WINDOW TREATMENTS 101...

There is a whole specialized aspect of design for some interior designers: Window Treatments. With so many options available, how does one choose what's best? 

Most of the decision comes from the functionality such as privacy control or light control followed by the size of the window. Lastly consider personal taste or design aesthetic (i.e. traditional, contemporary, etc.) in your choice of treatment options. 

I'm all for classic designs that are less trendy and more timeless. Here's some of my favorites... 

An inverted pleat valance and pinch pleat drapes with trim accent

Straight cornice with trim accent

Grommet top drapes with horizontal banding

Inverted pleat valance with trim accent

Arched cornice with double roller shades

Pleated cornice with decorative ties

French pleat drapes with rings and contrasting vertical banding

Flat fold Roman shades with trim accent

There seems to be a running them in the examples noted above: Trim, Trim, Trim! It adds character, style and humph to the most basic window treatment design.

Happy trend spotting...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Some photos courtesy of CalicoCorners.com

STRIPE IT RICH...

Can you believe that at one point in history stripes were called "the Devil's Cloth." It is believed to have started around the late 13th century when the monks from Palestine called the Carmelites arrived in Paris wearing their official robes with brown stripes. They were viewed in a bad light and immediately nicknamed the "barred brothers." Their striped clothing was such a point of contention that it was banned from all religious orders by Pope Boniface VIII in 1295.

Carmelite Monks

Stripes were then associated with deviants such as clowns, prostitutes and lepers. This could explain why in later days prisoner's clothing was striped.

Today people have the freedom to rock all types of stripes: thin or broad, vertical or horizontal, black and white and other multi-colored lines without fearing for their lives.

Stripes are making a tremendous comeback in interior design as well.  Nowadays along with the other busy graphic patterns such as animal prints, florals and tribal prints, stripes are easily incorporated into home decor as well as in fashion. You'll find them mostly on walls but their presence is on floors, ceilings and upholstery too.

Happy trend spotting...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

MY FAVORITE SIDE TABLES...

A little side table does double duty of adding style and functionality to a room.  It can make a big difference next to a favorite spot for reading or in a bathroom for hand towels and such. 

No need to break the bank. Here are a few great options for under $300...

Faceted Mirror from West Elm for $199

Ginger Salt Table from Crate and Barrel for $249

Martini Side Table from West Elm for $149.00

Grind Sandstone Side Table from CB2 for $199

Carved Wood from West Elm for $199

Here are several of my favorites for, well more than $300, but worth every penny...

Drum Pedestal from Phillips Collection

Kamali for Arteriors Home

Metal Wrapped Table from West Elm

"Bubbles" from Caracole

Fretwork Antique Mirror Table from Worlds Away

Hudson Side Table from Boca do Lobo

Jules Accent Table from Crate and Barrel

Happy trend spotting...

Peace and blessings,

Tammy

THE MYSTERIOUS WAYS OF GOD...

This post will probably be categorized under the Bold of its blog title, but so be it.

My house was burglarized last Friday...

He took all of my jewelry - my late grandmother's birthstone ring, my mother's wedding ring from 1961, my engagement ring and original wedding band, my charm bracelet with charms from my travels, and the gold watch by mother gave me for my 21st birthday.  He even took my costume jewelry. My friend of 30+ years gave me a simple yet elegant bracelet about 2 months ago that I cherished. And of course, I didn't realize how much I had until it was gone - all the beautiful gifts my husband had blessed me with over the years.

The most critical thing that that "knucklehead" (to use my mother's terminology) took was my vulnerability. I've always felt that the wonderful community that I have lived in for the past 20+ years was a utopia. This event notwithstanding, it still is - we are just living in a different time. Obviously, I just needed this jolt.

One vital lesson I have learned that I knew but needed to experience - life goes on without possessions. As much value as I've placed in the things we've amassed, whether it be sentimental or merely cumulative, I am still the same person as on Thursday evening. Now a little more free of the grasp that David Yurman or John Hardy and the like have had but me just the same.

This is what matters most to me:

God sure works in mysterious ways...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

MIRROR, MIRROR OFF THE WALL...

In ancient Greek Mythology, the story of Narcissus states that he fell in love with his own reflection while gazing in a pond one day. He was so awestruck that he was unable to look away until death overcame him.

Another less tragic lover of mirrors, Louis XIV built  the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles in 1678. He was able to amass a collection of 357 before the Venetian Republic monopolized the manufacturing of mirrors. 

Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles

I'm blessed to have visited that spectacular place of history which now makes me think may have sparked my love of mirrors - vanity aside.

Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles

So now I'm currently crushing on leaning floor length mirrors. As evident at the Palace of Versailles, they are an amazing design element that reflects light (and other room features), expands the space, adds texture, and a great substitute for art.

Try leaning a mirror behind a piece of furniture...

To reflect the picturesque scenery either indoors or out,

Or to just as a decorative element,

Here's looking at you...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy