marie antoinette's NIGHT OUT

So, last week I was able to show you some spaces with the Louis XVI chair that I found through Pinterest.  Couldn't you just spend your whole day pinning? (that's right- we're all guilty of "just one more pin...") Tonight I wanted to show you my take on a mix of the French Neoclassical style.  As usual, my collection morphed during my project- but that's what is so great about the creative process.  My intent was to design a breakfast nook with Marie Antoinette pastel blue, and ground it with a bit of army green and grey, and then pop in some teal.  It was going to be a nod towards Marie Antoinette's love for the garden and a more simple country life.  However- I took it in a total 180!

Welcome to my cocktail lounge...lets' start with the horizontal stripe wall covering.  These stripes automatically bring a bold, graphic statement to the space.    (This is actually what my duvet looks like).  It makes for a great backdrop because it's eye-catching, but not distracting.  Stripes were another popular fabric print, but in a vertical orientation.  I wanted to create some depth, and found this charcoal grey settee with tufting.  The nailhead detail on the wings add a bit of glamor, and the straight silhouette is a modern twist.  Settees gained popularity during this time, so I had to use one here.  Next, you need a place to set your cocktail, and these mirrored end tables are the perfect spot.  The bevels of the mirror remind me of fluting, and a balustrade around the table top.  These end tables will also add some sparkle to the space, and bounce light around in the dimly lit lounge.  It's not exactly Marie Antoinette blue- but it's inspired by her infamous color.  This teal, wood tray adds a pop of color, and I even like the white accessory paired with it.    It's good to repeat a theme three times in a space, so that's what I have done here.  The teal rose artwork on canvas is so seductive, and is a modern interpretation of a traditional floral bouquet. (Plus, it hints at the queen's love affair).  The third piece is this great string-wrapped pendant.  It adds more texture to the space, and is a bit unexpected.  Lastly, I layered in some more lighting.  This mid-century sconce is so handsome.  The black shade relates to the legs on the settee, and mixing metallics is a final touch of luxe.  

This Saturday night, put on your best pair of heels and go out for a cocktail with your ladies at my 'missmatch' French Neoclassical Lounge Collection.

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SOURCES

Stripe wall covering - Spoonflower

Settee - Overstock

End tables - POPSUGAR

Tray - Etsy

Artwork - Pics & Photos

Pendant - POLYVORE

Sconce - POLYVORE

i love the FRENCH NEOCLASSICAL

The French Neoclassical design period was during the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, in the eighteenth century.  I have been romanced by the beautiful details and color palette of this period.  (Yes, unfortunately the political situation wasn't great...).  The Palace of Versailles and Le Petit Trianon are wonderful examples of this style.  I don't even think examples are the right word- they are the style!

Portraits- Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Le Petit Trianon, France

I love the pastel palette, like Marie Antoinette blue.  This is when the royal court powdered their hair, wore beautiful gowns, rouged cheeks, and ribbons and feathers in their hair.  If you can't make it to France, or haven't yet like myself, I highly recommend watching "Marie Antoinette" to see the beyond beautiful design and fashion of the period.  The filming of the movie, direct by Sofia Coppola, was actually filmed onsite at Versailles!

Feathers in her hair, "Marie Antoinette" 

The French Neoclassical period is known for several elements.  The Louis XVI chair has fluted legs, blocked rosettes under the seat, and a square or oval back.  It is stunning in a gold finish with a damask patterned fabric.  Sometimes you will see a bow detail at the top of the chair, a nod to Marie Antoinette's style.  Classical elements, garland motifs, balustrade details, flowers, columns, inset paneling, and settees are also popular.  Straight lines and geometric shapes are a primary way to distinguish this period.

Settee with damask fabric

Oval Back Chair with garlands and classical motifs

White room in Palace of Versailles, "Marie Antoinette"

The white room above is so elegant with beautiful moldings with gold gilding, swags of drapery, florals prints and crystal chandeliers, but is this a room you can realistically live in every day?  Sadly, no it's not.  Even Marie Antoinette had her private chamber to socialize with her friends, as well as her "country life" she escaped to.  Besides, if you created a room like this in your house it would look like you were trying to create something of the past, which you are!  The best way to honor this French Neoclassical is to mix it into your space.  Let it shine against furniture from another period.

The most distinguished element from this period is the Louis XVI chair.  This is a piece of furniture that has lived on for several hundred years.  Whether it is more casual with a vertical stripe or a check pattern in a summer house, or it's painted black with a bold fabric.  Take a second glance at my logo, and you'll see the same chair with a modern zig zag (I love this chair, can you tell?) .  Philippe Starck has even used it as inspiration for his Louis Ghost Chair, which I'm sure you've all seen.  It's a modern interpretation of a classical piece of furniture.   I've seen it used for weddings and home interiors alike.  

Living Room

Work Space

Black Chair, Photo by Shannon Ho

Office

Wedding

I hope one of these images have inspired you to 'missmatch' some French Neoclassical design into your space- let me know how you choose to do so! 

Let them eat cake...

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SOURCES


Portraits - Media Freak by Nature
Le Petit Trianon - Wikipedia
Feather's in her hair - Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide
White room- Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide
Settee - The Paris Apartment
Oval back chair - How to Make Anything
Living room - Pinterest
Work space - Pinterest
Black chair with floral - Whiteney English
Office - Tiffany Leigh Interior Design
Wedding - Splenderosa

mustard for EVERYONE

Color is a great trick to unify items that are different shapes or styles.  Here is a grouping of a pillows, that I found from Crate & Barrel that would look great in any living room, despite their differences.

This mustard yellow pairs well with a taupe-grey, so imagine these pillows on a sofa of that color, and an accent chair in cream.  Let's start with the basics and talk about the solid color square pillow.  It may not have a print, but it does have visual texture with the grid-tufting.  Moving counter-clockwise, the circle and arc graphic design on the rectangle pillow is so modern and playful. This pillow has subtle pops of mustard.  Next I chose another square pillow, with a different design.  This pillow is modern with its color blocking, but a bit folksy because of the fringe/patchwork detail. I would recommend this pillow on the cream chair.  Lastly, I have crewel stitching on a mustard background.  This is the last design to round out this collection- it's a floral, organic design.  This is a nice way to bring in a feminine touch without being too "girly". We now have balance between geometric and organic, and solid and color blocking.  We also have balance with two square and two rectangle pillows.  But the most important unifying factor between these four styles is mustard yellow.  It harmonizes all four different styles.

No need for ketchup, because the 'missmatch' pillows of my Mustard for Everyone Collection has enough variety, but is still cohesive enough to enhance any living room.

PS- These would look great on my own sofa!

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SOURCES

Mustard for Everyone Collection:

(First line, left to right)

- Geometric pillow - Crate & Barrel

- Color-blocked pillow - Crate & Barrel

(Second line, left to right)

- Tufted pillow - Crate & Barrel

- Crewel pillow - Crate & Barrel

chicago to NEW YORK

 Last week I had the chance to be a tourist in my own city.  My mom came to visit from California before we all flew to New York for my brother's graduation.  I made it, literally at the last minute, for The Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise.  The cruise was about 90 min, and took us up and down the Chicago River.  I actually went on this tour several years ago when I was visiting for a best friend's wedding, but it felt different this time touring it as my own city.

Second time around, I was really mesmerized by the bridges and the view of buildings from the bottom up.  Many bridges were raised up for boats to pass through.  This happens every season, but it still a sight to see!  I love the industrial look of these bridges, and there is a unique beauty to them.  They are strong and confident, yet modest blending into our busy lives each day.

              

               

I've been downtown many times and walk among the tall sky scrapers, but I've never had the chance to admire them.  Sitting on the boat in the river, I had a chance to look at them with a new perspective.  There is a lot of beauty in lines and geometry in a tall building that I don't think the average person sees. Here are some perspectives that caught my eye.

In New York I visited the Susan B. Anthony House and the George Eastman House.  The Eastman House was a great place to photograph.  Mr. Eastman completed his house in 1905 in the Colonial Revival style.  Beautiful columns, gilding, and furniture continue to adorn the home today.

  

      

I know I went a bit picture crazy, but I couldn't help it.  So, now let's get down to business! I've created a dining room that mixes downtown Chicago with upstate New York.  I love the tall, glass buildings and metal structures of Chicago- it's like a tall glass of water.  And I love the traditional moldings and stately shapes of upstate New York- they just take you to another world back when...See my comparison below~

                                                                                                                            

           

The elephant hanging at the Eastman House is hard to miss- so that was the inspiration for this dining room.  First I found a 1900s style elephant with an umbrella, but it just wasn't working.  Once I changed elephant patterns, it all came together.  This elephant fabric by Spoonflower is a mix, in and of itself, which I love.  The oval staircase inspired my dining table selection by Barbara Barry for Baker.  I decided to use modern chrome -framed chairs to mix it up a bit.  They balance the substantial design of the dining table.  The red cushion on the Bertoia side chair and the teal fabric on the Pony side chair also pull the colors from the inspiration fabric.  Next I found this great pendant over the dining table. It's transitional style and colors works great in this space.  I wanted to mix metals in this space as well, so then I found this gold branch sconce by Circa Lighting.  It reminds of me of iron grills and greenery through the Eastman House.  Next I chose some drink ware by CB2, because they remind me of the tall skyscrapers downtown.  I love the circle pattern in the ceiling molding at the Eastman House, and this mirrored buffet is such a perfect tribute to it, and it's bring a bit more glamour into the space.  Curves are the real leading lady in this design from the glassware to the buffet, and from the pendant to the dining table.

These items may seem a bit 'missmatch,' but they work together through repetition of shape, color, wood tone, and metal finishes.  So, please, come dine with me in my Downtown Meets Upstate Collection!





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SOURCES:

Photography of Chicago and New York (by me)

Downtown Meets Upstate Collection:

(First line, left to right)
- Elephant fabric - Spoonflower
- Pendant - Euro Style Lighting
- Sconce - Circa Lighting
- Beer glass - CB2
- Champagne flute - CB2

(Second line, left to right)
- Chair - Knoll
- Dining table - Cabana Home
- Chair - CB2
- Buffet - Ethan Allen