designflutter, belle patine's journal

The Rustic Charm of Reclaimed Wood

Posted on January 19, 2012 | 2 Comments

There’s nothing like the look and texture of wood that’s been exposed to the elements, season after season. Reclaimed wood salvaged from old buildings or barns is a beautiful, earth-friendly way to bring rustic charm indoors, and it looks great on floors, ceilings, furniture. I especially love the contrast of smooth linens and fluffy pillows against rough planks lining a headboard or bedroom wall. Perhaps it’s nostalgia for a simpler time of connectedness to the earth, when shelter for man and beast was hewn by hand and made to last. Whatever it is, we all seem to be hooked.

Images via: Feather, Stone, Moon & Ivory Bone, Buckets of Burlap, Trendir, Design Sponge (this, this, and this), Pinterest and Wade Giles Tumblr

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Posted in design mix, eclectic interiors, rustic interiors, salvaged

Tagged barns, design mix, eclectic interiors, home decor, interiors, primitives, reclaimed wood, rustic, salvaged, vintage barn, wood

Ready-to-Wear Goes Vintage Modern

Posted on January 16, 2012 | 2 Comments

A simply gorgeous mix and match of design eras and genres, today. Photos from some Spring 2012 and Pre-Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear collections along side belle patine vintage seating. Have a lovely vintage modern week, be it how you style your beautiful self, or how you style your living room!

Alexandre Herchcovitch Pre-Fall 2012 & belle patine Pan Am chair

Alexandre Herchcovitch Pre-Fall 2012 | belle patine mid-century Pan Am airport terminal lounge chairs

Bally Spring 2012 & belle patine Steelcase chair

Bally Spring 2012 | belle patine chrome, cantilevered Steelcase chairs with new upholstery

Ann-Sofie Backatelje Spring 2012 & belle patine MCM Ottoman

Ann-Sofie Backatelje Spring 2012 | belle patine mid-century, wrought iron ottomans with new fabric

Thakoon Addition Pre-Fall 2012 & belle patine mcm chair

Thakoon Addition Pre-Fall 2012 | belle patine mid-century office or side chair

Balenciaga Spring 2012 $ belle patine Craft Assoc. chair

Balenciaga Spring 2012 | belle patine Craft Associates style mid-century, high-back chair

Carolina Herrera pre-Fall 2012 & belle patine mcm Danish chair

Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2012 | belle patine mid-century Danish modern lounge chair

St John pre-Fall 2012 & belle patine mcm sofa

St. John Pre-Fall 2012 | belle patine mid-century Adrian Pearsall style gondola sofa

Mark Fast Spring 2012 & belle patine Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group chair

Mark Fast Spring 2012 | belle patine Eames for Herman Miller Aluminum Group chair

All fashion photos via Style.com, all belle patine merchandise photos by me.

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Posted in mid-century modern, ready-to-wear, vintage modern

Tagged chairs, fashion, mid-century modern, vintage seating

Eames and Herman Miller in the Home Office

Posted on January 12, 2012 | 2 Comments

Mid-century designers Charles and Ray Eames and Herman Miller created some of the most iconic and influential furniture shapes of the last hundred years. Their look is as fresh and relevant as it was in the 1950′s, and their iconic chair designs add a vintage modern kick to a slew of spaces from dining rooms to desks. I especially love the look of modern chairs in the home office, and I am so thrilled to offer a beautiful, authentic Eames Herman Miller desk chair in my shop. Here’s to great seating in our home workspaces.

Images via: Reference for WW2, Herman Miller, Allie’s Dream, Smow, Pinterest

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Posted in design mix, mid-century modern, vintage modern

Tagged desk chair, eames, Herman Miller, home office, mid-century modern, modern, vintage modern, vintage seating, workspaces

Vintage Modern Industrial Loft {Fresh Start Monday}

Posted on January 9, 2012 | Leave a comment

Happy Monday! Today I wanted to share the home of Johanna Burke, a truly inspired artist. Her studio Burke & Pryde designs window vignettes for Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany & Co., among others. The vintage modern mix of her industrial loft (the building used to be a pasta factory) is one of my absolute favorite ways to nest. I love the rustic cement walls, the spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn waterfront, the old casement windows, the great kitchen (for a New York rental, it really is), the contemporary Herman Miller chair with the mid-century Poul Cadovius system in her office, and the mix of slouchy vintage pillows, seating and rugs. Couldn’t resist sharing some photos of her work in progress for Bergdorf’s holiday windows, too. Lovely, no?

Grabbed this from the beautiful Mechant Design, originally posted by Freunde von Freunden.

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Posted in Brooklyn loft, design mix, eclectic interiors, Johanna Burke

Tagged design mix, industrial, interiors, mid-century modern, vintage modern

Kilim Me Softly

Posted on January 6, 2012 | 2 Comments

One of the great things about the vintage modern lifestyle is the ability to repurpose old items for new uses. Antique kilim rugs combine rich colors with unique geometric shapes that are undeniably beautiful as floor coverings. However, kilims past their prime can be used in numerous other ways to inject an exotic, yet cozy flair. One popular transformation is to use them as pillow covers (I have two beautiful ones in my store right now, here and here), but there are lots of other applications, too. Aren’t those shoes just so snazzy?

Images via: belle patine, Kilim.com, Apartment Therapy, Atticmag, The Brick House, Remodelista, Honestly WTF

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Posted in antiques, design mix, eclectic interiors, uncategorized

Tagged antique kilim rugs, antiques, design mix, eclectic interiors, home decor, kilim, pillows, primitives, rugs

What’s Curvy, Sturdy and Goes All Over?

Posted on January 2, 2012 | 2 Comments

Answer: The classic Cherner chair! Eight Cherner side chairs are among the items that I am selling from the vintage modern Florida home that I posted about last week. I had not seen or perched on one before coming upon these. I fell in love instantly with the swan-like, sculptural form.

These molded plywood icons were first designed in 1958 by Norman Cherner, whose legacy continues today with the Cherner Chair Company run by his sons. Cherner’s design works in any space or atmosphere; cottage, rustic, vintage modern, contemporary, industrial, you name it. No wonder this “dream-lined” seating is still so sought-after today. How can you go wrong with gorgeous, versatile, sturdy seating originally designed mid-century!?

via Hollister & Porter Hovey Design, styleNorth, Sheila Zeller Interiors, emmas designblogg, Design Shuffle, deedee914

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Posted in Cherner chairs, seating design, vintage modern

Tagged eclectic interiors, molded plywood chairs, vintage modern

Happy New 2012!

Posted on January 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Today I simply want to share my heartfelt appreciation for your company in 2011, and my wish for you in 2012 … may you conjure the same grace, strength, artistry and true grit that flow through these incredible photographs of uber-ballerinas and New York City.

Make 2012 your best year so far! And please visit design flutter and belle patine often. Cheers!

Found these photos on blogg99. They come from the Ballerina Project, the brainchild of photographer Dane Shitagi.

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Posted in Ballerina Project, Dan Shitagi, photography, Happy New Year

Tagged 2012, ballerinas, new york city

Signs of the Times

Posted on December 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Old signs incorporated into interior decor are a hallmark of vintage modern living. Whether from bus, train or gas stations, or even subways or chemist shops, signage from another time can be both chic and nostalgic, especially when mixed with other pieces you love. Here are some beautiful examples.

Images via: Skona Hem, Spearmint Decor, Glitter Guide, Design Scouting, Pinterest

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Posted in design mix, eclectic interiors, vintage modern

Tagged antiques, design mix, eclectic interiors, signage, vintage, vintage modern

Vintage Modern in Sunny Florida {Freshly Designed}

Posted on December 26, 2011 | 2 Comments

Here’s a small holiday treat for you! I was able to photograph this gorgeous vintage modern home in Florida just as the season began. What an inspirational mix! New Eames and Cherner chairs along side mid-century gems, flowing silk curtains in the most scrumptious apple green, Belgian linen upholstery in the dining room, contemporary art, worn leather in almost every room, and a wrap-around porch for enjoying the balmy Florida weather.

The owner had it designed not too long ago, but now must let it all go due to a job relocation. Most will be listed on bellepatine.com over the next few weeks, so keep an eye out. Sad for him, no doubt, but there will be smiles on the faces of the lucky ones who end up with these treasures. And with this post, we can all share his memories of this beautiful home.

All photos by me.

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Posted in design mix, eclectic interiors, mid-century modern

Tagged eames, interiors, mid-century modern, modern

White Christmas: Dietlind Wolf

Posted on December 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

Visual designer and propstylist Dietlind Wolf has an incredible eye for color, emotion and composition. Her style is restrained, yet luxurious. This particular collection of images is like a visual deep breath, conjuring pleasant daydreams of a serene and peaceful holiday gathering. With all the busy bustle of the season, a clean white palette can bring a welcome sense of calm to the home. Simple beauty makes room for the deeper hopes that we cherish during this season – for kindness, generosity, comfort, and peace on earth – even in our small corner of it.