwell took old, chipped paint flea market finds and made them fashionable.  What I don’t care for is when people try too hard to recreate old patina.  It can’t be done.  What’s the point of finding an old dresser, stripping off layers of paint, sanding it smooth and re-painting and re-sanding and pretend you found it that way!  Why bother?

I love old rusty architectural pieces.  I’m drawn to old, peeling paint on iron or wood artifacts.  I love the quiet elegant of pieces that wear their age in layers.  You can find all kinds of things at flea markets and antique stores.  You just have to keep your eyes open to discovery.  Look at the sculptural character in an item. Think of the pieces as artwork.   Old pieces work in interiors or on the porch.  It’s OK to mix and match.  A rusty old antique offers a unique contrast in a contemporary setting.

Remember the old adage, “one woman trash is another woman’s treasure”.

Tin crown molding shelf

Part of an old iron register or gate?

Create a wall collage with your vintage iron work by adding old architechturall stars.

I love books and read as much as my time allows.  My favorite author is Jane Austen and my all time favorite book is Pride and Prejudice.  I’ve read it a dozen times!  I collect antique editions of classic children and adult novels (my oldest copy of P & P was published in 1892), vintage etiquette and entertaining books and interior design books from every decade.  I read the classics and the others are great for resource and inspiration.

Books make charming and lovely displays.  A new acquaintance walking into your home will instantly discover a bit of who you are just by reading the titles of your collection.  But they can also become unwieldy and messy if you don’t have a plan.

There are several ways to organize your book collection without looking like the local library.

• Arrange books by author or subject if you need to find a particular edition quickly.


Design books on the top shelf, etiquette books below

Framed photos in various sizes offer a nice contrast to old books

By simply elevating the books at the left of the top shelf, makes the display more interesting.

• Choose color or size to create an interesting display.

• Stack books vertically and horizontally for added interest.

• Stagger books for depth and to create little pockets for display.
  

• Find unique items for bookends.


Cut glass dishes can serve as book-ends



I love the contrast of the vintage book covers and beautiful glass

• Display books with another collection.  Family photos are a perfect pairing with hardcover volumes.  Art work of any sort offers a nice contrast too.

Vintage books and children's artwork are creative combinations

Books are great for elevating pictures. Successful displays have different heights

The Georgian Revival Breast Cancer Showhouse was built in 1912 by the daughter and son-in-law of Patrick Cudahy.  As in all grand homes, the front vestibule was the first interior space visitors would see when entering the house, so it had to be spectacular.

Anne Wangman of Forbes Design took the challenge of bringing the entry back to life for the BCSH.  The original leaded windows and transom are still intact, along with the stunning plaster quatrefoil design on the ceiling.

Anne Wangman chose a lovely chest and lantern trio for the entry

Anne chose a reproduction bow front chest in a distressed black finish to contrast with the paneled oak wainscot.  It’s a simple, yet elegant place to set your hand bag while you remove your wrap!  The candlelight lantern trio offers a lighting alternative to a typical table lamp.

Wall brackets featuring a playful collection of wire-haired fox terriers are an unexpected touch and draw the eye toward the ceiling and the Steuben glass light fixture.

Have fun in your entry. Display something fun and unexpected like this collection of ceramic terriers

Have fun with your entry.  Make sure a bit of your “Signature Style” is evident when guests enter your house!

One of the biggest challenges of furnishing a room for a showhouse is finding enough furniture and accessories to fill the space.  For designers like Susan and I, who don’t have a store or showroom, we “depend on the kindness of strangers”.  (Don’t you just love Blanche’s line in Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire?)

We didn't have any trouble finding lots of color at World Market

World Market came to our rescue and provided us with anything we needed.  Katherine and Ali were so much fun to work with and loaned us a desk and chair, table,  cabinet and all kinds of accessories

Ali was a great help with picking out furniture.

The desk "Before"

We didn’t paint the walls or the ceiling and the furniture we brought in was dark wood and wicker.  So accessories and fabric had to carry the color load.

You don’t have to spend lots of money to get a really great space.  I know it’s a cliché, but once you start “thinking outside the box,” you will find all kinds of clever ways to decorate.  The basic desk and chair are OK, but add a dining table runner and it becomes “Wow!”

The desk "After" -- Wow!

This little cabinet takes the place of the missing closet

The corner cabinet really popped with colorful towels, books and girly stuff.

A colorful vignette on the cabinet top.

Think odd numbers when creating a display.  Things always look better in odd number groups whether you are arranging items on a mantle, dresser or bookshelf.  The lunch box can hold all kinds of trinkets.  A few touches of lime green offered a nice contrast to all the purple and orange.

The house opens to the public June 6.  Stayed tuned for more of the big reveal!