interior designer sharing ideas and inspiration for home
I obsess over tables and lamps. A wee bit much. However, I do hope there’s never a cure for this! =) I am always adding new favorite pieces to my forever long LOVE list. And this round cocktail table from DwellStudio is the newest addition. The warm antique gold 18″ high base and cool 38″ diameter travertine top (or alternate grey shagreen and black iron base) would dress up any living space. It’s aboslutely gorgeous.
There are three things left to purchase to perfect my bedroom look – an upholstered bed and possibly two bedside tables. I have two great ones now but could use a little discreet storage {ahem}. I’ve given myself to the end of the year to make it happen. I like the symmetry of a bed being squeezed by two of the same thing… It gives me a sense of order before bedtime. After peeling through the latest Serena & Lily catalog, which just gets better and better, I rest my eyes on the Ceylon Side Table. A symmetrical, functional, and stylish bed side table with storage. Then I thought, but I still like that other one from Bungalow 5. Or that one from Oly Studio works beautifully. I want to experience them all. That’s the fun of being a decorator. An eternally practicing patient of perfection. =)
A clever pullout shelf and roomy drawer get points for functionality. Ceylon Side Table, $395 | Serena and Lily
I've always loved the Jacqui 3-drawer side table in White, $ | Bunglaow5.com
Madmen meets Megan. Yes, I adore this nightstands masculine shapes, warm finishes and illuminated stooge cubby. And hats off to local designer Thomas Pheasant. | Baker
Nuts for nailhead trimmed wood furniture. No drawer but a round container or tray would add some discreet storage. Nora Side Table in Limed Oak, $650 | Worlds Away
I love the openness in a crowded room with the coming together of ebonized wood, brass plated steel, and caned shelf | 1st Dibs
The maple grey stain on this hardwood side table updates a simple and classic design and looks great with silver or gold accents. | Room & Board
This single-drawer bedside table features beautiful fretwork over an Eglomisé backing. Anna Bedside Table | Julian Chichester, $2,500
Get this. Architect Benjamin Noriega is working with Plexi-Craft on lucite peices for his new online shop at BNODesign. I bought my waterfall table from Plexi-craft and could not love it more. I perused Benjamin’s beautiful crafts and settled on his simply elegant U Tea Table. I think it’s the proportions that I love. But the base had me at hello. The crystal clear curved acrylic bottom supports a one inch thick white acrylic top. Now, the price is the only thing holding me back – maybe it’ll make it to One Kings Lane next month. For a few hundred less. Perhaps yes. Perhaps no. In the meantime, I’ll oogle over it’s discreet splendor for a few more clear minutes.
Belgian-born Charles Raphaël’s free and fluid ‘Multiple’ table was a winner at the Kortrijk Design Biennale last year. The table features a group of identical solid-beech vertical elements that are held together by a magnetic system allowing the user to easily change the configuration of the piece, in turn creating a number of different possibilities for the design. Make it a square, or break it up into bunching tables, the table can be formed to whatever creative puzzle you desire. Way cool.
It’s been a crazy week – as I am sure is the case for many of you readers. I’ve been running here and there, wrapping, shopping, cleaning, creating, unwrapping, celebrating, and cooking for a Christmas dinner with family. I needed an inexpensive centerpiece for my round Room and Board dining table. The vision started with my love of a rich red accent color at this time of year and a simple white vase from Ikea (which I’ve been using as a pen cup). I bought some red roses and some simple greenery on a grocery run to Wegmans. I found blue painters tape in the closet and tore small strips to create a grid on the top of the vase to hold stems evenly in place.
I then trimmed the roses and greenery and started creating the casual yet elegant and festive centerpiece for my holiday table. A few bunches of Nandina berries from my small urban ‘yard’ added that glossy and smooth texture against pointy greens and velvety red roses.
I placed the finished centerpiece on my new Ralph Lauren Veranda paisley tablecloth (which I love love LOVE!). The tablecloth is a subtle paisley pattern in sand and white that is a beautiful neutral background for gold and silver accents. Plus, it only cost me $14 at Home Goods. I also got eight matching napkins for $10. Score! The antiqued mercury glass votives were finds from Target and the silver striped votives were finds at Michael’s. These can be used any time of the year for a touch of sparkle to your home.
I have eight mother of pearl and silver napkin rings that were a gift from a friend in 2002. It’s been years since I last used these and was glad to find them and display their beauty for each place setting.
BTW, sorry for the yellowed images here – my white balance was off on my Nikon D60. Pffft.
To the table, I added my crystal Waterford goblets and wine glasses, Pottery Barn white dinner and salad plates, Crate & Barrel bamboo flatware, and rolled Ralph Lauren Veranda paisley dinner napkins. The Christmas tree as a backdrop made the room even more spectacular. Almost done!
It’s Christmas evening, we’re tuckered out, however, the guests are about to arrive, so we pour a bottle of a dry Chateau de Beaupre Rose from Coteaux D’Aix en Provence, light the tea lights, fill the water goblets, and get ready for the started course of a tomato cup salad – a specialty of ‘chef” Greg’s.
Dinner has begun, the table is absolutely gorgeous, and I’m in a great holiday mood! Next up, a delicious rib roast, Gruyère potato gratin, green bean lemon casserole, almond glazed onions, and good times! Fa la la la!
I forgot all about Bunny Williams line of home goods and remembered her jewel piece of a table – the Hourglass Table for Beeline Home. It ranks in one of my top ten everyday and everything tables. It’s perfect as a hall table, small dining table for two, or an end table near that deep charcoal velvet sofa. The octagonal pedestal base is made of hand applied reeded wood and can be finished in either an old gold or silver leaf patina. I’ll take either. The top is a honed fossil stone cut to mimc the shape of the base. Perfect proportions. Off to France and the Far East…
Wire confections for outdoor furnishings have always been on my Top Ten list. I think it’s the nostalgic material, sculptural beauty and colorful powder-coated finish that makes them most attractive. The Cecelia Collection, a contemporary nod to the 1950′s style wire furniture, is on sale at GrandinRoad and would be oh-so-cute on an urban balcony or nestled among planted palm near the pool (think Miami beach here girls and guys). There are three colors to choose from! The $199 table includes the sculpted base and tempered glass top. And for only $119, you’ve got yourself a seat to sit in (add the outdoor seat cushions for just $19 more).
Outdoor Cecelia Chair, $119 plus $19 for cushion | Grandinroad.com
Outdoor Cecelia Table, $199 | Grandinroad.com
People, you know this deal is not going to last. I know the stock sure won’t. Get on the wire. Fast!
I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect round dining table for my condo. The dining space has its limitations – it’s only 8’3″ in width in which at least two feet of that is required as a walk through to the kitchen, powder room, and laundry (all located along the right side opposite the windows). The length of 19′ is more than sufficient for a Dupont Circle condo (more recent pictures to come). And on top of that there are other limitations – like a tight budget.
Dining Room Pre-Move In (since painted, windows covered, and track lighting removed.
Since this photo was taken, the walls have been painted a pretty Ashley Gray and Edgecomb Gray. The ceiling currently hoists a beautiful modern crystal chandelier from Lumens.com, and the windows are beautifully covered with cord-free natural grass romans from JCP.com. An extendable rectangle table from Crate & Barrel is also in here and takes up a lot more room then we would prefer (anyone interested in buying it?).
A while back, I posted some round dining tables that could have been in the running for the replacement. They are equally beautiful, and somewhat along the lines of what I required. The search id over. Last weekend, my honey and I walked into Room & Board on 14th Street, and walked out with a delivery date for the 45″ Round Bradshaw Dining Table and a sense of excitement (hello! I love decorating, especially bringing new things into my own home! Love it!).
Bradshaw Dining Table from Room & Board, $1,400.
This round dining table has a fantastic, sophisticated, and sturdy design. The organic shape will keep it fresh, the solid walnut wood construction will make it last, and a pedestal base will keep the lower area of the room less crowded. It will look wonderful with our timeless clear Louis chairs and universal Moroccan diamond motif area rug. We considered a skinnier table but all of this made the room look like a serious bowling alley. Now off to select a new ceiling pendant and wall sconces. Then shelving and storage. Then… I could keep going and going.
Every design magazine offers their top ten favorites in categories from napkin rings to outdoor chaise lounges. It’s about time DCDesignCoop got in on the action too. I find so many incredible products for my clients and save them to my numerous design folders for future reference. This week I was looking into a console for a foyer and came across some pieces that I would love to use. Be it a catchall in the entry, a simple desk to pull up to or a server for your next party, here they are… in no specific order cause I love them all!
I love the laid back vibe and warmth of this natural resin wrapped Parsons Table | West Elm
A study in balance, contrast and angles, this console is an attention getter | HabitatUK
The Chinese Turquoise console sea glass color reminds me of a casual beach cottage! | RedEgg
Regal, petite and the color of Hermes, this Ming console is devine in a small entryway | MG+BW.
Simplicity in hi gloss white, the versitile Oslo console really works anywhere. | Sitcom
A gilded metal frame and antiqued eglomise top on the Larson console takes me to 1940's Paris. | Julian Chichster
The silver lacquer finish and nickel accents of this hardwood Console table brings pizazz and motion to a hallway. | Neiman Marcus
The Barbarella console is fully exposed with a graphite veneer top on oak on a steel base. | Blu Dot
Hand built and hand finished, the rich honey wood, deep trim, and antique brass hardware lasts for generations. | Bellacor
I have it in a cocktail table and love it in a Console, the acrylic/lucite Waterfall console really is a classic. | PlexiCraft
All you bargain hunters out there with a design gene or a hinkering for lucite will love this. While looking for accent tables this afternoon, I came across Wisteria’s Acrylic Coffee Table. At 38 inches square, and inspired by a 1930′s Lucite table, it’s a deal for shallow pockets at $750. It may not have a glass top surface or solid square legs, but it’s a nice design and will work beautifully with an array of stylish interiors.
Acrylic Coffee Table, $799 | Wisteria.com
Now, for anyone who plans to have and to hold a coffee table for years, decades even, or possibly maybe pass down to kids, grandkids etc., Ralph Lauren’s Carlisle Cocktail Table fits the bill and deeper pockets. It’s a little larger at 48″ square, gorgeous, sturdy, solid, and boasts a glass top surface. Quite a bit of sticker shock (the price says up to $36,000. Seriously?) However, designers who purchase from RLHome will find it to be significantly less expensive.
Carlisle Cocktail Table, up to $36,000 | RLHome
If you’re like me and in NO way able to afford this beauty, Wisteria’s version is A-Okay for now. And for years I’m sure.
