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Living Etc
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Before and After: An Old Sideboard Gets a Hip Makeover
Aside from its missing drawer handle, there's nothing really wrong with this old sideboard. It has a rich color and a beautiful glossy finish. But, sad as it may be, this style of wood furniture is not very of-the-moment.
Found It! Magazines' Favorite Bird Sculpture
Can you see the common element in both of these photos? There's a black bird sculpture hovering on the shelf in Emily Walker's Canadian crib, recently featured in Canadian House and Home. Not to be outdone, the same bird's perching on the Living Etc July 2009 cover.
Get the Look: Neutral With a Splash
There's no shortage of patterned pillows in the world to love, so where do you draw the line? As someone who is drawn to color and pattern, I've always struggled with this. But, I think the answer is simple: go neutral.
Get the Look: Eclectic Open Plan Dining Room
This open plan dining room is so eclectic, it's almost silly. But I love it! The mish-mash of the Victorian fireplace with the retro table and lime-green chairs, along with the quirky accents like the oversize letters, baby carriage, and glass dome, create the impression that someone really artsy lives here.
Midday Muse: In the Mix
Growing up, I was a well-coordinated girl. My mother dressed me well, always pairing a stripe with a solid, never mixing patterns, often a bow in my hair, shoes shined, etc. And then Sienna Miller came along with her Bohemian chic and made it okay to look messy, to mix florals with stripes, to clash colors.
Love It or Hate It? Half-Painted Hemnes Bed
I've long loved the Ikea Hemnes Four-Poster Bed, and while I love the composition of this room, I'm not so sold on the half-painted bed. What's your take? Source
Love It or Hate It?
Get the Look: Patterned Symmetry
I've told you before that I'm not a fan of matchy matchy. But sometimes, repeating the same simple pieces in a room creates a luxurious effect that's muted, not headache-inducing. In this bedroom, the furniture and accessories sit in perfect symmetry, while the split headboard and sunny yellow pendant lights add a playful element that lightens the mirror-image mood.
Midday Muse: I'm an Island (Fan)
Growing up, I would always sit on our high stools at the kitchen island and watch my mother cook dinner as I did my homework. It was basically the only way for me to spend time with her alone at night, and it was also how I learned to cook. Sometimes, my sister would practice piano in the room, or spread her books out on the dining table to study.
Get the Look: Mary Portas's Brilliant Living Room
One of my favorite shelter mags, LivingEtc, recently shot UK retail queen Mary Portas's London home. Her bright, enthusiastic take on color and her eclectic mixing of styles is refreshing. When LivingEtc asked her about her use of bright shades, she responded, "Neutrals just don't make my heart leap."
Get the Look: Timber Land
The wall of random planks of reclaimed timber makes a unique, eco-chic focal point for this workspace and dining area. You can re-create this look by scouring your home, friends' homes, demolition sites, and architectural salvage shops for used wooden planks and nailing them in a random fashion to one wall.
Furniture: Combine a simple white Parsons-style table, like the Poliform Trevi Table (inquire for price) shown here, and an assortment of different styles of chairs, like an oak Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair ($835) and modern white plastic dining chairs, like the Habitat Zucco Chair ($193) shown here.
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