Jones Living Room Design Board

Remember this post after I sold my living room chairs to make room for a desk? Well, like most of my projects, as soon as I changed one thing, the project snowballed into changing 2... 3... 7...  items and now it's almost a complete redo.  Whoops! I'm absolutely loving it, though.  Here's my game plan:

I already own half of these pieces, thank goodness.  The sofa in the board is not an exact match, but is close to my black velvet sofa I designed when I worked at Bassett Furniture.  I've had a love/hate relationship with the fabric but as it's nylon and black it wears like nailes and cleans like a dream!  The mirrored end tables I bought at Target years ago, I think for $40 a piece-- such a steal!  The nickel and glass coffee table is another memento from my Bassett days (originally it was $1200+, but add in my employee discount on top of the clearance price and I walked out with it for less than $200.  Awesome.).   The lead crystal floor lamp is from Restoration Hardware and retails at about $600+.  I found mine at a scratch-and-dent store (anyone else in UT love DownEast Home?) and it was mis-tagged for only $25.  I asked the sale associate about it and she said she's honor the price. CHA-CHING!!! $575 savings for me! And believe me, it's a quality lamp, 'cause that thing is heav-VY.

Here's where the new stuff comes in.  I had dove grey velvet curtains in my head for my large picture window but in Texas I visited a Restoration Hardware OUTLET.  They accepted my designer discount on top of their prices. I picked up a pair of charcoal grey Belgium twill grommet panels for less than $100 (they were more than that a piece originally). DONE! If you live anywhere near San Marcos, Texas you must visit the outlets-- Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn/West Elm/William-Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, etc. etc.  It was a shopping paradise. 

Last week I stopped by a different location of the same scratch-and-dent store where I got my lamp.  In all honesty, I went shopping for a client but ended up buying something for me.  Surprisingly, that doesn't happen as often as you would think.  Anyway, I came across a desk that looked a LOT like this:

Be still my heart...

...except the top portion of the DownEast desk is french blue.  

Upon a little inquiring, I found out that the polished nickel trestle bases are the real deal from William-Sonoma but the top, though it looks the exact same as the WS original besides for the hardware and ...ahem... blue finish, use to have wooden legs that were freight damaged.  With a savings of about $1575, I took the soon-to-be-gorgeous 'Frankenstein-ed' desk (I'm currently in the process of researching who could paint the top white.  The blue has got to go.).  

Next on my shopping list is this little beauty, as seen from Pieces Inc:

I didn't spend $1850 on the William-Sonoma desk, so there's no way I'm going to spend that on a chair.   The chair is from the late 1960's-70's designed by Anton Lorenz.  I have found a few vintage ones on etsy and eBay in pretty good shape but all are in need of some hair-on-hide re-upholstery.  Since hair-on-hide can get spendy, I'm holding out until I can find this chair for less than $100.  If you see one in your local Craigslist, LET ME KNOW!!!

After my pocket book recovers from there, I will invest in a custom-made credenza for my television (have I ever written about how much I HATE media credenzas these days? I don't mind seeing the TV, but do we have to see the cable box and X Box too?).  I'm thinking something that completely closes off the components, in white lacquer, inspired by the 1920's or maybe the 1970's.  

As far as the rest of the accessories, well, I think I'm going to save that for tomorrow.  I think I may need your help on that part...

Not too bad for a savings of $3850+ and counting!

{images via WS Home & Pieces Inc}

Perfect Pair: White + Fretwork

FRETWORK, LATTICE, TRELLIS... 

call it what you want, but this look is HOT.  Starting centuries ago in the 'Far East,' migrating to the 'West' through Chippendale and working it's way up to modern day via Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis fabric, fretwork isn't going anywhere soon.  The best way to update this motif for your contemporary home?  Pair it with some white glossy paint... and maybe a metallic accent here or there...

Words cannot describe how much I adore these cabinets!

{images via PiecesInc, 1stDibs & OneKingsLane}

Perfect Pair: Turquoise + Chrome

Awhile back, I came across a pre-teen's bedroom that had turquoise walls with gold metal trim.  I've been pulling my hair out trying to re-find it... I think it was in an eMag article?  Maybe...? If anyone know what I'm talking about, let me know!  Until then, here are some pretty chrome and turquoise images to drool over:

{images via Pinterest, Mark Hotel & Kate Spade}

Desk Lust Part Deux

If I was able to get one of the desks off my lust list, I would accessorize it like this:

I even bought white and gold 'Brooke Jones Design' pencils already.

Now for a gold tray, candle, and assorted accessories...

{image source unknown-- let me know if you know!!}

Desk Lust List

I'm on the lookout for the perfect white desk for my living room and while a white Parsons desk is perfect in every way (clean, timeless, functional, plays well with others, etc.) I can't help but have a roaming eye for some other beauties on the market.  I may have more than a slight crush over these pieces.  Here is my lust list of hottie-patatty desks (there no budget in my dreams!!):

5. Lilly Pulizter for Horchow

 Polish with a little glam glitz.

4. Barbara Barry for Henredon

Tradition with an Art Deco vibe.

3. Jonathan Adler's Channing Desk

Retro-chic personified in a desk.

2. Milo Baughman Vintage 1960-70s Desk

Milo Baughman. 'Nuff said.

1. Vintage 1960's Campaign Desk

The definition of high style and design.

Sigh.... one day....

{images via Horchow, Barbara Barry, Jonathan Adler & 1st Dibs}

Design Legend: Milo Baughman

While trying to research the history of my last post's vintage chrome chair I stumbled across the work of Milo Baughman.  Who is Milo Baughman you ask? As it turns out, he was one of the fathers of modern design during the second half of the twentieth century.  He designed furniture for companies including Mode Furniture, Calif-Asia, Design Institute America, Henredon and Drexel, and most famously for Thayer Coggin, Inc.  His style was 'distincly American' and became a staple for the 'California modern' movement.

Baughman's furniture used simple materials typical of the movement namely, walnut, iron, and formica. The 'X' base was a staple in his desks and stools while the 'Z' shape was introduced to chairs for a style that is purely Baughman.  His styles have been reinvented and recreated and continue to be reproduced to this day.

Mr. Baughman practiced design in California throughout the 50's and 60's. Get this-  in 1969 he was invited by Brigham Young University to start the Department of Environmental Design and taught there on and off until his death in 2003.  Who said Mormons where all traditional and had no style!!!  He could quite possibly be the coolest thing to come out of BYU (well, him and the fact my parents met there and spawned your truly, but he still might take the cake).

Have you seen this GORGEOUS desk before?  I can't remember if I've used it in a post before but it has been in my design file under 'lust list' for a few years now.  You know anything with an 'X' base gets me going, but pair it with orange lacquer and chrome??? Be still my heart!

"Good Modern has already proven to be the most enduring, timeless and classic of all design movements." 

Amen Brother Baughman. Amen.

{all items are vintage via 1st Dibs}

High Contrast Two-Toned Furniture

Can't decide what color of casegood to add to your space? Well, you won't have to decide on just one finish with two-toned pieces!  Two-toned accents add a little retro glam and interest to a space.  If you are looking for a way out of the "matchy-matchy" coffee/end/console table rut, try throwing in one of these character pieces.

The above piece is only $119 @ Target!! Who says style has to cost a fortune?

You can even create this look with your kitchen cabinetry!

How chic is this room? (Leave it to Sarah Richardson to try this in a kitchen)

{images via Vanguard, Bungalow 5, Arteriors, DwellStudio for Target, Tonic Home, & Decor Pad}

Dwell Studios for Global Views

Some things just belong together.  That's why I think Global Views pairing up with Dwell Studio is a match made in design heaven.

The polished sophistication Global Views is known for is getting a jolt of retro 70's patterns and texture.  Check out my favorite pieces from the new collection:

Diamond Cube

Diamond Cut Vase

Gold Ribbons Drinking Glass Tall

Gold Triangle Drinking Glass Short

Tubular Metal Burst with Stone Base

Golden Gates Lacquered Tray

Trellis Lacquered Tray

Linking Trellis Double Bulb Vases

I think I need one of everything. Maybe two...

The collection is debuting this month at High Point.  I am excited to hear what the design community thinks of the chic collection!

{images via Global Views & Simply Lovely}

Eye Candy: Hilary Thomas Designs

Eye candy for reals. It's even the colors of dark chocolate and mint!

{image via Hilary Thomas Designs}

Bungalow 5

I have recently fell in love. As an interior designer I see it SO many different styles of furniture on a daily basis, but none of them have ever been so close to my personal style as Bunglow 5's line of casegoods. They are sleek, chic, and timeless. I would use their pieces in both traditional and contemporary spaces.  Basically, Bungalow 5 rocks.

Houzz.com

I DIE over this room.  I would never think to put a bright turquoise with a more serene green/blue, but it looks great!

Berkley Side Table in Gray & White

 

Decor Pad

Jacqui Side Table in Black Lacquer

St. George Parade of Homes 2011 designed by Alice Lane

Jacqui Side Table in White Lacquer

Check out their whole line of fine furniture here and contact me for product info!

{images via Houzz, Decor Pad, Alice Lane & Bungalow 5}