Stools — Room's Little Jewels

Back before real jobs and grown-up life, top of my shopping list at flea markets and junk stores was stools. They technically qualified as furniture but could be found for less than $10. Each one has a personality all its own. One of my favorites is an old milking stool that makes me smile just to look at it. Its seat is chunky and strong and looks to have been whittled by one very angry dairy farmer. But its long, almost elegant legs have become shaky and splayed with age. Only the slightest child can sit on it without being toppled. Here are a handful of interiors that feature stools followed by a selection of old and new varieties available for purchase. Many multi-task as occasional tables, while others are striking for their charm and good looks. But just like the right earrings for your favorite top, stools add that little "yes!" to a room's arrangment of furnishings.

LEFT, Inside Out; RIGHT BOTTOM, Kara Mann Design; RIGHT, S. Russell Groves, designer, Eric Striffler, photography

X-based stools: LEFT TOP, Plantation Home; CENTER BOTTOM, Palumba | 1st dibs; RIGHT, Lucie Koldova

LEFT, Shawn Henderson Interior Design; RIGHT TOP, Kara Mann Design; RIGHT BOTTOM, my apologies, source unknown

CLOCKWISE STARTING LEFT, petrified wood stools, ABC Home & Carpet; lucite Stone Stool by Marcel Wanders via MoMAstore; wood block stools, ABC Home & Carpet; wood Hourglass via VintageModern; lucite stool/magazine rack, Karim Rashid; Organic Stool, Inside Avenue

LEFT, S. Russell Groves; CENTER + RIGHT, my apologies — source unknown 

TOP LEFT + 3rd, Asian garden stool, Mecox Gardens; TOP 2nd + 4th, Inside Avenue; BOTTOM LEFT, Inside Avenue; BOTTOM CENTER, Artecnica; BOTTOM RIGHT, Inside Avenue

TOP LEFT, Burnham Design; TOP RIGHT, my apologies — source unknown; BOTTOM LEFT, Timothy Whealon Interiors; BOTTOM RIGHT, my apologies — source unknown

TOP LEFT, my apologies — source unknown; TOP RIGHT, Book Stool by Arik Levy via Dwell; BOTTOM LEFT, Wiggle Stool by Frank Gehry, MoMAstore; BOTTOM RIGHT, City Foundry

All stools, Vitra; BOTTOM LEFT, Sori Yanagi, 1954; BOTTOM RIGHT, The Cork Family by Jasper Morrison, 2004 

TOP LEFT, eBay; TOP RIGHT, craigslist { Atlanta };  BOTTOM LEFT, A. Tyner Antiques; BOTTOM RIGHT, eBay

Suzanis

Before graphic design, I was a surface designer. Pattern, print, layout, color, motif, scale, embellishment, texture, screen printing. I fell hard and have loved textiles ever since. And the older, the better. Antique fabrics that are hand dyed, hand printed, hand embroidered — well, they are simply amazing. When I first saw a Suzani, my heart lept and a voice in my ear whispered “take me home now!”  Suzanis are charming, yet boldly graphic. Both earthy and sophisticated. Even garish, in a good way. Whether folded primly at the end of a bed or boldly upholstered on a chair, the Suzani adds just the right amount of punch to any room.

LEFT, Steven Sclaroff | 1st dibs; PILLOWS, Hollywood at Home | 1st dibs;  TOP RIGHT, ABC Carpet & Home

LEFT, vintage susani, Yurdan; RIGHT, Domino; RIGHT TOP, susani boots Yurdan

LEFT, M. Design Interiors Inc.; RIGHT, Uzbek-Craft.com

ABOVE, Suzani upholstered chair { 2 views } and suzani-inspired boxes: Jayson Home & Garden

ABOVE, Suzani-inspired pillows from Mecox Gardens

My favorite source for Suzanis is Yurdan. Prices are way lower than eBay or antique stores, plus they have beautiful scarves and jewelry too. Oh! And, for the really suzani-crazy, you can purchase boots to match your throw!  Items ship from Isatanbul, but surprisingly the shipping costs are low. 

Canine Adoration

Art featuring animal imagery is always eye-catching. But paintings, photographs, and sculpture of dogs are truly irresistible. They are just loaded with drama, charm, personality, and soul. Here are some interiors that I just love as well as a artists' work that is simply amazing. 

LEFT BOTTOM,  Todd Romano; RIGHT TOP, Susan Ferrier | McAlphine Booth & Ferrier Interiors

LEFT TOP, Inside Photography; BOTTOM CENTER, Mario Buatta's Homage to Dogs, Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2006 via New York Social Diary, RIGHT, my apologies — source unknown

LEFT, Eric Johnson Photography; TOP RIGHT, Thom Filicia Inc.; BOTTOM RIGHT, Fox-Nahem Design

Paintings: LEFT, Claire Eastgate; TOP RIGHT, Judith Jarcho; BOTTOM, Ron Krajewski

Portrait photography: Parker Smith Portraits  { In another post, I'll post the stunning portrait of Pearl that Parker photographed — just beautiful! }

Paintings: Lulu Capri  { I am dying to have a print of the bottom left painting — simply wonderful }

Sculpture: Mary Engel { bottom images are close-ups of her exquisite work }

ABOVE: Museum of the Dog, St. Louis, MO

{ SHAMELESS APPEAL: There are way too many homeless dogs and cats in this world. Please, please, please spay or neuter your pet. And, if you're looking for a new best friend, try Petfinder, the Humane Society, or a local animal shelter. }

The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic. HENRY WARD BEECHER

Black + White

Black is grounded and powerful; white is crisp and clean. Together, they are the most sophisticated of color couples.  Here are some inspiring black + white interiors followed by a fabrics, wallpapers, and products from the ends of the spectrum.

LEFT TOP, Roger Davies Photography; CENTER BOTTOM, Domino; RIGHT, Simon Upton

Fabrics: LEFT, Lewis & Sheron Textile Company, RIGHT TOP, Rubie Green; BOTTOM, Hemp Traders

LEFT, Woodson & Rummerfields; RIGHT TOP, David Jimenezr; RIGHT BOTTOM, Beth Webb

  

Wallpaper: Walnut Wallpaper

TOP LEFT, Eric Johnson Photography; TOP RIGHT + BOTTOM LEFT, Beth Webb; BOTTOM RIGHT, Tru | Laura Kirar

Pillows: LEFT, Jayson Home & Garden; TOP RIGHT, Greener Grass Design; BOTTOM RIGHT, Henry Road

All above from Target; book case, Sami Hayek; bedding, Isaac Mizrahi; framed print and side table, Victoria Hagan 

Porcelain On The Runway

I don’t know one thing about decorative porcelain. I’m more of a flea market glass or hippie pottery girl.  But, this couture edition of pieces by Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg created to celebrate their 260th anniversary really caught my eye. The renowned company enlisted 16 of the world’s best fashion designers to “clothe” Commedia Dell-Arte figures originally produced in 1760 by Franz Anton Bustelli. The resulting collection is a visual treat! 

  

Read more about the collection here.  But fashionistas, dig deep in your Birkin — these couture chic porcelains are for the serious collector and each carries a $20,000 price tag. I'll be admiring them from afar.

All photos, Wallpaper and Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg