Three years ago I started reading about linen bed sheets. Ironically, this was the time when I began selling off high-quality Sferra king-size cotton sheet sets on eBay with the aim of reducing the contents of my linen closet. For many years we had two homes and over time I acquired 17 sets of sheets for our king-size bed! Yet linen sheets were a trending novelty on home design … [Read more...]
Hidden TVs
With smart house technology expanding, hidden tvs can pop up, flip up or drop down almost anywhere. For heavy TV viewers like Mr. AM and myself, hidden tvs aren't practical. Sets in our house are on day and night. Yet some object to naked flat screens on aesthetic terms and require cover ups. Allison installed her great room TV behind sliding wood and copper panels which were … [Read more...]
Safari Camp Bedroom Décor
Once you see the Robert Redford, Meryl Streep film “Out of Africa,” the romance of a high-end safari camp bedroom is clear. Then again, it may already be clear — photos tell stories, too. For me, the appeal is using the organic, informal look of an African safari camp bedroom based on the textures and light, natural colors used in warm climates. Three gorgeous upscale safari … [Read more...]
Traditional Bathroom Fireplaces
I always enjoy seeing traditional bathroom fireplaces — in older homes or in new homes. I also wonder when baths like the renovated gray and white beauty [top] were redone and how that room was used in the past. But practically speaking, it doesn’t matter. The idea is to consider the baths as we find them and understand the ideas that make them notable. Telltale signs of a … [Read more...]
Slipper Chair Marathon
Modern & vintage variations on armless chairs for any room. Part 1 - Victorian details. Recently, I started looking at slipper chairs and couldn’t stop! Every time I found a lively chair that would be great for use in a living room, bedroom, kitchen, library, bathroom, front hallway or mudroom, another one in a different style, color or shape turned up. When I sat back to … [Read more...]
Suzani Season
Renamed “artisan-made finds,” centuries-old suzani textiles are launched as “new” for fall. See the lovely flowered textile draped over the back of the velvet-covered Chesterfield sofa in the foreground of this living room? That's a large suzani textile and if you look carefully you can see a pillow in a similar pattern on a chair to the left (just behind the lamp). Back in … [Read more...]
Patio Perfect Rugs
Outdoor patio rugs are available in a variety of designs. If you’ve been browsing the latest catalogs or online shopping sites, then you know how popular patio rugs for outdoor decorating have become. The days are longer and the weather is superb here in California. I’ve been sprucing up the yard, pruning, raking and planting summer annuals because outdoor entertaining is on … [Read more...]
Kilim Rug Pillows
Geometric kilim rug pillows are colorful and durable accessories made from repurposed flat-weave rugs. I often see rugs that are too threadbare to warrant investing time or money in to repair so using them for kilim rug pillows makes sense. Flat woven rugs like kilims are particularly susceptible to wear because they do not have a pile, thus the warps are subjected to a lot of … [Read more...]
