Animal print bonanza on poufs, cubes

They may not be new to fashion or furniture, but animal prints are as hot as ever. There’s something timeless about zebra stripes, cow hides, mock croc and leopard prints—they’re the original nature-inspired palette. And today’s designers are reinventing them with new directions in scale and color. Here’s a look at furnishings that show off animal prints in a big way.

One of the best examples of this look can be seen in the photo above in these hair-on-hide storage ottomans, poufs and cubes from the Seven Seas division of Bradington-Young. Mixing storage, seating and style, these pieces bring just the right amount of the outdoors inside.

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Tags: accent chair, accent chest, accent furniture, animal prints, console, cowhides, cube, faux croc, leopard prints, mock croc, ottoman, painted finishes, pouf, zebra prints

Todd & Holden take a father-and-son stroll at the park

Father’s Day is quickly approaching and as with many holidays, I find it difficult to find a good gift for my husband. My young children make great homemade cards, but it’s up to me to do the shopping. My husband is an excellent dad and I want him to feel appreciated.

While he’d accept them graciously, I’m not sure that a gift card, necktie or sleeve of golf balls expresses my appreciation adequately. I want to recognize not only what he does for our family, but his amazing attitude and work ethic. What I’d really like to give him is the gift of relaxation.

I wish I could giftwrap a long walk in [...]

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Right now, plans are being made all over the country for the traditional Father’s Day breakfast.  It’s a noble tradition, and dads are swell at eating pancakes made by six-year-olds with gobs of chocolate sauce. In addition, Dad might like a more lasting memory of this special day–so why not select a book that will please him as well as pay tribute to his fatherliness? Here are some examples to spur you on to make your own special choice:

Legends of Texas Barbecue Cookbook: What Dad doesn’t think of himself as king of the backyard cookout? This fun book is by Robb Walsh, who puts himself right in the middle of the great barbecue debate. There are 85 recipes, but maybe the best parts of the book are the stories that Walsh has collected around the barbecue pit. Some are [...]

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Photos courtesy of Google Images, Hooker Furniture and Sacksteder’s Interiors

Whether they are ornamental or for a utilitarian purpose; lanterns can be a wonderful enhancement to just about any home decor. With the warm glow of oil burning, soft crystal lighting or the flickering flame of a candle; romantic ambience is created by these decorative gems offering a soothing atmosphere for rest and relaxation.

Encyclopedia Britannica defines lanterns as a case, ordinarily metal, with transparent or translucent sides, used to contain and protect a lamp.

So along with their timeless beauty is a certain amount of functionality that should never be taken for granted. Lanterns are meant to house flame in some cases, but always take into consideration the [...]

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Tags: console, decorating with lanterns, decorative lanterns, floor mirror, jewelry storage mirror, lantern arrangements, lanterns, metallic furniture, vintage lanterns

Rhapsody sleigh bed in Bree Carson’s bedroom

Bree Carson of Norman, Oklahoma and her husband, Adam, are practical types. They’re both alumni of the University of Oklahoma, where they studied finance and accounting, and are each now working in financial careers. Maybe that’s why her first reaction when she learned she was the Grand Prize winner in the national sweepstakes for Hooker Furniture’s Rhapsody Collection was to ask herself, “Am I dreaming?”

To be sure it was real, she even forwarded the email to her husband to read. “I was so excited because we had just been shopping at Mathis Brothers Furniture in Oklahoma City, where we absolutely fell in love with the Rhapsody sleigh bed. “It was at Mathis Brothers where we found out about and [...]

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Tags: dining tables, end tables and coffee tables, home office furnishings

Caliente Chest

Are you looking around and starting to notice that your color scheme is feeling a little dated and tired? When was the last time you spruced up your home by introducing a fresh new color to your palette? About two years ago I started to feel the same way and began to ask myself the very same question. It was right then that I knew a time for change was desperately needed.

Once I made the decision to do something different with my color scheme; the next step was to decide on what colors I wanted to utilize. I’m a firm believer that you should always go with what you love, and if a certain color speaks to you… use it! So with this go around, I was determined to try something with just a [...]

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Tags: accent chest, Accent Furnitur, blue and green color combination, cabinet, furniture, furniture cabinet, living room accent furniture, living room furniture

The summer vacation season is almost here. With my hectic schedule, I sometimes find it challenging to plan a get-away for long stretches of time.  There are so many beautiful spots within a short driving distance. So when I want to experience a little more luxury or enjoy a special retreat in just a few days, a bed and breakfast inn often comes to mind.  All you have to do is pack a bag and hit the road.  Beautiful scenery and gardens are waiting, along with a plush mattress and bedding – with breakfast included!

Since I live in North Carolina, I’m blessed with both the coastal and mountain regions.  Early summer is especially beautiful in the mountains, as the laurel and wildflowers make their annual showing.  When it gets [...]

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Memorial Day is right around the corner. You know what that means—barbecues, s’mores and summertime. I love kicking off summer with a bang, and Memorial Day is the perfect patriotic excuse for a party. Here are some tips for having a fun, casual party with family and friends without any fuss or frills.

I believe all Memorial Day parties are better with a red, white and blue theme. Greet guests with the patriotic colors of the day by having flower pots at your front door. Fill the pots with red, white and blue petunias, verbena or vinca. Place miniature flags in the pots for an extra dose of patriotism!

A good host always has a table set for the guests so that they can enjoy their meal comfortably. The Wakefield dining table features [...]

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Tags: dining room sets, dining tables

Beautiful veneers, finish on Estate blockfront chest

Long ago, women put bandanas on their heads, took their carpets out of doors, and beat the dust of the winter into the fresh spring air. That image is long gone–thank goodness! I love the scene in the film Brighton Beach Memoirs where the mother of the house is constantly polishing her mother’s dining room table. It was the 1930s and the chore is done with pride and love. But I’d bet anything she’d be just as happy enjoying a sunny afternoon on the porch enjoying the fresh ocean breezes!

Some of us, however, have the desire to make home a happier place in spring and summer embedded in our DNA. Fortunately, housekeeping in this age of vastly improved, sophisticated furniture finishes and [...]

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Tags: accent furniture, bedroom furniture, furniture care tips, furniture cleaners, furniture cleaning tips, furniture maintenance, furniture polish, furniture wax, living room furniture

As an interior designer, I turn to many sources for inspiration. In addition to furniture markets, I love to browse catalogs, magazines (my faves are Coastal Living and Southern Living) and websites (Houzz and Pinterest) for ideas. Often it’s one key piece that inspires the look of a whole room. It might be a painting that seems to fit the project perfectly, or a fabric I know the client will love. And while everyone’s talking about eating fresh and organic, I’m enjoying organically inspired interior design.

One of my favorite sources of inspiration is nature. It’s hard to go wrong with a design direction pulled from the environment. Whether it’s a color palette, pattern or material—there’s just something about organic elements that work. Whenever I’m in doubt, nature is always a sure bet.

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Tags: craft furniture, end tables and coffee tables