“Boho Chic” – Finally a real trend!

I have been waiting for this trend to make it’s way into the home furnishing market! If you have a bit of gypsy color in your blood, then you will love this new collections from  Norwalk Furniture:

                                                              “BOHO CHIC” 

 Street Art, graffiti, celebrities, and even some “1960’s cop-an-attitude” come together to create this mischievous, sophisticated look.

Nothing is too cute here, thankfully. Norwalk did a great job of keeping the look just gritty enough to stay on the edgy side. 

If you like what you see here, you will love the “real deal”!  Watch this video and then come on down to the store! See you soon!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/9s9DHn_Iccg

 

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

PS  Norwalk is an American company – made in Ohio.

STILETTO: Heel? Dagger? or Table?

Stiletto!

Brian Cummins photo

The Italian word “stiletto” comes from the Latin stilus meaning: “a stake; a pointed instrument”(from Wikipedia).

A stiletto heel is a long, thin, high heel found on some boots and shoes, usually for women first being introduced in the 1930’s… It is named after the stiletto dagger(also Wikipedia).

Interestingly, the  high heeled shoes were first introduced in Italy, as was the dagger by the same name.

 

Now comes Thomasville! 

Using a metal with soft undertones of both gold and silver, they have styled a collection of tables to live up to the name, Stiletto!

With its classic retro look these tables will add an edge to your casual, centemporary, great room or living room. If it’s  glamorous Hollywood and girlie that fits your definition of stiletto or if it’s more cutting edge and masculine, it doesn’t matter – the Stiletto  collection will work! 

The striking Stiletto collection of tables are on our show room floor, so come and check them out!

You see,  it doesn’t matter if your defintion is to  strut it,  to stab it, or to  add a layer of some smart bling , the very idea of Stiletto is sharp.

 

 Take one more step.

Add the functional and ornamental Stiletto collection to your well dressed home.  

 

   Dianne Ross

Interior Designer / Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

What the Heck is WENGE? (trending now!)

 

 This WENGE is an old post, but because it gets so many hits I’m sending it over the waves one more time!

Enjoy!!

 

 

According to Wikipedia, the word wenge, (pronounced ‘whenj’) when referring to color means a rich brown color with copper undertones.

According to most Iowans, however it is a word pronounced  ‘wen-gay’ and refers to a piece of furniture or a wood finish color.

 Now it gets even more confusing because wenge is a wood color and it is an actual wood species. First things first: The furniture industry has identified the color as nearly black, in other words, ‘espresso’. So, now you need to know your coffee colors in order to describe the object of your desire. Remember it is the color of espresso, not latte, not cappuccino.

 Ready for more international brain teasing? Guess where it comes from.  Sounds rather French, but if you guessed that you’d be wrong. (Well, not all wrong if you are remembering the Republique d Zaire`. But you probably aren’t thinking that.)  It is indigenous to small African countries, such as Zaire. Even the name of Zaire adds to the global mystic of wenge when you consider it derives from the Portuguese. And by the way, the correct Latin name for wood species is Leguminosae.

 Meanwhile, back in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we carry a handsome furniture line from Italy. Calligaris. This fine company has all the wenge you could ever want! Calligaris specializes in clean, uninterrupted lines. Very fresh, sleek, and modern.

 So, to continue with one more furniture trend for 2010, I give you a Calligaris contemporary bedroom setting (above photo). Best of all, I give you WENGE! 

 Now, I’m off to sign up for a geography class and get my passport renewed.

 

 I’m thinking I should hit Starbucks on the way.

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer / Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

glammmmma – Hollywood Decor 2009

 

Here is the look of a sophisticated bedroom with the flair of

Hollywood Regency. . . Glammmma!

Note the detail of black silk cording which highlights the curvy shape of  the upholstered head board. Smooth. The pillow fabrics have a metallic lustre – not a shine.

 

 

It just looks like shadows in a rococo moonlight!

 The shimmering paisley print, as well as the geometric diamond pattern (in the color of gun metal!) give the room a decidely masculine edge. Most people think the Glam look is exclusively feminine. Not so. Not even close.

Now the bedding reveals itself dressed up in a tidy black and seapearl pin stripe. Nice.

 Even though the setting is elegant, with the look of old Hollywood extravagance, it retains a superb relaxed and snob-free attitude. Achieving this technique is often difficult in interior design. Everything about this bedroom says

 “Touch me”, rather than saying “hands off.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollywood Revival look.

The romantic flavor spills into the sitting area. The space was well planned by choosing the sparkling bling of glass, lustred accent pieces, plush fabrics on the sofa, and repetition of monochromatic colors.

 

 The whole idea of injecting Hollywood Glam into our homes is to have fun and to acknowledge the romantic in each of us.  Even so, keep in mind that neither function nor creature comforts, can ever be thrown to the wind. Planning is key.

 Nilly Willy doesn’t live here.

This is the look of handsome leading men

and confident leading ladies.

 An artistic balance of ideas and precise implementation is always the sign of smart interior design.    

These two rooms are on our show room floor.

glammmmma!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

 

Exposed Leg or Skirted?

  Ivanka Trump showing some skirt AND exposed leg!

 

 I really have a tough time passing up a cheap shot.  But it’s such a cool photo. Okay, okay – I know –

On this blog we are supposed to be talking about furniture!

Sorry. Back to business!

Previously, we have been talking about WHAT defines a quality-built sofa and  WHY to buy a quality-built sofa, so maybe we should just take a quick little peek at some options. Options are choices that quality sofa manufactures offer in the way of design elements.

So what are these exposed legs and skirted pieces all about?

Today I promise not to be wordy! Let’s look at pictures, instead.

Exposed leg:  Wooden or Metal legs showing. Several styles  are available beginning with the clean look of a  Tapered Leg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course there are Queen Anne legs, French legs, and Chippendale legs, but next I’ll show you a sofa leg called a foot. It’s quite low to the ground, it’s round, and it’s called a Bun Foot

One more (leg) foot coming up. This style can be utilized in nearly any type of setting. It doesn’t really make any type of design statement other than it is harmonious: A Wedge Foot

And the last image for today is the standard skirted sofa – well, almost standard. This one is called a Waterfall Skirt because it falls to the floor without any horizontal seams. It is fluid and quite elegant. Sorry, I’m getting wordy again.

All of these styles are from Thomasville,  just one of our custom vendors. There are other choices of exposed legs and skirts, as well. Take a peek online or stop in and check out the show room! We’d love to show you our exposed legs and skirts!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/ Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

Couch, Couch, SOFA

Know the difference?! Let me explain . . .

First of all, anything you see on the curb definitely qualifies as a COUCH!

 

Another qualification is a piece that takes on the personality of the Incredible Hulk. It’s too big, too muscular, awkward in most environments, and not necessarily green.

 See what I’m talking about?

 

Distinguishing characteristics of a COUCH can also include

(but are not limited to)

Ugly fabrics:

 Stripes and plaids that don’t even come close to matching up, floral patterns that look like they’d be better served as a casket lining, anything  lavender.

I think I make my point.

 

?SOFA?

A SOFA is a piece made with care, preferably with American hands.

The construction tells a quality story.

The design is simple – whether it be contemporary or classic.

The proportions are designed  for human comfort.

 The tailoring is spot on.

Here are but 2 beautiful examples. Designed by Candice Olson and

made in the U.S.A.

Notice the contrasting welt (outline) on each of these pieces. I showed it just for grins. These sofas are available with matching welts but it doesn’t cost a penny more to add this contrasting design element!

I will include one more SOFA in this blog. It is the classic traditional sofa, who some would say is boring. I say, not necessarily so!

It’s simple in style, well constructed, beautifully tailored, and still maintains it’s 2009 attitude!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer /Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

serious METALLIC EMBELLISHMENTS – ceramic tile

           Let’s see – where were we before Valentine’s Day interrupted our mental design flow?

 Oh yes – ( now we have put that to rest! ) we were exploring options in the world of tile: ceramic tile, stone, granite, limestone,  porecelain,  glass, metal,etc. Today I want to give you one more serious idea.

 Do you want to have some fun with a tile project?

**EMBELLISH**

Think metal.

Think seriously fun!

 Use metal tiles over a large expanse of walls or pare it down to the backsplash, or use it more sparingly as an appreciated piece of fine art. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Scroll down and see  actual products available as embellishment pieces. When these items are decided upon, quite often the design idea behind it is to repeat other metal objects in the room. . . stainless steel appliances, perhaps, or maybe an oiled bronze chandelier. Go wherever your imagination leads you. 

But, pay attention here: USE CAUTION when embellishing. The metal accents are serious pieces to add. 

If you walk into a kitchen and the backsplash screams,

“LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME!”

then you have made a mistake. You want to add an ornamental element inside your scheme. Balance, balance, balance, is always the goal. You wouldn’t wear ALL your jewelry at one time, would you? Same, same. Observe the power in these accent pieces.

 

 

 The bathroom below is staged in the simplest of fashion. The metallic tile is crisp  and unfettered. The look is uptown, yet prudent , and completely wild with style!

 It is just one more way to use metallic tile. And notice there is no overkill in the design. Because the metal tile packs such a visual punch it is capable of holding its own and holding your attention.

No fou-fou required.

 

Stop in the store to see more seriously fun metallic tile!

FYI: In Hiawatha you can see many of these embellishments installed on  the display floor of WOODHARBOR DESIGN SHOWROOM,

located at  1737 Boyson Road.

Be sure to mention that you read about it here !

ENJOY! 

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

Travertine: one type of stone tile

TRAVERTINE

casual, relaxing, and inviting

 

     THREE  BEAUTIES

 

 “Commonly found in Southern Europe, travertine is a stone that is earthy, rich and warm – a classic beauty in colors ranging from subtle creams to dark browns, reds and golds.

 

 

Travertine is a perfect choice for any setting – warm, cool, or neutral. Find it in tumbled, chiseled, honed, or straight-edge styles. Use it on floors, walls, or backsplash.”  

Quoted from: Tile –  Design in Style ’08 Ultimate Resource Guide

 

Find more photos on line  by visiting daltile.com.

Find the real deal in Phelan’s show room.

 

Next week we will continue with LIMESTONE and SLATE.

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

BLING it on HOME with glass tile!

 

 

 Look at these cabinets with the back-splash done in glass tiles from Daltile. Bling as elegant as a flawless diamond. It begs a second look. These are white iridescent tiles. See the mercury glass pieces on the counter top? Notice the icy crystals on the chandelier?    Bling it on home!

KraftMaid Stock photo

Actually this kitchen does look somewhat like a wedding cake! Not prissy. Not fussy. Not trashy. But rather, it is well thought out, perfectly executed, shimmering BLING.

Tiles have come a long way in the past 5 years, just as the word bling (or phrase Bling Bling) is now formally recognized in the dictionary! It wasn’t there 10 years ago. Originally referring to jewelry only, the word has morphed in definition and direction,  which now includes home accessories.

 “Hollywood Glam” is part of our everyday vocabulary and everybody wants a little piece of it! Glimmer and shimmer are living among us and they are not going away. They are getting bolder as they mainstream into our decorating schemes. Surprisingly affordable, glass tile and metallic colored ceramics have joined glass block to shimmer in bathrooms and kitchens.

People are drawn to things that sparkle. It’s a part of our nature. It’s pleasing and energizing. Take a trip to Daltile.com and look at the the glorious glass and metallic colors available in ceramic tile.

When it stops snowing – or BECAUSE it is still snowing – stop into our showroom to see  and touch these sparklies for yourself! Then BLING it on home! No one really NEEDS a fabulous diamond, but kitchens and bathrooms are pretty much a part of our daily lives. Why not make them as glamorous as possible?!

More next week on natural stone tile. . . .or would you rather see more about home accessories in the category of BLING? 

Drop me a Blog to make your wishes known.

 

Okay,  I just couldn’t stop myself with this tile! Here is yet another photo of drop-dead-gorgeous iridescent tile. ENJOY!

 

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634