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Monday, April 15, 2013

SIMPLE ELEGANCE

 


When you read my blog you will often read the word, simple, or simplicity describing a look, or feel of a room that I admire.

If I had to zero in on one look that I enjoy it would be understated, or simple elegance.

Design is subjective and what is simple to one, might be too complicated to another.

Today I want to share with you what I feel is Simple Elegance and how I define it…..


Nothing overstated here, classic pieces in a simple setting, Simple elegance.



Clean lines, neutrals, nice textural interest. Simple yet quietly elegant.



Strong , distinct contrast with the black and white as well as the more contemporary settee with the traditional wallpaper, and chandelier. Not overstated, just simply elegant.


I love every single element in this space. Each piece speaks equally in this room. 

There is balance, a nice mix of colors and textures. Wonderful contrast in the styles of furniture and the sconces and the chandelier. This room is quiet and simply elegant.



This is one of my all time favorite rooms. It has some very traditional pieces, symmetry, texture, contrast with dark and light. This room exudes simple elegance to me.

A few of the buzz words I used in writing this post that seem to be what makes a room feel simply elegant to me are:

  • CLASSIC LINES
  • TRADITIONAL AND CLASSIC PIECES
  • TEXTURAL INTEREST
  • SYMMETRY
  • CLEAN LINES
  • HIGH CONTRAST IN COLOR, LIGHTS AND DARKS
  • BALANCE
  • CONTRAST IN STYLES OF PIECES IN THE ROOM
Is Simple Elegance a style that you enjoy and try to achieve in your own surroundings?


 
 
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Saturday, April 13, 2013

WHITE TOWELS

 






White towels are the only way to go in my book. Many have asked me over the years, “How do you keep them clean?”


Easily! Wash and bleach or sometimes Oxy!! I find them so much easier to keep clean than a colored towel, which fades over time and looks dingy to me.

Here is a good method to whiten and brighten from time to time:
    • 1
      Treat any obvious stains or marks on the towels with hydrogen peroxide. Dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide over the entire stain and allow it to sit for at least an hour before washing the towel.
    • 2
      Load the white towels into the washing machine and add laundry detergent as well as 1/2 cup of baking soda. The combination of detergent and baking soda helps to lift stains out of the fabric and whiten the towels.
    • 3
      Run the washing machine and add 1 cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle. The vinegar will brighten the whites and help deep clean the fabric for the rest of the washing cycle.
    • 4
      Dry the towels thoroughly. Repeat steps 1 through 4 as necessary to get the towels looking professionally cleaned and whitened.


In my book there is nothing prettier than a stack of fluffy white towels.

I actually have quite a fetish for stacked white towels, so much so that I even have a pinboard for images of stacked white towels.

Let me show you………


YES PLEASE!


CLEAN




SIMPLE ELEGANCE




LOVELY



FRESH



SPA-LIKE



CONVENIENT

Have I convinced you yet?

Do you see yourself using all white towels in the future, or are you like me and have always used white towels?

If you would like to start changing out your towels to all white go HERE and check out Neimans Pink Sale towels.



I get these every few years and always have them monogrammed. They also make a great gift! 

 
 
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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Family Room Sconces Revealed


When we re-do a room in our homes, it is a process. One that can take quite a bit of time, if you are a planner like me.

I have to stop, and thank all of you who have been following along with my long drawn out process.

Now let’s get down to brass tacks!

My mantel started out looking like this……


mantel for Linda 002 (600x800)
A Victorian over mantel mirror with reproduction gas-light brass sconces.


I wanted a  more up to date clean look so we wound up with this…..


Mantel dismantel 003 (800x706)

Much cleaner lines and a fresher look, just what I was going for.


Next element on the agenda was the sconces. I had three choices that I was contemplating…..


three choices


Each one of these sconces came from Lamps Plus! I was very pleased with the customer service, and especially pleased with the styling, and quality of each of these fixtures.


Option one, Johnathan Adler sconce click here!

Option two, Mary McDonald Directoire sconce 
click here!

Option three,  Hamilton old nickel sconce click here!

I tried each one of these sconces out in the room, and made my final decision.

drum-roll
I chose……………


Both Sconce hanging 001 (800x586)
THE MARY MCDONALD DIRECTOIRE BLACK SCONCES!


To say I love these sconces is an understatement. They added just the right touch of black, warmth and sophistication to the room that I wanted.


Both Sconce hanging 003 (800x600)
 (I am showing  the room with it's Fall/Winter look)

Most of you chose this sconce when guessing which one I would choose.


It appears my readers know me well!


265

Did you guess this sconce or one of the others?

Thank YOU for tagging along with me during this journey!!

There is still more to do, and more to show you! 

To be continued……