Flying High in Style

With their introduction of the Envoy suites top airline carrier US Airways invites travelers to change their position on business travel; while a definite step in the right direction this Stylemaker would like to encourage US Airways and other major carriers to step-up  overhaul their entire cabin interior decor!    Just imagine the passengers delight were they  to step into a luxury outfitted plane every time they ventured into the wild blue yonder.  Why they may just choose to keep flying with no need to deplane to begin their 5 Star destination experience.    Just for fun I've pictured some cabin interior combo's below please vote to let me know which one would be a winner in your eyes.  Perhaps if we get enough responses we can convince US Airways to update their cabin interiors.
Charmaine Wynter
http://www.wynterinteriors.com/

Lux  First Class



Lux Business Class

                                         

Lux Economy

Opposites Attract... or do they?

Some experts contend "opposites attract but it’s the similarities that keep us together" …Below I’ve showcased rooms that flaunt one or the other of the above sayings… Identify which adage was used to pull together the rooms pictured below.
 

If you vote :

• Opposites- then the decor elements within the room contrast; finishes, shapes, sizes vary and the room is interesting because of the differences.

If you vote :

• Similar- then the design elements within the room relates; finishes, shapes and colors are alike and the rooms interest is derived by this connectedness.

Now, I have not made it easy... Where's the fun in that?  But.. .the first 7 new comments posted that correctly identify which image is decorated using opposites and which image is decorated using similar elements in ALL of the pictures wins a Bedroom Décor gift packet from my Charnorbry Collection Valued at $350.00!  Good Luck!!

I'll post the lucky winners names here.  Charmaine Wynter  www.wynterinteriors.com

Image #1



Image # 2





Image #3



Image #4

Image #5

Urban Warmth!

Winter is certainly here... as headlines scream of school closures- power outages and winter storm warnings http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A2KJ3CeOO_1MGCYA7nLwFAx.;_ylu=X3oDMTB0MWVhNXRyBHBvcwMyLjEEc2VjA3NyBGNvbG8DYWM0BHZ0aWQD/SIG=15aoh63ee/EXP=1291693070/**http%3a//www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/atlantic/school-closures-power-outages-as-winter-storm-bashes-eastern-canada/article1826270/%3fcmpid=rss1 I and other northerners start the cocooning process.  All of the breezy cottons and linen's get put away in favour of furs and flannel- wools and warmth; are the tone of the day.  Below are some of my favourite new ways to introduce cozy warmth in an updated urban way.

Felt cushions fashioned from reclaimed sweaters

Felting is hot we've seen it on the runways now we see it in homeware-  introduced here in cushions - left these are a dynamic way to add warmth and fashion to your winter interior.  Now you've got something to do with the sweaters that shrunk in the wash... 

Note the fur throws, a chenielle ottoman,  and wool toss cushions

We've layered on the warmth factor without adjusting any of the fundamental elements within the
room pictured on the right-

Below left- Doesn't this upholstered chair just make you want to snuggle down within the warm woolen folds?  mmm... toasty!

Cable Knitt Sweater covered chair

Below right- A fur or faux fur throw add the cozy feel to this bedroom what a perfect way to begin and end a day.

The addition of a fur pelt makes for instant visual warmth

I hope you've enjoyed viewing the fresh ways that warmth has been added to the above spaces...Why not try some of them out for your interior this weekend... then sit back with a warm cup of coco and enjoy the beauty you've created!  Drop me a note or send a photo that I can post of ways you've cozied up your den

Charmaine Wynter

http://www.wynterinteriors.com/

Window dressing- the in fashions!

Recently posted on PCWorld “Would you rather: (A) lose all your HDD data, or (B) have your Facebook account hacked?”  I confess I waffled back and forth trying to determine which would be the lesser evil...I’m still waffling on that one... but, I faced no hesitation when I considered all the window treatments that I would rather: (A) see all humanity remove, or (B) have windows wear with pride.  Below are my favorites:

#1 on the Humanity Removal List~ The Balloon Shade/Blind



Balloon  Shade/Blind



Seriously there are still windows dressed in this dated 1980's fashion! 

#2 The Tab Top Panel- There is just no good way to have this window treatment speak to quality... it is always just too something~ too short, too thin, too sparse too~ lets face it, TOO CHEAP!

Tab Top Panel

#3 Shutters- ok perhaps banished from all humanity is too harsh for this window occluder but honestly folks; we spend sooooo
much money to place large beautiful windows in our homes and then what do you do? Cover them up!!

Here are my top 3 picks for windows to wear with pride: 
 

Boxed Pleat

Pleats: Whether Boxed, Reverse or French they are my ultimate go to for classic, quality window style.


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French Pleat

 

Make them say WOW!

I recently had the pleasure of attending a trade seminar conducted by Jane Lockhart (W-network’s host of Color Confidential) and boy was it a pleasure to get together with colleagues… I and the other attendees enjoyed commiserating with Jane on “”the before photo’s of her past clients” and we all left with Jane’s favourite mantra resounding in our minds “We as décor specialist, bring the WOW into clients lives!”  She reminded us that No other profession has such impact…. It got me thinking about the things that make me say wow…I’ve showcased a few of them below…post a comment and let me know if they inspire you also.

These photo's are of Crown Wallpaper +Fabrics stock.  I love the combination of colors & textiles. This image (left) makes me pause and say WOW because the sofa is PATTERNED- you guessed it we are heading there again...watch for it and remember you saw it printed here first.                                    Below-    I also find awe in the luxurious fabrics complied here.  I definitely like the richness of the textiles and trim... I mean WOW they have such a sumptuous hand... just looking at them makes me want to sink onto my bed spread the throw across my legs, position the cushions behind my back- just so- and  with a glass of the finest Riesling settle down to ~ did you guess it?  Read My favourite decorating magazine of course.

Well I've gushed enough, for now....be sure to come back again     

Charmaine Wynter  http://www.wynterinteriors.com/

Getting fresh... in the bedroom?

I spent the past week at the annual furniture market in Highpoint NC and ....Wow!  Now if you know me well, you know I’m not easily impressed but honestly, I left most of the showrooms and or educational events marveling and it was not solely due to the great eats they offered! The Highpoint folks really stepped up their game, nothing like a little competition- from the Vegas market- to get the powers that be thinking outside the box. (I wish I could say the same feeling overcame me at the recent Toronto Designers Walk collection 2010... Come on folks Canada’s gotta do better- if you're going to offer an event for the trade- touring through one showroom after another just does not cut it... we know your there ... give us a reason to care... anyway I digress)

 3 fresh ideas I came away from the Highpoint Market with

1. It’s a World Market- Fashion is global, designers are combining materials from all regions of the earth. Decor is global- interiors are shaped with elements from all cultures. We (individuals) are going global; we shop the world via the design boutiques that offer beyond the expected, beyond what is available down the street.
2. Tell a Story- neutral is passé interiors we shape today tell a story about its occupants.  Perhaps the story begins with the photo on the wall that you shot last year at the family reunion in Calgary, or it could be the pebbles you've collected from the trip up north at a friend’s cottage. Maybe the story continues with the fact that you displayed the pebbles in a mason jar that was handed down from your grandmother’s mother and somehow they wound up on the fireplace mantle that, uncle Alvin or was it uncle Orim, made from the tree that crashed into the shed during the wind storm of ‘88 or was it ‘87....
3. Make a statement-It’s the season of exaggerated shape and form so bigger is better- for the most part but caution, know the rules before you subvert them~ lest you create chaos within your sphere.




 Lump Sculpture Studio's waratah & tree branch wall art & rusted steel sphere.

I’d love to hear from you about your interiors and offer my tips on how to get 'fresh' in the bedroom (or any room) I'll post answers of the most dire of the questions I receive so be sure to come back again to view my feedback.

          Charmaine Wynter   www.wynterinteriors.com

ENDING YOUR AFFAIR..with pattern-free walls & fabric

It’s funny the attachment some folks have with their plains…  you know…. a solid color on the walls, solid surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom, textured (code word for solid) fabrics on the furniture and single(solid) colored rugs.  Some call this neutral… I call it yesturday.  Stylemakers' have sooo moved beyond this tactile decoration phase because well dressed interiors are wearing pattern. 

Below: Alexander Girard, famed textile designer and Herman Miller collaborator, at work in his studio, circa 1972. Photograph from the Herman Miller archive.

2002 interior showroom typifying a decorating style that gained popularity in the mid 1990's and peaked in 2003.  Above

    

So break it off…say goodbye, end it now!  I promise it will be okay.  You don’t have to fear going pattern wild~ after all we've been here before!  Are you ready to infuse style, pattern and passion into your interior?  Perhaps you've already added some bold pattern to your space?  Send in your photos.  I'll post the best of the best here. 

 Charmaine Wynter www.wynterinteriors.com