Browsing Category: Design 101

Wicker? Rattan? It’s all Reed to me!

We’ve all seen wicker furniture, right?

And I’ve always been a bit of a fan of the woven stuff.

91c74d3388ea7018116fb64f97536bd3But just two weekends ago, I rolled on over to the Pierce College Flea Market and found the cutest little wicker chair.  For 15 dollars, y’all!! And besides the fact that I have 99 projects, I can’t help myself to one more like this!  My dear, where shall we put you?!?!

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And it was funny as I was trying to tell my GF what I bought because I said, “You know wicker, or rattan or woven something or other!”  My brain just got all twisted up about the stuff.  So I kinda figured that maybe that may have happened to you too!

Wicker is like the mother category – it’s a piece, usually furniture or baskets,  woven from branches, roots, stalks, and now, plastics made to look like the plant stuff.  Pretty wide spread category, huh?!

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(Wanna check out this nursery?  Here and SO fabulous!)

Anyway, so wicker has been around forever.  Seriously.  Since pharaoh times.

Here are some quick examples of different kinds of wicker; Reed, Bamboo, Rattan…

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Rattan refers to a special category of palms that have thin stems.  The plant looks more like a vine than like an actual tree and it’s not hollow, like bamboo.  Is any of this important?  Probably not, but it’s cool to be smart.

Rattans are used to make furniture and that furniture is called wicker.  Phew!

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So, what’s chair caning?  Well, that’s the physical skill of applying cane material to the backs or seats of chairs.  Confused yet?

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Well, whatever it’s called I love the casual nature of wicker… and the limitless possibilities!  The texture it adds is pretty hard to beat.

Now I’m interested in a few wicker repair tips.  Got any?  One of  these days I’ll be fixing up my latest chair obsession find!!

Happy Creating!!  Jessica

Milo Baughman, Check!

I think it’s safe to say that I’ve moved up in my design journey.

In the process of collecting and decorating, I’ve been able to hit milestones, if you will. Milestones like, acquiring my first authentic piece of art, purchasing a true antique, devising and executing a full kitchen/bath remodel… and now I am thrilled to say that I can add a new notch in my belt!  I have purchased my first piece of furniture history!!

I am the proud owner of two gorgeous Milo Baughman barstools!!

Do you remember my barstool musings?  You can revisit here.  But after hours of searching and visualizing, I just couldn’t make a decision.  It’s like I knew that something great was on the horizon and I just had to be patient.

Behold the loveliness.

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These babies weigh a ton!!  But they are so shiny and pretty.  Ahh, I’m in love.

Well, I’m in love with everything except the upholstery.  One stool has been badly bleached by the sun.  Does anyone have any tips for fixing sun damaged fabric?  I’ve got a few ideas, but some help would be much appreciated!!

And for those of you who are like, “Ok, I’ve heard of Milo Baughman, but what’s the hype,” let’s us dish about this iconic American designer.

Inducted into the Furniture Hall of Fame, Baughman is most credited for offering modern pieces at affordable price points.  He was a master of using glass, chrome, burled wood, and lacquer – usually combining the mediums.  His design philosophy was that furniture should enhance the atmosphere of the space and improve the quality of life.

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You’ve probably seen his pieces and just not known it… Any strike an “oh yeah”?!

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Cube Chair

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Cantilevered Sofa – This is from the 70’s!  Can you believe it?!

This Chaise is so damn sexy.

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Ellipse Chair – Pretty epic

And for fun, here are some of interiors with his iconic pieces

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Cheryl Burke Interior Design

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eclectic-living-roomDying to know the paint color of this fabulous room??  Benjamin Moore Dark Harbor.

Obvs these are just a few examples, but it should give you an inkling of the genius involved.  Now you will spot imitations all over the place, and if you’re lucky, like I was, you will be able to take home a beauty of your own.

So what do you think?  Are you a fan?

Happy Creating!!  Ciao-sies, Jessica

 

The 3 Levels of Rug Layering

Hello Party People!

Today I’m totally feeling the aches and pains of DIY!  Yesterday I painted the chairs, after hours upon hours of sanding, and I can’t wait to show you how they look!  For now, and the next day, they’ll be in hibernation drying and curing.  I would say that waiting is the hardest part, but it’s not… it’s not at all.  Painting those suckers was quite a feat, lemme tell ya!  Anyhoo, I’ve said too much – that’s to come on Thursday.  (If all goes well!!)

Today, I’m thinking about the coziness of layering rugs.  Maybe because the weather is cooling down or because the look is easy/casual but I’ve been loving all the layering going down!  And I think it will be a nice look for my dining area… just another way to get the “stuffy” out and bring the comfortable in.

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Here are the basics of layering and it’s super easy.  Start with a sisal or jute rug, plain in color and low pile, and then insert texture and color with a smaller rug on top.  Seriously, anyone can do that, right?  Elementary, my dear Watson!

Then, another step up from beginner, let’s say the high-schooler of rug layering, is based on mixing colors and patterns.

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Now you’ve got a tougher look to pull off.  Black and White, a classic, keeps it a no-brainer though.  Phew, not so tough, huh?!  Pick two colors and stick to that scheme to keep it from looking fussy – it’s more modern that way.

But let’s say you want to play in the big leagues of rug layering…..you want that look to stand out.  You want people to say, “Dang, that’s a lot of layered rugs!”  It looks so effortlessly easy… of course, you and I both know that there is a bunch of thinking, hunting, and crazy placing that goes behind these “haphazardly laid” rugs.

This is master rug layering, people.

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Instead of picking colors, per se, you pick a look, a mood.  In the first picture, it’s modern shapes and graphic patterns that tie the rugs together, along with the black and white, of course.  In the other photos, it’s a bohemian feel with kilim rugs in intricate patters… yes, the colors are harmonious but you don’t get bogged down on the exact colors because the “feel” is cohesive.

So, where do you rank?

For the dining room, I’m trying to go for master, but that “a lot” of rugs thing is kinda tough… you literally have to have a bunch to layer.

Back to the hunting part!!

Happy Creating!  Jessica