Get the Look

GET THE LOOK: VAN GOGH’S BEDROOM

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A Modern Take On Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles

I first laid eyes on Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles as a teenager and immediately wanted it as my own. I thought it extremely nice and cozy, even in its apparent transience. Years later and I still think the same: the colors are stimulating and its sparseness adds instead of detracts, making it seem like a great space to create, read and sleep in. Get the look yourself, with a modern twist.

Paint, Martha Stewart for Home Depot (Bluebird, MSL#158).

Martha Stewart Living Bluebird Interior Paint

This Antiquity Low Post Panel Bed in lilac isn’t the cheapest ($979 for a twin), but it’s definitely a statement piece. It’s from a youth line, though roomy enough to have sheltered Van Gogh (they were short back then) and you too, assuming you’re not taller than 6’8″.

MyHaven Antiquity Bed, $979 + free shipping

These woven rush chairs are similar to what Van Gogh would have sat in, but with a red twist.

TMS Paloma Chair in Red (Set of 2), $135.99

This rustic yellow console makes a lovely desk or vanity, perfect for writing home or slicing the odd ear off. Plus, buttery yellow pairs well with mediterranean blues.

Home Decorators Collection Emily Desk, $199

Every bedroom needs a mirror. Keep it simple with this IKEA wooden frame, which is easily painted.

Ikea Horizontal or Vertical RAM Mirror , $9.99

If you don’t have work of your own to adorn the walls with, combine several small prints, like this one by Cezanne.

Madame Cezanne, circa 1885-90 18x24 Giclee Print, $49.99

Water pitchers look way better than plastic bottles and readily double as a vase.

Le Creuset 3-Quart Sangria Pitcher in Cobalt Blue, $49.95

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Get the Look

WORKSPACES FOR SMALL PLACES

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When I moved into my first studio in New York, I didn’t buy a desk, there was simply nowhere to display it gracefully. I realized, however, that a desk is absolutely essential to productivity – whether you compute, write, or craft, it’s important to have an official designated workspace. These selected tear sheets from old issues of the beloved Domino Magazine offer great tips in layout.

Small place workspace tip #1

Open bookshelves like this one are key for dividing studio spaces and look great with thoughtfully arranged books and tchotchkes.


Start with a simple white glossy desk…

Overstock Student Desk $143.99

The original classic Tulip Chair designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956 costs over a grand from Knoll, but this version from Lexington Modern is a pleasing knockoff.

Saarinen Style Tulip Arm Chair in Red, $120

I like this fancy looking chain link rug from Macy’s…

Liora Manne Area Rug, SPELLO Chains Black/Oatmeal 3'6"x5'6", $153

…don’t forget the room-dividing bookshelf.

IKEA Expedit Bookcase, $129

Small place workspace tip #2

Create a working nook from a small block of wall space using a skinny horizontal desk.

Originally made famous in the traditional bistros of France (designed by Xavier Pauchard for Tolix, 1934), this Marais A Chair has been popping up everywhere in NYC. Made of grade A steel and comes in a variety of colors.

Marais A Side Chair, on sale $121.50

CB2 helix wall mounted white oak desk, $249

This Gooseneck Floor Lamp creates comfortable work lighting without the need for a desk lamp, freeing up small desk spaces.

Adesso Gooseneck Floor Lamp, $121.90 + free shipping

Small place workspace tip #3

Squeeze a small desk next to your bed, it doubles as a nightstand and works brilliantly for space-starved apartments.

Look for a desk that’s small enough to cram in that space between your bed and the wall. Also in white.

Linon Anna Laptop Desk in Black, $139

This chair from the Home Depot Home Decorators collection is handcrafted of solid wood is a perfect complement to the black laptop desk. Looks good enough to be in the boudoir, but comfy enough to sit in for a while. Also in mahogany.

Montgomery Side Chair, $139 on sale

An appropriately sized rug can be used to section off the space as a work area. I’m a fan of these persian style rugs from Ikea, a bargain at $99.

PERSISK Rug, low pile 31 1/2" x 47 1/4", $99.99

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Mancave Makeovers

MANCAVES: LET THERE BE LIGHT…CEILING LAMPS (Part 2)

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As we outlined last week, most living areas do best with at least three different light sources: a floor lamp for directed light, a ceiling lamp for overall illumination, and accent lighting to set the mood. Today we focus on ceiling lamps. Pendant lamps are a fail-safe option and look great hovering over a couch or seating area. Get one that will fill out the space a bit and looks just as good when the lights are out.

The Hanging Warehouse Pendant from The Home Depot is no nonsense and high quality. Great for more modern, minimalistic spaces. Just $29.97.

Hampton Bay Brushed Nickel Warehouse Pendant, $29.97

The diffuser on CB2’s Eden Pendant Lamp gives off a soft, soothing light. It’s also a plug-in instead of hard-wire making it a cinch to anchor just about anywhere, no tools required.

eden pendant lamp, $49.95

West Elm also makes a floor lamp version of this awesome Woven Veneer Pendant. It’s both modern and reminiscent of the 70’s.

Woven Veneer Pendant, $149

Fauna’s geometrically stimulating Icosa lamp is made of felt and also plugs in for versatile placement.

Fauna Icosa Pendant Lamp , $160

The Sputnic Atom fixture is more of a chandelier than a pendant, but will instill lamp envy in your friends nonetheless.

Sputnic Chrome Chandelier Atom Light Fixture, $201.99


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Friday Finds

FRIDAY FINDS

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Today’s finds, twenty five bucks or less.

This steampunk horn magnifier from ZGallerie is AWESOME. ‘Nuff said.

Franklin Magnifier, $24.95

This damask lamp from Target is ridiculously cheap and has a plethora amazing reviews.

Room Essentials® Stick Lamp - Black and White Damask, $16.99

This beaded art deco pillow from Urban Outfitters is on sale, excellent quality.

Gold and Black Beaded Pillow, $19.99

Smart design for small places, this bookshelf designed by a Pratt student makes you wish you thought of it. Holds a lot of books.

Conceal Bookshelf, $15

Smoked glass is a thing of the past, but CB2 managed to bring it back with this sturdy barware.

tambien smoke barware, $3.50-$3.95

tambien smoke barware, $3.50-$3.95

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Coffee Table Book of the Week

COFFEE TABLE BOOK OF THE WEEK: NEW YORK IN THE 70s

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A curated set of coffee table books makes a great statement. Art books can bring a drab coffee table to life, double as accent furniture when properly stacked, and entertain those restless guests of yours. Coffee Table Book of the Week is our weekly selection of stylish books to spruce up your home. – FM

Photographed by Allan Tannenbaum and prefaced by Yoko Ono, this is a humongous and impeccably edited collection of photographs documenting 70s New York. There’s something for everyone in here, ranging from art to politics and everything in between. You’ll yearn for the life you missed out on (unless you lived through it all, then SCREW YOU!), but at least you can now experience it all secondhand.

New York in the 70s

From Amazon: “The photographs encompass many aspects of New York life while capturing the heady exuberance of the era-from SoHo and the art world to the city’s politics and society. By photographing everything from street gangs to disco divas, from homeless to Hollywood stars, Tannenbaum had assembled a personal diary of his journey as a photojournalist and raconteur through a strange and exotic era of New York life.”


Some selections from the book, courtesy of The Digital Journalist…




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Lookalikes

LOOKALIKES: PHILIPPE STARCK’S LOUIS GHOST CHAIR

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Designer Philippe Starck’s take on the classic Louis XV armchair, the Louis Ghost Chair, has become an iconic jewel in the crown of its manufacturer, Kartell. The funky chair has been increasingly popping up, in all its transparent glory, in rooms in need of space maximization or as an edgier option to your standard matchy-matchy dining set.

Some examples of this iconic chair in use.

Transparent plastic furniture makes a space look bigger and less crowded, but it’s not always cheap. The Kartell original will put you back $410 per chair at Design Within Reach.

Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Armchair, $410

To get the same look for less, consider the Mystic Round Back Arm Chair from Target, which is a spitting image of the Kartell model. And, at just $239.99 for a two piece set, you can have four for practically the same price as one Kartell.

Target 2 Pc Mystic Round Back Arm Chair in Clear, $239.99

If it’s the look of Lucite you’re after, as opposed to a Louis XV lookalike, the IKEA Tobias chair would look great if you have a grand dining table you want to take center stage, and comes at just $99.99 a chair.

Ikea TOBIAS Chair, $99.99


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