Pages

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Antique Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Kitchens are easily one of our favorite places in the home; they're inviting, great for entertaining, can be designed in a variety of styles and color schemes, and can instantly turn your kitchen into a spectacular gathering place. With the huge variety of kitchen styles to choose from, we thought you might enjoy being inspired by some of the most beautiful ones we've found.


Old world-style kitchens have unique characteristics that come from an earlier period in history. Whether you opt for authentic pieces or modern reproductions, the distinctive feature of this style brings an appreciation of age, beauty and warmth to any traditional home.

Old wood, aged paints and finishes, hardwood floors, and kitchen cabinet styles that resemble antique furniture can be incorporated to accomplish this style.


In the kitchen above, the refrigerator and freezer are built into a custom wood cabinet that looks like a French armoire that's become a "fridge" armoire.   It's fabulous!  Choosing just the right lighting, faucets, cabinet handles, and flooring help pull together this French country-style kitchen.

Something to keep in mind is that old artwork, dishes, chairs, and beautiful chandeliers can instantly give your kitchen some old world charm and take it from drab to fab!


For a more subtle approach, interior designers will often combine old furniture with new pieces in order to keep it warm but fresh.  You can use old furniture to create a kitchen island (one of my other favorite elements of a kitchen!), a kitchen desk, a drinks cart or an old china hutch to add more character.

We hope these photos and ideas will inspire you to create your own personal old-world kitchen with lots of unique pieces that make it perfect for you.   We leave you with a few more photos of antique-style kitchens we love, and stay tuned for more fun ideas from Verdigris!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Vintage Spring Fashion Finds

It's official - Spring has finally blossomed here in Virginia. We can't think of a better way to welcome the sun than with a compilation of vintage fashion finds to spruce up your wardrobe! Layer-friendly, transition-perfect pieces can be hard to come across, especially when it's 55 degrees one day and 75 the next. That's where we come in, though!

There's nothing like the thrill of the hunt - picture an entire Sunday dedicated to sifting through local thrift and antique stores (of course stopped by us here at Verdigris!), resulting in finding a few pieces that were just waiting to be in your closet.

We're always on the lookout for standout vintage curators and finds, and during the warmer seasons is when you'll find the best of the best. Now's the time to shop some beautiful vintage-inspired treasures and we've chosen a few of our favorites. Remember to choose pieces that match well with your wardrobe, while still taking a fresh, new leap in your style! Let us know what you want to snag up!

6 Key Winter-to-Spring Transition Pieces:

Midi Dress / Skirt
Cardigan / Blazer
Scarf
Lightweight Sweater
Trench Coat
Oxfords


Happy Shopping! Share your favorite Vintage-inspired Spring finds with us!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Spring Fashion Inspiration

Spring is right around the corner and before you know it, you'll be out and about enjoying Easter brunch, long strolls, and egg hunts. This means it's time to get your Spring wardrobe ready to go!

Easter is known to be associated with the change in seasons and since we're finally feeling the warmer weather and sunny skies of Spring here in Virginia, it's time to bring out both bright and pastel colors.

From head-to-toe whites and pastel hues to bright and bold prints, these vintage finds will have you yearning for Spring (and Easter!) right away.

Head-to-toe Whites


Pastel Hues


Bright & Bold Prints

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Undeniably Beautiful Vintage Frocks

Ahh, the feel and look when slipping into a vintage ensemble - so rich and romantic. It's interesting to imagine how the women before us styled the outfit themselves and how designers even came about their collections to begin with. Aside from the imaginary fantasies, sporting a timeless frock is a definite way to stand out in the middle of a mass of people in otherwise ready-to-wear pieces. This year, let's go back in time and raid those old closets and unique vintage shops to snag an old dress and take it for a new spin in a new era.

Take a look at the following options below for some inspiration and start channeling your inner vintage persona - whether it be a mod Twiggy, a quirky, yet sophisticated Lucille Ball, or an ever-so-elegant Grace Kelly.

 Biba '70s Seductive Low-Cut Plunge Billow-Sleeves Gown in
 Black, $1,200, available at Timeless Vixen on 1stdibs.
 
Krizia '80s Leopard Face Angora Sweater Dress in Cream, $460, available at eBay.

 
Valentino Butterfly Print Silk Evening Gown, $795, available at The Way We Wore on 1stdibs.

 
'40s Silk Floral Day Dress with Cutouts, $375, available at Shrimpton Couture on 1stdibs.

 
Halston '70s Sequined Mermaid Gown in Seafoam Green, $4,500, 
available at The Way We Wore on 1stdibs.

 
Oscar de la Renta '70s Metallic Silk Beaded Dress, $700, available at Thrifted Modern on 1stdibs.

 
Averardo Bessi '80s Silk Dress, $899, available at Helpers House of Couture on 1stdibs.

 
Halston '70s Crepe Grecian Dress with Cape in Nude, $4,500, 
available at The Way We Wore on 1stdibs.

Can you tell that most of these pieces are seen in fashion today? It's amazing how designers nowadays are heavily influenced by creations of the past, and simply make minor alterations to keep the style modern and fresh. Happy shopping!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

I've got cabin fever...

Having just returned from a fabulous week at a lovely old cabin on Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota, I thought I'd share some of my favorite cabin decor ideas.   These are all chic and comfy.  Enjoy!

A lovely cabin bedroom done in soothing white with fabulous bear rug and simple furnishings. 
It's grrrrreat!

The photo speaks for itself.  Minimal fabulousness.  The bed and bean bag chair seem to be floating and that gorgeous chandelier makes the room ultra chic and sophisticated!


If you have to work while you're at your cabin, it doesn't get any better than this.  Open, light and airy.  The perfect combination to get those creative juices going...

A charming spot for dining al fresco.  A great place to have a glass of wine, sit back and
count your blessings.

This is my idea of heaven cabin style.  Love the campaign bed and grey washed pine panels.  Although the room is neutral, the pops of color make it oh so chic. 

Cabin living New York style.  Comfortable yet sophisticated!

Hope these inspire you to create your own cabin style at home. 


.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

I love mirrors, not because I'm vain (although I think a little vanity is healthy), but because they make such an impact in any room you place them.  Mirrors are so versatile, they're the one decorative element in a room that takes up little space but has amazing impact.  A well placed mirror can make a small room seem larger, a dark room brighter, or transform a plain room into something chic and inviting. 

Antique, modern, vintage -- the style or period doesn't matter.  Just use them in every room and see how fabulous they make your home look and feel! 

Here are some of my favorites...

This amazing italian gilded mirror serves to tone down the beautiful zebra wallpaper and bring focus to the gorgeous limestone sink.


The gilded Louis Phillip style of this beautiful mirror is simple in design but packs a big punch!  Paired with country chic elements like distressed metal table, brass candlesticks and painted wood windsor chair, it lends importance and strength to the decor.

Love, love, love the mirror as headboard.  A great way to make a small room look grand and create a focal point to highlight the amazing detail in the mirror.  It's also a great way to create a romantic mood when the lights are low and you get the reflection in the mirror from the crystal chandelier.  

Chic and modern, this distressed mirror adds height and interest to the tablescape and pairs beautifully with the gorgeous blue walls.

Gilded bullseye mirror against laquered black walls.  It doesn't get any better than this...

A masterpiece by Tony Duquette.  Exotic shell encrusted mirror and console with chinoiserie towers.  Super fabulous!

A chic entryway with all the right stuff.  Chocolate walls, bubblegum pink sofa and fabulous gilded starburst mirror.  Gorgeous.

The fabulous gilded starburst mirror brings interest to an otherwise sedate and neutral fireplace. 

Love the symmetry of the two bullseye mirrors over the consoles in a non-traditional dining room.  Very chic and modern.

This is my dream bathroom with antique venetian mirror over wall-to-wall mirror.  A wonderful example of how beautiful a layered mirror look can be.

No discussion of mirrors in decor can be complete without the inclusion of this amazing master bathroom, the piece de resistance by famed designer Miles Redd.  It speaks for itself!

Hope you enjoyed my fantasy tour through mirrorland.  There are so many ways to create amazing rooms with mirrors, so I hope you'll put your own spin on this design element and create something that's a true "reflection" of your style.  Enjoy your week and stay tuned...



Sunday, March 13, 2011

I'M TICKLED PINK...

When I was a girl, my favorite candy was bazooka gum.  I loved the deep pink color of the gum and the super sweet taste as I chewed it for all of 5 minutes before the sweetness was gone and all I could do was blow big beautiful pink bubbles that would eventually pop and spread all over my nose.   Later in life, as I grew into a young woman, the closest thing in color to the bubble gum pink I loved was that bottle of pepto bismo I kept in the back of my medicine cabinet for those nights when I ate, drank and enjoyed myself a little too much.  The color pink, and in my case fushia pink, has always been a source of pleasure and fun for me. 

I never considered using pink as a decorative element in any of the homes I've lived in. Just wasn't sure how I'd feel about sitting in a pink room, or being surrounded by pink things, for any length of time. But the more I see the color used in decor, in all its pretty variations, the more I think I'll try it some time. Perhaps I won't do an entire room in pink, but I would definitely do an accent wall or paint some furniture in a deep, rich pink.

Here are some of the fabulous ways designers have used pink to cheer up a space. I hope these bring a little fun to your day...


This is how I'd do pink.  A little hint of pink on the walls with green (my favorite color) as an accent.  I love the chinoiserie cabinet and beautiful green vases against the soft pink walls.  I would leave out the pink rug and stuffed animals, but otherwise, I love this vignette.

A charming way with pink. Love the way they used a very traditional victorian sofa painted white with an updated modern fabric and then paired the different pinks with gilded tables and a gorgeous candelabra floor lamp.  Really chic and fun!

A beautiful sanctuary.  I can image myself waking in this bed with the beatiful light of day shining on my face.  Glorius...

So pretty.  A little Laura Ashley meets Morocco.  Exotic and sophisticated.

I love the bright and brilliant tones of pink in this room.  The black fireplace and wood table help to tone things down and make the room a bit more serious.

Just charming!  Love the fushia wall with the lovely white vanity and stool. 
A room any girlie girl would love...

Another lovely use of pale pink walls.  Works beautifully with the red toile fabric, dark wood furniture and beautiful oriental carpet.  Lots of old world charm.

Fabulous and chic.  Love how the pink sofas pop and against all the neutral tones.  

This is how you do an entry.  That pink above the wainscott is gorgeous and so sophisticated with the black wall brackets, white chair with black and white flamestich upholstery and gold accents.  Definitely a do!

I think I'll try this at my cabin.  The pink walls with that subtle grey on the doors and wainscott gives this room a cozy feel that also sophisticated.  Sort of a feminine lodge look.

Modern and eclectic.  Love the pink chair with the zebra rug and green vases.  A very fun room.

Wow!  Austin Powers meets Jonathan Adler.  I love the colors in this room.   Although it's quite bright, the white walls and floor bring balance to the saturated pallate.   Lots of punch with the fushia, orange, green and red accents.  I'd loose the pink poodles, but I love everything else.

Amazing.  Love the all white furniture, floors and walls and then the pop of color you get from the 
 billowy pink drapes and pink entry and door.  

Modern, earthy, comfortable.  The pink chair brings a little fun to an otherwise neutral pallette.

All this pink has made me thirsty, so I think I'll have a pink drink at this lovely rooftop cafe (that's got a little pink going for it too)...

Have a great week and check out Verdigris' Latest Fabulous Finds at http://www.verdigris.bondandbowery.com/.

Photo credit:  house beautiful, decorpad, tudorks, sunnygoode.