24Feb

Favorite and Latest Rattan Pieces Round-Up

rattan daybed, suzanne kasler, kips bay decorators showhouse — A Rattan daybed by Atelier Vime used by Suzanne Kasler for this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Palm Beach. Photo by Douglas Friedman

We can all appreciate the natural and organic texture of rattan. Rattan pieces are more available than ever before. From lighting fixtures to fashionable summer bags made of the natural material. Catching up with its popularity, companies are coming up with more and more rattan products and due to the nature and simplicity of the material, it facilitates for reasonably priced decorative pieces. Although I mostly prefer the charm of vintage rattan pieces instead of new ones, I appreciate the variety and abundance of rattan products available today.

26Aug

Trending Now: Abaca Rugs

If you haven’t gotten caught up with the increasing trend of abaca rugs, then today you will. Ideal for coastal design, we can see this natural-fiber rug in urban homes as well as in country homes nowadays. Abaca also called Musa, or Manila Hemp comes from an inedible banana plant that grows in the Philippines. The very versatile plant can be used for everything from plates to paper to roofing. The fibers of this plant are super durable and strong, making them thicker, but also softer than sisal, making them super cozy and elegant as well.

abaca rug, costal design, Amanda Lindroth

Many beautiful elements are in this coastal design room, but the Borobudur abaca rug makes the most substantial impact. Design by Amanda Lindroth.

09Jan

Biscuit Bedding: Things We Love

I would say that the ultimate luxury is to have a full night sleep, furthermore, to sleep in a bed with soft, luxurious, and beautiful bedding. I first learned about Biscuit bedding when I saw the chic bedding at AD just recently. I couldn’t help but love the brand’s modern take on the traditional. In 2012 Bailey McCarthy realized through her design work that there was a lack of heirloom quality bedding for her generation. She created Biscuit as a brand that would fill this space by designing and selling luxury bedding with fun designer prints, keeping the process rooted in the tradition of the south and manufactured in the USA.

Above, one of the bedrooms at Bailey McCarthy’s home, outfitted with Biscuit bedding. The home was designed by Miles Redd. Photo by Trevor Tondro via AD.

Two of Biscuit bedding print collection

29Aug

Rattan Daybeds: 7 Rattan Daybeds To Warm Up Your Home

Rattan daybeds represent a summer allure that is irresistible. I’ve seen a lot of rattan daybeds surfing around in the Interior Design world lately, and every interpretation of its use is equally beautiful as well as warm. With all the tropical influence in design nowadays, you may be hearing the word rattan or wicker a lot. Actually many people get confused about the difference between the two. Well, be confused no more, the simple difference between rattan and wicker is that rattan is the material used, while wicker is the woven technique employed to make the furniture.

rattan daybed 1960s, atelier vime, wicker

A 1960’s rattan daybed from Atelier Vime. A French studio which offers a great selection of rattan furniture, vintage and new. here

30Jul

Myrtle Topiaries: The Artistic Elegance of Topiaries

Myrtle topiaries, topiaries, Julie Paulino Design

Myrtle and boxwood topiaries inside our fireplace at our home. Julie Paulino Design

Last week I had a photoshoot at our house for a local publication. I wanted to photograph the area around our fireplace, but alas, it’s summer so turning on the fire was out of the question. After a couple of days brainstorming about how to make a black hole, a big one, in this case, look good enough for a photoshoot, a lightbulb went on, and a picture of myrtle potted topiaries and boxwood topiaries inside the fireplace came spinning into my head. The result was more than satisfying, transforming an empty rather cold space into a warm and charming one. Myrtle topiaries can add that understated elegance to any area adding that soothing character to a home or garden.

Initially, I thought of using a few flower arrangements, but they would have gotten lost or distracted the entire ensemble. I was lucky to find what I was looking for, two tall double topiaries and two small rounded boxwoods to create different heights. The two double balls are Myrtle topiaries that can live inside and hopefully last year round if we take good care of them. The smaller rounded boxwoods are evergreen that later on, we’ll transplant outside. The dense evergreen leaves are meant to withstand cold weather, and they are a favorite for shaping into different shapes of topiaries since ancient times. Below, a few options of potted topiaries to bring a bit of garden inside your home.

07May

This Week’s Sale is All Palm Beach Chic Decorating Style

I’m confident that Interior Designer Celerie Kemble, whose prevailing style is Palm Beach Chic, would approve all these pieces on sale this week. Think trellis either as wallpaper or as an actual wood framework, bold patterned upholstery, bright colorful fabrics, plaster chandeliers, rattan and some whimsical accessories that is the Palm Beach Chic style I’m referring to. Even though not all interiors look the same in Palm Beach, take this more formal home designed by David Kleinberg as an example, the style most people are familiar with is the one that is bold and daring. Often the color turquoise is combined with a bright green or orange. Lots of sea elements as accessories, seagrass wallpaper or simply white walls make a great background to all these diverse elements to mingle together.

”Like nautical style, its Northeastern counterpart, Palm Beach style embraces all aspects of sea life—but with a distinctly tropical spin. Shells and coral are often-spotted elements, but palm fronds and the stately peacock chair, which is making a major comeback since its Swinging ’60s heyday, take the look to a more exotic place” One King Lane. A bold and bright interior may not be liked by everyone, but that is the beauty of diversity that we can all like and love. Below, a few palm beach inspired pieces on sale…

An ottoman table that separates into stools is not only comfortable but also convenient, upholster it in a bold pattern fabric and keep the sofa in one color. A side lamp table with a chinois undertone which would look great with a blue and white lamp. A blue and white pillow because it’s a beach house and a bed made of a combination of a woven natural material and wood.