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February 1, 2013

Get out your pencils, kids.  We're having a Pop Quiz.  

My husband once asked, 'Don't you get tired of looking at old decorating magazines?'

I threw him the side-eye, heaved a huge sigh, and replied (as if explaining to a 4 year old why we can't see the wind), 'An interesting tableau never goes out of style and every time I look at it I see something new.'  

Every time I look at these images, I do see something new . . . . 



What do I see?
1.  The fabulous 60's credenza, of course
2.  The pastel portrait
3.  The interesting tablescape
4.  The tall mirror to the left which visually extends the room
5.  The television!  They made no attempt to hide it but it doesn't scream
     at you when you walk into the room.
What do you see?



What do I see?
1.  Oriental meets Contemporary: a marble-top Eero Saarinen Tulip Table
     and black lacquer Bambooserie-style chairs
2.  The black and white theme infused with black framed map prints and a
     zebra-ish ceramic bowl
3.  A Mother-of-Pearl trimmed Art Deco mirror 
4.  An amazing grey wall paint and Chevron striped light pink chair cushions.
What do you see?



What do I see?
1.  Obviously, a gallery format of interesting prints,
    paintings, and etchings; I especially like the mix
    of frames and matting materials
2.  A rug that I would kill for (not kidding)
3.  The desk - French Provincial, similar to the one
    on the right - with a caned Louis XVI side chair
4.  The brass Grecian-style lamp is in perfect proportion to not overpower the wall of art
What do you see?






What do I see?
1.  Serenity.  The taupe/putty walls highlight the painted paneled wainscoting
    (which bridges the dark stained flooring and  paneled ceiling) and the
     natural-finish furnishings.
2.  Many designers would have chosen an oriental rug instead of the muted
    natural fiber one but they would have been wrong, wouldn't they?
3.  Deceptively, this seemingly simple setting is quite powerful.  The round
    Dublin mirrors and  the newel post offset the "boxiness" of the space with
    the mirrors reflecting the natural light from the door's side panes.  Ironic
    that the lighting is a boxy lantern, isn't it?
What do you see?



What do I see?
1.  Harmonious tranquility and balance reign even though a mixture of
    textures and shapes dominate the design.  An oval rug, a rectangular
    brass and glass console, two Charles of London style sofas, glass,
    ceramics, metal, acrylic - the muted palette makes this potpourri of
    materials work.
2.  The window panels are magnificent in their simplicity.  Color and
     design are wisely presented in the accessories.
3.  I love the pop of yellow, don't you?
What do you see?



What do I see?
1.  The blues and greens are effortlessly linked through the reproduction
    vintage Thibaut Design wallpaper.
2.  The glass and brass bamboo table is timeless.
3.  A contemporary chest quietly sits in the corner, offering a charming
    platform for the stark white ceramic lamps, reflecting the traditional
    chair rail and molding.  
4.  The mirror above the chest picks up the ocher brown of the whimsical
    squirrels and vines in the wall covering perfectly.
5.  The Grecian trim on the white window panels is a tiny touch of
    ingenious design.
6.  The "tufted & stuffed" contemporary club chairs are amazing.
What do you see?

And, now, your Bonus Question: 
What one element was included in each of the examples we disected? 

v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v

You're right - flowers!

Flowers are an ESSENTIAL element of any decorating scheme,
whether it's traditional, contemporary, country, or vintage.  

This weekend pull out the old decorating magazines you've been saving and
revisit your favorite designs.  Bet you'll find something new in every one of them.

17 comments:

  1. Great post!
    It's true every time you go through them something new pop out at you. Even ideas that you can do with just a little paint and elbow grease. Even a new way to rearrange a room and make a difference.

    I wonder why my husband watches his old black and white Sci-Fi movies, over and over.

    Tell him that while you're looking through those old magazines, you're not out spending money. He may even look with you, LOL.

    Have a great weekend.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many years ago a decorating friend said to me, "Shop in your own house." Of course, she meant to use what I have (cause why would I have it if I didn't like it?!) What might confuse men about decorating magazines is that women usually read them for inspiration, not as a catalog of things to buy. I have magazines dating back to the early 90s and I never get tired of re-reading them. Hope you're having a warm, safe weekend! -- Jan

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  2. oh this was an amazing post and i fully agree with you. we have a few antique shops around here that i go to all the time and my boyfriend says "you should wait until new stuff comes in" and i agree with him a little. but he just doesn't understand. there is ALWAYS something i looked over the last time. amazing! great post!!

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    Replies
    1. My mom and I have shopped antique stores, flea markets, and thrift shops for as long as I can remember and I use to tease her about how thorough she was. Now, I find myself doing the same thing - picking up anything that looks interesting and turning it over to read the manufacturer. She and I still shop together but now we're at the same pace! -- Jan

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  3. Hi Jan, Thanks for stopping by my blog and your nice comment. And I'm glad I found your blog too.

    Lovely images above. The first is my favourite. I love how cleverly the hid the TV in plain sight. And fresh flowers and greenery are essential to me, they just brighten up the house.

    Gillian x

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  4. Hi Jan, thank you for your comments on my blog. I love your blo and my favourite image on your current post is the one with the gallery of pictures behind the desk. I love the letter holder on the desk. I have a gallery of photos all the way up my stairs and I love groups of pictures like that. I collect Mary Engelbreit Home Companion Magazines and I can read them and look at them over and over, they never seem to 'date'. I don't really go to antique stores but I think most of what's in my home could be considered 'vintage' lol. Nice to meet you, I'll be back! x

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  5. Hi there Jan! Thank you so much for popping over to say hello. I have been laughing out loud at your disclaimer - glad to know I'm not the only one. I'm off now to explore the rest of your blog x

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  6. just returning your call too - fabulous!...thanks for saying hello x

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  7. I am so glad you came over to introduce yourself. I have been reading through your posts. Love all the photos. Two posts - one on the little house in a garage and the architectural post are my favorites. I am your newest follower. I sent an answering email, but it was returned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When we moved back to Alabama (after living in Florida for almost 9 years) we had to change the internet server we've had for over 10 years and it's not available up here. I've tried to change my email address but apparently it hasn't 'clicked'. You can reach me at:
      fleaChicBlog@gmail.com Thanks so much for visiting my site! -- Jan

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  8. This is one of the best posts I've ever read. What a pleasure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. I hope you return often. -- Jan

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  9. Fantastic post! I am a purger by nature but not with home design magazines. Your photos and observations are great!
    melinda

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  10. hi Jan,
    thankyou kindly for not only leaving a comment about my little owl, but for also considering him a "job well done" I feel immensley proud- out of all proportion to the task really!

    Its also been a pleasure to look at this, and your past posts while drinking my early morning cuppa.
    I'm about to start on a kitchen and bedroom revamp but have nooooooo inspiration so far.
    They've been shabbychic since before I ever realised what they were and I think we're ready for a change, perhaps sleeker lines...I don't know, but your carefully slected photos have certainly sowed a glimmer of ideas.
    Hopefully we're over to visit my cousins in South Carolina in the spring so I'll sample some of your wonderful Southern hospitality- I might even pick up some decorating tips and some lovely feedsack quilt toppers to dress the bedroom with!
    Hope you're having a good weekend,
    Elaine x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words. And, when you visit your relatives in South Carolina, I hope you're able to spend some time in Charleston. It really is one of the gems of the South. For me, blogging is all about sharing inspirational ideas. -- Jan

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  11. Your pictures are just stunning! This is such an inspirational post.
    I wish my desk looked like your third pic :)

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  12. All these pictures are really insprirational. I love vintage furniture - one of my proudest possesions is a 'shabby french chic' sideboard in a corner of the lounge. Sadly my house doesn't live up to the furniture... it's less than 20 years old! Maybe one day I'll move into a proper English cottage. Thanks for becoming one of my followers. Jx

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