Quick Picks

 

I’m always looking for opportunities to share more of my favorite affordable finds with you, so today we’re debuting a new series called Quick Picks where I’ll do just that. Ten things that I’m crushing on from the last week or so that I don’t own but wouldn’t mind having in my home. No art, no designer anything, only things that are within reach. (If you see something you want to check out further just click on the image!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Rowan and Wren

Isla Fluted Champagne Coupe, Set of Two

I *think* I just may have a favorite fall/winter home shop – are you familiar with Rowan and Wren? Maybe it’s the impeccable styling or just-so dark and moody lighting, but I can see at least half of their goods gracing my home. My aesthetic is in the middle of changing, combining minimalist modern preferences with more traditional pieces, and Rowan and Wren’s thoughtfully sourced collection of distinctive homewares sits smack in the middle of that Venn diagram. Here are my 13 favorite things, because I quite literally couldn’t narrow the list down any further!

 

Leland Wall Candle Holder

 

Cadby Velvet Button Stool

 

Croft Door Knocker

 

Stoneware Biscuit Plate

 

Thora Rustic Candle Holder, Brass

 

Bodin Craft Beer Glasses, Set of Two

 

Dalwood Log Stand & Fire Tools

 

Mini Drop Vases

 

Aran Cuffed Carafe and Glasses

 

Lena Brass Coasters, Set of Four

 

Hayling Zinc Lantern

 

Larkin Bird House or Feeder

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Studioart’s Leather Walls

 

Studioart is the creation of Nadia and Gianfranco Dalle Mese, and deeply rooted in their family’s long tradition of leather processing. Here leather goes beyond the fashion world to become a unique interiors solutions – custom-made leather walls! Manufacturing, eco-friendly processes, and original combinations of high quality leathers are just a few of their strongpoints. Studioart offers a wide selection of leather wall coverings, but one of their latest – Frammenti  (seen here) – is my favorite for its sharp lines and irregular angles.

 

 

 

 

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Rethinking the Dining Room

Matte Black and Brass 3 Arm Chandelier // Tiger Stitch Rug // Jupiter Pink Marble Serving Board // Mid-Century Modern 67″ Buffet Cabinet

The dining room is my favorite room in the house, for a few reasons – it feels the most complete decor-wise, it’s the best interpretation of my own personal aesthetic, and it’s usually the cleanest. (I’m nothing if not honest.) I love that when I’m entertaining it’s the place we all tend to congregate, so I want it to feel comfortable but I’m also not opposed to visitors thinking I know what I’m doing when pulling together a space.

 

Serena 60″ Dining Table // Subtle Tie-Dye Napkin Set // Copper Top Flatware // Clement 42″ Brass Mirror // Echasse Vase // Moroccan Spanish-Style Wine Glasses

You can check out the current-ish room design here and here, but I’ve been thinking about how a large round table might change the dynamic. Of course that got my mind spinning with the possibilities of an entire room redesign! Because my dining room is painted such a light color – and that isn’t something I’m anxious to change – I’m daydreaming about filling it with some darker materials like walnut wood, leather, and brass.

 

Simple Black Candleholders // Boccia Decanter // Gage Dining Chair in Tanner // Large Porcelain Serving Bowl // 12-Piece Speckled Dinnerware Set // Serena Bar Cart // Acacia Print

I’d balance all of those heavy tones and weights out by keeping the tableware and serveware in check with lots of glass, ceramic and porcelain, and lightly colored marble. This large acacia print would anchor everything together and bring a nice dose of nature into the decor.

 

Mara Marble + Copper Trivet // Carter Salt Cellar // Dawn Glass Pitcher // Graydon 8″ Antique Brass Hurricane // Cast Metal Trivet

Candlesticks and hurricane lanterns, along with that beautiful three-armed chandelier, are all I’d need to set whatever mood I’m going for – moody and dramatic or light and bright. I’d say the look of this reimagined room might be called Casual Industrial Modern and I’d happily welcome it into my home!

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Electric Confetti

 

I’ve had my eye on neon wall art for several years now, but the closest I’ve gotten to pulling the proverbial trigger is printing a poster of a photo I shot of one. (Girls! Girls! Girls!) Recently I came across Electric Confetti, a shop that creates custom neon signs as well as sells ready mades. It’s a bold statement for sure, but with the right messaging worth every dang cent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hands of Time Sanding Disc Clocks

 

Each clock in the Hands of Time series has a unique face made from a sanding disc that was previously used by designers from the Design Academy Eindhoven. The discs are worn through use, and over time each one becomes a fingerprint of each designers work that’s then turned into a functional object that can be given a new life. It’s clear that the materials each designer works with greatly impacts the resulting wear and tear, which leaves me wondering what was created with each disc.

 

 

 

 

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16 Illusion-Making Mirrors

Alana Copper Round Mirror by Made

Mirrors are one of the best ways to make any space feel larger and more open, all thanks to illusion of course. Grab one with a great frame or in an interesting shape and it may as well be a piece of art as well. My goal is to have one in every room of my home by year’s end – all that’s left are the dining room and the kitchen!

 

Anni Oversized Wooden Circle Mirror from Urban Outfitters

 

Argie Round Mirrorby SOBU

 

Bronson Mirror from Anthropologie

 

Chambers Mirror by Croft House

 

Curved Cutaway Floor Mirror from West Elm

 

Diamond Brass Wall Mirror from CB2

 

Hub Mirror from Umbra

 

Industrial metal + Wood Floor Mirror from West Elm

 

Large Rattan Wall Mirror from Urban Poppy

 

Nour Mirrors by Saif Faisal

 

Porthole Gold Round Wall Mirror from CB2

 

Recessed Wall Mirror from West Elm

 

Ruban Mirrors by Hay

 

Shield Mirror from Jayson Home

 

Woodlyn Standing Storage Mirror from Urban Outfitters

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10 Days of Design Crush Anniversary Giveaways: Day 3 Sherwin-Williams

 

Ten years ago this month I started Design Crush as a place to gather inspiration for my day job as a graphic designer, and five years ago it became my full-time job. To thank you all, as well as highlight some of my favorite sponsors from over the years, we’ll be hosting ten days of giveaways in celebration of ten years of this little site that could.

 

National Painting Week 2013: Inspiration Realized

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Sherwin-Williams more than any other sponsor, and this giveaway was the perfect reason to look back at all of the magic we’ve created together with their top-notch paint and my imagination!

First up was the front door at my house in Oklahoma City – did you know there’s a correct way to paint a door? I took the entry from builder beige to Energetic Orange in one spring afternoon and was thrilled with the outcome. It made my home stand out in a neighborhood full of blah.

 

National Painting Week 2014: A Little Less Blue, A Little More Light

The next year, as I was preparing to make my move halfway across the country, I was in the process of getting my home ready to put on the market. I partnered with Sherwin-Williams to downgrade the level of blue in the hall bath with a gallon of Mountain Air. The house sold in SIX DAYS, and I just know that relaxing spa-like space had something to do with it.

 

Custom Color Matching with Sherwin-Williams

When I bought my home in Pennsylvania that fall, I reached out to Sherwin-Williams for their expertise once again. After living in a home with rooms painted several colors I knew I wanted this space to be the exact opposite – as in all the same. I had a vision of a gallery-like space in my mind, one that would let my collection of art do the talking and fade away beautifully into the background. I was able to take a chip of paint from the baseboards into a Sherwin-Williams store, where they spent half an hour patiently helping me color match an end result that’s as unique as my 117 year old home.

 

National Painting Week 2015: The Office Reveal

Two springs ago we partnered once again, this time to give my home office a modern update. It had already been painted the aforementioned Sherwin-Williams customized color and I wanted to give it a pop of personality that felt like Design Crush’s brand. I settled on a diagonal accent wall in Cosmetic Pink, which is similar to the pink of this site and love the spike of energy it can give during afternoon slumps.

 

Bringing Poised Taupe Home

Last fall we took Sherwin-Williams‘ Color of the Year – Poised Taupe – off the walls and put it in some unexpected places instead, namely on the legs of an end table and a pattern on a seagrass basket.

In select markets Sherwin-Williams has a team of ColorSnap Consultants who do in-home consultations to help you select the right color palette and products for the projects you’re dreaming of taking on. In addition to five gallons of paint, they’re offering one reader a free ColorSnap consultation if he/she lives in a consultation market. (If not, they’ll provide a gift card for design services.) A value of over $500.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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