Dare to Dream: Jacques Adnet

About my apartment are scattered humble odes to Jacques Adnet: dark leather, gold trimmings, leggy tables, faux bamboo. His designs, however, are beyond my imitation. Gracefully functional and classically handsome, these are pieces I dare to dream about...

All Images Courtesy of 1st Dibs: 1 - Bottle Carrier, 2 - Side Table, 3 - Coat Stand, 4 - Daybed, 5 - Leather Tray Table, 6 - Magazine Rack, 7 - Magazine Table, 8 - Cabinet

Chain Linking it All Together

Junkyard toughness with a sultry drape. Masculine metal with feminine curve. Chain link is a trend I could trim my whole house in...

Chain Link Floor Lamp from Bermingham & Co. on 1st Dibs, Boyfriend Chain Bracelet from Bing Bang, Chain Link Cake Plate by Magenta, Industrial Bar Table from Greenwich Living on 1st Dibs

Not Neutral on Neutrals

No matter how many colorful garments hang in my closet, I always find myself reaching for the black sweater, brown skirt, brass-studded belt, white loafers. I know what works for me.

The same is true of interiors.

Images: Apartment Therapy, Remodelista, Delight by Design, Head Over Heels, Covet Garden Issue 6

Products: English Campaign Chair from Kim Fiscus for One Kings Lane, Quail Feather Pillow from Burke Decor, Dark Nostalgia by Eva Hagberg

Tea Time

I woke up with a sore throat this morning, but it's nothing that a cup of herbal tea, a sheepskin rug, and a stash of magazines can't cure.

Here & Now: Blooms & Improvements

My Berkeley apartment is edging closer to becoming an "after!" Soft grey walls, handsome nailhead curtains, wood tie-backs... and a "no-reason-at-all" bouquet of peonies from my thoughtful boyfriend.

Aren't those flowers incredible? It'll be lovely to have those enormous pom-poms cheering me on as I tackle another painting project this weekend! Happy Friday!

Busy Weekend!

We Seattleites enjoyed an unexpectedly fantastic weekend- two days of sunshine and a win by our Huskies (!!!!). What more could we ask for?

On Saturday we held an impromptu dinner at our house with our favorite foodie friends. We took on a couple bottles of wine and completely decimated our food budget... good times! Adam prepared stuffed salmon, and he's preparing to post it this Friday!

Due to a sort of unpleasant dog-sitting episode (I'll just say that the event necessitated a bath for both the dogs and myself), I didn't make it out to the Greenwood garage sales.

Soooo, I got my scavenging fix at Sunday's Fremont Flea Market. It seems to be hitting a high point in these last days of summer- the streets are packed with shoppers and literally overflowing with finds. I ogled a hundred pairs of vintage cowboy boots (Adam wrinkled his nose and said, "would you actually put your feet in those?"), a bumblebee placard, a sumptuously soft fur stole (sorry animals...), and so many other lovely bits and pieces:

I always enjoy this vendor's booth- selling all the necessary parts for industrial-chic.

The no-nonsense displays are perfect: raw and appealing.

These caught my eye- cool for soap dishes or lipglosses?

I'd never be able to pick out just one letter- I want the whole tray!

Wouldn't this make a sweet bar set-up? Or a tub-side toiletries display?

I walked out empty-handed, but that's only because I came in with an empty wallet! Trust me, I'll be back next week...

Suffering from a Touch of Recession Depression

I'm thrifty. I live for the thrill of bargain hunting. I cackle gleefully as my pennies accumulate. And when I do splurge on something, I generally make up for it by trimming back on other expenses (usually the unimportant stuff, like, say... "food").  

However, as much as I pride myself on maintaining a strict budget and planning for the future, responsibility can be a pain in the ass. For example: gritting my teeth and using my tax return to supplement student loan payments instead of "stimulating the economy." Let me tell you- if I had this kind of willpower at the gym, I would be a much thinner Lizzie. *grumble*

So, in today's "doomed to wishful thinking" spirit, here's a Room Design that's also a Dare to Dream. If I decided not to pay the bills and redecorated my living room instead, it would look something like this:

Educated Decisions

Put a Vintage Twist on Storage

 

Antique Library Card File ($850.00, Craig's List) + Well-Traveled Steamer Trunk ($50.00, Craig's List)

Sink into Something Soft

 

Lovely Tufted Velvet Sofa ($400.00, Craig's List) + Sophisticated Black Velvet Pillow ($32.95, Crate & Barrel)

Help Yourself to Some Refreshments

 

Black Balloon Wine Glasses (6 for $29.99, Target) +  Pedestal Serving Bowl ($23.99, Target) 

Keep Things Polished with Chrome

 

MCM Eames "Laurel" Floor Lamp ($175.00, Craig's List) + Shining Serving Tray ($39.99, Target)

Take Notes

 

Salvaged "Hardware" Frame with chalkboard paint ($15.00, Craig's List) + Industrial Chic Wrought Iron Easel ($17.95, Crate & Barrel)

Achieve Studied Style

Pom Pom Chestnut Branches ($16.95 each, Crate & Barrel) + Test Tube Vase ($29.99, Target) + Black Globe ($39.95, Crate & Barrel)

Anyone want to give my living room a $2,000 bail-out?

Voila!

I have a special fondness for accent tables.  They are naturally suited for being "design ambassadors"- their small size allows them to represent a foreign style in your home without causing a major clash.  (Just last week we explored introducing a MCM side table into a traditional setting!)

However, due to overcrowding, I have solemnly sworn not to exceed the current population of accent tables- I shalt not add, only replace.  

Good thing I found a loophole.  If you don't have room for a table... call it an ottoman.

Representing ze Provincial French, Monsieur Ottoman

Did you recognize it?  The frame of this side table had a very elegant shape, but wasn't really a table at all without the top!  Rather than simply replacing, why not repurpose?  You'll only need a circular piece of plywood (cut to fit), your choice of fabric (I'd go with a bright green velvet or damask), a handful of buttons and thread, and a staple gun!  Because the finish was "shabby" (read: really really ugly), I also opted to give it a coat of always lovely black glossy paint.

What a practical piece of furniture this would be!  If you chose to put it in a living area, it could serve triple duty. It has a plush seat, a shelf for storage, and, with the addition of a cute serving tray (like so), it could get back to its roots as a table!

Personally, I'd love to see it in my bedroom, where it would mingle quite nicely with its compatriot vanity desk. $15?  C'est possible...

Oooh La La...

This week's Craig's List Temptation is...

The Remains of a French Provincial Side Table

It's definitely missing something.

It's broke, and you should fix it.  And if you're broke... it doesn't even matter, because it's a mere $15.  Deprive yourself of Starbucks grande-soy-cinnamon-dolce-lattes for three days and you're good to go.  This table is equally sweet, and much less fattening.  Mmmmm, French Provincial.  

Check back tomorrow, I'll show you how I'd top it off.

Finally Fixed

I often find myself admiring the inventive shapes of Mid-Century Modern furniture- but I struggle with ways to integrate it into my traditional household.  I typically favor deep blacks and weathered grays, but MCM is typically yellow and orange.  I think the best way to create an eclectic style is to maintain a consistent finish.

The orangey color of this table would clash terribly.

The solution is quite simple.  Since this table has little of its original finish left, sand the rest off and use a purple-gray milk paint as a glaze.  Thin milk paint allows some of the original wood to show through, giving the table warmth while tempering the gold tones.  Allowing the paint to settle more thickly in the tabletop's grooves will give it more depth and character. 

Decorating with quirky traditional pieces will help this modern table acclimate.  A stack of books always makes a house looked lived-in.  Bright flowers are sweet when clustered in a patisserie tea-cup (image courtesy of the late Domino Magazine), and the bird's nest lamp is a charming Craig's List discovery for only $39.

I've subdued the color... but not the style!

Do it Yourself: Side Table

I'll admit, I'm feeling a little worn down this week.  I was doing great with my Spring Cleaning, but now I'm cleaning on a deadline.  Apparently I have a guest arriving this weekend (and they may be a bit weirded out by the DONATE and SELL boxes currently dominating the living room).  Talk about motivation!  Ack!

Since I'm thoroughly Type A, this unexpected change of plans threw me into a funk and cost me a little bit of sleep (because clearly the laundry needed to be put away at midnight!)  

Even worse, I couldn't find the right fixer this morning.  I clicked on listing after listing without finding anything that was... not hideous.  I was quickly sinking into pathetic self-pity (OMG, my blog is a failure!).

And then...

A ray of light.

This funky $30 Mid-Century side table has a fantastic shape... but it's not in the best shape.  Looks like it's been moping around outside for quite some time, and it's a bit rough around the edges.  I have a feeling it would clean up nicely.  Meet me back here tomorrow, and we'll see if you agree!

Also, check back tonight for the latest installment of my SPRING CLEANING guide.  This time, you might want to arm yourself with a bucket and a mop... things could get messy.