FROM CATNUM...

Have a relaxing weekend and a great Memorial Day!

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: SUZAN FELLMAN

Suzan Fellman is a Los Angeles based designer that brings high style and drama! 

She offers design services and a collection of furniture and accessories.  As mentioned on her site, she "gives materials new life by repurposing them in an unexpected way.  Never one to be constrained by rules or expectations, Suzan's products perfectly straddle the line between art and design."

Suzan's words of wisdom (found on One King's Lane):

"I am a firm believer in editing.  Some clutter can be comforting, but be sure to keep it manageable.  You should never have an area that you wouldn't want a guest to see."

"Spend money on trim and the smallest details--this is what creates the special surprises for a lucky few to uncover."

"Create drama by placing a main piece, whether it be a sensational dresser or a great piece of wall art, in a spot where it can be appreciated from a distance and beckon people to approach."

"Get theatrical with the guest bath.  It is a jewel box that you share with your guests when they are alone.  Give them something that will make them smile."

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!!!

SUMMER DINING

One of my favorite things to do when it warms up is to have dinner outside.  I find it super relaxing and it seems to always make dinner tastes better!  Imagine that!? 

I find that plastic dinnerware is fun to use for these occasions.  It relieves worry of dropping and breaking your prized and/or expensive dinnerware.  A good option is melamine.  Melamine is a tough, durable plastic that won't scratch or break.  It is much stronger than regular plastic dinnerware. 

Also, why not have fun with it?  There are so many exciting prints and colors offered these days! 

Here are some of my findings that you can take from your backyard to the beach...

Melamine Sea Fan Plates from Anthrolopogie have a vibrant, fun pattern with scalloped edges that I love!  They are sold in a set of four.

Aren't these fun?!  La Plates offers personalized melamine plates with great style!  It's sure to never disappoint with many different colors, patterns and fonts available.

The Melamine Rooster Dinnerware from Williams-Sonoma is a classic!  This new collection gives the appearance of hand painted ceramics.

This Liberty of London Duclare Black Dinner Plate from Target is chic!  These come in a set of eight.

 

Jill Fenichell and her company, Bongenre, brings high style to melamine!  Her patterns and colors are gorgeous and my fav!

Do you have a favorite?

TIE-DYE IS MAKING A COMEBACK!!!

Do you remember making tie-dye shirts as a child? 

Does your mind's eye go back to art class or summer camp? 

Well, fashion designers have brought it back to life.  It didn't walk the runway on a Hane's t-shirt paired with cut-off jean shorts, but, rather, in a new, refreshed way!  It is now presented as elegant and high-fashion...not as hippie.  And, I must say... it's chic!

Just as it has been seen on the runway, it is being seen in home decor.  You will see it in wallpaper and fabrics to ready made pillows and accessories.

Here are a few tie-dye findings...

Maya Romanoff's new collection of tie dye wallpapers and fabrics

Romanoff's new collection preview continued

BurkeDecor, 95.40.



HAVE YOU SPOTTED TIE-DYE ANYWHERE LATELY?

Here are new arrivals from J. Crew...

Verite Cinema Shorts.

Ink Blossom Halter Dress.  J Crew says in the description, "a refined take on tie-dye."

Thanks for stopping by!

NOTHING SWEETER THAN A SWEETGRASS BASKET...

Charleston is on my mind.  Something that I have always wanted to pick up while visiting is a sweetgrass basket.

A Charleston sweetgrass basket reprents rich heritage and amazing skill.  I love that the skills used to create each basket have been passed down from generation to generation.  The tradition was brought from West Africa by slaves and has survived in America for 300 years.  I thought it was interesting to learn that orginally basket weavers were men.  Now most weavers are women.  

Where does sweetgrass grow?  This long-stemmed plant grows along the boundaries between marsh and forest and behind the dune line near the ocean.  It's havested in the spring and summer by "pullers."

Sweetgrass baskets are now considered an art form.  Each basket is unique and has it's own beautiful character!

Have a great weekend!

TRAFFIC FLOW

Much like how this dancing policeman is not directing traffic, you have some control over the traffic flow within your home!

What is traffic flow?

People move throughout their home every day, mostly walking in the shortest distance possible between Point A to Point B.  These walkways are referred to as traffic flow.  The placement of furniture and structural elements in your home influence the traffic flow.  Examining the traffic flow may have great benefits!  Whether it benefits the current life in your home or future buyers--it will increase living enjoyment and look more pleasing to the eye.

Something to ask yourself is if the furniture arrangements are helping direct traffic in your home.  Is it a smooth transition from room to room?

You should also ask yourself if the traffic pattern clearance is helping to maximize living potential. Traffic areas need clearance for one or more people to walk and for people to accomplish desired tasks.  Traffic patterns are broken down into two categories--major and minor.


Major traffic patterns need about 5 feet clearance.  These major areas refer to hallways, any route where two people might pass each other, area in front of stove, refrigerator, sink and closets or dressers.

House Beautiful

Minor traffic patterns need about 18 inches to 4 feet clearance.  These refer to spaces between sofas and coffee tables and places where only one person will walk, such as the bedside. 

Veranda

Have a great day!!!  Thanks for stopping by!

ALL ABOUT PINK!!!

At some point in most girls' lives, they dream of having a pink room.  Most grow out of the idea and think of it being, well...a little over the top to do something so extreme as having a pink room--- outside of a child's room, of course.  Well, this idea did not stop these interiors..and to be honest...juvenile was the last thing I thought of when I saw some of these spaces.  Whether you choose pink walls or pink accents...it can be chic! 

Suzanne Kasler

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Veranda

Southern Accents

Traditional Home

Traditional Home

 

Traditional Home

Veranda

 

Suzanne Kasler

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Suzanne Kasler

What are your thoughts???  Are you all about pink?!