Fall Centerpieces

Centerpieces for the Season

I read an article in Better Homes and Gardens October issue on tablescapes and centerpieces.  The article is called "Natural Genius".  It's about not spending a lot of money to make your table look pretty but using the natural resources we have available to us right outside our doors.
 I'm sure most of us have something on our dining tables whether it is just place mats, table runners, a tablecloth or a plant in a vase.
 To me, a centerpiece is like jewelry, you always want to accessorize and yes, you should always have a some sort of dressing on your tables, we're designers, of course we're going to accessorize.

Even though summer blooms are gone, painfully obvious from today's snow, you can still create a beautiful and low to no cost tablescape just by simply looking around your yard.
You will need some items like; spray paint, (gold and silver are great for this time of year), unique looking urns, wicker bowls, vases you don't mind altering, mason jars and even old glasses that you never use.  Just give them a good wash, and start getting creative.  Here are some great examples of tablescape options and accessories.

We all have leaves in the yard...here is a great way to use them as decoration for a table centerpiece

www.bhg.com

This stuff is free people!  it's right out your door

www.bhg.com

Leaves, gourds, acorns, pine cones, and candles and you've got a great tablescape

www.bhg.com

Maybe reconsider throwing out that old sweater, how sweet is this little tea candle holder with some of that fabric to warm up that little vignette.  

www.houzz.com

Get some gold spray paint and go nuts!

This is a throw blanket, cut up some burlap, sticks, candles and voila!  How clever

www.houzz.com

www.bhg.com

www.pintrest.com

How about this...who would've thought pumpkins could be so elegant.  Decorative nail heads and your initial, very nice.

www.houzz.com

Go to your grandmother's basement, she's got these mason jars in all shapes and sizes and if she doesn't....I do!  Come ask me for some:)

www.houzz.com

this reminded me of Natasha's table centerpiece just a touch. This is just a cool branch that fell from the tree spray painted white.   

www.houzz.com

I hope these idea's inspire you to create a one of a kind and very inexpensive tablescape that you can change out every other week if you're so inclined.

Modern Twists

Happy mid-week to you all!

 

I read an article in Trend Ideas magazine this week on one of my favorite design styles... modern design.  What I love so much about being able to use modern elements with any design style is that it can feed all of your style cravings, from rustic woods paired with shiny surfaces to arabesques etched in a modern glass panel.  Speaking of cravings, I've got some delicious kitchens to show you!

 

The article is all about kitchen's that have been remodeled.  The article, Modern Outlook talks about remodeling an old loft kitchen, ripping everything out down to the studs and starting with a clean slate.  Modern design is often times much more expensive than other styles because the materials you're using are going to be, well...modern...new.  There are those modern designs that encorporate classical elements and I think that is where the magic happens. 

 

 

 

The linear lines attract your eye to all of the interesting levels and layers of what could be a fairly boring kitchen if it were just your typical beige kitchen.  The backlit drop ceiling provides deliniation of the one big expanse kitchen/dining combo.

 

There are plenty of reflective surfaces that help bounce the light around.  The rich wood warms the space under the waterfall countertops.

 

The next kitchen space is full of hidden compartments where your practical day to day kitchen tools are concealed with back lit lacquered cabinetry.  I love the stainless toe kick, the bands around the countertop and cabinetry

I love the idea the designer had here to encorporate a little bookcase nook for collectables and even cook books.  These are a java stained quarter sawn wood cabinetry with 3 form panels for doors that actually do open up for storage.  

 

Here is a view from the dining area, so as you can see, every ounce of space has been taken advantage of.  I love the stainless "island"

 

The below pic shows a beautiful modern kitchen with an element of classical, the herringbone pattern plank floor.  No, those are not modular or movable walls, it's a small galley behind the stove.

 

 

The Moooi LED pendants in this lovely remodel below cost between $3,000-$4,700 each pendant depending on the size.  The Sicis backsplash is more of a work of art than mosaic tiles, this backsplash alone I would estimate to be around $15,000 alone.  I love how they've used three different countertop surfaces, stainless on the range wall, a light granite on the perimeter and a beautiful dark granite on the island.  All of these luxurious elements of this design make you want to gather around and never walk away.