Perfect Pair: Pumpkin + Bright White

Fall is undoubtedly my favorite season.  It's around this time of year I feel the itch for cooler weather and autumnal tones.  What better way to transition from Summer to Fall than by pairing 

pumpkin oranges with bright white?

Have a marvelous weekend!!

{images via Pinterest, Zhush & Apartment Therapy}

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Hermes Birkin

I have had this image on file for quite awhile now and every time I see it I fall in love all over again.  From the hint of a leopard pencil skirt, the gold chain bracelets, the gold nail polish, let alone the fabulous Birkin bag, I'm enamored with it all!  Sigh... how I adore Birkins.  I was tempted to ask my husband for a Birkin instead of a wedding ring, but once I tried on a few diamond rings I was hooked.  But a Birkin was a close second.  Let's see if we can't turn this into a room, shall we?

via weheartit

Nothing in the inspiration outfit really 'matches' but what makes it work is the play on different tones and shades of camel. I would wear this as my work uniform if I could, so let's make our room home office.  I would paint the room a shade of camel (I have to say camel because I can't bring myself to say... *cough* beige.) and install leopard print broadloom in a pattern similar to this one from Horchow.  The subtle leopard adds a hit of panache without being over-the-top.  I would then float a gorgeous Hollywood Regency style desk (Barbara Barry) in the center of the room and pair it with a Palladian chair in a caramel finish (Baker).  This is the chair equivalent of a Birkin bag.  Just like the bag, you can pair a Palladian chair with anything and it automatically adds a little je ne sais quoi and will never date.  Absolutely gorgeous.

 

Behind the desk, I would make a focal wall with a console chest (Hickory Chair) in the center, for office supplies, files, etc.  Above the chest I would add a over-sized mirror (Baker) and flank the chest/mirror combo with antiqued brass etageres, similar to the one above, by Phoebe Howard.  Fill the desk with accessories like a brass magnifying glass (Arteriors), cream leather storage boxes (Barbara Barry for Global Views), and add a cashmere throw or two (William Sonoma Home, I can't work unless I'm wrapped up in a blanket).  Top the room off with a mid-century inspired chandelier (Arteriors), and you have a polished home office!  Best part?  All of the elements in this room could be used in other areas of your home.  Move the mirror to the fireplace mantel, the etageres to the living room, or the desk to the master suite to use as a vanity!  It's always smart to think where else you could use an item down the road when you want to relocate or just switch things up a bit.

My Campaign for Campaign

Want to know what designers use to achieve a truly timeless look?  Want to add a little preppy sophistication to your home?  Look no further than campaign furniture!

Source Unknown

This style dates all the way back to Roman times (400 B.C.-400 A.D. roughly), was re-popularized during the Napoleonic wars (1800-1815 A.D.), and has remained a fashionable staple ever since.  Campaign furniture is based on the idea that while wealthy men were out conquering the 'barbarians' they could still enjoy the luxurious furniture they would have back home.  All campaign pieces were designed to be easily set up and and taken down and most serve multiple functions.

Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign 2010

Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign 2010

Today campaign pieces can range anywhere from traditional:

Restoration Hardware 2010 Iron Campaign Beds

Restoration Hardware 2010 Steamer Trunk Office

to contemporary:

Lonny

1970's Orange Lacquered Campaign Desk via 1st Dibs

Campaign furniture has been popular for so long, one could easily find vintage pieces second-hand, ready to be re-used, re-purposed, and re-loved.  How can you tell if an item is campaign?  It does take a little training of the eye, but there are two easy ways to spot campaign.

The first way is to look for dressers, chests, and trunks that are boxy with no ornamentation, except for metal brackets and hardware, and usually made of wood, leather, or zinc. 

1st Dibs Nightstands

1st Dibs Small Chests

Source Unkown

Source Unknown

The second way to determine if a piece is campaign, is to look for 'X' stretchers and other architectural elements that look as if one could disassemble the piece easily.

Source Unknown

  1st Dibs 19th Century Italian Desk

1st Dibs 19th Century French Glass and Brass Table

Global Views Nickel and Glass Directoire End Table

Ralph Lauren Desk

Hermes 'Pippa' Chair in Black Croc Leather.  If you own one, I want to come visit it.

Here are some tips on how to incorporate campaign into your home:

•  Use a campaign desk as a nightstand, behind a sofa, or as a entry console.  You will love having the ample space to drop off the mail when you walk in the door, or place to store your book and glasses at the end of the night.
• Use a low campaign trunk as a coffee table.  Store unattractive necessities, like remotes, in the drawers and use a tray on top to serve drinks and appetizers.
• If you find a campaign piece second-hand that could use some TLC, remove all brackets and hardware and soak in metal cleaner to restore original sheen.  Don't like the finish of the wood?  Don't be scared to paint it!  Use high-gloss for a contemporary lacquered look.

So would you add a little campaign to your home?