Shelterpop http://www.shelterpop.com Shelterpop http://www.shelterpop.com/media/feedlogo.gif Shelterpop http://www.shelterpop.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Make Napkin Rings From Your Favorite Braceletshttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/13/make-napkin-rings/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/13/make-napkin-rings/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/13/make-napkin-rings/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Put your colorful bangles to use by refashioning them as napkin rings.

Accessories go a long way when it comes to jazzing up an ensemble. We found the same to be true for tabletop decor. Look at the fun we're having with bracelets!

make napkin ringsPhoto: Urban Country Style



Using bracelets and bangles as napkin rings is easy when decorating for a special occasion table. Plus, it's a clever way to re-purpose old baubles (or an excuse to buy new ones).

Gather a set with some seasonal association -- and not much else has to match. Here are some of the pieces we've been eyeing to give our spring tables some fashionable flair.



make napkin ringsPhoto: Etsy, Etsy, Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, Let It Bee Jewelry, Lulus



Clockwise from center: StayGoldMaryRose's Teacup Bracelet, $49, etsy.com; Mixed Fabric Button bracelet, $25, etsy.com; Lilly Pulitzer Ric Rac Bangle set, $58, lillypulitzer.com; Kate Spade "Make a Day of It," Idiom Bangle, $98, Kate Spade; Let It Bee's Apiary bracelet, price not listed, letitbeejewelry.com; StLulu's Icelandic Heritage Bangle, $16, lulus.com.

Check out more clever decorating ideas on ShelterPop:
Sunday Table Ideas
Decorate With Food: The Most Delicious Way to Makeover Your Kitchen
DIY Sofa Idea: Clawfoot Tub As Comfy Couch

 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-04-13T14:00:00 00:00Brooch Decorhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/06/brooch-decor/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/06/brooch-decor/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/06/brooch-decor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Brooches are sparkly and decorative. So why not use them as home decor? Here are creative decorating ideas to get you started.

From metallic paint to chrome knobs and shiny iridescent bathroom tile, I'm a sucker for things that sparkle. So it's no surprise that I owned a Bedazzler machine back in the day or that I'd fall for this new breed of embellishments for the home -- brooches.

Not that brooches are new by any means (we've seen what they can do to spiff up a plain jacket or keep a pashmina in place), but they have been popping up in new ways around the home, adding easy and almost instant glam to tabletops, window treatments and more. The key, we found, is to keep the look classic (sorry, Bedazzler fans, that look isn't coming back just yet). Here's how:

Brooch Napkin RingsPhoto: Wedding By Color

Napkin Rings
Brides-to-be were gawking over this idea on the Wedding by Color blog where we spotted it. Luckily you won't need quite as many brooches as they do if you're hosting a brunch or dinner party at home. Keep an eye out for vintage ones as flea market season gets underway. To fashion a napkin ring, loop a length of wide ribbon around your napkin and pin the brooch at the center to close.


Brooch Curtain TiebackPhotos: Urban Outfitters

Curtain Tie-Backs
Vintage-inspired and made of glass, Urban Outfitters' curtain tie backs come ready to mount. You could use your own antique brooch, too, as long as the pin is long enough to hold the fabric in place.


Brooch CenterpiecePhoto: JL Designs

Centerpieces
The designers behind this chic potted succulent aptly included it in their "Glamazon" collection. We're thinking it's going to be our go-to centerpiece for impromptu party decor. To get the look, simply wrap a length of wide ribbon around a rectangular glass vase, securing it at back with hot glue, then pin or glue your favorite brooch front and center.


Brooch Lamp and PillowPhotos: Creations by Kara; Nordstrom

Lamps & Pillows
A single stripe gets instant appeal with the addition of a rhinestone-studded brooch, right. We're willing to bet it would work on any graphic pillow, too. On the left, the thrifty crafter behind Creations by Kara blog fashioned rosettes out of canvas fabric and then attached them to a matching lampshade. We've got our eye on these felt dahlia brooches for a similar effect.


Don't miss these other ShelterPop stories:
 Creative Centerpieces in a Cinch
Custom Decor Featuring...Your Face!
Decorate With Food: The Most Delicious Way to Makeover Your Kitchen

 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-04-06T10:00:00 00:00Cynthia Rowley's Runway to Roomhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/04/cynthia-rowley/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/04/cynthia-rowley/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/04/cynthia-rowley/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fashion designer Cynthia Rowley has a new line -- but this time, it's for the home.

We've been a little obsessed with fashion-inspired rooms lately, so when we heard that designer Cynthia Rowley was teaming up with Devine Color's Gretchen Schauffler to curate a paint palette based on her fall 2011 ready-to-wear collection, we knew we had to sit down for a chat.

Cynthia Rowley Gretchen SchaufflerFashion designer Cynthia Rowley, left, has met her home decor match. Photo: Devine Color/Cynthia Rowley

Rowley's no stranger to the world of interior design, having flexed her decor muscle as a judge on HGTV's Design Star. And Schauffler's no newbie either, launching her own paint line 13 years ago. In fact, Schauffler's been honing her color sensibility since her childhood in Puerto Rico where it's customary to repaint your home for the New Year.

When fashion meets home furnishing (and in one case a paint color called Flamingo), beautiful rooms abound. Here's how they did it.

Divine Color FlamingoDevine Flamingo, right. Photo: Devine Color/Cynthia Rowley

Which came first...the clothes or the paint?
"With every collection, the first thing that we do is put together the color palette," Rowley says. "We started off for this season with these really decadent, luxurious, rich colors, then layered on these pops of bright." On her model it's the salmon-colored jacket and olive-green belt, at home it would be this Flamingo paint. Rowley says she couldn't resist.

Fashions come and go, but are paint colors trendproof?
Rowley says it depends on how much of the color you use. She's all about experimenting, mixing two unusual colors even. "That's a big trend on the runway," she says. "I don't think trendproof is really a big deal when you're talking about paint. It's OK to be a little trendy because it's just paint and it's a wall and in a few months if you want to change it, just change it."

Divine Color IguanaDevine Iguana, right. Photo: Devine Color/Cynthia Rowley


It's not so much a seasonal proposition in fashion and the home, Rowley says. "The same way people wear boots in the summer, it's sort of the same thing." Above: A flowy olive jumpsuit pops against a hardwood runway, while Devine Iguana paint brightens up an entryway.

Divine Color SplashDevine Spray, right. Photo: Devine Color/Cynthia Rowley


Is inspiration really everywhere, as they say?
"Definitely. For me, it never really comes from other clothes or other fashion. It comes from a lot of contemporary art, bits of fabric, travel," Rowley says. "If you see something, whether it's a flower or a matchbook cover or a painting, you can jump from there into a color that you want to live with in a bigger way." Above: Picking up on the colors in a pair of velvet boots, left, Rowley chose Devine Spray, right, a watery blue paint that's the perfect counterpoint to a lit fireplace.

Divine Color CanyonDevine Canyon, right. Photo: Devine Color/Cynthia Rowley

Do any of these colors work better in certain rooms of the house than others?
"Gretchen talked about using Flamingo maybe in a bedroom or a bathroom, but I think there's no boundary," Rowley says. Schauffler says she's seen it in a kitchen with beautiful white cabinetry and touches of lime and dark chocolate. "The colors just allow you to be effortless in your self expression," she says. Above: A chocolate-colored jacket grounds an otherwise light ensemble. At home, Devine Canyon has the opposite effect, adding an airy pop of color to the dark, heavy furnishings in a living room.

Check out all ten of Rowley's picks and these other great stories from ShelterPop:
Painting Tips: From Choosing a Color to Tackling the Ceiling
Sweet Furniture Inspired by Your Favorite Treats
Color Diary: Decorating Blue and White Rooms

 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-04-04T10:00:00 00:00Decor Don't: Big Wall, Little Picturehttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/03/how-to-choose-art/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/03/how-to-choose-art/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/04/03/how-to-choose-art/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

How to choose art? Rule one: Don't be impulsive. You may end up with a piece that is way too big -- or way too small.

We know you love that family portrait where everyone finally looks perfect. And, of course, you want to put it up front and center for everyone to see. But that feature wall or large expanse above your sofa may not be the best spot if it's a stand-alone 8 x10 framed photograph.

how to choose artPhoto: Smiley Eyes Photography


To get the right balance with your wall displays, you need three assorted sizes at a minimum, says interior designer Meredith Heron. "At the very least [you should have] small, medium and large-sized pictures," she says. You also want to keep the weight of each frame in mind, varying those in the same way.

Once you've got your collection in order, start with a large anchor piece in the center, rather than working from right to left or vice versa, Heron suggests.

As for scale, "The Golden Mean is the 1/3, 2/3 rule," Heron says. That means your grouping should take up no more than two-thirds of the available wall space. "It can still go from corner to corner, but you need to leave enough room around each picture to total 1/3 of the overall space," she says. Don't go dusting off the calculator either, Heron promises that the ratio is easy enough to eyeball.

Her trick for perfect picture galleries? Laying the grouping out on the floor first and making any tweaks to the shape there. You can also trace the pictures out of craft paper and then hang them on the wall. When all else fails, hire a professional picture hanger, which will cost you between $45-$75 per hour, depending on the installation.

For more great ShelterPop stories, don't miss:
Need Wall Art? Rent Some of the Best - Shelterpop
Minute Makeover: Kitchen Art Ideas - Shelterpop
Wall Art: Cheap, Affordable Decor - DIY Life


 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-04-03T08:00:00 00:00How Your House Can Make You Richhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/28/how-your-house-can-make-you-rich/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/28/how-your-house-can-make-you-rich/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/28/how-your-house-can-make-you-rich/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Feeling like your home is a money pit? Here are four ways to put your home to work for you.

Having a home costs money. And whether you're paying rent or a mortgage or paying for your digs in full, it's rare that you see any significant return on the cash you put into it.

That doesn't mean your home is a total money pit. We found several creative ways that you can actually make your home work for you -- and your wallet.

get rich at homeEtsy seller ItzFritz sells these colorful yarn wreaths for $40 a pop. Photo: Etsy


1. Become a Crafty Entrepreneur.
Handmade is hot right now and online markets like Etsy are the place to cash in. Danielle Maveal, Etsy's Seller Education Manager, says you don't need much space to start your own home studio. If you're a traditional artist, you'll need a bit of space and ventilation (a spot in your garage, basement or a spare room). However, if you go digital, all you need is a spot to prop a laptop, a drawing tablet and a nice printer -- perhaps a box to stash some shipping supplies, and you're good to go.

But "just because you create it (or collect it, if it's a vintage item) doesn't mean people are going to start buying by the hoards," she says. Curating, or editing, is definitely in order. Take all the work you've created and start to create a line of work; think about what exactly you want to say.

When it comes to actually selling the work from your home, how you present it makes all the difference. Jamie Shelman, blogger and Etsy artist says, "Taking great photos of your work is key! How you present your artwork is just as important as the work itself, and more often than not it's what makes the difference between someone understanding/buying your work."

Context is everything; it is important to remember the item isn't just an image on a screen. "For flat 2D objects, such as drawings and prints, show a scanned version of the work, but also a shot with space around the work. You want to give your viewer an idea of the size of the piece, as well as its presence," Shelman explains.

2. Cash In On Your Clutter
"Holding a garage sale is probably the easiest, no nonsense way to make money fast," says Lynda Hammond, author of The Garage Sale Gals' Guide to Making Money Off Your Stuff. And she knows first hand, having made up to $1,000 a day hosting garage sales of her own.

The biggest money makers, Hammond has found, include furniture and electronics -- working or not, since people will buy them for parts. Collectibles come in third, though they don't bring in quite as much money, Hammond says.

Her best advice for garage sale success: Do your research, head out early (serious buyers are early birds), and "don't waste your time pricing stuff," she says. "You'll likely get more money if you don't and it's more fun to throw out a price then haggle from there."

3. Get Paid (For Your House) To Be in Pictures
Turn on the TV or open up your favorite shelter magazine and there it is, someone's house. Believe it or not, that home could just as easily be yours, and you could be getting paid to have it featured.

Location scout Debbie Regan has been asking homeowners to open their doors for cash for over twenty years -- seeking out locations, including homes, for movies, TV commercials, magazines, catalogs and music videos. And it doesn't have to be a zillion dollar estate to be considered either, she says.

"We have had shoots at very large estates, townhouses, as well as smaller suburban homes," she says. It all depends on the project. Regan's company has used a dated three bedroom ranch, for example, for magazines like Elle and Vogue. A 100-acre horse farm was the perfect fit for Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren ad campaigns.

"Pretty much anything can work at one time or another," she says. All you have to do is list your property with an agency like hers and plan on having a crew there for as little as a half day if your space is chosen.

How much do they pay? "It ranges from an on-page credit to ten thousand plus per day," Regan says. The average pay for filming a commercial is a few thousand.

4. Be A Host With The Most
Who wouldn't want to get paid to party? Maegan Garvey-Walter does it. The New York school teacher hosts Pampered Chef parties (along with cooking demonstrations) out of her home four times a month, bringing in about $200 per party.

In addition to what she makes selling products, she gets 1 percent of the sales from an "active recruit," she says. "The more people you have working under you, the higher the percentage of their sales you get. Plus, then you get monthly bonuses."

Once you've got a starter kit (Garvey-Walter paid $150 for hers, but says you can get one for $80 now), it's all about sending out invites, talking it up, following up with guests and getting some outside order beforehand. "In order for the business to truly be a success, you need to work for it," Garvey-Walter says.

But what's better than working from home.

Check out these other great stories from ShelterPop:
Storing Wine: Solutions for Every Budget
Security Tips: Keep your Home Safe
Marianne Williamson's Course in Weight Loss -- for Your Home

 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-03-28T10:00:00 00:00Decor Don't: Choosing Paint Colors at the Storehttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/27/choose-paint-colors/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/27/choose-paint-colors/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/27/choose-paint-colors/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's tempting to pick a paint color on a whim, but don't do it! Here's why.

You've been on the hunt for that perfect shade for your bathroom walls, and you finally think you've found it -- in the paint aisle, at your local hardware store.

Word to the wise: Don't do it.

choose paint colorsPhoto: Corbis


"Lighting has a huge effect on the appearance of colors and many stores use 'cool white' fluorescent lighting that casts a bluish tint, even though you may not notice it," says interior designer and color expert Kelly Porter. The lighting in your home, on the other hand, is most likely incandescent, which gives paint colors a warmer appearance.

"In addition to lighting, most paint chips are small, so it's sometimes hard to see the color's true undertones or level of intensity," Porter says.

Take time to test the colors. Try painting a one-foot square in the middle of the wall and observing it for a day or two. Then you can see how the color looks at different times of the day, in various lighting conditions.

If you're hesitant to actually paint a test area on your wall, ask about ordering a larger paint chip, not a painted poster board. "Taping a larger color sheet to the wall will work better than painting on poster board, which absorbs paint differently than your walls."

And most importantly, be committed to the painting process. That way, you'll be willing to test colors until you find the one that's right for your space.

For more great ShelterPop stories, don't miss:
How Moving (And Redecorating) Changed My Life
Lucky Home Mag: Sniffing Out a Sneak Peek
How to NOT Get on "Hoarders"
Maximize Space in a Big Kitchen

 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-03-27T07:00:00 00:00Why Men Take Out The Trashhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/24/take-out-the-trash/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/24/take-out-the-trash/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/24/take-out-the-trash/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Someone's got to take out the trash. But why is it always the man's job? Three experts weigh in.

Taking out the trash was a nightly routine when I was growing up. My dad would pack it up, take it outside to the trash can and, before trash pick up days, haul the can to the curb. While I was asked to do the dishes and clean my room, my parents never asked me to take out the trash. And I never offered.

take out the trashPhoto: Alamy


When I moved out on my own after college, I started to take it out myself, although I often put it off and took it out only once it was clear that something was rotting. When I got married and my husband moved in, taking out the trash was just like old times -- in my mind at least.

If there is a man around, I kind of expect him to take out the trash. And I don't think I'm alone, which raises an interesting question: Why is it that men usually take out the trash? Or, more importantly, why do women expect them to?

I asked three people -- a historian, a marriage counselor and a kid -- to explain why it's often assumed that trash duty falls to men.

The Professor
Christine B. Whelan, visiting assistant professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, says that the assumption that men will take out the trash is a holdover from the breadwinner/homemaker model. Men were in charge of the "dangerous" and "dirty" tasks outside of the home -- this included factory work and manual labor -- while women remained "delicate" and "pure" in the home.

She says that government data shows that this is still a trend today, with men putting in time doing chores like lawn care, car maintenance and yes, taking out the trash. (Women, Whelan notes, do practically everything else.)

The Marriage Counselor
Men tend to take on this task for chivalrous reasons, says marriage counselor M. Gary Neuman, author of "Connect to Love." "Trash tends to be heavy," he says. "And it's often put in a part of the yard where animals and bugs might congregate." Since it's often taken out at night, men would rather not send their wives or girlfriends out in the dark.

And while times have changed and plenty of women take out the trash, Neuman says one thing remains the same. "Men and women believe they have their strengths and weaknesses," so they defer to each other at times. The difference is that those strengths or weaknesses are no longer dictated to us by society; we now get to choose.

"No matter what we choose," says Neuman, "couples need some roles, no working system can share everything 50/50." (Amen to that.)

The Kid
"I think when women see garbage they get lazy and very scared," says five-year-old Shawn Brown, Jr. "Since men are brave, they have to be the ones to take the garbage out." Ha!

So what does it say about your man if he insists on playing the garbage man? "There is certainly a benefit in moving away from gendered roles within relationships," Whelan says. "The idea is to move toward equality and shared responsibility within the home, but woe unto the man who says he doesn't want to be pigeonholed by the 'man's job' of taking out the trash and doesn't do something else in place of that chore!"

Shared responsibility is the name of the game, whatever that looks like for your and your significant other.

Check out these other great stories on ShelterPop:
Quiz: How Clean is Your Home?
How to NOT Get on "Hoarders"
Maximize Space in a Big Kitchen


Here's a video on how to build a kitchen cabinet trash bin.


 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-03-24T10:00:00 00:00Izabella St. James: Why the Playboy Mansion Needs a Makeoverhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/17/izabella-st-james-playboy-mansion/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/17/izabella-st-james-playboy-mansion/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/17/izabella-st-james-playboy-mansion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Former Playboy playmate Izabella St. James gives us a tour of the decor at the Playboy Mansion -- the aging carpets, the dated furniture and the drapery that hasn't been replaced in years. Here's what she'd change (and which designers she thinks can handle the job).

If you're like me, the closest you've been to the Playboy Mansion is a Saturday afternoon marathon of "The Girls Next Door" -- or reading an article about the recently-discovered evidence that the mansion might house bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease.

And then Izabella St. James came along. The former Playmate and girlfriend of Hugh Hefner gave the world a glimpse inside the legendary estate, and even blew the whistle on its cleanliness, in her memoir "Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion."

izabella st. jamesSt. James and Hugh Hefner. Photo: Izabella St. James



"Everything in the Mansion felt old and stale," she wrote. "And Archie the house dog would regularly relieve himself on the hallway curtains, adding a powerful whiff of urine to the general scent of decay." Ouch!

St. James agreed to take us on a virtual tour of the house -- no bunny ears required -- for a closer look at the mansion's interior decor, which she says is from another era. Which era? Well, choosing can just one can get tricky.

izabella st. jamesThe Great Hall by day. Photo: Paul Harris / Pacific Coast News


Entering the home, the Medieval-esque oak door opens onto the Great Hall, a thoroughfare to the mansion's six bedrooms, four offices and common living areas. Decked out in marble and wood paneling, the space has a huge brass chandelier and three Gothic-style balconies overhead. The double staircase is anchored by a pair of wood-carved, English Regency monkeys, which originally served as a stash spot for guests' calling cards. "[They] were a visitor favorite," St. James says. "No one missed an opportunity to have a photo taken with the monkey, and hopefully Hef."

izabella st. jamesIzabella's pugs play in her sunny yellow bedroom. Photo: Izabella St. James


Life in "Bedroom 6"
During her two-year stay at the mansion, St. James occupied "Bedroom 6," the last room down the L-shaped hallway on the second floor of the house. St. James' picked the 12' x 14' room since it was far from the action of the house. "It was the furthest away from the Great Hall, where all the social action began each night," she explains, "and furthest away from Hef's room." Since her room was situated next to the offices, it was less private during the day, but it provided her some privacy and rare quiet time in the evenings. "In a house constantly filled with people, be it staff or guests, it was nice to have even a glimpse of time to yourself," she says.

Bedroom 6's private bathroom (the other two bedrooms of that size share one) was another reason St. James chose it, though it was far from luxurious. The blue-tiled bath had a simple square pedestal sink, mirror, toilet, basic bathtub and vinyl or synthetic flooring. "It was surprisingly standard, or even below standard, for a mansion," she says.

St. James describes Bedroom 6 in the same lackluster way. "When I moved in, the walls were pink -- Hef's favorite color for girls' bedrooms -- and it had a yellow-cream color queen-size bed with a somewhat fancy (Baroque-ish) headboard, an antique wood dresser of a completely different time period, an Indonesian teak tall book shelf and two mismatched wood nightstands. There wasn't much to speak of in terms of décor," she says.

Channeling both her inner designer and her rebellious side, St. James ditched the pink and had the room painted in a bright yellow hue instead. "I think Hef would have preferred me to have a more girly-pink room," she says.

"The Mansion Needs Updating -- Badly"
The playmates are not at liberty to change the furniture in their rooms, mainly due to logistics, says St. James. (Hef doesn't want to pay for it, and then there are complications when they move out and want to take the furniture with them.) So the playmates did as much decorating as they could with accessories.

St. James hung paintings by Dali and Caravaggio on the walls and displayed her travel collectibles, like decorative clogs from Holland and hand-made knickknacks she picked up at Las Ramblas in Barcelona. "He appreciated some of the wood-carved sculptures I had," she says (some of which happen to be nude). On the bed she put on a set of Pottery Barn sheets she describes as "girly with a high thread count and cheerful pattern."

If St. James could change the decor throughout the mansion, she'd "start with changing all the thus far unchanged carpets." Mostly brown or mustard in color, "they're screaming 70s," she says.

The kitchen, though hardly the kind of hub it is in most homes, has gotten a bit of an upgrade since The Girls Next Door started taping, St. James says, but the rest of the house could use some work.

She'd add hardwood floors in all of the bedrooms and marble in common areas. She'd want to put down area rugs to help define certain spaces and add warmth and comfort to others. And all of the bathrooms would get an overhaul, combining modern functionality with luxury materials -- think stone finishes and beautiful vanities, and less of the "synthetic, simplistic styles" she says make up the current bathrooms.

Who she'd get to do it? "Miss September 1994 herself, Kelly Wearstler," whose fanciful designs, use of color and Playmate sensibility, she says, can do the house some good.

Her second pick? "The aptly named Bunny Williams."

While all six acres of the mansion warrant a visit -- including its two main floors, basement and attic, the detached game room and guest house, aviary, zoo and the famed grotto -- St. James says there are three rooms in particular that you can't miss.

izabella st. jamesMovie night in Hef's room. Photo: Izabella St. James


Hef's Haven
The first, Hugh Hefner's bedroom, isn't only where the legend of the Playboy mansion lies, it's a showcase of intricate woodwork and the site of St. James' now infamous criticism of the mansion's décor. "In my book "Bunny Tales" I mentioned that when I lived at the Playboy mansion, Holly Madison shared Hef's bedroom and her two dogs used to leave little surprises all over the carpet," she says.

That isn't to say the space is dirty. (There's an army of staffers on site to make sure that isn't the case. And no, girlfriends are not expected to lift a finger, much less a broom.) But what it did need, St. James says, was a deep cleaning and some serious replacements for the things that had grown old and stale. "It just seemed that things rarely got replaced in the mansion. The carpets, the drapery, a lot of things just remained the same; a lot of brown carpeting, worn down velvet upholstery, etc."

The room, including Hef's rectangular bed, which requires custom-made sheets since it's larger than a regular king, is "filled to the brim with personal mementos, gifts and other items he has collected over the years," St. James says. Stuffed animals, usually given to Hef by ex and current girlfriends, photos, magazines, and one memorable item in particular -- "a carved Indonesian kama sutra statue, which Holly one day gave me while trying to rid the room of some of the clutter" -- fill every crevice.

Office Space
The second must see: Hef's official office downstairs, which he more often refers to as the Library, St. James says. "It's mostly used for interviews, and it is where Hef prepares movie notes every week."

Movie night at the mansion is a long-standing tradition -- first dinner, then an old classic on Fridays and Saturdays, and a new release on Sundays. Before viewing the films (which are not X-rated) Hef uses the notes he's prepared to introduce them, including background stories and other interesting facts.

The office, a cozy room filled with Playboy memorabilia, really gives you the sense of Playboy's history and Hef's accomplishments, St. James says. "It's also peppered with family mementos, such as photos and the eye-catching bust of Barbi Benton."

izabella st. jamesThe mansion's Round Room, left, and Red Room, right, give new meaning to the term play room. Photos: Paul Harris / Pacific Coast News


Playmates at Play
The last stop on St. James' tour is the separate, small-sized building on the Mansion grounds, known as the Game House. "[This space] truly epitomizes the infamy and myth associated with the Playboy Mansion. It represents the heyday of the sexually-free '70's," St. James says. The décor here has a somewhat cottage-y feel, in her opinion, but "manly cottage."

The space lives up to its name as far as the main room in concerned, housing pin ball machines, a pool table and other arcade-style games, but beyond that -- that's where it gets interesting.

The "Round Room" -- a room that is literally round in shape -- is mirrored top to bottom, ceiling included, and features a fully padded floor, sort of like a built-in mattress. "The room is clearly designed with one thing in mind," St. James says. And the Game House's other rooms are no exception. Known as the "Blue Room" and the "Red Room," aptly named because each one is completely decked in its respective color, the rooms are mirrored copies of one another. Located adjacent to each other, the only way to get to one of the bedrooms is through the other.

As the rooms are slightly larger than the size of a bed, furnishings are minimal -- a bed, a phone and mirrors.

Who knows if Hef might ever bring in a designer to revamp the place, Extreme Home Makeover-meets-Girls Next Door style. For now, we'll settle for living vicariously through the photo tour -- this way, we didn't have to touch anything.

For more great ShelterPop stories, don't miss:
Celebrity Kitchens (And Tips You Can Steal From Them)
Cheap Chic Ideas From Christina Aguilera's House
Charlie Sheen's House

 

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]]>Jessica Cumberbatch2011-03-17T09:03:00 00:00New Design Blogs: Tween Editionhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/08/new-design-blogs/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/08/new-design-blogs/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/08/new-design-blogs/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We heart these pint-size bloggers for their design sense and stylish eye.

First came Tavi Gevinson, the then 11-year-old fashionista whose blog, The Style Rookie, propelled her to the front rows of New York's most coveted shows. Then came Racked's five-year-old fashion week reporter, Katie, along with a host of other young Anna Wintour protégés.

While we don't expect to see preschoolers taking to the blogs any time soon, we are curious who's up next in the world of home decor. So we cruised the blogosphere and turned up three promising young bloggers with an eye for the latest trends -- a dash of fashion, a sprinkling of decor -- and a passion for sharing them with the world.

new-design-blogsClea's proudest design moment: Decorating her bedroom. Photos: Samantha Chesler; Clea Pariseau

Name: Clea Pariseau
Age: 11
Blog: PeekingatPearls.blogspot.com

Clea's affinity for decor and blogging began...
"When I was a little girl I wanted to design the insides of airplanes," she says, "but now I want to design houses and clothes...I have always been inspired by my godmother who is an interior designer. My mom and I always make our house beautiful too."

The designer she loves most?
"Not a specific designer, but I always like things to be colorful and funky. I love colors and I enjoy things most when they are unusual or surprising."

Where Clea finds inspiration for her blog...
Usually websites, she says, "but when I see something I like in real life I base my blog on it. A lot of our friends have lovely houses, my Grandmother lives in a gorgeous old house in London and my other Grandmother has a divine modern house in the mountains of California."

Decor blogs she can't get enough of...
"My favorite one is decorpad.com." Her blog roll also consists of desiretoinspire.net, cupcakesandcashmere.com and busyboo.com.

Clea's proudest design moment to date:
"I am most proud of my room," she says. "I think people should always customize their space to make themselves feel comfortable."

Words of wisdom for other young bloggers?
"It is hard keeping up with your blog, but keep on trying," Clea advises. "The important thing about blogging is that you have to say your personal opinion, not anyone else's. Ever since I've started this blog, my passion for design has increased and gotten better."

new-design-blogsGianna's put her lessons as a costume design student to work in this DIY bedding. Photos: John Mueller


Name: Gianna Mueller
Age: 13
Blog: PrettyBrainy.com/blog

The style Gianna likes best is...
"My favorite style is a mix of vintage but with a hint of the present," she says.Her latest post?
A fun and easy craft project that you can make with household items.

Gianna's proudest design moment to date:
"I recently redecorated my room," she says. "I rearranged all my furniture, made a duvet cover and 6 pillows, with more on the way!"

Words of wisdom for other young bloggers?
"Blog for yourself, not the people around you," Gianna advises. "Blog to express your feelings through your writing, and to show your true soul."

new-design-blogs16-year-old Nicole is particularly proud of her family's living room, which she helped decorate. "The pieces on the shelf are mostly comprised of memoirs from our travels," she says.



Name: Nicole Dominguez
Age: 16
Blog: SoDevious.net

When Nicole's affinity for decor and blogging began...
"I have always appreciated the art of home decor," she says. "I frequent home furniture and decor stores with my mother, and am usually taken aback by what can be achievable with the right colors and furniture pieces."

Which style she loves most?
"I swoon over clean and minimalistic design and bright colors. There is just something about colors that can really brighten up someone's day!"

Her latest blog post is about...
"8 Tips for Creating an Office at Home, which explains some of the little things that can be done to create a home office!"

Where Nicole finds inspiration for her blog...
"A lot of the inspiration for my blog comes from the things I see on a daily basis. Sometimes it's a color, or items in a store, but sparks of creativity fly all the time. I bring a moleskine journal wherever I am to capture my ideas."

Decor bloggers she can't get enough of?
I follow lots of bloggers! One is Jessica at HowAboutOrange, and another one of the blogs I like to frequent is Design*Sponge, it's a great place to draw inspiration from! I love how they show you how to create beautiful pieces for the home."

What the future holds for SoDevious.net and Nicole's love for design:
"I long for the day that I have my own home (or apartment) to design myself! One room simply isn't cutting it for me. My room was redone a year ago, and my mom and I designed it. I helped her paint it and we picked out furniture together. I also help her pick out pieces for the rest of the house, we are always changing rooms around!"

Words of wisdom for other young bloggers?
"Don't underestimate your knowledge or ability. Don't refrain from blogging because of what others might think! There are always people who will appreciate your work."

Check out this video of one of our favorite (non-teen) design bloggers




Don't miss these great stories on ShelterPop:
Where I Write: Separate Beds' Author Elizabeth Buchan
Sewing Up Modernity
Designer Interview: Robert Couturier
The Science of Single Girl Decorating

 

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]]>Jessica Cumberbatch2011-03-08T11:06:00 00:002011 Design Trend: Watercolor Decorhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/02/2011-design-trend-watercolor-decor/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/02/2011-design-trend-watercolor-decor/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/03/02/2011-design-trend-watercolor-decor/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Watercolor isn't just for an artist's canvas -- the painterly theme has popped up on everything from pillows to placemats. And we're loving this 2011 design trend.

Watercolor is one of the oldest painting mediums known, dating back to paleolithic Europe, although it really made a name for itself during the Middle Ages and European Renaissance. And while flowery works on canvas are the standard association, it seems that watercolor has ditched its botanical roots in favor of the modern graphics for the home that we rounded up here.

AphroChic Watercolor PlacementPhoto: AphroChic

AphroChic designer Jeanine Hays is channeling her inner Monet and her affection for the borough of Brooklyn this year to create several modern toile pieces, including a collection of "Brooklyn Life" placemats. The watercolor designs pay homage to neighborhoods like Fort Green, Clinton Hill, Park Slope and Boerum Hill (above), and are made from 100% natural Belgian linen and cotton.

DVF Sun Stripe Watercolor Bedding and ChargerPhoto: Diane von Furstenberg

For her debut collection of home fashions, designer Diane von Furstenberg incorporated this colorful Sun Stripe pattern (bedding and charger shown here), with brush strokes that look like they've been painted by hand.

West Elm Luli Watercolor PillowPhoto: West Elm

West Elm uses watercolor generously this season. We spotted it on the Luli Watercolor pillow, above, their new Water Splash pillow and several other spring wares.

For more on home trends, don't miss:
Trend Spotting: 2011's Hot Color Combos
Trend Spotting: Nailhead Trim
Trend Spotting: Rope Decor

Here's a video about the latest home trends.

 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-03-02T09:00:00 00:00Color Diary: Decorating Blue and White Roomshttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/02/22/blue-and-white-rooms/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/02/22/blue-and-white-rooms/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/02/22/blue-and-white-rooms/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The classic blue and white china pattern is popping up on more than just tabletops -- we're seeing blue and white rooms inspired by them.

We've been doting on blue-and-white porcelain recently, the scenic, floral and sometimes animal-print wares that made their way from ancient China to the Netherlands to tabletops across the U.S.

And perhaps it's our keen sense of how the ornate pieces are being used nowadays that's caused us to take note of a rising trend along the way -- blue and white patterns being used on walls and bedding and floor coverings, too.

Here are some of the prettiest china-inspired rooms we've seen.

blue-and-white-roomsPhoto: Elle Decor


Elle Decor featured this de Gournay wallpaper in a recent issue. It's the classic blue and white palette, in reverse.

blue-and-white-roomsPhotos: Living Etc., Decorpad

While many early motifs were largely inspired by Islamic decorations, including Persian and Arabic script, patterns later evolved into more scenic themes out of Europe and China. Modern variations have been cropping up in wallpapers, right, and bedding, left, their blue coloring totally living up to its calming reputation (even despite the busy prints).

blue-and-white-roomsPhotos: Country Living

Floral and pastoral designs, in shades of blue and white, seem to be a favorite of Country Living magazine who piled them on in a monochromatic bedroom, left, and on a daybed in the home of actor Tony Shaloub, right.

blue-and-white-roomsPhotos: House Beautiful, Living Etc.

The designer of this master bedroom featured in House Beautiful magazine, left, calls his choice of wallpaper a "souped-up, major toile in a very sharp blue." Though we've seen the pattern reincarnated in a multitude of shades, blue and white is one of the original color schemes. A large-scale version is woven into a rug, right, and grounded by a crisp white dining set and a band of blue accessories.

Tell us: Do you love decorating in blue and white? What other color combos are you crazy for? Weigh in on our Facebook page!

Don't miss our story on the timeless appeal of blue and white dishes, plus fun crafts to make with them!

And here's a video about how to use color in home decorating.

 

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]]>home-decoratingJessica Cumberbatch2011-02-22T09:00:00 00:00Unusual, Off-the-Wall Wallpaperhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/01/27/unusual-wallpaper/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/01/27/unusual-wallpaper/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/01/27/unusual-wallpaper/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If these walls could talk they'd definitely have something to say. Here, 7 things you probably never thought you could use to cover your walls.

The history of wallcoverings is vast, and while we've personally seen flowers and fabric and even chewing gum (yuck!) covering walls around the world, there are tons of other materials that make for some pretty unusual wallpapers. Here are some that surprised us.

unusual-wallpaperPhoto: Koziel

Imagine your favorite winter sweater -- toasty and tactile and neutral enough to match everything you own. That's clearly what the designers at French company Koziel had in mind when they created this Knitting wallcovering. But don't let those soft, knit ribs fool you; they aren't really made of yarn. Koziel specializes in trompe-l'oeil wallpapers (including these fun bookcase and toilet paper designs) that use photos to simulate the real thing.


unusual-wallpaperPhotos: Elle Decor; Post Typography


Wallpaper isn't resigned to the kind you buy in rolls, as we found in these two rooms. Elle Decor featured artist John Derian's Manhattan entryway, which used pages from vintage books to cover his walls, while designers at Post Typography fashioned a wallcovering out of one ubiquitous office supply -- Post-it notes.


Odd Wallpaper Mailing Tubes by Peter Masters unusual-wallpaperPhoto: Burnt Toast Design

If you can get past the adorable, cardboard panda head in the front of Smithfield menswear shop in Manchester, England, you'll find a pretty inspiring study in green design. Created by artist/designer Peter Masters, the store's interior is constructed from 100 percent recycled materials, including a wall covered in once-used mailing tubes. (Check out the matching light fixtures, too.)

Bleu Nature Birch Wall unusual-wallpaperPhoto: Bleu Nature

If you've lived through any of the 70s or 80s, you know that wood wallcovering is nothing new. But this installation isn't quite the same old wood panelling your parents used to decorate their basement back in the day. "Pixels of Driftwood in Relief" is made of reclaimed pieces that have been cut down and cored, and then glued onto particle board tiles. The designers, Bleu Nature, will not only install the handmade wallcovering for you, but they can waterproof and fireproof it too.

unusual-wallpaperPhotos: Erica Tanov; White Webb


Not all that glistens is gold. This feature wall at fashion designer Erica Tanov's California shop, left, is actually made of brass -- 4,000 individual pieces to be exact.

On the right, designers Matthew White and Frank Webb added sparkle to a bedsit at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York with this geometric paneling made of tin can lids.

Odd Wallpaper Price Tower Jigsaw unusual-wallpaperPhoto: Price Tower Arts Center

Looking for a new use for that old 5,000-piece jigsaw puzzle you never could finish? This installation from an exhibit called "Imaginative Qualities of Actual Things" at the Price Tower Arts Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma may be the inspired moment you've been waiting for. The exhibit featured this wallcovering as part of an artistic discussion on "object reassignment" or, as they put it, "presenting creative repurposed or 'upcycled' objects that both stretch the imagination and suggest how to reduce the impact on the environment." What a cute project for a kid's room!

Want more fun decor ideas? Check out these ShelterPop stories:
Striped Tablecloths: Decorate Like the Fockers
Wallpaper Trends 2011: New, Fresh and Fun Designs

Thinking of putting up wallpaper at home? This video shows you how:

 

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]]>home-decoratingunusual wallpaperJessica Cumberbatch2011-01-27T09:08:00 00:00ShelterPop Predicts 2011 Pattern of the Year: Honeycombhttp://www.shelterpop.com/2011/01/07/honeycomb-pattern/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/01/07/honeycomb-pattern/http://www.shelterpop.com/2011/01/07/honeycomb-pattern/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Move over ikat. We're calling the next "it" pattern to be seen on everything from throw pillows to wallpaper.

Big, bold patterns reigned in 2010. Everything from wallpaper to bedding to upholstery fabric got a dose of color and some large, graphic print, like my personal favorite, chevron. Among them, one pattern did stand out above the rest and staked its claim as 2010's most popular -- ikat.

The global-inspired pattern is still going strong -- Diane von Fursterburg's incorporated ikat into her new line of fabrics for the home while other designers are featuring it in their ready-to-wear resort collections. But we've been on the lookout for 2011's defining design, and we think another pattern is ready to take the top spot: honeycomb.

honeycomb-pattern home trends 2011 VanderhurdPhoto: Vanderhurd


We've had enough honeycomb sightings in catalogs and magazine spreads in recent months to go out on a limb and deem this well-established pattern the one to watch in the new year.

We first spotted the pattern on Elle Decor's December 2010/January 2011 "What's Hot!" pages, which feature this hand embroidered Grand Prisme cushion by Vanderhurd. They liken it to the motifs prevalent during the Ottoman empire; we especially love the pink and lime version called Grand Prisme 6.

honeycomb-pattern home trends 2011 West ElmPhotos: West Elm

The designers at West Elm must have been channeling their inner David Hicks when they created their spring 2011 collection. The octagonal pattern that the mid-century designer is known for shows up on a number of new wares, including these Honeycomb napkins, left, and hand-painted Hive vases, right.

honeycomb-pattern home trends 2011 Heath Ceramics TilePhoto: Heath Ceramics

Although it's a match made in 2010, the work of Heath Ceramics and Dwell magazine is pressing on into the new year. Their entire collection of architectural tile features geometric shapes reminiscent of a bee hive, but it's the pattern called Honeycomb, above, that most favors the real thing.

honeycomb-pattern home trends 2011Photo: PSFK.com

Elle Decor's "it" list for 2011 also includes a visit to the Soho Beach House in Miami, a newly-opened private members club, hotel and spa whose bathrooms feature a honeycomb motif on the walls and floors, above.


Photo: CB2


Perhaps it was a predictor of things to come when this bookshelf won the Coup de Coeur award at the 2009 Maison & Objet show in Paris and hit CB2 catalogs in 2010. The Hive Storage Unit let's you build your nest from the floor up with its three honeycomb-shaped shelves that stack on top of one another and stretch as wide as you see fit.

Want more of-the-moment home decor ideas?
Designer Rugs: Look Who's Making Them Now
Decor That Says Something
Fashion-Inspired Rooms
Wallpaper Trends 2011: What's New, Fresh and Fun

 

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]]>home trends 2011home-decoratinghoneycomb patternJessica Cumberbatch2011-01-07T08:08:00 00:00