Author: Kim Cook
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Garden art can bring drama and design to outdoor spaces
If you came across any of Barbara Sanderson’s work in a garden, you might think you’d stepped into Alice’s Wonderland. The glass blower crafts flowers, arbors, lights and fountains for natural settings, aiming to create a magical, otherworldly tableau. “I love to add another dimension to what already exists,” she says. Art created for the…
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‘Spring cleaning’ is a chance to update decor; some trends
For some, spring cleaning entails not much more than a good shake of the carpets. For others, it’s an excuse to update room decor. Here’s a sampling of this season’s new palettes, patterns and styles: Colors Neither boring nor drab, new neutrals are about bringing home a sense of calm and comfort. Some pastels are…
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Not just for riding: Bikes find spot in home decor
Bikes have become part of hipster culture. There are bicycle-themed dining, drinking and shopping establishments from Portland, Ore., to Brooklyn, N.Y., and dozens of bike-friendly burgs in between. While the rides themselves often are tricked out with colored tires, swanky seats and vintage baskets, there are also those who see more than the sum of…
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Fruity, summery colors perk up decor all year
Aah, summer – the season when oranges are transformed into ice pops, limes add zing to slushies, peaches become pies, and berries take over nearly every dessert. Citrus and other fruity hues look fresh and energetic in summer decor, and there’s no need to remove them once fall approaches. Their upbeat nature makes them a…
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Right at Home: New floral prints bring spring indoorsNew floral prints bring spring indoors
Floral motifs pop up every spring in home-furnishing collections, and after a long winter they’re always a welcome sight. But this year, there seem to be more than ever, and they feel particularly fresh. New York interior designer Elaine Griffin says it began a few seasons back with a movement toward kinder, gentler silhouettes and…
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Textiles bring midcentury-modern style home
Have you discovered midcentury-modern style and gone hunting for a great piece of furniture from the era? Vintage pieces are pricey, and even well-made reproductions can challenge the bank account. So while you’re saving up for that Eero Saarinen Womb settee or George Nelson Coconut chair, why not delve into the era through textiles? Whether…
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Spring decor trends: a modern mix with a dash of Marsala
Spring is a favorite transitional time for lovers of home decor. Shaking out the rugs and washing the windows after a long winter feels satisfying, and then there’s the prospect of perhaps replacing some old, shabby furnishings with new pieces. Spring’s also when we start to see the decor trends that will find their way…
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Tricks, tools for organizing the kitchen
If you’ve lived with your kitchen for a while, chances are you’ve got drawers of stuff you rarely use and cupboards you hate. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a well-organized spot that makes food preparation a breeze? Some of the latest ideas and products for whipping a kitchen into shape: Divide and conquer: Kitchens…
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Concrete gains ground as decorative material
The Pantheon. The Panama Canal. The Hoover Dam. When you think of concrete, you might imagine great feats of engineering, or at least highway overpasses and other sturdy, stolid structures. But concrete has become a stylish medium in the home, thanks to interior designers and artisans. “Concrete is such an amazing and cheap material. I…
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Curve appeal: Round is new trend in home design
Curves have been all over the fashion and celebrity magazines, and are finding their way into design and decor too. “They’re sensuous and inviting,” designer Barry Goralnick said. “Curved sofas that bring people closer together; rounded dining tables that are easier for conversation; round cocktail tables that are cozy and forgiving to shins. Arcs, circles,…