Can it really be? Yes!

One of my greatest sources of inspiration for interiors, other than nature, is FASHION. In this case…fashion viewed on two of my favorite fashion blogs www.garancedore.fr and www.thesartorialist.com.

On the street one sees all the elements of creatively wonderful design. It is a mix of color, texture and line that works. There is even the important element of being that fraction of a bit “off” that gives spontaneity to the design.

For example, it isn’t hard for me to look at these boots standing on the pavement and see a room in my mind with a black and white tweed sofa with a buttoned seat and welt in black leather. Next to the sofa, there is a green wool felt “womb” chair and a hammered metal floor lamp. I think I’d throw in a citron-colored challis pillow, too. Other than the tweed for pattern, this room is about solids.

This next ensemble inspires “layers”. What great style! Think of a brick-walled loft enveloped in this warm brown on the other walls and thick drapery panels with a tape on the leading edge in the brown-wine color of the leather jacket. Add a Saladino sofa (perhaps brown again or his beautiful skin color) with an inky navy cashmere throw layered across the back of the sofa and that same tape color on a leather ottoman used as a table.

Now we have a “bit of this and that”; this is pure fun. This look says a smallish cozy space with a lot of light and white. I guess the walls could be my favorite Benjamin Moore Classic Grey. There has to be room for a white French settee with a scraggly fur pillow, a vintage Vuitton trunk piled high with magazines and books and a favorite ombre silk scarf (see skirt!) encased in Lucite and used above the settee as art.

Honestly..all this boy needs is a room blanketed in a heathered cool-toned neutral. HE is the exclamation point!

All this is well and good…now..will the person who wants the room in snappy tweed and sexy black leather please stand up?

Photo Credits:  Garancedore, Sartorialist

Submitted by:  Mary Hickey

Throughout the course of our lives as humans, it is only natural that our eyes tend to continually gravitate towards the things we like.  Whether it’s intentionally or unintentionally, we are predisposed to keep purchasing or holding on to similar items over and over again.  Soon enough you find that through the years you’ve become the proud owner of a “collection” you never intended on starting.

But… there's no need to panic.  The good news is that these unplanned collections, if displayed properly, can become a wonderful focal point in your home.   They speak volumes about your personal style, and can bring the "collected over time: feel that many homes need.

When deciding to showcase your collectibles, a good rule of thumb is to keep them contained to one area.  Don’t place each one of your collected pieces in every room of your home; try to limit them to a special place where together they can serve as an exciting display. 

In this month’s Veranda Magazine, this grouping of tribal statues allows us to appreciate the entire collection… where as placed individually in various rooms they wouldn’t have had as much impact.