Need: A Little Wallpaper...

...because paint can't do it all; sometimes you need a little dimension or pattern. Materials science didn't ignore the wallpaper industry and the offerings now can simply amaze...from metallic grasscloths, mica crusted, studded geometrics and stripes, embossed or thermoplated, it's worth a trip in to see what's new. Think about using on a ceiling (gilded in a dining room?), a bold print in the powder room or inside a closet - a sampling from vendors websites below...

These three from British company Hackney

love the raccoon with a book!

Moroccan inspired - sigh

Inset mirrors come alive at night

Classic mural for dining room

Beachy stripe does what paint couldn't...

Old school silk on paper is fabulous in a bedroom

Raised ink gives the appearance of nailheads

Instant cheer

Animal print or waves; perfect choice

Images:Hackney,York,Phillip Jeffries, Anna French, Thibaut

Love: (Mostly Past) Masters of Timeless Design

I love rooms that defy a time-stamp; that look lovingly collected with a discerning eye and reflect a unique personality... here are some of my favorites from design icons...

Note pillows with writing and banquette by fireplace (a treatment which Billy Baldwin used freely)

From Dorothy Draper: a design doyenne from the 1940's on

Recognize this?

Minimalist studio for the single girl - and pink on the ceiling, too!

Billy Baldwin - 30's through 70's - love, love, love

Baldwin's studio apartment with signature brass shelving, chocolate walls and slipcovers

Love his mix of formal and comfy; slipper chair another Baldwin hallmark

Albert Hadley - late 50's on

Hadley library in the 90's

His NYC home

A 1983 room by Hadley

Hadley in this century

Moroccan inspired room by Hadley in the 70's; still fresh

Sister Parish (nickname, not the nunnery) had a 60 year career; thirty of them partnered with Albert Hadley

Yellow Oval Room done for JFK 

Layers of undertones a hallmark of Parish

Carlton Varney - the 70's; still active as Owner/Pres. of Dorothy Draper & Co.

An 80's room; note the antler cocktail table

Bill Blass: a style icon from the Fifties on; while his trade was wearable fashions, he loved interior decorating - his mantra was "only use what you love"

His neo-classic NYC pied d'terre

His Connecticut home

Detail of living room

Images:ElleDecor,housebeautiful,architecturaldigest,habituallychic,markdikes,nottinghillinteriors,kravetnews,interiorcanvas,jhu.edu,tobifairley

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