Details #3 - Fabrics and Fibers

This is the third of a five-part, first week of the month series with The Decorating Diva. Each of the five Details editions will focus on a single room detail that can make a huge difference in the success of that space's style.

Last month we looked at faucets. This segment focuses on fabrics and fibers. Never underestimate the power of terrific textiles to enhance the look of a room. To see what I mean, try to imagine the chandelier in this kitchen with naked bulbs.

Kitchen designed by Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS

Such an unfinished look would totally detract from the otherwise pulled-together room. Fabrics can quickly, easily and often inexpensively update a room. Consider replacing your oven mitt and dish towels, your tablecloth, place mats and napkins. You can get yourself "new" kitchen chairs by slipcovering them. You can minimize an unappealing floor with a throw rug. You can dress up a basic light fixture by adding shade covers to your bare bulbs. You can even swap out the shades seasonally.

Here are some great fabrics and fibers to consider for your kitchen, even if you're not planning a major redo. Small touches can make a big difference!

Outdoor rugs like this Crewel Floral from Ballard Designs offer easy-clean Sensible Style for your kitchen!

Soften the look and feel of your kitchen chairs with a new cushion, this Tempo pad is from Pierre Deux

Coordinate your window covering to the style of your room, as this London Fabric Shade from Smith+Noble so beautifully does for this kitchen.

They're going to get seen at some point, so pick out pretty oven mitts. This Marseille style from Williams-Sonoma has coordinating dish towels, too.

Give your old chairs the slip! A great camouflage like this Dining Room Loose-Fit Slipcover from Pottery Barn gives you a new look for less.

Dress up your breakfast nook with new napkins and placemats from World Market's Krishna Medallion Textile Collection.

Or go contemporary with these texture-rich, neutral Z Gallerie Hyacinth Placemats.

Here are three essential points about kitchen textiles that you should consider:

* Are the table linens or chair slipcovers you're considering machine washable? If they're dry clean only, they may not fit your lifestyle.
* If you're updating your window coverings, keep in mind the amount of privacy and light control that you require, as well as the overall style of the room.
*If you're adding a throw rug, be sure to include a nonslip pad underneath to minimize the chance of a slip or fall.


Enjoy the entire Details series!

Details #1 - The Lighting Edition
Details #2 - The Faucet Edition
Details #3 - Fabrics and Fibers
Details #4 - The Hardware Edition
Details #5 - Finishing Touches

Color Notes: Orange Crush

Welcome to the latest Color Notes posting. The purpose of this series is to share inspiring products and helpful ideas for the many hues you might want to incorporate into your home's design scheme. One of my colleagues - the talented and lovely Nikki Harmon - is planning colors for her new apartment, so I asked her whether she'd prefer to see Orange or Green noted next. Her answer was a resounding "Orange," so here you go!


Why orange?

Orange blends the warmth of red and yellow, the two primary colors that come together to create it. So you can pretty much use it in the same rooms you'd use either of those shades - e.g., kitchens, dining rooms, home office, study, laundry room.

A deep pumpkin will enhance a library or study. A bright citrus can add a kick to a teen's room or a man cave.


Where not to go orange

I'd avoid orange in a bedroom, as its red tones might cause sleeplessness. I'd also avoid it in a bath or study intended for relaxation. I also wouldn't pair orange with mid-tone woods like golden oak, as the look will just go muddy.


I love orange with...

Pink and purple

As seen in this Monkeyin' Around Sun N Shade fabric from Waverly

Olive, brown and cream

Shown here in Modwall's Lush Tile blend


Navy and pale green

Seen here in this reproduction poster


Organic Matchstick Sateen Shams at West Elm

Orange you excited?

How daring do you feel today? Here are some awesome orange goodies to consider for your favorite room in the house...

Sit pretty on this Egg Chair at Design within Reach


Or on Pottery Barn's Olivia Sofette


Or in Z Gallerie's Soho Pavilion

Go exotic with Gump's Orange Dragon Garden Stool


West Elm's Embroidered Ethnic Duvet Covers

Or Wisteria's Moorish Chest

Go retro with Urban Outfitters' Jet Set Storage Bench
(Reminds me of the 1950s sofa and chairs I grew up with!)


Pottery Barn's Argyle Knit Euro Shams


An Authentic 1960s Phone from Naked Decor, (formerly Home Republic)


Or Urban Outfitters' Velvet Pouf Pillow


Go mod with Jonathan Adler's Capri Bottle Lamp

This surprising Jupiter Bistro Table on Bed, Bath & Beyond's site

An Orange Lacquer Bath Ensemble, also at Bed, Bath & Beyond


Target.com's Pod Chair


Caesarstone's Warm Red Countertops

Enjoy the entire Color Notes series...

Color Notes: A Red-time Story
Color Notes: A Room Full of Blues
Color Notes: The White Album
Color Notes: Purple Haze
Color Notes: Orange Crush
Color Notes: Green Day

Color Notes: Purple Haze

Welcome to the fourth Color Notes posting. The purpose of this series is to share inspiring products and helpful ideas for the many hues you might want to incorporate into your home's design scheme.

Last month, I kicked off this new series with Red, White and Blue, in honor of the Fourth of July. At that time, I also posted a poll on your next requested color. Lavender won, beating out black, orange and green. So this Color Notes will focus on lavender and its close relatives, lilac, plum, violet and purple, with thanks to my dear friend and flower enthusiast, Cilla, for suggesting it! Shown here is Benjamin Moore's Lavender Lipstick.



Why lavender?

Lavender is associated with the fragrant and relaxing properties of its namesake flower. It is treasured for its beauty and scent, and adds a soft richness to any room it accents. Lavender can be a wonderful hue for a bedroom or bath, as well as a nursery. Its darker relatives, plum, violet and purple would add cool drama to a living room, master suite or formal dining room.


Where not to go lavender

I'd avoid this shade in a boy's bedroom, as it often feels more feminine than masculine. I'd also avoid it in a work room, as its lulling qualities may hinder productivity!


I adore lavender with...

Apple green and white

As shown here in this Alessa Quilt and
coordinated bedding from Pine Cone Hill

Turquoise and pink

On their Bisley cream/green/lilac fabric

Tangerine

As shown on this Teleflora rose bouquet

Tans and taupes
Like those in this Kravet Heather Funtini fabric

And muted yellows and greys
As shown here on Eileen Fisher's
raw silk pillow covers for Garnet Hill

Lavender, lilac, plum, violet and purple delights

I loved collecting these aubergine treasures. Hope you enjoy them, too! Please let me know if you decide to get any for your home -- send pictures!

Savor these cool and crisp linens from Restoration Hardware

Go plush with this plummy tufted chaise on
Urban Outfitters' site

Spiff up your cabinets with these violet glass pulls
from Restoration Hardware

This relaxed linen bedding from Garnet Hill
just begs to be napped on!

Reflect your originality in this Novica mirror
at Cost Plus World Market

Can't you just picture this Carmen Pillow from Crate & Barrel
resting on a natural linen chaise!

Luxe up your living room with
Horchow's luscious Olivia chair

Stir up tradition with Kravet's House Party - Plum fabric

Or mellow out with Z Gallerie's Mini Orchid Votives

Let's wrap up the posting with this scrumptious
Zambia Throw, also from Z Gallerie

Enjoy the entire Color Notes series...

Color Notes: A Red-time Story
Color Notes: A Room Full of Blues
Color Notes: The White Album
Color Notes: Purple Haze
Color Notes: Orange Crush
Color Notes: Green Day

Garden Stools -- Not Just for Gardens Anymore!

I’ve never been a gardener, but I’ve long enjoyed the versatile appeal of garden stools! Maybe you’ve heard of these clever items -- sometimes called drum tables -- as they’ve gained quite a following lately. (It’s both frustrating and vindicating to see them show up as the design tool du jour everywhere I look lately!)

I thought I’d share these flexible seating-occasional table-plant stand-pedestals with you, my readers, as they are a wonderfully colorful, clever way to decorate both your outdoor and indoor spaces!

Here are a few of my recent faves:

From Art & Artifact,
a pair of Lattice Garden Stools combines to serve as a coffee table grouping



At West Elm, their Morroccan Drum Table doubles as a nightstand



Wisteria features
go-anywhere Metallic Chinese Garden Stools in silver and gold



Pottery Barn takes their Ceramic Garden Stool
back outside as a chaise end table

Z Gallerie kicks it up a notch!
Palmer Stools in green or orange add energy to your indoor or outdoor living spaces



Williams Sonoma Home goes traditional
with Decorative Floral Embossed Floral Garden Seat
serving as a side table



While FineGardenProducts.com goes modern
with Angular Ceramic Garden Seat in five colors


Tonic Home gets a little wild
with the Zebra Garden Stool working as a plant stand
(note - photo from Ballard Designs, which is no longer carrying the item)



HOMEdeco-direct makes it rustic
Cinnabar Ceramic Garden Stool could bring Asian flair to country cabin

Coming Soon to Gold Notes:

4/8 Kosher Kitchens - Inspired by Passover Celebration
4/22 Green Theme for Earth Day