Brimfield Picks

Walking through the maze of vendors at the Brimfield Antique Show in Massachusetts is quite an exhilarating experience.  I found myself gravitating towards shimmering lights, embellished chairs and ornate dressers, vintage items with pedestals and  huge contemporary planters.   Take a look at some of my favorite Brimfield picks.

In today's post we clearly get to admire design and detailing in items from our past.  Tomorrow, guest blogger Brooke Richard will show us how today's furniture is crafted with a renewed dedication to design and purpose for the future.

A Big Glammy Thing

Check out what a friend spotted while shopping at Miss Pixie's in DC, a big glammy thing.  She texted me a photo and next thing I knew I was on the phone with a credit card in hand.  I love it when people really know one's taste & style.  So it's finally here and now I need to figure out what to do with it.  It's so pretty that it can stand on its own, and it has no purpose other than being pretty.  It could be used on the roof deck (with a candle) or hung outdoors in my daugther's woodland house (a work in progress, especially since the "woodland" has been severely damaged this past winter).  Anyway,  take a look and I'll keep you posted as to where it  will finally end up.  My new, big glammy thing.

More April Showers

I've always been a rain hat kinda girl, but lately with the amount of rain we've been getting,  I've been rethinking my wet weather strategies.  The hands-free approach has been leaving me drenched.  Take a look a some stylish umbrellas and check out Cocoon Home Design's Facebook page to see the one I decided upon .

Photo by:  Jim Miotke

So how do YOU take cover from the rain, with a hat or an umbrella?

Window Shopping: Bergdorf Goodman

This Sunday, after spending a solo night in NYC, I  awoke early and set out for a brisk walk.  Couldn't help coming to a complete STOP at Bergdorf's windows.  I'm somewhat relieved there was an early flight back to Boston, otherwise there may have been some serious damage done to the family budget.  Take a look at its Spring's window dressings.  I have my favorites.  What are yours?

To Antler Or Not: A Reader's Challenge

 

I received an email a few days ago from a reader asking my opinion on the growing popularity of mounted antlers and animal head trophies.  Once a symbol of successful hunts recently evolving into purely decorative accessories.  What made this email even timelier was that just a day before it was received, my mother- in-law told me of her plans to order one for her home. She needed help deciding whether to go for a full head or just a pair of antlers.   Read the email below and take a look at how these 3 dimensional accessories are being used to adorn modern spaces.    Then see my take on them and perhaps find out which ones my mother-in-law decided on.

I was at the Atrium Mall today, and — not that it is the design center of the world, but — I saw wall mounted animal heads in 2 places.  Somewhat serious ones at Restoration Hardware, and whimsical ones (e.g., in newsprint papier mache) at Anthropologie. I prefer the staghorn fern you blogged about.  But what do you think?  Why animal heads at a time when more Americans than ever are going Veg and Vegan?  I liked the humor of the Anthropologie one, but am not sure I would hang it.  What would I say to the children?  (Same dilemma prevents me from putting a cowhide rug on the playroom floor.)

image: Stylizimo

images above and below:  Femina.dk-pinterest

Easily worked into kids' spaces, dining areas and living rooms alike these mounted "trophies" are clearly making bold interior statements.  In response to our reader's question, why now at a time when so many people are going vegetarian?  I guess it's about being adventurous and unpredictable.  I actually do like them.  They add a natural element to interiors with their texture, depth and color. I prefer the mounted antlers (sans skull) and also like when they serve a purpose, such as doubling up as towel hooks or necklace holders.    I confess: I own cowhides,  they come in and out of use in our house and are perfectly easy to clean.  My children have asked about them and, yes, I've been put on the stop,  but I plainly told them what they are:  animal skins.  In the tradition of native Americans, nothing animals sacrifice on our behalf should go to waste.

If you're a true vegetarian your home should be devoid of leather couches, your walls bare of mounted antlers or other hunting trophies, and your grill obviously steak-less.  For the rest,  decorate as you envision and to your own comfort level.  But do take chances on occasion, since both children and adults need a an element of surprise to expand their sensibilities.

Thanks to CT for the awesome email challenge!

Stay tuned for my mother-in-law's 'antler decision'  reveal...