Cheap Chic Stools

 

I am crazy about the Reata Counter Stool from Anthropologie http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-furniture/060019.jsp# for $189.00.  I love the recycled wood top and the rope base.  I think it would make a great small drink table as well. If you are using as a barstool read the reviews.

 

 

West Elm’s Industrial  Stool http://www.westelm.com/products/industrial-stool-g292/?pkey=e%7Cstool%7C9%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C4&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Summer%202012%20D1%2B2%20Billboards-_-# is priced well at $179.00

 

 Of course World Market as a version with an even better price point ar $109.00 here http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11108349.  They are very sturdy and we are using them on a commercial job that I am working on right now

 

Wisteria’s Industrial Swivel Stool has superb styling http://www.wisteria.com/Industrial-Iron-Swivel-Stool/productinfo/W5392/, and has a great price point of $179.00.  I used their earlier version at our lake house.  

 

 

via house and home

I also like their Smart and Sleek Stool  http://www.wisteria.com/Smart-and-Sleek-Stool-Short/productinfo/W4173/ for $149.  Again I think it could use some “aging”  (ie a few gouges and some colored wax) so it doesn’t look quite so perfect.

 

 

Ballard’s Dorcester Barstool has been in their lineup forever and for good reason.  It still has a lot of style for the price.  It comes in four color ways http://www.ballarddesigns.com/dorchester-barstool/13371?listIndex=8 and is a bargain at $139.00. 

 

You have seen them all over the blogosphere and the shelter magazines.

 

via satisfyingspaces.blog.com

You can dress them up and/or make them a little more comfortable. I have had them in my own home for over 15 years and I still like them. They wear the teeth marks of both of our labradors. Of course I managed to turn a bargain into something not so cheap by adding the cushions in the Michael Smith fabric.

 

World Market’s  Cargo Bar Stools  http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11108338.  Set of two for $79.00

 

Ben Dhong Design

Pottery Barn’s Tibetan Stool http://www.potterybarn.com/products/tibetan-barstool/?pkey=e%7Cstool%7C1

Word Market again has the biggest bargain of all at $69 for counter height.  It has great bones but is a little slick for my taste.  I would have to gouge it up and give it a sanding & waxing first. http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11888999

 

 

After that you would have a look similar to this

 

 

                                                                                                                     via michaeldelpiero.com

Technorati Tags: World Market,Pottery Barn,West Elm,Anthropologie,Ballard Designs,Bar Stool,Counter Stool

My Other French Garden Crush

 

Trading in haute couture for horticulture, Nicole de Vésian, the retired fashion stylist from the House of Hermes, spent the last ten years of her life dressing La Louve (her own personal garden) and several others with her signature sense of style. Hers are gardens of textures, shapes, scents and stones.  She preferred a garden  devoid of flowers, in harmony with the land on which it grows. She advocated using the plants growing wild on the surrounding hillsides including Cypress, Laurel, Arbutus, Rosemary and Thyme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All images above by Clive Nichols

source unknown

                                                                                                                                         clive nichols

                                                                                                                            clive nichols

clive nichols

                                                                                                                                              clive nichols

 

For more information on the Gardens of Nicole de Vesian and more of Clive Nichol’s beautiful photographs you might want to purchase the latest book by Clive and Louisa Jones http://www.amazon.com/Nicole-V%C3%A9sian-Gardens-Modern-Provence/dp/2742797343

 

Technorati Tags: Provence Gardens,Clive Nichols,Louisa Jones,Modern Design in Provence,Nicole De Vessian

Inspired Interiors….Kim Fiscus & Dana Abbott Mema Design

mema design

 

mema design

mema design

mema design

 

mema design

 

 

mema design

                                                                                                                           

 

Below are photos from Kim Fiscus’ own home via House Beautiful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

kim fiscus

 

kim fiscus

 

Kim also has a carefully edited collection of 18th and 19th century antiques and accessories at her lovely shop at 2313 Greenwich St in San Francisco. Her hours are currently Wednesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm, by chance and by appointment anytime. You can also visit her website at http://www.kimfiscus.com/collections if you are out of the area.

 

Technorati Tags: kim fiscus,mema design

Consoles with Character

A Console can be statement piece that sets the tone in an entry. It might even reveal a little bit about the personality of the owner. It is a great place to display small collections of things.  A console table in a dining room is a natural fit.  It can  provide extra serving space for large gatherings.  When styling a console be sure to  keep in mind, the balance, structure, texture and scale of the items you want to display.

Symmetrical arrangements tend to look more classic and orderly.  They are usually created with pairs of things, ie candlesticks, lamps etc., ottomans etc.  The artwork is usually hung in a balanced fashion as well. 

 

 

via cote de texas

 

Eleanor Cummings

 

phoebe howard

 

charles faudree

nathan turner

 

Asymmetrical arrangements can be a little trickier for the amateur, or anyone else for that matter. They usually begin with something tall on one side next to some randomly placed objects. Repetition of one or more of the objects can help unify the look.

 

I love how the cat is perfectly placed in this vignette….the balance would be off without the cat!

I wonder how long it took to get the photo?

via Jean Allsop

 

I think console tables,  look best when they have something tucked below to ground or connect them to the floor .

 

Barry Dixon

 

amy howard via cote de texas

 

pub 1 emagazine

 

ginger barber

dan marty

shannon bowers

image source unknown

A console table is a great place to showcase  small collections as in this instance below.  I am completely smitten with this whole arrangement.  Love the lamp made from a found object, the small collection of pottery and of course the small bouquet.  I love the different textures and the contrast of the black and white.

 

via Braebourne Farm

 

 

rj daily construction

Notice the symmetrical placement of the chairs and prints, but an asymmetrical arrangement on the console creates interest.

 

via Color Outside the Lines

 Simple, organic lovliness below.

stan dixon

 

Now..let’s play a game….

If a console table is an opening statement that tells us something about the owner of the house….Which one would you like to meet and why? Don’t pay attention to who designed it pretend you don’t know…

Technorati Tags: stan dixon,braebourne farm,color outside the lines,shannon bowers,eleanor cummings,amy howard,pub1emagazine

dan marty, rj daily construction