Balance in a home is everything. I believe balance is the foundation and everything comes after that. Every object or furniture piece needs to have it's moment. For example hanging a picture on the wall. If you hang a picture too high the wall will feel "top heavy." You don't want to hang it too low because it will start to resemble a pear shape. You want it right in the middle, at eye level so you can comfortably experience the picture. Balance is a lot about symmetry but it's also about knowing the sweet spot for things to shine.
I would say the fastest and most effective way to achieve balance would be to place an Olsen twin on either side of an object.
I really think I'm on to something here.
This is a pretty classic and traditional use of symmetry. It's simple- place a lamp on either side of the console table. It's the color combination of the black&white with the yellow that makes it interesting. Plus the fact that there's a giant cockatoo leaning on the wall, whatever.
By placing every picture above the chair, it's using repetition to create a sense of balance. The table on a slant adds a more casual feel.
An easy way for balance is placing two chairs facing each other. In this space, the chairs are a tan against all that gorgeous violet-blue. It wouldn't work if there was only one chair, the balance comes from there being two.
What? You said more olsen twins? Sure I have more olsen for you.
"What do the Olsen twins have to do with balance in a room?" I'm still trying to push my idea of placing them in homes for balance. I know they have a lot on their plate, so I'm going to need some support to make this happen.
A chair on each side of the table anchors this vignette. The chandelier is in a good spot, if it were hanging from the middle it would feel typical. This feels unexpected and works with the flowers in middle of the table.
Perfection. This feels so balanced because of all the symmetry. The mix of simple and 70's really works and the harmony of the two make it feel so calming.
This is a beautiful, daring room. This is proof that mixing patterns work SO well when done to the right scale. (I didn't mean for the word 'so' to be that big, I just wanted a little emphasis. There was no shouting involved when writing this.) It also proves that balance is a must for a peaceful space. The pair of leopard stools with that drapery and photo hanging right in the middle is executed just right.
I hope you all have a well deserved well balanced weekend. I'm actually hoping to go out this weekend. I'm a little nervous because it's been a while. Things have probably changed, like is it acceptable to do the robot on the dance floor?
Am I allowed to look excited to be out?
If I wear sunglasses inside the club and trip, will people still think I'm cool because I'm wearing sunglasses?
How much skin do I need to show, is a three quarter sleeve enough?
If I cover my mouth while I yawn will people still notice I'm yawning?
When people say 'Geek chic,' are they referring to sexy reading glasses or a sweatshirt with a unicorn? Because i have both...
Any thoughts or feedback would be great..
So we all know Emily Henderson. She's the host of the show 'Secrets from a Stylist.' She's blonde, funny and rocks the flair bottom jeans like no other. She first came into our lives while competing on HGTV's 'Design Star' (there hasn't been a better season yet.) I love her designs and style and I just want to shout it from the front of a boat with my arms spread- Leonardo DiCaprio style. So I came up with my five top reasons for being in love with Emily.
REASON ONE: She is so talented.
She really stood out for me in her seasons' finale of the glass house challenge. The challenge was to create a space from, you guessed it, a glass box. Really intimidating. I get overwhelmed thinking about how to design a small studio apartment with actual walls- this was glass. Do you know how hard it is to make four glass walls and a roof look warm? Neither do I but Emily does:
At first glance you dont even realise its a glass box, you just see all this amazing-ness.
REASON TWO: She has the best style.
Everything she touches has a certain signature look, trademark Em. (Sometimes I shorten her name to Em so its easier for me to pretend we're good friends.) She has the perfect balance of old and new, she does vintage like no one else. She's like this mix of thrifty, boho, modern, 70s glam.
This is a picture of her home office:
Beautiful blue- which has also sort of become a signature color for her. I love this office. I would get a job just for this office.
Emily's guest room.
This lamp. I still don't know how she even got this lamp into her house being married. My husband would of stopped it at the door like customs. 'Do you have anything you want to declare? What's in the bag? No no no no no..' So not only do I love the lamp I love that its in her living room for her and her husband to see.
REASON THREE: She is really pretty.
See, I told you she's really pretty.
REASON FOUR: She has the best tv show.
The best part about her show, Secrets from a Stylist, is the process Emily uses. She brings all her clients into her design studio where she then gives them a design diagnostic. (Emily knows how to make the word diagnostic sound cool.)
She has door knobs, belts, platters, scarves in all different styles and has the client choose which one speaks to them. They are then given three words to sum up their style. The spaces she designs on her show always turn out perfect, always dead on with meeting the needs of the client. If you're not already watching the show shame on you it's brilliant. Watch it. No I'm not getting paid for this endorsement it's just that good.
Here are some pictures from her show:
A dining room she did, 'Mantique Minimalism.'
'Exotic Contemporary Comfort.' This was one of my favorites. I tried doing my own version of that abstract blue painting behind the couch, but it looked more like the aftermath of bad stomach problems.
'Untamed Modern Funk.' This one felt close to home. My mother loves tribal and funky things but my house did not look like this growing up. I'm pretty sure my mother took more of a literal approach to it, we just had elephants and giraffes actually move in with us.
'Mad Men Bohemian.' Another one of my favorites.
REASON FIVE: She's really funny.
The truth is I can't know this for sure because I've never actually met Emily. From what I watch, read and follow about her (I promise I'm not this weird stalker who walks around with binoculars) she is really funny. She's laid back, really easy going on her show and always ends off with something funny. Her blog is so good. She has a great style of writing, the best tips and gorgeous pictures. All the pictures from this post are from her blog. Click here.
Im starting to regret this post a little. I may have lost my one and only follower to Emily Henderson. Times are tough.
I've been seeing Elin Kling everywhere. She's a Swedish model turned fashion blogger and she recently launched a collection for GUESS by Marciano in New York. She is always killing it with what she wears. She's gorgeous and super trendy so I thought it would be fun to match interiors to her outfits. She's all about the outfits and I'm all about the rooms.
So here's her by her launch party from last Thursday:
This get up is classic & really fresh. The look is tailored but feels effortless and easy going. She let the silhouette speak for itself and decided against accessories which I agree with. Elin would fit beautifully in this dining area:
This space has classic and iconic pieces with the Saarinen tulip table, tulip stools and chair. The mirror on the wall is more traditional but the space feels really effortless and laid back. The mismatched chairs make it inviting and nonjudgmental. The light fixture does the same to this space as the chevron pattern does to Elins jacket which is add the perfect amount of edge to something classic.
Elin looks like a groupie who lost her gang and ended up in the middle of the desert- and I LOVE it. I love the cut off shorts and her hat. She completely embodies a free spirit. If she ever finds her way home, this is probably where she would end up:
This space is really open and a big contributor to that is the floor to ceiling windows. Contrary to what it looks like outside (freezing cold) the living room has so much warmth to it. The coffee table and chair feel really natural and the throw adds some animal instinct. The space is minimal and feels free just like lost Elin in the desert.
If you cut her hair, switch the heels for high tops she would be Justin Bieber. I think this is awesome. I love how she turned boyish into chic, it totally suits her. She would sleep perfectly in this room:
The bed is low, easy to roll in and out off and with a life as busy as Elins that's important. The chair and storage/side table are school boy all the way. The large prints on the wall are hanging from paper clips instead of in frames which add to the boyish charm. It's simple and essential.
This outfit rocks. If I didn't know better I would think Elin is about to walk down the aisle towards Lenny Kravitz. Usually this color combination of cream and white feels feminine and delicate but she really mixed it up. She would look great sitting over here:
The black and white prints are all abstract and mysterious leaning towards the rock and roll aspect. The light fixture is not too big but the shape gives it interest and roughens things up slightly like Elins top.
This is gooood. She looks laid back and relaxed. The boots and bag are a little bohemian, the aviators pick up some vintage while the white tee and jeans are the classics. It's a really good mix, all these little touches add up to one too cool for school moment on a brownstone step. She would look just as good sitting in one of these chairs:
This space is a gorgeous in my dreams kind of mix. The cowhide is a perfect contrast to the mirrored coffee table. The patent black and white chairs are a touch of glamor without being in your face. Those platner chairs are staple pieces and the nude upholstery adds to the simplicity of them. The pillows play well into the bohemian side of things and it feels too cool for school as well.
I don't know a lot people who look this good when they're confused but I'm not complaining. That black knit falls perfectly with the right amount of slouch. And who needs a hair elastic when you can just hold your hair up like that in the wind? This kitchen & dining area would be a perfect backdrop:
I'm usually not a big fan of red, in any hue or tone but this burgundy is breathtaking. The light washed woods and whites are a cool compliment to the deep burgundy and black. This dining area feels light and also mysterious.
This is a new version of Olivia Newton John in Greese. This look is confident and cool and because it's monochromatic in black it's very strong. The shape of the leather jacket compliments that strength & gives it a little softness. This vignette would be perfect for her:
The black and gold combination is always amazing. The painting in the background is a great way to offset the straight lines of the bag and lamp. Olivia had John Travolta next to her bed but this will have to do for the side of Elins bed...
I don't know what she was in middle of doing but she really doesn't need to finish it because she looks great like this. I love the black with white high tops.
She looks like she's channeling a Matrix vibe. It feels a little futuristic like this nook:
I know I just said 'futuristic' and then showed a picture with Cherner table and chairs, but it works. The legs of the table and chairs are so simply tapered they look like they're floating. The chandelier and the shelved photo frames feel modern and forward thinking. This space belongs to Elin when she wears that black draped trench coat. They both took pieces from the past and brought them to the future.
Over all I think Elin would probably fit in almost any interior, but I'm confident I chose right :) What do you think..
Btw all the pictures of Elin can be found on her blog. Click here.
