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TRIMS, TASSELS AND BEADED FRINGE

Design is in the details and all manner of trims and fringes are part of  the multi layered look so essential for today’s interiors from modern to traditional styles. Trims are one of my favorite ways to complete a design project and add a touch of individuality.Tapes and beaded fringe highlight bold patterns and solids in the Urban Loft Collection by Kravet. And yes you can use fringe in modern interiors.

These yummy beaded trims were inspired by haute couture fashion houses from the 50′s and 60′s. The rich jewel tones will enhance the most luxurious fabrics and textures. by KravetThese bold tapes from the Hamptons Collection by Bargia, can  add colorful detailing to pillows and bedding.The subtle nuances of menswear tailoring are brought to life by the use of raffia and suede in these wonderfully textured trims by Joseph Abboud for Kravet.

For a change of pace try multi shaped  glass beads combined with velvet and metals for some Vintage Romance. Colorways  come in Opera, Castle, and Venetian. Just the names evoke luxury and riches. by Kravet.

More luxury is seen in these richly detailed trims by Bargia.  Covered beads combined with jewels and silken bows in deep rich colors make these little goodies irresistable.

Letitia Little, Allied ASID, CID is a  licensed, award wining interior designer located in Minneapolis, MN. for more info go to www.letitialittle.com.

FABULOUS COLORS FOR FALL INTERIORS cont.

Here are more exciting textures and colors that inspire me as I design interiors for clients. I see alot of interior product so I am always drawn to the new and unusual in fabrics, furniture and accessories. 

This richly textured chenille fabric has the visual warmth of a hand knit sweater. Looks great on the modern arm chair. By Romo

Thick strands of seagrass are loosely woven into the drum shape of the Nina chandelier by Made Goods. It’s perfect for Mid Century Modern interiors.

Textured, small scale weaves with a luxurious hand add tactile dimension to chairs and sofas. Fabrics by Romo

Is it mineral or furniture? This chunky stool in gold crackle ceramic can be used outdoors or indoors. Talk about unique! by Made Goods

Wool area rugs from the Middle East are  in a special category of textures all their own and  are always in demand and in style.

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is a licensed, award wining interior designer located in Minneapolis, MN. for more info go to www.letitialittle.com.

The 2012 ASID Showcase House is in its third week of the Tour and the Dining room is getting rave reviews. Everyone loves the casual elegance of this room and its soothing green and gray color scheme.

The large window  all dressed up in soft sheers and silk panels is a perfect backdrop for the custom dining table.

The unique  buffet complements the handsome, original wainscoting and the silver mirror and wall sconces add shimmer.

White paper flowers and mercury glass candle sticks add drama.

These bird plates are the perfect finishing touch to the table scape.

The ASID Showcase House Tour is in its 3rd and final week. Don’t miss it.

Be sure to check out the previous posts on this topic: Before and After ASID Showcase House parts 1-6.

2012 ASID SHOWCASE HOUSE-PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

Letitia Little Allied ASID, CID is a licensed, award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. for more info go to www.letitialittle.com.

Spring is here and the birds are back! Their various songs are music to our ears. This time of year reminds me of one of my favorite painters of traditional art, John James Audubon 1785-1851. He was a French-American ornthologist, naturalist and painter, most noted for his expansive studies documenting all types of American birds. His well detailed illustrations depicted birds in their natural habitats. He identified 25 new species of birds. Audubon’s art is well known and loved even today because each piece of art is so authentic and beautiful. I selected just a few.

The pure white color and delicate tail feathers of the Great Egret are Stunning!

These little dears are the Carolina Turtle Dove. I love the soft colors and minute details. You can almost hear their gentle cooing.

This is the Little Blue Heron. The blues of this bird are amazing. Such depth!

These are members of the Wood Duck family. The intricate colors of this bird are so beautifully captured by this master illustrator!

All prints are from the Oppenheimer Edition of Audubons, Rare Prints.

Watch for more Audubon prints in upcoming posts of the ASID House -Dining Room that I designed.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award winning interior designer in  Minneapolis, MN. For more info visit www.letitialittle.com

Bookcases are one of my favorite interior design elements in a room because they reveal the family’s personality. They hold personal collections, mementos, photos of family members, favorite books etc. Bookcases add texture and variety to a room. The items in a bookcase must be arranged in a balanced way to achieve the most pleasing visual effect.

For this bookcase in a client’s family room, I added lots of books and some accessories to the family photos and mementos the family already had. When you decorate your own bookcase, be sure to have a good amount of books and not too many family photos. Mix in some smaller accessories with bigger pieces for a good sense of balance. I added the contemporary art for a colorful touch of interest to the dark wood.

In this great room bookcase the T.V. is hidden behind the far left doors and there aren’t alot of shelves.  I kept it pretty simple with mostly books for texture.  The oil painting and candles on the mantel add warmth and a focal point for the whole wall.

The rock face on this bookcase is strong and masculine so alot of small delicate accessories won’t work. A few large boxes mixed in with the books are all it needs. I added the large candle holders and lantern to provide wonderful contrast to the real stones. The red plaid chairs are part of the overall design in this client’s cosy family room.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award winning interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. For more info visit www.letitialittle.com.

These new drapery rod collections from Brimar and Kravet are so stunning they are like Jewelry for the Home! What a way to  add the perfect finishing touch to custom window coverings.

I love the two-tone look of this rod and finial. It comes in finishes like Water Gilded Silver, Bisque with Gilded Gold, Patina and Dark Walnut. Luxurious! Signature Collection from Kravet.

This rod  looks like an exotic animal skin but it is textured, painted wood. Platforms by Brimar

I love the look of this antique silver painted curtain rod. Its sophisticated styling would be right at home in a traditional setting or a transitional one. Metro by Brimar.

Go native with this exotic curtain rod set from Kravet. Its called Bamboo Metals and comes in 3 finishes from light to dark “bamboo”.  Very upscale casual.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award wining interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. For more info visit www.letitialittle.com.

And now we’ve reached the After phase of my interior design for the Victorian guest bedroom suite in this ASID Showcase House Historic Renovation.

The completed space shows off its soothing seafoam green and gold color palette and elegant formal furnishings. Makes you want to step into the past and stay awhile.

I fell in love with the  home owner’s antique brass bed. It’s so perfect for the room all dressed up in its custom silk  bed coverings. The delicate little chandelier adds just the right amount of sparkle. Dramatic swagged valances and tie back curtains in striped silk are perfect examples of  Victorian interior design.

The cozy corner between the two windows is completed by the gold velvet slipper chair. And the restored antique Eastlake dresser feels right at home. Details like the silk and wool area rug, ribbon hung pictures and  antique books add important design  elements.

The elegant custom vanity is the focal point of this small bathroom. Set against the authentic subway wall tiles and William Morris wallpaper it ”says” Victorian. The shower on the right has a full glass door to keep the bathroom “open” yet functional.

The corner toilet was the only solution for this bathroom. Its a  great little space  that fully coordinates with the bedroom.

This  design project won an ASID Honorable Mention Award for Showcase Home Room. I sponsored 3 students from Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount , MN to work on the project with me.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award winning interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. for more info visit www.letitialittle.com.

Here are a few quick and easy ways to decorate for the Holidays using things you already have around the house.

Silver and red are so pretty together this time of year. These mint julep cups look great with red ball ornaments. Add a sprig of  greenery and some red berries and you have a simple but  festive table top decoration. These cups look great in the summer with flower bouquets. I have used them in the spring as well, with green moss.

I love hydrangeas and these white silk ones with a touch of green are so elegant with the red berry branches. I put them in a simple glass vase and added green moss.  The little fat red cardinals  add just the right amount of red. This arrangement would be perfect  on a table all winter long.

These colorful red and green throw pillows add holiday color to a chair or sofa. Pillows are a quick and inexpensive way to change the look of a room for the season. They’ll add cheer through the long winter months too.  

Red and green floral print in cotton chintz makes a great pillow to pair with the red silk stripe. 

This antique desk looks festive for the holidays with red santas  and holiday greenery. The old silver pitcher comes out of the cupboard to hold greens.

I hope this post gives you some food for thought as you decorate your home for the season. Happy Holidays.

Letiltia Little is a licensed, award winning interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. Visit www.letitialittle.com for more info.

Want to change the look of your interiors without re- decorating the whole room? Well chosen accessories can do that. In fact accessories are powerful design elements in any interior. The right ones can be the frosting on the cake and truly finish off a room. The wrong ones can ruin the entire design.

 If you have neutral furnishings you can easily switch out pillows and accessories to create a new look for your room for not too much money. These colorful pillows and natural floral arrangement create great texture for Fall. And they won’t break the bank.

Hand crafted  accessories like these suggest an Artisan feel and provide character to a casual setting. Handwoven African baskets, glazed ceramic pitchers, antique silver stirrups, a crude wooden bench and a Kilim rug work well together to make a rich, ethnic statement. 

Custom made throw pillows in deep rich autumn colors make a bold statement on a white sofa. An off white or tan sofa would work too. 

More textural pillows in rust and turquoise.

 Southwestern basket, ceramic horses from South America and giant silk mums offer yet more possibilites for  variety and change in a great room or living room.

 Wonderful, crude santos from Guatamala look great on an end table. An interior designer to help you select one -of -a -kind items like all of the ones  shown. You might even have some special mementos from your travels. Visit flea markets and fairs for ideas too. 

Here’s another look at the same living room with different pillows and accessories all dressed up for the Holidays. See my post dated December 2010.

Letitia Little is a licensed, award winning interior designer in Minneapolis, MN. Visit www.letitialittle.com for more info.