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Design Trend: Elephant Home Décor and Feng Shui Tips

In the East, the mighty elephant is viewed as a sacred animal. As the largest land mammal, elephants are symbols of power, strength and wisdom. No wonder there is a surge in designer décor items inspired by this majestic animal. I am sure Babar and Dumbo are thrilled!

 Interior Design by M. Design Interiors
Looking for chic ways to incorporate this symbolic creature into your home?  Here is a round-up of some stylish and contemporary home accessories featuring the elephant. And pay attention to the elephant’s trunk and read some interesting Feng Shui tips at the end of this post.
 
 
 
 
 
Two Elephants Rice Pillow by Koko

Ready to add an elephant figurine or pillow in your interior design? If so, here are some fun tips for those who follow Feng Shui principals:
“For good luck, protection and strength to the household, place a statue of an elephant, or a pair of elephants, at the front door,” advises Asian Feng Shui in an article on Feng Shui Elephant Tips. “When elephants are used in such a way, they are referred to as “Elephants of Many Blessings.” These elephants should have their trunks facing upwards as that represents prosperity, good luck and victory, although elephants with their trunks facing downward represent longevity and conception. The direction of the trunk can affect the chi within the space, so it is important to choose an elephant that will bring about the energy you wish to have in your household or office.”
Good to know… now off to check the direction of a little elephant figurine’s trunk.

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Read full story By on May 26, 2010 in feng shui, home accessories, interior design

Tips for Styling a Bookcase Like an Interior Designer

The bookcase. It’s functional by maximizing space and aesthetically pleasing by adding height to balance out a room. The bookcase is also not just for books. It is a wonderful place to add treasures that personalize your space. Here are some tips on how to style a bookcase.
A Clean Start
Remove all items from your shelves. Store or donate unsightly paperback books.

The study above,designed by Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd., is a beautiful example of how a bookcases help maximize a space, while adding height for overall balance.
Add a Splash of Color
For visual interest, back your shelves with a contrasting wallpaper print or colorful paint. This gorgeous bookcase by Samantha Pynn
{decorator, stylist and host and principal designer of Pure Design on HGTV} is backed with Schumacher’s Imperial Trellis by Kelly Wearstler  in Charcoal.

Some Up and Some Down

Books can be wonderful home accessories, so showcase the most beautiful ones in your collection. Arrange the books by size, subject and color. Create a rhythmic pattern by placing books vertically as well as horizontally {horizontal books can also act as bookends}. I love how designer, Molly Luetkmeyer of M. Design Interiors arranged the books and accessories in the built-in bookshelf above.
Make it Pretty
Adding objects such as shapely ceramics, decorative boxes, small sculptures, family photos and original artwork makes your bookcase more visually interesting and personal. When selecting objects, be aware of the scale and color. Objects shouldn’t blend in or get lost on the shelves. Here is an example of beautiful bookcases flanking a fireplace from Elle Decor  {May 2008} that showcase more decorative objects than books.  It makes me think that “Bookless” bookshelves may  show up more often as people go high tech and move to the Kindle or iPad to read books. What do you think? Do you like the look? 
Tips for Styling a Bookshelf
*images courtesy of Splendid Willow, Carrier and Company Interiors, Samantha Pynn Inc., M. Design Interiors, Good Bones, Great Pieces
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Read full story By on May 24, 2010 in bookshelves, Design Tips, home accessories, interior design

Grant K. Gibson – One of Elle Decor’s Designers to Watch

 
In the June 2010 issue just hitting newsstands, Elle Decor announced their A-list  Designers and the Five Designers to  Watch.  I am thrilled that San Francisco–based interior designer and fellow blogger, Grant K. Gibson was selected as one of the top five designers to keep your eye one.  Yippee! His eclectic, yet sophisticated designs won me over too. Here are some beautiful images from his portfolio.

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of meeting Grant at the Williams Sonoma Home store in Palo Alto’s Stanford Shopping Center {btw this store is amazing… you will have to drop by if you’re in the area}. Grant was discussing social media marketing trends to a room full of San Francisco Bay Area designers. We were all taken by Grant’s charming, down-to-earth presence. He walked us through what social media vehicles he uses currently – blogging, facebooking and tweeting {the cute little canary wallpaper on his Twitter page was a former pet that sadly flew out his window}. To build a following on any of these sites, he encourages people to leave comments and join the online conversations. I encourage you to “follow or friend” Grant; Like his designs, he is  wonderfully approachable.
Do you have any blogging or social media advice or new tools for those trying to build a following?
 
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Read full story By on May 21, 2010 in blog, interior design

Custom Eco-Friendly Fabric Printing – Spoonflower

Okay, I might be late to the party, but I recently came across Spoonflower , an amazing print  on demand textile marketplace and community. Founded in 2008, the North Carolina-based company makes it possible for individuals to design, print and sell their own fabric designs. Since then , the  Spoonflower community has exploded to 70,000+  crafty individuals who use their own fabric to create all sorts of items including clothing, artwork and home accessories. The  Spoonflower marketplace now offers the largest collection of independent fabric designers in the world!
The selection and quality of fabrics is impressive! Spoonflower uses large-format inkjet printers specially modified to run fabric. Unlike conventional textile manufacturing, digital printing entails very little waste of fabric, ink, water or electricity. In addition, they print using eco-friendly, water-based pigment inks on natural fiber textiles. No additional chemicals are used in the printing or preparation process. Clients can order a swatch of fabric or 100 yards of a single design. The fabric is shipped within a week. 
Here are some beautiful textiles made and available on Spoonflower that caught my eye:
 
 
Be sure to check out Spoonflower’s weekly contents too. Here is the latest winning fabric design:
Love the whimsical splashing drinks and colorful cocktail monkeys hanging from the martini glasses.  
Cheers!
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Read full story By on May 17, 2010 in green design, healthy home, interior design, upholstery