Spindle Back Chairs

Host restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark by Norm Architects.

Hyperion Public restaurant in Los Angeles, USA by Claire Stansfield

I love the use of the spindle back dining chairs in these two diverse restaurants from opposite sides of the world. I think there may be a childhood influence here as I seem to recall a similar chair when I was younger. The chairs rock in the black, whites and greys.
Photographs via Remodelista.

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Muuto by Petra Bindel and ATWTP

A cool collection of products from Scandinavian company, Muuto (the name inspired by the Finnish word, muutos which means 'new perspective') by photographer, Petra Bindel and All the Way to Paris.
Photographs via Petra Bindel.

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Trend Spotting - Bag O' Beans

OK, now for something fun!  I asked the talented Sophie Tardiff if she would put together some thoughts on a trend she is seeing in the interior design world.  Sophie is a writer and marketing guru, and she really has her finger on the pulse of cutting edge trends.  Sophie take it away . . . 

Hello Musers.  I am thrilled to be with you today talking about trend spotting.  When Mandi ask me what trends I was seeing in the interior design world, the first thought that came to mind was bean bag chairs.  While we all know they are amazingly comfortable, the bean bag chair is making a huge come back.  

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They’re soft and conform uniquely to your posture in any way you want to sit or lie on them. They’re like no other piece of furniture. 

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Comfort aside though, it can be easy to think of them as only for the playroom or child's bedroom.  What isn’t obvious is how chic they can be in the right setting.  They also come in so many different forms making them really versatile. Traditionally, bean bag chairs only came in spherical shapes which could be quite limiting. Nowadays, this is no longer the case.

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Square bean bag chairs can be morphed into body pillows, armchairs, or stools. Bean bag ottomans can be sprawled out to create sofas for several people to lounge on. Teardrop bean bags give more back support to emulate an armchair style.

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Different styles of bean bag chairs allow you to emulate existing furniture, which can eliminate an awkward juxtaposition if you intend to put them into a room with actual sofas and armchairs. Again, this is important for obtaining a chic result.

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The other thing to consider is colour and fabric choices. Stark black and white rooms work well with bean bag chairs in a solid bright color to create major impact in a space.  Flat fabric textures work with subdued leather couches, while bold glossy faux leathers can work in a retro 60’s style décor. Warm colours and rough spun fabrics give off a bohemian vibe. 

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You simply have to think outside the box and consider making an old favorite part of your current decor.  

Thanks Sophie for sharing your insight on a current trend!  Now let's get out there and take charge of our Monday!  M.

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Transition Spaces

Photo by Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer

Photo by Jenny Brandt

Hallways, stairwells and transitions spaces can sometime be forgotten or not treated with much care as the rest of the house. I like the lone chair sitting in these images above - they welcome you to sit down and just be. I'm going through a transition stage at the moment so these spaces really suit my mood.
Photographs via Emmas Blog.

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Project - Before and Afters

Sometimes it's hard to get motivated this time of year - with the holidays over and several cold months still ahead of us.  The great news is this is the perfect time of year to restyle your rooms.  Just to give you a little inspiration, I thought I would share a project I've been working on over the last few months.  

I've shared a few pictures of this project with you here earlier, but this week we worked on finishing up. And just in time since the couple is hosting an engagement party this weekend! 

I have restyled almost every room in this house and it has been a ton of fun for me.  But what I wanted to show you today is their family room/den.  I did not take pictures of where this room began (sorry), but here is the initial "After" of the space (btw, the walls were red, so we picked this warm vanilla color to lightened up the space). 

Here is a view of the opposite direction.  These are all items the couple already had in their home - just moved from other rooms for a fresh look.  

Once we finished the restyle, I sourced some additional items should she choose to enhance the space in the future. 

So, a couple of weeks ago, my client called to tell me her husband was taking the leather chair to his office (yeah!!) and that she wanted to purchase the new pieces for the space. 

So, here's the Second After . . .  new chairs.  The slipper chairs moved to the basement/media room; and with the large leather recliner out of the picture, we were able to select a pair of larger scale chairs to fill this space.

And this is the wall with the leather chair.

So what's new you ask?  The console table (found at a consignment shop for a deal) here in town.  I love that this piece visually fills this large wall while it's narrow profile keeps the path to the door clear.  The chairs are from Bernhardt and are a very high quality chair for the money.    Lastly, we purchased the crackle finished plates.  These are a clever way to give you an entire wall of artwork without breaking the bank.  All the rest - lamps, mirror, wall brackets, etc. were pulled from other areas of the home. 

Notice the coffee table is different, we traded the coffee tables with the living room for a change.  I think the glass top makes the space feel bigger.  So, by purchasing a few key pieces, the space has been completely transformed.  

Hopefully, this will encourage you to move some furniture this weekend?!  Have a great one.  M.

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Fabulous New Chair from ES Design

Here is a fabulous new chair that my client chose and ordered from the amazing archives by ES Design (they have a great selection of vintage chairs to choose from, which they can restore and re-upholstered). After we chose a fabric that was no longer available (ah yes, that sometimes happens!), my client decided on this fantastically graphic yellow fabric. The chair has come up beautifully and if you go to the ES Design blog here, you can see the transformation from before to after.
Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

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Minty Green

As spotted on Habitually Chic - fresh minty green on the walls and the revered Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen in caramel brown within a traditional setting - what a combination!
Photograph via Habitually Chic.

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Wingback Chair and a History Lesson

I am enjoying this interior corner scene with its modern wingback chair and the yellow accent rug. Isn't it lovely?
This is from DwellStudio and the rather stylish chair is called Cooper. The Dwell Studio blog has a brief article which explains how the wingback chair came about - go on, read it here and give yourself a little design history lesson.
Photograph via DwellStudio

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Yellow TWD Stool by Tim Webber

This sunny yellow TWD stool by Tim Webber Design caught my eye the other day. The colour is just fantastic - it would bring any room to life. This elegant stool made of solid ash would be so handy not only as seating but also as a side table for a sofa or bed. It comes in two heights (470mm and 650mm) to suit whatever use you have in mind and it is being released this month so keep an eye out for it.
Photographs via Tim Webber Design.

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You Look Just Like Someone I Know

 I found these great look-a-likes while sourcing furnishings for a design plan and thought I would share them with you.  

Formal Dining

These classic French chairs will never EVER go out of style.

The original in all it's yumminess. . . 

Danielle Chair

($350.00 each)

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Now for the look-a-likes . . .

Vintage French Square

($199.00 on sale right now at RH)

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Preston Carved Oak Side Chairs

$194.00 (with $2.95 shipping on entire order!)

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Inspiration . . . as if you need any for these beauties!

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Informal Dining

Wicker chairs add so much great texture to a casual dining area both inside and out.

The original - love the gray tones of the wicker.

Laila Arm Chair

($425.00 each)

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The look-a-like . . . 

KooBoo Wicker Chair

($149.99)

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Some inspiration . . . 

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No one will ever know the difference! 

Happy Monday. M.

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