designflutter, belle patine's journal

Fairy Lights

bellepatine's designflutter — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:35:17 +0000

Indoors or outdoors, summertime or the holidays, electric, battery or solar powered, strings of fairy lights create the most wonderful atmosphere. An ambient glow coming through vines on a pergola just thrills me. The warm feeling of summer evening festivities are enhanced by their subtle, tiny sparks of light. Imagine an outdoor dinner party with family and friends on a rustic patio surrounded by an olive grove and the setting sun, candles on the table, and sparkling pinpoints of light above (yet below the stars!). It’s a new week to fill with wonderful thoughts of the atmosphere you want to create in your home! Happy Monday!

P.S. Exciting changes are coming to designflutter and belle patine! Stay tuned and watch for updates. Here is the first peek: MIX Vintage is my new name, and instead of 2 sites to find me, all will be here … more to come!

Images via Bright.Bazaar, wit + delight, La Buena Vida, Pia Ulin Photographer.

Thursday Mix!

bellepatine's designflutter — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:24:59 +0000

Here’s an idea for you: let your weekends start a little earlier. Instead of waiting until Friday to feel that excitement of all things possible on your days off, try to tap into that energy starting on Thursday. I want to help you with that! Check out these streamlined yet full-of-personality interiors for your Thursday Mix. Consider how you can pare down to the most beautiful essentials so that you have both physical and mental space to continue growing your collection of vintage modern. It’s a healthy habit and a beauty-rich lifestyle! Happy weekend to you!

Images via Bianco Nero, boho bisous, Charming Treasures, Planete Deco [4,5], transito incial and Desire to Inspire.

Great Bones, Fabulous Mix {Fresh Start Monday}

bellepatine's designflutter — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:49:17 +0000

Today I wanted to share another beautiful pied-a-terre in Madrid! This attic apartment has an absolutely inspired mix of rustic, industrial, vintage and mid-century style. Add those timber beams, the skylight over the tub and the rooftop deck and this becomes my dream home (#432, that is). That bottle fixture over the clean-lined dining table, the mid-century dining chair (notice the fabric!) next to the rustic chippy-painted cabinet and under the vintage Italian tole chandelier, and that french sink vanity next to the industrial shelves are just a few of the things that make me want to go out and treasure hunt! Wishing you a high energy, get-to-it week!

Images via Micasa, inspired by Planete Deco.

The Versatility of Vintage Factory Tables

bellepatine's designflutter — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:08:53 +0000

No matter how you intend to use it, a vintage factory table fits in almost every home. As desk, dining table, studio work space, kitchen island, entryway console or counter, the heft and beauty of an old industrial table works. And the contrast of chic and rustic is wonderful; you can work these tables with lucite lamps and art for a gorgeous mix of textures and style, or metal factory stools and antlers to up the industrial ante. Hope you find some great vintage design versatility in your world this weekend! Happy Thursday!

Images via 47 Park Avenue, Shoot Factory, Quince with Sugar, Mi Casa Es Su Casa, Charming Treasures, and Brown Dress with White Dots.

Spring Space

bellepatine's designflutter — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:00:45 +0000

This lovely home was designed by Dehn Bloom Design in San Francisco. It just sings “Happy Spring!” to me. The soft palette, natural elements, large-scaled art pieces and simple industrial details are done so well. The touches of mid-century and rustic are perfectly paired. It’s just a wonderful light and airy space that invites a glass of wine and a book, entertaining, enjoying life. Wishing a space like this for you, right now or in your future dream home!

Images via Dehn Bloom Design, post inspired by Vintage Luxe.

Streamlined Glamour

bellepatine's designflutter — Sat, 05 May 2012 12:30:29 +0000

Sometimes I think that my style is drifting way over to the rustic, industrial, primitive side of design. But then I see a space that can be defined as simple glamour and I start craving that mix of sophisticated, patina’d, light reflecting and clean-lined. I love these rooms as much as the gray metal and white industrial spaces from last week. The common thread is the livability, understated elegance, and low-key style that buzzes through them all and thrills my heart.

Images via Vintage Luxe, Etxekodeco and Sanctuary .

Simple Industrial Style

bellepatine's designflutter — Thu, 03 May 2012 12:00:10 +0000

Cool gray metal and white against warm wood plus nature is a gorgeous equation, especially in a loft or under high ceilings. Here is a peak at some very welcoming rooms with an industrial feel. I just sold a set of vintage folding chairs at belle patine and this is exactly how I envisioned them being used. I’d be curious to know if you have as much fun as I do just thinking about beautiful spaces and the pieces that make them livable, functional and perfectly you.

Images via Interiors Originals [1,4], Urban Walker, Yellowtrace, Desire to Inspire and Brown Dress With White Dots.

Very French Gangsters

bellepatine's designflutter — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:00:04 +0000

Never in a million years would I have thought I’d blog about children’s prescription eyewear (or cupcakes for that matter!). But you’ve got to see this line of French (mais oui!) eyeglasses and sunglasses for kids 3 to 10 years old. The design and merchandising by Very French Gangsters founders Karoline Bothorel-Bolzinger and Masanet Anne is brilliant. No more nerdy kids in glasses; these are just too cool. Wish I could have a pair!

Images via Very French Gangsters, post inspired by KNSTRCT.

Lenore Tawney {Freshly Designed}

bellepatine's designflutter — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:04:55 +0000

I recently came upon the work of textile sculptor and fiber artist Lenore Tawney and photos of her home/studio. I was awed by her “inner devotion to living and working wholly” and how that quest resonates in her work. Her 4000 sq.ft. loft in Manhattan went up for sale at the end of last year. It was decided it would be best to leave it as it was, a preserved and semi-raw space filled with her large- and small-scaled works, until it was passed on to the new owner. Her quest for freedom drove her work. Hoping you find that in your endeavors this week.

Her studio in 2011, staged as a gallery of Lenore's work for its sale.

Her studio as it was in 1994, 13 years before her passing at 100 years old.

Images via American Craft Council [1,4,5,6,8,9], Core[2,3], Be Dream Play[7] and New York Times; post inspired by Charming Treasures.

Thursday Mix

bellepatine's designflutter — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:12:01 +0000

Some very cool, eclectic seating areas today. I’m so inspired by all the elements of each one. Concrete walls with ancient paintings, kilims for valences, lucite tables and stripes, vintage modern stye everywhere, and that large leather pouf! Plus the fabulous seating, of course. Enjoy!

Images via Bohemian Wornest, A Well Traveled Woman, Solid Frog, Despire to Inspire, The Brick House and Casa Sugar.