Office Minimalist: chandelier

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Some great inspiration: Victorian Shabby Chic

Posted by Mr Wong at 8:02 AM 0

Way too long ago a reader asked me for suggestions to create a "Victorian Shabby Chic" style. I'm ashamed that I'm just getting to it now - but better late than never?

Here's what she writes:
"...we are just starting major renovations on an old Victorian house (built in 1891). One of my challenges is that I don't want the house to be overly Victorian. We are retaining as many of the historical elements as we can (trim, doors, wood floors, etc.) but are making a lot of changes to make the house more suitable for today (adding bathrooms, making a master suite, etc.). The style I am going for is "shabby chic country Victorian", which is I think is a totally made up term that my friend and I came up with. I was wondering if you have any thoughts or images that may fit this "style".

Well, here are a few pics I pulled from my collection that I thought might just fit the bill...

via Vogue Living

The stool with the aged patina adds a "shabby" element to keep the space from being too "perfect" Victorian.

Gotta love the floor!
Two images above via Lonny Mag

via House to Home

via Boligtorvet

Here' another example of a "shabby" piece of furniture that will keep a space from looking too fluffy. I really like the look of a filing cabinet or locker mixed in with victorian furnishings.
via House Doctor

Mixing and matching throws and pillows on your seating will make the space cozier and "shabbier"

A modern chandelier like the one above is Victorian in shape, but the color and finish keeps the fixture from being too chintzy.

Victorian homes often feature gorgeous original wood architectural elements. If the wood is dark, a great way to brighten the space is to add a mirror with a bit of edge, like the one above

Use contrasting colors (like white chairs and a black table), to keep the space awake
four images above via Domino

via Country Living

via Living Etc

Do you have any tips for a "victorian shabby chic" look?

Gorgeous images from my favorite blogs

Posted by Mr Wong at 12:58 PM 0

Hope this is a nice way to end your week!
Blogs in no particular order -

Images above via To-Be-Charmed. This is a great blog if you love DIYs.

From Happy Mundane - if you're tired of the same-old, same-old, this is your blog.

What a nice place to eat blueberry pancakes on a Saturday morning.

I really like the industrial edge brought in by the filing cabinet as the end table!

These beauties via CreamyLife

Hope you like! Have a great weekend!

TIps for creating a superbly glamorous dressing room

Posted by Mr Wong at 5:19 PM 0

Jane, a Decorology reader, wrote me asking for inspiration for a 9x9 room she wants to turn into a "fit for a star dressing room." So I've done my best to compile some super glamorous dressing rooms. I've also found a few "glam dressing room" essentials and where to find them. Even if you don't have a dressing room, I hope you enjoy this eye candy!

One of my favorite dressing rooms - the dressing room of JCrew Jenna Lyons as seen in Domino.
via Abigail Ahern

Another one I like -I guess I really like the windows with natural light, which is good for makeup.
via La Dolce Vita

I think the mornings would be easier to face with a beautiful wall of beautiful shoes.
via Qwikstep

via NestEgg

A dressing room is a great place to try out that bold wallpaper or paint color you've been eyeing as it's a more private, smaller space.
via La Dolce Vita

A super eclectic dressing room.
via La Dolce Vita

I adore this shot - a perfect vision of glamour.
via Country Living

Another one of my faves.
via Architect Design

via Apartment Therapy

Here are some items I would use to create a starlet dressing room.

Top left: A staple of any glam interior - a chaise or settee. This one is from Montauk sofa.
Top right: Chandelier, like this one from Graham and Greene
Center: A tufted ottoman, this one is from Serena and Lily
Bottom left: A mirrored vanity is quintessential glam. This one is from Graham and Greene
Bottom right: A pretty little table like this one from Oomph Online

Check out my article in Nesting Newbies Magazine

Posted by Mr Wong at 7:48 AM 0

Nesting Newbies is a great new online magazine with useful features on cooking, entertaining, lifestyle, and home decorating - geared towards the new home owner or renter. I was flattered to be asked to compile a list regarding "If money were no object, what would you buy for your home right now"

Go to Nesting Newbies, Issue 3, and see the article on page 162.

Here's what I had to say:
If budget was no option, what would you buy for your home right now?

I like a look that blends a little rustic, a little feminine, and a little eclectic. I like mixing styles because it makes it so much easier to incorporate a new piece that you fall in love with, without having to worry whether or not it fits in with the rest of your decor. So, here are three things I'd love to have in my home right now:

A bed with classic good looks. A bed is a piece you should invest in, and you want something that isn't too trendy or you won't get tired of looking at in a year. I love the clean shape of Crate and Barrel's Colette bed paired with the subtle "toughness" added via pewter nail heads and a natural linen texture

I've been wanting a mirrored dresser for a long time, and I like Anthropologie's version which features a "dappled" look. The patina keeps it from looking too precious or overly glamorous

A pair of these chandeliers from my favorite San Francisco shop, Bae. I'd love to put these over a farm table or industrial style dining table from reclaimed wood.

Glamorous and chic interiors from Nest design

Posted by Mr Wong at 6:33 AM 0

I actually discovered this firm because I was looking for some web design inspiration for an upcoming project, and ran across their site on a web design gallery. The firm is called Nest, and they're located in Dallas, TX.

I hope you like!

I love this conservatory - the mix of elegance brought in by the chairs and dining sets, with the roughness of the stone pavers and logs is a chic contrast.

Love this chair and the wallpaper!
See more at their beautiful site!

Lighting inspiration and a chandelier I love!

Posted by Mr Wong at 2:07 PM 0

All these beautiful photos are from Zia-Priven, a husband-wife duo who teamed up and got into the lighting biz in 1999. Marcia Zia-Priven, co-owner, introduced herself awhile back, and sadly I'm just now sharing them with you guys. Not only are their lighting solutions timeless, you can tell by the lovely gallery of lighting inspiration that she used to be a set designer. What do you think? You can check out more on the Zia Priven site.

Check out the chic and adorable feather finial on the table lamp above.

This driftwood lamp is my fav. table lamp they sell.

I love these two chandeliers - the glass bulbs are all hand-blown. I could see them hanging over tables in an artist's studio or a wood-trimmed home library.