Wednesday, December 12, 2007

DOWN TIME

Sorry I haven’t posted all week but I’ve had a dreadful cold and couldn’t think straight. (I did get lots of knitting done, however!)

The good part of spending a week with a box of tissues is that I finally read lots of magazines and newspapers that had been piling up.

I’ve been an editor long enough to know that everything in the style world is cyclical. Whether fashion or home furnishings, a period of spare, sleek, minimalist styling is always followed by a more lavish looks. In my opinion, a major shift is due shortly.

The first wave of the tsunami of intricate designs has already arrived with the renewed interest in toiles and gorgeous swirls.
In the Sunday Style section of the NY Times dated November 18th (I told you I had fallen behind on my reading), Guy Trebay wrote an interesting story on revisiting California interior designer and set designer Tony Duquette.

The gist of the article was that it’s time for Duquette’s over-the-top sense of personalized style to make a comeback. The late designer's web site is full of gorgeous images. With a big new coffee table book about the designer being published next month, I predict you will be hearing a lot more about him soon.

(Above three photos courtesy of www.tonyduquette.com)


PATTERNS, overall, are what I predict will be getting a lot of media coverage in the months to come -- especially interesting, quirky patterns that can be customized.

Although patterned wallpaper is not news, wall patterns you can put up and take down on a whim are noteworthy. One of my favorite sources for fun designs is Blik.
(Above photo courtesy of www.whatisblik.com)

The company describes its products as surface decisions for people who like to change their mind. While many are geared toward kids' rooms and the under 30 crowd, their chandeliers are perfect for the romantic home.

Flavor Paper is another fun source for wall patterns. Their distinctive designs and vibrant colors are sure to add a little spice to your walls.


Yes, those are crawfish (aka crawdads) on that psychedelic wallpaper. Flavor Papers are printed in New Orleans 9th ward. Your purchases help support artists affected by Hurricane Katrina. (Above two photos courtesy of Flavor Paper)

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***


And, speaking of good deeds… today, instead of leading you to a blog, I'd like to tell you about a search engine.

By using GoodSearch you can raise money for your favorite good causes. And, it won’t cost you a dime!

Here’s how it works:
1- Go to GoodSearch and designate a charity.
2- Every time you search the Internet using GoodSearch, your charity or school earns money and the more you search, the more they make.
3- It’s that easy.
4- You can even divide your donations between different organizations.

20 comments:

Barbara said...

Sorry about your cold but glad you were able to catch up with knitting.
Thanks for your comments and there is another chapter up with another hopefully this weekend if I can get my Christmas tree up first.

cjan said...

Hi Barbara,

So sorry about your cold. But it is great to have a "Down Time". Its sad that we need an excuse to be able to have that time. ie. a bad cold. LOL. Knitting. It's soothing to the mind isn't it? What are you making?? I do knit, but haven't in years.
I need a "Down time". Hope you feel better and can enjoy the Season!

Hugs,
Jan

Anonymous said...

What a great, informative and thoughtful entry. Even a miserable cold can't dull your brilliant mind! When I grow up I wanted to be just like you.
Stay warm and safe.
xoxoxoxo
fifi

Free Art Printables said...

It's good to now about the search engine for charity.I'm all over that. Hope you are feeling better!
Jen R

SOINSPIRED said...

Love that chandelier. Thanks for the great tip. Hope you feel better soon.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Barbara,
Glad you are feeling better. I loved reading this blog. It is fun to see how design comes around again...usually with a little twist :-).
Penny

Alison Gibbs said...

Hope you are soon feeling better.
At least you caught up on all of your reading.Come check out my blog for photos of my christmas decorations i have posted for Karla Holiday Home Party.
Alison

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Hope you are feeling better.

I am looking forward to the streamlined and edited looks being on the outs! Although, I have learned the joys of cutting back a bit, I still love my foofs around me!

Nunnie's Attic said...

Thank you so much for dropping by and visiting me. I'm glad that you enjoyed the eggnog!

Hope you're feeling better today and well rested. Colds are terrible anytime of the year, let alone around the holidays.

Come back again!
Love,
Julie
www.nunniesattic.com

Natasha Burns said...

Hi Barbara,
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Love the chandeliers on the walls, so effective!
Oh and thanks for the tip on GoodSearch, I'm going to pass that along! Do you mind if I copy and paste your instructions on how to use it? They made a lot of sense!

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Hope you are feeling better. Your post was so interesting. Love those big wall patterns.

Paul-ene said...

Oh good.....love toile!

Loved your post on the potato panckaes. We make similar with our left over mashed potatoes from thanksgiving. YUM

Hope you feel better!

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

I'll be interested to see how I react to the new trend. I usually resist big changes, but I get on board eventually. I love the sunbleached look of the bathroom, but the really ornate over-the-top decor hasn't ever been my style. Maybe just because it feels heavy to me. But then, modern never was either and I was admiring a very modern chandelier the other day!
Either way, fasinating!
~Angela :-)

Susie Q said...

I am so sorry you have felt under the weather...but staying in can be fun too! I always learn so much from you and love visiting. So informative and fun to read. No head cold can dim those thoughts!

Thank you, as always, for your wonderful blog leads.

Feel better!! Do take care...

Hugs,
Sue

shabbyfufu said...

I hope that you are all over the cold soon Barbara:-). What a great idea with those removable wall decals! Thanks for sharing that...which I shall pass along to my girly girls who are in college apts that they love to decorate. XO~ Janet

kari and kijsa said...

Thanks for stopping by...those papers are INCREDIBLE...Hope you are feeling better soon!

Have a blessed day!

smiles, kari and kijsa

imac said...

Most interesting blog.
Hope you soon feel better, its not nice when you feel rough this time of the year.

Thankyou for visiting my lil ol blog and your very kind comments.

Ruth Welter said...

Hi Barbara, thanks for stopping by to visit me, it is very nice to meet you. Sorry you have been sick, I just got over my bug a couple of weeks ago, seems like everyone I know is getting sick this year. Glad you are feeling better. I've enjoyed my visit to our blog very much, I look forward to coming back.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post! That is encouraging, to me, that more pattern and whimsy might be on the horizon! "More is more" in my book!
;-)


xo,
Kim

Tutti Chic said...

SO sorry you were sick with a cold but...what a nice way to catch up on knitting while getting better! Love this post~thanks for the heads up on the search engine! :) chris