Splendid Willow » 2011

Mar
31
2011

What Goes Around Comes Around

My kids are on Spring break this week — which means lots of play and fun family time (and many sleepovers = no sleep for me…).

The blog world is an endless source of inspiration for me. I learn something new, interesting and fun every day. When I started my blog I had no idea that friendship building was part of it. I feel incredibly blessed to have gotten to know so many talented and kind bloggers (and readers). And I hope to meet with many of them/you in person.

Do you remember my “In the Spotlight” interview with the talented Brooke with Velvet & Linen (read here)? Well to me, this was a one way street. This was about HER and her design philosophy. The next thing I knew she had mentioned my little store not once but now twice on her must-read blog (and I did not even see it until she gave me a nudge!). I went back to her and asked if she had gone totally insane! But she just smirked back and more or less said “just take it”!

I think I have been a pretty good supporter and business mentor to quite a few friends and colleagues starting their own businesses. But let me tell you, being on the receiving end of a totally unexpected outpouring of support for a little buiness start-up (this one came totally out of the blue and wasn’t linked to anything) felt pretty amazing.

Brooke even bought a pair of gray Ilse Jacobsen boots from my store. I sent the link to IJ’s US HQ. And we all agreed that she is the perfect llse Jacobsen model — modern & stylish. Note: this is what she looks like when she tends for her chickens in her stunning backyard!

I want to take the opportunity to once again thank ALL of you who in the past have offered support to my blog and my business adventure. I am forever grateful to each and everyone of you. Your generosity is never forgotten.

Earlier this week I had lunch with this stunning girl. Guess who it is?

Photo: Splendid Willow

The one and only Sarah with Haute Design. (Yes, that UEBER chic design blog – another must-read blog).

We have known each other for a good while and have built a very solid friendship which stretches itself outside of blog land. Sarah resides in Vancouver and came to Seattle for fun days with her family. Meeting her in person was no different than meeting her in blog land. She is exactly as talented, kind, generous, supportive and classy as you would imagine. What you see is what you get. I adore her and she will always have my 110% support. A few hours with her was nothing! We had such a great time and I am looking forward to many, many more happy and LONG meetings!

Here is another lady who’s friendship I treasure – Ms. Marianne with Style For Living. She has become a dear, local coffee friend and she is a hoot! She is talented, kind and also really witty and funny! She often tilts her head back and laughs out loud. She has the best laughter — and the best voice! (I tell her that she should be in the Radio or on TV!).

We look like complete nerds here (a rainy, ordinary day in Seattle, folks) but don’t be fooled – we have a lot of fun together!

Photo via Frida, 9!

Some more Thank You’s are in order:

I want to, once again, thank Donna with A Perfect Gray who made the Perfect & Splendid Willow giveway possible. She received close to 300 blog entries and why am I am not surprised! She is rock star, friends! And just a kind, genuine and generous person. It is very easy to like her a lot.

Thank you to Ms. Amy Vermillion with Amy Vermillion Design who presented me with a blog award. Thank you very much! I have just recently met her in blog land and let me tell you, this gal has style! And she – listen to this – does interior design for private jets! That is a first for me! Follow her over here.

Next week I am back in full force again. I will then show you why William’s bedroom makeover seems to take forever.

And… I am also announcing a fun new series which I am really looking forward to myself. And all my blog friends will be called on – sooner or later! There is an awful lot of talent out there — and I plan to tap into it.

Cherry blossoms everywhere in Seattle. Love this time of the year! Warm hugs to you all.

Images via: no 1. via Flickr, no. 2 via ljword.

Written by Splendid Willow in: Thank you! |

Mar
28
2011

I Dig Cost Plus/World Market

Yep, really. I find myself heading over to Cost Plus quite often nowadays. In the past I would only visit this “global marketplace” for the European liquorice (yes, like most Swedes I am addicted to the salty version!) but ever since I purchased our solid oak kitchen table (which I still love), I have found so many good design finds. And I find myself coming back for more and more. I don’t know if they have a new purchasing team or what — but I think they are better than they have ever been. Some lovelies:

You probably remember our new kitchen table. I don’t like veneer tables. This beauty is solid oak and it has that gray wash that I love. (We now also have the bench).

This hand carved tribal side/drink table is handsome and very versatile. And it is only $149.99. Come on — that is a steal.

A quite lovely swivel chair.

A pretty pillow.

I trotted home with these gray, braided placemats for the kitchen table the other day.

Round again… Adorable gray, scalloped cotton bath rugs for my girls’ bathroom.

I like several of their glass pitchers.

These textured baskets are great.

They have some unique toys like this Pirate’s ship kite. Prince William (3.5) would be in heaven running with this on the beach!

This magnetic house will be a winner on a long car trip.

You will also find many great treats for the Easter baskets.

Anybody else out there addicted?

Warm hugs to you all.

Written by Splendid Willow in: Just Because I Like It |

Mar
24
2011

I Go Nuts For Wingback Chairs In Dining Areas

Ok, that’s it. This image from Hoteliers Kit and Tim Kemp’s London Townhouse in the April issue of Elle Decor, sealed the deal. I am so going to try this once in my lifetime (and the sooner the better!):

A comfy wing back chair placed right in my busy kitchen. And next to it a pretty lamp (and a side table for that drink!). Hubby is a great cook and I love to hang out with him in the kitchen. He also likes to hang out with me or read close by when I am busy with the pots and pans. What a perfect throne in the kitchen!

I have for quite some time liked the idea of a dining area with a couple of his and hers wing back chairs. But as of today I will, without any hesitation, declare:

More inspiration:

Very pretty. But I am not so sure I would want more than 2 wingback chairs around a dining table. This is borderline to contrived for me.

Anna Spiro’s dining area is way up there on my list of lovely rooms.

It is time to scout the flea markets for a lovely chair to upholster! I have one pretty find at home that has been screaming for a makeover for a year and a half… Now it is time to find a companion!

Warm hugs to you all.

Images via: No. 1 (acorn) via Getty Images/Splendid Willow, no. 2 and 9 via Elle Decor, no. 3 via House Beautiful, no. 4 via Life As It Is, , no. 5 Unknown – sorry!, no. 6 via Decorati, no. 7 via Real estate style, no. 8 via Decorpad, no. 10 via here.

Written by Splendid Willow in: I Go Nuts For |

Mar
21
2011

Fantastic Ikea Chests DIY Makeovers

All over blog land there have lately been many posts about talented people taking their ordinary, mass produced Ikea chests and turning them into fantastic, unique pieces, with just a little creative thinking and some elbow grease.

Here are two classic Ikea chests/benches you see being used often — Besta for $125 and Rast (all pine) for $29.99.

Now, look at this.

A VERY talented home owner & blogger (Tina with Signed by Tina) wanted this chic style and look but not the $2000+ price tag.

So… she went to work on her Ikea Besta bench (without legs) equipped with a hammer, upholstery nails and some paper for drawing the pattern (and a very precise eye!).

How fantastic is that!

Tina also took on her bathroom cabinets.

Thank you for the inspiration lovely Meera!

And look at these Ikea chest transformations:

Yep, this would be that pine Rast chest — now looking chic and fabulous.

And here is another Ikea ”Rast” project by my lovely blog friend Nancy.

She painted two Rast chests black, added stenciled details and changed the hardware. Drool worthy, I know!

And here is that sad looking “Rast” again.

Transformed into this:

Thank you for the inspiration, Bright Will!

And here is yet another great project.

A plain Ikea chest.

Turned it into this! Can’t believe it is the same piece.

Thank you lovely Jill for the inspiration!

I am very tempted to try this myself. I envision a couple of nightstands in the guest bedroom or a long white hutch in our big bonus/play room. Would love to make something similar to this:

Perhaps a fun summer project to work on outside in the backyard with grass between the toes.

Warm hugs to you all.

Last image via Marcus Design. All other photo credits found as part of the text.

Written by Splendid Willow in: Uncategorized |

Mar
17
2011

In The Spotlight – Brooke Giannetti

Time to put the spotlight on yet another talented designer who I find very interesting. LA based designer Brooke Giannetti is hardly a stranger to the blog community. Her wonderful blog Velvet & Linen is a high priority read and she has built a successful business, Giannetti Home, around her blog but she might be a new face to my many loyal readers.

I have wanted to do this interview with Brooke for a while because I have so enjoyed watching her personal design style change somewhat, literally, right in front of our eyes, since I started to read her blog about 18 months ago. It has been a fascinating process to follow. It is ok to change your style and taste people! Listen to your heart. (And of course our mutual love for Swedish antiques is also a factor).

Brooke has been going from a more feminine shabby style to embracing a more simple new classic style and still being true to herself. I also find it very interesting how Brooke and her well known architect husband Steve, who has a completely different style, have managed to find common and lovely design ground. Let’s listen to what she has to say. You will walk away with a lot of good information!

Which design trends do you see yourself happily adopting in 2011?

Steve and I don’t pay attention to design trends. We design spaces that move us emotionally and reflect the way we live.

It has been very interesting to watch your design style in the last 18 months. Describe your journey.

It has been an amazing time in my life! I think the blog has helped me to develop my design style more fully by forcing me to write about it. It has also opened up so many opportunities. Our design online services has become a wonderful addition to our work, which never would have happened without the blog. Steve and I are also excited to have the opportunity to write a book about our design philosophy — “Patina Style”will be published in September! We are also starting the design process for our new home in Ojai. I think the blog and the book have made this process so much easier because they have helped us to refine our design style and helped us clearly understand what we love.

What furnishings have you liked in the past but are no longer attracted to?

I like slimmer upholstered pieces these days. They compliment the Swedish and French antiques that I’ve always loved and continue to be drawn to. Big overstuffed sofas and chairs have not held up as design elements!

The Nick sofa below is from Giannetti Home and was used in the Gilt Home Showcase House.

What objects for the home are you surprised to find yourself liking now?

I’m always looking for new home accessories to bring into our store. My eye is always drawn to pieces that have a wonderful patina and some connection to the artist that made them. I don’t like things that are too perfect.

During a recent flea market visit, I discovered a vendor who specializes in antique wood carved Loatian Buddhas. The vendor explained how each one was carved by a different villager as an offering to bring to the temple. You could see the care that went into making them. I bought them all!

Do you feel that you have found your “own” design voice?

I do feel that my design voice has gotten stronger. Although I still flip through the pages of all of the design magazines, I find that my style is less influenced by them. I’m becoming much more confident in my own instincts.

(Brooke’s powder room went through a makeover. Isn’t the sink gorgeous!)

How would you describe your design style vs. your husband’s?

Steve’s design style is much more modern and masculine than my style! (The gorgeous kitchen below is designed by Steve).

Merging two peoples different styles can be challenging. Any good advice?

I actually love how our two styles compliment each other. One of the things I’ve learned is to be open to his suggestions. I listen to what is important to him. I want him to feel comfortable in his own home and the homes we design together. I really feel that our designs are better when we combine the things we both love.

This is what their sun room looks like after they worked on the style together.

Before:

After: (A personal makeover favorite of mine!/Splendid Willow).

And let’s hear it from Steve himself! What would your advice be to couples trying to find a common design ground?

Steve’s advice: “Select images and items that you each individually love. Put them together on the table and find the common ground between them. You might be surprised at what is created! Usually one partner vetoes an idea too early. Be open to the mix of your styles.”

Their living room before:

Their living room after: (More streamlined, more of a mix. Do you see the galvanized steel table?)

Any interior design project that has a special place in your heart, Brooke?

Recently we’ve had several clients who love what we love. Those are the easiest and most satisfying projects to work on.

We just finished helping a client fill their French inspired beach home in Malibu. We only had to visit their home once in order to know the pieces that would work. Our clients met us back at the store, we picked out the furniture and had it delivered to their home a few days later. There is nothing like immediate design gratification!

(An example of an interior design project for a client. Not quite finished — but oh so lovely).

What would you like to do more of?

Steve and I enjoy going on buying trips for the store. I’d love to have more design jobs that allow us to use the pieces we find on our travels. I also have discovered a love for creating gardens. I hope to design more of them in the future.

You incorporate quite a bit of “Swedish” into your and your clients homes. What is it about Swedish design and interiors that draws you in?

Swedish pieces have classic proportions and style, but they aren’t as heavy and formal as many European antiques. There is a rustic refinement to Swedish design that is so easy incorporated into any room.

Describe a room or home furnishings that make you, shall we say, nervous?

A space with too much color or pattern without any place for the eye to rest makes me jittery!

What 3-5 things can anybody do to immediately beautify a room?

1) Get rid of unnecessary clutter, 2) Simplify your color palette, 3) If you can’t afford an expensive rug, use a natural fiber one from Crate and Barrel or Restoration Hardware. 4) Baskets for storage are inexpensive and add so much beautiful texture to a room. They also hide the clutter.

In Brook’e office she cleaverly hides her printer in a wicker basket!

Do yo have a specific wall color that you come back to over and over again?

I actually prefer no wall color. We’ve used California One Kote, a drywall topping compound, on the walls in many of the homes that we design. It has a wonderful luster, similar to plaster but at a fraction of the price.

When we do use paint, we prefer Farrow & Ball products. Their full spectrum paint reacts beautifully with the sunlight in a room. Some of our favorite FB colors are: Pointing, Lamp Room Gray, and Pink Ground.

Any favorite place for great fabrics?

I love incorporating vintage fabrics into my rooms. I often recover chairs or ottomans in homespun linen or vintage French linen sheets. For special accents I think Claremont Fabrics & Furnishings sell some of the most gorgeous fabrics. Most of their fabrics are made on old looms in Europe. Their silk velvet is dreamy!

Ssshhhh… And what about great design bargains? Do you have a secret place?

I still think that flea markets are the best places to find unique, one of kind pieces at great prices.

What’s your favorite design piece at home? The one you’d take with you before all others.

The Italian piece that hangs over our bed in our Oxnard home. It has the perfect aged gilded patina. Because it was a gift from Steve, it also has a great deal of sentimental value.

Finally, what is your design motto?

“Thank you so much for including me in your “In the Spotlight” series, Monika! This was so much fun! xo Brooke.”

Thank you so much Brooke & Steve! I am so looking forward to your upcoming book. I’d better put myself on the pre-order list! For more on Brooke and her design services, go here. And don’t forget to visit their on-line store here where you will find many wonderful Swedish antiques - here.