Saturday, October 29, 2011

Seven Shiny Items on Saturday

.One amazing sconce light is all this stairway needed for minimal drama.

Although I have never been the type of gal that wants to "get her bling on" I do love a little sparkle when it comes to adding a glistening touch to a display or home decor. Now that the holidays are catching up with us, its only natural to start seeing all the silver, mercury, glitter and glass throughout the stores. As my friend Karla Nathan says, "Everything is better with glitter!"

As I was adding more items to curioussofa.com, I noticed my silver items come and go quickly. Whether you actually use these for serving or hang them on the wall or pile in the cupboard, like you I do not think I'll ever grow tired of these tarnished items that give me just the glow I need. Below are my Seven on Saturday items celebrating my love of all things grey and glimmer. Enjoy.

When putting up another Christmas tree seems like another daunting task, hang a few mercury ornaments to your favorite chandelier for just a touch of the Holidays.


Throwing red out the front door, this Holiday table using grey kicks holiday sophistication up a notch.


Another quick and effective vignette is done by loading the
ornaments in a glass hurricane jar.

A simple twig tree and giant star add holiday to this modern decor.

Sometimes a fallen branch is all you need.


What could be an easier and more dramatic centerpiece?


This basement TV room sacrificed nothing in style by using a silver palette.


Saturday, October 22, 2011

Seven Ideas on Saturday

Restoration Hardware has nothing on me this week (well at least not regarding these shades). Just in at curioussofa.com is this amazing, giant burlap pendant light below, which would be perfect over your farm table or kitchen island. The cord is long enough you can plug into a floor outlet or hard wire into the ceiling.


The interior above is the perfect mix of masculine bohemian and industrial. I'd like to sit our new handwriting lamp on that pile of books.


From the Curious Sofa archives comes this favorite image above that was once displayed in my office. From the master Carol Bolton, I first saw her use a gooseneck lamp as a sconce 15 years ago. My rare find below can be hung on the wall, clamped to a bed or sat on a table.


The Moroccan pouf is making a comeback and when I found the one below my hear stopped. Toss it off-center near your coffee table as shown above for added interest.


Finding the perfect little chandelier for the bath or hallway can be tough. This one below measures in at a small 11.5" high.


As I have been offering products on the website, I have been surprised at how many items appeal to me to add to our Baroque category (just another name for shabby chic.) I thought I was over that look but "it pulls me back in!" every time. Example: this lovely Victorian oil painting below has all the right dusty colors to use in a bedroom setting like the one above.


And my fascination with globes continues. Just when I thought I had seen every shape and size I scored this giant version below. I don't recommend cutting this one in half like the one above, but still a great idea for another one in not so good shape.

See what else just came in here.
And Halloween is ON SALE! 50-75% off.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Mood Swings


Bits and baubles, scraps and samples, tear sheets and postcards; there is nothing I love more than my drawers and old suitcases full of all the little paper mementos I have collected over the years. For one reason or another I have to save this, remember that, or refer to a little token that I just could not throw away. As the years add up, every once in awhile I go through all this ephemera and it inevitably takes me back to a trip I took, an artist I discovered or an idea I wanted to use. Now it seems there is a name for all these lovelies; its called a Mood Board.


I never gave all this mayhem a name before, it was just my box of scraps, but from Project Runway to Pinterest, creating a mood board is becoming a prerequisite for living a creative life. Whether you keep your stash in a special trunk or have it hanging on a bulletin board, compiling all these bits into an artistic melange is a wonderful way to keep the juices flowing. Take a look around at all the varieties and themes you can create and a few ways to display them too.

The mood board above is obviously a daily reminder of all
the things this person loves.


A mood board (or folder) of colors, fabrics, furniture and ideas is crucial when redoing your home or any room.

I love how adding the giant antlers at the top of this mood board helps break up all the rectangular shapes and gives the display more importance as an art piece.

Look closely at how four sections above this desk are 12" deep giving this mood board more dimension.

Your mood board doesn't have to be a mumble jumble of scraps. Keep all pictures the same size and hang evenly for more order.

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Saturday, October 15, 2011

Seven on Saturday 10/15

Miniature Liquor Bottle Collection

Try some fast and furious window shopping today at curioussofa.com. Many new items have been added this week and some replenished in other categories. Great new items coming soon as Pearl and I head South for a junkin' road trip. Stay tune!

Small Metal School Globe with a Zodiac base

I've added a lot of Random Silver Pieces for all of you crafters


Loving this Yellow Kitchen Scale for the island.

A great pair of English Botanical Prints

Wonderful display piece: Ivory Princess Statue

Back in stock! Large Wooden Angel Wings

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Friday, October 07, 2011

Modest Curiosity

.I am loving the collection of amateur scenic paintings on this
wall above along with the traditional floral centerpiece,
primitive table and modern chairs.


Many of you wouldn't think of Curious Sofa as having a modern aesthetic and rightfully so. But as the years tick away and style trends come and go it is hard to not notice the mid-century mania that is going on. I for one just like good design period, no matter what year it was launched. And although a house full of modern style is hard for me to warm up to, I certainly like a touch of it now and then especially when it is a well-loved vintage item. I added a Modish category to the online store for this very reason. Adding just one touch of modern to your home can be all you need to acknowledge this fresh trend.

Black and white decor with sharp angles but yet a vintage crystal
chandelier hangs center stage to soften it just a bit.

FOR SALE: Add this Square Button Trim to a pillow
for modern drama.

Miscellaneous framed images hung simply over a small workspace.
Notice the antique rug taking it from serious to welcoming.

FOR SALE: Frame this Original Sketch to mix with other random art.

Notice the large hem of fabric at the bottom of the curtains and
how it ties in with the proportion of the pictures on the wall.

FOR SALE: This Jute Rope Pendant Light is a great
example of Farmhouse Modern.


I wish this was all the desk space I needed!

FOR SALE: Use a smaller Side Table next to a larger desk to
add dimensional interest and hold a small lamp or papers.

The giant sculpture on this table is great for everyday design.
Keep it or move it to a pedestal when having a dinner party.

FOR SALE: This Bamboo Mirror would look perfect in the room above.

Jean Shrimpton only needed these earrings below:

FOR SALE: Metal Hoop Dangle Earrings

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