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

Favorite Things - Rivets Wall Coverings

To my regular readers, it’s no secret that I absolutely love both polka dots and nail head trim in Interior Design. As if answering my call, Phillip Jeffries has a new line of wall coverings called Rivets and it appeals to the polka-dot, nail-head loving designer in me. Phillip Jeffries has long been a creator of beautiful textural wall coverings and Rivets combines the look of nail heads or industrial rivets with the texture they are known for in the interiors industry: grass cloth.

 

From the Phillip Jeffries website: “Adding another dimension to wallcoverings is the RIVETS collection. Hand crafted by artisans, a raised relief pattern made with pearlized inks is hand applied to our natural Manila Hemp, Glazed Abaca, Linen and Jute wallcoverings to create the look and feel of authentic nail heads. Strong and bold, this pattern of 11.3” squares is available in nine unique color combinations that are truly riveting!” 

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

Nail Heads, part 4

I have some very fun client projects in the works, so I am trying to complete my little nail head DIY soon, and devote my creativity to those projects.  I'll be honest, I am not a huge DIY'er. I believe that there are professionals that can do (enter any DIY project) better than I, so best left to them. I decided to tackle this nail head project to explore the outer boundaries of my creativity and because I found some very cool materials and inspirations.  I am still working on the perfect patterns for my nail head designs.  In the meantime, I am soaking up every ounce of nail head inspiration that I can possibly find.

It seems that House Beautiful is also seeing nail heads everywhere. To see their round up of products, try the two links below. 
http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/decorating-trends/nailheads-0208
http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/decorating-trends/more-nailheads-0208

Stay tuned for more design ideas on my bench project.

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

Nail Head Project Revealed

 I have been obsessing over nail heads for quite some time now. 
Latest Obsession: Nail Head Trim
Still Obsessing: Nail Head Trim
Latest Obsession: Nail Head Trim, part 3
Now I'd like to incorporate them into my own DIY project - the reupholster of a bench for the master bedroom.



This is the bench. I agree that it is in perfectly suitable condition as is. However, I want to add some personality to the bench and the bedroom.

Not to mention that the fabric and tufting look a little tired...

For that personality, I'm adding more interesting materials to this bench. Those include a very cool pearly ivory vinyl and, of course, nail heads. Vinyl can be a very fun material - it is extremely durable and cleanable for homes with pets and children. It also comes in endless patterns textures and colors.

 To work out the nail head design, I have created a few templates out of cardboard in 5 inch strips. Five inches is the height of the upholstered edge of the bench, which will receive the nail head treatment.

I have created a few possible designs, while looking back to previous posts for inspiration..

I am attempting to work with some curved designs as well, but I'll tell you now that those are very hard for the novice upholsterer! I have tremendous appreciation for the skill and work used to create the pieces I've shown in previous blog posts!
I'll keep you posted on the progress in working out these designs. Perhaps a vote for the final design...

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

Latest Obsession: Nail head Trim, part 3

I am still keeping my eyes open for fun inspiration with nail head trim and the May-June issue of Veranda Magazine led me right to Interior Designer turned Furniture Designer, Barry Dixon. Dixon's very liberal and creative use of nail heads had me captivated immediately. Much of his use involves creating very unique furniture shapes that are reinforced by the use of nail heads along the same lines.

Then I stumbled upon the ottomans and my heart skipped a beat! You can't help but appreciate the art of nail heads in these beauties.

 Later this week I will reveal my own DIY project and the plan to spruce up a boring bench with  sassy pearl vinyl and custom nail head accents. Stay tuned!

Previous Nail Head posts:
Latest Obsession: Nail Head Trim
Still Obsessing: Nail Head Trim

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

Still Obsessing: Nail Head Trim

I still in love with all the creative uses for nail head trim, and still planning my own DIY project. Here are more out-of-the-box applications for nail head trim that are inspiring me. I hope you'll find inspiration, too. Enjoy!

Leather wall tiles are certainly a way to make an impact in any room. Now, combine leather wall tiles with double rows of pyramid-shaped nail heads - WOW. This room was designed by Kirsten Fitzgibbons and Kelli Ford of Kristen Kelli, LLC  and featured in the May issue of House Beautiful.

If that look feels too edgy for you, try waves of traditional round nail heads on grass cloth wallpaper.

This room was part of the Denver Parade of Homes, 2007. Sadly I do not have the Designer information to give credit, but I loved it so much that I snapped these photos. If anyone knows the Designer, please share and I will be happy to credit them for this beautiful room.

Still working on my own nail head creations....stay tuned.

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

Latest Obsession: Nail head Trim

I am currently obsessed with nail head trim, but not just any traditional old nail head. I have been captivated by creative designs, uses and even shapes and color of nail head trim. So much so that I will be using it very soon on my own DIY project - watch this space. In the meantime, I'll share my many sources of inspiration for this particular project.
My number one source of inspiration on creative use of nail heads is Shine Home. The furniture line is amazing and creative.

Moorea Bed

Manhattan Sofa

Humphrey Ottoman

Verona Chair

Florence Bed

 This photo has another take on nail heads - notice the turquoise heads on red fabric. This is the home of Designer and Showroom owner Dan Marty, featured in Western Interiors & Design Magazine (no longer in publication)

In the next three photos, the nail heads aren't necessarily applied in a unique way. However, I like the use of nail heads to accentuate an interesting shape or line in furniture.

From Global Views poof collection.

The Quatrefoil Headboard by Ballard Designs.

This chair is featured in an ad for Scalamandre Fabrics. I like the combination of nail head over a tape trim.

And finally - nail heads (and fabric) don't have to be limited to chairs and beds, but go beautifully on case goods, too. Designer Tobi Fairly brought in side tables with great nail head accent in this room. The room was featured in House Beautiful magazine and tables are by Jan Showers.

Stay tuned for my incorporation of this nail head inspiration into a few projects - coming soon!

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