Chintz Is Back and Better Than Ever

Cane furniture, known for its durability and lightness, has a long history, first appearing in Europe around the 1660s. The practice of rattan and wicker weaving dates back even further, initially used for baskets before evolving into furniture. During the 19th century, with India and parts of Asia becoming British and Dutch colonies, cane furniture became a hallmark of colonial homes. Today, the inherent virtues of cane furniture remain relevant, and its aesthetic is experiencing a resurgence, particularly in the context of relaxed, coastal interior designs. Vivian Panagos, founder of the interior styling blog Ish and Chi, attributes cane's return to both nostalgia and its remarkable versatility. Cane effortlessly blends with classic-colonial styles but also complements contemporary and coastal environments. Panagos emphasizes that the coastal look, with its relaxed and casual vibe, effectively blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living spaces, making cane a natural fit. She personally enjoys integrating her classic Thonet cane No.811 Hoffmann dining chairs with a modern dining table, showcasing its adaptability. Painting cane furniture white is presented as a method to achieve a completely different aesthetic. Interior stylist Simone Haag echoes this sentiment, linking the renewed interest in cane to a broader movement towards natural materials in design. Haag prioritizes natural materials, including woven paper cord and other textures, in her design choices. Her recently renovated Phillip Island beach home, 'Anglers Shack', serves as a testament to this preference, featuring natural weaves and cane throughout. From a rattan bassinet in her daughter's room to Carl Hansen vintage dining chairs with paper cord seats, these materials repeatedly appear, evoking both natural and nautical themes. The inspiration for her beach house's style began with a 50s-style bamboo mirror discovered on Etsy, setting a Palm Springs-inspired direction. Haag's outdoor chair by Ligne Roset, which incorporates rope and a swing-back design, exemplifies how the concept of cane weave can be reinterpreted in contemporary pieces with strong design elements. For those looking to update cane furniture, Panagos suggests using bright, tropical upholstery, pairing it with velvet fabrics, or simply painting it. Recommended color palettes include tropical prints and seaside shades of blue, green, and terracotta, which complement cane effectively. She advises enhancing the coastal feel with tall potted palms or ferns, or elevating the glamour by combining cane armchairs with a velvet sofa and marble coffee table for an eclectic look. The key, according to Panagos, is that cane doesn't require overthinking; it can be integrated seamlessly into existing interiors. Haag suggests that cane pairs well with tan leathers, cream linens, and terrazzo. She tends to be more conservative with color, preferring cane in its natural state. For individuals hesitant to commit to larger cane pieces, such as armchairs or lounge suites, incorporating smaller, impactful items like a bamboo mirror or a verandah swing chair can introduce a retro vibe into a contemporary setting without overpowering it. A cane hanging chair outdoors is becoming a symbol of Australian outdoor living, and it can also look stunning in a bedroom or living space with sufficient ceiling height. #CaneFurniture #HomeDecorating #CoastalInteriors #NaturalMaterials #InteriorDesign #Rattan #Wicker #FurnitureTrends

This blog post details the transformation of a new, five-bedroom, 5,200-square-foot Toll Brothers colonial home in the North Star Chase subdivision, showcasing how a plain vanilla property was elevated to a sumptuous space through strategic design choices. The owner, Linda Mulvihill, a mother of three, took on the formidable task of personalizing the new construction. Her first significant decision was to halt the builders from installing standard wooden spindles on her two-story staircase, insisting on wrought iron instead. This preference for wrought iron not only redefined the interior staircase but was also extended to the exterior, distinguishing the home from others in the neighborhood. Wrought-iron gates now encircle a garden of roses and wildflowers, leading a curved path to the columned portico entrance. The integration of this element from the garden into the foyer’s staircase creates a cohesive visual flow upon entering the home. Mulvihill's design aspiration was to blend Asian and Italian influences to achieve a casually elegant atmosphere. To realize this vision, she enlisted Joyce Keeney, senior designer and founder of Interior Concepts in Hockessin. Together, they meticulously integrated these diverse cultural aesthetics through thoughtful selections of color and texture. Mulvihill's fondness for red was incorporated by Keeney, who harmonized strong hues with more subdued colors found in carpets, throw pillows, and drapes. The majority of the furniture was sourced from EJ Victor Upholstery in North Carolina, while lighting fixtures predominantly came from Fine Art Lamps in Florida, ensuring a consistent design language throughout the home. Mulvihill noted her tendency to create formal spaces, and Keeney's expertise helped her strike a balance between formality and comfort. The living room immediately captures attention with a jeweled chandelier suspended above a black Yamaha grand player piano, establishing a formal yet inviting space suitable for both entertaining and casual family moments. An all-wool, custom-colored Oriental carpet anchors the room, reflecting the hues of Oriental tables, hutches, and an olive silk sofa. Rich embroidered silk draperies from Kravet Couture, in green, gracefully puddle on the floor, while family photos and paintings are encased in antique gold frames. A notable piece is a 24-karat gold leaf coffee table, representing chinoiserie—an 18th-century Western European and English decorative fashion that incorporates Chinese ornamentation and structural elements. Keeney highlighted the versatility of chinoiserie, explaining its compatibility with various furniture styles, making it ideal for Mulvihill's desired blend of Italian and Asian influences. The formal dining room features a mahogany table with a burled piano finish and a china cabinet from EJ Victor’s Newport Mansion collection, filled with Lenox dishes. An Italian crystal chandelier with antique gold accents serves as a central focal point, complemented by custom-finished antique gold sconces. The room is distinctively wallpapered with Scalamandre silk paper, a sophisticated choice that, despite its challenging installation process, provides a luxurious, textured paint-like appearance. Dark wood floors and Oriental runners guide the transition from the dining room to the family room, where columns similar to those at the portico entrance mark the space. A striking 11-foot Maitland Smith console table with a stone top, weighing 1,000 pounds, dominates the family room, above which hangs a large painting of Venice framed in antique bronze. The walls, faux-finished by local artist Gary Paiement to resemble Tuscan plaster, feature a soft neutral sage with copper undertones, creating a serene yet invigorating ambiance. In the family room, black-and-white family photos offer a visual contrast to the rich greens, reds, golds, and rusts of the oversized sofas, throw pillows, and heavy velour drapes. Thick walnut curtain rods frame a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and walnut mantel. French doors open to an expansive double deck, leading to a pool and fire pit, offering breathtaking views of the Pike Creek Valley. The gourmet kitchen, which adjoins the family room, includes builder upgrades and is further enhanced by furnishings such as a Guy Chaddock table and chairs beside a second fireplace, creating a cozy area for family meals and homework. The kitchen is illuminated by chandeliers: a large crystal and gold fixture above the table and several smaller, dark bronze chandeliers above the granite island. An original landscape oil painting and embroidered drapery panels by Beacon Hill incorporate Tuscan colors. The office, however, diverges from the main Italian and Oriental motif, dedicated instead to Dr. Mulvihill’s golf hobby. Delaware artist Tracy Berger created a wall-length mural of Pebble Beach, the doctor’s favorite golf course, as a birthday gift from Linda. The room is sparingly furnished with a mahogany desk, a black wall unit, and chairs, allowing the large bay window with its valley view to take prominence. Linda Mulvihill acknowledges that decorating is an ongoing process, continually adding pieces and relying on Keeney's guidance to refine her home's aesthetic, a testament to her keen taste and clear vision for her living space. #HomeDesign #InteriorDecorating #WroughtIron #AsianItalianFusion #LuxuryInteriors #CustomDesign #HomeRenovation #DesignConsultant #DecorativeElements

The article discusses the resurgence of dramatic draperies in home decor, moving away from minimalist and neutral design trends. Designer Elizabeth Ryan notes a shift towards saturated colors, rich textures, and expressive elements in homes, especially in the Southern United States, where abundance and personality are valued in interior design. This trend signifies a return to unique self-expression, allowing homeowners to create spaces that genuinely reflect their character. For those looking to incorporate dramatic drapes, Ryan offers several practical tips. She suggests starting with the dining room, as it provides an ideal setting for layered and elaborate window treatments. This space is often used for entertaining and can benefit from a more decorative approach. A key aspect of achieving dramatic draperies is focusing on fullness. Ryan recommends opting for panels with 2.5 times the fabric width, which creates a luxurious and dense appearance through pleating. Layering is another crucial technique to enhance the visual interest of drapes. This involves combining them with other colorful furnishings or placing them against wallpapered walls, which adds depth and texture to a room. Layering is particularly effective in spaces like bathrooms and bedrooms, where it can introduce a sense of softness and comfort. The use of cornice boards is highlighted as a distinctively Southern design element that is experiencing a comeback. Cornices not only add charm but also visually increase the height of windows, making a room feel more expansive. To further elevate this traditional element, Ryan suggests incorporating architectural shapes into cornice designs for added visual impact. For budget-conscious individuals, the article provides advice on how to achieve the dramatic drapery look using store-bought panels. The key is to select high-quality hardware, such as mixing metal with wood or adding decorative finials, to elevate the appearance of simpler drapes. Additionally, aftermarket modifications like applying tape trim or adding a liner can contribute to the desired heft and custom feel, ensuring that dramatic window treatments are accessible regardless of budget. #DramaticDraperies #HomeDecorTrends #WindowTreatments #InteriorDesign #HomeStyling #Maximalism #SouthernLiving #CustomDraperies #BudgetDecor #CorniceBoards