Unique Unique Design

In the last House Beautiful issue, I saw an advertisement for the coolest chairs. So, I thought I’d do this blog on some other great chairs out there. I’d have a hard time picking favorites, but I usually am drawn to really comfy…the kind you want to settle down in and read a book with hot cup of tea…or french chairs with worn off paint covered in linen or maybe burlap, or a more contemporary chair that just has a wonderful style or shape. Of course, all of the above have different functions, so I am not trying to compare apples to oranges. This is mainly about picking chairs that I find appealing and, of course, this is a minute sampling. So, sit a spell and tell me which ones you find appealing.

 

ruby beets as in house beautiful

I just love the look of these acrylic ballroom chairs. Not sure how comfortable they are to sit in very long, but they would look fabulous around so many different types and styles of tables.

 

unique unique design

These are probably from the 30’s or 40’s. They’ve been recovered in a linen/cotton fabric. Note how the arms are on opposite sides. Love the channel backs.

 

unique unique design

A pair of vinyl and chrome chairs would work well in a mid-century setting. (or not!)

 

windsor smith home website

This chair has great lines and the black leather is very classy.

 

1st option

This cane chair is pretty OK, too!!

 

unique unique design

A different look for this french style cane back chair.

 

photo: carlos domenech  veranda

You want color? How about this lovely rococo revival chair covered in a beautiful linen fabric.

 

unique unique design

Here’s another acrylic chair. This one folds…quite handy.

 

photo: tim street-porter  house beautiful

How wonderful is this Louis XIV fauteuil sitting in front of the fabulous charcoal taffeta curtains!! A pretty picture to be sure.

 

dienst and dotter website

Very modern, but I think this is so different. The shape is just amazing. And a set of these shiny metal chairs would look soo good around an old wooden table.

 

The ballroom chairs are the reason I got going on chairs. I didn’t even get to any wonderfully comfy slipcovered chairs. Mainly, because my scanner started acting up! Modern technology usually wins out when I disagree with what it is doing!   Oh, well!

Glad you could join the “sit in” for a bit. Have a good one!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayron and my children have been out of the house for many years. We aren’t so much into decorating for halloween now. Fall is a wonderful time of year as there is a nip in the air, colors change, plants prepare for winter months. We prefer to acknowledge these changes with a more subtle approach. Nuts, fruits, vegetables, branches, flowers in fall colors, pumpkins in whites or grays, deep purples and pear greens, and even white flowers or berries can give the feeling of fall without as much of the commercial aspect thrown in. Now don’t get me wrong…if you are one that likes to go all out with jack ‘o lanterns, spiders, turkeys, etc. because you have young children at home or grandchildren close by or maybe you are just a big kid yourself, Yeah! for you. If we all did the same thing, life would be boring. But, for us where we are right now  “a little dab will do ya”. I’ve picked some pics with simple items that celebrate the season in a more quiet or contained way. Note, though, that not all of these are muted colors or necessarily what you would think of as traditional Fall flowers. We always like “unique”.

 

unique unique design

We actually used these yellow flowers at a huge family birthday party (3 birthdays) this past weekend with lots of bright colors…orange, yellow, red, hot pink, lime green.

 

unique unique design

Same with these sunflowers.

 

floral design: todd fiscus, raegan mckinney    photo: brian mcweeney   veranda

Not your common Fall flower are these beautiful red/orange fringed tulips.

 

 

photo: francesco lagnese   house beautiful

Simple arrangement of greenery and yellow sunflowers. They go wonderfully with all the tans, whites, caramels, and browns.

 

unique unique design

A mound of gala apples stacked on hotel silver warming plates.

 

photo: simon upton  elle decor

The color palate here with the great looking orange light fixture makes it easy to add a vase of Fall foliage and “wa lah” you are ready to go.

 

photo: evan sklar  country home

Love the rustic iron vase filled with berries, white flowers, a little green, sitting on this fabulous old chopping block. Not traditional Fall colors, but I think the creamy whites will work wonderfully for Fall.

 

photo: thomas loof   house beautiful

Here again is a very neutral background that works so well with the pop of yellow on the chairs. Add the vases of choral, pomegranate, red/orange, with a touch of fuchsia mums and it all spells a Fall table setting. Look at the plates and fuchsia and orange napkins. And the mums are a very traditional flower for this time of year.

 

home depot ad for ralph lauren paint

I picked this photo because I love the idea of using the pear greens and dark purples (eggplant) as a Fall accent color. I don’t think it necessarily has to even be used with the yellows, reds, and rusts. (sorry it’s hard to see the purples)

 

same credits as photo 3

I absolutely love these orange tulips in the marble container!! I think they work so well as a non traditional flower for the Fall. How beautiful on a buffet, or a long harvest table, or a mantel, or just about anywhere you come up with. Yummy!!

Here’s just a small, small sampling of the possibilities for simple Fall decorating. Are you more a traditionalist or not so much?

Enjoy and a happy day!

 

Sometimes our need is just for comfy and cozy. This time a year when we feel the first chill in the air. (Yeh, even in Texas we have felt the first cool days recently!) I love the change in the air when a front comes in from the north and the air dries out and for a brief time anyway we are relieved from the stifling humidity and heat. Once again, though, those of us in Texas can be pretty sure that cool has not set in for good. Still it’s always so pleasant to enjoy it even for a few days. Along with the chill comes the desire to curl up on the porch with a cup of tea or coffee and flip through the latest design magazine or catch up on that book you’ve been putting off reading. (So busy, you know, with our trips to Warrenton/Round Top) Sometimes, though, we just need to stop and enjoy what’s around us. I could sit on anyone of these porches with my reading material or loved ones or a friend. Most these porches have a roof overhead, so watching the rain fall works, too. We have had ALOT of rain here lately. Rain, shine, crisp or cool, don’t you think a porch is a good thing?!

photo: lucas allen  country home

Comfy furniture to enjoy a little afternoon snooze

 

photo: davies and lawery  home companion

You can almost see the billowing sheer curtains blowing in a autumn breeze.

 

photo: pieter estersohn  southern accents

If you are fortunate enough to have a mountain retreat, this looks like the place to enjoy it.

 

photo: rob brinson   home companion

How about sharing a nice breakfast with you’re family?

 

photo: lucas allen   country home

And for lunch with your friend, this lovely open air dining under a wisteria covered pergola in a beautiful setting is perfect.

 

photo: maura mckevoy   country home

This screened in porch is ready for that afternoon break with a great wicker sofa, nice old wood table for your cup and book, and some pretty flowers to enjoy. There is even a stack of firewood if it gets too chilly and you have to retreat to the inside to warm up.

I think it’s time to put the water on to boil and pull the banana nut bread out of the oven. Will you join us?

BTW, we sure enjoyed seeing everyone in Warrenton, etc. The weather went from horrible hot and muggy to actually cool for the early opening at Marburger. We saw some gorgeous merchandise down there. Unfortunately, not always affordable for resale in our part of the world, but it sure is fun to see and get inspired.