Pattern passion: Oversized Houndstooth

PK at Room Remix is having a Pattern Inspiration Party — and it just so happens that there’s a particular pattern passion that I have at the moment :-)

This is the room that got me started on my current pattern obsession…

Nina Petronzio, Plush Home

 

I love everything about this living room. The colours, the lucite coffee tables, the fireplace mantel and screen… all gorgeous!! But what I love the absolute most are the chairs — the combination of solid and patterned fabric is fantabulous, and the oversized houndstooth is super-fantabulous!! I can’t tell you exactly why I love it, but I do!! I love it A  LOT. It’s big, it’s bold, it’s graphic — a great modern take on a classic pattern.

 

Nina Petronzio, Plush Home

 

Houndstooth checks originated in the Scottish Lowlands. Traditionally, houndstooth was black and white.

   Image source: Momoy

Image source: Cococozy

1stdibs

Image source: House to Home

Gotta love the groovy lamp in this room!! :-)

Image source: HGTV

Image source: Nicole Jane Home

Now houndstooth comes in an amazing array of colours. Love the dog bone-shaped cushion on this chair. So appropriate!!

Kravet

Image source: Material Girls

Image source: Decorpad 

Serena & Lily

Image source: Material Girls

Image source: Porchlight Interiors

More groovy lamps, and love the side tables and the sunburst mirrors. And of course, the turquoise houndstooth cushions :-)

Tobi Fairley

Pretty Pink Tulips

Fran Keenan, image via Heidi Claire

Not only has houndstooth broken out from the traditional black and white, it also comes in a variety of materials.

Claire Barclay, “Houndstooth (Red)”: Dundee Contemporary Arts

 

Todd Oldham

These cool tables designed by Kirsty Whyte fit together to create a fun and unique houndstooth pattern.

Hound Tables via Modeco Design

Pied de Poule Rossa — a houndstooth tile floor!!

  Bisazza Mosaico

This prototype houndstooth screen would be a fun and whimsical addition to a modern loft space.

  Courtney Skott

And finally, a lovely brown & white houndstooth rug used in two completely different spaces. First with lots of other pattern…

     High Point 2009 via Barclay Butera

And then as the only pattern in this masculine room.

BIDS

I just came across this beautiful living room designed by April Hamilton that I HAVE to add. Love the houndstooth AND the armillary sphere :-)

Ready to add some houndstooth to your home?? Robert Allen Square Pegs fabric comes in a number of colourways, including my favourite, Kiwi.

Online FabricStore

Be sure to head over to Room Remix to see what other patterns are being featured in PK’s Pattern Inspiration Party.

Copyright DesignTies 2010 at design-ties.blogspot.com

Lovingetc

My favourite shelter magazine is Livingetc from the UK. I’ve been buying it every month for about five years. Each issue is filled with cool decor items and beautiful homes from the UK and around the world.

I thought I’d start a regular blog feature called Lovingetc, showcasing some of my favourite items from each issue of Livingetc. Here’s the first instalment (I’m a bit behind on my magazine reading, to these are from the September 2010 issue). Let me know what you think!!

1. Like the Louis Ghost chair?? Then say Hello to Henry…

A modern take on the traditional wingback chair, The Henry is made from polycarbonate and is available in clear, smoke, black, or white. He’d look pretty handsome at the dining room table :-) (Available at EDC London.)

2. Think driving with the top down on a warm & sunny day is the ultimate driving experience? Well, then how about eating with the top down for the ultimate dining experience! Richard Elliot lives in a concrete & glass house in London’s Highgate Cemetery (hey, at least you know the neighbours will be quiet!!) The highlight of his cool home is a retractable kitchen roof.

Seriously, how awesome is that?! When the weather isn’t being cooperative, Richard can still eat under the stars because the roof is glass.

3. Ghost chairs, retractable roofs… so how about some Open Air cutlery? Designed by Maarten Baptist and available at Dutch By Design.

4. I’m sensing a theme here… The Air Lamp is made from one strip of super-thin wood veneer that’s bent and twisted to create a curvy lamp. Designed by Ray Power for Spanish manufactures LZF Lamps and available in finishes like white wood, cherry and beech veneer.

5. I love both this curved wall and the cool Le Pop wallpaper. It’s kind of retro and modern at the same time.

So what do you think — are you Lovingetc too?? :-) If you are, you can subscribe to the digital version of Livingetc at Zinio. 12 issues are $32.41 CDN. If you prefer the paper version, you’ll probably find Livigetc at your local Chapters. And you can check out the latest and greatest from each issue right here!!

A beautiful long weekend & Happy Thanksgiving!

It’s been a beautiful long weekend so far here in Ottawa. I snapped these pretty fall colours just outside of Merickville yesterday afternoon…

And then I snapped this picture driving along the 416. I just pointed the camera out the window and hoped for the best. The sky changed a lot in a couple of hours!!

Hope you’re having a great weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian readers :-)

Cute Critters, Part 2: From the sea

Today’s post was inspired by Maya at Completely Coastal. She left a comment on Wednesday’s post saying that her cute critters would have to come from the sea. So, here they are!! Starting with a a couple of cute sea critter dishes for your cute furry critters :-)

ThisNext

After you’ve fed the dogs, why not feed yourself some ice cream with this cute Animal House Whale Ice Cream Spade.

amazon.com

I’ll take two scoops of Wowie Cowie from Cows, please :-)

Flickr

Prefer cookies?? Here you go, courtesy of Cookie Crumbs… :-)

Before we leave the kitchen, here’s a pretty silver napkin holder. It has a scallop on one side and a starfish on the other.

Home By The Seashore

Here’s a colourful set of nine sea-inspired prints. Each canvas in the set is 12” x 12”.

Beach Decor Shop

Laura Trevey is a blogger and an artist who creates charming watercolour paintings. This pretty blue crab and bright red lobster are available in her Etsy shop:

Now that your walls are feeling some sea critter love, here are some ses critters to dress up your floor. These cute rugs are available at Beach Decor Shop.

And still with Beach Decor Shop for this wood turtle box. How cute is this little guy?? :-)

These pretty seahorse cushions come in a great selection of colours — can’t go wrong with purple, turquoise, and grey!!

Natural Home Magazine

I don’t think I’d be able to use these seahorse and starfish soaps. They’re just too cute!!

ThisNext

I love this pretty pearl & starfish ring. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but pearls aren’t too shabby!!

Overstock Jeweler

And finally, whale wallpaper!! Yes, really!! Yesterday I showed you some dog and zebra wallpapers, so why not whales?? :-) The paper is from Pottok Prints. At $140/roll, it’s not cheap. But I bet you’d be the only one in your neighbourhood with whales on your walls!! The paper comes in these three colourways:

It definitely makes a statement!!

So which do you prefer — cute furry critters or cute critters from the sea?? Or are you an equal-opportunity critter lover?? :-)