Living Room Design | Nicole Jane Home

May 8, 2010

shine never gets old…

Filed under: Design,Dining Room Design,Drapery,Kitchen Design,Living Room Design,Things of Beauty — Tags: Apartment Therapy, Country LIving, Houzz, Nicole Jane Home, silver, silver decor, silver decorating — jennifer @ 9:16 am

Dear Silver,

Don’t go changing, to try and please me. You never let me down before. Don’t imagine you’re too familiar, and I don’t see you any more!

Forever yours,

Jennifer

Some things just never go out of style, and silver is on top of the list! I always follow trends with interest, but I don’t always go along when things are declared “over”. Although the design pundits declare it “in” and “out” regularly, it really never goes out of style. I figure, if you love it, then it’s in style…at least at your home it is!

(Nobody panic! Silver has not been deemed “out”. I’m just sayin’, if that were to happen, I’d have to deem “them” stupid.)

photo courtesy Coburn Architecture

photo courtesy Laura Hardin via Houzz

photo by Designs by Shoshana via Houzz

photo courtesy Country Living

photo by Amoroso Design via Houzz

photo by Celia James via Houzz

photo courtesy Apartment Therapy

Call me crazy, but I doubt everyone is going to freak out and change all their fixtures to bronze, just because someone decides chrome is so “last season”. In my opinion (and really that’s all that matters, right?), I think silver is a versatile neutral that packs a style punch!

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April 26, 2010

very vignette…

Filed under: Dining Room Design,Front Entry,Hallways,Living Room Design,Things of Beauty — Tags: Belle Maison, Decor8, Habitually Chic, House Beautiful, i l'aria, Jon Jensen Photography, Oldphone.com, One Simple Addition, This Is Glamorour — jennifer @ 10:56 am

I love a good story and I guess that’s why I love decor vignettes. They’re a glimpse into the homeowner’s joy–what makes their toes curl and their hearts swell (okay…perhaps a bit dramatic, but you get my drift). What books do they love? Where did they pick up that seashell? Where did they find that exquisite vase? Where was that photo taken?

photo courtesy This is Glamorous

It gives me a lot of pleasure to arrange and rearrange little vignettes all over my house. I’m constantly sprucing up my arrangements with fresh flowers, forgotten treasures I find in my storage closet, old paintings, favourite decorating books, beach rocks, my latest purchase from a favourite store, photos… They’re all precious and I love to see them every day.

photo courtesy House Beautiful via One Simple Addition

My styles constantly change (hey, I’m a Gemini…I’m allowed to flip flop) and vignettes are an inexpensive way for me to express myself, without having to make the major renovations!

I just love old phones, and this sweet little orange one is featured on Habitually Chic. There’s even a source for vintage phones listed, if you’re on the lookout for one: oldphone.com.

photo courtesy Habitually Chic

There’s a happy trend well on its course of using typeface decorating. It’s all about words in different typefaces, and I love it (notice the framed “LOVE” above and the gold “D” peaking out from the phone–at least I thinks it’s a “D”). It really tickles my fancy if it’s an vintage factory or store sign–they’re fabulous!

photo courtesy House Beautiful via Belle Maison

I predict a huge comeback for clogs. I saw a pair on a TV show last week, and now I’m seeing this pair. You mark my words–everybody is going to have a pair of colorful wooden clogs on a table somewhere in their house!

photo courtesy i l'aria's photostream via Decor8

This definitely qualifies as a beautiful vignette. One of my best friends did something very similar in her entrance and it’s absolutely stunning. If you get a chance, check out Jon Jensen‘s website of gorgeous photography. Uh huh! I see a typeface “3″ and “x” on that shelf! I should really be posting a blog about typeface decor!!! Maybe tomorrow.

photo courtesy Jon Jensen Photography

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April 19, 2010

cocktail table love…

Filed under: Furniture,Living Room Design — Tags: cocktail tables, coffee tables, Elle Decor Magazine, House & Home magazine, Houzz, Kishani Perera, Usona — jennifer @ 5:23 pm

How’s your relationship with your coffee table…er….cocktail table (pssst…that’s what they’re being called now)? Love it? Sick of it?

There’s nothing like an interesting table to set the tone for an entire room. I’ve learned a few things about cocktail tables: (1) Make sure the table isn’t much higher than your seating, otherwise it will look odd and out of sync with everything else. (2) A mirrored-top table can’t be beat, in my humble opinion. They’re just so fabulous for reflecting candlelight, flowers and decorative pieces (and you’ll spot that spinach in your teeth lickity-split). (3) keep the scale of your furniture and the structural elements in the room in mind when you choose a table. Don’t fall for that precious little number with waif-thin legs if your sofa is huge and you’ve got cathedral ceilings and a gothic fireplace–like the Bat Cave.

Here are a few that I think stand on their own (wow…now that’s one four-legged pun)! Maybe I’ll get one for Mother’s Day…doubt it!

photo by Jean Randazzo for Kishani Perera

Forget the table…I want the ENTIRE room. I love Kishani Perera‘s designs. You should take a look at her fabulous portfolio and DROOOOOL!!!!

photo by Jean Randazzo for Kishani Perera

The wall treatment and chairs aren’t my cup of tea, but I think the tables are fabulous. I can see them working in lots of designs.

photo by Usona via Houzz

I think this table is tres chic n’est-ce pas? It’s a coffee table with built-in gas fireplace. I love it. Is that a pool? I’m in! Packing my bags right now…gotta go!

photo courtesyPlanika Fires

This is such a great cocktail table. It can be dressed up or down according to your lifestyle. A friend of mine has one like this, and she always uses a massive reclaimed wood tray to serve cocktails and appetizers. It’s always so inviting. I’m lovin’ the quilted lacquer side table by the chair too.

photo courtesy Elle Decor

Love it or hate it, you can’t deny it sets the tone in the room. I personally love it ’cause it speaks volumes about the homeowners–they’re not afraid to be different, they don’t take themselves too seriously, they’re creative and bold. Oh…yeah…and it PINK!!!!! Swooooon.

photo courtesy House & Home

Remember: If you want to visit any of the sites, just click on the pictures

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March 8, 2010

online 3D decorating…

Filed under: Design,Furniture,House Design,Kids' Rooms,Kitchen Design,Laundry Room Design,Living Room Design,Office Design — Tags: Decorate It Online, interior decorating, Nicole Jane Home, online decorating services — jennifer @ 10:36 am

I just came across this very cool online interior decorating website–Decorate It Online. I live on my computer (which explains why I stared Nicole Jane Home), so I love the idea of being able to consult with a decorator online anytime I want.

They have varying levels of service and provide decorating advice and shopping lists. At a higher level, you can even get 3D pictures of the rooms you want to decorate. What a great idea!

Gotta love Before & After shots!!!

photo courtesy of Decorate It Online

Here is a collection of some of the 3D photos they provide to clients based on questionnaires about personal likes/dislike and room dimensions.

photo courtesy of Decorate It Online

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February 14, 2010

have a seat…

Filed under: Design,Living Room Design — Tags: armchairs, Design Inc., Jon Jensen Photography, Jonathan Adler, Sarah Richardson, Shabby Chic — jennifer @ 8:58 pm

I’m obsessed about chairs right now. Could it be that I’m SICK TO DEATH of my living room furniture? Absolutely. At least once a day, I sit in my living room and imagine white couches, lush carpets and floor-to-ceiling French silk drapes. Then reality slaps me back-and-forth across my face as two muddy-pawed pooches escape from the kitchen and make a run for their favorite perch draped over my living room chairs, like a couple of kids looking for the ice cream truck…sigh.

Oh well…here are a few of my daydreams…

photo courtesy of Jon Jensen Photography

photo courtesy of Sarah Richardson Designs

photo courtesy of www.jonathanadler.com

photo courtesy of www.shabbychic.com

photo courtesy of Design Inc.

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February 8, 2010

set design to die for…

Filed under: Design,Entertainment,Kitchen Design,Living Room Design — Tags: Architectural Digest, artwork, Diane Keaton, interior design, Jack Black, Jack Nicholson, Kate Winslet, Kenton Nelson, Nancy Meyers, Nancy Meyers set design, paintings, set design, Something's Gotta Give, The Holiday — jennifer @ 9:07 am

In an attempt to keep my mind off profiteroles, I settled into my bed last night to watch Something’s Gotta Give–one of my all-time favorite movies! I adore Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, but I covet that house! Oooh la la. Besides the amazing Kenton Nelson paintings, my absolutely favorite part of the house is Diane’s bedroom–that bed linen…that desk…that fabulous chair…those french doors…that beach view. Mark couldn’t believe it when I told him that girls do cry like that when their hearts are broken!

This photo was featured in an issue of Architectural Digest that discussed set design on SGG.

photo courtesy of Architectural Digest

You can imagine my delight when The Holiday came on immediately after SGG ended. The part where Kate Winslet‘s character explains to Jack Black that she understands exactly what his broken heart feels like, kills me every time. The cottage in Surrey is so cozy and charming–the creamy blue kitchen cabinets are adorable. But it’s the house in California that absolutely blows my socks off. Hallelujah Nancy Meyers — you rock! Keep bringing us fabulous movies.

photo courtesy of Kaleidoscope

By the way…I’m happy to report that the Angel on my shoulder won the sneak-another-profiterole-while-everyone-is-sleeping tug-o-war! Phew.

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February 5, 2010

pink power…

Filed under: Bedroom Design,Design,Friday Assignment,Living Room Design,Things of Beauty — Tags: Adam Chinitz, Grammy Awards, Haute Design, Pink, pink bar, pink bedrooms, pink decor, pink living rooms, pink rooms, pink velvet chair, Sarah Klassen, Shelter, Tobi Fairley — jennifer @ 9:34 am

Did anyone see the Grammy’s? Wasn’t Pink‘s performance awesome? Well I think the colour pink is awesome too (wireless technology allows me to actually hear you groaning about that segue…really).

Pink has been unfairly maligned since the crazy 1980′s when everything looked like I was wearing rose-coloured glasses (circa Miami Vice). My sister even built a house that had pink EVERYWHERE…even the floor tiles…good times. I’m not suggesting we go overboard with pink, I just think it’s such a beautiful colour, which flatters every complexion (I should really write a book about designing rooms that accentuate our looks when we’re in them). Used in moderation, I think it’s perfect.

I just had to indulge myself this morning by hunting for some pink, and here are the results. I hope it gives you a little Friday inspiration (yippeeee…I love Fridays…so much promise for the weekend ahead). Put some pink in your life this weekend, even if it’s just the prettiest pink-iced cupcake you can find. Vive la Rose!

I came across a great blog called Shelter, and I just couldn’t resist staring at this photo. The black houndstooth and the peachy pink are such a great combo–and I could swoon over that tufted headboard. What little girl (young or old) wouldn’t want to snuggle into that bed!!!

One of my favourite interior designers, Tobi Fairley, featured this photo on her blog. That pink velvet chair must be mine! Notice how it works with the cool-toned pink wall colour. I once heard that pink is a colour that never clashes with itself–it can be used together in different variations (now that I think about it, can’t any colour be used with itself?). If there are any colour aficionados reading this, please let me know if that’s true or not.

courtesy of Tobi Fairley

Ooh la la. What a gorgeous bed. What a gorgeous carpet. What sumptuous bed linens. That’s it…I’m packing my bags and moving to Paris immediately–Mark, meet me at the airport with the kids and dogs!

photo by Adam Chinitz

How ‘s this for shmexy? I found this image on photographer, Adam Chinitz‘ website. Definitely not my mother’s idea of how a lady is supposed to decorate (don’t worry, she’d get a kick out that comment). I love it!

courtesy of Tobi Fairley

Sigh…now this is just bliss. Somebody pick me up off the floor…I think I just fainted

courtesy of Sarah Klassen's blog Haute Design

The combination of hot pink and silver is striking. Check out Sarah Klassen’s blog Haute Design for more fabulous pink decor.

There. I feel better now that I’ve had my fix of pink. Don’t you?

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January 31, 2010

British invasion…

Filed under: Art,Living Room Design,Trends — Tags: animal print, animal print designs, British crown, British decor, design trend, interior designer, Miles Redd, quilted wall hanging, Trends, Union Jack, Union Jack couch, Union Jack flag, Union Jack pillow, wall art — jennifer @ 11:17 pm

There are a couple of design trends that I’ve been noticing lately, and I just thought I’d share them. For those of you who are way ahead of me on the trend front, please bear with me (actually had to Google that to make sure it isn’t “bare”–I can hear my teacher sister gasping for air).

There’s a bit of a British invasion happening. I’m seeing more and more Union Jack flag decor–from an entire couch covered in Union Jack leather upholstery to clocks and pillows. One of the items I’m bringing in for spring is a metal pillar candleholder in the shape of a British crown.

I found this image on a lovely blog called White Alder Home. The Union Jack pillow really packs a punch of style.

photo courtesy of Google images

This wall hanging by Fire Horse Textiles was featured on MadeByGirl. I just love the green take on the iconic Union Jack

The other trend that I’ve been noticing is animal skin prints–especially zebra. They were hot when I was a kid, and it looks like they’re making a strong comeback. Giraffe prints are a fresh (even if they’re classic) take on this exotic look.

This is another photo featured on White Alder Home.

This is a room designed by Miles Redd a celebrated Manhattan designer

photo courtesy of Metropolitan Home magazine

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January 28, 2010

Sarahhhhhh….

Filed under: Design,Dining Room Design,Living Room Design — jennifer @ 8:53 pm

I am a huge fan of Canadian design icon, Sarah Richardson. There is just something so grown-up about her designs. Typically, her rooms showcase amazing fabrics and wallpapers. Here are a few of her fetching designs.

photo by Janis Nicolay

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January 25, 2010

truly turquoise…

Filed under: Bedroom Design,Design,Living Room Design — jennifer @ 10:26 am

I think I’m developing a turquoise obsession, and I’m not alone! Erin, at House of Turquoise , thinks enough of the colour to start her own blog about it (Mom…if you’re reading this, I swear, I really do own a business and work every day).

These are just a few of the gorgeous pictures featured on Erin’s blog.

I just love seeing unique colour combinations. If you said to me, “Jennifer, I think you should decorate your living room in pink, turquoise and brown,” in the words of the magnificent Sir Elton John, I’d say, “Step back honky cat!” But it totally works! That’s why, if you’re like me, it’s important to consult a trained professional decorator, who knows how to put things all together.

photo courtesy of Tom McWilliam for Connecticut Cottages & Gardens

Isn’t that wallpaper fantastic? Even after spending what seemed like an eternity peeling old wallpaper off our entryway, I might consider papering again–shudder. I have a large blank wall at the end of a long, rectangular living room that’s been giving me grief since we moved into our house 9 years ago, and I think a dramatic wallpaper might just do the trick. What do you think?

photo courtesy of House to Home

This is just such a great example of combining patterns and colours effectively. It’s from Designer’s Guild, which is an absolutely dreamy British design house that, among other things, creates the most beautiful throw pillows I have ever seen (they’re beyond the price point I try to maintain for Nicole Jane Home, but you never know).

photo courtesy of Designers Guild

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