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Thanks Mari for hanging out with us today!
Hi, it's Mari, a writer from Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in really quality lighting and offers lots of home décor ideas. I'm excited to be visiting as a guest blogger here at Studio Surface today. The topic at hand for this post is eye-catching pieces that can be used to make a style statement from the front door to the kitchen island. Statement pieces include furniture of course, but they can also be lighting fixtures, rugs and even fresh flowers. Here are eight rooms with statement pieces we love—some traditional choices and a few unexpected ideas to consider. Please enjoy!
This stately space is filled with pieces that could on their own make a design statement, but the standout piece here is the massive Foucault's Orb Crystal Chandelier from Restoration Hardware.
Wide stripes in chocolate and cream turn sleek banquette seating into a truly eye-catching statement piece. I love this beautiful color combination.
Flanked by coppery pendant lights, this stylish bed makes a design statement in a contemporary space. I love the organic flowing curve of wood in the platform of the bed.
The lovely movement of color creates a work of art on this bathroom wall—an organic statement piece in natural stone.
La Cornue range as statement piece might be unexpected but make a design statement it does. The metals from which this stove is crafted will only be enhanced with use and age.
Velvet sofas often become statement pieces in rooms they occupy. This deeply tufted charcoal gray sofa is at once glamorous, sumptuous and inviting.
The lovely Swirl by Paul Smith illustrates how a contemporary area rug can instantly become a statement piece. It's simple and easy—choose the rug, get it home (that may be the hardest part) and roll it out—immediate design gratification. I love the creative hanging light fixture.
Need a temporary eye-catching statement piece to welcome guests in the foyer? Consider a massive display of fresh flowers. This informal arrangement has a charming organic feel. Wouldn't it also make a wonderful statement on the work island in a large kitchen? Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Did you enjoy our post? Check out more awesome lighting fixtures and lamps at Arcadian Lighting!
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You all know I love wood. :)
And I love using it in interiors in all kinds of ways, from furniture to finishes. It adds warmth and texture and even color. In my opinion, it is THE perfect neutral and addition to all spaces.
Thanks to Susi from Design Shuffle who is sharing her thoughts on the many stylish characteristics of wood...
Hi, everyone, I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for Design Shuffle, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers and their work from around the world. My writing focuses on things I'm passionate about: interior design, decorating ideas, home furnishings, gardening, travel and art. I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. I'm a very lucky girl!
I am excited to be invited to write for Studio Surface. Thanks for having me visit, Michelle. When Michelle gave me the topic Many Faces of Wood it made me think of that old movie, The Three Faces of Eve, about multiple personalities. Definitely seems appropriate for wood, doesn't it? Pattern and texture can vary so incredibly when it comes to wood depending on type, cut and finish. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by the many faces of wood. ~ Susi
Plywood has incredible pattern to it. Sanded and polished, it makes a smooth floor that is a mix of patterns perfect for a contemporary or modern space.
This vintage inspired living room features turned, bent, veneered and paneled woods. Each has its own unique characteristics. Pattern and texture can relate to the wood itself or the form it takes.
You Have Been Here Sometime via
A Japanese style bathroom demonstrates the natural warmth of wood. Clean lines and a lack of decorative elements keep the focus on the wood covered surfaces.
Wood grain is a gorgeous pattern of swirls, arcs, circles and lines. This black and white wood floor highlights the pattern of wood grain with a smooth, high polished surface. This is one of those kitchen design ideas that immediately grabs attention and holds it.
Rough, reclaimed barnwood gives this bathroom rustic charm. The patina of age brings out the pattern of the wood grain.
Wood walls can take many forms but we've never seen one made of timber ends. Love the collage of circles and the roughness of the bark. Incredible.
Painted wood stumps used as small tables retain their natural feeling. The tree's rings create a concentric pattern on the tops while cracks and bumps add texture to the sides.
A headboard made from reclaimed and repurposed grey painted wood has a driftwood feeling to it. Limed wood has a grey, white washed look that highlights the grain. A truly intriguing bedroom design.
This content is provided by Design Shuffle, where you can find and share talented interior designs from from New York interior designers, Los Angeles interior designers, and more, check out the latest at Design Shuffle.
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I love having my office at home but have been dreaming of building a modern shed/studio in the back yard one day. And then I saw this. This changes everything! Darn you Archipod! This sweet round thing would be perfect for my design studio and would fit right in a modern Californian yard. Prefabricated, fully insulated, roomy and stylish, this hip garden office is right up my alley. Then I saw the price. It's a bit astronomical but I can dream right? One thing is for sure, it has inspired me to design-build a less expensive version for my future outdoor design studio. Now that would be one heck of a DIY to share with you all. :)
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I don't know where I've been that I am just now seeing this but Reuben Margolin is brilliant. He humbly says he "grew up making stuff". I know right. Now I usually skip over posts with videos because I hate committing the time but I'm dead serious about you having to watch this - you will trip out. This is the perfect example of how little things can inspire. I am continually amazed by how creative folks are in other fields that I haven't really thought about.....
This is mobiles on a whole new level.
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I received a design mail dilemma from my dear blog friend Estelle. You know Estelle. The super-funny, talented author behind one of my favorite blogs, Under a Pink Moon. Well it seems that Estelle's office was on its last leg and things weren't looking too hopeful friends. And here's the rub. Estelle shares the office with her husband so it can't be girly-girl. AND they're hopefully selling their house in the upcoming year so all the new cool stuff has to be able to come with......
But...all is not lost. There is potential in this sweet little space. And I believe it can be revived to be the inspiring office it was meant to be.
Incorporating existing pieces and Estelle's request for an earthy, bohemian vibe with a bit of color, I curated an office design that embodies "boho-chic" with an infusion of energizing hues. Turning this office into a destination NOT to be avoided. Check it:
Design Montage: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Original photo from Estelle
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Taxidermy art that is. Is there a happy compromise for the love of taxidermy but without using (read shooting) the real thing? Another design dilemma. Let's read my letter from Kenny to see....
Problem:
"Michelle, I have been wanting to enhance our decor around our house by using wildlife artistry in the form of taxidermy. I know not all homes can pull this style off, but I believe our home has the right personality. What would be the best way to "bring in the outdoors" while not being kicked out to them, if you catch my drift. Your help would be awesome."
Solution:
Wow. That's a challenge alright. Let's face it, there is a bit of controversy over real or fake these days. And it has trickled into the taxidermy world too. :) I myself am not a big fan of the real deer heads and antlers and animals under a bell jar 'cause I think about how one got them. BUT, the trend of mixing the outdoors with interiors, rustic with modern, and collected "lodge chic" is just not letting up. Now, there is something quirky and a bit kitschy cool about adding these elements to your space in an artificial way. And it's a way that would make you and your significant other happy Kenny. Check out some examples of ways to incorporate the look inside without getting booted outside. Note no animals were harmed in these stylish settings....
AND, you're not just restricted to deer. Think about introducing the fellow brethren in the animal kingdom such as the deer's friends horse and fowl:
The key is to mix the faux animal accessories with modern elements to keep it fresh and hip. The goal is to avoid this:
NOT cute.
Send me your design questions and dilemmas for a creative, fun and modern solution.
Until next time friends...
images: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
By the way, how cool is the knitted deer by Rachel Denny?! Pretty incredible if you ask me.
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Happy Friday! Can you believe this is the last weekend before Christmas?! The good news is that I have almost all of my shopping done and can spend the weekend enjoying a few holiday get togethers and starting in on some stocking stuffer holiday baking. Then next week the hubs and I are off to St. Louis to be with my family, most of whom I have not seen in 13 months! That is just plain ridiculous. Needless to say, we are excited to play with the niece and nephews and reconnect with my sisters and brother and their other halves.
So next week is going to be crazy busy wrapping everything up before heading out of town. Speaking of which, we have a connecting flight in Chicago so fingers crossed that the weather cooperates and we make it all the way through! Not ready for a planes, trains, and automobiles adventure.... :)
P.S. how beautiful is the bucket of gifts? I love all the natural textures and simple embellishments - total inspiration for my wrapping this week. What do you have planned for the holiday next week? Anyone braving the weather to head around the country?
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Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a fabulous thanksgiving weekend with lots of food and tons of drinks! The Xmas season is officially here and there are lots of fun things coming up these next few weeks on the home front and in the blog community.
I will be hustling to get some new pieces added to the shop for the holidays as well as knocking out some design projects that are wrapping up by end of year. Throw in some gift making and gift wrapping and I am one over busy gal. But it keeps me out of trouble.
Any big plans or to-do lists this week? Say hi and post a link to your blog below!
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I have acquired a slew of old canning jars showing various stages of age and love the simple, rustic feel they bring. I like the idea of recreating them every so often for holiday or every day. I think these would be lovely as part of our tabletop for tomorrow mixed in amongst the foods and place settings...
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Last week, Jake and I participated in an amazing charity event called Chairs for Chair-ity held at Hold It Contemporary Home. Designers and creatives "competed" in this silent auction to benefit Make-A-Wish foundation of San Diego. We all received a chair which we then modified/reinvented for this fabulous event. All proceeds went to little Emily who is battling Aortic Stenosis. Because of all the incredible bids, she and her family will be going to Italy. Her wish was granted!
Our chair started as a wee stool and we transformed it into a towering chair/lamp hybrid. Jake fabricated everything from the steel frame which he welded, brushed and waxed, to the industrial cable and plug, to even the socket which he made and welded to the underside. He even angled the existing wood base so that it was a more comfortable sit.
We "took second" by having the second highest bid of the night. There were 25 chairs total and the night was an absolute blast with food truck and apps by the amazing Deborah Scott, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Sinless margaritas, a rockin' D.J. and more. Click here to see some of the awesome chairs up for bid that night.
We are already planning our strategy for next year...... :)
{images by Studio Surface}
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Hello! I'm looking forward to tackling my ever growing to do list this week. Work is busy, busy, new projects are on the boards, new endeavors are growing and the holidays are fast approaching!!! I have been brainstorming ideas for homemade holiday cards, gift wrapping, and the gifts themselves for this season. There is something so special and warm about a thoughtful, unique homemade gift. Read a tasteful homemade gift, hence my careful brainstorming and planning. Believe me, I could have several posts worth of stories of homemade gifts gone bad in which a loved one or myself has been the lucky recipient. Maybe a seasonal upcoming blog series? :)
I love this photo above. How nostalgic and clever to send handmade stationery in an old fashioned air mailer all wrapped in twine? It has me thinking about fun possibilities for this year's holiday greetings..
Do you have any unique ideas for the holidays this year or wrapping, gifting tips?
And I almost forgot, it's Monday so please say hi and introduce yourself if you haven't already. We'd love to visit your place!
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My friend Lauren aka Aspiring Kennedy told me about this incredible initiative taking place. We take so many things for granted at times, especially those items that are so readily available to us. It's pretty amazing to me that others around the world view something so accessible to us, a luxury. Like water. It is a necessity yet for reasons I don't always understand, it is not a guarantee for some. Thankfully there are groups such as Charity Water that are working to make water available to every single person on the planet one well at a time. It takes $5000 to dig a well to bring water to 250 people.
As bloggers, both big and small, I think it is nice to blog about the important stuff. Pretty rooms and clothes are great. But I think blogging can be that much more powerful when some real, tangible good can come from it. This week bloggers are spreading the word to raise the remaining $1000 to build this well. AND, if just 200 bloggers/readers donate $5, the well is finished. Knowing how interconnected this blog world really is, this can happen by week's end. So please spread the word and click here to donate!!! one bit at a time and the well will be completed. :)
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For today's meet and greet, I'm so happy to share with you one of my favorite people, Ana Degenaar from Live and Enliven. Celebrating an inspired life is a huge focus of my blog and I have learned that it isn't a solo endeavor. Celebrating an inspired life involves true connections and ties to others who provide and share some of the inspiration that comes onto our path. Ana is one of those friends that I glean inspiration from through the beautiful thoughts and imagery that she shares through her blog daily.....
First of all, I just want to thank Michelle for inviting me to share on her blog. I am about to rant about what inspires me and yet Michelle is one of my main online sources of inspiration. Being in contact with people who want to be inspired and to inspire others is simply amazing.
There are so many things that inspire me in life but I have to admit I am most inspired by my daughter. Even before she was born she brought so much more color and purpose to my life. I find that the small things in life have the biggest effect in the way I do things. I love nature, colors and shapes but mostly things that money can’t buy, like a sunset walk on the promenade or experiencing the changes of each season.
I try to surround myself with as much inspiration as I can, not only to create or be creative but to look at my every day with more expectation and happiness. I collect quotes, mostly Biblical ones or deep thoughts that relate to my life at a certain stage. I read as if there was no tomorrow and I try to live out those words as closely as I can.
I also find people in general to be inspiring, even some that are not in the least bit interested in art. I admire the way people talk, the way they nurture others, the way they smile and most of all the way they live, trying to make their lives as beautiful as they can, with whatever they have at hand.
Some days are tough… and I feel completely drained of inspiration. I know then that I need to stop and take time out for myself, even if it is just to read a few pages of a book or sit on the floor to play with my daughter.
I get through those uninspiring days by looking at the boards I've hung all over my house, in the kitchen, in the office, on my closet's door... And I succeed most of the time, except when I am so physically tired that my brain needs a real break to jumpstart again.
I usually post quotes, photos, magazine scraps or bring items that inspire me to my office… which is basically a wooden box with a woven mat and two comfortable pillows. I sit on the floor because I like it this way and I try to keep things related to what I need inspiration for close. These days it's been difficult to get into the kitchen and plan something creative, so I brought in some cook books… and diaries (in case of a sudden and miraculous flow of new recipes), food related magazine scraps and my little plant that I love.
I have a guitar that I can see through the corner of my eye because I want to learn to play. I also want to get back to painting and so I have a piece of “modern art” that Emma-Pearl made when she was only a year and 9 months old (As I said my daughter is my biggest inspiration). Sometimes I just have Emma there and it's fun because she loves what I do, especially if it has to do with illustrations.
Having all these things there remind me that one can always make time for all the things you love in life.
I celebrate the inspired life by creating beautiful things to the best of my ability, whether it is a birthday party for Emma, a handmade gift for a friend or just a nice supper for me and my two loves (hubby and Emma). I love to get inspiration from all kinds of sources and interpret it my own way, with a bit of latin spice and a ton of love.
I always wonder what people find inspiring? How do you celebrate the inspired life?... Do share!
Thanks again, Michelle!
xo
{images by Ana Degenaar}
If you haven't already, be sure to stop by Ana's
blog. Like me, I think you'll find it a quick favorite and a place of inspiration.
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- chris sisarich
I first saw Chris's work at the Art of Photography show downtown. I wrote about one of his incredible images a while back along with other featured photographers from the show. I keep coming back to his work and am blown away by his range.
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