Author Archives:
Décor Dictionary: Vignette
{click to enlarge}
“When you hear the word “vignette,” you may think of a short scene in a play or a quick character sketch. A design vignette isn’t too different from its theatrical and literary counterparts… it too tells a story.” ~ Julie Douglas
Vignette: In decorating, a vignette or tablescape is a grouping or collection of bits and pieces purposefully arranged for display. A vignette uses a variety of heights, textures, colours and shapes to create depth and is usually tied together by a common theme. These table collections add interest and create a focal point to your space. (Defined with a little help from eHow)
You might also like:
Check Out This Cute Little Guy…
So check out this cute little guy…
It’s called the Sitting Lamp and it’s the brainchild of art director turned product designer, Graeme Bettles. Graeme also happens to be one of the talented Emerging Creatives we saw at this year’s Design Indaba – and we did promise to share our favourites with you!
The adorable task lamp is handmade from gorgeous solid pink beech wood and comes in two sizes. The smaller size makes for a quirky desk lamp, whilst the larger lamp – which at 55cm high isn’t that “little” at all. Just imagine an awesome toddler-sized lamp perched on the edge of your table – the perfect statement piece.
The Pinocchio-esque Sitting Lamp has tons of personality – the figure can be easily adjusted into a range of different poses to look happy, sad, curious, mischievous, or well… just to cast some light on whatever you’re reading. Shame, maybe one day it too will turn into a real boy…
One thing is sure – it 100% awesome and 250% cute. What do you think? If you love it as much as we do, you can purchase your own little boy Sitting Lamp through 5rooms.com!
To find out more about Graeme and his Sitting Lamp please visit his website: here, or his Facebook page: here.
{Images: Graeme Bettles Design}
Quick Tip #23: Old Doors As Headboards
{click to enlarge}
Time for another little Décor Quick Tip series… this one is going to be about all the awesome things you can do with old or reclaimed doors! I have stumbled upon some seriously cool images and ideas, so keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks!
I want to try this super popular tip myself…
#23 Add oodles of character to any bedroom by transforming old solid timber doors into a one of a kind headboard! Any salvaged door with interest or moulding will work, whether it’s vintage or slightly new. Rickety barn doors or weathered, paint-peeling farm doors will add a rustic shabby chic element to your bedroom or repurpose louvre doors for a French county or seaside flair. Leave the doors distressed or give it a glossy coat of paint.
[Image sources: 1, 2, 3] You might also like…
The Hot Hot Metal Trend
I can vaguely remember Rose giving me a rather sceptical look late last year when I mentioned metals might be one of the big trends of 2013. I was in the process of putting our 2012 trend report together and had noticed a slight but gradual surge in interiors and products featuring copper, brass, and other metals. Sure enough, the trend stuck and we are liking it more and more!
As we said before, it is not the super shiny, glam, and gaudy metallics of trends past. It is an aged, faded kind of metal trend – no blinding, polished yellow golds, shiny silvers, or cold chromes. Old gold, antiqued silver, weathered nickel, and especially the traditionally “functional” metals, brass and copper, have become hot décor commodities. The metals are also often hammered and brushed or, in the case of copper, left to naturally oxidise - a process that with age adds beautiful character to the metal’s patina.
The warmth and earthy elegance of these metals can so easily be incorporated into any interior style – be it minimalist, industrial, or upmarket chic. There is just something about these rich, warm-hued metals that adds dimension, depth, and a sense of vintage luxe.
We absolutely love this selection of antiqued brass pendant lights from Weylandts – we have actually purchased a few for one of our clients!
Joburg design studio, Anatomy Design, has been working with brass and copper long before the trend’s current revival! You might recognize Anatomy’s stunning brass Lab Light that won the prestigious Most Beautiful Object in South Africa in 2010.
We love the elegant play between the natural grain of the wood and the warm metal of these contemporary nested tables by Tonic Design. LIM has recently added a whole range copper furniture pieces including this quirky table lamp that takes full advantage of not only the metal trend but also the industrial & steampunk trends.
