The closest I ever got to sleeping underneath a bed canopy

Mum will correct me if I am wrong on this one but I think I was about 13-14 when I was rewarded with my first grown up bedroom makeover. This bedroom makeover focused around the most gorgeous Sheridan fabric in navy blue with an almost paisly, morrocan pattern. Mum bought enough to sew me a quilted bedspread with pillow sham, bedside tablecloth, bean bag and the piece de resistance was the transformation of my standard bed frame into a timber four poster bed with canopy. That was my first and only canopy to date.

I know you're imagining something like the images below, maybe with a contrast lining in ivory and scolloped edge, but the reality of living in Queensland was that my gorgeous canopy was mosquito netting sewn to a roof panel of my matching fabric! Thinking back now though, that bedroom makeover was the closest I have ever come to date to having a coordinated, matching patterned formal bedroom, but most importantly - a bed canopy.

When you analyse this image closely there is just too much to love! The contrast piping on the bedhead canopy and drapes that ties to the ottoman & bolsters, the repeated pattern floral, the contrast with the check, the matelasse bed covers and the perfection in matching the green tones.

I do have a thing about centered beds, there must be a low headboard hidden there so the pillows don't fall off! Also love the ottoman bedside.

I love this royal blue but the little ornate mirror isn't doing it for me.

I love that these bed drapes are ceiling mounted, everything is stretched just that little bit further. Would have loved to have seen it with a canopy though just so the eye knew where to stop.

This is perfection, no further words are needed.

I love this but it does make me think about barber shop poles and I am so curious to know why they have large white shirts framed?

Love the jigsaw edging on the canopy.

I love so much of this, especially the mass of fabric in the drapes but being the nit picky person that I am would have loved all the off whites to match.

Love, love, love............everything!

Tab top curtains add a touch of casual, not sure about the drapes behind the bed especially when pulled to the side?

Monday's Lesson: Pattern 101 Check vs Tartan vs Plaid

This week is a curly one - we're not just comparing two patterns but three, so make sure your thinking cap is on!

Let’s start with the most straight forward pattern: Check. A Check pattern is made by crossing vertical and horizontal lines to form uniform squares. Believe it or not the name is derived from the game of chess played on a squared board.

Gorgeous large scale red and white check wingback. Love the combination with the other patterns and also the framed image sequence.

What is not to love about this? I love the repeat of the check, the scale and tone and the beautiful scolloped edge loose sheet.

I am a sucker for a check! This is my wedding dress which I adore.

Traditionally associated with Scotland, different check patterns and colours denoted specific areas as they were reflective of the natural dyes available to local weavers. The mid-19^th century brought modernised weaving and dying techniques and checked cloth patterns transitioned into more complicated Tartans.  At this point Tartans came to reflect clan or family rather than region or district.

A Tartan pattern stays true to its chequered origins in that it is made by crossing vertical and horizontal lines. The enhancement being the addition of different colours intersecting at more points to form a series of different sized squares.

Casamance Neapolis from the Syracuse Collection

I always imagine Tartan working back with leather - it must be the masculine image I have in my head. Love the soft tones in this Tartan and the cute pom pom fringe on the scatter cushion!

Very retro feel Tartan, shaggy rug, orange velvet.....

 A 'How many Tartans can you see?' image. I see 6!

Here's my masculine look again. I wish they had shot this photograph with dimmed light so it really made me feel like jumping under all those covers.

Amazing dining room, stunning fringed tablecloth, netted chandelier, opulent window treatments and beautiful alternating upholstered dining chairs.

"So where does Plaid fit in?" I hear you ask. Well plaid is really just a trick term. Plaid and Tartan are one of the same. Plaid is the North American term for a Scottish Tartan and in Scotland a Plaid is a Tartan cloth worn over the shoulder or a blanket. So in summary a check is a check and a Tartan is really a North American Plaid, got it?

If you’re interested in more ways to incorporate Check, Tartan or Plaid patterns into your decorating, check out my Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/bobbinscissors/pattern-101-check-v-s-tartan-v-s-plaid/

The humble old tablecloth: Not anymore!

I grew up in a family where dinner was always, and I mean ALWAYS eaten at the table. We had a kitchen table, formal dining table and outdoor table and it didn't matter which one the meal was eaten at - it was always set. By 'set' I don't just mean knife and forks, salt and pepper, I mean tablecloth, napkins, and on special occasions - napkin rings, place cards, floral centrepiece and candles.

Today I still only eat at the table (my one and only table) and one of my favourite things is to set it for guests. I have a collection of placemats and I regularly use rolls of paper and runners of fabric but never a tablecloth - I don’t own one, much to my mother’s dismay.  A tablecloth is one of the simplest and cheapest things to make, and can transform any table.  The below images have given me inspiration for something more than just a plain rectangle of fabric...

Love the scolloped edge both on the tablecloth and chair cover, and the contrast of plain and check.

Simple duckegg blue linen pleated tablecloth.

Cute, fitted, scolloped edge tablecloth.

Something out of the ordinary - love the choice of bordering the panels so as to highlight the shape beneath.

Beautiful applique of Nana's doilies.

Simple tie side linen tablecloth. Love it because you could manipulate it into any style with your table setting.

Simple broad banded tablecloth.

Completely opulent puddled tablecloth with triple ruffle trim.

Love this idea of the table detail print on the linen.

Monday's Lesson: Pattern 101 Houndstooth

Yes, I know it makes you automatically think David Jones but trust me; Houndstooth, Dogtooth or even its baby version, Puppytooth (how cute!) can be a great vintage pattern to throw in the mix.

The easily recognisable pattern, Houndstooth is two tonal and made up of distinctive broken checks and abstract, four-pointed shapes. The pattern's name originated from its resemblance to the jagged back teeth of hound dogs, and was traditionally a woven black and white wool cloth of the Scottish Lowlands. In the 1930s and 40s Houndstooth was a popular pattern not only for suiting but for home upholstery and drapery. Today many fabric houses produce Houndstooth as a staple item in varying sizes and colours, even combining with other patterns such as checks and plaids.

Sensational yellow Houndstooth. Love the scale and the repetition of the pattern on the scatters and throw.

Duralee Winthrop Collection Houndstooth in Buttercup

This would be my favourite Houndstooth! Love the break in the traditional two tonal rule.

Etamine Houndstooth

Love the contrast of the strong geometric Houndstooth against the soft floral.

Large scale pink Houndstooth available through www.interiordecorating.com

Kravet Basics Houndstooth / Plaid

Traditional black and white Houndstooth. Love the seating idea and also the splash of pink to break it up.

Casamance Constantine Hounstooth

If you’re interested in more ways to incorporate Houndstooth patterns into your decorating, check out my Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/bobbinscissors/pattern-101-houndstooth/



My design signature: Contrast Piping

When I say 'signature' I know we all think straight away to our written name, but what I’m referring to here is that little distinctive mark or characteristic we each have - something unique to us. We all have multiple signatures; the signature dish, the signature look, or style. It’s something we know won’t fail us, we love, and don’t tend to change.

For those of you that know me in a design sense you can probably guess my design signature. I jump up and down about it all the time - to me it is the icing on the cake in an interior. It highlights the shape of furniture, contrasts colours and is the simplest and most inexpensive trim: contrast piping!

The chocolate piping highlights the shape of the sofa and connects the pink sofa to the otherwise monotone room. 

Trim or passamentrie [the professional terminology] on anything is amazing. It’s the final customisation on a piece and the options are endless [I will write soon on all the different types available]. The only downfall is that generally trim is expensive, especially good quality trim. Piping however can be made, making it completely unique and one of the cheapest options, or alternatively purchased by the metre ready-made.

Courtesy of The Haby Goddess http://thehabygoddess.blogspot.com.au

Plain piping is a beautiful detail; to me it finishes the joins in upholstery and adds finesse to the piece that you may not necessarily notice. Contrast piping on the other hand draws your eye to it!

Great highlight of the rounded arm and balanced with the wide band around the skirt.

Orange and purple who would have thought, but it connects the colours in the room.

Would have loved a better image of these chairs to show you the white deep buttons matching the piping. 

Navy and white, very crisp!

The green piping on this little occasional chair breaks it up and connects it to the rest of the room.

Would have loved to have seen this piping continued on the skirt.

The piping breaks these dining chairs up, they may have otherwise looked like black blobs.

Maybe contrast piping is something to consider for your next upholstery purchase?