Doux Nid [du ni] » Accessories

Accessorizing a Cocktail

melissa — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 03:28:43 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX5t3H6yTJA

When accessorizing, I like the idea of mixing clean lines with elaborate pieces. It takes some experimenting, but it is definitely worth the effort. Take a look at a stainless-steel cocktail mixed with a Kilim rug, leather ottomans, and a very traditional sofa covered in chintz.

To add to the eclectic feel of the room, I wanted to keep mixing it up with accessories on the cocktail table. For height, I used a Baccarat piece made of crystal and an exotic stand covered in stamped aluminum. I then added a bird’s nest filled with delicate eggs centered on a celadon bowl for texture. To add some whimsy, I layered a peacock made of horn, a vintage purse all hand-beaded, and a Chinese figurine made of porcelain on the exotic stand. The eclectic mix really works, because it is all tied together through color.

Initially, I placed the tall Baccarat piece in the center of the cocktail with the stamped-aluminum stand on the left and the celadon piece with the bird’s nest on the right. I noticed that the composition was unbalanced for some reason. With a simple tweak, I corrected the imbalance by moving the Baccarat piece from the center and creating a high point with it on the left side of the cocktail. Using the other accessories, I filled in with different heights like stairsteps coming off the crystal. Very assymetrical. Sometimes, all it takes is a little tweaking. Experiment to find your best style.

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Malibu Magic

melissa — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:49:07 +0000

Recently, my husband and I went on a summer trip to California. Our first stop was Malibu. I always wanted to go. It was early one Saturday morning when we found ourselves wandering through the nestled neighborhood by the Pacific. Of all places, we started to see garage-sale signs. I was curious. We decided to stop at one of the sales. I am glad that we did. To my excitement, I found a small cache of beautiful leather belts. The homeowner told me that one of them was once sported by the actress, Alfre Woodard. Kind of a fun story that you would only hear in Malibu. Even though I didn’t need five belts, I bought them all. As I was making the purchase, I struck up a conversation with the owner. She told me that there was a really big garage sale at Our Lady of the Lake, a church in Malibu. Evidently, Martin Sheen had just dropped off some things there for the sale. I got caught up in the celebrity of it all and went straight to the church. The hunt was fun.

When I finally returned to Houston with my Malibu belts, I wondered how I was going to wear them all. During a moment of inspiration, I adorned some of my favorite silk and velvet pillows with the leather belts. The rest is history. It turned out to be a smashing combination. I am really pleased. If you want to breathe new life into your old pillows, take a peek into your closet. Do you have some woven, embossed, or hand-tooled leather belts that you aren’t wearing? I love to find new uses for treasured accessories. Belts are beautiful cinched around pillows. Perfect for adding panache.

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Bold and Beautiful

melissa — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 21:12:16 +0000

Instead of buying man-made accessories, I love to bring nature indoors. Think about using branches in all shapes and sizes. Place them on cocktail tables, in vases, and on shelves. Branches are great for dinner parties too mixed with other design elements on the table.

For a really remarkable look, stand branches in jardinieres and hang them on walls. It makes a bold statement that is very sculptural.

Large branches also provide opportunities to showcase collections. One of my favorite themes is beauty. When you see something beautiful in your daily travels, write the idea on a handmade-paper tag and hang it on the large branches. For unexpected sparkle, add strings of crystal beads too. Sharing ideas on branches is a great way to practice reverence and celebrate natural beauty in an ever-changing way. Think about hanging seashells from natural jute, antique keys, or gorgeous preserved flowers as well. The possibilities are endless. Happy hanging.

Maverick Mirrors

Soulful Treasures

melissa — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:49:36 +0000

There is nothing like the thrill of finding soulful treasures that add layers of patina to our homes and closets. Usually these treasures are handmade and exotic from all parts of the globe. French-market bags made of palm leaves trimmed in leather, handcrafted boots from Turkey that are individual pieces of folk art, belt buckles encrusted with seashells or precious minerals, and pear-wood fans from Spain to hold are some favorites that set my heart racing.

When adding soulful treasures to the mix, think about creating focal points. Whether dressing a room or designing an outfit, every angle, side, or wall should have a place that the eye runs to first. Unique treasures are perfect for capturing interest and drawing attention. They are natural focal points that add patina, personality, and style to living.

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Sur La Table

melissa — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:54:24 +0000

Creating tablescapes is a fun way to add beauty to everyday living , to explore new ideas, and to connect with nature. Instead of using artificial items manufactured in bulk, try using natural objects from the earth that are available at your fingertips in the grocery store. Here are a few of my favorite things:

Fruit

For the holidays, purchase a variety of fruits. Look for different shapes and sizes. Pomegranates, grapes, pears, lemons, and oranges have worked really well for me in the past. Coat the different fruits with egg white, roll them in granulated sugar, and then let them dry. Once the sugar has hardened, have fun arranging the fruit pieces on cake stands, trays, or in any favorite bowls. Tuck in sprigs of fresh evergreen to frame the fruit. Perfect for the holidays.

Grapevine

Grapevine wreaths are available at most craft stores in various sizes. Break apart the wreaths until you have long strands of grapevine to use. Feel free to cut the strands. Drape them around centerpieces, wind them around pillar candles in hurricane lamps, or fill a clear decorative bowl with grapevine and water and add a few fresh flowers. Grapevine also makes gorgeous garland on holiday trees.

Vegetables

Gather up artichokes and green beans at the market and use them to create beautiful tablescapes for entertaining. Try filling terracotta pots of different heights with artichokes. Simply beautiful and natural. I also like to use artichokes as candleholders. Hollow out some artichokes, place small candles in them and cluster them in your tablescape to add glow and texture. Green beans work well with candles too. Take a pillar candle and wrap a rubber band around it. Place green beans between the rubber band and the candle until you have a ring of green beans around the candle. Cover the rubber band with a decorative ribbon. Voilà!

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Design With Fitness In Mind

melissa — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:56:16 +0000

The coming of a new year is a time of renewal. Thinking about our values and hopes to make changes in the new year takes center stage. For many of us, getting into shape and improving our fitness is an all-consuming resolution for the new year. To nurture your fitness resolution, make sure to think about design. Using real fruit in bowls is a beautiful design statement as well as a practical way to store healthy snacks and desserts for easy access. Fruit bowls are not just for the kitchen. Use them on a coctail table, dining table, or any kind of table.

Sur La Table

Lemonade

melissa — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:54:56 +0000

At your next dinner party, think about serving sparkling, French lemonade. When the lemonade is gone, you will be left with beautiful bottles to use in the future. Just refill the bottles with water or other favorite beverages and scatter them throughout the table at your next dinner party. Guests will admire the beautiful bottles and will enjoy the bounty of beverages at their fingertips. Recycling never tasted so good.

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Maverick Mirrors

melissa — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:41:25 +0000

Mirrors mix so easily with other accessories. They add light and sparkle to even the darkest spaces making rooms appear larger. Shake things up and use mirrors in unexpected places. Prop large mirrors against walls or hang small mirrors off bookcase shelves to add flavor to any room. Tap into your creativity and discover your own unique way to use mirrors.

Bold and Beautiful

Plate Crazy

melissa — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:24:38 +0000

Turn up the style heat in your home by using plates. Whether you like modern or traditional, plates can add that extra pizzazz to your walls. Open up your cabinets to see if you have a favorite family set decorated with the patina of past memories or shop for new plates bursting with trendy color. Once you have decided on the plates, play with the arrangement on a table before you hang the plates on the wall. It is easier to play with placement options before you put holes in your wall. For a really professional look, use a tape measure to hang the plates.

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Pillow Candy

melissa — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:29:43 +0000

Decorate pillows with your favorite pins. It is a great way to express your individuality and to nurture your creative spirit. Just take a few of your favorites out of hiding and decide which ones go together. Group pins that share the same color, finish, or theme. Experiment to find your best mix.

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