Enough Already!!

Do you ever find yourself seeing a design element over and over in every magazine or every blog and you can’t help but say out loud, “Enough Already!”

There are several elements that I have this feeling about, but today I am going to talk about one.

 I have to say that I am not totally opposed to this particular element. I just think that it has been over used. I am beginning to think that people think if they add one of these to their home decor they will have a well decorated room and be on- trend.

I think this element is here to stay simply because it has been around forever, and I do mean forever. Just use a little logic and you will realize it was probably even used in the caves of the cave men. The Victorians like to use them to show their wealth and that they were well traveled.

So what am I talking about?…………

Animal hide rugs!

Now if you have an animal hide rug, real or faux, I am not being critical of your choice to have one in your home.

The point I am trying to make is, to really evaluate whether you like a design trend before adding it to your room. Make sure this is something you truly love and have always loved before, during and after they are no longer popular.

I have just seen so many rooms with this rug that it makes me question how much longer this trend will be alive and well or in this case dead(sorry for the pun.)

The other day I was reading a blog post over at My Little Happy Place that really just about said it all and very simply. Be sure to hop on over to see what she did a post about that ties in perfectly with my post.

 She showed this rug………

You too can have this rug in any color of your choice through
 Flor Carpet tiles. Thank you but No thank you!!!

I will leave you with one more faux animal rug.....

 I love the nursery and I actually think the rug is a fun pop of color, but as I said in my title...........

“Enough Already!”

How do you all feel about the faux animal hide rugs? Have you seen enough to be tired of the look or has it always been a love of yours and a design element you will probably always have? Is there another element that you find yourself saying,"Enough Already!" about? I would love to hear from you!!

“Enjoy the Process” of:

Deciding on the design elements you love and will always love for your home.

Kathysue

How Many is Too Many???

While doing a little blog hopping the other day, I went to visit a blog I follow, Delight by Design.

 If you have not seen this blog it makes for an inspirational read. Please hop on over and take a peek and tell her that Kathysue sent you.


Now, back to what I was going to talk about…… When I read her post about mixing vintage, chic and Ikea I was struck by the interiors she was posting,designed by Jeff Lincoln…….

 

What I was struck by was his prolific use of mirrors in a room.Notice that even the sideboard has a mirrored front. The only mirror I would have moved is the white mirror that appears to be in an entry hall. I might have moved it farther away from the console table vignette.  Too many mirrors? I personally don’t think so.

When I was working I would often times suggest more than one mirror in a room. Almost inevitably my client would ask, “ Is it alright to have two mirrors in one room.” I would always answer, "absolutely."  Sometimes I would use my own home to get my point across........

In my living room I have two mirrors, two sconces that are mirrored, and my table is mirrored, How about a total of five mirrors in one room. Is that alright? I think so.

Look at my dining room………..

Two matching floor length mirrors on each side of the window with lamps in front of them. Four mirrors on the paneled door and not pictured a mirror on a small wall as you enter.

Right across from the dining room is my kitchen where the back wall of my glass front cupboard is mirrored and I also have a black framed mirror in the corner on the counter top.

Shall we count them? If you count each panel mirror as a mirror I have a total of nine mirrors in my kitchen/dinette area alone.

I have always admitted I have a slight obsession with mirrors. Not for the use of seeing my reflection but for the amount of light that they bring into a room. We all know that they also make a small space look larger.

So when a client or a friend ask me, "How many is too many?" My answer is, "Whatever you like that looks good to your eye!!!"

Here are a few images that show some fun ways to display multiples of mirrors……..

A matching trio.

I love this! Just look at how the mirror-less frame becomes sulptural next to the sculptural  hat stand. No matching here- just a random yet, balanced vignette or mirrors.

I did a frameless mirror arrangement quite similar to this for a client several years ago.  I think it still works. It is so reflective and pretty.

 

via Athropologie

via Mod nest

This is just amazing!! Black and white stripe, silhouettes and mirrors all in one setting! Be still my heart!!

Via the Lennox, another favorite blog of mine!!

 In my master bedroom I have two matching mirrors above the nightstands, a mirrored armoire next to the vanity sink mirror, and a mirrored closet door. A total of five mirrors in one room. Too many?????

What do you think? Do you like one mirror in a room or can you handle more?

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Adding more than one mirror to a room for light and reflection.

Kathysue

What Should I Paint The Letter “P?”

Opinions Wanted Please!!

I have been sharing the progress of my playroom for awhile now. It is still in progress, but moving steadily along.
My most recent purchase was the big two foot letter “P.”

 

As you can see it is yellow. I love yellow, but not in this particular room. When I ordered the P I knew I would be painting it.

Here are the main fabrics that will determine how the P should be painted.

I have a couple of ideas and thought I would pass them by you all to see what your opinions are. In blog land we all love to give our opinions!!

Sorry that the pictures are blurry, but these are the only letters I could find with stripes and I needed to show you examples.

Option #1:

Simple and all white

Option#2:

White front and navy edges

Option #3:

White with horizontal stripes in navy but wider than these stripes.

Option #4:

White and navy stipes on  the diagonal, again with wider stripes.

Option #5:

White and Navy vertical stripes.( Sorry I could not find a P only a B!)
These stripes are more accurate of the width I would use.

Or do you have another option for me that you would like to suggest?

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Finding the perfect option to paint my letter “P!”

Kathysue