HAUTE HOUSE

Everytime I see Haute House Furniture at a furniture gift show, I always do a double take. At first glance I'm impressed by the impact some of the pieces make with their spectacular 77" high settees and they also offer some beautifully tufted pieces in their line. Yet, when I got closer to the furniture I began to notice the overuse of rich fabrics, tassel trims, and......(gulp) rhinestones. It's the overkill pieces like these that make me cringe and want to run the other way screaming. I guess the daughters of the Marge Carson lovers of the world need furniture too but people please! Anyway, I decided to give the line another chance, and I was surprised to find some really fun options that I would be happy to use in future projects, minus the rhinestones of course.

OMBRE AND DIP-DYE

Whether you call it ombre or dip dye, it's been a buzz for quite some time now, and quite frankly makes me want go tie-dye something. We all know that ombre hair is a huge trend right now but it's also popping up in fashion, event styling, and home decor. 

I wouldn't mind trying to dip dye some lifeless dining chairs to bring them back to life again or even play with ombre dresser drawers. Splendid ideas actually!

~N 

 Ralph Lauren bedding 

Kim Seybert napkins

Z Gallerie ombre pillows

THE SLIDING BARN DOOR

If you desire sliding doors but prefer not to insert the doors into the wall, forming a pocket door, there is an alternative. Sliding doors, or as they are sometimes referred to as Barn Doors, are doors which are hung on a rail and slide across an entryway in a similar way as a pocket door.

The major difference between a pocket door and a sliding door, is that the sliding door is visible on one side of the entryway. From a construction standpoint a sliding or barn door is a much easier home improvement installation than a pocket door since there is no need to do any wall demolition nor should there be any concern about structural support across the open doorway.

Just because it is called a "barn door" does not mean it should look like it belongs in a farm. You can change the look up with a more modern looking door and funky brass or chrome sliding hardware.

This photo began my obsession with the barn door, designed by Lizette Marie.

What a great solution to hiding your television.

Modern sliding barn door rollers found at renovation headquarters

ROCK N' ROLL CHIC

Looking through my Pinterest style board the other night I realized the majority of my photos were either a rainbow of sleek lady like numbers or totally rocker chic as I like to call it. Now to define "rocker chic" you must have a few main pieces, but if you need one design house to define it for you it's Balmain. Otherwise it's all about a slim pant in leather or a fun print, simple tops, studded jackets or accessories, and a little bit of metallic glitter. I also find that sometimes these looks are combat or military inspired, but they don't have to be super rugged when you add a pair of lady like heels or a sexy cat eye. Although I buy a lot of J. Crew, I feel like I mix a lot of those pieces in to my rocker chic sensibility. Exhibit A...my velvet cobalt blue blazer and a simple artist V'neck Tee from J. Crew has been worn with ripped skinny jeans and gold glittery pumps from Zara. Add some seriously funky jewelry and nobody will ever be able to tell. Such a versatile look! Just take Blake Lively for example, so lady like and chic yet such a bad ass at heart with that sick gold blazer. Siigghhh...I love Rocker Chic!!

 Ripped skinnys and major pumps. 

Red velvet skinnys

Can't go wrong with all leather if it looks like this!

Great example of lady like sophistication meets rough and tough leather jacket

Anything studded! This Versace pencil skirt is a knockout!

Balmain

 Balmain

 and Balmain again...

 again...

and Balmain again!

And this ridiculously gorgeous maxi skirt is also from Balmain 

 Unknown, but the most elegant way I've ever seen a skull and crossbones done. 

Funky but not overdone tattoo's are always sexy rocker chic.

I can't even breathe when I look at this combat bustier!

 I need these leather skinnys!!!!

And of course a spiked clutch by Louboutin to finish the look.

~N