This weekend Mochi Home went in search of some fresh ideas at the Architectural Digest Home Show (and the Go Green Expo) on the west side of Manhattan. The show certainly did not disappoint with everything from wall coverings to floor coverings to furniture to extravagant displays. Here are some of the highlights that inspired us:
DesignRed Studio offers the most gorgeous decorative painting. Their designs are executed with meticulous precision – so much so, that I thought some of it was printed! It’s always nice to see such exquisite craftsmanship in our mass-produced world.
Can you believe this is paint?!
Speaking of exquisite, take a look at the wall coverings from Fromental. These wall coverings are made with the thinnest silk paper with real embroidery to embellish the hand painted designs. The embroidery thread gives the colors a deep sheen and adds dimension to the flat wall coverings. The owners/designers have a fashion background and it really shows in the fabric-like stitching and attention to detail.
A few floor covering booths stood out, including that of Amy Helfand. These rugs are simply fabulous, but they are very gutsy and bold. Certainly not for the faint of (design) heart, I can imagine using one of these as the centerpiece to a modern room.
We always enjoy obsessing over the small details of a home and Forbes & Lomax added fuel to the fire. I couldn’t get enough of these brilliant light switches and switchplates. The toggle switch was addictive and so fun to flip and the invisible switchplate is perfection. Obsession!
The push-button light switch and rotary dimmer are so civilized.
There were so many inspiring tidbits at the show, it’s too much for one post. Look out for more from the Home Show including pillows, lighting, furniture, and of course…paint!
Continue reading about Finding Inspiration (and Obsession) at the Architectural Digest Home Show
This weekend we fled the big city for the fresh air and lovely views of the Hudson Valley. We aren’t lucky enough to own a country house (or have friends who do), so we opted for the next best thing: a bed and breakfast. What luck we had! We found the most charming and down to earth spot in New Paltz, complete with a heated pool, hot tub and koi pond. Our innkeepers at Fox Hill bed and breakfast, Jerry and Jerri, were just lovely and made our brief stay relaxing and memorable.
I found myself completely charmed by their simple home, tastefully adorned with classic antiques like old Singer sewing machine tables and stately wooden bureaus. I don’t usually go for turn of the century antiques, country accents or floral prints, but something about Fox Hill just felt so perfect. Here are a few of my favorite vignettes.
The house was covered in wallpaper in a mix of classic prints. I can imagine doing a small bathroom with a dainty floral or mini pattern. Even a small closet with wallpaper would make for a sweet and unexpected surprise.
Even the ceiling had a pattern!
The details of the decor were so refreshing and made me want to come home and add some girly details to my own house. How sweet is the bow on the lamp?
Well, if you are looking for a weekend getaway in the New York City area, I highly recommend Fox Hill. Definitely hit the hot tub at night and say hi to Jerry and Jerri! For those of us who can’t get away, we can be inspired by a few pretty details that make this bed and breakfast so welcoming.
Our living room, while not huge, does boast a pair of oversize windows (well, technically it’s a sliding glass door, but doesn’t go anywhere.) The previous owners installed a nice set of Hunter Douglas Silhouette shades, which I adore. They can be fully open, fully closed, or half-open, which creates the most flattering diffused light. While these shades set the mood for daytime lighting, they really do nothing for our decor.
We scoured stores for affordable curtains to fit our oversized windows, but couldn’t find anything we liked (and could afford!) So, we had our crazy DIY curtain idea and I decided to sew the curtains myself. My mother, in her inifinite wisdom and years of sewing experience, advised otherwise, but I’m stubborn, and went ahead anyways. Here are the results.
First, I needed an oversized curtain rod for the extra wide windows. Again, affordable options were limited and I searched for an alternative. I ran across this great DIY project from Shelterrific, where they used an electrical conduit as a curtain rod. As they suggested, I purchased two 10′ rods (for around $10) and had them cut to half of my window size. I then attached them in the center with a conduit connector. Voila! Instant extra long curtain rod. I used regular curtain rod brackets to keep the rod in place. Thanks for the idea, Shelterrific!
Next, the curtains. While vactioning in India last fall, we picked up some gorgeous rusty orange heavy-weight satin with a subtle sheen. For less than $100, we had curtain fabric, lining fabric and enough extra for matching pillows. It’s good to plan ahead when making trips abroad!
I chose to make hidden tab top curtains. I like the clean look-similar to grommets, but without the messy hardware installation. First, measure and sew the edges of the lining fabric. Then, attach the lining to the main fabric (right sides out) and finish the side edges neatly.
Next, sew the header and the tabs. For this, I basically made “belt loops,” which are sewn into the wide hem of the header. I found that a sturdy grosgrain ribbon makes a great tab (and you don’t have to sew the edges). I spaced my loops about 7″ apart. You should adjust based on the size of the window and curtain.
Here’s a close up of the tab.
Lastly, hang the curtain on the rod. Then, measure and pin the hem. I found it useful to hang the curtain and pin the hem, to ensure that the curtain just grazed the floor. Remove the curtain, sew the hem and you are all set! Here’s the finished curtain. I tied the panel in place for 24 hours to train the fabric. I imagine a light steaming with the iron would also help.
Check out how clean and nice the hidden tab top looks! I love the modern edge-not too fussy.
Sewing your own custom curtains may not be practical for everyone. Don’t despair, you still have options! Before I embarked on my project, I discovered that my local dry cleaner/tailor would sew curtains to my specifications. This is great option if you don’t have a access to a sewing machine (or the patience to do it). So, ask around before you settle on an off-the-shelf product.
Continue reading about Real Life Makeover: DIY Hidden Tab Top Curtains
What’s the best part of your favorite decor magazine? The “before and after,” of course. That’s all we do here at Mochi Home. It’s the new blog to “picture your place.”
We’ll be featuring real homes (your homes) and updating them with a fresh coat of paint. We might even include a few new accessories. And the best part about our advice? It’s a virtual makeover. That means no wasted money and no wasted effort.
Please join us on our makeover madness and submit a photo. You can even include some changes you would like to see us address.
Here's some change we can believe in. The Oval Office is nice, but how about a friendlier shade of green? What do you say, Mr. President?
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