Atticmag - Part 3

Faux Deer Decor

by Allison on January 26, 2012 in Allison Shops

Artistic interpretations of nature become creature comforts when adorning our walls.

Animal motifs always have and always will be used in decorating. Maybe it’s because most people love animals, or maybe because it adds a bit of fun. This hand blocked felt menagerie just makes me smile. They are perfect for a nursery or little girl’s room.

rustic junk yard deer head trophies from At West End Or choose one from this whimsical junk yard trio for a boy’s room.

handcarved basswood animal head trophies from Roost Collection Hand carved basswood trophies are on the higher end, but just one does the trick!

cashmere cable knit covered deer trophy by Rachel Denny These beauties are found in galleries and exhibits, but can also be custom ordered. Artist Rachel Denny covers deer and more in cozy cashmere cable knit woolen and the like.

white painted faux resin deer head trophy I personally like the more realistic deer better than the white lacquered or shiny aluminum versions available. Although the flat white paint makes this one more modern, it’s the intricate details that make this baby stand out.

vintage wood and metal faux deer stag head by The Little Deer Company In our home, it’s usually vintage. I purchased this 1940′s faux stag head online. He is covered with a soft, fuzzy material and has glass eyes. His nose and antlers are metal. The wooden plaque is stamped “The Little Deer Company Saxon, WI” on the back, but I haven’t been able to find any information in my research.

Be sure not to miss the framed cardboard taxidermy in my grandson’s Eclectic Gender-Neutral Nursery, and the exotic papier-mâché trophies crafted by Brandy for her son’s Sophisticated Safari Nursery.

(Sources: Pop Deluxe, At West End, Tuvaluhome.com, Rachel Denny, etsy-mahzerandvee)

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Black Beadboard Guest Bath

by Jane F on January 25, 2012 in Traditional Bath

A lacquer look gives popular wall paneling fresh sophistication.

We’ve seen a lot of bead board wainscoting in bathrooms because it adds a defining architectural element to walls at a moderate price. Usually it’s painted white or ivory and sometimes gray or green. But ebonized bead board – painted high-gloss black – kicks it several rungs up the style ladder as a category. Black, as we’ve seen, can have a modernizing effect on walls. In this California bath that quality has been applied with stellar results. Instead of adding color above it, the jet woodwork is crowned by mirrors. Sconces are mounted over the glass and, centered above the Restoration Hardware Gramercy marble washstand, there’s an ebonized Regency and bone mirror which adds to the elegance of the paneling. A white and black-dot marble mosaic basket weave floor and correspondingly white ceiling completes a simple but dramatic scheme. The bathroom is styled to a fare-thee-well by owner Mark D. Sikes, with objects he and his partner collect plus a charming Victorian bamboo tripod table. Glimpses of a Roman tortoise bamboo window shade as well as a stylish drapery style shower curtain are reflected in the mirrored walls which give us a deeper look into this inky spa.

(Source: House Beautiful)

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Unusual Plate Display Locations

by Allison on January 24, 2012 in Accessories

Displaying plate collections is centuries old, what is new are their locations.

No longer is the dining room or kitchen the only way to go. Case point, white ironstone and black transferware above a headboard. They contrast nicely with the bedroom’s charcoal walls. Crisp hotel-style linens, a zebra rug and gingham chair repeat their colors.

Decoupage plates and trays by John Derian are displayed en mass in this modern bathroom. The pieces become frameless art that add color and visual interest in an otherwise dull space.

faux bamboo vanity and leather covered stool xxxxxxxxxx

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I’ve had a collection of decorative plates hanging over the vanity in our master bath for years now. Several were painted by my maternal grandmother and one of her friends. Another was a wedding present to my parents and the largest a Christmas present from Mr Shops. When a friend, that happens to be a decorator, saw them he was appalled. I was told they were inappropriate for the bathroom and I should move them to the dining, “where they belong.” Really?! The plates are still above my vanity where I enjoy seeing them several times a day.

Are these unusual places? Maybe to some, but as long as the collection delights the homeowner they are refreshingly offbeat.

(Sources: Decorpad, Nirmada Interior Architectural Design, Atticmag, Addicted2Decorating)

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Five Kid’s Room Ideas

by Jane F on January 22, 2012 in For Kids

The current baby boom has thrown a spotlight on children’s spaces.

Once an afterthought, children’s rooms are now considered part of the overall scheme in the house. I love to see what designers think up for little people and I favor rooms based on ideas rather than themes since I feel they are easier to update and modify as time moves on.

A Cozy Nook [top]
Barney purple and built- ins took an awkward second-story landing (note a bannister on the right) and transformed it into a snuggly window seat and library area that helps relieve some of the usual bedroom clutter. The animal-print cushion also can double as an extra sleeping space when cousins come to visit. And as time goes on, all that needs to change is the wall color and the collectibles.

Gender-Neutral Color
If someone has a name for the color in this nursery, please let me know! I wavered from sea green, to aqua – it’s certainly not mint. Happy, crisp and workable for either a boy or a girl, the color is a terrific choice that can withstand a long evolution. What’s genius, however, is the very grown up Venetian plaster wall treatment that sets off a beautifully refinished old floor.

Sleeping Compartments
It takes a minute to see that this very small space will actually sleep four — like an old-fashioned railway car. It’s a great solution for a guest room at Camp Grandma though geared for older kids who can navigate the flexible ship’s ladders, especially in the middle of the night.

Whimsical Wallpaper
Dots? Colored bubbles? Escaped balloons? Fun wallpaper adds even more atmosphere than a mural and can help keep the need for wall art to a minimum.

Twin Set
These bunk beds fit perfectly into their corner but are not built in. So, in theory, when the occupant of the top berth grows too tall to scramble up there easily, they are a cinch to move. Meanwhile, what could be sweeter than the white-painted bed, ladder and shabby sheets.

(Source: Smith & Vansant Architects, Melanie Turner Interiors, NY Magazine, Lonnymag)

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Electric Blue Kitchen

by Jane F on January 20, 2012 in Blue Kitchen

Will blue-and-white fans love this modern take on the theme?

I do. Every time I look at these deep blue kitchen cabinets they make me feel that someone stole some of the rich blue color from an ancient piece of blue and white china and painted these cabinets. That’s silly, of course, since European-style modern cabinets come in many blues as saturated as this one. What makes them look so cool, I think, is the super-sharp contrast with the white walls, counters and pale beige floor. Stainless steel appliances, including a Wolf pro-style range and hood, slip in so neutrally between the two extremes they are hardly noticeable. While the space looks thoroughly today, the styling of the Edison bulb cluster chandelier and bar stools seem like references to mid-20th century design. But a fact-check proves that Kartell’s polypropylene Spoon Stools are only having their 10th birthday this year.