Tag Archives: slip cover

Summer Lovin’: Fabrics, Throw pillows, Carpets, and Linens

To me, summer is all about casual vibrant living. Weather that includes an exotic destination vacation, your weekend beach house, and just sipping lemonade in your backyard with friends. You can redo an entire room or beachy splashes of color or just change the throw pillows on your sofa. See below for ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Fabrics and Throw Pillows:

Quadrille: What is there not to love about Quadrille. You see their prints in magazines all the time and there is good reason! Chic and timeless with vibrant colors.

Potalla print shown above in both images as well as below

Saya Gata shown above and in image above

Ferns shown above and in image above

Cap Ferrat

Soho

Petite Zig Zag

http://quadrillefabrics.com/collections_alan.html

Aleta On Line Store:

http://aletaonline.infodine.com/index.php

Kathryn Ireland On Line Store: Her fabrics are divine and you can now purchase throw pillows:

http://kathrynirelandstore.bigcartel.com/category/kathryn-ireland-pillows

Rubie Green: Eco chic, Rubie Green’s fabric line and fun and you can sleep soundly knowing you have done your part for the environment.

http://rubiegreen.com/fabrics.html

Les Indiennes: Mary Mulachy developed linens that are fresh, simple, authentically indian, yet pleasing to the western eye.

These pillows are the perfect companions for a white chino slip covered sofa and a thickly woven jute rug.

http://www.lesindiennesshop.com/index.aspx

Carolina Irving: The vibrant colors printed on beautiful linen never fail to brighten my mood. I cannot choose a favorite.

http://carolinairvingtextiles.com/Fabric.html

Katie Ridder:

How much fun to make drapes in your summer house guest bedroom out of Katie Ridders fabrics.

Parlor Textiles: We are loving Anglea Clinton’s textiles! The patterns are beautiful and reflect her modern sensibility.

http://www.parlortextiles.com/index.html

Madeline Weinrib pillows- the perfect solution for a white sofa. Weather you choose a silk ikat, a block print, or an embroidered suzani you cannot go wrong. She also makes large floor pillows.

http://madelineweinrib.com/mw/ikat/index.html

Carpets:

Wisteria:

http://www.wisteria.com/Graphic-Flat-Weave-Rug-Blue/productinfo/W4045/

http://www.wisteria.com/Apple-Green-Striped-Dhurrie/productinfo/W4042/

William Sonoma Home:

http://www.wshome.com/products/p1195/index.cfm?pkey=crugs%2Dcrewels%2Dneedlepoints

** On sale!

http://www.wshome.com/products/p1196/index.cfm?pkey=crugs%2Dcrewels%2Dneedlepoints

** On Sale!

Madeline Weinrib carpets are a fun and inexpensive way to pack a punch.

http://madelineweinrib.com/carpetindex.html

Dash and Albert: We use these rugs all the time. The cotton weaves and indoor/ outdoor are ou favorite. You cannot beat the price point and they are very durable.

http://www.dashandalbert.com/

Furniture With Texture:

Opt for a textured bed or chair to bring the beach inside:

http://www.wshome.com/products/p1204/index.cfm?pkey=gthmbas

http://www.wshome.com/products/p1211/index.cfm?pkey=gthmbas

** we just used two of these in a show house- beautiful in person…and they are on sale now!

Ralph Lauren:

http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/products/Furniture/?haid=5

Shabby Chic: This brand is known for their laid back, deliciously squishy slip covered furniture.

http://www.mycremebrulee.com/furniture_page1_files/Beecroft_Sofa.html

Bed Linens:

Leontine Linens:

Classic New England prepster

Beautiful and understated celadon applique

Perfect for your little pirate!

http://www.leontinelinens.com/index.php/bed/

If custom linens are not in the beach house budget…

We love prints and the linens below can be the focal point of a bedroom.

Paint the walls a soft hydrangea lilac and white wooden shutters and you have a tranquil seaside retreat.

http://www.wshome.com/products/p9100/index.cfm?pkey=csheets%2Dbed%2Dsheet%2Dsets

Pair this coral with soft yellow or pale blue walls.

Hang a grasscloth on the walls and ceilings and paint the moldings a crisp white.

http://www.luludkmatouk.com/patterns/index.html

OR…. Keep it classic with rope embroidered bedding. Choose a spicy fabric for your drapes and a grasscloth on the walls.

http://www.wshome.com/products/p4001/index.cfm?pkey=csheets%2Dbed%2Dsheet%2Dsets

The Table:

We love a classic greek key pattern and Pomegranate Inc. has nailed it:

Below is one of their embroidered place mats:

Their chunky straw place mat with a shell is a nice touch:

http://www.pomegranateinc.com/store.htm

Les Indiennes:

You can use as a table cloth or a spread on the beach for a picnic.

http://www.lesindiennesshop.com/index.aspx

Roberta Roller Rabbit: Fun prints on cotton- a great gift for your hostess:

http://store01.prostores.com/servlet/robertarollerrabbit/the-Home/Categories

Ralph Lauren: Classic all american summer.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4006050&cp=1760785&ab=int_060210_HOMELP_LAPLAGE_SHOPNOW

xo,

S

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These are a few of my favorite things- House Beautiful June 2010

I loved the June 2010 House Beautiful. Below are my two favorite homes and a page with great valance examples.

Relaxed beach house designed by James Howard

The shape of the bottom of the roman shade is great. A fabric roman shade is a great way to warm up an otherwise sterile kitchen and the shape at the bottom follows the pattern – showing you put some thought into the details.

I am a huge fan of tortoise shell blinds – a chic way to add privacy to a room while letting in sunlight. The wicker sofa and club chair are in two different stains. A white painted bobble chair and two different side tables added to the mix show how a room can feel pulled together without being matchy-matchy. The pair of glass lamps unifies the space. The green and white stripe on the sofa and club chair are a great summery touch.

The above image is a close up of the wave molding and the upholstered linen walls in the dining room. I adore upholstered walls and done in this neutral linen adds texture and softness to a room without feeling fussy.

To create symmetry in the room they made an arched bookshelf to mirror the arch of the door. Thus creating a space where two side chairs feel comfortable. Again we see the white painted bobble chair and a pretty rope backed Orkney chair. The walls are painted in a pale but strong blue.

I have always loved Oscar de la Renta’s 4 poster bed with the crenallated canopy. The canopy adds a sense of whimsy and security when you are snuggled up for the night. The bench has a fun base shape and the soft blue gray walls create a tranquil yet happy guest bedroom. I love the turquoise gourd lamp from Mrs. Howard- what a great pop of color.

The page above included a variety of valance styles. All beautiful and with distinctively different feels.

Another favorite was the Historic New York House With Color by Jeffrey Bilhuber.

I love Jeffrey Bilhuber’s designs so I was thrilled to see his Locust Valley, New York country home “Hay Fever” that dates back to 1668. I think he definitely succeeded in keeping the “soul” in this house. Nothing feels precious but the colors are magical- just what you want in a summer home.

The black painted pine floor ( look at those floor boards!) lets the sisal carpet and soft blues and yellows float off the floor. You can paint a floor black and still have a light airy feeling room. I love how he threw in a punch of purple on the sofa. The above room was originally an entrance hall but he made it much more welcoming by adding the large round table, a sofa, and chairs.

The library floor is painted a lacquered green ( an idea borrowed from Monticello). The baby blue fabric on the chairs and the red lamp shades makes for an interesting room. The acid green walls in the next room pack a happy summer punch.

Finally the shot of the acid green room (Benjamin Moore’s chic lime) in all of it’s splendor. The large sisal ( from Beauvais) dresses down the more formal valances and fun chinoiserie fabric. Notice all the different shaped chairs ( most of which are slip covered). Red and white ticking stripe, wicker, soft blue, varying lamp heights, mirrored door surrounds ( a nod to Nancy Lancaster) , and texture make this room memorable. The room is exciting yet comfortable mixing humble and high.
xo,
S

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What Feels Like Summer To You?

This streak of gorgeous weathers feels more like August than the middle of May…but I will take it. We are heading up to Rhode Island for the weekend to get in on this summer fun.

Does summer bring out your arsenal of brightly colored clothing? Does it remind you of popsicles, beach balls, sun tan lotion, and wild fun? The below rooms are packed with color, whimsy, and do not take themselves to seriously, just like you!

Do you like your white linen dress to be crisp, not a wrinkle in your slacks, navy and white stripped bow tie to sit just so? These cool clean rooms may be a great jumping off point for you:

Is summer your time to kick back, relax, and let the sand fall where it may? If so, the rooms below are for you with their sparse furniture plans, slip covers, and sisal carpets.

Happy Friday!!

xo,

S

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