Friday, June 20, 2014

Decorating With Chinese Garden Seats



Designed over 1000 years ago, the Chinese Garden Seat has never really gone out of fashion. In fact you are still seeing them used in today's interiors whether Traditional, Bohemian, Eclectic or even ultra Contemporary. These beautiful ceramic seats can be used in so many ways in almost every room in your interior. I think their versatility is what fuels their continual popularity. Beautiful, practical, and  low maintenance......what more could you ask for! Use them as extra seating, indoors or out, or as an end table, portable accent table, or let them have the spotlight as an accent feature. Definitely take the garden seats out of the garden and into your home! 

The original antique "zuodun," a Chinese barrel seat, was a drum made with stretched skin tops held by nails and trimmed with nail heads. Many modern seats have a row of round bumps that imitate old nail heads. They really became popular in the American design scheme in the 1950's and still remains one of the most popular, useful and versatile pieces of indoor/outdoor furniture around.




Since they are highly glazed they work  inside and out.


Traditional blue and white garden seats used as end tables in this Tory Burch designed room.

via pinterest

Here the garden seat is used as a lovely accent piece.


Once made almost exclusively of glazed stoneware or porcelain and painted with feminine floral patterns on a white ground, the garden seat has kept pace with modern times. 



Today you can find ceramic garden seats sheathed in shimmering gold .......


or silver metallic paint.




Beautiful Chinese porcelain garden seat.


Available in a wide variety of brightly colored ceramic, a garden seat can inject any space with a much needed pop of color and life.


There are many styles to choose from but a consistent design feature is the fretwork or pierced motif.

Colefax and Fowler

Chinese garden seats have been a staple of the classical home for years.

And now, open almost any design magazine or home decor catalog and there they are….. Chinese garden seats in every color of the rainbow adding a decorative touch to patios, living rooms, bedrooms, home offices and baths.


via pinterest

Here the garden seats are used in a living room as a coffee table


Vintage Chinese Garden Seat


Miles Redd


Use a stylish garden seat as extra seating, indoors or out.



A beautiful garden seat will add pizzazz to your decor, and could be that one extra “something” you have always been looking for.


Today garden seats can be made from porcelain, pottery, plastic, rattan and even plaster.


The small, yet sturdy size of the garden seat makes the perfect end table or corner table.


I love these beautiful white Chinese garden seats. Here they are perfect as tables in front of the sofa.


If you prefer a more natural look, there are garden seats for you to choose from as well.


These garden seats are especially pretty and shows you why they are such nice accents. They are the perfect way to bring a pop of color to your space.


Nothing beats a garden seat for your outside entertainment areas!


These wonderful garden seats serve so many purposes. I love the larger ones used as a table base.


Vintage Chinese Garden Seat



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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Home Decor Trend......Decorating With Insects.



Nature was the inspiration for much of the home interior trends in 2013 and insect inspired collections were at the forefront. Still making it's presence know at this years Dallas Market, the trend is going strong. Insects are hot....on the runways and in room design, so all those with entomophobia
 will need counseling if you are going to ride this current decorating wave.
Actually insect decor isn't anything new......the Victorians loved their taxidermy and insect collections which were given prominent position in parlors across England and America. There are still beautiful insect inspired porcelain pieces in antique shops today bringing hefty prices.

My father owned a pest control business so I was brought up with the idea that the goal was to send insect invaders packing. I wonder what he would think today seeing them as welcomed guests......with places of honor no less. Now you can see ant infested lampshades, beetle wallpaper, and bumblebees and butterflies for the bedroom. These are the kind of insects you do want in your home however. Actually many insects are quite beautiful and can add an unique surprise and bit of interest to home decor or personal styling.

A bit of caution.....don't get "cutesy" with this trend even though it is somewhat whimsical. That tendency ruins many good design ideas. You can have fun with the insect trend while keeping a certain amount of refinement and restraint. And please .......no killing these creatures to fuel your decorating needs!!!




Enjoy this whimsical song .......this is a style that you must have fun with.


Perfectly painted ants on fine china.

I am currently having a "real life" crisis with these little guys so this isn't very humorous at present!!!!


Displaying insect pictures as part of a set is a lovely way to incorporated them into your home.

source unknown

Insect accessories are a great way to spice up living spaces from modern to traditional. 

via pinterest

 If this trend is a hard one for you, this would be a great place to start. It is simple, elegant, and not overwhelming at all.



The Preying Mantis is the star of this insect inspired plate. I like him!!!

vogue.com

Just one big statement. This is my favorite way to decorate with this insect trend.

 Bringing the beauty of the outdoors in is not limited only to flora.

Beetles are said to symbolize protection, simplicity and progress.

An upholsered piece like this makes it easy to get over the creepy factor of insect inspired interiors. Some insects are especially pretty and their presence will add flair to a room. I like this colorful chair!

ofallthefish.com

Insects take center stage on the wall above this desk.


Unique insect accessories like these are sure to start a conversation.

Alessandra Branca

I like this simple use of preserved butterflies in elegant glass domes. According to Branca these were found in Paris. If other insects are too creepy for you, butterflies may be the answer.

DC Design House By Marika Meyer

Shelves are great for displaying insects!

via pinterest

Entomology in decor has always been a popular subject for prints.



Make sure not to go overboard with the insect  look. This is a trend that needs restraint. A focal point or a few scattered "crawlers" placed strategically is all you really need.



This room is successful because of the use of a somewhat nondescript butterfly patterned wallpaper with a statement piece in the form of the large single insect.

via pinterest

Great insect pictures.

Butterflies and other little insects randomly flying all over the plates and dishes is a popular look at present.

The walls come alive in this colorful butterfly inspired room.

Butterfly pillow cover by secdus on Etsy

Pillows are a great way to be part of the insect trend without a huge commitment. And there are gorgeous ones out there to choose from!

via pinterest

Karen Robertson

A butterfly collection goes hand in hand with other natural elements on his gallery wall.


Maybe your style of joining  the insect trend is one of the wonderful pieces by American sculptor Mike Libby in his studio, Insect Lab.  Displayed under a spotlight, this would be a conversation piece!

via pinterest

I like this beautifully etched glass door featuring various kinds of beetles.


Nina Campbell Wallpaper


If you want to go the way of the Victorians, try a small insect collection or two. But don't kill them for your collection. Instead look for vintage collections, find dead ones to display, or go the faux direction.

Curtain from West Elm

via pinterest


I have always liked this pretty bathroom featuring a very tasteful display of butterflies.



John Derian in the Astier booth - 11" Round Black and White Insects at Maison Gift Show in Paris this year. The spider would be too much for me!


Last but not LEAST, designer Maximo Riera's Rhinoceros Beetle chair.  Now this would definitely make a statement in an insect themed room.





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I have always thought this was a pretty bathroom featuring very tasteful display of butterflies

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