Raisin' Cane

Decor Pad

A few months ago, I bought a set of French cane chairs on sale at The Kellogg Collection. Here are a few pictures of them (with and without the cotton slipcover that come with them; a really nice addition).  I fell in love with the little leopard print pillows and couldn't resist getting those too.

Authentic cane is a type of wicker that is woven and has been in existence since the 17th century.  It's earliest forms are traced back to Louis XIII of France where the invention of cane backed chairs (or in some instances the seats) still employed intricate carved wooden detailing, but made the furniture much lighter in weight. The chairs could be kept against a wall and pulled up to a table for grand banquet dinners. This is my intention for my new cane chairs which will serve as occasionals against the wall of my dining room and can be pulled up to the table, or moved into the living room, when additional seating is needed.   It's probably no surprise I like the white washed, French country style.

These Annette cane chairs make great occasionals to be pulled up to a dining room table

Cane chairs can be painted any color your heart desires and come in various weaves and shapes.  Ones that are more open in the back provide a lighter, airy balance to a heavy desk or table. A tighter weave is a more formal design, like my French occasional chairs.

Cane settee by Thorton Designs

cane chair with arms for a more relaxed, airy work space
Decor Pad

I love this robin blue desk chair balanced against a heavier desk
(image source unknown)

love the all white cane chairs constrasted against the dark flooring
Elle Decor

white geometric cane chairs lighten a dining room space
Decor Pad

dark cane chairs with a bold yellow upohlstery
Decor Pad

Animal Instinct

(Design Clique)

I recently purchased a blue leopard print pillows from The Kellogg Collection for our oversized white chair (pictures below).  It fits perfectly against the back of the seat and offers both lower back support and a pop of fun.  While I'm an adament animal lover and personally wouldn't decorate my house with anything that was shot and skinned for my design pleasure (though I might make an exception for faux cow hide rug; they look so real and a good quality ones only cost around $200), I do love an occasional animal print or faux fur for a touch of Hollywood glam.  I'd even do some antler accents for a rugged, organic feel.

One of my favorite designers, Windsor Smith, is an expert when it comes to incorporating tasteful touches of print into a home.  House Beautiful recently featured her showcase estate in a cover story and it's worth viewing the full slide show of her sumptuously appointed rooms and reading her interview for design inspirations.  Her LA home mixes casual, yet vibrant romanticism with grand, luxurious elegance, a true reflection of the designer's talents.

zebra rug layered on a sisal for an unexpected wow factor
(House Beautiful)

antlers repurposed as table legs tie in the rugged feel of the metal wall hangings
(House Beautiful)

Here are some other pictures of interiors I like that incorporate touches of animal prints and accessories.

leopard print rug by Ralph Lauren Home
(blossominteriors.com)

the acryllic table is the perfect choice to allow the faux zebra rug to take center stage
(shelterpop.com)

I love the bold blue print contrasted with the tangerie chair
(kcinteriors.com)

white antler chair and feather head dress in
Vanessa Traina's NYC apartment
(Harper's Bazaar; photo by Todd Selby)

faux cow hide chair
(image source unknown)

a fux fur throw on the couch adds a punch of fun to neutral furnishings
(birds of a feather)

a brown zebra ottoman compliments the coral window panels
(Mary McDonald)

(Sun) Bursting with Joy, Off to China

(Telegraph UK)

We are Beijing-bound in less than 48 hours.  Ne-how China!  I have researched various markets and interior design shops in the three cities we will visit (Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong) and I can't wait to explore them all. Upon my return in two weeks I promise to combat the heavy weight of jetlag and immediately post some pictures and memories of the design inspirations I find.

Until then, let's celebrate Daylight Savings this weekend.  When I return the days will be longer and I'm very thankful this long, bleak winter is coming to a close.  It's time to spring forward.  Out with the EST and in with the EDT. Daylight Savings welcomes in an extra hour before the sun sets, an extra hour to enjoy the evenings without the full cloak of darkness.

In honor of more sun in our days, I've posted some of my favorite sun-centric mirrors.  (The first one is from Kellogg Collection in Richmond VA that I found with my mom the other weekend.)  On my wish list for our first house is a statement sunburst gold mirror for the dining room.

So for the next two weeks I'll be battling the masses on my first Asian adventure.  I will explore as much as possible with plans to troll many Chinese bazaars, unearthing some intricate silk fabrics for framing, porcelain tea sets, or perhaps a set of antique foo dogs.  I'm ready to head across the globe where I'll constantly be seeking inspirations and ideas for my Norfolk nest back home.

Sunburst wall in Max Aria's home
(Harpers Bazaar)

sunburst sweet dreams
(retropad.com)

red mosiac above vintage dresser, love this

love fireplaces in bedrooms
(hgtv.com)

bright ideas for a work space
(thelennoxx.com)