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/

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Champagne: Hardware Color of the Month

Let’s toast this season’s hottest hardware color, champagne!  Blurring the lines between yellow and rose gold, this hue stands out in more matte finishes offering a sublte alternative to its typically shiny finish.

The lovely metallic offers the perfect compliment to the kithen or bath especially when paired grey, blue, black or white cabinets.

 

The Jigsaw designers have always had a fondness for gold finishes. But this one we are really embracing.  We suggest a bold statement piece like Jonathan Adler’s Sputnik chandelier to wow your visitors.  Perfect for the entry, dining room, bed or bath this mid-century throw-back is a stunner.

If you’d like something a bit more streamline, then nothing softens a space like the perfectly lit wall sconce.  West Elm’s Glass Cyliner Sconce in Champagne luster has a beautiful finish in a minimal design…this style is also available as a pendant lamp.

Furthermore, metallic tile is a trend on the rise.  This fun peel and stick champagne tile is a great options for an apartment or office where making a permanant change is not an option.

Pop the champagne and just go all the way with a room layered in the hue from trims, fabrics, wallpaper and hardware.

For more information on Champagne colored hardware or items featured in this blog, please leave a comment and we’ll reply quickly. Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog.  Check us out on facebook for the latest news and offers on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JigsawDesignGroup/

and on Twitter @JigsawDesign4U

 

 

Square Dining Tables

In our last post we shared amazing photos and ideas to freshen up your dining room by ditching that rectangular shaped table for an exciting new round or oval shape.  Today, we will add to that collection of updated dining room ideas with the perfect square.

The square table we’re talking about is not your grandma’s card table she uses for her bridge parties…oh no, it is typically oversized and can seat between eight to sixteen.  The Jigsaw designers love bench style seating because it brings intimacy to the dining room like in the image below.

Take that a step further with cozy built-ins and loads of pillows.  How sumptuous this space looks for an evening with friends over a great meal and fine wine.

Meanwhile this industrial square table gets a touch of mid-century with the Eames chairs and glam sputnik-style chandelier.  The square table balances the space so beautifully.

Get the above look at Living Spaces with their Tahoe II square table.  It’s ultra versatile and rings in for a very reasonable price of $995.

Dress up a simple square table with tufted chairs and benches, or a dramatic chandelier for big impact.

Looking for something simple and modern?  Calligaras makes a brilliant mod table in glossy white lacquer.  This Italian made beauty comfortably seats up to eight guests for the perfect dinner party.  

For more information about dining table trends or items used in this blog please leave us a comment.  Have a favorite square table?  We’d love to hear about it.

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Round and Oval Table Trend: Dining Tables with Curves

The dining room gets updated with fresh curvilinear table shapes.  While classically rectangular, we are seeing more exciting table options in the round and oval categories.

The common misperception is that the rectangular table can seat more guests.  However, think about how many weddings or galas that you’ve attended and what shape most of the tables typically are…round.  Formal dining comes in all shapes, but the round table allows as much or more space due to lack of corners, yet more importantly its just a more fluid position for dinner conversation.  Additionally, considering we are all constantly dialed into to our devices, dinner conversation is finally our chance to actually engage live.  Let’s make the most of it.  In the formal dining image below, a party of 12 can dine comfortably together at a large round table.  For this post, the Jigsaw Design team will walk you through a variety of round table options and styles that are piquing our interest. 

Size does matter.  We are loving the oversized round tables like the Concorde table in marble and oak…an added bonus is the spinning tray for self service. Here you see a party of 8 with plenty of room and exploding with style.  Highlights being the marble top and elegantly designed legs. 

Meanwhile, smaller round options for city dwellers or breakfast rooms seat 4 to 6 perfectly.  Even these petit options can set the tone for a swoon worthy space.  Add character and style to a classic antique wood table when pairing with oversized art and dramatic chairs.  Get quirky with geometric wallpaper as a backdrop to a simple glass table amped up with an abstract brass base like the image below.  How cheeky!

The iconic mid-century round table by Saarinen for Knoll at DWR is probably the perfect white modern table. Its simple and pure, plus with the white marble craze we are living in this table is like a chameleon that can fit into most styles of home, beach bungalow, modern, Hampton’s craftsman, you name it.  The beauty of this timeless treasure is the availability in so many different sizes, starting at 35” and stretching up to 60”.  That coupled with the ability to customize the table top and base colors help you create the perfect look for your space. 

Though we could go on and on about our love affair with round tables, we have to mention the oval as well.  She’s curvy and oblong adding flair to a space that might just be too tight a squeeze for a perfect circle. 

Additionally, we love the curved bench style seating for the oval table like the image below.  This creates a cozy and intimate space for lingering over meals with friends.   For a sleek and chic oval, the uber-cool Emmemobili UFO lacquered modern round white dining table has the corner on this market.

Deserving honorable mention is the Bonsai table that can be put in a category all its own. We couldn’t resist sharing this avant-garde piece that’s part oval and part geometric.   All of your artsy friends will reel it for weeks after your next dinner party. 

For more information about fresh dining table ideas or items used in this blog, please leave a comment or reach us on the contact page at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  Please visit us our Facebook page for other news and offers. 

Stay tuned for our next blog on square dining tables…coming soon! 

Staged to Sell: Tips for Staging Your Home to Sell for Top Dollar

Proper staging is essential to generating buyer interest when selling your home.   Therefore, Jigsaw reached out to local real estate expert John Corrales to inquire about how the professional staging trend has affected his marketplace.  “This period in the real estate luxury space is one of the most interesting markets, because the final sale price of homes has such a wide range.  Making the investment in high-end staging is vital, because we are seeing the emotional aspect for buyers translate to $100,000 or more for our sellers in many purchases,” states Corrales, realtor for Forbes Corrales in Manhattan Beach, California.  http://www.forbescorrales.com In this blog, the Jigsaw Designers will show you how to increase the selling price of your home through simple staging tips. 

Step one is obvious and that is to declutter your space.  Let’s be clear, this doesn’t mean just putting the stack of mail out of plain site, this is full court press…organizing under your cabinets, replacing 10 framed photos with a small grouping of images, and please no family photos.  This allows the potential buyer the ability to visualize themselves actually living in the space.  Meanwhile, hide the toaster, the ironing board, the kids finger paintings, and yes, do this in every room.  The key is to let each space express its individual function and be clearly defined. 

Another major component to selling a home is storage.  Decluttering your closets, especially in the master bedroom and kitchen are of the utmost importance. 

Before/After

Next, is maximizing space.  One easy way to show off or give the illusion of a larger space is to float furniture away from walls. Grouping furniture into conversation groups and creating an easy flow for traffic shows off how the room can easily function.  Some fun grouping ideas could be to create a space for drawing, wine tasting or playing a musical instrument.  In the following image a Jigsaw designer simply added a bar cart for a cocktail area to create the illusion of more designated space when staging this small condo. 

Meanwhile, lighting is another key component to staging your home to sell.  When placed properly, lighting can create a warm and inviting environment for your potential buyers.  Make easy updates by hanging pendant lamps or placing appropriate watt lamps on tables or in corners to enhance the mood for your shoppers.  Pairing table lamps on both sides of your bed in the master suite brings balance to this {often shared} space. 

Threes please…this tried and true design rule of placing accessories in groups of three are pleasing to the eye.  Dotting a table with three candelabras or vases make for a clean modern aesthetic, or placing different items in a triangle shape with the larger items in the back will make a balanced ensemble appealing to buyers.  Be mindful to vary the height and style of your items to keep the look more personal versus looking like a showroom floor.

Finally, kitchen and bath are always a top priority for buyers.  If budget allows, updating the drawer pulls and cabinet doors will increase the appeal of your home.  Other simple fixes like painting dated cabinets or tile in crisp white will leave a clean palette for the new buyer to visualize their ideas for the space.  Minimize visible tools like espresso machines and mixers in the kitchen, and add special spa-like touches to the bath with candles, cloth hand-towels and updated accessories.  And of course, clean out and declutter your bathroom cabinets.  Buyers like to see what they are buying so they will inevitably take a sneak pique. 

For more questions and tips about staging your home to sell, please leave a comment below or reach a Jigsaw designer on the Jigsaw website.  www.jigsawdesigngroup.com.  We love hearing from you.  Check us out on Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ for more fun ideas!  Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for weekly blogposts. 

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

 

 

 

 

Vainglorious Velvet

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Forever hand-in-hand is the runway and interior design.  Eternally classic velvet has reemerged on the market in haute couture while simulanoulsy trending in the home decor  space.

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Luxury designers in apparel, footwear and handbags are diving in head first to beautiful rich colors in wine, forest green and misty pinks.  What’s to stop a gal from matching her handbag and her bedding?

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This beloved fabric has been synonymous with fashion and interiors since the Renaissance.  Though the textile has been watered down through the centuries and can be found at any price point, the velvet we are in love with has a great hand and quality that can stand the test of time.  The Jigsaw Designers are big fans of Jonathan Adler’s velvet for example his rich sapphire blue Gold Finger collection that is trimmed in gold metal as seen in the photo below.

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Soft cream and grey velvets are timeless and an ideal way to impliment the color for longevity.  The colors are also perfect for the holidays too.  Create a winter white space with hints of greys, gold, and creams for a Joyeux Noel.

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For those of us that are not color shy, just go all the way.  We love the look of bold colors perfectly married together like the brave purple/blue space below.

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For more information on velvet trends please leave a comment and we’ll get back to you.  To reach a designer, visit the contact page at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com or call (888) 367-9114.  

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Grasscloth Reimagined-Natural Fiber Wallpaper

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

 

Textured Walls: Fresh Ideas for the Accent Wall

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The Jigsaw Designers have always been advocates for painting accent walls  fun colors, bold stripes, metallics or whatever trend is of the moment.  But, sometimes a little texture is just what you’re looking for.    From textured wallpaper to stone walls, in this blog we’ll show you some great ways to create a dramatic accent wall rich in texture.

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The image above is a dining room with an accent wall made of stone.  The rustic ranch style room can keep it’s neutral palette, yet it attains a wow factor with the beautiful texture in the stone.  One would think that too much space would be taken up in a room with this size stone, however these are half stones which are installed with a similar process of how brick is installed.

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We’ve always been a big fan of the exposed brick wall as a matter of fact we’ve dedicated an entire blog to it.  Taking the brick accent wall a step further by painting the brick can be a great trick to adding drama like in the charcoal painted brick below, or neutralizing a color palette like the white brick in the bedroom photo.

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brick-wall-1Additionally, wallpaper can be a great way to add texture to your space.  With an almost unlimited amount to choose from,  one can express their own personality through many differnt styles, colors, patterns and types.   Today, the market can satisfy any style need one can desire from grasscloth, flocked, and even paintable wallpaper.  Grasscloth can fit into many styles of space and it pairs especially well with Cape Cod, Traditional and Beach Chic, while flocked pairs perfectly with the old Hollywood Glamazon and Classic French styles.  For more information on Wallpaper, see our previous Wallpaper Blogs, and stay tuned for the upcoming blog focused solely on Grasscloth and natural wallpapers.

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Paintable wallpaper is hot trend right now because it allows you to love your texture, but be fickle with the color you want to keep.  Perfect for you design lovers and DIY types that like changing things up every season or so.  Also a great idea for stair risers, and ceilings.

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For more information about textured accent walls please leave a comment below or visit the contact page at www.jigsawdesigngroup.com and someone will get back to you.  Be sure to subscribe to the blog and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Google+.

 

 

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