Sometimes, home décor items are simply too pretty to use. For example, furniture is meant to be practical, but it’s still difficult to picture an outstanding piece withstanding the onslaughts of daily use. However, every so often, eye-catching furniture appears that people actually want to utilize, even at a high-end price. Inherent properties are aptly put to use by clever design, resulting in the item becoming more than just an ornament.
Take, for example, a chair available by ABC Carpet and Home. The inventor probably aimed for a finished product that was unique, but still perfectly adaptable to almost any environment. He or she also, in all likelihood, wished to provide a safe and user-friendly functionality while blending artistry pleasing to the eye. But, since millions of chairs already fit that description, what would make this particular one stand out from the competition?
The creator thus started by considering the chair’s basic use, with the realization that the best designs allowed easy access and just the right amount of cushioning. The decision was made to offer a wide, square seat and chair back of the equal dimensions, with no arms. This appears to be a wise choice, as such parameters can accommodate individuals of all sizes and shape, while still providing adequate back support. Keeping with a fairly bared-down body, the designer was then faced with question of chair legs. With this preliminary look, a typical base could easily duplicate it the look of a standard office chair, which is not something a high-end user prefers in their environment. The problem was solved with conceptual thinking that became as important as the chair’s upholstery…
The designer opted to repeat the square pattern reflected in the seat and back components, but with a strip of narrow, silver tubing. This became the base that rests on the floor, visually providing the sense of a firm and secure foundation, but without any heaviness or bulk. The lightness is compounded by the fact that the two ends of the tubing, in the rear, reach up and connect to the chair bottom. Lest anyone think this is an engineering impossibility, the designer employed a stroke of brilliance: he or she brought the tubing forward, with a slight leaning to one side, then leaned it back again, before attaching it to the exact middle of the chair bottom. The concept of streamlining, blended with a visual optical illusion, would make anyone rush to sit on it, if only to see if it feels like a “regular” chair.
But that’s not all. What kind of material should a designer use with a chair like this, with a goal towards ultimate versatility? Leather is common; high gloss would designate it to modernism, and wood wouldn’t be fanciful enough to match the playfulness of the base. Here is where true ingenuity took over…The creator researched the world for textures exhibiting durability, color-resistance and a plush, exotic comfort. These traits were found in the ancient art of suzani, a Pakistani style of embroidery done in conjunction with raised needlework. Suzani replicates mosaics in the sense of deep colors inside defined areas, which in turn contribute to a symmetrical pattern. Since its main purpose has been for wall tapestries, suzani was probably never used in a chair until now, but appears to work perfectly. With an eastern motif of flowers and sunbursts on the chair back, and similarly patterned, but different sized striping along the sides, the look is total cohesion. The addition of swirling, abstract designs on the seat commands attention with the boldness that comes from knowing that repetitiveness isn’t always necessary for sophistication. In the colors of wine, gold, burgundy and fuchsia, this chair is bright and elegant, but still a tad whimsical. The end result is not so unusual that most folks would shy away, but different enough to attract those who already own what’s currently manufactured.
To make full use of the creative process, it never hurts to do what this chair designer did: Consider every aspect of the job and question how each component can be made to reach the final goal. The concept behind most designs is usually good; doing research into structure and materials, and combining that knowledge with sensuously appealing touches, will help that concept succeed.
Last week, I alluded to Feng Shui, an ancient eastern method of living in harmony with the environment and all healthful energies. It’s more than just a new-age fad, and it’s encouraging that it’s being discovered by today’s western society.
There are thousands of books and guides to this art, but research may be daunting at first. That’s because there are several schools of thought on the subject. Feng Shui can focus on compass directions, symbols, object placement, colors, or methods based on the bagua, an 8 sided shape. Most schools combine teachings, as well.
It is believed by those who practice Feng Shui that the area one inhabits can be beneficial or detrimental, and it teaches how to optimize the positive in order for necessary energies for peace and achievement to flow freely. When a person feels unexplained stress, anxiety or inattention when in a particular space, there could be many factors, according to Feng Shui. It could be do to a lot of clutter and disorganization, which distracts from the task at hand, or because the room is either too energizing or relaxing for its main purpose. In Feng Shui, these contrasting modes are referred to as yin and yang.
Yin is the environment for quiet relaxation and contemplation, such as in bedrooms or dens. It is best exemplified with the furniture against walls, low ceilings, carpeting, solid materials, muted colors, and specific lighting. Such décor would not be best for any place geared to quick action, fast results, or with an emphasis on efficiency. Yang is lively and conducive to movement, displayed in freestanding furniture, windows with depth of views, high ceilings, skylights, ceramic or wood floors, patterned material, intense lighting, and bright colors. Placing such amenities in a kitchen would be much better than having them in a restless child’s room. However, the ideal is to combine a bit of the contrasting element in any given area to provide some balance, as in life.
More complicated is the school utilizing compass directions. Basically, the theory is that the strength of each direction is positive for certain aspects of life. Much of this is connected to the favorable compass directions of elements, which, in turn, have anm unrecognizable but natural affect on peoplel. As an example, constructing a bathroom where it would coincide with a water element direction would be favorable for the aspect of life represented by that part of the house. It could also mean placing plants and wicker in “wood” areas, hanging pots in “metal” areas, candles in “fire” areas, and pottery in “earth” areas of rooms to attract good energies (and good fortune). Taken further, this application could involve moving one’s bed to the optimum location for better sleep, or repositioning a desk to face one’s “lucky” direction. These compass methods usually work in conjunction with the bagua, an octagon visualization of one’s home into 8 equal and distinct areas, with each relating to a component in life. Very simply put as an example, one’s “wealth” area (the southeast corner of the house) might happen to be their office. Therefore, to maximize money opportunities, certain decor should be used in the room that support the direction, such as greens, browns, woods and water.
However, the most fun Feng Shui applications are the study of particular items’ placement. Although they may seem to be purely whimsical, all have a basis in either elemental or color connections. Some examples would be: a picture of oranges and peaches in the kitchen, a dragon statue near the kitchen sink, a horse statue in an office, or a “wall of accomplishment” on a person's left as they enter their bedroom.
Feng Shui covers a multitude of other helpful and reasonable décor ideas, such as providing right-angled seating, live plants near computers (to balance electro-magnetic frequencies), creating a path to the hub of the house, and employing means of creating a welcoming exterior. It’s also very practical, like not placing shelves above sitting or sleeping areas, making hallways as light as possible, and not sitting with one’s back to a door.
Reading anything about Feng Shui can’t help but motivate a person to start ridding themselves of anything old and broken, and shifting what’s left to most auspicious locations! Feng Shui is never boring, and is actually quite intriguing. It may just open up many new decor opportunities!
Alternative Uses for Sheets, Drapes and Tablecloths
2 Comments Published by Karen Amato Schwartz on 4/14/2008 at 6:59 AM.
If you’ve never realized that all sheets, drapes (and even tablecloths) are just pieces of cloth that can serve your needs in unique ways, you’ve probably never looked at them creatively. If you ever find yourself stumped with a décor problem, you may find the answer right in your linen closet.
Throughout the years, I’ve found numerous uses for these items, and have actually received compliments from folks who’ve said to the effect that the ideas were “clever”. Actually, I wasn’t trying to “clever”; I just wanted either color or style co-ordination, and sheets, drapes and tablecloths often provided enough material.
Just today I was thinking about my master bedroom, and realized that changes were needed. Since I started researching Feng Shui, I’ve been learning a lot about the use of color. My last article here on Décor Blog touched on Dorothy Draper’s view that colors should be clear and bright (actually copying the coordination of nature) and I’ve followed her advice for years. However, I misunderstood when it came to my master bedroom. I have wall to wall carpeting in fire engine red, with white walls, white bedspread, gold curtains, and a king size wall unit in medium cherry wood with gold, oriental etchings-in addition to a huge headboard mirror and windows on 2 sides. Yikes-talk about bright! No wonder I’d had problems sleeping; according to Feng Shui, the room is filled with yang energy (exciting and energizing), which is definitely not conducive to rest. The way to remedy it is to ground it with more yin energy to promote restfulness and an environment to slow down. This is achieved with cushioning, fabrics, soft textures, more subdued colors, more filling of space, fewer sharp shapes (such as triangles, diamonds or pyramids) and a slew of other aspects (which I’ll save for a Feng Shui article).
So, I grabbed extra gold curtains and folded one to fit on the headboard ledge, softening not only the appearance of bare wood but the mirror image of it. The other I used to cover my armoir. Then I closed all 3 window curtains slightly to diffuse some of the bright light. I removed all items with red, such as a flower arrangement and a few decorative boxes. Then I pulled out a double sized comforter in dark blue and gold and threw it over the spread. Since it was part of a set, I then took the fitted matching sheet and covered my sitting chair with it. One extra pillow case covered a square pillow which then was placed in the middle of the bed, and the other was folded, and placed on top of the gold headboard covering. (On top of that, I added some gold knickknacks previously in another room.) Last, I took the flat matching sheet and covered a side table, placing on it two pairs of gold candelsticks with white candles, and now the room feels more low-toned and softer, but still cohesive. (Feng Shui suggests using pairs of items in a couple's bedroom, instead of singles or trios.) All I need is either a matching navy rug or one with blue and gold to tone down the expanse of red rug and I’ll be set.
In the past, I’ve taken lovely, pastel flowered sheets, drapes or curtains and draped them over small nails above a bed as wall hangings. I’ve utilized pillow cases as decorator pillow covers against my daughter’s white spread, and plain colored sheets as swags over patterned drapes. Any of these cloths can also be table top coverings when the room needed a bit more color. In fact, for Easter, I folded a bright yellow sheet into a diamond shape, placed it in the middle of an ivory table cloth, and set upon it a centerpiece arrangement of small baskets of yellow daffodils and white carnations.
Even furniture covers can be used once you tire of their original use. They’re large enough that they can be folded to cover large spaces (such as a computer workstation) or used for chair cushions, curtains, or any of the uses mentioned above.
Let this be not only a motivation to take a good look at possible uses of your existing linens, and as a reminder to not throw such good material away too soon-you never know when it will come in handy.
Have you ever heard of Dorothy Draper? She was a well-known designer who styled many New York establishments in the mid twentieth century, and who is probably most famous for her renovation of the Greenbrier in West Virginia. Even though she did most of her work over 30 years ago, her concepts are still as fresh and exciting as they were when first introduced. Let me share with you my reactions to Ms. Draper’s work; it may just motivate you to do some research yourself to see if you can implement some of her ideas in your own space.
Years back I had the privilege of visiting the Greenbrier with my husband, who was there for a business seminar. Not having ever visited West Virginia, I imagined a homey, country-setting type of lodge, especially because the first night we were invited to a “Hoe Down Square Dance” in one of the meeting rooms. I never expected to pull up to what looked like a slightly smaller version of the nation’s White House, complete with 5 story columns stretching across the front, with carved archways and formal gardens gracing the front lawn. Little did I know I “ain’t seen nothing yet.”
The inside of the Greenbrier literally took my breath away. I’d traipse from room to room in awe, camera in hand, mesmerized with the décor. At some point, I heard the story of Dorothy Draper and became a fan. When I returned home, it so happened I visited a small town library and came across a book she had written in 1965 entitled “365 Shortcuts to Home Decorating”, and signed it out immediately. When my 3 weeks were up, I returned and asked if I could buy it from them. That stumped the clerks; apparently no one had ever asked them that before. The consensus was that I could buy it, once they figured out what to charge. I think I got it for a couple of dollars, but it’s worth about 25 times that, at least to me. I’m not a book collector, and seldom read anything more than once, but I’ve read this at least 4 times, and still refer to it.
The Greenbrier is actually a very high end, luxury resort that was once the summer getaway of the rich and famous. It was built around white sulphur springs (the city is actually named that) that supposedly had healing properties. Allow me to describe some of the rooms:
Imagine two double beds with snow white spreads against a wallpaper of white background with clumps of red flowers and lots of green leaves. The same green is seen in the carpeting and one quilt on each bed, and the same tone of red is seen in another quilt on each bed as well. There are two benches and one chair cushioned in white upholstery, with one bright red, cushy armchair.
A suite’s sitting room is outfitted with a bright red rug and a matching, curved sofa. On this red sofa sit pillows in black and white pattern. A black lacquered coffee table separates the couch from a blue divan with red pillows, while 2 armchairs upholstered in red, blue, white and yellow sit between the couches. Against the muted navy wallpaper sits a white armchair and anther black lacquered one, while white sheers and the same red, blue, white and yellow chair pattern is found in drape material. In the middle of the coffee table sits a huge arrangement of mixed yellow flowers.
Or, imagine an entryway with oversized black and white checkerboard flooring tiles, up against white waist coating, topped by 7 feet of bright red wallpaper. The doors, thresholds, crown molding and ceiling are all glistening white. A bench upholstered in yellow satin, and a small chandelier above a cherry wood side table adds to the grandeur.
You can see that one of Ms. Draper’s trademarks is to offer surprising mixes of colors that are clear, strong, and exactly matching or contrasting. Over the next few weeks I’ll bring more of her concepts to you through this site (along with others, of course!) so that you can see for yourself that classic decorating concepts will always stand the test of time.
