Poster Child

4 poster beds are great for adding drama and volume without bulk. If you have a bedroom with high ceilings a 4 poster bed can give the room interest and height. They are a terrific alternative to the massive amount of upholstered beds we are seeing so much of these days. The options for poster beds are immense. Consider wood, mirror, metal or a combination of upholstery and one of the aforementioned materials for a four poster bed. Which of these bedrooms would you love to have?

Pairs of Chairs

Pairing two chairs side by side or with a side table in between creates a great conversation space. I usually like to put the same style chair when placement is side by side but changing up the style is great when the chairs are across from each other. Here are some examples of pairs of chairs...

Great Bedroom Nook

Love the white Leather!

Casual and Comfortable

Light and Bright

To Lounge or Not to Lounge

Chaise lounges are such a luxurious item. In my opinion they should be used when chairs and ottomans have been overused in a home. It's a furniture piece that limits your seating ability and therefore space should be plentiful. There are some spaces that just call out for nothing but a luxury lounger.

Repurposing Items for Interior Design-Guest Post

Edward Stuart is an art and decoration enthusiast as well as a writer for  http://www.canvasgalleryart.com/. He frequently blogs on the topics of art, art history, design, and home decor.

Decorating a home is a process that never really ends. With the challenge of combining form and functionality, home design really is an art in itself. The best pieces are always those that perform a function and look good while doing it. Here are a few items that do just that.

Lamps

Light is an important aspect of any room, but lamps and light fixtures can also add a design element to a space. By painting the base of a normal desk lamp, you can add a pop of color to your workspace. You can use any kind of rope or coil to create a unique hanging chandelier. Bottles and jars are great for hanging light covers. If you really want a conversation starter, try this Globe Lamp from indulgy.com

Wall Hooks

For a creative coat or purse hook, you can take pretty much anything that is durable, bend it into a  hook shape, and then mount it on your wall. Some great options include kitchen utensils and tools such as wrenches.

End Tables 

        

Tables are great because they can be decorated in a million different ways. You can cover them with a table cloth, add a doily and call it good. You can paint a table any color you like, even add a geometric design, and have a great splash of color or note of elegance in your room. Or, you can repurpose items such as barn doors, old suitcases, and barrels. 

Mirrors

Mirrors can add depth to a room, as well as show off all of your other design features. If you put them in a creative frame, their usefulness is stretched even further. Embed your mirror in a fancy picture frame, an old window pane, or even, as shown below, tennis rackets. Always be careful when cutting glass, or have a professional do it. Be sure to sand the edges to reduce risks of cuts.

Decorating a space has its challenges, but there are a lot of different ways to bring your personality to your home. Make a list of items associated with your interest. If you’re into music, see what you can do with retired instruments or piano benches. If you love to cook, kitchen utensils and pots and pans can serve all sorts of functional and decorative purposes. You are only limited by your own imagination.

Dandy Candy

Yesterday I was shopping and got thoroughly distracted by all the candy out for Christmas. Even though I design with neutral colors and add touches of the bright stuff...I am soooo drawn to candy colored rooms. It's so fun and innocent and I think it just makes me feel like I got the golden ticket and I'm in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory (the original NOT the new one!!) Could you live in a candy colored room?

Reclaimed Wood

Using reclaimed wood to make furniture, mantles, and/or architectural details is extremely popular these days. I think it's such a great way to recycle. These pieces can used in so many different styles from French, to modern interiors. These pieces make the biggest impact when they are used sparingly. The reclaimed piece can then be appreciated standing among new pieces.

More Metal

I was looking through a showrooms catalogs a found Matthews and Parker Collection. They have a gorgeous selection of tables and benches. Made by artisans and craftsmen these pieces are made to order and take time! Be prepared to wait up to 20 weeks! These pieces are customizable and would look amazing in a variety of settings. I love pieces that withstand the trends and hold their own in any decade!

Shagreen

Shagreen is defined as : an untanned leather covered with small round granulations and usually dyed green OR : the rough skin of various sharks and rays when covered with small close-set tubercles. This material (real and Faux) is used in interior design on furniture, wall coverings, flooring  and accessories. It has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years and I absolutely love it! It's a great unexpected texture and luxurious element in any room. I love this wallcovering from Ralph Lauren!!

Bright White

I have always loved the way white furniture looks. So bright, crisp and clean (looking). I once lived in an apartment and thought...here is my opportunity to have a white sofa! So I had a slipcover made and when my first dirt spot appeared I tossed it in the washing machine. Perfectly white and bright again! Then I had to wash it the next week and again and again and again...until less than a year later a hole had formed. So I learned that white sofas are best for rooms that aren't used on a daily basis. White sofas are for pretty rooms that look amazing when you walk by them. Here are few of such rooms!