Category Archives: Wall Decor, Wall Paper, Art and Frames

Designer Crush-Timothy Oulton

Our design crush this month is British furniture designer Timothy Oulton.  Known for creating furniture with a modern twist on classic and antique pieces that are a delicious feast for the eyes.

Oulton can spin a classic Chesterfield sofa like no other.  His take like the Bensington, as seen above, is from his University of Oxford collection.  Meanwhile, no man cave will be edgier or more inviting than with the Union Jack Chesterfield like the one featured in the ‘club within a club’ at LA Sports Club.  

Oulton’s immersion in his father’s antique business is evident in his craft where vintage + men’s club vibe + modern + glam = fresh innovative design.  From drums to searchlights these seemingly average items become spectacular under his spell.

With 37 stores now globally, Oulton is enjoying great success.   In recent years,  he brought to the masses a greater awareness of his collection through the collaboration with Restoration Hardware.  While his collection with Restoration Hardware is vast one can find Oulton’s imprint across many designs from the Aviator to the  Clouds.

The Jigsaw Design team members collectively believe we will all have a design crush on Mr. Oulton for quite some time.

For more information about items or images in this blog post, please leave a comment or reach us through the contact page at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com

@jigsawdesign4U

https://www.facebook.com/JigsawDesignGroup/

The Modern Twist on Nautical Style

Classic styles always evolve, and in this post, we’ll share some ideas for updated nautical looks.  Our design firm, Jigsaw Design Group is based in Southern California in a beach community called Manhattan Beach.  Here, we’ve seen the typical beach bungalow or beach cottage with shells and sailing kitsch mold into a more Cape Cod meets Modern style with elevated design and luxury finishes.

Achieving the looks is pretty simple, and the nuts and bolts can be done by a pro or some DIY aficionados if one feels brave enough.  While installing shiplap or board and batten are not required for the look, it has become immensely popular.  Using ship lap with it’s wider boards rather than the classic wainscoting make the look more up-to-date, much like the idea of hardwood floors getting wider too.  In the two images above one can see a Board and Batten example in the first photo, and Shiplap in the second image.  Pairing these finishes with crisp white walls throughout lay the perfect canvas for your Nautical Modern space.

Next, minimize. Using items with clean minimal lines like the console table above and simple framed mirror add a Modern touch amid the earthy basket and tufted ottoman.  Keeping items clean and simple and uncluttered for a ‘less is more’ aesthetic add to the modern touch and in the end make a big statement.

 

Something green in every room.  With all the neutrals, white walls and seaside color accents (aka flora and fauna) a pop of green will bring your space to life.  It also adds to the beachy, outdoor vibe of your nautical home.  The Schefflera,  known as the Umbrella Plant, as seen in the right corner of the above room is the ‘It’ plant in home decor for the modern nautical home.

Adding touches of seagrass, twine and wicker keep the nautical theme, but keep in unfussy and from looking too kitschy.  A perfect example is the bedroom about with rattan chairs paired with simple white linens and asymmetrical furniture placement.

Even the nautical stripe gets a modern update by Ralph Lauren.  Chic black and white replaces the navy standard for a fresh take on seaside style.

For more information on nautical modern style or images used in this blog, please leave a comment below or visit our contact page to speak to a Jigsaw Designer directly.

Be sure to follow up on Facebook and Twitter @JigsawDesign4U

 

Hot Trend: Neolith-Move Over Marble

Eco-friendly Neolith is an amazing stone that is growing rapidly in popularity.  Resembling Calacatta Marble in appearance, it behaves quite the opposite.  This impenetrable wonder doesn’t scratch or  stain,  so it’s ideal for counter tops in a busy household.

Can it really get better than that…yes!  Neolith is also fire resistant so it makes for a perfect option as a fire place surround.   This sleek look makes for a gorgeous focal point without the risk of fire damage.

Plus one can also use this stone on almost anything-bathroom/kitchen walls, floors and countertops without risk.  Durable enough to last a lifetime, and about a third of the price of Calacatta or Cararra Marble.

 

As if we haven’t said enough about being an excellent bathroom or kitchen option,  moisture absorption rate is very low and it also can stand up to some serious cleaning agents.  So you can get your ‘clean-freak’ on without harm.

This high gloss beauty will withstand the elements for a lifetime, making it a big contender to marble in the marketplace.  One can live a little more freely with this natural wonder.

Stay tuned for tried and true feedback on current Neolith installs by Jigsaw Design Group.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter @JigsawDesign4U.

P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog!

 

 

 

 

Spring Furniture Trend: Wicker, Cane & Rattan

Spring is always a refreshing season for home furnishings.  New designs are birthed and the classics come forth reimagined.  One classic in particular is capturing out attention is wicker, but more commonly referred to as Cane, Seagrass or Rattan.  Even as a long time interior design writer, one can struggle to know when to refer to this woven wood classic as Cane, Rattan or Wicker?  So what is proper…actually?

Frankly, it’s all ‘wicker’, a term that is used to refer to any type of woven furniture such as reed, rattan, cane, seagrass, and bamboo among others. Also, wicker in essence,  describes the act of weaving wood to form an article of furniture.  Who knew it wasn’t just that thick white shellacked stuff at our grandmother’s home when we were kids.  A beautiful example of how far ‘wicker’ has come are the lovely chunky weave of seagrass beds, sofas and love seats from William Sonoma Home this spring.  

Wicker, or wickerwork, is a natural or synthetic vine or grass that is then woven into a pattern.  Natural wicker would consist of Reed, Cane, Willow, Seagrass, Rattan or Bamboo, while Synthetic (aka fake) wicker consists of Resin or Vinyl.   If the former, then it may be stained painted or left au natural. 

Rattan, a commonly known wicker, comes from the Rattan tree indigenous to Southeast Asia.  The Rattan tree is vine like and proves very durable being an extremely strong material by nature.  Due to its strength, Rattan furniture items tends to be more hearty in style, perfect for chairs and other substantial furniture. Like these Anthropologie chairs in fun colors.

Cane is basically a part of the rattan plant. It is produced simply by peeling off the skin of the rattan vine. One great quality of cane is that it is less porous and stronger than rattan in nature.  Cane is ideal for chairs and seats due to their natural pliability and easy clean-up qualities.  See the Serena and Lily traditional Louis XIV bed below.  With a tropical twist yet modern vibe it’s bright, light and airy and we are loving it at Jigsaw.

 

Cane and rattan are both relatively inexpensive wicker materials. They are also typically lightweight but best of all Cane and Rattan wicker furniture are environmentally friendly due to the fast rate of growth of the Rattan tree which makes it highly renewable!

For more information on Cane and Rattan, or images used in this blog, please leave a comment or visit our contact page to reach a designer at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  Be sure to follow us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @JigsawDesign4U!

You Make Me Blush

Welcome to the Jigsaw Design Blog.  We look forward to inspiring the creativity in each of our readers.  Throughout this blog we will keep you ahead of the curve on trends, unique findings, and even teach you how to create fun design projects yourself.  Today we will be discussing the biggest color trend of the season…Blush.

Blush Photo !

You Make Me Blush

While typically a very feminine color, blush is making its way on the home furnishing scene and quickly becoming the new neutral.  From the Paris runways to couture wall paper, the color du jour is the oh- so- sweet ultra-pale pink shade known as blush.

This haute trend is easy to fit into your home and your budget.  Update with smaller accessories like throw pillows, frames, trays, vases or simply a bouquet of flowers.

If you are more daring you can paint a wall or go the distance with a bold piece of furniture.

Our favorite mate for this chic girly color is navy.  It’s a perfect contrast that keeps this ultra femme shade balanced.  Try a pink throw across a navy sofa, or small blush pillow on a navy chair.

 Blush also plays well with gray, black and beige.  Just a touch paired with these neutrals can add the ideal pop without overdoing this ladylike trend.

Our Jigsaw designers set out in search for the perfect blush; we believe we found it by Benjamin Moore, Sandblast #2103-50.

We hope you are as tickled pink as we are with this fun and feminine hue.

Photo 2

For more information on blush color trends and resources visit the contact page on the Jigsaw Design Group website at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  Someone will quickly contact you with more information.  Please subscribe to the blog for more informative articles like these, and check out our Facebook page for more tips and images!  Be sure to ‘like us’ on Facebook!

How To: Select-Measure-Calculate Wallpaper

Take your space from bland to wow in an instant simply by adding Wallpaper.  Transforming your space using bold colors, textures or patterns make a statement in your home or office quickly and for a cost that won’t break the bank. 

With so many options available, choosing the perfect paper can be a bit arduous, but by following a few basic tips we’ve provided and using Jigsaw Design Group calculation tool, your search can be simplified and even fun. 

For starters, draw inspiration from your current space by bringing an existing accent color to life, or consider selecting a dramatic pattern to  bring excitement a room where most of the upholstery is solid.  Take into consideration how many walls you plan to cover, a giant geometric may be more suited for an accent wall or a petit powder room instead of the four walls in your bedroom.   A good rule of thumb is that the wallpaper should match the mood of your room.  For example,  a relaxing or romantic print for the  bedroom,  a bold and quirky print for a kids room, or rich and glamorous for a dining room will make sense in those spaces.  

Below, see how a Jigsaw Designer took a bedroom from pretty to a fashionista haven simply by adding the navy and white striped wallpaper.  She took inspiration from the navy and white theme of the room, and also used the more masculine bold stripe to contradict the frills of the Baroque framed mirrors.

Also, see the dramatic difference adding a wallpaper feature wall made to the entry in the same home come to life.

 The transformation is huge.  So, now that we have you on-board for trying wallpaper for your space, next…measuring and ordering.

Things to consider: Each variety of wallpaper has a bit different temperament than the other, so it is vital to the success of a wall coverings project to measure and order the appropriate amount of paper or fabric.  Jigsaw also suggests using a professional contractor for application.  This will take the stress off of you and avoid time and financially consuming mistakes. 

While most wallpaper is pre-pasted to make hanging a bit easier, grasscloth is not. Therefore, applying specialty wallpaper glue will add a step to the instillation process.  Finally, priming walls with a Shellac or any wallpaper primer will prep the walls for a beautiful final product. 

Luckily for our valued readers, Jigsaw Design Group provides a very handy Wallpaper Calculator on our website where one may easily input the measurements of the space to cover, discover the number of rolls needed for a project, and get an approximate cost for labor.  Wallpaper costs can be a bit tricky, so the Wallpaper Calculator can help eliminate unwanted surprises with your budget.  To check out the Jigsaw Wallpaper Calculator please visit our website at http://jigsawdesigngroup.com/wallpaper.  This calculator and all of the helpful information on the website helps make the task of selecting, measuring and ordering wallpaper so much easier and enjoyable.  

While there are dozens of wallpaper vendors, and many more listed on our website,  below are some of our favorites. 

www.grahambrown.com/us

www.fschumacher.com/catalog/Wallcoverings

www.wallpaperstogo.com

www.designyourwall.com

www.wallpapersdirect.com

At Jigsaw, we love using wallpaper to enhance spaces.  It brings something special into a room and adds warmth to a stark space.  For more information on wallpaper, or even help in choosing the perfect paper, leave us a comment or contact a designer through the Jigsaw website.  We’d love to help!

Follow us on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/JigsawDesignGroup, and on Twitter @JigsawDesign4U for the latest news and offers.

Dreaming of Summer: Banana Leaves and Pink Flamingos

After New Year celebrations are over, and the new resolutions begin to fade the bright sun begins to show it’s face.    Just as the weather, we all feel the mood for a change.  The hope of summer is on the horizon.  A quirky trends that we are seeing rear it’s ‘pink head’ are funny flamingos and their complimentary banana trees.  Think Miami, Palm Beach, and our muse for this post, the Beverly Hills Hotel.

While the ‘Pink Palace’ has recently undergone renvations, the landmark hotel is staying true to color.  For those lovers of the old Hollywood era, or the fast life circa Miami Vice, this trend can actually acclimate into ones style more subtly that one might think.

One way to capture the banana leaf vibe is through wallpaper.  This motif brings life to your space with the bright layers of green color, along with a fun retro ferver.  Ideal for a lively dining room, powder room,  or perfectly invigorating for your home office.  A note to remember is big prints in a small space can look great, so don’t be afraid of that tiny space you want to make over. 

The above photo with the pink dining chairs is a good transition spot to bring in the birds.  Combining pink and green colors in the same palette evoke a preppy yet lighthearted feeling in us.  The beloved banana leaf and flamigo pink prove a sunny match like the Beverly Hills Hotel Cabana.

Meanwhile, flamingos are beautiful creatures despite the bad wrap they get from those plastic posers people put in the front yard…but hey, even the coolest hipsters are adding these quirky birds to their landscapes these days.  We will bypass discussing them for their fine feathered friends in this post however.

Interestingly, flamingos can be used in murals, found as wallpaper, and even a subtle watercolor painting, a Jigsaw favorite.  These birds have a great depth of color ranging from the palest pink to vibrant coral, with the perfect splash of black.  These gracefully winged friends are a lovely way to add a touch of pink and nature to your space.

 

For more information on color and print trends, or images and items used in this post, please leave a comment below.  Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog, and please visit our Facebook page for news and offers at https://www.facebook.com/JigsawDesignGroup/

Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter @JigsawDesign4U for the latest news.

 

Sliding Barn Doors with a Fresh Perspective

The Westedge Design Fair is one of Southern California’s premier design shows which is held in Santa Monica.  Standing out among this winter’s many delightful design ideas were the steadfast sliding barn doors with quintessential exposed hardware.

While this is not a new trend per se, the style has however settled into a category that we’ll keep seeing long-term.  And why shouldn’t this unique touch be a perfect option to the traditional door?  Complements to it’s space saving benefits and fashionable twist, we believe, these doors will go the distance.

 

What caught the Jigsaw design team’s eyes were the fresh take on this typically more rustic style.  Modern sliders were seen in laquers and glass for the contemporary or transitional home.  Even clean lines paired with champagne or rose gold colored hardware were noteworthy combinations for the more contemporary space.

So…you’re sold on the idea, but does it make sense in your space?  Well, with the wide range of options, a sliding barn door can be worked into most spaces from a design stand-point.  Factor number one however, is there room for it in your space?  There must be enough space on both sides of the opening for the doors to slide over.  Next, one must consider the type of door being replaced, preferably one that doesn’t need to lock.  A few examples would be a closet,  kids playroom,  home gym or pantry.

Then, get creative with your door selections.  The possibilitites are endless, antique doors, reclaimed wood, chevron patterns, white or black lacquer, and even metal.  Balancing the look of the room will be important once the doors are selected.  If the doors are your focal point, then a neutral color palette will allow for that to remain the focus.  Or, the door can be painted the same or similar color to the walls if one prefers the doors to simply blend in, yet add interest to the space.

Whatever the case for your interior sliding barn doors, this style is highly functional and adds a special touch to any home.  For more information on how to select a sliding barn door for your home, office or place of business, then please leave a comment or visit the contact page at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com to speak to a designer.  Be sure to subscribe to the blog and like us on facebook!

Winter Wonderland-Blush and White Christmas Decor

white-blush-tree-open

Nothings beats winter white decor at Christmas time.  It’s so pretty and pure.  This Christmas white gets a little update with the softest touch of blush.

soft-pink-balls

Compliment your snow colored spaces with fun decorations and baubles in soft pinks mixed with creams, silver and gold together.  These colors blend beautifully and bounce twinkly light for a shimmering snow effect.

misty-pink-wreath

blush-decorations

From West Elm to Coco Chanel, the color of blush is in the air.  Perfect for city or the beach the look is fresh and light hearted.

paper-ornaments-blush-west-elm

misty-pink-chanel

Pair your white and blush decor with chandeliers and floral swags to create a look that fits your style.  Go glamazon with multiple white chandeliers for the ultimate lighting for your dinner party…we love the personal sheepskin for each guest’s comfort in the image below.

white-xmas-sherpa-dining-chandelier

Your table can be pretty as a petal with blush dinnerware, gold flatwear and dusty roses weaved throughout the space.

blush-table-scape

white-xmas-dinner-party-swag

Finally the details.  The Jigsaw Designers love wallpaper, so why not use that left over paper for your gift wrapping.  Add a hint of pink, cream, gold or silver ribbon and your look is complete.

white-wallpaper-wrapping-w-pink

Match your ribbon with your natural swag and you’ll have a professional designer look for your holiday festivities.

farmhouse-swag

Happy Holidays and happy decorating from all of us at Jigsaw Design Group!  Be sure to subscribe to the blog and like us on Facebook.  For more information on holiday decorating, please leave a comment or visit our contact page at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.

 

 

 

 

Grasscloth Reimagined-Natural Fiber Wallpaper

jute-grass-cloth-ja-blue

The Grasscloth trend has been on the rise again for some time now.  Attributing to its recent rapid growth are many factors: the desire for something more natural in the market, history repeating itself, and the reimaging of this long time traditional product.

grasscloth-hallway

 

Grasscloth is usually comprised of an assortment of natural materials; arrowroot, jute, sisal, hemp, and cork to name a few.  Each have different strand thickeness and color resulting in a unique texture.  Just below are images of two different cloths, the first is Jute in Blue and the second, is Arrowroot in Grey, both by Phillip Jeffries.  Despite the colors, one can easily see the similarities and the differences, which therefore add a timeless texture to any space.

jefferies-juicy-jute-close-up

arrowroot-close-up-jeffereies

These materials often come at a rather significant price between $75 to $350 per roll.  Though the price is easy to defend considering the painstaking process in manufacturing the product.  The complicated procedure is done by weaving together thin cotton threads and grass strands, and then fastening these weaves to a lightweight backing like rice paper.  Typically, these wallpapers do not come pasted, so a professional contractor is recommended for hanging this delicate product.

gulf-shore-grasscloth

Some of the Jigsaw Design team’s favorite players are Phillip Jeffries and Schumacher who have a corner on the market, and rightfully so.  Jeffries is constantly taking new perspectives in the grasscloth segment by creating unique finishes and designs.  For example the grasscloth cloth Rivet Collection, and the Metallic Grasscloth Collection as featured here.

rivet-grasscloth-jefferies

metallic-grasscloth

While pairing beautifully with the seaside or traditional home, designers like Jigsaw have broken down those barriers and integrated this timeless classic into modern and transitional/contemporary homes across the country.

grasscloth-dining-room-mod-trad

grasscloth-nursery

grasscloth-bedroomAdaptable to any space, the dining room is not the only room in the house for grasscloth anymore.  Nurseries, bedrooms, bathrooms, powder rooms are all perfect places to add the luxurous texture that often arrives with a natural earthy smell.  Even the ceiling gets remimagined in grasscloth in the image below.

grasscloth-ceiling

extra-slubby-grasscloth-powder

grasscloth-foyer

aarowroot-grasscloth

For more information on grasscloth, leave a comment below or visit the contact page on the Jigsaw Design Group website www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  Be sure to subscribe to the blog and like us on Facebook!