Rustic + Modern Mix {Guest Post from Design Shuffle}

Hi, all! It's Mari here from Design Shuffle, a fabulous online place for interior designers and design enthusiasts to upload their work and receive lots of exposure. One of the best things about writing guest posts for Design Shuffle is getting to visit great design and decorating blogs like The Pink Peony (love the name and the gorgeous flower) to share some of my favorite decorating ideas. Today, our topic at hand is blending modern style with rustic elements to create a lovely mix. There's something so appealing about the contrast between the clean sleek lines of modern style and rustic architecture or furnishings. We're excited to bring you these eight "modern + rustic" rooms. Enjoy!

   

 What a great blend of modern and rustic in this contemporary living room. I love the contrast of wire, reclaimed wood cubes and comfy upholstered pieces.

   

 This rustic bathroom setting seems to be the perfect environment for a large sleek soaking tub. How amazing are the tub's plumbing fixtures? 

   

 The architecture is rustic, the furnishings distinctly modernóthis is indeed a lovely mix. I am fascinated by the sculptural chairsóform, color and material. Are you getting any living room design ideas?

   

 Who would guess this rustic and modern interior design is the stunning result of a Manhattan brownstone renovation? Rustic beams, Panton chairs, reclaimed wood dining table, modern sculpture above the ornate fireplaceóall contribute to this lovely mix.

   

 Reclaimed wide wood boards are used to create this rustic table surrounded by slim modern seating. The lighted cabinets are beautiful against pale green tileóthe perfect backdrop for an informal dinner.

   

 Modern chairs, contemporary lighting and rustic table are a lovely mix in this inviting eat-in kitchen. I adore the unexpected cotton boll decorative element.

   

 In a nursery or child's bedroom design modern and rustic can create a happy space for sleeping and playing. Rustic woods and modern furnishings seem to be made for each other.

   

 Lastly, here's a lovely mix of modern neutrals with rustic wooden elements. This one might be described as understated eleganceóso appealing. Images 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Don't you just love rustic and modern designs? Visit Design Shuffle where you can explore both! While you are there, you can learn about the history of interior design and browse through the portfolios of Boston interior designers and more!

Retro-Chic

Overstock.com has become a favorite website over the past few weeks.  I've been eyeing these super retro/chic chairs for my future dining room set up, but have yet to find the table I have in mind.  My love for them only deepened this evening as I caught a glimpse of one in a photo of a Home Tour.

{Overstock}

{Hanna's Home}

What do you think??  

Ikat

While I love all of the geometric patterns that have been popular for quite some time now, I find myself taking a break from the traditional graphics and gravitating towards beautiful Ikat patterns.

Ikat {pronounced: ee - khat} is similar to tye-dying, but instead of dying the fabric as a whole, the threads are bundled, twisted, dyed and then woven.  This has been a popular technique for centuries all over the world, in areas such as Central & South America, Asia, Europe, etc.  Each Ikat pattern is different and unique and usually full of color.

More modernly, Ikat can be added to your home in several different ways.  These are some of my favorite modern Ikat patterns.

{Ikat Rug - Source Unknown}

{Ikat Pouf Vivre}

{Ikat Dish Set VeraWang}

                                                    

{Ikat Chair UrbanOutfitters}

{Ikat Pillow Koko}

{Ikat Slipcover UrbanOutfitters}

Wingback Beauties

It's Friday AND it's a holiday weekend - yay!  I hope you have fabulous plans for your extended off time.  Hubby and I were planning to stay the weekend in a nearby beach town; but given the fact that we're expected to experience Tropical Storm Lee till Tuesday-ish, I think we'll make it a cozy weekend in.  I'm all for cozy.  Hot tea, board games & yummy goodies to munch on sounds just perfect to me!

I've recently acquired this less-than-glamourous antique, wingback chair, and I have grand plans of restoring it to all it's intended beauty.  I've always been a bit ambitious when it comes to just about anything, but even I have to admit that restoring her (yes, I strongly believe it's a "her") is going to be quite the endeavor.  I've never reupholstered a wingback chair anything, so this should be interesting.  If you have any tips, tidbits of valuable information, or tutorial resources you'd like to share, I'd love to see!  Here are a few of my latest inspirations.  Happy Weekend!

{My $20 Craigslist Find - She'll soon be a piece worth bragging about. :)}