Tag Archives: Design
Things We Like: Bedroom Armoires
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
One of my favorite pieces of bedroom furniture, apart from the bed itself, has to be the armoire. Stately, solid, beautiful, and functional, these handcrafted (often antique) works of art have been an integral component of a well-furnished bedroom for hundreds of years. Armoires are similar to what we think of as dressers, but with a few notable differences: armoires are taller than they are wide, do not include a mirror (though some newer armoires may have mirrored paneling on the cabinet doors), and feature a large, two-door cabinet that you can hang clothes inside of (dressers contain only drawers).
Armoires were borne out of necessity, since closets weren’t common in homes until recently. The word armoire originates from the Latin word “armorium,” which was a chest used by Roman soldiers to store their arms. The modern day armoire was first developed in France during the early 1500s, and quickly became cherished family heirlooms used to store valuables (mostly textiles).
You can read an interesting piece about armoires from the Nov. 19, 1985 edition of the Dispatch, here.
Armoires were very popular in the United States during the 1990s. Not wanting their bulky television set to be on permanent display, many households purchased oversized armoires—often high dollar antiques—to hide their bedroom electronics. Today, ultra-thin LED televisions and wireless components have made hiding technology much less of a chore, which has brought down the market premium on antique armoires making them more affordable than they once were.
While you aren’t likely to be storing a television inside armoire today, they remain very versatile pieces of furniture that can serve as the focal point of your bedroom. Whether you need additional space to store your clothes, linens, or books, armoires still have a place in the modern home. Best of all, they come in almost unlimited shapes, styles, and sizes so you’re sure to find one that fits your bedroom design. Construction methods have also evolved, making armoires much easier to move (in pieces) than earlier armoires that could only be moved as a complete unit.
You can see some more armoire eye candy over at Houzz.
How do you, or would you put an armoire to use in your bedroom? Share your ideas in the comments below.
Bedroom Design: Guest Sheets
Post by Laura Cheng.
The holidays are here and so are the out of town friends and family. (To the tune of It’s Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas”) My home is beginning to look alot like a bed and breakfast. That means the guest bedroom is getting its fair share of use. And so are the sheets. As a hostess, it may be impossible to maintain as sanitary a home as I like during the holidays, but golly, those sheets sure will be comfortable! Having a lovely, inviting bed is important to me, so let’s talk sheets! Here are my current top 3 contenders currently making their rounds in my guest bedroom.
I have a set of Raymond Waites bedding and it sets the par for comfort. There is some truth to a higher thread count, but I haven’t bought into the hype. A magnificent number (usually followed by a magnificent price tag) does not always indicate comfort for me. At 300 thread count, it is the perfect set not only to lay out for guests, but also for everyday use. I find the designs to be neutral enough for any guest bedroom without being boring. I love the fact that it can be reasonably and easily purchased. A quick trip to Bed Bath and Beyond or Bloomingdale’s and score!
Also on my top 3 list is Land’s End No Iron Supima Sateen Sheets. The use of the phrase “no iron” is enough for me to embrace these sheet sets faster than a frozen turkey can explode in a deep fryer. With cooking, cleaning, and entertaining on my mind, the last thing I need to add on to the list is ironing. Any company can market that term, but these sheets really stand up to the test. Land’s End also gets an additional plus in my book because they sell sheets in hard to find Twin-XL size.
For any discerning guest who favors elegance and luxury, I lay out Charles P. Rogers’s 400 Thread Count Prima Cotton Sheets. It’s not easy for dark colors to make it out of a washing machine alive, alive and vibrant, but I have these in the sesame color and they really shine, wash after wash. These sheets are extra roomy. With other sheet sets, I find it harder to get my bed dressed than my toddler. And the bed doesn’t squirm or talk back! Not so with this sheet set. Even on my pillow-topped mattresses, there is ample room still left. Where other pillowcases squish the stuffing in my king sized pillows into shape, theses allow them float and drift happily. And this makes me a happy hostess.
Source: http://www.charlesprogers.com/400-thread-count-prima-cotton-sheets-p-107.html?cPath=3_17
Things We Like: Spanish Colonial Revival
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
Having just returned home from a long weekend at Death Valley National Park, I have to say that it’s nothing short of awesome. Whether you’re a geologist who wants to be stumped or a tourist looking to escape from the ordinary, Death Valley offers something for everyone. I wasn’t as excited as I should have been to visit at first, but now that we’re home I find myself wanting for dry desert air and tranquility that Los Angeles simply cannot provide. I highly recommend you consider seeing it for yourself.
One of the more popular attractions in Death Valley is Scotty’s Castle, which is sometimes referred to as the Hearst Castle of the desert. Formally called Death Valley Ranch, Scotty’s Castle got its name from one of Death Valley’s most famous inhabitants, Walter Scott —a con man of sorts. You can read more about the story here.
Scotty’s Castle was built in a Mission Revival/Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style, which I’ve long been a fan of. Although, I usually lump the general style into what I call “Mediterranean looking homes.” My girlfriend, on the other hand, is not as much of a fan of this style. However, after visiting Scotty’s Castle, we finally agreed that it would make a superb looking home.
While my future home likely won’t be as grand as Scotty’s Castle, there are a number of important elements inherent to any Mission Revival/Spanish Colonial style home: white plaster or stucco walls, exposed wooden beams, red clay roofs, iron trim, decorative terracotta floor tiles, and a relatively open floor plan.
The furnishings in a Mission Revival home are equally as important as the architecture. The furniture should be predominantly made of solid wood, complimented with rich, earth-colored fabrics. And since tile floors and stucco walls can be a bit cold on there own, you’ll want to use decorative rugs and heavy fabric window treatments to add some much needed warmth.
In the bedroom, a wooden or wrought iron bedframe works best, and plush bedding helps soften the sharp lines of the bed. Iron wall sconces and floor lamps are also a great way to enhance the look of your Mission Revival home while adding some much needed light. To me, you can’t go wrong erring towards more gothic/medieval style lighting options that look like they came out of an old European castle. To really tie the whole look together, think about sticking with a consistent theme throughout the home. For example, all of the iron trimming in Scotty’s Castle featured a dragon; a relatively small detail that really stood out once noticed.
Since the possibilities of designing your own Mission Revival home are endless, the best way to perfect the look in your own home is to see what other designers have done. Houzz has an excellent gallery of Mission Revival homes to admire.
What’s your favorite architectural style? Did I miss any important elements of Mission Revival? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Bedroom Design: WAKE UP!
Post by Erin Sears.
Cock-a-doodle-doo! Huh? Cock-a-doodle-doo! What? COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO! Awakened by a rooster? I’m upset. I live in a city. Portland, Oregon to be exact. I know that many of us in the city are currently half-courting, half-sneering at our Portlandia driven fame and I know that urban farming is popular here, but a ROOSTER? Seriously? No. How quickly can I google Portland Chicken Ordinance (we have one) and turn that piece of poultry in to the authorities? I’ll put a bird on him…
These are my very grumpy thoughts as I try to will myself from my bed over to the computer. Just then, I hear my neighbor getting out of his bed on the other side of the wall (yes, quarters are THAT close) and I suddenly realize that the rooster noise was coming from his place. It occurs to me that what I was hearing was not a live animal, but rather an app on my neighbor’s phone. Damn. I guess you can take the guy out of Nebraska, but you can’t take Nebraska out of the guy.
Here are some neighbor friendly AND design friendly ideas for alarm clocks:
Source: http://www.designsponge.com/2010/05/diy-project-faceted-alarm-clock.html
This is the DIY faceted wood alarm clock from Design*Sponge. Use it to creatively cover up your conventional digital alarm clock. As I am geometrically challenged, the plans are too complicated for me, but I’m sure you can handle it.
Source: www.chapters.indigo.ca
While traveling in Alaska many years ago, my dad asked for a wake-up call at a hotel. They handed him a clock with ringer bells. Here’s a new version of this classic. White on white. Ghost love.
Source: http://www.pbteen.com/products/bright-side-alarm-clock/?pkey=cclocks-phones-all
I want all of these! These inexpensive silicone encased clocks can add that much needed punch of color to any room.
Source: https://www.canoeonline.net/shop/inspect/punkt-alarm-clock/3329
I appreciate the sleek and simple design of this analog clock. It would look right at home in your modern bedroom and it is battery operated, so you don’t have to worry about pesky electricity.
Source: http://mmminimal.com/minimal-ring-alarm-clock-designed-for-couples/
And for something a little different… a futuristic alarm clock you can wear!
Sweet dreams, lovelies!
Bedroom Design: Branching Out
Post by Laura Cheng.
In my spare time, I shop. Mostly online shopping during the wee hours of the night. Insomnia shopping is dangerous. Items that I don’t recall purchasing find themselves on my doorstep. Stores that I have visited recently include Anthropologie, West Elm, and Pottery Barn. These stores actually have more things in common than my credit card. They all have items that are featured in my blog this week about branch decor. A companion to my leaf decor blog a couple of week ago, branches are showcasing themselves within the bedroom as a natural and interesting alternative to decorating this fall. In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, there was definitely not a shortage of fallen tree limbs. Inspired by mother nature and my shopping addiction, and not to mention Veteran’s Day is today, this week’s blog is a eulogy to all the fallen branches.
Towards this end of Anthropologie’s winter catalog, you will find this masculine water pitcher. Its antler like branches mean business. The Surroyal Pitcher is a creative alternative to the plastic water bottle that I tote to bed to alleviate any late night thirst. If not used as a pitcher, it could also be used a vase on the nightstand.
Source: http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-serve/A25768599.jsp
Branch decor can be in many different widths and thicknesses. Sandy’s aftermath brought down not only limbs, but entire trees. Throughout my neighborhood, tree trunks were being piece-mealed for disposal. What a shame to see such organically beautiful trunks being tossed out as mulch when retailers such as West Elm are selling them for close to $200. Stumps can be used alongside the bed in lieu or in addition to existing nightstands. The latter will give you the extra real estate space you need to set down Anthropolgie’s branch pitcher above.
Source: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/white-bedding?before=1345787771
At Pottery Barn Kids, Christmas is in full effect. Despite the overwhelming Christmas decor, the four poster tree branch bed was the only thing that kept my attention. Close up, the tree trunk was the perfect selection and texture of gray and white. It was attached to the headboard and footboard of a simple oak bed using nautical rope. Truly inspiring considering similar types of branches are currently being tossed as rubbish. Despite the havoc that Sandy caused, there is still beauty to be seen in it, even in the bedroom.
