Coffee Table Decorating and Styling Tips

{Designer Ken Fulk}

Tucked between sofas and chairs, the coffee table can help a space achieve equilibrium. Although known as a staple in living or family rooms, coffee tables are also found in other areas of the home such as bedrooms, offices and sunrooms. Regardless of the location, decorating a coffee table’s surface is an essential element in completing  the room’s overall look.

{Designer: Tobi Fairley}

It may seem elementary, but artfully styling a coffee table takes careful consideration.  It’s easy to plop down some coffee table books, fresh flowers and a tray, but it may not be pleasing to the eye. When selecting items to decorate the surface, keep in mind basic principles of design including scale, balance, rhythm and harmony. Taking these design principles into consideration, here are some tips for decorating a coffee table:

{Designer: Palmer Weiss}

Evaluate Scale. Take into consideration the scale or visual weight of your coffee table and the other furnishing that embody the space. The example above, by interior designer Palmer Weiss, incorporates a round glass coffee table, which has less visual weight than the surrounding furnishings. To compliment the table’s scale, shape and material, Palmer selects three groups of items; a decorative plate, fresh flowers and a couple books – all heavier in visual weight than the coffee table itself. Notice the coral & white fresh flowers subtly pick up on the pillow’s hue – this is not an accident. The floral arrangement also adds height to the grouping without blocking the view of the TV, fireplace or guests’ faces. The round plate picks up on similar colors in the space, but more importantly repeats the circle patterns throughout the space. The magnifying glass placed on the coffee table books adds a touch of whimsy and that magical third element to the grouping. One design trick, which Palmer uses here, is to arrange accessories in groups and multiples of three.
     

{Designer: Hillary Thomas; Photo credit: Patrick Cline via Lonny Magazine}

Strike Visual Harmony. Designer, Hillary Thomas also used a trio of compatible items to create a harmonious look on this square coffee table. Again, fresh flowers in various shades of pink and red pick up on pair of ikat pillows {keep plants. A small round tea light breaks up the straight lines of the table and adds a romantic touch. {If you have small children or pets, please be careful when lighting candles on a coffee table – for safety reasons candles should be kept out of reach.} This time a pair of coffee table books are grounded with Foo Dogs. The Asian figurines compliment in style, texture and color the garden stools placed in front of the sofa.
    

{Designer: Tobi Fairley}

Achieve Balance. In the formal seating room above, designer Tobi Fairley creates a symmetrical balance by placing matching chairs, side tables and table lamps on either side of the sofa. The pair of books and glass art accessories selected to decorate the coffee table breaks the room’s formal symmetry, creating visual balance and interest.    
  

{Designer: Hillary Thomas; Photo credit: Patrick Cline via Lonny Magazine}

Above designer, Hillary Thomas using a large square tufted ottoman as a coffee table in this family room. A contrasting black lacquer tray is the perfect accessory to unify and showcase other decorative items. The asymmetrical arrangement of the stone horse figurine, book and succulent plant creates a visual balance. This informal balance can be difficult to achieve for some and there are no set of rules as to what is right or wrong. Many times it requires patience and plenty of trial and error to get it right.    

{photo credit: Thibault Jeanson via House Beautiful}

Create Rhythm.  Here designers, Hattie Wolfe and Abby Rizor place a large Indonesian bowl on a stout wooden coffee table. While some may argue the scale of the bowl is too large, it works not only because the repetition it provides in color & texture, but its contrasting round form creates rhythm in the space. I am not sure how this bowl was acquired, but showcasing treasures from your travels is always a wonderful way to make a space personal and act as a great conversation starter.

What do you think are the most important design principles to keep in mind while styling a coffee table?

Are you looking for more design advice on styling your home? If so, you may enjoy reading: 

Tips on Decorating the Fireplace Mantel,  
Tips on Styling a Bookcase Like an Interior Designer or  
Tips for Styling a Living Room.

How to Design an Organized & Stylish Kids' Playroom

{image via Design*Sponge & Our Labor of Love} 

A dedicated playroom may not be necessary if you live in a moderate climate year-around.  But for those that have to endure long cold winters or heat wave summers,  designing a playroom where kids can "shake their sillies out" is a good idea - not only for them, but you! Here are some tips on  how to design  an organized and stylish playroom:

Design with Your Child in Mind.

This may seem obvious, but it is really important to determine what your child likes to do before anything else. Does he enjoy legos, trucks or books? Does she love to paint, sing or play dress-up? Then select items for the space such as an easel, train table or cozy reading chair that will promote their interests. 

This fun & funky playroom {above} designed by Little Crown Interiors includes a mini black and white laminate dance floor and working disco ball for the future Broadway star. The aqua wall mirror mimics the checkered pattern in the dance floor nicely.  Whimsical custom cabinets are beautifully built to store and organize all those toys.

{image from Feldman Architecture via Houzz}

Go Vertical.

Floor to ceiling shelving helps maximize storage and helps balance a space visually. Check Ikea, Pottery Barn Kids and Room & Board for some great options. Organize the toys in stylish baskets & bins to keep clutter-free and easier to maintain. Favorite age appropriate toys should be kept within reach and on lower shelves to accommodate little ones.

San Francisco based, Feldman Architecture designed this practical, yet stylish playroom. The floor to ceiling built-in shelves and bench not only maximize storage, but frame the windows beautifully.

{image from Ore Studios via Design*Sponge}

Look Down.

Selecting the right flooring for your playroom is also important. If you have wooden, cement or carpet flooring, layering it with an easy to clean area rug is a good idea. The playroom above designed by Ore Studios showcases colorful carpet tiles from FLOR {child table & chairs from Room & Board}. I have recommended FLOR tiles to clients before and love them because they are washable, interchangeable and are available in a vast array of colors. No nails, glue or padding necessary. Gotta love that.

{image via Dash & Albert via Posh Tots}

I am also a hug fan of Dash & Albert woven cotton rugs. They offer tons of colorful patterns including preppy stripes in just about every hue and color combination. Although not used in a playroom, we have a  3' x 5' Dash & Albert rug in a high traffic area and cleans up beautifully in the washing machine. 

{image via Rosenberry Rooms}

Select Petite Furnishings.

Purchasing the right "kid" size furniture for a playroom is important. Because kids grow up so fast, and pieces may not be used more than a few years, first hit local consignment stores,  flea markets and yard sales for used kid's furniture. Ebay and Craigslist are also favorite resources for finding inexpensive furniture. Also, don't be afraid to purchase pieces even if a little beat up. A fresh coat of paint in a color coordinating with the room may be all that is needed.

Retail stores such as Pottery Barn Kids, Land of Nod and Rosenberry Rooms are also great resources for child's size furnishings.

 {image via Houzz & Affordable Closet Systems}

Add Color.

A playroom by nature is supposed be fun. The colors you select will either energize or calm. Determine how you want the room to feel: Calming or cool colors are often hues blues, greens and violets {most grays included}. Energizing or warm colors are often hues of  red, orange and yellow {browns and tans included}.

In this playroom above by Affordable Closet Systems horizontal stripes are painted on a slanted wall/ceiling in a cooling blue and green hues. The wide stripe combined with the narrow striping above the custom bookcase creates visual interest and draws our eyes up.

{image from Allison Cosmos via Houzz}

Personalize the Space.

Decorating the walls with framed family photos, vacation spots or pieces of your child's own artwork is a wonderful way to personalize the space in a playroom.  For those with a particular theme {i.e. jungle, princess, western, etc.} a custom mural or monogram wall decal are also great options.

Artist, Allison Cosmos recreated the Mad Hatter tea party from Alice in Wonderland in this closet turned playroom. So sweet.

Bottom line, designing a playroom should be fun, so enjoy the process! 

Do you have a playroom for your kids or one when you were growing up?

Tips on Styling a Bookcase Like an Interior Designer

The bookcase. It's functional by maximizing space and aesthetically pleasing by adding height to balance out a room. The bookcase is also not just for books. It is a wonderful place to add treasures that personalize your space. Here are some tips on how to style a bookcase.

A Clean Start
Remove all items from your shelves. Store or donate unsightly paperback books.

The study above, designed by Carrier and Company Interiors Ltd., is a beautiful example of how a bookcases help maximize a space, while adding height for overall balance.

Add a Splash of Color
For visual interest, back your shelves with a contrasting wallpaper print or colorful paint. This gorgeous bookcase by Samantha Pynn {decorator, stylist and host and principal designer of Pure Design on HGTV} is backed with Schumacher's Imperial Trellis by Kelly Wearstler  in Charcoal.

Some Up and Some Down

Books can be wonderful home accessories, so showcase the most beautiful ones in your collection. Arrange the books by size, subject and color. Create a rhythmic pattern by placing books vertically as well as horizontally {horizontal books can also act as bookends}. I love how designer, Molly Luetkmeyer of M. Design Interiors arranged the books and accessories in the built-in bookshelf above.

Make it Pretty
Adding objects such as shapely ceramics, decorative boxes, small sculptures, family photos and original artwork makes your bookcase more visually interesting and personal. When selecting objects, be aware of the scale and color. Objects shouldn’t blend in or get lost on the shelves. Here is an example of beautiful bookcases flanking a fireplace from Elle Decor  {May 2008} that showcase more decorative objects than books.  It makes me think that "Bookless" bookshelves may  show up more often as people go high tech and move to the Kindle or iPad to read books. What do you think? Do you like the look? 

*images courtesy of Splendid Willow, Carrier and Company Interiors, Samantha Pynn Inc., M. Design Interiors,  Good Bones, Great Pieces

Design Tips For Styling a Living Room

Recently, Canadian House & Home published a great blog article, Styling a Room by Michael Penney. I completely agree with Penney; It's the layers that make a room and pull it all together visually. In the before photo above, the living room has some nice design elements, but is unbalanced, uninviting and lacks a focal point.

The after photo below (via Country Living), shows what a little styling can do. As Penney points out, a few design elements haven't change including the sofa, wing chair and wall color. Here are some principles and elements of design that come to play in this redesign:

Define the Space
The most obvious addition in the room is the striped area rug. In addition to anchoring the furnishings and defining the space, it also brings needed texture to the space. When purchasing a rug, it is important to find one that is large enough so that all your furniture fits (it's okay if the back half of a chair or sofa are not on the rug, but the front half should).

Establish a Focal Point
New drapes, parallel furniture arrangement and artwork in a vertical pattern emphasizes the room's architectural window and creates a needed focal point in the room. However, I would have added the same drapes to the adjacent window for a more balanced look. This leads me to my next tip;

Create Balance Through Scale and Proportion
The original room also had too much visual weight or mass. In the styled room, one wing chair is replaced with a lighter Windsor chair. Mixing materials can also help balance a room. In this case a metal coffee table takes the place of a wooden one (too many wood elements in the before room). Equilibrium is also achieved by the parallel furniture grouping.

Build Color Harmony
Pulling from the room's wall color, solid yellow and green throw pillows are added to the sofa creating a more harmonious color palette. However, I would recommend at least one textile print for a pillow, window treatment or chair that pulls all of the primary colors in room's palette together. Galbraith & Paul's Donuts pattern in warm would be a good choice for this living room.

What elements of design helped you pull together a space?

The Island - Kitchen Design Trend Here To Stay

More and more the kitchen is the hub of a home. It's where guests mingle, family meetings are held, and meals are prepared and enjoyed. For this reason, designers are getting back to the basics of functional kitchen design. One element with a perfect mix of form and function is the kitchen island. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), islands are one of the most popular kitchen design features among today's consumers. They claim reports that state approximately 80% of home buyers consider a kitchen island to be a must.

Many of today's kitchen islands have unique design styles of their own. Most include storage, sinks {prep or main}, appliances and/or seating areas. Kitchen islands can have the same design as the main counter and cabinets or it can have a look all its own.

Here are some examples of great kitchen designs that have an island {or two}:

This beautiful open kitchen by architect, Steve Giannetti features a large island with a sleek custom sink and warm wooden countertop. It is balanced nicely with two large industrial pendants. Gorgeous!

Interior design blog, Things That Inspired recently posted an excellent article on Kitchen Sinks and my heart started racing when I saw this kitchen. Designer and architect, William Hefner created it with a stunning island topped in what is thought to be zinc. I just love how the gray surface plays off the two light pendants, dark gray upholstered stools and White Carrara Marble tiled backsplash. Hefner places a small prep sink in the corner of the island {opposite a main sink on the other side of the room}.

In this white kitchen designed by Mark J. Williams, the pale gray island resembling a table takes center stage. Not only does the island's paint color differ from the other cabinetry, it's white marble countertop contrasts with the dark countertop on the cabinets flanking the range. The heavy steel pendant hangs off center over the island and makes me wonder if there is a matching pendant to balance the look not visible in the image. The wooden bench with upholstered seat is my favorite design element in this room. I love how it warms up this otherwise cool space. The image via Traditional Home and photo credit Michael Garland, was first spotted it on Things That Inspire.

In this stunning {and large} kitchen, the dark stained center island stands out from the soft sage green perimeter cabinetry. The slate flooring pulls the color palette together beautifully. The island counter's rounded edge echos the arch in the hood for the range. Picture via flickr.

The former editor in chief of Food & Wine magazine, Carole Lalli designed this large island topped with butcher-block and marble in her Connecticut kitchen. Not only does it provide plenty of space for prep cooks, it houses a sink and dishwasher. Love this! Featured in House Beautiful's January 2008 issue.

Also featured in House Beautiful, Architect Steven Laurin's design for this kitchen's island was inspired by a farm table. The dark CaesarStone countertop and warm wood saddle stools contrast beautifully with the white colored island. Designer Meg Braff also balances the island by selecting a large double pendant fixture.

Seeing double? Designer Anne Miller incorporates two islands in her own kitchen design. Coordinating with the room's other cabinets, both islands are painted white and are topped with white marble. Providing task lighting and a pop of color, Miller hangs two pairs of copper pendants with blue gingham prints above each work area. The islands not only give Miller loads of prep space, but provide seating areas at kitchen dinner parties. Image courtesy of House Beautiful.

This gourmet kitchen in Ted Turner's private desert lodge on Armendaris Ranch sits on his 350,000-acre wild animal preserve along the Fra Cristobal Mountains. Laura Hunt Design created this space featured in Architectural Digest and inspired by historic kitchens of Spanish colonial house in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. The tiled center island offers sitting for two {great rush seat stools}, a beverage refrigerator {or two, depending what is hiding behind the wood panel} and of course additional space for food preparation.

This highly functional kitchen by Atlanta-based designer, Jo Rabaut is stunning and recently won Atlanta Homes Magazine's 2010 Kitchen of the Year Contest. The color palette of warm walnut floors, soft vanilla cabinetry and pale aqua walls gives this busy room a calming feeling. But it is the large island, Rabaut used that anchors the room. The island's dark soapstone countertop focuses our attention and provides a tactile surface for food prep. A custom double trough sink housed in the island also makes food preparation more efficient. A table {on wheels} is placed at one end and can be easily moved to serve as an additional workstation or buffet.

his NY townhouse kitchen by New-York-based design team, William Diamond and Anthony Baratta of Diamond Baratta Design is beautifully eclectic. The white kitchen with pops of ice blue features a stunning stainless steel island. This sleek modern centerpiece is topped with a white countertop {marble?}, under mounted sink and provides numerous drawers for much needed storage. The glass-front kitchen cabinets would have been perfect for this post.

I love kitchen islands. Do you?

Colorful Designer Front Doors and Paint Samples

Have you thought about painting your front door? It can be a great place to add color and communicate your personal sense of style. Lately, I have been attracted to colorful front doors. Here are some examples paired with a similar paint color to help you in the selection process.

This sweet pink front door looks great with the cottage's gray shingle siding and white trim - pink would certainly not go with just any color scheme. It definitely evokes a welcoming, relaxed and more feminine feeling. Now picture this same door in black. Still a great color choice, but would give off a more formal feeling. Thanks to The Pinque, Inc Diaries for this lovely image!

Here is a striking luscious red door by designer Suzanne Tucker. She used a high quality gloss by Dutch Boy that resists dirt, oil and grease. The red really works with the gray siding and white trim. In Feng Shui, a red door symbolizes the mouth of the home. It is thought a red door attracts chi - positive energy - to the house. We all can use some of that!

This Baltimore home with dark gray siding and white trim - hey a pattern here! - looks stylish and modern with a vibrant front door in orange. The color orange denotes energy, warmth and cheerfulness. An orange front door would also look great with another opposing exterior color scheme like light blue siding and navy blue trim.

Sunny, cheery and inviting. This natural brick home with white trim looks stunning with a bright canary yellow door. If you like this look Benjamin Moore's Yellow Tone might do the trick.

This home found on Real Simple was painted a softer yellow. The pale yellow accent is a perfect choice for the muted gray shingle siding and white trim. Love it.

This chic foyer designed by Albert Hadley features a bright chartreuse front door. It is not clear what color the exterior siding and trim is, but this door color would look great with shades of gray, blue or brown with a white trim.

Designer Kathryn Ireland brightens a Spanish Colonial Revival in Southern California with a stunning teal painted door. It is a perfect color selection for the home's white exterior.

The front door of designer Miles Reed's New York townhouse has been blogged about many times before, but it is one of my favorites. The soft shade of turquoise is brilliant with the brick in muted gray and trim in white. The door's nickel hardware is exquisite too. A turquoise door would also look great on a house with tan siding and white white trim.

What color do you like for a front door?

* images from NYSD, House Beautiful, Real Simple, Veranda, Apartment Therapy, The Pinque, Inc Diaries

Tips on Decorating the Fireplace Mantel

Even when not in use, a fireplace is a natural focal point in a room that can't be ignored. Decorating the fireplace mantel is a wonderful place to incorporate your room's overall design scheme. Determining what décor is going to be showcased and how is often a challenge for many homeowners. Here are a few tips to help you determine what look is right for your space.

The first step is to select décor that will convey the kind of feeling you want the room to have - formal, casual, clean lines/minimalist or eclectic/busy. You will need to work with the fireplace's existing architecture and decide if you'd like to enhance it or subdue it. Another important consideration when decorating a fireplace mantel is to keep the design balanced and proportional.

Symmetrical design is the most popular way to decorate a fireplace mantel. Formal rooms typically follow symmetry when arranging mantel décor, but it works in a more casual setting as well.

In this master bedroom above, the fireplace mantel by Norman Davenport Askins is symmetrically decorated with British 19th century botanical prints centered on the wall and antique Chinese vases on either side.

Symmetry is easy on the eye and conveys a sense of calm throughout this formal living room designed by Dana Lyon. The fireplace mantel is also symmetrically designed with original artwork flanked by candlesticks.

Dallas, Texas-based designer Shannon Bowers created a gorgeous living room in a neutral palette collection of European furnishings and accessories. The Louis XV inspired limestone mantel is also decorated symmetrically. The large mirror is in perfect proportion and nicely balanced by vases of fresh pink roses.

An asymmetrical layout is another way to arrange your mantel. It conveys a less formal and more rigid feeling, yet still requires balance to achieve an aesthetic design. Objects on both sides of the mantel can vary, but should still be proportional - in the center you may have a mirror with a set of smaller candlesticks on one side and a single taller vase on the other.

The fireplace mantel (above) in this Normandy-style house in Atlanta decorated by Suzanne Kasler demonstrates an asymmetrical design. A dreamy mixed-media work on wood and Plexiglas by Dusty Griffith is centered over the fireplace and is flanked by a tall candlestick and smaller crystal figurines. The powder blue pair of 19th-century painted bergères in the Louis XVI style are divine and further emphasizes the room's fireplace focal point.

Designed by Stephen Shubel, this living room's fireplace mantel is also asymmetrical. Gorgeous19th-century girandoles sit on either side of the mirror by Two's Company. Alone these items would be symmetrical, however Shubel brillantly adds a pair of seashells on one side and a small bird figurine on the other. On another note, the walls painted in Benjamin Moore's Bridal Pink and perfectly balanced by the deep browns in the room. I particularly like the Hanna chairs in leather flank from Oly.

Another option is to create an eclectic mantel by displaying décor of varying size. If this is the look you are trying to achieve, it is still important to arrange the objects to ensure it has balance and flow.

In this contemporary sitting room designed by Eric Cohler, the mantel decor is busy, but inviting. It showcases an eclectic mix of art and photography in various sizes and frames. The small sculpture centered on the mantle is a critical element that balances out the frames. This busy style works here because the room already has lots of visual activity throughout, like the Han dynasty figurines atop the gilded bookshelves. Cohler also brings some old world charm by adding an antique English fireplace grate. I must say, the macassar ebony klismos-style chair by Hinson & Company is fabulous!

This mantel in this casual living room designed by Cristine Gillespie is also eclectic. The 1930s Eiffel Tower model on the mantel is from Indigo Seas. Gillespie and her sons made the small silver one from an Erector set and magnets.

Some fireplaces may have little or no mantel. This is most common in contemporary design. If you do not have a mantel simply hang art or a mirror centered above the fireplace to draw your eye up. However, you may decide to keep the space bare especially if you have a stunning stone fireplace that you don't want to detract from. In either instance keeping the mantel decor minimalistic will convey a sense of calm and order.

In the contemporary living room by Shirley Parks Design (above), artwork was hung off center and a pair of simple white vases were added to balance out the look.

Before hanging artwork or mirrors above your mantel, it is best if you play around with different designs to find what arrangement works best for you and your room. Have fun with it!

*images from Veranda, House Beautiful, Shirley Parks Design, Erik Goldstein Photography