Vamping Vintage

A little off the subject from interior design . . . today, I had to share one of my favorite blog reads, Advanced Style.  You see, the author, Seth Cohen, decided to showcase older men and women of style, with the tag line:  “Proof from the wise and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age.”  I like this Seth fellow!

Many of the featured women have lived through the various fashion trends and are comfortable enough in their own skin to carry off ensembles which might put the fear of faux pas in many.  They are setting trends, in their own right, by refusing to consider “age appropriate” as being put out to the proverbial fashion pasture.

I, for one, am inspired!  Time to clean out the “safe” closet items and go for a little adventure.

The hair, the clothes . . . impeccable!

Love this free spirit!  And the belt is oh so fabulous, too!

Big bangs, big bag, sunglasses and red lips.  All it takes is the right attitude!

These women share some important viewpoints on honoring your unique style.  The last thing they want to do is to follow what everyone else is doing.  I think that’s why vintage finds suit them so well.  They don’t have to be limited by what’s in the traditional retail venues. 

Mmmmm.  Come to think of it, interior design is a lot like this, too.  Isn’t it more fun to walk into a home where the owner really knows who they are and you can tell their interiors didn’t pop out from a catalog page? 

Are you ready to show off your “advanced style”?

All my best ~ Wanda

Home Office Desk: Campton Smart Technology Office Armoire

Home Office Desk - Computer Desk

Overview:
Our artfully crafted armoire works well in rooms of all sizes. Deeply paneled doors wrap around to the sides to reveal a generous workspace.

• 41.5" wide x 19.5" deep x 73" high
• Handcrafted with a kiln-dried hardwood frame.
• The space above has six reconfigurable slots and two cubbies with adjustable shelves.
• A Smart™ strip in the main compartment provides a centralized plug-in point for laptops, cameras and more.
• The cabinet below has a pullout keyboard tray; Adjustable shelves on the left can be removed to accommodate a CPU; on the right, there’s a pullout printer tray with a lateral file.
• Hand finished in lacquer that is distressed and weathered for a timeworn patina.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
• Fitted with blackened ring pulls.
• Tip resistant kit included.
• Catalog / Internet only.
  

Source: potterybarn

Desk Furniture: Whitaker Vanity Desk

Desk Furniture

Overview:
American country furniture of the 17th and 18th centuries is prized by collectors for its sturdy craftsmanship and graceful design. This desk features all of the best details, such as turned legs, decorative brackets and rosette-style ring pulls.

• 55" wide x 24" deep x 30" high
• Crafted with gracefully turned solid wood legs.
• Equipped with spacious drawers with rosette-style ring pulls.
• Use as a desk or a vanity.
• Finished by hand using our exclusive multistep technique for exceptional depth of color.
• View and compare with other collections at Bedroom Furniture Facts.
• Simple assembly.
  

Source: potterybarn

Home Office Desk: Kiera Project Table

Home Office Desk

Overview:
Rich in character and generous in scale, this table is the perfect place to spread out and create. With its long, narrow silhouette and convenient counter height, it also makes a great kitchen island.

• 80" wide x 33" deep x 36" high
• Crafted from pine with a deeply weathered finish that hints at many years of use.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
• Catalog / Internet only. To design and price info please see here.
  

A Project Update

You might recall, in a “Day of Interior Details”, the ‘before’ in this project was gorgeous . . .

What’s not to love about a walnut paneled library?  In this case, the client had decided to change the function of the room to that of a more elegant, gentlemen’s gaming room.  A lovely billiard table was selected for sport and relaxation.  There was a desire to add some method for placing the phone off of the floor, while also creating a place for beverages, in between shots. 

With no wiggle room for a piece of furniture to get in the way, especially with a limitation for a foot path, here was my solution:

 

A pair of wall-mounted, walnut consoles now flank the entry doors.

They were designed so that the cording, from the phone, could run up behind the center corbel.  (The phone wiring and a router had been put in place, at the construction phase, prior to the functional change of the area.)  While there will be a planter placed at the base of the center corbel, to hide the outlet, the cord clutter is now being concealed and the phone has been elevated from its lower status!

My wood smith, Phil Stapp, not only has expert skills in creating these custom pieces, he also has a background in graphic design.  As a true artisan, he’s able to translate my design concepts so beautifully!  He hand-carved the corbels to create the perfect scale and structure.  He ordered a custom blade in order to repeat the same profile of the chair rail molding, which seamlessly wraps across the console face.  The goal was to create pieces which would appear as if they had been planned on, all along.

The beauty of being able to work with an interior designer is that you’ll receive product solutions which may not exist in the general marketplace.  You’ll also benefit from the expertise of a collaboration between two professionals, where there is a partnership in the creative process and an impeccable attention to the details!

What are your design challenges?  Thank you for sharing!

“There is no excuse for doing anything which is not strikingly beautiful.” ~ William Morris

All my best ~ Wanda

Home Office Desk: Printer's Office Suite

Home Office Desk - Office Computer Desk

Overview:
A vintage printer’s cabinet with dozens of small drawers for storing type was the inspiration for our newest home office collection. Designed for ultimate versatility – at an exceptional value – its components can be combined in any configuration to create your perfect workspace. To create a configuration ideal for your space, click here to view our Build Your Printer’s Set Tool.

• 96" wide x 20" deep x 69.5" high
• Includes one keyhole desk, one file cabinet pedestal, one cabinet pedestal, two bookcase hutches, one large hutch, one letter file hutch, and two single tops.
• The Tuscan chestnut finish is hand applied in layers, with distressing and burnished edges that give the collection the look of a well-loved antique.
• Fitted with antique bronze cup pulls.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
• Watch a video about the versatility of our Printer’s Collection.
  

For the purchase of the Home Office Desk information please see here.

Wordless Wednesday

 

“When people say, 'She's got everything', I've got one answer - I haven't had tomorrow.”
~Elizabeth Taylor

(February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011)

Home Office Desk: Printer's Writing Desk

Home Office Desk

Overview:
A vintage printer’s cabinet with dozens of small drawers for storing type was the inspiration for our newest home office collection. Designed for ultimate versatility – at an exceptional value – its components can be combined in any configuration to create your perfect workspace. To create a configuration ideal for your space, click here to view our Build Your Printer’s Set Tool.

• 64" wide x 32" deep x 30" high
• The writing desk has a single drawer with a drop-down front.
• The Tuscan chestnut finish is hand applied in layers, with distressing and burnished edges that give the desk the look of a well-loved antique.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
• Watch a video about the versatility of our Printer’s Collection.
  

For pricing info and design Home Office Desk, please see here.

Home Office Desk: Printer's Keyhole Desk

Home Office Desk

Overview:
A vintage printer’s cabinet with dozens of small drawers for storing type was the inspiration for our newest home office collection. Designed for ultimate versatility – at an exceptional value – its components can be combined in any configuration to create your perfect workspace. To create a configuration ideal for your space, click here to view our Build Your Printer’s Set Tool.

• 64" wide x 32" deep x 30" high
• The keyhole desk has a drop-down keyboard tray flanked by a file drawer on the right and two smaller drawers on the left.
• The Tuscan chestnut finish is hand applied in layers, with distressing and burnished edges that give the desk the look of a well-loved antique.
• Fitted with antique bronze cup pulls.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
• Watch a video about the versatility of our Printer’s Collection.
  

For pricing info and design Home Office Desk, please see here.

Home Office Desk - Ava Desk

Home Office Desk

Overview:
Thick glass and angular cross-beam supports of silver nickel offer an aesthetic complement to traditional furnishings. Our desk's geometric simplicity and neutral tones layer easily into existing decor, while offering a refreshing style update.

• 52" wide x 28" deep x 30" high
• Crafted from solid spruce with a tempered-glass top.
• Finished by hand in our exclusive espresso stain.
• Simple assembly.
  

For pricing info and design Ava Desk please see here.

Design Bedford Home Office Modular Components

Home Office Desk

Build Your Own - Design Bedford Home Office Modular Components

Overview:

Customize a spacious, organized workspace for all your creative endeavors with the hardwood-framed pieces in our Bedford Collection. The Modular Desk Components can be used alone or combined with others to form a desk, a console or a wall of storage. To create a desk set that’s ideal for your space, click here to view our Bedford Desk Set Tool.

• The long desktop fits atop two file cabinets to create a desk, or atop three to make a console.
• The Smart Technology™ hutch expands your storage options.
• Corner desk includes 1 corner desktop and 2 file cabinets.
• Bookcases can be used individually or stacked to create a 4-shelf unit.
• Stack the bookcase on the lateral file cabinet to create a hutch.
• Pair 2 bookcases with our project tabletop to create more than 12 square feet of workspace.
• Available in Antique White or Black finish with brushed-nickel bail pulls, or Espresso stain with matte-brown bail pulls.
• Wood swatches are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days. Please see available swatches below. See all furniture with wood swatches available.
• Select items are Catalog / Internet Only.
  

To price and design home office desk please see here.

Lighting Up A Room In Royal Style

As the High Point Market approaches, I’ll be developing my market calendar and listing showrooms to visit.  One of my top priorities will be to source some fine lighting designs.  I’m sure I’ll be finding a good array of vendors while I know there are some tried and true sources, offering a good marriage of style, flair and quality. 

Lamps are not only about the bases, the shades also determine if they’ll make the cut.  They are the consummate “hat” to the entire ensemble.  The “pomp” to the circumstance.

Without the appropriate shade, the lamp might be reduced to a common base.  Imagine Kate Middleton attending a royal function in a bare head.  The Queen would not be amused!

Wildwood – Broom Finish Base Lamp

Wildwood – Creative Crystal Lamp

 

Sedgefield by Adams – Marianna Lamp

 

Sedgefield by Adams – Briggs Lamp

Barbara Cosgrove – Study Lamp – Antique Brass & Nickel Finishes

Barbara Cosgrove – Two Horses

Currey & Co. – Larkspur

 

 

Visual Comfort – Suzanne Kasler – Harper Table Lamp

Mmmm.  On second thought, I suppose this is the case where woman does wear the hat and the lamp does wear the shade . . . and beautifully!

Cheerio! ~ Wanda

Design Bedford Corner Desk Set

Home Office Desk

Every piece in our expertly built Bedford Collection can be used singly or combined with others to form a desk, console or wall of storage. The Corner Desk Set provides a spacious work area between two file cabinets and has a support leg for maximum stability. To create a desk set that’s ideal for your space, click here to view our Bedford Desk Set Tool.

• The 2-drawer cabinet holds legal- and letter-sized files; the 3-drawer version has 2 sections for supplies and one for files.
• Available in Antique White or Black finish with brushed-nickel bail pulls, or Espresso stain (shown) with matte-brown bail pulls.
• Includes 1 corner desktop with a corner top and 2 wings, one 2-drawer file cabinet and one 3-drawer file cabinet.
• To create your own Corner Desk Set, please view our Modular Components.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.

For the price of a home office desk design please see here

A Snapshot of My Week

 

 

My Photograph - by Whitney Gray

Design Bedford Rectangular Desk Set

Home Office Desk

Overview Bedford Rectangular Desk Set

Customize a spacious, organized workspace for all your creative endeavors with the hardwood-framed pieces in our Bedford Collection. The Rectangular Desk Set can be used singly or combined with other modular components to give you the ultimate flexibility in creating a workspace that’s ideal for you. To create a desk set that’s ideal for your space, click here to view our Bedford Desk Set Tool.

• 70" wide x 23" deep x 30" high
• Set includes 1 desktop, one 2-drawer file cabinet and one 3-drawer file cabinet.
• Hutch (sold separately) is fully equipped with 2 outlets, a phone jack, an ethernet connection and 2 USB ports. Set the hutch atop the desk to expand your storage options.
• Available in Black or Antique White finish with brushed-nickel bail pulls, or Espresso stain with matte-brown bail pulls.
• Wood swatches are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
  

For info and other desk price please see here

Bedford Design Small Desk Sets

Bedford overview small desk sets

Desk Set can be used singly or combined with other modular components to give you the ultimate flexibility in creating a workspace that’s ideal for you. To create a desk set that’s ideal for your space, click here to view our Bedford Desk Set Tool.

• 52" wide x 23" deep x 30" high
• Set includes a small desktop and a 3-drawer cabinet or an open cabinet.
• Pair it with your choice of Bedford File Cabinet Bases (sold separately) to create a work surface with room to store all the essentials.
• Top the desk with our protective sheet made of thick clear acrylic (sold separately)
• To create your own Small Desk Set, please view our Modular Components.
• Wood swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for wood swatches if they're returned within 30 days.
• Select items are Catalog / Internet Only.
  

For the price of desk and other features please see here

A Bit O’ Green – Interior Luck

I do often feel as if the “Luck of the Irish” has been bestowed upon me!  Call it genetics, (being one-quarter Irish), or that I prefer to think, no matter what, my cup glass runneth over!

(Courtesy of Trendir.com)

But enough about me.  You stopped by for a wee celebration of color!

A lucky client will be receiving some fresh new florals, soon!  Everything’s “coming up roses” in this bouquet of chartreuse!

How fortunate would it be to have this crisp bathroom bath greet you, in spring green?  (Pattern from Thibaut Candise.)

It’s so serendipitous that the High Point Market is a short time away, as well as a short distance for me!  I’ll be able to bring back photos of great design product sources, in just a few short weeks.  Don’t you love these shades of green from Port 68?  They offer distinctive lamps and accessories to the design trade.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks,
May your heart be as light as a song,
May each day bring you bright, happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long.

Begosh and Begorrah! ~ Wanda

Pottery Barn: DIY Version Desk

Nicole wants to build a new table that mimic the look of his inspiration Pottery Barn. When Nicole fell in love with Pottery Barn desk he knew he could not, he decided to create their own DIY version. Using the tables on them Effektiv from IKEA and two wooden file cabinet he found on Craigslist.





Nicole painted the desk and filing cabinets (only $75 for the pair) in Timid White by Benjamin Moore. She removed the legs from the Effektiv desk and created mental metal braces to attach the pieces of the desktop together and to secure it to the wall in the corner. The side portions of the desktop simply rest on the top of the file cabinets. The change between the before and after is dramatic, and Nicole's finished product is a DIY inspiration.

Computer Office Desk set in Bordeaux

Bestar Harmony U-Shape Wood Home Office Set in Bordeaux. For the price of an office desk computer please see here