Need: therapy...Nuts about Nailhead

A little goes a long way and it's all too easy to devolve into "crafty" territory...but I do so love it! I can't wait to upholster double doors or use as a stand-in for architectural details on walls...the array of available shapes, sizes and colors are spectacular, though not very well represented here...some great ideas follow...

Instant update

Love this stair runner!

A natural on cornice boards - I did one with large, black pearl nail head spaced wider at the top along with the smaller nails at the bottom

Great optical illusion

wow



Transform an older piece with paint



Full commitment

Lovely over linen

Great way to create a focal point in this 'white box' room

Paint simulating nail heads

 

'Best in Show' for Creativity

 

Classic paneled walls

They probably run with scissors, too...but love it!

hmmm...not entirely sure what I'm looking at here...

A piece of jewelry in the room

Square nail heads on tape: perfect touch

Images: pinterest,athomearkansas,beachchicdesign,beautifullycontained,betterdecoratingbible,

cbidhomedesign,cococozy,pureabundance,simplystoked

Need: Interesting Bookcases...

...especially if they are a built-in focal point of the room. Quick tip: if your furniture arrangement is symmetrical, change up the shelving heights (but do balance each side if flanking a fireplace or TV) - just keeps the composition from being static. In addition to books, here is where your small collectibles can have some impact...some ideas below to get you started...

A casual arrangement

This would be fun to peruse; lots of interest

Geometric wallpaper a great choice as backdrop

Stacking all the books is a good treatment for the cubby size

Nice worn patina and textures here

Contrast paint makes this

Another geometric wallpaper

Color-blocking book spines another artsy device

Building in a niche for sofa gives room some architectural detail; instant library feel!

Mixing up the wallpapers another good foil for changing up symmetry

Here is where small groupings can shine

Clearly for bibliophiles and art hung outside is a nod to style

A "Real Simple" colorway and composition

Some gleam offset by the moody grays

Effective room divider

Images:bhg,betterdecoratingbible,amazinginteriordesign,homestoriesatoz,emformarvelous,hgtv,centsationalgirl,designmanifest,domestic,marthastewart,homeposh,
pinterest,simplifiedbee,tapja,houzz

101: Negative and Positive Space in Room Design

At it's simplest, positive space is an object and negative space is...well, when no object is occupying a space...which is when you see the interior finishes that, hopefully, serve to enhance the objects. The eye needs a place to rest and a good composition provides a balance between the two. While this concept is easily grasped in modern interiors, it's a bit more subtle in traditional ones...find your moment of zen below.

White is the ultimate negative space, elevating everyday objects to sculpture

Equal distribution of black and white creates balance here

Imagine how different this would feel with wood floors and wall color

Symmetry and bits of dark keep this from floating away

Color blocking against neutral backdrop

Lots of white, subtle upholstery pattern, similar dark tables and accessories calm this busy composition

An exuberant disregard for negative spacing; I'm afraid I'd develop a tic five minutes in, but what confidence!

Image source: Architectural Digest

Roundabout Mechanicsburg: Popcorn Pie and the Value of Nuance

I love small towns for their historic buildings and the synergy created by small business owners showcasing their niche passion, solely for our delight and, more often, consumption. We've gone from being a 'front porch' community culture to one of  'back deck' isolation, but these small-town businesses help ease that divide.

Recently, I had the good fortune to stumble onto a "First Friday" on Main Street, and more importantly, into a little confectioner's called "Brittle Bark". I paused in front of Brittle Bark Pie, (a lovely combo of popcorn, flavored brittle, nuts and chocolate drizzle), I perused dozens of combinations and I purchased a small bag of Brittle Bark flavored with coconut and cinnamon.

Now, both of these flavors can easily overwhelm, but in my mouth they struck subtle, discernible notes on their best behavior...as my taste buds were doing the happy dance, I couldn't help but think that conscious restraint in room design was just as elusive ( bet you didn't see that one coming...)

As I munched away - forget about sharing - I cast about for images that combined subtlety and great style or nuanced use of color and pattern....feast your eyes below

The words subtle and animal print rarely collide in the same sentence, but this works

Sigh....unbelievable tactile treat (silk/linen velvet) and remarkable for what wasn't added

Asymmetric use of color and nothing jumps in your face

Just wouldn't be the same with patterned pillows and landscape art

Traditional use of color and pattern in the deft hands of Charlotte Moss

Same skill with a Boho vibe

Lamps disappear into wall, bit of gleam, high/lows in sofa fabric and love the facets of light and shadow thrown by garden stool

Stone-cold traditional and incredible attention to detail: tape on sofa skirt, contrast fabric on leading edge of drapery and bullion fringe on tufted chair combine to evoke old money

It's red, it's bold patterned and it's cluttered, but it manages to keep your eye moving

Image Sources:housebeautiful,washingtonpost,jamiebeckwith,elledecor,11gray

Need: Rogues Gallery

Family photos are usually the first thing a realtor tells you to lose when selling your home; here are some ideas to elevate them to art status that will survive the staging cut...

Frame continuity

Frameless and large scale - Would love to see some little feet in here!

Silhouettes are the purest form of negative and positive spacing; fodder for another post...

Lay out on the floor first and move around till you like the arrangement

Drama created by wide mats and white frames

A successful gallery wall; note the distribution of warm tones that enliven the gray wall

Image sources: laurawinslowphotography,makemyfamilytree,lovechicliving,modernexposureblog,modernjanedesign,thesteampunkhome