Many props and much respect!!!
Well, I'm finally starting the master bedroom make-over and while thumbing through my Anthropologie and Pottery Barn catalogues I got really inspired by the quilts. My only hesitation comes from my fear and loathing of all things "shabby chic". I think there is a fine line that you don't want to cross! The PB room below is on the good side of using quilts in bedroom design.
Image via Pottery Barn.
The room below has gone horrifically wrong... hence my long standing and totally justifiable fear!
Image via Ugliest House Photos.
Then, I saw the name of one of the Anthro quilt designers. Her name is Denyse Schmidt and she is awesome! She grew up in an old textile factory in Massacheusetts with a Father who built furniture and a Mother who was a seamstress. So naturally, she started sewing at a very early age. Later, she studied graphic design at the Rhode Island School of Design, and had several different careers over the years. She finally patched together (pun intended!) her many eclectic experiences and created her business ten years ago.
Here are a few of my favorite designs....
"What a Dish" nursery quilt. Image via Denyse Schmidt.
"Drunk Love in a Log Cabin" Image via Denyse Schmidt.
"String Theory" Image via Denyse Schmidt.
"Big Zig" Via Denyse Schmidt.
"Four Crosses" Image via Denyse Schmidt.
So here's my plan. I'm going to try to make a modern, colorful quilt as part of my bedroom make-over design. The thing is that the only quilts I've ever made have been nothing more complicated than sewing straight lines. This ought to some kinda interesting project!
This is a super simple patch work type quilt that I made for my adorable baby nephew. I sewed ric-rac around squares to hide the less-than-perfect corners and to serve as the actual quilting.
And this is one of the quilts I put together for the "Linus Project."
My Mom (who is a fantastic teacher) and I found these fabrics while in the lower level of their house during a tornado warning, in the dark, without electricity, by candle light. I'm not sure what I'll use or which design I'll try but as soon as I figure it all out I'll do a follow-up post.
What do you think of designing around a quilt?
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Designing around a quilt, or any other object, isn't a bad idea. In fact, it's what they advocate on "Design Star" ... oh boy, I guess that actually means that it's a horrible idea. Anyway, Design Star notwithstanding, I think it's a good idea to feature one item, with others in support. But the one caveat is that the quilt (or whatever the central feature is) has got to be an ass-kicker. You're putting it center-stage and if it looks like something that belongs on a bed in Aunt Matilda's spare room, you're sunk. Good luck and keep us posted. KDM
ReplyDeleteI think you can use anything as an inspiration for design, including a quilt. The colors or the patterns can be your jumping off point.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I was so relieved when I saw that the ugly room wasn't in your house. LOL! That was awful.
Karen, you are so funny! I secretly love finding awful photos of hideous decor! The blog "uglyhousephotos" is a treasure trove of awesomely bad rooms!
ReplyDelete-ME
I would like the circle bullseye design for MY bedroom. But I'm sure my wife would NEVER let that happen.
ReplyDeleteI think quilts are a great starting point for bedroom design. I love Pine Cone Hill quilts for our beach cottage. They have a lot of coordinating items to choose from and I love that Dash & Albert rugs coordinate with the quilts too. It makes pulling together a room easy. The end result is not too matchy matchy either. It's stylish and fun.
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