Domino’s Icons of Style #7: The Saarinen Table

Today’s guest post is another installment in the series, Domino’s Icons of Style, by Beth of Style Redux.  Let us know what your personal opinion of each icon of style is in the comments: love it? hate it? used it in your own place?  We want to know what you think!

The Saarinen Tulip Table was introduced 50 years ago and is more popular today than ever. Its creator Eero Saarinen said that the underside of tables is a confusing, unrestful world. He created the pedestal collection to “clear up the slum of legs.” The pedestal tables come as coffee, dining, or side tables with tops in laminate, marble, granite, or wood. Domino was in love with the tulip table. They used them everywhere, because the simple elegance of this table works anywhere.

A couple of design tips:

1. notice how these round tables really open up a space – great in a small dining room, and
2. these tables want to be paired with curvy chairs, not squared or angular

In this stunning dining room-note the curvy chairs.

In a living room with an eclectic mix.

A wonderful dining room/library. Note the blue armchair in the corner.

A front hall/library with floating bookcases.

An amazing kitchen/dining room/office.

A wonderful light, soothing, and airy space.

Great with rounded black chairs.

In a living room next to a wing back chair-sort of English meets modern.

This is Ikea’s knock off version in a reader’s chic dining room.

A very cool reader’s dining room/library.

Thanks, Beth!

Domino Icons of Style #1: The Zebra Rug

Domino Icons of Style #2: Pink Walls

Domino Icons of Style #3: Miles Redd Birdcage Bed

Domino Icons of Style #4: Miles Redd’s Blue Front Door

Domino Icons of Style #5: Antlers

Domino’s Icons of Style #6: Moroccan Poofs

The Domino Inspired My Home Contest Entry: S. Freeman

Domino Inspired Room: My Bedroom

The elements of the room were strongly influenced by Domino: the combination of high and low (a target towel shelf used as a bedside table, family silver on the dresser), a soothing (but not bland) color palette, the paint on the armoire doors, and of course – ZEBRA!  The zebra frame picks up on other unseen elements in the room, including a zebra stool and black and white books, and adds flair to an otherwise cool color scheme.  The photo over the bed is my own, taken during the height of Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossom festival.

S.'s Bedroom Vignette

Thanks, S!

The Domino Inspired My Home Contest Entry: Kate

Domino Inspired Room: My Kitchen
I moved into an apartment last year that had an impossibly small kitchen (3 drawers, no cabinets, and one 2ft x2ft block of counterspace), and in trying to figure out a way to make the space work I was inspired by a particular kitchen in domino magazine.

Using some elements from the domino spread, I really think I made the absolute best of what I could of the space; I streamlined my kitchen goods by buying all white plates, cups, bowls, and displayed them on open shelves (a domino staple) and filled clear jars with food.

Then I added to the clean white palette with some stainless steel finds from Ikea, like the Grundtal bar to hang pots and pans from, stainless buckets to hold all of my knives and utensils, a stainless dish rack and wine rack and a stainless spice rack on the wall. And to keep with the theme of this domino kitchen I organized the open shelves to have little vignettes with my collection of jadite wares.

I wish I had the budget to have the butcher block countertops and custom cabinetry and fixtures, but arranging the components of my kitchen that I could change were inspired by domino!

Thanks, Kate!

Spring Time, All The Time Inspiration: Shades of Purple

I’ve been smitten more than ever before by shades of purple, especially the deep ones, but even the light shades enliven the spirit with the thought that perhaps, just maybe, spring will be coming soon.

Here are sources of inspiration from Domino, as well as some great home accessories from Z Gallerie. The accessories featured here are all currently 20% off at Z Gallerie.

The white of the table and lighter background keep this room fresh.

Paint Colors, by Behr – wall in library: deep-plum Delicious Berry #S-G-690; wall in living room: pink Zephyr #690A-1;door: lime green Pear #400A-3

The brown has hints of purple and makes for a rich accent wall color

The color is an eggshell paint in Shadow 2117-30, by Benjamin Moore.

Eucalyptus Branches make a modern statement on a smaller, renter-friendly scale:

Although not sold in pairs, the two Violeta Vases together look extra striking.

“This regal hue can easily overwhelm a room, but when it works, it’s both rich and livable. We tested 25 different shades to find the one—then grounded it with a creamy trim and understated accessories.”

One of my favorite Domino rooms

Colors – wall above the paneling: Early Morning Mist #1528, benjaminmoore.com for stores; paneling: Embassy Purple #TH59 ralphlaurenhome.com for stores; molding: Soft Chamois #OC-13 benjaminmoore.com for stores

The plum-colored Fleur Tealight, above, pulls in an intensity that you can use dotted around a room, or intensely with painted walls in a similar, deep color.  For a girlier, lighter and more spring-time like inspiration, the Orchid Flower Tealight, below, brings lightness to the room it inhabits.

“Few will suspect these grapy drapes edged in crisp white aren’t custom, especially when they’re paired with a damask-covered chair.”

Curtains – Nate Berkus “Grosgrain ribbon” linen-cotton panel, from $49.99 each, lnt.com for stores

Upholstery – Harmonics “Essence” damask in quartz, about $33.99/yard, waverly.com

This lavender-like shade is called Easter Ribbon, and is by Benjamin Moore

Another lighter option is the orchid colored Faux Coral:

“Using centuries-old methods (and handmade wool, felt, and twine), nomadic Kyrgyzstani artisans create these heavy appliqué rugs in a huge range of dramatic colors and styles.”
55″ x 88 ½” ABout $2,555, contact feltrugs.co.uk for information

The Domino Inspired My Home Contest Entry: Louise

Domino Inspired Room: My Bedroom

I chose to show you all my bedroom for two of its Domino inspired features – my version of the “antlers” that frequent Domino’s pages (and were recently blogged about on this site) and my solution for a tricky headboard situation.

Louise's Bedroom Vignette

My version of the antlers is actually a wicker bull’s head that once belonged to my father. His mother brought it home from Spain back in the 60′s and stayed on his bedroom wall for many years. If you look closely above its right eye you can see a rather large hole which was the result of a unfortunate incident with a dart. I love the sentimental meaning this item holds for me, and I especially love how “in” antlers, deer heads, etc. have become.

The building I live in is an old house divided into individual units. Mine is only 400 sq. ft. I love the charm, but I hate some of leftover features that were never removed, such as a couple of doors that lead to nowhere. One of those doors is behind the curtains I put up as a sort of headboard. My bed could only fit against this wall, so I had to find a creative solution for covering up the unsightly, and absolutely useless door.

Since I live on a tight budget and cannot afford an extremely tall headboard, I turned to Domino for creative ideas. In the July/August 2006 issue I found one fashioned out of hanging fabric. I used leftover curtains to try and create a similar look. I am very satisfied with the finished product! Seriously, you would never know there is a door there

As for the rest of the items you see in this photograph… Everything is a hand-me-down or a flea market find. Ok well maybe not the bed linens which I’ve had since college. Anyway, I’ve listed it out for you below:

Bed linens: Bed Bath and Beyond (circa 2004)

Gold zebra pattern pillows: The Sleepy Poet antique store, Charlotte, NC

Silk sage curtains: Pottery Barn, I think

Valance: Linens N’ Things

Lamp: Hand-me-down

Bull’s head: Hand-me-down

Sconce (far right): The Plantation Shop, Charlotte, NC

Side table: Hand-me-down

Bolster pillow: The Sleepy Poet antique store, Charlotte, NC

Green pillow: My first attempt at needlepoint

There are so many things I’d like to do to this room, if only I had the funds and the permission from my landlord! First thing would be some (colorful) wallpaper!!! If Domino has given me one thing over the years it is a newfound appreciation for wallpaper. Well, that and countless hours of pleasure reading. I’ll miss you Domino!!!!

Thanks for entering, Louise!

Reminder & Mogg Blogg’s “Evil Plan”

Don’t forget to stage your place this weekend and take pics in daylight when possible!  Besides, wouldn’t a picture-worthy apartment make you feel better and more hopeful that spring will finally arrive?

We’ve received a few entries already to The Domino Inspired My Home Contest, we’ll start posting them next week – and we know more are on the way, but your chances of wining one of SIX great prize packs are high.  You have just over 1 week to enter.  Click on the link to get all of the details.  Remember, there are great prizes to be had, all for snapping a few pics and emailing them off!

And if you definitely don’t have Domino-worthy place, or in the past lived in one huge decorating faux pas, (or many small ones_, you should check out Mogg Blogg’s Evil Plan to give away 2 copies of the Domino Guide to Decorating—either enter a pic or make a comment on this post and you’re entered to win over there.

I’m even wondering if you have to have lived in the place to enter the pic? [Jenny wondered where the Mogg girls got a pic of her MIL's living room!]

In any case, happy Friday, folks!

Domino’s Icons of Style #6: Moroccan Poofs

Today’s guest post is another installment in the series, Domino’s Icons of Style, by Beth of Style Redux – who also was in the Washington Post today!  Let us know what your personal opinion of each icon of style is in the comments: love it? hate it? used it in your own place?  We want to know what you think!

The Moroccan Pouf is a round leather embroidered ottoman. I first saw them in Domino Magazine and was fascinated by their beautiful colors and adaptability. They come in any color and stitching, in metallic and non-metallic. Incredibly versatile – they can be used as seating, a coffee table, a stool, a small table, or as a great decorative item. I have two in front of my fireplace-they are great as multiples. Wonderful in a living room, bedroom, media room, even outdoors in this fun wicker version. You can spend as little or as much as you want for one; I have seen them on eBay and in hip neighborhoods starting at $25, but you can spend $250 or more for higher quality leather, embroidery, and larger sizes.

Three in front of the fireplace in Candace Bushnell’s living room:

I love the pink on the zigzag rug:

The turquoise is stunning on the zebra rug:

Another zebra rug and pouf-fabulous!

These gorgeous colors are from John Derian:

What fun! A wicker version for outdoors:

This rattan version from Urban Outfitters is quite cute:

Thanks, Beth!

Domino Icons of Style #1: The Zebra Rug

Domino Icons of Style #2: Pink Walls

Domino Icons of Style #3: Miles Redd Birdcage Bed

Domino Icons of Style #4: Miles Redd’s Blue Front Door

Domino Icons of Style #5: Antlers