Why Don't You...

Why don't you hang a few panels of fabric behind your bed to add interest and height to your bedroom walls?  My friend Liz and I were recently discussing how she's having a hard time deciding what to hang over her bed. There are a medley of options available from mirrors to artwork and sculptures to nothing at all but finding the perfect piece for that awkward space can be tricky when you're on a budget because the scale has to be just right - that's why I love this option!  It's a simple and elegant way to soften the walls and is a great option is you don't have a headboard. You could easily whip up a few reversible panels for under $100 then flip them over depending on your mood or the season.

So, do tell, what's hanging above your bed?  Still on the hunt?

Image Antony Todd's Manhattan Apartment 

Hats Off

Why don't you pull your hats out of your closet and stack them on a bust or hang them on your wall so they act as art when not in use?  In my home closet space is at a premium so I'm always on the lookout for clever ways to clear up space and artfully display my collections.  I hate clutter but in this case it doesn't hurt that hats themselves are so beautiful.  I haven't quite decided how I'm going to display my evergrowing collection but I do plan to look at the above examples for inspiration.

images one-five / seven

Trimmed with Tassels

This weekend, why don't you trim your Christmas tree with homemade tassels?  Inspired by this pair of Oscar de la Renta earrings, I used a spool of silver string that I had tucked away in my craft box to make large tassel ornaments.  They look just lovely on my tree but come December 25th I plan to take them down and use them instead of bows on some of my Christmas gifts.  Below are the steps to create your own tassel-trimmed-tree:

ONE wrap the string around the palm of your hand to create a loop.  The thickness of your tassel will depend on the number of times you wrap the string around your hand--I did around 150.

TWO with the string still wrapped around your palm, take a 6 inch piece of string, feed it through the center of the loop then tie a knot to secure the pieces.

THREE remove the loop from your palm and lay it down on a flat surface. Take another 6 inch piece of string and wrap it around the bundle several times--this should be about a 1/4 inch from the top. Once you have the look you want knot the string and trim off the excess.

FOUR hold the tassel by the top string and use scissors to trim the bottom loops.

Ta-da...a tasseled tree in less than an hour!!

(images by kristin kerr for simply smitten)

Why Don't You...

Why don't you frame vintage thread charts and hang them in your closet? I was instantly captured by the pop of color that the vintage charts pictured above added to the J.Crew bridal boutique's neutral gray dressing room.  Feminine and unique with a sense of history...really, what's not to love? Jayson Home currently has 10 framed vintage French charts for sale but if you're like me and like the hunt keep your eye out for some on ebay or the next time you hit up a flea market! Très chic.

(Image by Kristin Kerr Luber)

Why Don't You?

Why don't you make your walls come alive with three dimensional art?  Whether it is a vintage bust, a gilt sculpture, empty picture frames, a large tray or any other beautiful object, I'm seeing more and more interesting wall art. It's amazing how an unexpected piece, like the vintage bust displayed in Nate Berkus' office, can take on a new life when proudly displayed over a chest of drawers. And the large vintage sculptural art in ornate gold pops against the all white walls and sets the tone for an entire space. Take a look at these and get inspired to turn a wall into an expression of your personal style!  I'm making it my weekend goal to find a piece for over my bed....what do you have planned?

(Images 1 | 2 | 3 photo taken by kristin kerr at j.crew | 4)

Why Don't You?

...add dimension, texture and warmth to your kitchen by displaying your cutting boards?  The ladies of  Dehn Bloom Design created this artful arrangement in the pantry of the SF Decorators Showcase using color blocked cutting boards from Lostine (one of my new favorite finds!) and vintage boards from Big Daddy's Antiques.  I just love the way the painted boards play-off the Spinneybeck leather pulls and the Restoration Hardware Toledo Bar Stools -- it feels very MARCH SF, don't you think?

If you're looking to add to your cutting board collection then I suggest picking up a few of Lostine's leather handle reclaimed wood boards or these vintage beauties from Jayson Home.

(Image by John Merkl)

Why Don't You | Chic Shoe Storage

If the industrial bookcase in the living room were not filled with books, family photographs and a growing collection of knick-knacks, it would be filled with shoes!  One of the great things about growing up and having your own home is that you get to make the rules...and rules are meant to be broken.  Heels in a china cabinet? Sure, why not!  At this point in my life it actually seems more logical to display my shoes than my china, because lets face it, the pair of Jimmy Choo Biker Boots I bought last year probably cost more than my entire collection of Crate and Barrel outlet dishes and Goodwill china! 

So on this lovely Wednesday, why don't you consider using your grandmother's glass front hutch to display all the beautiful items hiding in your closet! And if your grandmother didn't leave you a hutch?  Well fear not...pictured above are a few fabulous Flea finds from Jayson Home. The early 20th century French brass vitrine reminds me of the piece in Aerin Lauder's office.  Très chic.

Vintage Brass Vitrine | Antique Green Vitrine | Antique Black and Blue Vitrine | Industrial Metal Rack | Cerused Oak Cabinet 

(Images 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 )

Why Don't You...

... get the lacquered look to less by installing Phillip Jeffries' lacquered vinyl wallcovering.  The glossy, almost liquid-like sheen is supremely glamorous and is such a wonderful counterpoint to wood, fabric and other natural elements. I've long been a fan of lacquered furniture and accessories so why not take this love of lacquer one step further?  Lacquer the walls.  Sure, a true lacquer finish on your walls is labor-intensive and expensive but the look can be approximated with high gloss paint or better yet, with Phillip Jeffries' Lacquered wallcovering. Designer Robert Southern used the durable vinyl to create the illusion of a glazed wall finish in the show stopping entry pictured above. High gloss or lacquered walls are particularly appealing in darker, more intense colors, like this gorgeous Eyeliner black, which is striking against the white chairs.  The wall cover isn't just for walls, the Liquid Gold or Creme de Lustre would look great on a ceiling! 

(Image House Beautiful )

Why Don't You...

...frame a beautiful piece of paper.  I posted about my own paper-framing adventures a while back so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the May issue of Lonny and spotted a similar look hanging in the lovely Jamie Meares' designed living room pictured above.  I was instantly obsessed.  I did a little investigating only to find out that the coveted piece was purchased from Natural Curiosities and was out of my budget.  so I forgot about it until a month later during my trip to NYC when I just so happened to find the exact paper used in NC's Abstract Paper Collection hanging in Kate's Paperie. Say what?  NC is selling a $27 piece of paper which is available in a card shop for $700+.  Granted the paper is framed in killer acrylic box frames, but come on.  So I guess this is a double Why Don't You...frame a beautiful piece of paper and save a little money, honey!

Gorgeous Green Curtains

Why don't you...bring the outdoors in by flanking your windows with green curtains?
Make it bright emerald, or go with a deep, muted, mossy-green—either way, you’ll end up with a refreshing statement that reflects one of the world’s most abundant colors.  Designer Kay Douglass used green linen curtains in the absolutely sublime dining room pictured above.  The burst of green against the gun powder walls makes the room feel fresh and alive—it's green design in the most literal sense!  Below are some of my favorite rooms that use graceful green curtains...which shade do you prefer? 

Ruthie Sommers lined kelly-green silk panels with white ruffled trim for a feminine touch

Refreshing emerald-green Brunschwig & Fils silk curtains with greek key trim hang in this cozy dining room designed by Miles Redd. The Amber and gold finishes react really well with the green curtains.

The green curtains in Alexis and Trevor Traina's dining room, designed by Ann Getty, pop against the crisp white wall.

Claudia Wasserstein's very colorful New York penthouse featured in the September issue of Vogue

Lime green curtains in Fawn Galli's Brooklyn living room photographed by Francis Dzikowski

(Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

Why Don't You?

...add some life to your decor with a tortoise shell?  Since the first time I read this article in The New York Times, I've wanted to add a shell or two to my home.  Now I feel like I'm seeing them everywhere I look - Vogue featured Samantha Boardman's home on their website last year and I immediately noticed the albino shell on display in her library.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I love the organic look and dimension it adds to the room.  I recently sent my sister to The Evolution Store in NYC to scout out their selection of replica shells (I certainly don't advocate the killing of animals for their shells) and I'm realllly hoping she bought me one (perfect housewarming gift...wink, wink, nudge, nudge...Lauren)!

An antique shell in Nate Berkus' Chicago home

Shells on display in Antony Todd's NYC store make a strong statement and they also work well with a feminine bar designed by Windsor Smith

Two albino shells hang in the home of Daniel Romualdez

And finally (my favorite) a mini shell in a tablescape designed by Sasha Adler and Lauren Gold

Why Don't You?

...add a modern light fixture to your home?  In my mind, Serge Mouille's fixtures are possibly the most perfect modern lighting of all time.  It’s modern yet classic and as with all classics, you really can’t go wrong with it. Expensive?  Yes but Serge Mouille lamps are as much a work of art as they are a functional source of light - a statement piece that, judging from the rooms below, really seems to work well with a just about any style.  Add one to my ultimate wish list, please. 

Serge Mouille paired with antique Belgian beds +

with a classic George Smith sofa in Christine D'Ornano's London Townhouse

 Serge Mouille in a contemporary Parisian master bedroom +

a living room designed by Pamplemousse

Serge Mouille in Jenna Lyon's master bedroom +

a modern Milanese apartment designed by DIMORESTUDIO

Why Don't You?

Display your family history?  Sorting through a box of my Grandparent's memorabilia is my top priority in designing my new apartment.  A picture is worth a thousand words and showcasing meaningful family memories is what turns a house into a home.  My Grandmother recently passed away and I think displaying the pieces she so carefully preserved - like Valentine's from my Grandfather and letters my Dad sent from Vietnam - is a wonderful way to not only honor my family's legacy but add interest and original art to my new home.

* Please excuse my lack of posts last week, I just got back from the most amazing week in Mexico and I think it's safe to say I got my Grandfather's tan gene :)

Why Don't You?

...upholster a folding screen?  It's a brilliant way to add volume, texture and a pop of color to a space. Coco Chanel is believed to have owned 32 folding screens, which she freely used in ways other than for what they were intended — she dressed her walls with them, like wallpaper, or used them to give structure to her private space.  In my new apartment I want to channel the warmth of this gorgeous coral screen from the J. Crew bridal boutique.  The mix of bright coral and mousy gray contrasting with the stark white is spot on.  Windsor Smith sells a lovely velvet screen in her home collection but if you're a girl on a budget, like me, check out Jenny Komenda's fabulous DIY version over at Little Green Notebook.
Images: Frank Oudeman for J.Crew

It's Wednesday, Why Don't You...

...decorate your bookcase with vintage books and coral?  In the library above, Haynes Roberts styled white-painted bookshelves with vintage books and white coral for a rustic yet refreshing feel.  And don't you just love those 1970's barrel wicker chairs?  This feels like spring!

1. Dean Picture Light | 2. I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson | 3. Decorative Coral