Wallpaper is back and better than ever! As one of our favorite materials, we are thrilled about its exuberant return to the forefront of the interior design world. Wallpaper is one of the manifestations of design creativity; it has come a long way over the decades, with fresh new designs and uses. We’re not only finding a shift from minimalist to more layered spaces on social media, but we are also seeing more beautiful wallcoverings in hit TV shows and movies, like Emma, Bridgerton, The Goldfinch, and The Queen’s Gambit, that leave a lasting impression. (1) But before wallpapering every room, lets learn more about this single most transformative element in our design arsenal – its history, materials, applications and creative uses. History (2) Wallpaper has been around for centuries, with roots tracing back to the ancient Chinese, who are said to have pasted rice paper onto walls as far back as the Qin dynasty. It was used as a form of decoration in palaces and homes, and eventually made its way to Europe in the 16th century. By the 19th century, wallpaper was becoming increasingly popular due to advancements in printing technology, which allowed wallpaper to be mass-produced and accessible to a larger audience. Types […]
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There are trends that come and go. But some things are timeless. Iconic furnishings never go out of style and are repeatedly associated with prominent architects and designers. From mid-century modern designs to contemporary pieces, iconic furniture has a long history. Architects like Le Corbusier and Frank Gehry have created timeless pieces that are still used and collected today. Their designs pushed the bar and created beautiful pieces that blended both form and function. Check out the history of some of the most iconic furniture pieces, the designers who created them and the influence they have on current design trends. Which one is your favorite? #1 Charles and Ray Eames – The Eames Lounge Chair (1) Charles and Ray Eames are behind some of the 20th century’s most defined architecture and design movements. However, the husband-and-wife duo are most known for their Eames Chair and ottoman which can be found in many homes today, as well as the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The pair created a modern lounge during a time of minimalism – The Eames Lounge Chair – which had “the warm receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt”. The team released the design to […]
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Area rugs in our homes are like shoes to a well-put-together outfit. You wouldn’t go to the trouble of selecting your best outfit for a night out and then go barefoot. It’s the same principle with rugs. Shoes complete an outfit and, in some instances, will actually outshine what you’re wearing, if you want them to that is. It’s the same with rugs. They can be a game changer on how a room looks and feels. Rugs can either sit in harmony with your room, or they can make a statement by adding an element of surprise, and I for one, love surprises! (1) Rugs create a visual pathway, add warmth and character, enable texture, color and dimension, enable room flow, provide sound absorption, define a space, connect a space, tie a design together and even act as wall art. Ultimately, they provide comfort. Since area rugs play such an important role in design, it’s critical to select the right rug for your space. With the need to consider size, material, and functionality, it’s hard to know where to start. We’ve tackled some of the hard questions for you below. Rug Materials, Care & Maintenance (2) One of the most […]
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Talie Jane Interiors is proud to announce our collaborative partnership with a new (to us) vendor, LuXout Shades, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. LuXout started its business in 1948 making stage curtains and evolved into making window treatments for the trade in 1982. LuXout Shades offers: LuXout Shades has several design styles for all aesthetics: Decorative Roller Shades – Designer and Lux Shade Designer Roller shades are comprised of a single piece of fabric that rolls up around a cassette/headbox installed at the top of a window. LuXout offers three types of headboxes: Open Fascia, Square Fascia, and Pocket. Roller shades can easily be made for any window size, allow for any amount of light filtration, are very low maintenance and lean a bit more contemporary in design. They can be inside or outside mounted (installed inside or outside of the window frame) and have a standard or reverse roll. LuXout offers metallic and colored headboxes and bottom bars, decorative scallops, braids, pulls, poles and eyelets to personalize your choice and coordinate with your interior design scheme. Lux Roller Shades are a more upscale shade with metal or polymer components and covers in a variety of finishes. There are more options […]
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It’s fireplace season! Time to enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate or glass of mulled wine while curled up next to a cracking, roaring fire. Sounds delightful! Not only do fireplaces add warmth and comfort, they also create a dramatic focal point in any room, provide the perfect backdrop for entertaining and add value to your home. But with so many options to choose from, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. Read on to learn about the types of fireplaces and the pros and cons of each so you can find the one that’s right for you. Wood Burning Fireplace Essentially, a standard wood-burning fireplace comprises these elements: Hearth (floor in front of the fireplace), Firebox (where the wood burns), Damper (the lever that opens and closes the flue) and the Smoke chamber and flue (where the smoke is drawn up and out). There are three types of wood burning fireplaces: How it Functions Before lighting a fire, the damper is opened to allow smoke and combustion gases to escape. Once the fire is lit, the extremely hot combustion gases begin to rise up the chimney by convection. At the same time, the fire is drawing air from […]
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“The history of architecture is the history of the struggle for light.” Le Corbusier – Architect Think about the difference between getting your photo taken in at your local DMV under harsh fluorescent lighting, versus your picture at a sexy, low-lit restaurant. Good lighting is truly everything, but it is oftentimes an afterthought when designing a room. Whether it’s a bright task lamp on your desk to help you stay productive or a sconce by your bedside for cozy late-night reading, lighting is one of the most powerful tools for creating a specific mood. Bringing lighting decisions to the forefront of the design can make all the difference, and we’ll show you how. Layer the Light Lighting, like any great interior design element, should be layered to create contrast. A mix of accent, ambient, natural, and task lighting in the home provides a nice balance of light and dark that grants each room richness and depth: Accent lighting – supplementary light that illuminates dark corners or small spaces. A can light placed above a shower enclosure is one example. Ambient lighting – the general overall light that illuminates the entire space, such as a chandelier in the center of a […]
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If you ask someone, “what is art?” they will usually refer to a painting or a photograph. In reality, art comes in many forms – performance art like dance, music and song, nature, poetry and architecture. Now, just for a moment, imagine a world without any art. Our world would be a very dim and boring place, devoid of imagination. Without art, the banality of reality would be intolerable. To paraphrase Nietzsche, “We have art in order not to parish from the truth.” Why Art? While it feels like a simple question, with an even simpler answer, the truth is that it goes way beyond bringing a little color into a living room. (1) Art breathes life into a space. It allows us to express ourselves, encouraging dialogue and welcoming emotion. It reminds us of what is possible—all to help turn an ordinary house into a home. Art connects us to the past and future. It feeds our curiosity and inspires our imagination. I love this quote from fellow-designer, Tara Bernard, “For me, art is like punctuation to a sentence; it is that all-important ingredient and without it, a space lacks the layers and attitude that a significant piece can […]
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Not sure whether your style is Mountain Modern, Rustic, Contemporary or Modern Farmhouse? Maybe it’s somewhere in between or a combination of a few different styles. Talie Jane Interiors takes a look at nine prominent design styles. Which one speaks to you? Take the quiz at the end to see which is your best match. Mountain Modern What is Mountain Modern Design? Mountain modern Interior design style is the newest trend in interior design. This distinctive style is characterized by clean lines, natural materials, neutral colors, and lots of light. It was inspired by rural living in the Rocky Mountains and prairie-style homes. Clean lines and an uncluttered interior are the hallmarks of contemporary mountain design. The design is focused about panoramic view and a fully relaxed feeling, with open layouts and lofty ceilings. (1) History The origins of mountain architecture in America came from the earliest non-native peoples who chose to venture into the untamed mountainous areas of the country. The structures they built were a direct response to the environment they were in. They had to be made from native materials because transportation means were primitive and they had to be robust to withstand harsh weather and deep […]
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Let There Be Light! Lighting is arguably the most important element in interior design. It is an essential ingredient and not an afterthought as many consider it to be. If you’re tempted to spend more time picking out furnishings or puzzling over layouts, remember that lighting can completely transform a space – not just by brightening dark corners, but by affecting your emotions. (1) Lighting creates mood and sets tone. It can affect the perceived size of a room, add dimension, draw attention and create depth and balance. In order to achieve the true power of lighting, designers consider lighting placement, amongst a myriad of other things. Standard lighting layouts with symmetrical cans, chandeliers and pendants (peppered with table, floor and task lamps) are a great starting point. After all, you need more than one source of light in a room (think layered illumination). (1) But, when you get creative on where and how to place lighting, “wow-factors” can be born. Here are a few creative lighting placement ideas that take lighting to the next level. Forgotten Corners: Light ‘em up The goal is to create contrast between the light at the center of a room, the light around the […]
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What’s the secret to a comfortable, cozy AND beautiful sofa? Pillows! Every designer loves pillows (what’s not to love?) but the art of mixing and matching sizes, colors and patterns can be a challenge. Here’s some advice on how to select the perfect pillows.
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