Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Isabell's Beautiful Gustavian Chair

I get the most wonderful emails from people all over the world about Willow Decor. One of the most recent was from Isabell in Norway, (but moving to Sweden). Please read her wonderful note and photograph, which she has allowed me to share with all you.


Hello ”Willlow Decor” !

My name is Isabell, a frequent reader of your lovely blog and I wanted to thank you, because by you I came in contact with lovely Kymberley Fraser. A while ago you made a post about her, and you showed pictures of some of 3 Fine Grains sacks. I have this great passion about sacks, so seeing them made my heart jump….. I contacted her and bought the one you see, which now is on my Gustavian chair…..the furniture upholsterer in Stockholm thought the old chair and the sack made a good marriage. So do we……………..

Your last post was wonderful, the furniture you have is really pieces to love. So beautifully done, and so nice they look in your home. Of course the cushions from Kym , just love the as well………….

Isn`t it fantastic how mutual interest have no boundaries, no borders, by your post I read, I came in contact with Kymberley, she sent me the sack to Scandinavia, (Norway), I sent the sack to Sweden, and now I am about to move back to Sweden living and loving among many other things our chair………the world seem smaller in a way……………………

Once again thank you !

Kind regards

Isabell

The reach and power of the Internet continues to amaze me. I am so grateful to be able to find so many other lovers of fine antiques and home decor world wide. I know you will agree that Isabell's Gustavian Chair is exquisite! Fabulous job, Isabell and thank you so much for sharing!

Luxury and contemporary bedroom interior design ideas

Modern Living Room Wall Units for Book Storage from Misuraemme

Modern Living Room Wall Units

Infusing Yellow in Your Color Scheme and Interior Design by Amanda Nisbet

Yellow is the color of some of my favorite things including sunshine, lemons and bumblebees. New York-based interior designer and one of my personal favorites, Amanda Nisbet knows how to design a space with the color yellow. In some instances she uses this cheerful hue as the primary color and other times as an accent. Following Nisbet's work as a guide, here are some ideas on how you can infuse yellow into your space's color palette.

In this elegant sunny living room, Nisbet keeps the color scheme warm - yellows, neutrals and accents of red. She selects neutral tans and browns for the upholstered furniture and natural woven rug.

Nisbet selects a soft canary yellow like Farrow & Ball's Dayroom Yellow for room's walls. She coordinates the window floor-length draperies to match.

Nisbet also bring the color palette together in throw pillows and accessories. This Citrus Swirl Throw Pillow from Pieces would do the trick.

In this stunning living space Nisbet pairs golden yellow with neutrals and accents of teal and melon. Yum! Various shades of yellow are picked up in the room's walls, console table, throw pillows, draperies and accessories.

Nisbet frames the French doors beautifully in floor length buttercup draperies. To achieve this look, consider a fabric like Peter Fasano's Vallelunga in Dijion to add a splash of color and interest to your windows.

Picking up additional citrus hues, the sweet bench behind the sofa is upholstered in Amanda Nisbet's own fabric collection available through Holland & Sherry. The Chip 2 pattern in Tutti Fruitti would also look fabulous on an armchair!


A linen Lemon Rope Throw Pillow available at Pieces in a neutral shade armchair would mimic Nisbet's inspirational look nicely.

Nisbet creates an upbeat modern white and raspberry girl's bedroom with bright accents in citron yellow, turquoise and orange. It's darling. Notice how she consciously places bits of yellow throughout the room, but not next to each other.

To achieve this look, simply add splashes of bright yellow and repeat it in small accessories once or twice. A Garden Stool would pull in the yellow accent color beautifully while being multifunctional - use it as a chair or table.


Pair the garden stool with accessories like this handmade, glazed ceramic Double Yellow Parrots to repeat the accent color. These darling feathered friends would look fabulous atop a contrasting side table, but would get lost if near or on the garden stool in the same hue.

In this chic contemporary living area, Nisbet pairs neutral walls and upholstered furniture with black and yellow accents. She selects dramatic golden floor length drapery - similar to Durlee's Sungold fabric below. Nisbet repeats the color in an armchair on the opposite side of the room and lamp shades placed throughout.



An upholstered chair is always a great place to add an accent color.

This romantic tufted Earl Chaise in citrus by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams would be a great choice.

Like in the Nisbet living room example, adding a table lamp like this Yellow Faux Bamboo Lamp is a perfect way to pull yellow accents to your room.

In this living room, Nisbet combines yellow with deep reds and neutrals to create a warm color palette. She has the wall painted a bright yellow while placing an area rug in a more subdued, muted tone. In addition, Nisbet splashes yellow accents in the throw pillows and ottoman.

This exquisite silk and wool Marigold Tulip Rug by Galbraith & Paul would be a lovely way to pull in a muted yellow tone into your room.

Nisbet creates a sunny breakfast nook by painting the walls and upholstering the bench and chairs in citron yellow. Love those lucite chairs!


Instead of paint, wallpaper is another option for adding color to your room's wall. I love this sweet Bumble Bee Wallpaper from Farrow & Ball and think it would look great in a breakfast nook.

Which of the cheeful rooms designed by Amanda Nisbet is your favorite?

*images from Amanda Nisbet, Pieces, Tonic Home, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, Duralee, Decorati

Meet David


Today I want you to meet David, my blogger colleague from Belgium! His blog The Neo Lifestyle is a beautiful blog about all beautiful things that inspire David.

Image on David's blog.


So he has written yet a lot of intresting articles , as of the apartment he lives in (here).



A view from David's apartment.



David dreams of ever living in a country house (here).

David's future country house interior.



He wrote about a party at the castle of Axel Vervoordt (here), about the beautiful Museum of Nissim de Camondo in Paris (here) and about the gorgeous Hotel Verhaegen in Ghent (here)




A party at the Castle of Axel Vervoordt




Museum de Nissim de Camondo


Hotel Verhaegen



And through his blog I learned to know the interior designers Sandra Nunnerley (here) and Garrow Kedigian (here).



Sandra Nunnerley




Garrow Kedigian




So please go to visit David's blog The Neo Lifestyle and enjoy all of his articles and beautiful images!




xx
Greet

all images The Neo Lifestyle blog

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Liquor bottle + Soap PUMP (not pourer) = pretty

I love Bombay Saphire gin bottles. Come to my house and you'll notice them on shelves, on display, etc - just love them. It started me thinking; could I find a useful purpose for them? My husband was against the idea of a glass bottle and pourer for dispensing dishwashing liquid (Martha Stewart's innovation), but since a hand soap pump is meant to be stationary I got the idea to combine a soap pump + gin bottle.The first picture is my second attempt - using the clear plastic pump from Trader Joe's Next to Godliness handsoap. I prefer the label left on because it's so pretty. Here's my first attempt - using the green pump from an old Cucina hand cream dispenser. This is the no label version for those who don't want to be constantly reminded the bottle used to contain gin. Both of the pumps fit perfectly on these screw-top gin bottles.

The tube from the Cucina hand cream was too short. However, you can solve that by adding a plastic straw over the original tube. Works perfectly. I have these shown in my kitchen but they are just as lovely in a master bathroom or powder room (not sure about the glass in a kid's bathroom.) Wouldn't the Bombay Sapphire bottle look beautiful on carrera marble?
Now I'm on the look-out for a pump dispenser for this very pretty Patron Citronge bottle. (Keep in mind the bottle needs to be a screw top style.)
Pairing bottles with pourers is one of Martha Stewart's Favorite It's a Good Thing. Maybe Dan will eventually change his mind...

Household Cleaning Tips and Chic Housewares From Alice Supply Co

It's a bummer and there's no way around it. Keeping your house clean is a chore. If you are falling behind on housecleaning it is time to create a schedule. Create a list of each chore that needs to be completed, how often and when (days/times). Post the list in a spot that you will see often - inside a kitchen cabinet, message board or daily planner. Sticking to the schedule will help you tackle those chores and keep your home clean.

In addition, I always advise my clients to try to make tasks as fun as possible. What better way than to use some super cute and chic houseware products from Alice Supply Co? The collection which includes dust pans, plungers, brooms and pails in vivid colors and designs was launched by fellow Californians, Maria Barnes and Raili Clasen. These women have brought serious style into the mundane world of domestic products. We thank you and we salute you!

What is next on your housecleaning chore list?

*images from Alice Supply Co.

Camerette - Modern Kids Bedrooms by Arredissima

Camerette - Modern Kids Bedrooms by Arredissima

Camerette - Modern Kids Bedrooms by Arredissima

Living Room with Stairways Design

Bedroom Interior Design

Monday, September 28, 2009

Binders - Organizing Medical Documents

Even in the good times managing paperwork can be demanding. When you're faced with a health issue however, it can be overwhelmingly and numbing. Creating a medical binder is a fairly easy DIY project, but in times of stress I would advise purchasing a pre-assembled binder like Button Up's The Medical.doc™. This comprehensive binder includes eight color-coded sections that make it easy to organize all of your important treatment information inlcuding diagnosis, treatment regimes, insurance filings and correspondence. Best yet, it is now on sale for $9.99 at FranklinCovey - a $20 savings!

Rest assure you have the have the information you need, so you can focus on what really matters - getting well.
* images from Buttoned Up