Design element: Spheres in interior design

When I was in Southern California this summer, I stumbled upon a wonderful interior design studio with a store attached, and this store had the most amazing selection of rocks and minerals for sale (for use as accessories).   The stone spheres in particular caught my eye – I love the shape, and they had a huge array of colors and sizes.

Since that visit, I have been collecting pictures of spheres that I noticed on Pinterest or in my old interior design image files. I was surprised to note that some of my favorite room images from the past have spheres used as accessories – I had not even noticed!

Here is a good example. This picture has been on my blog countless times. Something about this room has always had great appeal to me – the combination of the sand color of the sisal, the grays of the wall and upholstery, the contemporary art, and the white tulips (my favorite) – it all comes together beautifully. When I looked at this picture with fresh eyes, I spotted the spheres on the side table – one large, and three small. The small ones could be mounted finials. Interior design by Gerrie Bremermann.

When I opened up this month's Veranda and saw the beautiful house of garden designer Scott Shrader, I noticed the many spheres he uses throughout his house, inside and out. This was my favorite house from the magazine - in no small part because of the calm, beautiful, and balanced interiors. 

I featured this room on my blog several years ago. I wondered how the designer got all of the mercury glass spheres to stay in place, not knowing about museum wax when I wrote the post! Interior design by Caldwell Flake.

A Suzanne Kasler Interiors designed room, seen in a recent issue of Architectural Digest, is beautifully layered. The sphere on the coffee table caught my eye. Suzanne frequently uses spheres in her accessory design for a room.

The mantel of Suzanne’s own family room features a stone sphere.

Another Suzanne Kasler design with a grouping of stone spheres on the lower shelf of the console.

I think this sphere is part of the lamp; what a beautiful design. Via Elle Décor, interior design by Kevin Roberts.

I love the look of a sphere on a bookshelf.

I can’t locate the source for this image, but all of the spheres on the table caught my eye.

A crystal ball like sphere is a great element of this expertly styled coffee table. Via Bijou and Boheme.

A collected group of objects on a table include several spheres, which cleverly repeat the shape of the rounded feet of this Biedermeier table. Via Savvy Home.

A more rustic style stone sphere anchors the arrangement on this console.

I saved this picture in my old computer files because I liked the composition of the room, the art above the fireplace, and the indoor greenery. But this time around I noticed the sphere on the console, and what appears to be a large sphere on the left side of the room.

White spheres blend right in with this pastel palette.

A solidary large scale sphere is the reward at the end of the view in this more rustic style design.

In the recording studio of two concert pianists, a sphere carved by Thai monks is placed by designer Axel Vervoort. Via Architectural Digest.

Another favorite place for a sphere is on a mantel. Interior design by Caldwell-Beebe, one of my favorite rooms of theirs.

This house was on a tour of homes a few years ago, and I snapped a picture of the landing with its perfectly scaled wing chair (anyone recognize it?) and the three wood spheres that surround it. It’s a striking vignette.

One of my favorite Amanda Nisbet designs – there are other versions of this picture without the spheres, but I like the element that they add.

As I was putting the finishing touches on this post, I read an article in the New York Times about the new magazine Milieu, published by Houston based designer Pamela Pierce.

One of the designers featured in the premiere issue is Walda Pairon.  The work of this designer from Belgium captured my eye.  Remodelista had written about her this spring, and this close up of a vignette from Pairon’s living room particularly spoke to me.  As Remodelista notes, “Pairon puts great importance on the placement of objects; nothing should be gratuitous”. 

I think that sums up why spheres have such great appeal to me.  Their placement seems quite deliberate, they have such a calming and balanced effect to a room, and they are often one of my favorite ways to complete a space.  Clearly spheres have great appeal to Walda Pairon too – she chose an image of a sphere for the cover of her book Interiors with a Soul (which does not seem to be readily available in the US right now).

What do you think of spheres? Do you have any in your décor? I bought a beautiful sphere off ebay earlier this year, but I have not found a place for it yet.  I am thinking about putting it in a bookshelf, out of the way of curious hands (my kids) and enthusiastic tails (my dog).

Some of these images came from Pinterest, and the name of the designer was not attached. If the designer is not noted, and you recognize the work, please leave a comment in the post and I will update. Click here to comment. Thanks!

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Orange flowers. and a farewell to November

It’s always a strange feeling when Thanksgiving is so early; November 22 is actually the earliest that Thanksgiving can occur.  It is hard to get right into the holiday mood when there is more than a week of November remaining. 

To me, November is defined by the color orange.  It is the color of the fall leaves, the color of pumpkins, the color of the harvest, the color of a crackling fire in the hearth.

I am not quite ready for all of the green and red (although I do try to minimize the red, my least favorite color, and go with more of the green and white where possible), so I thought I would pull a few images of one of my favorite colors of flower – orange. I have had accents of orange in my décor for over 15 years, and still have a bit of the tone in my library. Whenever I see an elegant orange toned flower, I often buy a bouquet and place it on the coffee table in my library.

Here is some more orange flower inspiration, before we say goodbye to the month of November and bring on the colors of the holidays!

Orange flowers, via pinterest. I am partial to tulips and roses, although the beautiful tight spiral of the ranunculus is quite pretty.

Clever idea for a dramatic floral display – group together many vases for a dramatic centerpiece.

I came across this image via Barbara Heath of the Mercantile.  I love how the color of the chair was pulled into the flower arrangement in this lovely vignette.

This vignette, with design by the talented Atlanta based firm The Design Atelier, is like a work of art, and I particularly like the accents of orange that are carried through to the vibrant orange bouquet.  The Design Atelier has a wonderful new blog, which can be seen here.

One of my favorite pinterest finds over the past month!

Perhaps my favorite image from the book Inspired Interiors (one of my favorite décor books), by Suzanne Kasler.  This book was on my 2011 favorite book list, and can be seen on Amazon here.

Orange peonies charmingly displayed in a jelly jar, via pinterest.

An old Suzanne Kasler image. I love how the daisies pick up the color from the chair stripes.  A friend of mine, who used Suzanne for his house décor, now owns these chairs!

The little pop of orange from the bouquet makes this painting sing.  Available here.

I wish pinterest had been around when I planned my wedding! So many gorgeous ideas, including a treasure trove of orange flower pictures. I am not sure if these are flowers, but they make a striking arrangement.

Another beautiful orange themed table setting via pinterest.

Orange tulips are my favorite. Although this is clearly for a party, the arrangement itself would be easy to replicate at home.

Small accents of orange highlight this lovely office, including a small bouquet of gerber daisies.  Is that a picture of Prince William and Kate Middleton on the desk?  Décor by Scout for the Home.

When I saw these roses at Costco, I thought the deep orange color would look beautiful in my library.  Little did I know that they would match the books so well!  I always get orange toned flowers for this room, as the color provides a nice pop against the soothing gray of the floors and walls.

Two of the books on my coffee table are among my favorites – and they both have the same beautiful shade of vivid orange (vermillion perhaps) that I love so much.  Mark Rothko: the Works on Canvas was a treasured Christmas gift a few years ago, and is a continuous source of inspiration.  Click here to see on Amazon. 

The book  Trout: an Illustrated History is perhaps the most commented about book in my house – people seem to be surprised that I own a book about trout -  but it is an incredible book full of the most beautiful illustrations.  Click here to see on Amazon.  The author and illustrator, James Prosek,  is often called ‘the Audubon of the fishing world’ and has written and illustrated several books on fish, fishing, and life in general(including a newly released book on ocean fish illustrations – each painting is accompanied with Prosek’s individual experiences with that fish).   Click here for the James Prosek page on Amazon.

On another note, I am thinking about getting a Kindle fire - it is on sale for cyber Monday (using code  FIREDEAL). Any thoughts on the Kindle?  Here is the one I am thinking about: http://amzn.to/Soq5nO

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and enjoy the last week of November! 

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2012 books on my Christmas list:
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2011 books on my Christmas list:
http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2011/12/my-book-list-christmas-2011.html

Small art, perfect for special, one of a kind holiday gifts or hostess gifts!
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Firewood storage

When we were designing our house, I remember my architect and designer commenting on how they love having a space specifically designed for firewood storage.  We were using every legal inch on the width of our lot (given the required set backs and such) in the area of our outdoor room, garage, and pool, so we were not able to incorporate a deep storage area for fire wood, but the discussion clearly made an impression on me.

In my outdoor room, the firewood storage is fairly simple – I keep it in a copper container to the right of the fireplace. If we are lighting the fireplace (which we have not done yet this fall, although we thought about it yesterday with the arrival of a cold front), we simply make sure there is enough wood to restock the fire. The cut wood is not too far away, and it is easy to replenish.

I do like this firewood storage solution for an outdoor fireplace – two built in storage spaces on either side of the fireplace. I suppose we could have done this, but it would have had an impact on our garage space, and we have a gas connection to the right of the fireplace for a grill.

Here is a picture of the design but in a fireplace that is not freestanding.  Image from Kelly Klein’s beach house – the room is outdoor, but the sliding teak doors open completely to create a seamless transition from the indoor spaces to the outdoor spaces.  I love that oak table, custom designed for the space by Lars Bolander. Via Architectural Digest.

Harry Norman realtor Dawn Mullins recently hosted a lovely event for members of the ICAA-SE at this 1929 historic house in Buckhead, which is on the market (click here for listing).  The house is beautiful, and one of my favorite spaces was this outdoor room that had a roaring fire in the fireplace, the perfect place to enjoy a crisp fall evening.  Note the clever wood storage area built under the hearth.

This seems like a practical as well as attractive firewood storage solution – the niche in the side of the house protects the wood from the elements, and it is likely that this storage is in close proximity to the fireplace.

I spotted this picture from photographer Emily Followill’s portfolio – I love this artful arrangement of logs in an exterior space.

I noticed the firewood storage that designer Suzanne Kasler has off her kitchen eating area; I seem to recall that this is the area where she keeps her grill too. Via Architectural Digest.

The outdoor grill/firewood storage is part of this lovely backyard area, so it is easy to access the firewood. Via Architectural Digest.

Outdoor firewood storage seems to be a relatively easy task to accomplish.  Personally, I prefer to keep firewood outside, even when lighting a fire in an indoor fireplace.  The potential of bugs and dirt hitchhiking a ride into the house on a log seems too much of a possibility!  However, I have been collecting quite a few pictures of indoor firewood storage. In some cases, it is probably practical – if fires are lit with great frequency, or if a house or apartment has little to no access to outdoor storage spaces.

One of my favorite kitchens belongs to architect William Hefner, and was featured in House Beautiful. He incorporated a wood burning fireplace into the design, and elevated the fireplace to create a nook for fire wood storage underneath. I have seen this in a 1920s kitchen in a house designed by Philip Shutze; I wonder if this is a design that was common in the keeping room of older houses during that era?

A similar concept, but the wood is stored loosely. Design by Kendall Conrad, via C Magazine.

I rather like this arrangement.

The cover of Kathryn Ireland’s book shows how she utilized the ledges on either side of her grand fireplace for wood storage.

Reese Witherspoon purchased the house (although it on the market again)and put her own spin on the design, but still uses one of the ledges for firewood storage.  Via Elle Decor.

The tall slim lines of the firewood storage in this living room make an architectural statement.

An interesting freestanding wood storage solution is quite sculptural. Design by Kay Douglass.

I think this was part of a showhouse, so the birch logs are probably for display rather than function. (Hampton’s Showhouse 2012, via Habitually Chic).

I must admit, I don’t really get this look.  Maybe it is supposed to create a striking tableau in a fireplace that is not functional? Clearly it is not for storage given that it would all have to be unloaded to actually light a fire! Via pinterest.

Yes, interesting to look at, but my fear of insects makes me cringe a bit to see all of this wood inside…Via Pinterest.

Again, my guess is that most of this wood (except for the lower level logs) is for decorative purposes rather than actual use. It does make a striking arrangement.

Firewood storage under a table is another common theme. Source.

In an unusual twist, the firewood is stored above the fireplace. It almost looks like an image on a flat screen TV!  Via pinterest.

I must admit, this seems so very unsanitary to me.  This does not look like stylized firewood – this looks like real (and possibly moldy and bug ridden) firewood!  I could never have this volume of firewood inside my house.  Source.

An attractive container for wood in a house that was featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles…

Here is an interior shot from the same house.  The doors on either side of the fireplace conceal niches that are for firewood storage.  I only know this because I was able to see the house while it was under construction, and the builder pointed it out!  If I were to do indoor firewood storage, this is how I would do it. Tucked away, but still visible if the doors are open.  Architecture by Peter Block, interiors by Beth Webb. 

Ultimately, my preference is for a simple basket that holds enough wood for the next fire, well contained and pre-selected. Source.

If any of you have interesting firewood storage locations, I would love to hear about it!  I notice it now in every house I visit that has a wood burning fireplace.  What do you think about the indoor firewood as décor trend?  I am ok with a few dried out pieces of wood in my house, but definitely not on board with vast amounts. In fact, now that we are settling into our second fall in the house, we are primarily (in fact, exclusively) using our outdoor fireplace for wood burning fires.  I need to get on the ball about ordering the Chesney’s gas logs for my living room fireplace – I think this is the way to go for that space. I wonder if I am getting too late to have installed in time for Christmas?

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We have a large selection of small paintings perfect for placement on small easels, bookshelves, or as part of a gallery wall. Click here to see the art section of the store, or visit www.quatrefoildesign.com.  Art makes a wonderful and one of a kind present!  Most of the featured artists do custom commissions, please contact quatrefoildesign@gmail.com for more information.

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