A Mirror Framed In Oysters

( click to enlarge for details )

I know it sounds disgusting to frame a mirror in oyster shells,

but in the right application it would look really great.

And what I love most is that it would not be expected, and it would bring an element of curiosity out of your guest, which is always good.

One of my design trademarks is to accessorize with items that almost always stir a question out of a house-guest.

Like: What is that ? Where did you ever find it ? How did you ever think of using it for that purpose ?

Built-in ice breakers are priceless. And you won't appreciate it until you need one.

Over a powder room sink would be perfect.

Buy it here: www.wisteria.com

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

An Ice Box Made of French Oak - Versus A Refrigerator

The La Glaceier Antique(ish) Refrigerator.

This arts and crafts look alike is really the best that I have seen.

The interior is as much a work of art as the exterior, providing state of the art refrigeration that is also state of the art luxury with its interior satin finish stainless steel shelves, a brass light, stainless steel meat hooks and separate temperature controls for food conservation compartments and the wine areas. Depending on the model selected, one can store as many as 68 wine bottles, and the doors may be glazed or solid wood.

There are only 2000 units year made.

This is supposed to look like an ICE BOX. ( google it,... if you are too young to remember one )

And it really does.

Not that I have ever seen a real ice box......but my grandmother called a Refrigerator an Ice Box when I was a small child.

You can customize these babies.

This Ice Box/ Refrigerator is exquisitely crafted, fully pegged, solid French Oak casing with an antique finish. They then go on to adorn it with solid brass fittings and finish it up with your name on a solid brass plate! Cha Cha Cha !!!

Go here to find out more: http://cft411.com/2008/10/31/refrigerator/

If I were to 'spec' this for a client, this would be an easy sell to the husband.

It's such a manly Fridge-

I always like to give the husband a goodie or two. It makes the total cost a little easier for him to swallow.

We must keep him happy as well. No ?

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Peacock Walls and some good, bad, & ooogly

This paper is the entire reason for this post.

This is wall-covering from Schumacher.

Can you imagine what impact you can make with this gorgeous paper.

The only bummer is that they are real feathers.

(Hit pic and enlarge , the info is on the bottom)

This is sea glass for your garden.

The fabric from this site is sooooooooooooo inexpensive.

Alexander Henry Home Fabrics.

This is one of the latest trends for 2009,

Using semi precious gemstones for the coming year on furniture and on accessories, there will be rhinestones glued on furniture doors and drawers. Jeweled drawer pulls, etc, etc.

You should see the throw pillows, with jewels and metallic fabrics.

YUCK.

Candles anyone ?

If you are doing a kids room , whatever, this is happy fabric . It is from the same place that has great prices.

And if you do have kids.......perhaps a rubber vase ?

These are for the babies. They call them 'Fuzzy Bunz', they are a riot and come in many colors.

And lastly, who wouldn't want to come home to this little face ?

Click on any pic to enlarge for info at the bottom

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Chinoiserie & Mylar

I think this is a fabulous idea. Mainly because I really can't find the kind of Mylar wall-covering that I have looked for.

My mom had a condo with the living room , dining room and entry way wallpapered in the most beautiful shiny silver Mylar. The pattern was an all over traditional pattern of all white flowers over the silver Mylar. It was gorgeous when you first walked in and saw all 3 areas flowing into one another.

All her furnishing were fine antiques,
Sheraton (1785 - 1800) , Hepplewhite (1760–1786 ), and Directoire (1762–1853).
In all dark finishes, as they should be.

It is too bad I do not have photos of that condo, it would take an actual photograph for some people to truly understand how chic the look was.

It was HIP & Classy. ( kinda' like all of us designer gals and guys....right ? )

This may very well be when I developed my love affair with the combination of antiques and the contemporary.

There is an art to this I warn you.

It is much like a marriage, sometimes opposites attract and compliment one another, and sometimes it is a disaster

I use contemporary to accent or showcase the antiques/traditional or to soften the heavy feel that can happen when the antiques/traditional become oppressive.

The furniture lines ( legs , etc. ) must blend or contrast in just the right way, and let us not forget proportionally as well.

Now, if you do not care very much if it is the right piece or the wrong piece, have fun shopping....you may end up with the 'Pee Wee Herman TV Show Set', but you had fun hunting for all the wrong pieces anyway. LOL

What do they say ? It's not the destination but The Journey that is important.

An obviously gifted artist , Dianne Warner painted a Chinoiserie Scene over the Mylar Wall- Covering.

Imagine, you could custom color the artwork to coordinate with your fabrics and carpets.

Now, look at the top treatment on these window treatments, pagoda style Mylar covered cornices.

I will store that idea in my head for a future project !!
cha cha cha , chic chic chic ... and unexpected as well. And I really love that !!!!!

Dianne Warner's site : http://www.diannewarner.com/pages/thumbnails.html it is at the bottom of this page.

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design