Sitting Pretty

Sitting Pretty

At the end of April, we headed to High Point Market in North Carolina.  We logged many showroom miles and discovered great finds to share with our clients in the coming months.

One trend that continues to be popular is the stylized wing chair or exaggerated high back chair.  We saw them EVERYWHERE and in lots of fun variations. 

Kate can do just about everything, including modeling, so here she is sitting pretty in some of our favorites…

Love the dramatic back on this mid-century modern number,
a take on the classic Papa Bear chair

Hello velvet, hello glamorous! 

Nailed it!  (But what is she holding?)

This stylized Porter chair makes a throne fit for a king or queen.

Cool color and shape!

Wait, where's Kate?

Market is definitely exhausting!

But hey, we had fun!

Dramatic accent chairs can really jazz up your room, so it makes sense to consider a stylyized high back chair for your next purchase (except maybe this last one).

Do it!

P.S.  You need serious (and sassy) luggage to bring home all those new trade books and fabric samples!  Give us a call to be among the first to see what we put in our red bags!

Color Popping up All Over

Snowy, pink cherry blossoms.  Bright yellow forsythia.  Purple buds on a red bud tree.  Pale yellow daffodils. The slice of lime on your spring break margarita.  Pops of color are all around. 

As winter changes to spring we are feeling a fresh burst of energy and we think it might be the color.  Color is a powerful thing.  It can transform your mood, your outfit, your garden and your room.  Sometimes all you need is a little pop….

Source: atlantahomesmag.com via Lea on Pinterest

We love the way electric yellow jazzes up the earthy tones and textures of this bedroom.

Source: shelterinteriordesign.blogspot.com via Lea on Pinterest

Neutral goes from drab to fab with splashes of lime green and citron.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Lea on Pinterest

A squeeze of lemon yellow brightens up this modern kitchen design.

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Lea on Pinterest

Orange walls make this old school bathroom feel fresh and exciting.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Lea on Pinterest

Light panels of feminine pink pair well with the taupe walls and natural fiber rug.

Source: laceandtea.com via Lea on Pinterest

 This ornate, old world restaurant gets a lift with the purple velvet banquette.

Source: jessicaclairesworld.blogspot.com via Lea on Pinterest

The classic red door – a tried and true way to make a welcoming entry.

Source: readymade.com via Lea on Pinterest

And speaking of a little pop: how about a fresh lime margarita made the old fashioned way – in a shaker!   

Take your cue from spring’s budding color wheel and add some pops of color to your life. 

And don’t forget the margarita!

Do it!

Party like its...1929?

Nostalgia has taken over Hollywood - from Mad Men to Downton Abbey to this year’s Oscar winners - the overwhelming entertainment trend has been to revisit (and glorify) the past. When it comes to real life, there is no question that vintage can be cool.

Like the vintage vibe the Papa Bear Chair by Hans Wegner adds to this Bridgehampton beach house. Or the classic sleek lines of an arc lamp in this modern interior. Or don't these retro bath fixtures look so fresh with this modern color scheme?

But some things from the past should stay where we left them.

 

No offense to grandma, but we don’t get too excited about frilly, dainty stuff. 

There is something our grandmothers did that we are nostalgic for, however:  Invitations.  Real ones.  On nice paper.  Delivered by the mail carrier.  Discovered in your mailbox after a long day at work. 

So very old school.

Can you remember the days before Evite when you were excited to find a colorful envelope or heavy, engraved cardstock in the mail?  You opened it with anticipation, checked your calendar and planned your outfit, blissfully unaware of who else would be at the party, whether or not your neighbor landed a sitter or who was bringing the spinach dip. 

Real invitations are so personal.  Somebody actually takes the time to pick a style or theme, write your name, lick a stamp (speaking of old school).  A real invitation is like a gift.

Those were the days my friends.  Let’s bring them back!  Add a little class to your next party with invitations like these:

St. Patrick’s Day parties don’t have to be about shamrocks.  Celebrate spring by going green for your next party invitation….

Source: lovejenna.blogspot.com via Lea on Pinterest

Color in your next party with a riff on these Indian Pattern Letterpress Wedding Invitations.  Combine bright colors with a global graphic for a fresh, exciting look that says it’s time to party.

Source: ohsobeautifulpaper.com via Lea on Pinterest

And if you really want to pay homage to grandma – skip the frilly lamps and have yourself a tea party!

Source: underconsideration.com via Lea on Pinterest

If you have children, you might feel like you only throw kids birthday parties. Well, those can be thoughtful and chic too. We love this one

Source: inchmark.squarespace.com via Lea on Pinterest

And here are some fun "Just Because" invites

Source: shaunayounge.blogspot.com via Lea on Pinterest

Source: thesmallobject.com via Lea on Pinterest

So go ahead and party like it’s 1929, or 1969, or anytime before Evite was born. 

And invite your grandma.

Do it!

Travel the Globe without Leaving Home

Last week the gals at the office took a field trip to the Washington Design Center to attend a talk by Martyn Lawrence Bullard – one of our favorites from Bravo’s show: Million Dollar Decorators.  MLB has teamed up with Schumacher to introduce a new line of luxe fabrics inspired by old world history and exotic travel.  The fabrics have a gorgeous, global feel - ancient world inspiration with modern day sex appeal.  Here are a few of our favorites:

We love the modern twist on the Ikat. Ikats are enormously popular right now. Pronounced “ee-cat”-  they are simply fabrics made from yarns that have been tie-dyed before weaving. ElleDECOR has a great article about fun ways to add some to your space. 

This tree of life has a more historic feel, but with fun colors to give it a modern edge.

We already have some pillows in this vibrant geometric pattern. They add a nice dash of spice to a neutral sofa. As MLB said, “Daaaarling, I don’t DO boring.”

This chevron delivers color pizazz in some of our favorite shades.  It would be fun to mix this with a solid linen in a variety of colors, like green, orange, or navy . “Mix, but don’t match.” says Martyn and Melanie.

Martyn Lawrence Bullard is not the only one inspired by international travel.  Global inspiration is big in the design world right now.
West Elm is serving up some sassy Moroccan accents found at markets in Marrakesh. 

We installed this Fortuny inspired chandelier in a client’s dining room a while back.

We love the silk-screened fabric and the mix of silk, leather and metalwork – giving it an Asia-meets-Africa vibe (yet inspired by an Italian).  Mixed with the bright, contemporary art and the more traditional furniture, you get an exotic feel without needing a belly dancer to deliver your meal.

All this global inspiration makes us want to take a trip a bit farther than the Design Center.  MLB told us “you must go to Istanbul!”  Guess it’s time to renew our passports.

Istanbul, Marrakesh, or your local design source - wherever you wander there is no question that travel can produce fabulous ways to color in your life.

Do it!

P.S.  MLB told a story about getting his start in the design business.  He said he only had a budget of $30,000 to furnish a 5,000 square foot home (admittedly, not enough) and “now he buys lamps for $30,000.”  We are dying to see that lamp!  Here are some of MLB’s portfolio pics - we wonder if any of these lamps cost $30,000?

We've been busy!

2012 has been a fun and super busy year for the WDS team, so far! We will have lots of fun projects to show you soon. Here is a little sneak peak of what we've been up to lately...

So fun, right? We love it. Check back with us soon for more on this project and our latest design related obsessions.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Source: ruffledblog.com via Lea on Pinterest

xoxo, WDS

Simple Chic (last minute) Holiday Ideas

We love this time of year at WDS, especially getting our homes ready for the holidays. And we know just how stressful this season can be. Here are some simple chic decorating ideas and a few tips for stress-free last minute entertaining.

We like to approach decorating for the holidays much like we would any other time of year. Holiday touches should enhance your design, not overpower it. Working with your existing color scheme is one of the best ways to incorporate holiday decor, even if your home isn't done in traditional red and green. Blues and browns can look festive too. So can hot pink!

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via House and Home

Traditional Home

via House and Home

via Southern Living

via Lea 

A simple way to add some "chic" to your Holiday decor is to use a monochromatic color scheme. It's easy to do and the look is so fresh and modern, even if your decor is more traditional.

                                                                      via Caitlin

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via House and Home

Another way to streamline your Holiday preparations is to keep it simple in the wrapping department. Brown kraft paper goes with everything. You can glam it up with some shiny glittery ribbon, or go retro with red and white. Wouldn't these look great under any tree?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           via orangebeautiful.com

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Here are a few or our favorites for the outside of your home.  The outside can be decorated simply,  just think lights, lights, and more lights! We love fresh greenery, its so pretty you don't need to do much to it.

via Cottage Living Christmas

via Cottage Living Christmas

via Cottage Living Christmas

via House and Home 

via House and Home

via Cottage Living Christmas

                                                 via Lea  

via House and Home

Its a good idea to have a few entertaining staples around the house, for unexpected guests. Having a good sparkling wine chilled would be lovely on it's own, or with the addition of a few extra ingredients you could serve a "house cocktail" that everyone will remember! The recipes for these crazy easy cocktails are on Martha Stewart, check them out here. 

drinks via Martha Stewart

So easy and refreshing!

 Its also a good idea to have a few things for your guests to nibble on. Cheeses, nuts and crackers are an easy appetizer, spiced nuts and a bit of fruit preserves or salted honey add at little something extra.  And even though they are super easy to make, with a wooden cutting board or a big white platter they look simply elegant.

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Try to find locally made or grown items for your spread. Here in Virginia we are known for our peanuts and hams, but we also delicious apples, peaches and fresh seafood. Any or all of those would be great for a quick get together.  

Oysters and Bubbly would impress anyone, they don't have to know how easy it really is!

We hope these little tips help make your Holidays merry and bright. 

Wishing you a joyous Holiday Season

Whittington Design Studio