Scenes from Home: Signature Style Home Decor Pieces

It appears my blog posts this month have a scenes from home refreshed theme going, and I can’t think of a more Louisiana centric topic of conversation than interior design and signature style home decor pieces associated with the interiors of homes in the New Orleans Garden District.

After all, home is where the heart is.

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Rivers Spencer Interiors

Distinctive details and visual contrast along with signature style home decor pieces uniquely characterize the charm of New Orleans.

Pair of Antique Louis XVI Style Chairs Upholstered in Irish Natural Linen (1)

Pair of Antique Louis XVI Style Chairs Upholstered in Irish Natural Linen

Creative leeway, contrast, varied price points, and brilliant juxtaposition work in unison with signature style home decor pieces to represent the decorating styles expressly associated with period homes and signature NOLA style.

LOUIS XVI french antique style mirror

LOUIS XVI Style French Trumeau Mirror

Antique French Louis XV Bombe Marble Top Commode

Antique French Louis XV Bombe Marble Top Commode

Uttermost Maris Plated Antiqued Brass 2-light Table Lamp

Uttermost Maris Plated Antiqued Brass 2-light Table Lamp

Antique French Louis XV Bombe Marble Top Commode

Antique French Louis XV Bombe Marble Top Commode

Vintage French Louis XV Style Marble Top Paint Decorated Commode

Vintage French Louis XV Style Marble Top Paint Decorated Commode

When I take a visual inventory of the curated style in my own home and the home decor pieces featured in this post, I’m reminded of the spaghetti sauce ad from campaigns past that proclaims, “it’s in there!”

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Over the years, pieces that detail and define our rich and eclectic Louisiana history, inspired charm, varied provenance, and distinctive architectural elements have found a home within our home.

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gilded headboard

Big, Easy Style by Bryan Batt on Pinterest

We like to use the term spot accessory.

Painted and Upholstered Bergere Chairs in Linen

Spot table.

Marshfield Tray Top Cross Legs End Table

Tray Top Cross Legs End Table

Contemporary spot pieces such as a small gold accent table(s) elegantly lends a modern twist to a predominately classic interior.

“There are two things that make a room timeless: a sense
of history and a piece of the future.”

— Charlotte Moss

Spot on in size and style, the accent table is perhaps the most genius of home decor pieces.

French Style Painted Center Table with Roses and Marble Top

Infinity 54" Gold Console Table With White Marble

Infinity 54″ Gold Console Table With White Marble

Rosia 36" Genuine Marble Console Table

Rosia 36″ Genuine Marble Console Table

Unique pairings work the room introducing current styles of trend to the timeless classics.

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Architectural Digest – Photography by Nicole Franzen

6-Light-Cluster-Glass-Globe-Bubble-Chandelier---Black_2C-White

6-Light Cluster Glass Globe Bubble Chandelier – 25in – Black

New-Orleans-style-dining-room-antiques-modern

Architectural Digest – Photography by Nicole Franzen

pink cottage New Orleans

The Cottage Journal

VINTAGE ANTIQUE Bookmatched Mahogany Victorian Traditional Empire Style Sideboard

 Bookmatched Mahogany Victorian Traditional Empire Style 46″ Sideboard

Alexander Home Sara Antique Ultra Plush Area Rug

Alexander Home Sara Antique Ultra Plush Area Rug

Triumph Channel Tufted Performance Velvet Sectional Sofa Corner Chair - Pink

Triumph Channel Tufted Performance Velvet Sectional Sofa Corner Chair

Dorado Bergere Chair

Dorado Bergere Chair

Adela Accent Chair

Adela Accent Chair

Taupe Aledo Linen Arm Chair

Taupe Aledo Linen Arm Chair

London Street Yoke lantern

VerandaBevolo Gas & Electric Lights

New-Orleans-style-lantern-chandeliers

Clarksburg 4 – Light Lantern Geometric Chandelier

Large Giltwood Lantern with 4 Lights, Hand-Carved Reproduction

Acclaim Lighting Kingston 4-Light Pendant

House Proud Valorie HartFrom House Proud: Unique Home Design/Louisiana by Valorie Hart with Photos by Sara Essex Bradley 

Italian Florentine Vintage Gilt Painted Chest of Drawers

Italian Florentine Vintage Gilt Painted Chest of Drawers

Vintage Florentine Wall Shelf

Louis XV French style bench in gold leaf

Louis XV French Style Bench in Gold Leaf

Italian Florentine Coaster Set

Italian Florentine Coaster Set

Absolutely fabulous detail, and therein lies the beauty.

Livex Lighting La Bella Hand Painted Vintage Gold Leaf 12 Light Chandelier

Livex Lighting La Bella Hand Painted Vintage Gold Leaf 12 Light Chandelier

Butler-12-Light-Clear-Crystal-English-Bronze-Chandelier

Butler 12-Light Clear Crystal English Bronze Chandelier

Karlton 6 - Light Candle Style Empire Chandelier with Crystal Accents

Karlton 6 – Light Candle Style Empire Chandelier with Crystal Accents

New-Orleans-interiors-living-room-chandelier

Southern Home Magazine – Photography by Sara Essex Bradley

Mercer 10-Light Olde Silver Crystal Chandelier

Mercer 10-Light Olde Silver Crystal Chandelier

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Corbett-Standard Aveline 20 Light Chandelier

Mixing and mingling modern with vintage inspired pieces appeals to visual interest- the lead component necessary when building the character of the space.

SAFAVIEH Couture Ella Clear/ Black Acrylic Dining Chair

SAFAVIEH Couture Ella Clear/ Black Acrylic Dining Chair

6 Light Chandelier by Minka Metropolitan

6 Light Chandelier by Minka Metropolitan

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Architectural Digest – Photography by Nicole Franzen

6-Lights Glam Antique Gold Crystal Beaded Glowworm Firefly Sputnik Globe Pendant Ceiling Lighting Chandelier

Antique Gold Crystal Beaded Firefly Pendant Ceiling Lighting Chandelier

distinctive details graphic

Ceiling Medallions

Signature style home decor pieces include, but are not limited to:

Antiques

Lanterns

Ceiling medallions

Dupioni silk drapes

Decorative objects d’art

Chandeliers dripping in crystal prisms

Decorative mirrors and frames scrolled in gold leaf

dupioni silk drapes

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Antique French Curtain Tie Backs

Storm Grey Ruched Vintage Textured Faux Dupioni Silk Curtain

Storm Grey Ruched Vintage Textured Faux Dupioni Silk Curtain

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Decorative Drapery Hardware

Hickory Manor Home Floral Wreath Tieback, Antique Gold

 

French Double Caned & Carved White Twin Bed with Rose Swags

French Double Caned & Carved White Twin Bed with Rose Swags

Antique French Louis XV Style Painted Bed

Antique French Louis XV Style Painted Bed

“New Orleans makes it possible to go to Europe
without ever leaving the United States.”

—Franklin Delano Roosevelt

 

Court-Vintage-French-Upholstered-Fabric-Dining-Side-Chair

Court Vintage French Upholstered Fabric Dining Side Chair

Picket House Furnishings Regal Accent Armchair

Picket House Furnishings Regal Accent Armchair

Cream Colored Key Tassel w Looped Ruche

Cream Colored Key Tassel w Looped Ruche

19th Century French Wooden Chest of Drawers

19th Century French Wooden Chest of Drawers

Inspiration is everywhere, and the New Orleans influence comes home through signature style home decor pieces.

Darleen-signature-love

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Coastal Designs of Summer

Coastal designs of summer and the decor accents, palette selections, and classic in the style of accessories that exemplify coastal chic inspire this show and tell.

Sightings of retail sources rush to fall and Halloween in mid-July is just a bit too early for me, and although this heatwave is currently zapping the summer living life out of many, fun in the sun days and summer nights is still a working season.

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Photo by Shifaaz shamoon

You may ask yourself what attributes truly define coastal design style.

Cozy (yes, cozy) lays the foundation, natural elements set the tone, serene seaside and sky scenes inspire the palette, and the implementation of classic decor accents the necessary element to create an understated yet elegant aesthetic.

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coastal-summer-colors-palette

Customarily when the ocean-sea-gulf floats to mind, it conjures up a canvas of natural to neutral sandy beaches, waves of water stroked in crystal blue and aqua green beautifully tipped by curls of white, skies brushed from nature’s pastel palette, and seashells by the seashore in sizes and shapes only matched in marvel by their colors, textures, and patterns.

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lighting-graphic

elegant-coastal-chandeliers-summer

Nevis 15-Light 2-Tier Chandelier

Varaluz Banana Leaf 6-light Chandelier

Savoy House Charter 6-Light Chandelier in Warm Brass and Rope

Distressed White 3-Light Wooden Drum Chandelier

Coastal Capiz Shell Linear Chandelier Island Pendant Light

Poppy 3 Light Matte Black Ceiling Mount

accents-graphic

Sayulita Mexico Oil Painting

Seascape Art Print

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Sayulita Mexico Oil Painting

Seascape Art Print

Fish Coral Look

Blue & White Yuan Fish Open Top Jar

Woven Rattan Plantation Chair

Resin Bird Table Lamp with White Linen Shade

Willa Grey Resin Imitation Whale Shark Wall Decor

Tropical and nautical design styles align on a branch of the coastal designs of summer family tree like that of your favorite second cousin once removed, and in certain design and decor situations are most deserving of an invite to the family reunion, so to speak.

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Interior decorating is all about allowing the spaces and places in the home to mirror image our tastes, interests, passion, and personality -the paradigm of personal style.

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 Photography by Maura McEvoy

Impressions inspire and inspiration directs decor choices.

stone-walls-dining-room-Maine-House

Stone walls, sand-washed woods, regional antiques, and elegant simplicity throughout is the Maine reason I have fallen in love with Hunting Island, a restored summer cottage featured in “The Maine House,” by Maura McEvoy and Basha Burwell.

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River Brook Design & Construction

Exact in the style of matches don’t always come our way.

This is where options along with a keen eye and a bit of decorative interpretation enters the picture.

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Elle Decor – Photography by Francesco Lagnese

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coral-fabric-upholstery-summer

Court-French-Vintage-Performance-Velvet-Dining-Side-Chair (1)

French Vintage Performance Velvet Dining Chair in Natural Teal

Gorgeous!

Reef+Fabric (1)

Barbados-Reef Cut Velvet Fabric

Court-Vintage-French-Upholstered-Fabric-Dining-Side-Chair

Court Vintage French Upholstered Fabric Dining Side Chair

pink-colors-coastal-design-style

pink-coral-white-sea-shells-accents

white-coral-chandelier

Coral Chandelier

beach-house-homer-oatman Home Adore-Homer Oatman Architects

Currey-_26-Company-Seaward-Large-Chandelier

Currey & Company Seaward Large Chandelier

Cord covers cover a multitude of unsightly sins.

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Veranda – Photography by Douglas Friedman

in the style of graphic

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Becca Interiors

Two styles for the price of one cohesive look is a visual bargain of the very best kind.

Achieve cozy harmony by intermingling coastal designs of summer together with pieces traditionally associated with the deep rich patina of fall.

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New England Home – Photography by Nat Rea

 Love your coastal designs of summer style!

Darleen-signature-love

Decorating Styles Characteristic of the New Orleans Garden District

All interior design is visually captivating in one way or another, but my eye is immediately drawn to those images featuring the decorating styles characteristic of the New Orleans Garden District.

Louis Armstrong

As I write this post I am listening to Louis Armstrong sing “Do you Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans.”

I certainly do, Satchmo, as much as I know what it means to love the decorating styles characteristic of the New Orleans Garden District.

The stunning New Orleans home of Grace and Sandy Kaynor as featured in Southern Living ~  Photography by Laurey W. Gleen

Aware of the myriad of decorating styles to explore and consider, there’s been times when I’ve wondered if my interior design and decorating style needle is stuck.

The logic I apply answers the question with an emphatic no.

As in love, the interior design and decorating heart wants what it wants, and the interior design and decorating eye likes what it likes.

Both my design and decorating heart and eye knows what it means to love the decorating styles characteristic of the New Orleans Garden District.

Over the years of countless trips to New Orleans, Dave the Builder and I have spent hours driving up and down the tree lined streets of the historic Garden District and St. Charles Avenue on our brand of self guided home and garden tours.

To say I was and continue to be inspired and influenced is a grand understatement.

Exteriors replete with ornate detail tell the story of real estate royalty, one that takes the reader’s (the drive by admirer in this case) imagination on a trip to I wonder what the inside looks like land.

Distinct architectural and interior design features typify the stately homes of the New Orleans Garden District, providing the homeowner-designer-decorator a classic canvas to work wonders with.

My New Orleans

New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles

What makes the interiors of period homes unmistakable is the traditional, Baroque, Rococo or Victorian style features.

What makes the interiors of period homes distinct is the contrast, the blend, the mix, the juxtaposition of decorating styles living in stunning harmony with each other.

I learned a long time ago all decor choices do not have to strictly follow the primary design style.

Rodney-Villarreal-Design

Rodney Villarreal Design

Mixing and mingling of contemporary accent and abstract art pieces throughout a room decorated in a traditional, Baroque, Rococo or Victorian style creates contrast fit for focal point distinction.

From historic mansions to bungalow cottages- it’s not the size of the space or the style of the home, but the statement the decor makes.

Cavan

New Orleans influence is obvious throughout our home and homes decorated by yours truly.

decorating styles characteristic

Antiques, Italian lanterns, ceiling medallions, dupioni silk drapes, crystal chandeliers, decorative mirrors scrolled in gold leaf- the curated look comes home.

The companion piece post to Do You Know What It Means to Love the Decorating Styles Characteristic of the New Orleans Garden District features images of, inspiration to decorate by and source information on the home decor accents and accessories that impeccably mirror statement pieces found in the homes of the New Orleans Garden District.

Darleen-signature-love

 

 

 

Icons of Individuality

Did you know Elvis and David Bowie share the same birthday?  I find this information strangely fascinating in light of recent events.  On more than one occasion David Bowie’s musical masterpiece “Changes” has played over and over in my mind as I make ch-ch-changes to a design and decor space oddity.  Shocked and saddened by the news of David Bowie’s untimely passing, I began a session of connect the dots to the similarities and commonalities between these two icons of individuality.  There is no mistaking the contribution these larger than pop life figures made to the world of music, fashion and design.  The art of reinvention is the cornerstone of relevance, and Elvis Presley and David Bowie mastered the art form in a style all their own.

Icons of Individuality

The King’s kitsch jumpsuited his flamboyant taste to a tee, while David Bowie’s penchant for brilliantly navigating the waters of fearless originality placed his persona in a time capsule of out of this world self expression.  Individual style and taste is often influenced by the nouns of notion- the people, places and things we come into contact with that make a thunderbolt impression upon us.  Sensory experiences inspire the brushes we use to paint the canvas of our life.

David-Bowie

Elvis and David Bowie prove moxie mixed with just the right amount of nonconformity produces heroes and icons of individuality for so much more than just one day.

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Look to the “stars” for inspiration as you master the art of individual design and decorating style.

Love your style!

Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark Interiors

Dark interiors make a dramatic, commanding and intimate statement. Dark interiors are coming out of the shadows and into the trend spotlight.

Halloween-DraculaTurner Classic Movies

Although black is not the only dark color choice associated with dark interiors, it does seem to be the basis for dramatic back in black magic. Black is the new black- a perennial color classic and decorating color essential. What oomph the perfect little black dress lends to a fashionista’s wardrobe, a space dressed from floor-to-ceiling in the color black speaks to a decorista’s personal interior design and decorating style.

dark interiorsAtlanta Homes & Lifestyles 

Visual allure produces a theatrical statement.

Practical-Magic1stdibs

donna-mondi-interior-design-portfolio-interiors-stylesDonna Mondi Interior Design

Dark interiors keep beautiful company with deep accent colors rich in palette intensity, and therein lies the secret to the perfect design and decorating marriage.

Neu.BohemeNeu.Boheme

My initial thought when sourcing the Vertigo pendant by designer Constance Guisset for Petite Friture?  Haute witches hat.

vertigo-chandelierPetite Friture

Dark interiors introduce a sophisticated warmth to the space.

d95b066e3c1683ef09a375d783092110Elle Decor

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Dark interiors.  What say you?

Love your style!