Love it or Leave it| Sofa at the Foot of the Bed

The bench at the foot of the bed - it's a staple in bedroom design, particularly in master bedrooms. It's the perfect spot to put on your shoes, decorative bedcovers can be folded down onto the bench, it helps to fill the space in larger rooms. I've even been known to add a bench in rooms designed by Beautiful Habitat.

via Beautiful Habitat

Lately I'm seeing the bench replaced by sofas, settees and chairs - furniture pieces with backs.

via Knight Carr

And then I started to see sofas morph into full seating areas such a this room below.

via Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper

What do you think of this trend? Love it - it's an out of the box use of the space; it creates more function; it uses the space better? Or leave it - it closes off the room too much; it distracts from the bed; I'm not holding board meetings in my bedroom? What are your thoughts of sofas (or other furniture with backs) and seating areas at the foot of the bed?

via House and Home

via Furbish Studio

via Design Shuffle

via Pinterest

via Design OCD

via Lonny

via Atlanta Homes

via House Beautiful

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Designing with Bed Draperies | Half Testers and Coronas

My last post was all about bed drapery, specifically canopies with and without four poster beds. Today is all about 2 other looks - half testers and coronas, with can be achieved through hardware (an actual half tester bed or corona) or "faked" through clever drapery. Are you a bed drapery person? Which look is your favorite?

Half Testers

Half Testers have a similar relationship the the four-poster and canopy relationship in my last post. A half tester is a type of bed which has a low foot board and a canopy that projects from the head of the bed.

via fourposterbeds.com

These half tester beds are not common unless you've got some serious European antiques. However, the "look" is one often created by mounting drapery from the wall or ceiling above a standard bed as in these examples.

via House Beautiful

 

via Meghan-Blum Blog

 

via Veranda

via Centsational Girl

Coronas

Corona is a super beer and reminds me of summer. It's also the Latin word for "Crown" and in bedding and draperies, that is exactly what it means. A Corona is a crown for your bed. Coronas can be wall mounted or ceiling mounted and can be circular, oval, or half circles. Coronas can also be an elaborate pre-made wood or metal piece to which the fabric is attached, or it can be created through fabric as in the House Beautiful example below.

via House Beautiful

 

via ZsaZsaBellagio

via Splendid Sass

via Architectural Digest

Other Creative Bed Drapery

I couldn't help but include this bed project. It's very much like a half tester, but the box and molding are built in to the room and simple fabric panels are installed inside of the box. It's clever and a very dramatic look.
 

via Home Depot

  Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Banquettes | The Built-ins

Last week I wrote about using sofas, loveseats, settees and benches as banquettes. This week I pay homage to the built-in banquettes. Enjoy!

I'll start with 2 photos from Candice Olson. This dramatic red velvet tufted banquette that goes right up to the ceiling is the banquette that started my obsession. I have a wall that would be PERFECT for such a grand statement. It's the dining room and the first wall you see when entering our home - the place to make a statement.

 

Alas, The wall has multiple light switches and an air-intake that make reconfiguring electrical and HVAC for such a built-in banquette very costly. I've repaired my broken heart and now I'm searching for the perfect sofa, loveseat or settee per last week's banquette post. Still, I enjoy and envy the built-in banquette. I hope you enjoy this collection and find inspiration for your own home!

 

Candice Olson

 

source unknown

 

via Houzz

 

via House of Turquoise

 

via Luxe & Lillies

 

via HGTV

 

via Absolutely Beautiful Things

 

via Tell Your Interior Designer

For more banquette inspiration, check out these posts:

• Banquettes
• An Ode to Banquettes

Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I’m jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.

Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Banquettes

As I've mentioned before - I love banquettes. There is something inherently glamorous about a banquette. Or perhaps it's because I imagine a dinner party of my friends piling onto a big banquette in my dining room. I can't quite put my finger on the source of this love, but it's there. Oh, it's there.

Banquettes are often thought of as built-in, such as this dramatic gem of a dining room via Toby Fairly. These built-ins can be a great solution to a tricky area.

However, the look and feel of a banquette can be easily achieved by pulling a sofa, loveseat, settee or bench up to your table, without the expense and construction mess of a custom built-in. Allow me to explain... visually.

 

A sofa fits perfectly between cabinets in a kitchen nook. via House Beautiful, February 2012 issue.

 

Another perfectly sized sofa. This one features a beautifully shaped back and another favorite: nailheads. Source unknown.

 

A very simple sofa becomes more interesting as a banquette. Source unknown.

 

This dramatic settee makes a big statement in this otherwise understated dining room. source unknown.

 

A punch of pink pattern brightens up this kitchen with the sofa turned banquette. Source unknown.

 

This clever Kitchen design features an armless sofa as banquette with a table where many others would have used bar stools. I love the originality and out of the box thinking! Source unknown.

 

An elegant sofa creates a contrast to the more rustic dining table in this interior design. The effect is stunning. via Four Walls and a Roof.

 

The Interior Designer of this hotel went big and bold. This space features a large, curvy hot pink sofa as banquette. Wow. via Ohmygosh! Design.

 

A beautiful curved sofa in a glamorous dining room, via Elle Decor

I wanted to add a built-in banquette to my dining room. However, the location of light switches and the air-intake vent make that project well beyond my budget. No problem - I now have my eye on a settee that I want to include. Stay tuned for more!

Do you love banquettes? Check out my collection of banquette inspiration on Pinterest. Do you have a banquette? I'm jealous and would love to see it! Please share photos with us on Facebook.
Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Salvaged Driftwood Decor | Guest Post

Hi! I’m Joanna, a writer with Arcadian Lighting, a go-to source for all things lighting, including awesome light fixtures. I love my job, but to be honest it doesn’t seem like work at all. I spend my days searching the web for lovely interiors and terrific decorating ideas to share with blog readers like you. Thank you Tennille for allowing me to share today.

With grey being one of the dominant colors in interiors going into 2012, it’s no wonder we are seeing weathered salvaged woods, like driftwood, popping up in rooms everywhere. From farmhouse to loft, woods are light, rough and unfinished. Tables are perhaps the most popular pieces being made from driftwood, but there are many ways to incorporate it into the home. A driftwood table lamp anyone? Here are a few ideas I found from around the Internet. Which is your favorite?



This seaside cottage features a remarkable driftwood coffee table which goes nicely with the room’s style.



Three starburst framed mirrors are made from small pieces of driftwood. This would make an easy DIY project if you are fortunate to live in close proximity of the beach.



A small end table of driftwood and metal goes well with the rustic elements of this screened porch.



Rustic driftwood shelves make a nice place for showing off a vignette of books, candles and a jar of seashells.



This unexpected lighting fixture, tall driftwood floor lamp, creates a can’t miss focal point in an eclectic living room.



Small pieces of reclaimed wood are joined together to create an unusual flower vase. This would make a lovely centerpiece used in multiples down a long dining table.



A cottage bathroom gets its own touch of driftwood on the framed mirror. The contrast between the patinaed wood and the rich marble below works well.



This isn’t driftwood but you can see the many possibilities of using driftwood and other reclaimed wood around the house. I love that handcrafted hanging lantern. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Accentuate your beautiful driftwood decor with pendant lights and beautiful lamps!
Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com

Exciting Patterns for Every Room | Guest Post

Hi all! I’m Susi and I write as a guest blogger for DesignShuffle.com, a fabulous social media site that promotes interior designers from around the world and their work. My writing focuses on things I'm passionate about: interior design, home furnishings, gardening and art. I'm lucky enough to have a background in art history, auctions, and antiques, and a passion for decorating ideas. Plus, I get to look at gorgeous things all day and write about them. What a fantastic job!

This week I'll be looking at ways to add exciting patterns for every room in the home. From bold patterned tiles to graphic towels and linens, don't be afraid to bring patterns into your home. Patterns add interest and style to any space. Be bold, mix and match, and have fun with pattern!

 

DE Design Coop via

Patterned floors in the kitchen, bath or entry add an extra style element to these rooms. Tile layed out in interesting patterns or a herringbone wood floor are interesting twists on these traditional materials.

 

Coco Cozy via

Patterned tiles... for the bath or kitchen add color as well as pattern to these spaces. Use them on the floor or as a backsplash. Moroccan style tiles are very popular now.

Bedding Chic via

Bold patterned bedding is a smart way to add pattern to the bedroom design. Mix and match it with solids to break up the pattern, or choose a patterned coverlet or duvet.

 

Design Sponge via

A bold pattern area rug is a smart choice for adding pattern to a dining room, entry, living room, bedroom or even a bathroom design. Indoor/outdoor rugs can add pattern to your porch or deck.

 

Apartment Therapy via

Wallpaper is the big trend for adding pattern to walls today. Available in a range of patterns, colors and sheens, wallpaper can work in small spaces, like powder rooms, and larger rooms like dining rooms.

 

Shore Dreams and Beautiful Things via

Colorful patterned bath towels, like these from Amy Butler, can liven up your bath or guest bathroom. Patterned tea towels for the kitchen are a hot trend right now. Other interior design ideas to think about, might include colorful tea towels as guest towels in a powder room.

 

Rent the Runway via

Curtains in the living room, dining room or bedroom can be the perfect place to add pattern. And they are easily changed if you decide you don't like the pattern anymore.

 

Pepper Design via

Pillows, like these ikat patterned pillows from Fabricadabra, are the easiest way to add patterns to any room.
Pattern will add excitement to your décor and your life, start adding it today!
Beautiful Habitat: Interior Design & Decoration www.beautifulhabitat.com