TheDesignFile

Etsy pick: Potter creates precious, pretty pieces

What struck me most when I found the Red Hot Pottery shop on Etsy -- an online marketplace for all things handmade and vintage -- was how much I wished I could pick up and examine the pretty pieces created by artist Christine Tenenholtz.

The vases in particular just seem so delicate, with their tiny flowers, birds and butterflies.

Just look at the detail in the $52 Flora-palooza Vase in robins egg blue at left. Gorgeous!

But these are not made to just sit to the side and look pretty. The vases, mugs, bowls and plates are hardy enough to be used, even as you admire their beauty.

Christine is a studio potter, painter and bead artist living in Sedona, Arizona.

"I enjoy exploring my creativity in a myriad of ways and connecting with nature and spirit as my muses," Christine says on her Etsy site. "Since I was a child, I have been creating and crafting. I am never bored."

She currently has 53 items for sale in her shop and they are all fantastic. I've chosen six (plus that Florapalooza vase above left) to feature here.

From left to right, top to bottom: Butterfly Base in robins egg blue for $60; Lovebirdies Vase in midori green for 44; Wee Little Squares plates in mango lassi for $32; Nesting Heart Bowl set in mango lassi, $48; set of 4 Ice Cream Bowls for $80; Large Curvy Floral Vase in white for $72.

New Flor options offer great variety for your floors

I love Flor. I don't actually have any of the company's carpet squares in my own home, but I get the catalog and am always thinking of what I'll get the next time I'm in the market for a rug.

I'm especially piqued by some of Flor's newest options, including the new Martha Stewart Lattice design. Above left is the reed & branch combination and at right is bisque & cinnabar.

Flor describes it as a "design of intricately connected lines for a beautifully refined effect."I describe it as gorgeous and a great combination of modern and traditional.

But the Lattice design is not Flor's only interesting new product. What do you think of this Yeah Baby Paisley?

It's shown at right in the blue-based "cool" and the red-based "hot." Somehow it seems like a really youthful take on an old-fashioned look.

A set of six of these tiles is sold as a kit for $160.

Below is the new Persuade Me tiles in cut-pile champagne which have a beveled edge. I like the way they create a subtle but beautiful geometric feel.

The tiles are $16.99 and are shown below right in espresso.

 

Finally, I just had to show you this Faux Bois pattern, even though it's not new. These tiles, shown below left in bisque & raincloud and below right in moon & bisque, are very cool. It's an interesting alternative to an animal print but creates the same feel. The tiles cost $20.99 each.

What do you think? Can you picture any of these in your home?

Design Translation: An ottoman to match our chair

We're closing in on the final choices for our virtual, budget remake of an HGTV Dream Home bedroom and today we're picking the ottoman.

It's going to be especially important in this decision to not only consider the ottoman in the inspiration room but also the chair you picked a couple weeks ago. You can see it at left.

You can see your options below and then read more about them -- including their prices -- further down in the post. Then you can vote by clicking on your favorite in the poll below.

As you think about the ottomans, keep in mind that we now have $970 left from our original $2,750 budget. In addition the ottoman, we'll be picking lamps and wall art.

Already, we've picked the bed, bedding, dresser, rug and chair -- and of course the corner cabinet. Below, you can see how the room is shaping up compared to the HGTV Dream Home bedroom.

You can click on the collage at right to get a better look, both at the picks readers already have made as well as the inspiration room, shown below right.

Remember that we're not trying to replicate the inspiration room.

Instead, our goal is to create the same feel but on a budget. So choose wisely!

Our ottomans range in price from $49 to $300.

Here are your options:

Mirrored furnishings: Are they in or out?

Come back on Sunday for a link up!

I read recently that mirrored furnishings are out, that they're part of a movement away from hotel-style decor that has formalized homes. But I'm not so sure.

I still see mirrored tables, lamps and other furnishings everywhere. I think it's one of those ways to bring just a little bit of luxury into a home -- without spending a mint!

I love the dining room at right designed by Erinn Valencich and featured on HGTV. I particularly like that modern, mirrored console. It really sets off the otherwise black and white decor.

There are lots of ways you can add a mirrored look to your place without hiring a designer.

Check out the Pottery Barn table above, which costs $399.

It's so pretty and manages to be modern and a little traditional all at once. It would blend with so many styles.

In the bedroom at right by Mint Decor, designer Claire Campbell paired this mirrored lamp with an interested printed side table.

I love the combination with what looks like a slightly country-style headboard and bedding. Very cool.

In contrast, the mirrored table in the Better Homes and Gardens room below is used to enhance a much more formal decor while lending a modern touch.

I bet the same table would have a completely different feel in a different style room.

The living room below, from MyHomeIdeas.com and photographed by Tria Giovan, includes a fabulous mirrored screen. I really like the way the pillows include a metallic applique as well.

So what do you think? Is mirrored in or out?

And if you think it's in, why not try a piece of mirrored furniture for your home? Check out some of the options below:

Top row, from left: Hayworth Lingerie Chest, Pier1, $400; Uptown Mirrored Accent Table, Overstock, $80; Hand-painted Mirrored Drawer Accent Chest, Overstock, $760

Bottom row: Villaine Mirrored Screen (don't you think this is the same one that was used above?), Ballard Designs; Total Elegance Mirrored Chair, Amazon, $303

Readers pick beadboard cabinet for room remake

In a relatively tight vote, readers have chosen the French Country Corner Linen Cabinet from Home Decorators Collection (shown at right) for our virtual remake of an inspiration bedroom.

The cabinet costs just $229, making it a great price for our room. It's also a great look. The beadboard gives us that great country charm but the drawers offer some practical storage.

The cabinet took 38 percent of the vote. You can see the full results here.

So, we've now got $970 left from our original $2,750 budget and only have the ottoman, lamps and wall art left to buy. I think that's pretty good.

Already, we've picked the bed, bedding, dresser, rug and chair -- and of course the corner cabinet. Below, you can see how the room is shaping up compared to the HGTV Dream Home bedroom.

Tune in on Tuesday when we star picking the ottoman...

Sunday roundup: Rustic interiors, maps & more

If you've never visited the great design site Houzz, you're really missing some fantastic photos and ideas.

I was particularly excited this week to see that one of my favorite designers, Jennifer Jones of Niche Interiors, wrote a great piece about adding rustic items to your otherwise modern decor. 

You can see the slide show here but make sure you also visit the post for more of Jennifer's great advice. (If it didn't pop up, try reloading. It's a little temperamental.)

Rustic Chic Interiors: How to get the Look!

Houzz- Kitchen Design, Bathroom Design and More»

Find Home Improvement Professionals- For Example:

San Francisco Architect · Seattle Interior Designer · San Francisco Contractor · New York Landscaping ·

Other great posts to check this week:

• I just discovered The Zhush blog and love its post "Can't get enough: Geography" featuring rooms with maps. Some are actual framed maps; in others the maps are used as wallpaper or actual wallpaper. Interesting!
• Deb at the Cappuccino Cottage has a nice cottage-style bathroom makeover. She has some great before and after photos, along with her Country Living inspiration images. What I love is how doable this is. Enjoy!
• The always fabulous Odie et Amo blog has a new series "Shop Like a Design Blogger." Author Averill goes first, revealing that she loves the Etsy store Plum Cushion, the online One King's Lane and Ethan Allen, among other great places to shop. Check the site for more in the series.

Congrats to our Kichler Lighting winner

Congrats to Josie who won our Kichler Lighting giveaway. We had 67 entries and Josie had three of them -- one for commenting on the post, one for following @KichlerLight on Twitter, and one for tweeting specifically about the contest. It was the move to follow Kichler on Twitter that won her the fixture!

Josie picked the inverted pendant fixture, shown at right, as the one she'll receive as her prize. It's part of the Montara collection and worth $417!

A big thanks to the folks at Kichler Lighting for contributing the fixture for our giveaway. You should check out the company's many offerings at its website here.

Thanks so much to everyone who participated. We really appreciate it. Check back for future giveaways and lots more posts about great design and decor.

My dream home? I think it might be...

I may just have found my dream home! I know, I know, I have said similar things before. But when I saw this home tour at IndyStar.com, I fell in love.

This home owned by Russ & Sara Richey is in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Wynndale. The couple renovated the 1964 home. I love the finishes, the artwork and modern style. It even has an Eames lounger. Gorgeous!

See what you think:

HomeFinder: @home with Russ and Sara Richey - More The Indianapolis Star Galleries

View this gallery at The Indianapolis Star: HomeFinder: @home with Russ and Sara Richey

Orange: Is it the new neutral in home decor?

MyHomeIdeas.com has declared orange the "new neutral" and I'm not sure I can disagree.

"This color of spice, fruit, and Gaugin’s island oasis is an antidote to all the cool blues and grays of the past few years," says the site, the online spot for photos from Coastal Living, Sunset and other great design mags.

"Like a cold glass of juice, the color of a Buddhist monk’s robes suddenly seems just right."

In this Coastal Living photo by Jean Alisopp (from MyHomeIdeas.com), there's nothing loud about the orange, even though it's on the floor, in the wallpaper and on the beds. 

There's nothing new about orange. It's been creeping into our homes for several years now.

But that's how it has arguably become a neutral. It's no longer the standout that commands all attention.

In another MyHomeIdeas.com room at right (photo by Roger Davies), the orange seems brighter, punchier.

But the hue still doesn't feel overwhelming or bold. It's just right.

Even the orange, wood-grain pattern on the sofa doesn't seem like too much.

“We fell in love with the chairs, and everything played off them,” the homeowner says on the web site.

In the BHG room below, the orange on the sofa is a little subtle and muted, almost a curry color. And the paint is so harmonious with the woodwork that it doesn't scream either.

Yet, it's still bright and colorful enough to make this room feel happy. (And don't you just love those bird prints on the wall?)

Don't worry -- orange can still be that amazing shot of color you fell in love with. It doesn't have to be a neutral!

Below are two Coastal Living shots by Jeff McNamara that remind us hold bold and beautiful orange can be.

So what do you think? Is orange a new neutral?

Giveaway: Hurry to enter to win Kichler lighting

Deadline - noon Friday!

You've got until noon Friday (March 26) to sign up for The Design File's most valuable giveaway ever -- your choice of a Kichler LIghting fixture worth $210 to $417.

The winner gets to pick one of seven options, including the cool convertible pendent at right. It's worth $195!

See them all and sign up to win by going here.