Epic Home Decor & Furniture Part 1
Epic Home Decor & Furniture for 2019: Part 1
Timelessness is what exalts a piece of furniture to legendary status. Top interior designers select pieces that exude a classic look. But furniture must also function well for today’s world and most importantly a client’s home. Several epic furniture selections come to mind, but in this two-part post, I’ve curated the list to a manageable five traditional items. But all have their own new twists. Later we’ll do another five and take a look at some gems from the ageless mid-century era.
Wing-Back Armchair
The trusty wing-back chair was originally designed in the 17th century to literally envelope a person in warmth as they sat by the hearth. With their proud high backs and curved wing-like sides they were just the thing to protect one from a bitter English winter. Nowadays, these classic chairs look just at home in a breakfast area, study or living room, as they do next to a fireplace. They are being dressed in velvet or tweed-like fabrics, and even bold geometric patterns as they been unleashed on the entire house.
Chesterfield Style Sofa
No longer your grandmother’s Chesterfield sofa, these button-tufted delights are being updated for the 21st century – in any color and for any design style. Their charm remains the same with smooth contours, rolled arms and a low seat base. They exude the perfect refined look, yet plush and comfortable. These chairs named after the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Philip Stanhope, can be seen upholstered in leather to velvet. They take on an even more modern air with rounded steel legs.
Louis XVI Chair
Louis XVI chairs with their rounded upholstered backs, exposed wood frames also boast beautiful ornate legs. The chairs are now being overhauled with primary color fabrics and even cowhide. Stately and elegant, these chairs were found in the palatial homes of King Louis XVI of France and were examples of exquisitely crafted functional works of art. Matched with just the right side table, they would be a highlight of any room from the ranch to the ranch house.
Canopy Bedroom Sets
A canopy bed was originally designed to function as a means of privacy and protection from the cold for the aristocracy of medieval Europe. Their regal nature is now being stream-lined with clean lines and metal finishes. No longer adorned with fabric, most canopy beds now are open for all to admire, but still have the classic eye-catching four posters and frame across the top. Utilized materials can range from wood to metal finishes.
Antique Windsor Chair
A Windsor chair is easily discernible by its wooden poles which fashion the seat back. And they can have arms or not, or might even be rockers. Although the time origins are unclear, wheelwrights in the 16th century were making the iconic spindles as they did wheel spokes. In the 18th century with the advent of ‘steam-bending’ wood, the seat backs took on their characteristic bow shape. The Windsor chair is no longer relegated to traditional cottage or country homes, but it is now being utilized in Transitional and Modern homes, as it still cuts a dignified and timeless silhouette.
Bonus Tip: Get Cozy Outside with All-Weather Adirondack Chairs
As an added bonus I’ve included something for the outside. The distinctive Adirondack chair can conjure up notions of a log cabin by a lake, but now are for every architectural style of home. They can have flat or contoured seat with ample armrests, but it’s the backs with their slightly concave wood slats that are the most easily recognizable feature. Thomas Lee, while vacationing in the Adirondack Mountains, designed and made the first one, but unfortunately it was Harry Bunnell that patented his copycat design and the rest is history. You can see these quintessential chairs in a variety of hues from white to leaf green.
Color Springs Eternal with Spring Interior Design
“Nature is apt to be its loveliest in spring, as the earth revives so does the spirit.” mjs
The time has changed, days are warmer, everything is blooming. As a Houston interior designer, I know that spring decor is all about luxuriating in your interior surroundings. Home is where we spend the majority of our time, so why not make it the sanctuary we deserve. Here are my five top spring decor ideas to make your home a true refuge, where you can escape from worldly clamor and rejuvenate. There is no better time for a new beginning in your home.
One - A Pop of Color
How about a new sofa in a bright color? What about a gorgeous crepe linen fabric in an unexpected exotic saffron? New seating in a living room can be just the thing to make for a more inviting atmosphere for family and guests, or a perfect spot to relax and think about that next big idea. Pair it with a sleek new coffee table that displays a curated selection of interior design books, along with a vase filled with fresh-cut flowers and it will beckon guests and ignite conversation.
Two - Springlike Wallpaper
Don’t forget about spring-like wallpaper. Nothing can excite the confines of a room like a new wall covering. For spring, a Phillip Jeffries selection such as Shangri-La in Euphoric Teal would set the perfect mood in a dining room or breakfast nook. The delicate flowers and beautiful birds of paradise call forth an irresistible spring day. Remember that wall coverings can be used anywhere, for wet areas opting for a natural grass cloth wallpaper, like Jeffries Extra-Fine Arrowroot in Mediterranean can be a great choice.
Three - Fresh Window Treatments
Let the sun shine in! Try framing your gorgeous view with draperies that create floor-to-ceiling drama. Don’t shy away from using bold bright colors that use nature as inspiration, like a lime green or pear color, or even the color of a hot pink tulip. These expressive shades can say ‘spring is in the air’ quicker than a field of Texas bluebonnets.
Four - White Is For Spring
Nothing conjures up spring like the graceful white bloom of a magnolia or stunning vase of white peonies. But think that same creamy white is out of the question for seating because it can be hard to take care of? Think white again with cool white slip-covered dining room chairs. They are easy to clean, easy to change out and create that fresh new burst of spring. Coupled with a dark wood dining room table and new light fixture, your hardly-ever-used dining room can become a tempting focal point for family and friends to linger over a spring supper.
Five - Something Blue Too
Kitchen cabinets that pop with color can also create a refreshing new look. A crisp blue color can suggest the sky on a pristine spring day. Whether you refinish existing cabinets or opt for brand-new cabinets, you can often pair two colors, one for the main cabinets, then a more provocative color for the island. Deep moody blues can be dramatic choice, but lighter blues can create a pleasing, calming backdrop – the perfect to way to set the tone for a new kitchen. Why stop with cabinets, go ahead and freshen up paint, add new appliances and a stunning quartz counter top too.
Bonus Selection - Nature, Metals, Patterns
Speaking of kitchens, you can spring forth with ideas that embrace nature. Check out Caesarstone’s Excava countertops that mimic the look of concrete, but ads interest with amber swirls.
New kitchen hardware can add an earthy organic look with mixed metals of black, copper, or brass. Sink fixtures in champagne bronze can spark the touch of romance. And check out kitchen cabinets in a rose blush pink that bring to mind a pied-à-terre in Paris. Who doesn’t love Paris in the spring time?
Back splashes are ripe for injecting eye-catching patterns. Consider handcrafted Moroccan tile in unique designs or geometric patterns.
Let us make your home spring to life, call us 713.999.1222 or check out the Dream website to view our projects: https://www.dreambymjsinteriors.com/