ZEBRAS, ZEBRAS, EVERWHERE…

I am loving all the animal print around and one of my favourites are zebra prints.  However, for me a little goes a long way. 

This zebra poufs would be fabulous in an all white sleek bathroom.

Via Houzz - modern design San Francisco interior designer Amoroso

I didn’t think I would like zebra print wallpaper but I think it is quite cool and I love it with the worn leather chairs.

 

Here’s a lovely zebra rug with a cool modern vibe. 

On a side note, every time I see one of these teak chairs I cringe as my parents gave me theirs when I first got married and about 15 years ago I was sick of it and sold it in a garage sale…ARGHH!!

Another zebra rug together with zebra print pillow.

Amoroso design via Houzz

Just a hit with some pillows.

 

Love this one with the rug and the graphic print pillows in black & white as well.

 

other metros interior designer Riehl Designs, Inc.

A classic traditional room with a touch of zebra.

A beautiful graphic chair made even more graphic by the zebra print upholstery.

 

I know I’ve used this photo before but it so great and the zebra print rug under the table is perfect.

 What about zebra bed linens?  Would you use?

 

via Houzz

Some more zebra wallpaper – it really makes this room stand out.  Would you use?

Another traditionally classic room with a touch of zebra and a little bit of giraffe print on the chair.

 

via Houzz design by Miami kitchen & bath PSCBATH

Now this I hadn’t seen before – not too sure if I could live with this or not…..

via Houzz

The only hit of pattern in the room is the zebra rug.

via Houzz design architect Coburn Architecture and Interiors

Beautiful room with a little hit of the safari!

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via Houzz

I would love this in my home -  a zebra print runner!

via Houzz new York interior designer Tara Seawright

Another way to use it – just a touch on a bench.  See how it goes with so many other patterns.

via Houzz  by new York interior designer Tara Seawright

Another small hit on the counter stools.

via Houzz by new York interior designer Tara Seawright

Another bedroom with a hit of zebra in the table and the throw.

via Houzz by other metros interior designer Judith Balis

I love it against the pink chairs.

And check out this cool zebra wallpaper that Kelly over at Design Ties found.  You can read about it on Kelly’s blog here.

 

And zebra on the wall but I sure hope it’s fake!  Not my cup of tea that’s for sure.

via Houzz design by new York architect SchappacherWhite Ltd.

And last but not least a touch of whimsy in the room.  Oh please don’t be real! 

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.

Lisa

A COUPLE OF TREASURES FOUND…..

My hubby and I purchased an old cottage about six years ago.  It was in very rough shape and needed to be gutted and rebuilt.  But that’s for a bunch more posts.  Anyways, the previous owner left many items that she didn’t want to move and so we became the recipients of many interesting items. 

I insisted we keep some of them much to my hubby’s despair and a few of them have turned out to be precious little treasures.

The first piece was this desk that had belonged to the owner’s grandfather.

I couldn’t bear to get rid of it, I think I was more sentimental about it than she was.  Anyways, an antique dealer has told me that it was a library desk made in the early 1900’s of oak – in the mission style except for the scalloped edges at the front – a decorative touch the carpenter decided upon. 

It has these cute little shelves on each side to place books on from the side. 

It has it’s original finish with marks, scratches and drops of paint but I’ve been told not to refinish it as that will negatively affect it’s value.

So now it has a special little spot in front of the window at the cottage with it’s finish intact. 

Then there was also an old 1920’s chair that I refinished and blogged about here. 

If this wasn’t enough there was also a tiny Gibbard drop leaf side table which was in sad shape.  There were cigarette burns on the top and a piece of the leg was broken.  While I refinished it my Dad (the handy guy) fixed the leg and now it resides in my living room.  Gibbard was too good for the cottage!!!

Isn’t it a cute little table. 

(P.S. Don’t look at the wing chair upholstery that is on the list to be redone.)

Now see if you can see what is in the frame in the above photo – it’s another little treasure from the cottage. Stay tuned for a post about it soon. 

 

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at      613-762-0818.

Lisa

GO SIT ON IT!

I have been so loving these lovely stump stools and end tables that are showing up everywhere.  I have a stump from my cottage in my backyard right now that is patiently waiting for me to actually strip it and level it and varnish it. 

Poor thing! 

Well here’s some to inspire you and maybe you’ll get yours done faster than me.

House & Home May 2010 – Janis Nicolay

Looks so cool and modern doesn’t it…

 

House & Home Sept 08 James Tse – Mimran home

Here’s an outdoor setting with tons of interesting stools – so many different shapes. 

 

House & Home Sept 08 James Tse – Mimran home

Here’s one that makes a fantastic focal point at the end of a hallway.

 

House & Home Sept 08 James Tse Mimran home

Another serene bathroom with lots of natural elements – again the unfinished stump stool.

via Houzz home design

 

Aren’t these puzzle stools so cool – I think they are a new favourite of mine.

 

via Houzz modern entry design by Miami interior designer Pepe Calderin

These are just like the ones in the outdoor setting – they look like they could walk away from you…

 

via Houzz modern kitchen design by philadelphia showroom usona

What a modern and clean kitchen.  The touches of wood make it feel less sleek and cold.

via Style at home

 

Another exterior shot that I’ve had on my inspiration board for years – love the view – the water and trees!  And I love that they left the stumps au naturel which is where I think I am headed. 

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space!

Email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at       613-762-0818.

 

Lisa

RED!!!

"If one says "Red" and there are 50 people listening, it can be expected that there will be 50 reds in their minds.  And one can be sure that all these reds will be very different."  Josef Albers

As I mentioned in a previous post I will be doing several posts on different colours and how they make us feel.  So for my second installment it's RED!!!!

 

I have a love/hate relationship with red, as a redhead I was teased so much as a child that I came to dislike red, but now as an adult I love my red hair and I can certainly appreciate all red has to offer. 

Red is a primary colour and it's complimentary colour is green.  This is fun to try at home  -  stare at a red circle for a few minutes then look away onto a white paper and you'll immediately see a green circle.  Your eyes crave balance so after looking at red they want to see green so they'll make it for themselves. 
Cool, eh!

Red's power comes from it's heat - the warmer the red the more red it is thought to be.  As a colour it advances and it draws attention to itself, so it's great to use for a focal point or where you want the attention to be - think of the lady in the red dress or the red carpet.....

Red can make people feel many emotions but those that are most closely associated with it are passion, danger, boldness, anger, aggression, sexiness and excitment.  People who like red are usually extroverts and associate red with the positive attributes of red. 

 

Those who dislike red associate it with the negative attributes noted above.  Physically, red increases blood pressure, appetite, respiratory rates, adrenaline and also can increase physical strength.  The colour red can also cause us to be courageous, aggressive, sensuous, impulsive, overbearing and impatient.  Sports teams often use red to show they are strong and aggressive.

GO SENS GO!!!

And red is a very common colour that countries use in their flags - take Canada's for example red with the red maple leaf.

 

Okay enough about feelings here's how to use red in your world.  First off red exterior doors are fantastic and draw people to your home.

Blue-based reds are dramatic and go great with dark woods like mahogany which are often in dining rooms and therefore it is often used there.   Soft reds can help to neutralize the cooler colours such as blue and green and with give some warmth to the room.  Brown reds look great in kitchens as there is usually a small amount of wall to cover and it encourages lively conversations and appetites. 

Here's some red inspiration:

This red is what the experts say is the closest match to Diana Vreeland's Red Room - it's Benjamin Moore Red 2000-10.  If this is too much red for you try it in smaller doses here's some accessories that will pop in your room.

Painting out the back of a cabinet or bookcase will make the items on the shelf stand out and become more of a focal point.

This beautiful chair becomes an object to desire in red.  The chair colour is Ralph Lauren Relay Red1B11.

A beautiful crystal red chandelier will certainly make a statement.

This one has an almost chinoiserie feel.

And some beautiful red fabrics.

And my favourite red of all.

Cheers!

I believe that every space can be comfortable, warm, elegant and beautiful. I would love to help you achieve your beautiful space – email me at lisa@lisagouletdesign.com or if in the Ottawa area call me at 613-762-0818.