How I Layer

One of the best decor solutions for an expanse of wall in a home is a gallery wall.  I decided that I would try something different though on a large empty wall in my living room.  Instead of a gallery arrangement, I was going to use a vintage garden gate to fill the space.  I originally purchased the gate for my garden, but after getting it home I thought it was way too nice for the garden and I found a spot for it inside.

My Very Chippy Wonderful Gold Leaf Gate Against the Living Room Wall

Layering is one of my favorite things to do.  Here's my step by step to my wall vignette.

I had a large framed print of an urn.  You know how I always change things so I was reluctant to put a huge hole in the wall to hang the picture, especially since the room had recently been painted.  Big trouble with Mr. AAV too when the next change up happens.   Instead I used a gold architectural pedestal and a large plate holder to support it against the gate.

Urn Print Leaning Against Wall Supported by Architectural Pedestal

For the next layer I added a vintage tiered table with a Duncan Phyfe base.  The tiers are supported by small turned brass posts.  This type of base is very common on vintage mahogany dining room tables.  When you see it on the table though they have double pedestals for support.

 Any time I come across mirrored stands I buy them.  I love the footed stands.  Many times they were intended to be used on vanities or dressers.  For me, they're perfect pedestals for cloches.  I think the one I'm using in this project was a ceiling mount for a light.  It looks like some clever person added a mirror.  I love its uniqueness and its perfectness as a riser.

Mirrored Pedestal

Instead of topping the pedestal with a cloche, I filled a glass cylinder with my signature orbs.  I use orbs everywhere in my home.  I love the color and marbleizing on these.

I couldn't stop here of course.  On a trip to the beach last year I found this Italianate candlestick while shopping.  I topped it with another orb instead of a candle.

Wait, there's more.  Are you surprised?  I love unique bookends.  These mimic columns and you know how I love to add architectural features to the mix.

 The next image shows both book ends embracing some well-worn leather books.

Don't leave.  I'm almost done.  The last thing I did was steal some slip covered chairs from the dining room and place them on either side of the table.

Did you notice the mirrored footed dresser pedestal on the table shelf?
 

So what do you think?
What have you layered?  What have you done to fill an expanse of wall?  Please share.
I love it when you comment.

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Chair Obsession Part Four

Oh my, I have more chairs to feature.   This is one of my favorite styles-- what I call Frenchy.  When I purchased these chairs they had  cabbage rose fabric,.  I decided that they would look much better with an off white linen.  They are currently in my bedroom.

Here  is one of the chairs in place next to my vintage bombe chest of drawers.  Above the dresser is a map of Paris which I had framed into four quadrants.  I placed some mini globes in urns and trophies.  In the corner I placed my architectural column.  Notice the stripes that I continued from the hallway onto one wall in the bedroom.

 

Between the chairs is a luggage rack with an antique French leather suitcase.  I always purchase luggage racks when I see them.  They make excellent side tables when you add a suitcase or even a piece of glass on top.  It's a perfect bed side table in a guest room.

What do you  think?  What's your favorite chair so far?

If you missed chair obsession part one go here,  for part two here, and part three here.
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I didn't do a separate post about my Chinese Chippendale chairs in my sun room but I love them and wanted to include them in this "chair" post.

To see the full post go here.


Kathy

My Other Obsession

If you've been following you know that I'm obsessed with architectural prints.

My Laundry/Pantry

I'm also obsessed with architectural fragments and leather books with marbleized covers.

My Styled Cupboard

And, I love old bottles too.  This is getting scary.

Bottles on My Screened Porch

If that's not enough, after looking around my house I'm afraid that I'm obsessed with chairs too.

I think that one of my favorites is my chippy paint frenchy chair.  When I thought about writing this post I was really regretting not having a before image.  But I found what it looked like as I was reading the latest post from Funky Junk.

I guess you could describe it as funky, but me, chair obsessed, fell in love.

Mine was almost identical to this one from mommashenscoop.com--sans Fall decor.  Rather than use it for a Fall display, I dragged it to the upholsterer.  June, my upholsterer, is so sweet.  Anyone else would have looked at me like I was crazy, but not June.  She just took the fabric and got started.

Didn't she do a fabulous job. 

This chair has been all over the house.  The leopard print works like a neutral and it works anywhere.

Another chair that I purchased as a frame only was this finished beauty.  Sorry, no before pic.  I've had this chair for many years.  Currently, it's in my foyer.

 

Front View

Side View

Backside

Don't you agree that the back and sides are just as pretty as the front.  Details really make the upholstery job stand out.

My question to you is:  How can I be crazy about Mid Century Modern and obsessed with chippy frenchy?   Do you have the I like too much problem too?

Kathy

Styling Bookcases Part 2

I just re-did a pair of bookcases in my family room.  I purchased them from a consignment shop and had to sand, prime, and paint them.  The color I used was Benjamin Moore Pittsfield Buff.  

Here's the before ( after painting)

Notice that they were missing their backs.  I think that's because they were originally built-ins.
I decided that I would add some fabric to the back rather than adding some bead board.  

I basically cut the fabric a little larger than the opening.  I used a cardboard upholstery tack strip across the top to make sure the top was straight.  I used my electric staple gun to hold it in place. ( You must invest in an electric staple gun.  So much easier on your wrists.)
You can purchase the tack strip  here.  I purchased the roll for $3.99 for 500 feet.  If you're not going to do more upholstery though,  I've found it before at fabric stores being sold by the yard.
I included the link so you'd see what it looks like.
I use it all the time when I'm attaching cording to chair seats.  It keeps the cording straight so you don't have to use so many staples.
Here's how I used it to attach the top of the fabric to the back of the bookcase .

And just FYI, here's how I use it when adding cording to the bottom of a chair seat.  Totally unrelated, I know, but good info.

Once you attach the fabric to the top with your staple gun, staple once in the bottom center, then in the center of each of the side pieces.  Continue stapling around the remaining three sides.  Make sure that the fabric is pulled very tightly.  You could add a piece of foam core on the back on top of the fabric for extra support if you want.   I just counted on the wall for support.

Here's the after with the fabric.

Next, the styled version.  Please view my previous post, here, if you want some tips about item selection, balance, placement, and symmetry.

This is the left bookcase after styling.

This is the right bookcase after styling.

If you've read my previous post you know that I love to use books and architectural fragments when styling a bookcase.  To this mix I decided to add birds, nests, emu and ostrich eggs, tortoise shells--real and faux--and even a piece of coral resting on a book.  I called these nature-inspired shelves my Cabinets of Curiosities.
The bird prints on easels are vintage.  The largest bottle in the grouping of apothecary jars holds feathers.  Mirrors serve as backdrops for the tortoise shell and the ostrich egg.
You know how I love cloches.  I found one that not only fit perfectly on a mirrored dresser tray, but which had the word Nest etched onto it.  The emu egg on a stand fits perfectly within.
My pops of color come from the green in the transferware plates with birds, the mirror with a velvet frame,  the vintage English tile, the deep green egg, and the gold on the book spines.  
Completing the space between the bookcases is a sunburst mirror.   Surprise!   Framed architectural reference book plates and an iron bird are reflected in it.

I added a pair of slip covered slipper chairs in the foreground, and a vintage deco table with a lamp. A smaller bird print in a burled frame is on the table too.
I had the chairs covered in a neutral fabric-- something that I never do-- but I wanted them to match anywhere I put them.   I ended up hating how bland they were, even with a  pillow, so I added the strip of Robert Allen Ikat fabric and some awning stripe pillows to make them more appealing.   What do you think?
I don't know if you can make out the top of the table.  It's a mirrored top with a mirror bullseye in the center.

I want to share one more image.  It's an area rug  I found  at Tuesday Morning.  If you watched my segment on The Nate Berkus Show
you know that I received a gift certificate from Nate to Tuesday Morning.  I was very excited when I found this rug.  I knew it would work in the family room.  What a great find AND what a great price.  Thanks Nate.

Be sure to let me know how your bookcase styling turns out.
What do you think about using fabric as a backing?