Need: Mirrors

Interestingly, in my search for mirrors in room design, I came across more examples of what not to do...a few tips: if hanging over a console or chest, let one be the star of the composition; scale the mirror to it's purpose; don't hang opposite direct sunlight and reflect something worth seeing twice...my favorite mirror as a tool are convex mirrors: provides some movement in a room and really love them tucked behind lamps, especially on nightstands...

Fair amount of glare here, but imagine the light dances at night from the hanging pendants

Empty picture frame in front of mirror

Love what it's reflecting

May blind if this is a western exposure

A bit contrived overall, but an example of proper scale of lamp to mirror

Changes the architecture in a room

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Need: An Organic Touch...

...because it grounds even the slickest of interiors and brings the energy of the natural world into our space...if only as a reminder there is a force greater than us...

Floor sculpture from Arteriors

Side table

Love the embedded energy this implies

Sculpture and function

Clamshells have been around a while, but adds some grit here - though I would have liked it better in an earthy shade

Anvil side table

Adds depth here

Beautiful live-edge dining table from Harden

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Love: Becoming a "Sticklet"

We can all appreciate a beautiful piece of furniture, but seeing how it's made brings a depth of understanding that's worth the trip to Fayettville, N.Y. to the Stickley factory. Begun in 1900, this company has been run by two families and their backstory makes them truly part of American history. Heavy, dark and carved Victorian furniture spawned the design backlash known as the "Arts and Crafts" period. Best known for their quarter-sawn oak "Mission" style from this time, Stickley's other collections run from modern to John Widdicomb's highly ornate styling. All are stunning and destined to be tomorrows heirlooms...

"...the witch's brew of all that's wrong with furniture making today..." loose quote referencing this chair from Leopold Stickley, circa 1900

Yes, it is a factory...but each board has been handled at least 15 times before the initial sanding

Prototype of a dresser for the 'Pasadena Bungalow' collection

'Pasadena Bungalow' dining collection - note the bas relief on the sideboard panels

Never-to-be-seen blind dovetail on dresser rails - you can stand in a drawer thanks to the side hung, center guided rail system

One of my favorites, the 'Metro' collection Morris chair and ottoman - the collection uses walnut and cherry and while the design is archival Mission, the vibe is modern

'Metro' console...the center radiating graining pattern is gorgeous in person!

Unfinished trestle table from the new 'Finger Lakes' collection

...and here it is after being hand-distressed

A chair leg being fitted

Dash holding forth about his craft...here a chest in the 'Before' stage of his magic...

...and here is the 'After'

From the John Widdicomb collection - incredible detail

Love: Signature Color and Pattern

...okay, so this was inspired by back-to-school shopping at King of Prussia;  found what I was after out of the gate, so that left MANY hours to wander and muse while the girls terrorized the mall...beyond branding genius, here a few iterations for the home...

Hermes orange...sigh

If you don't want to go all-in, just a bit of it makes a statement

Doesn't even need a caption...

Painted back of a cabinet always a good idea...

Emilio Pucci's "stained-glass-meets-Mod Squad" prints

A little bit goes a long way...

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101: The Fifth Wall

The plane over your head (pun inexcusable) deserves your attention: from architectural solutions to wallpaper, a ceiling with some added interest brings dimension into the feel of a room. At the very least, add a little wall color paint into the can of ceiling white, especially in two story spaces. Pay attention to the scale of the treatment (architectural and wallpaper pattern) with the room footprint versus the height of the ceiling - done right, the ceiling plays well with the rest of the room...

Not just for wine cellars anymore

Dark color grounds this room and adds drama

Circular stenciling adds movement here

Tin or embossed paper still a classic

Adds oomph to a boxy room

Here's a "Don't" - scale and depth overwhelm this space

Here it's done right

Simple and serene - love how the architectural cornice divided a too-long room into intimate spaces

Beautiful copper patina - gilding just works in dining rooms

Subtle stripe perfectly doing it's job

Classic tray ceiling - imagine how boring if 'ceiling white' was used

Wainscotting repeated on ceiling - note scale and pattern mix

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