Word of the Week

As a service to my readers, all 3 of you, I am starting a new series called Word of the Week.  I can't have you guys going around like the lady at Home Depot who thought toile was pronounced toll.  (It is pronounced twall, in case you didn't know.)

Our word this week is something I love very much.  It is Chinoiserie!

No, it is not pronounced chin oy seree, the way I used to say it in my head whenever I saw it on a page.  It is pronounced sheen (as in Charlie Sheen) was ree.  Go here to listen to it spoken out loud.


Now say it out loud, "sheen was ree."


Again.  Chinoiserie.  Good, I think you've got it!

Now that you know how to say it, you need to know what it is!  According to the blog Chinoiserie Chic, Chinoiserie is a French term meaning "Chinese-esque."

Basically it is a style in art or decoration reflecting Chinese motifs.  I won't bore you with the details.  Go here for more information.

Should you incorporate Chinoiserie into your home?  Yes, immediately.


You can start with something small.





Like these foo dogs.  I wish I wouldn't have seen these pictures.  I have some foo dogs similar to these and I am definitely going to have to paint them coral and icy blue.  Just added some more projects to my already long list!  These are available on etsy, but I found mine at Homegoods for $7.99.


Or you can start with something large.



Like an Asian screen or a gold pagoda.  I actually found an Asian screen at the Salvation Army and I sadly did not purchase it!


You can start with something red.



Like this trash can from Wisteria.

Or you can start with something white.



Like this chair, also from Wisteria.

Or you can start with something blue.



Like this Chinese garden stool from Wisteria.

Your homework is to add some Chinoiserie to your home.  Today, if possible.


Because you have all been such wonderful students, I am going to leave you with my favorite pictures of Chinoiserie!  All images from here.







I actually used the above fabrics in some projects around my house.  I used the top one to make a table skirt for an old, ugly side table in my dining room.  I used the bottom fabric to recover some bulletin boards.  Pictures of both of these projects coming soon!





I have a mirror just like this, but white, in the bathroom above the sink.  I got it at my favorite resale shop on half off day, so it was only $19.  I found it the day before the sale and took a chance that it would still be there the next day!



There's that mirror again!  Love the wallpaper!



Love the colors in this room!




Homegoods, Garden Ridge, and Hobby Lobby are great resources for blue and white Chinese vases. This foyer was designed by Mary McDonald.

 

Ruthie Sommers



More Ruthie Sommers!  Love it!




Ruthie Sommers' daughter's nursery.  So chic!




Love the mix of patterns in this room!  So cozy!



I have always loved this kitchen!  Chinoiserie wallpaper + lucite bar stools = awesome!




Awesome shell mirror.  I have tried to make one myself, but only got a third of the way through and the shells keep falling off.  It might be worth paying retail.  Pier 1 Imports has a good one that is not too pricey.




Another awe inspiring room by Ruthie Sommers!  Gorgeous does not adequately describe this room.  The wallpaper in the above four pictures is designed by David Hicks and called The Vase by Clarence House.





Beautiful in blue and yellow.




This room designed by Miles Redd was in the latest issue of House Beautiful.




Blanc de Chine displayed on brackets.  I bought some Blanc de Chine at an estate sale recently.



Ruthie Sommers




Lyford Cay in Nassau, Bahamas by Tom Scheerer.



Pretty palette of dark brown, lime green, and coral.








So, do you have any Chinoiserie?   If not, I hope you are inspired to add some to your home!

Lifechurch.tv

Today is not a decorating related post, but it is something I am excited about!  I am participating in Kelly's Korner Blog show us your life series, and today is show us your church.




My family and I go to Lifechurch.tv and we love it!!  The first thing we noticed when we started going a year ago, is how friendly everyone is and how easy it is to get involved!  We are part of a Life Group, and have made so many good friends!  It is so much fun!

My favorite part of the experience has got to be the music.  I get really upset when we miss any part of the music!  It is like going to a rock concert!

My kids love it too!  No crying when we drop them off!  They are learning so much!!  I was talking to my 5 year old daughter about being nice to her brother, and she rolled her eyes and told me, "Mom, God still loves me even when I'm bad."  She learned that from Life Kids and that makes me so happy!!

Pastor Craig Groeschel is awesome!  He is funny and spiritually challenging all at the same time.  And not bad on the eyes, I might add.  If you have the YouVersion app on your phone, that's from Pastor Craig Groeschel and LifeChuch.tv!

Lifechurch.tv has changed my life and my relationship with God!  I definitely look forward to going to church every weekend.  I actually feel sad when it's over because I have to wait a whole week to go again!

Lifechurch.tv is based in Oklahoma and has 14 locations  nationwide.  But you don't have to have a location in your area to go because you can go to church online at lifechurch.tv.  So check it out!  You won't be disappointed!!

Designers Who Inspire. #3 Peter Dunham

If you have never seen the work of Peter Dunham, then you are in for a real treat!  Born in Paris, and raised in England his designs have a worldly, exotic feel to them, but still very classic.  He now resides in Los Angeles and has a store called Hollywood at Home, where he sells his own fabric and furniture lines among other decorative goodies.






A shot of his store, Hollywood At Home.  This "room" is an example of how to do everything right!  From the  color palette, to the mix of graphics with florals, to the abstract artwork, to the large lamps with the simple drum shades, it is perfect in my eyes!  It has a real layered look as if it has been collected over time, which I love.  This shot alone makes me want to hop on a plane to L.A. to go to his store!





Dunham's own Los Angeles home.  It has a great mix!  I love that print that looks like green leaves on the chair.  That is one from his line of fabrics.  It is called Fig Leaf.





Another shot of the above room.  I love that striped chair!  And I see my favorite print peeking out on the curtains.






I could sit here and look at books and magazines all day!  Love that shot of red from the chandelier!  It looks like it is coral?



Here are some more pictures of some of Peter Dunham's work.




There is my favorite print again on the banquette!






A neutral room with many textures to bring it to life!






There is my favorite print again to liven things up!  Love the striped rug!  Don't be afraid to mix patterns in your own home.






 This room could look a little granny if not for the extra large abstract paintings.  I wonder if my kids could create something like that!  HaHa!





This room could also be borderline granny, but look at the lamps on either side of that lovely tufted sofa.  Chinese vases on the bottom, with simple drum shades on top.  That's what Peter Dunham does best, he takes a classic room and updates it with lamps and modern artwork.






I will be filing this image under dream bedrooms!







I see a changing table, so this must be a nursery.  If I hadn't noticed the diapers, I would have never known this room was designed for a baby.  See?  You don't have to decorate your nursery in a Winnie the Pooh motif.  Unless you really like Winnie the Pooh, then of course you should.






I see my favorite print!  Again, a great layered look.  Notice the lamps on each side of the bed.  Nice, simple drum shades without a bead or fringe on them. And the scale and height is perfect.  Skimpy lamps that are too short is a real pet peeve of mine!






Of course I had to show this picture because it's got my favorite print all over it!



Some things to consider if you want this look for your own home!

Don't be afraid to mix patterns.  Stripes, florals, graphics they all work well together.  Throw in an ethnic print and that will look great too!  Of course, don't go too crazy with pattern, have some solids to balance things out.  And they should be in a similar color palette.


Big, bold lamps with simple drum shades.


Traditional artwork mixed with abstract artwork, plates hanging on the wall, which I am a huge fan of.


Lots of textures, sea grass, wicker, rattan, shells and coral.


Peter Dunham's rooms have a cozy layered look that comes from lots of books and accessories and pillows and throw blankets.  His rooms are definitely not minimalist!

For more inspiration, check out the rest of his portfolio here.

Another Cool House!

Ok, I know I said that looking at cool houses made me tired and that my house will never be cool and here I am showing you another cool house!  I can't help myself!  Look how cool this house is!!

Images from here.





The foyer of designer Michael Katz.  Yes that is a chrome bench from the 70s and yes I now want one.





The living room is gorgeous, although so not practical for someone who likes to sit on the couch while eating snacks and has two kids, two dogs, and a husband.  But I do love the vintage chrome chair recovered in a Lee Jofa fabric and the lucite coffee table.  And the lamp.  And the artwork.





The kitchen is black, and modern, and cool.  The bar stools are actually from Pottery Barn!  Who knew Pottery Barn was so cool?





The dining room with a glass table surrounded by Milo Baughman chairs.  I don't really know who that is, but it took the designer two years to collect the set!





A sophisticated living room.  The vintage looking wicker stool is not vintage at all.  It is from Crate and Barrel.






I love the bed in the master bedroom.  And no the walls are not made of cinder blocks.  That is a textured wallpaper.  Not many people would have thought to put an antler chandelier in this room, but it works!





A cool vintage rattan chair in the master bedroom.  Very exotic looking.





Nice bathroom!



So how can you up the cool in your house?



A neutral  palette with shots of color here and there.

Mix different textures and finishes to add interest.  Chrome, wicker, wood, lucite, an animal hide rug.

Clean lined furniture.  Check the thrift stores for vintage 60s and 70s chrome and rattan chairs and tables.

Lamps with simple shades without any fussy beads or trims.

Modern and quirky artwork.  Again, thrift stores and estate sales are excellent places to find unique artwork.

A big wicker/rattan basket to throw all of the kids' toys in!


I don't know about you, but the next time I am at my favorite resale shop and I see something that looks like it was in my home as a kid, I might just give it a second look!  Maybe I can have a cool house after all!

Cool House!

Today we are going from a cute house to a cool house.  Loving this clean lined ranch featured in Domino Magazine.  I could move right in.  Images from here.



The outside of the long ranch.  Beige with a bright pop of red on the front doors!





Love the clean lines in this living room mixed with the ornate mirror. I also really love that graphic rug!





Another shot of the living room.  Interesting color palette of persimmon, black, taupe, and icy blue.





I love the red credenza and the patterned sectional sofa.





Neat lamp and drawings.




The dining room.  I love the white painted chairs with the dark wood table.  The painting is cool too!





I have seen this image many times and LOVE everything about it!  So happy to see the rest of the house.  I am still loving the very popular Chiang Mai Dragon fabric on the chairs.





The master bedroom I am assuming.  I love the bed and the grass cloth on the walls.




Cool bedroom for the kids.  A great mix of patterns and colors!


When looking at this house I not only get inspired, but also tired!  My house will never look this cool!  With 2 kids 5 and under, my house will never look this clean!  I have a list of projects that I want to get done but finding the time is proving to be impossible!!  I have to remember that these pages come from a magazine, with stylists that came in and made everything look just so!  I am just going to enjoy my house as it is now, instead of quickly moving on to the next project!!




Contentment for women is so hard but so important to pray for and be intentional about as we make homes.  Holly Mathis.

Cute House!

Hubby found a cute house on the real estate listings and I thought I would share it with you.  It is really cute!  Looks like it should be in a magazine!



I love the outside!  Great curb appeal!  Hubby just pointed out the striped curtains on the front porch.  Not sure about those!



I like the staircase and the old, big F hanging on the wall!  Maybe that is the homeowner's initial?  Cute!!



Beautiful faux mantle!



Another shot of the same room.  This time they turned the chairs.  Love the colors!


Cute bench in the dining room!  Another faux mantle.  It reminds me of our first home where we had a faux mantle that hubby bought me at a flea market for my birthday.


Nice kitchen!  Very modern for an old house!




I like the industrial stools!




Love the chandelier!





Cool frame!  You can find great old frames at thrift stores and take the picture out.  This frame looks good with nothing in it!





I like the lamps.  They are the right size for next to the bed.  Not too short or skimpy!





Interesting bathroom!  Not a fan of stained glass though!




Another bedroom, another pretty chandelier!




Cute pink crib in nursery!




Cute!!





Cute old looking bathroom!







I like this bathroom.  I wonder if those are actual pages of a book, or just wallpaper.



To view the listing go here.