Top 5 Items for Styling (that you already have)

And so yet another week of way way way below normal temps are expected around here for the majority of this week.  And that means lots of time spent indoors. And that means lots of opportunity to really study your decor and maybe start to think you want to change things up a bit.  This happens to you, I'm sure!  And maybe you don't want to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff to get a new look at home.  Not to worry!  Here are my top 5 items that you already own that you can use to freshen up your place.

1. Bottles.  I love to decorate with bottles.  See photo of my kitchen below.

Would you believe there are 4 bottles in just this photo?  Limoncello bottle on bottom shelf, small blue bottle on middle shelf, blue wine bottle on windowsill, and wine bottle behind fruit on countertop. More bottles have been added since this photo too.

Wine bottles also make good vases

and candleholders

2.  Books.  We all have them.  They're great for adding texture and for propping things upon.

In my kitchen I used a small collection of cookbooks to style my kitchen counter (and more bottles if you look to the far left in this photo).

In the photo above, I used books to add some height and texture to my bust planter.

And I used a collection of books to style my skirted table.

3.  Candlesticks.  I like a mismatched set placed in front of a mirror for maximum impact.

Image above from Pinterest

4.  Bowls.  Of something.  It helps if its a cute bowl and you put something cool in it.

Image from Pinterest

Like a bowl of photographs or a big bowl of sea shells.

5.  Mirrors.  I love them and I'm always looking for ways to work in another mirror.  Layering is the answer.  Behold.

3 images above found on Pinterest

And there you have it!  What's your go-to styling item that you like to use?

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services to happy homeowners in Chattanooga, TN.  If you'd like to experience the joy of living in a well designed home, contact Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

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Rose Cumming : Design Inspiration

If you've been following my blog for a while, you already know that I collect vintage design books.  It's so fun to look through these books to see that some of the decor elements that are trendy right now were popular and on the cutting edge of design decades ago.  When I was given the opportunity to review "Rose Cumming: Design Inspiration",  I jumped at the chance!

Rose Cumming, Elsie  de Wolfe, Syrie Maugham, (and later Dorothy Draper) defined the profession of Interior Decorator around the turn of the century.  Rose's design style was the most flamboyant. She took big risks with bold color and pattern both in the rooms she decorated and in her own legendary shop in New York City.

Rose Cumming loved beautiful things.  And she didn't discriminate. She was as happy to sell a beautiful empty candy box as she was to sell a pedigreed crystal chandelier. Could this have been  the beginning of the high/low mix we still love today?

The image above is Rose Cumming's Music Room in her New York apartment.  She loved to combine jewel tones with dirty colors in the same way that nature displays the gemstones that come out of the earth. 

The image above is Rose Cumming's legendary drawing room.  She also used a lot of Chinoiserie elements, saturated color and satin fabrics.  Note the mix of furniture styles and the mirrors.  She loved some sparkle!

A stairwell by Rose Cumming featuring a Chinoiserie wallpaper mural

Drama is created in a hallway with an oversize Pagoda sculpture set against mirrored walls.

The book also includes some  images of Rose's fabulous hand blocked fabrics and design sample boards she did for clients.

Thank you to Jessica Napp at Rizzoli for giving me the opportunity to review Rose Cumming: Design Inspiration.  If you are equally enamored of the great lady decorators of the early 20th century, you'll want to add this book to your collection!

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

To view my portfolio, click here.

Book Displays for All

So we've all seen and lusted over those beautifully styled bookcases that are all over the blogosphere and Pinterest

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 but what about those of us who have book collections but don't have book cases to store and display them?  I'm facing this very situation in my not-ready-to-revealed family room at Project Dollhouse, and I plan to use a big round table as a makeshift library.

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I like this option because the books are easily accessible and make a stylish display.

Rather than a floral piece in the center of the table, I'll use a big lamp. A few chairs will flank the table to make it even more functional.

I like how these books are stacked and styled with the horse bookends.  This option would be pretty easy to create on top of a mantel, console table or chest of drawers.

A gorgeous etagere like this is a great alternative to built-in bookcases.  

Even a little bar cart can function as a portable library.  Brilliant!

How do you display your books?

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Design Deja Vu 3: House & Garden Interior Decoration 1960

Did you have a good Easter holiday?  We had an absolutely beautiful weekend in this part of the country and perfect weather for the Easter celebration at Coolidge Park on the river Easter morning.  


Today I'm very excited to share the following images with you.  I've blogged before about  my growing collection of Vintage decorating books.  Last week I added to my collection with a 1960 edition of House & Garden's Interior Decoration.  I found it at a used bookstore and although the cover is very worn and unpretty, the photographs found within are stunning.  Would you like to see what 1960 looked like?  Please keep in mind that these are photos of photos, so the quality's not the best...

Yes, circa 1960.  Loving this color palette and the little green chair with the white painted frame! Oh, and of course the Billy Baldwin slipper chairs!

White slipcovers and lots of Chinoserie.  So of the moment!

Timeless girls room.  I love the pink and red together.

Wallpaper or mural?  Does it matter? It's fantastic!

If you look closely, you can see that the sofa fabric is an ombre.  The curtains and ottoman are printed Belgian linen.  

Needless to say, I'm completely enamored with this book.  If you like these photos,  then head over to The Green Room Interiors on Facebook.  I've put an album together with more images photos from the 60's.  And I'd be so grateful if you "like" us!

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com

Attention: Family, Friends and Generous Persons

Any of these books would make a lovely gift for me on Christmas morning!

all images above from Amazon, where you really can click to look inside!

Are there any books you would recommend for my wish list?

Need some help pulling your style together?  The Green Room Interiors can make your home a beautiful place to be!  Call Kim Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com