Home Decor Archives - Modern Pineapple

March 23, 2015

Tickled with Tassels

One of my favorite little design details, the tassel, is having a moment {and not just in our necklaces and earrings}. They’re whimsical, charming and add a little flair to a wide range of furniture pieces. As the WSJ put it this weekend: “They can be tacked on to just about anything—though you might want to stop short of tasseling your forks or your cat.” So great.

I have just a couple around our flat to add that little something extra and fancy up the furniture {even one of the tassels has tassels on the tassel… say that several times fast!}. One I picked up at John Lewis in the fall, where they had a really wide range of options, and another I had received from The Second Yard in my hometown of Virginia Beach back in the States. It’s a fun accent to look for on trips too, in different decorating shops or open air markets.

When you’re looking for ones to fit into your own home, take in the color scheme you already have in place. Our dining room is teal and cream, so I liked the way the gold tassel would fit in and add a little pop to the room. Don’t be afraid to play with different sizes either — it can be fun on big curtains to go with an oversized tassel, while adorning furniture or doorknobs with slightly smaller ones.

They’re relatively low cost and commitment, so when the urge hits to change something up around a room, a new tassel or detail of the like is an easy, economical way to make the update. And if you’re really into tassels, you can make it a permanent fixture in your home with a table like this one (!).

March 22, 2015

Home Style Inspiration: Juliska’s Capucine & David Gooding

I’m so taken by the country-French-inspired home and style of Juliska founders Capucine and David Gooding just featured in Traditional Home. {Have you seen their new La Panier line? As if I didn’t love their gorgeous tableware enough — we have Country Estate in Delft Blue as a special nod to our English living.} They have a relaxed, comfortable use of color and beautiful, functional furniture designed to match their lifestyle with three kids.

What I loved most reading through the piece is their source of inspiration. It’s family, and I felt it fitting to share their home and story today, when my husband and I usually make Facetime calls back home to stay connected on the lives of our parents, siblings and friends. The Goodings have family all over the world, especially in Europe and the States. They surround themselves with reminders of their family through their home, which is something we have done in ours too.

I wish Juliska was more widely available here. It can be ordered at Selfridges through the Wedding Shop, and Amara stocks their Berry & Thread line. Till then, I do pick up pieces when we are back in the States and emulate bits of their style from afar. {That kitchen just looks so inviting and perfect for family gathering and that entryway table is something I’m dying to do in our next home.}

March 1, 2015

Interior Inspiration: House of Cards

Like the rest of the world, my man and I basically declared it an international holiday on Friday when the Underwoods returned for the third season on Netflix {thank goodness they released it in the UK at the same time as the States — just, yes.}.

Besides geeking out over the new pieces added to Claire’s elegantly-styled minimalist wardrobe — I want every stitch of clothing in my closet like yesterday — I’ve been loving the updated traditional style in their current residence. The light kitchen with its white subway tiles and pendant lights above the island, gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows in the sitting room between the his and hers bedrooms, and the large chandeliers reflecting the light from all the table lamps lining the halls.

I wish the shots weren’t so dark to show off the beauty of their White House interior, but alas it wouldn’t be House of Cards then would it? The Underwoods are back in all their machiavellian ways, and darker than ever.

Those chandeliers, giant crown molding and the grouping of the chairs to create little nooks, more interest and opportunities to use the room.

Everything about this kitchen, with the chrome fixtures and multiple windows, and the sitting area below.

Double couches and that window. Swoon.

Of course there’s a dry bar on the sideboard. Bonus points with all the fresh flowers {I would like this flower budget.}

Love the tall windows in Claire’s bedroom, and the striped couch at the foot of the bed. And that headboard!

{All photos included in this post are stills from House of Cards, Season 3, with Netflix.}

February 18, 2015

Let There Be Light

I’ve always had a thing for lighting. The ambience of a room, event and space can be wholly influenced by the type and amount of lights. It can add drama, amplify colors and create a mood. {I mean, there’s a reason why they say everyone looks good in candlelight.}

This week we’ve been busy with electricians rewiring our flat, which has brought the topic of task lighting to the forefront of my mind. I usually favor table and floor lamps over bulky ceiling lights that can cast a harsh glow and bizarre shadows. Lately though, I’ve been getting into the artful details overhead lighting can bring to a space while doing their main job of general illumination. Here are the ones I’m currently dreaming of to decorate our home:

The perfect amount of glam to go over our seating area in the living room. {Aerin}

Growing up at the beach means I love anything to do with water. These capiz shells would be beautiful over a kitchen table or breakfast nook, creating a light airy feeling. {West Elm}

I’ll be the first to admit I am drawn to classic lines and shapes, but I love the energy that comes from pairing the traditional with something modern. This chandelier would create that dynamic feeling over our traditional dining room table. {Jonathan Adler}

Waking up each morning would be that much sweeter seeing the sunlight amplified in this chandelier above our bed. {Williams-Sonoma Home}

In keeping with that whole easy breezy feeling I’m longing for in the guest room, this light is functional and adds a little island vibe. {Alexa Hampton}

I like the idea of an orb chandelier welcoming at the front door. It has a similar feel to the classic lantern but as an openwork sphere. {Ballard Designs}

It’s a little out there, but I love the playfulness of a bubble chandelier over a freestanding tub in the master bath. {PLC Lighting}

February 12, 2015

Pillow Talk

A few months ago, my husband and I had the most amazing in-hotel bedding experience ever. So much so that I practically stripped the sheets to see where they were made {and found the goose feather down mattress topper — aha}. Right now, we are on the hunt for new bedding for our guest room and want to make it as incredible as that experience was.

After I arrived in October from New York, we moved into a new flat with two bedrooms to host many of our family and friends from home. With our first guests arriving next month {my husband’s parents!}, we are finalizing those last minute details of hosting overnight visitors for the first time in a new home.

We currently have my bedding from NYC on there. It’s taupe, complete with a down comforter and so many pillows, and I loved it. Now with the mahogany furniture we have in the room (and it’s cozier size), I’d like for us to opt for something much lighter to make the room feel fresh, breezy and casual. Here’s a bit of the bedding inspiration I’ve been perusing…

Big fan of the monogram pillows and duvet on the foot of the bed.

Guest Room 2 That Trina Turk Greek Key accent pillow.

Really this just makes me want to be on a white sandy beach with a pina colada, pronto.

It’s been both fun and a challenge to decorate from British brands with our super American style. We did ship quite a bit over from the States, but there was so much more we needed as we joined forces into one home (!). So far, most of our furniture and decorating details have come from department stores John Lewis and Selfridges, local stores Graham & Green and India Jane for mirrors and special tables, and of course West Elm for decor (dreaming of the opening of Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma).

West Elm might be our go-to for the linens — they have so many pretty white options and a sale right now. I’m also looking into, as in lusting after, Yves Delorme, Matouk (swoon), Sferra, and Peter Reed, an English bed linen brand. I’ll unveil our before-and-after guest room a few weeks from now. Stay tuned!

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