rug inspiration with chairish

I am super excited to share today's post which is in collaboration with Chairish. If you aren't familiar with Chairish, it is an online reseller of design-oriented home furnishings and one of my favorite places to shop and gain inspiration (see this post and this post). So when the people at Chairish asked me to be a part of a blogger series focused on using area rugs as design inspiration I was more than happy to participate. 

One of things I love about Chairish is the ability to find designer goods as a fraction of the price. In this case, a Madeline Weinrib Westley Cotton Carpet in Thunder. MW rugs are of excellent quality, have great patterns and colors while still remain a classic piece that will stand the test of time. Generally speaking, shopping for rugs can be really difficult. They are costly, need to be highly functional and can really set the design for the whole room. In conceptualizing a room centered around this particular MW carpet, I thought of a space that would have a cool sort of moody, eclectic feel. The carpet has a large, graphic pattern of tan and black so I wanted to find pieces that would both complement the carpet's bold design but also contrast it with warmer, curvier elements.

Madeline Weinrib Westley Cotton Carpet via Chairish

I started by selecting this Hamilton Leather Sofa by West Elm. Its lines are great - not to straight and not too curvy. It has has just a touch of that vintage feel that works well when combining new and old pieces. And I pretty much love anything that is chestnut leather.

Hamilton Leather Sofa by West Elm

I then thought about introducing color. These vintage poufs by Karl Springer in a dark blue raw silk sort of make the room. They are a complete statement piece with their solid brass base and rich color. I also really like that the dark blue is a bit unexpected when paired with the black in the rug. 

Karl Spinger Poufs via Chairish

The Scandinavian teak and glass table also found on Chairish does the perfect job of bringing together the color tones of both the sofa and poufs. I also think having the smoke glass filtering the pattern of rug would create an added level of interest in the space while still allowing the carpet to be the main focal point in the room.

Scandinavian teak and glass table via Chairish

The coast swivel chair by Jayson Home tones down the feel of the room making it more fresh and current. The smaller scale of the stripes works well with the large scale pattern of the carpet and the slipcover makes the room feel more casual and lived in. 

coast swivel chair by Jayson Home

The Alexa Side Table by Bungalow Classic is a great little side table that paired with a mid-century brass urn lamp and black shade brings the whole color scheme together. 

mid-century brass urn lamp via Chairish

Alexa Side Table by Bungalow Classic

Finally, the Gaetano Sciolari chandelier just finishes of the space creating interest from the floor all the way up to the ceiling. 

Gaetano Sciolari chandelier via Chairish

Thanks to Chairish for asking me to be a part of this series. For more amazing carpets check out their complete collection of rugs. Happy shopping!

detroit garden works

With all that has been happening and planning to happen with the house, I have had no time to do any fall pots. I usually make it a point to at least do a little something to refresh for the season but I guess I will give myself a pass this year (see this fall pots post). I did, however, get to see some amazing pots over the weekend at Detroit Garden Works. I try to visit their store every time I am home as it is just a beautiful place to walk around and get inspired. I especially like going near the holidays and if I lived in the Detroit metro area I would definitely make it a point to go to their holiday show. 

Below are a few images of their current displays. My photos really don't do them justice...

To see more of their work check out the owner's - Deborah Silver - blog.

all things lauren liess

I was in Michigan this past weekend and actually had some quality down time (not working, teaching, undertaking projects on the house, being stressed...the list goes on). I hung out with my parents, saw old friends and did a little bit of reading and inspiration searching. Specifically, I spent a good amount of time looking into the work of Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home. I read old blog posts, sorted through her portfolio and searched for interviews with her to learn more about her approach to design and running her own business. I was familiar with Lauren and her work before but have become more than just impressed after doing a little intensive research.

On a personal note, there is a lot of how Lauren approaches design and runs her business that resonates with me and to see how much success she has had (an extremely popular blog, a thriving business, happy clients, a book due out next fall etc.) is really inspiring. It can sometimes be unsettling to work for yourself and to chart an untraditional course in your career so reading about others who have made it work is really invaluable to me as a designer, business person and a twenty something working in a post-recession economy. 

On a professional level, I think Lauren's interiors are interesting, comfortable and quite beautiful. I also love her line of textiles and hope to use some of her patterns in my own home. 

Lauren Liess' living room in her Virginian home

This is maybe my favorite room that I have seen by Lauren. I love the mix matched sofas, vintage rug and lucite coffee table - not to mention that light!

Leiss home media room

Its hard to tell from this picture but this room has a really interesting layout that seems like it would be super functional for a family with young kids. 

Liess' room for a DC Design House

Liess calls this a princess and the pea window seat which I love.

The Rose House by Liess

I like that this house is a bit different from Lauren's other work - more formal and a touch more glamorous but still very livable. 

Filigree Chevron original textile 

I really like the juxtaposition of the hard and soft lines in this pattern.

Make sure to check out Lauren's portfolio and blog to see more!