Have your Hide

Following-up on yesterday's post which featured this room, and its out-of-this-world awesome, Moorish-patterned hide rug...

Source: flickr.com via Alison on Pinterest

A little bird (thanks, Anita!) clued me into the work of Kyle Bunting. Based out of Austin, Texas (which, by default makes him rockin' to me), this designer takes hides, laser-cuts them to perfection, and voila - turns out show-stopping takes on the traditional hide rug. Can you say quatrefoil, greek key, and chevron in hide? Yeah, I know.
By the time I went through all the patterns, there was a puddle of drool on my keyboard. I think the genius is quite obvious.
I'm partial to the nuances of color and texture in the neutral styles....

...but imagine I could be easily persuaded to work a bolder pattern into my own home.

Do we even want to know the price points? Probs not...but I've got an inquiry placed anyway. ;)

The Design Scene in Brazil

I dragged the Fam out this weekend in search of these ikat rugs I saw advertised in a local design mag. Not that I could come within an inch of affording one, but still, my eyes needed to witness this greatness in person.

Bummer. Turns out only the São Paulo location has them in stock. But, while we were at it, I figured I'd catch up on some Brazilian design.

Loved, loved, LOVED this grouping of theater-style pendants. I'd use them together like this as a type of light/art installation, or as singles to direct attention to other great pieces.

Classic, pre-worn Chesterfield yumminess. This one would set you back about eight grand. Ugh.

If you prefer vessel sinks and fantastic fixtures, then you would love it down here.

A painting I definitely could love in my home.

Mini Panton chairs. Nearly irresistible.

These bamboo garden seats were at a patio furniture store, but I wouldn't hesitate to use them indoors to bring in a natural element.

One trend I picked up on was large, LARGE lamps. You'd certainly need to know what you're doing to work with the scale on some of these, but oh, wouldn't it be fun?!

Yes, they used an entire tree trunk for this one.

And, last but not least, a table full of Buddhas....

I think it's the store's way of telling their customers, "Hey, you just dropped a butt-load of cash, but it's all gooooood."



See any eye candy yourselves this weekend?

Product Review: Overstock Chevron Kilim Rug

A few weeks ago, I spied a tweet by designer and fellow blogstress, Camila about a chevron rug on Overstock. As I'm still on the chevron bandwagon, I linked over to the clearance website, and found this: Chevron Kilim Rug...

The price was too good to pass up ($130 for my 5x8), especially considering it's a natural fiber (i.e. wool and jute) rug.
It arrived today, and I have to say I'm initially very pleased. Now, don't get me wrong, this was not an expensive rug, so it is not very thick, and I don't imagine the weave is very hearty, but it gives great impact, which is what I wanted. I also like that it has a more natural, textural feel - making it at least somewhat unique among the sea of chevron rugs out there.

For now, ours is making itself at home in our entry. (yes, I know I need a larger console)

So, to summarize: Chevron kilim via Overstock gets a thumbs-up for value and looks. Bad news: I think I probably bought the last one, as it was under "high sell-out risk," and I can no longer find it on the site.

Lesson: It pays to Tweet! Follow me if you're not already!

Gradeschool Crush

I have a crush on these gradeschool-reminiscent trough sinks that are popping up all over the place. If I were working with someone redoing a shared, sibling bathroom, I'd be all over it like white on rice. Ditto for envisioning a bath for my own girls.

Turns out that its pedigree isn't all that lofty - it's a Kohler model, the Brockway, offered by Home Depot. The arched, showerhead-looking faucet is the Cannock. The three-faucet model, plus faucets and accessories like the soapdish will set you back nearly 2Gs - bummer - but I'd argue the classic and whimsical style is worth the heavier price tag.

Obviously, you can take the style all-out Cottage...

...but, I tend to like where this vintage-with-a-twist look is going.

Clearly a no-brainer for kids who need as much area to catch splashes as they can get.

Mom and Dad could use a sleeker, more Victorian version...

Wonder who gets to use the mirror?

Monkey Wrench

So, you've had it with hides? You're done with B&W chevrons?
How 'bout this for a little monkey wrench?

Thanks, Alcira, for introducing us to the world of Zara Home

In my world, this is huge (and so is this post)

Over the last few months, I've been on a lamp-buying binge. So many of the lamps in our casa have a serious case of the sads because they're either just plain ugly, or suffered some form of abuse during our overseas move. In most cases, they have punctured, warped or faded shades that I try to strategically turn so as to maximize their one, small "good spot."

The problem with buying lamps that I then ship to Brazil, is that they sit forever, shadeless.

I bought these brass lamps while we were in Texas over the holidays.

They're intended as replacements for the vine candelabras on our dining room buffet.

I found this pair of white ginger jar lamps after searching (in vain) for weeks for a vintage set that didn't cost my arm and two toes.

They'll replace my "do-I-have-to-look-at-these-again, today?" candlestick lamps on a desk we use as a sofa console. Lampshades, not included.

THEN, I found this single, vintage lovely from a vendor in Palm Beach (Ebay), and had to have her. I'm not quite sure where she's going to live, but, it doesn't matter, she'll have her own glorified nook. Again, though, sans shade.

See, here's my problemo - I can't just go buy a lampshade down here because all lamps in Brazil (that I've seen) have Uno fitters (you know, like Ikea lamps), and all my lamps have harps for spider fitters. It's just one of those you're not in Kansas, anymore kind of things you deal with when you live in a foreign country.

I've tried ordering shades from the States, but all the packing required to get them here in one piece makes shipping impossible.

I've also tried ordering a harp-to-uno conversion kit - no dice.
My frustration is tangible.

This weekend, my sweet hubster, tired of hearing me piss and moan about never being able to finish a project, offered to look for lamp parts in order to convert the lamps to fit Brazilian shades.

We made two trips to the closest thing we have to a Home Depot, and after much engineering, Ben succeeded in converting the bulb socket on the vintage lamp.

Yesterday, with excitement building, I carted Vintage to the one lampshade store I know. I quickly spied a suitable black drum shade on the shelf (heartrate increasing), went to try it out on the lamp (sweaty palms) and BLAM-O - the socket we used is too big - the damn uno ring wouldn't fit over it!
I was so close, and even a tad desperate, so I tried to convey to the shop owner in my pathetic Portuguese,"meu esposo tem máquina "Dremel", não problema." But, she, oh wise woman of the lamps, suggested they replace the socket (really? Smiles.) And, when I said I have many lamps, she offered that all could be converted (Big, Goofy Grins), and that if they don't have shades I like, I could have them made to the shape, size, and color of my desire. (Nearly unconscious with glee)

This is epic.
I sense lamp bliss coming on.

Stay tuned...

Déjà vu?

I've lamented before that, typically, my magazine subscriptions arrive two weeks after all of you have already feasted and had your fill of the latest issues. So, I have mixed feelings of gratitude and spoiler alert-wariness when a blogger scans early pics of the glossies before Zinio even has the digital versions posted. (What's up with that delay, anyway?)

Anyhoo....Alcira couldn't contain her excitement over the latest Elle Decor, and from what I saw, I can't say I blame her. But WAIT - that house - the one in Bahia, Brazil - I've seen that before! Recently.

I distinctly remember thinking the house didn't look like a typical Brazilian home. Rather than the usual plethora of low-profile, contemporary furniture, this home had lots of textures, textiles and patterns, layers of them - on a blue and white background. Ethnic-Beachy. Goodness.

And then, it hit me. I had seen it in the Sotheby's real estate listings (because I troll sites where homes cost more than a lifetime's earnings.) Yep, this home of Brazilian designer, Sig Bergamin is for sale. Listed for just under $4 million, in case you're interested.

Bergamin's NYC apartment was featured in ED in January. Wonder why the editors featured the same designer twice over such a short time? As if there's not a ton of talent out there to publish!

Anyway...back to the beaches of Brazil...

There's so much for the eye to follow in this house, here's a few of my take-aways:
- Oversize poster and fine photography art have won me over - many times.
- There's a still a strong case to be made for suzanis (and Ebay has tons)
- Layering chunky jewelry over figurines and other tchotchkes is a brilliant way to add color, texture and whimsy. I'll be doing it, too!

MLHP recently Furberized

So happy to have a little Furbish in my life via this and this. I only have access to the online version Jamie's world of wonder, probably a good thing, as I'd break the bank if I had the chance at her brick and mortar version. Go on, Furberize yo' self!

Pleasant Surprises

I continue to be pleasantly surprised with Home Decorators Collection. Many of their recent offerings up the ante on a bevy of looks - from borrowed-from-Regency pieces set with mirrored inlay, to lightly industrial, to unexpected and fun: Hello darling, pink garden chairs!

I give credit where credit is due, and I think they're doing a nice job of bringing a tailored look normally acquired with to-the-trade manufacturers to the masses. Carefully selected, I think many of their pieces could have a place in almost any room going for the perfect high-low pitch.
Here's a few of my top picks, and what I might do with them...

1) Garden Side Chair - I'd use it anywhere I'd want to inject some color - around a banquette, perhaps, to create a casual, family eating scene? I love typical shapes in unexpected hues!
2) Rockford sofa - Nice, clean lines and a decent assortment of fabrics with/without nailhead. A good, starter sofa that looks nicer than ikea.
3) Baxter accent table - I might just crank this up a notch by painting it something fun, and setting it beside a clawfoot tub.
4) Jasper coffee table - I appreciate that the lines on this table are slightly elegant. It brings down the "industrial" feel of it. I'd mix this table up with dressier furniture for balance.
5) Ava table lamp - I'm liking these for bedside tables.
6) Director table lamp - I'd put one of these on a glass-topped sawhorse desk. If the desk was otherwise cluttered, the lamp would still look cool and clean.
7) Reflections Mirrored cabinet - Definitely could use this to dress up a dining room, but if a client had a budget for a large and amazing closet, I'd go all Big's-gift-to-Carrie closet with it.
8) Emma table lamp - I've long been in love with gorgeous venetian art glass lamps, but most of us can't swing $3 Gs for a pair of lamps. Enter the "Emma" - put a pair of them on an interesting piece in an entry, and you could simulate those expensive versions.
9) MS Ingrid sofa - 'ol Martha - she taps into the right partnerships all the time, doesn't she? Her collaborations with HDC seem to coincide with the catalog's glossied-up offerings. Chenille fabric on this sofa is a little "iffy," but the clean lines and nailhead trim make it at least worth considering in many rooms.
10) Slipcover Philips chair - Without a doubt, put these at the head of a dining room table where they'll take command as host chairs.

*If you'd like help putting together ideas for your home - email me about my e-design services!*

Take your pick!

I spied these candy-colored lamps during a recent Ebay search. I like how the cheery colors lighten up their traditional lines. They're petite little dudes (15"), but absolutely perfect for pulling in an accent color on bookshelves or another small niche. My only problem - deciding which color is my favorite!

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