Questions for Kimo:

Pillow talk: The artful placement of pillows...

don't go overboard or over the Head board when piling pillows on the bed

 

Arranging pillows on a sofa or bed is a fairly mundane activity that in itself does not necessarily require instruction. However, if your home is on the market and your looking to give your property it's best face possible, here are some simple pointers to give your pillowed furniture practical pizazz.  

Less is more, more or less: regardless of how passionate you are for pillows, the old adage that less is more applies when it comes to staging the bedroom. The best approach to pillow placement is not to cover more than a quarter of the bed with pillows and to layer them no more than four deep and five across. Ideally, you should keep the pillow count under ten for King and Queen beds and less than six pillows on full and twin sized beds including sleeping pillows. Now day beds and pune'e (Hawaiian day beds) naturally require more pillows in order to supply adequate back support when seated so you have a little more leeway here in the pillow count but remember less is more.  

"...What immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry?" -William Blake: Of course, Blake was talking about a tiger when he wrote this poem but it applies to pillow placement too. Be fearful of over doing symmetrical patterning when it comes to the context of the room. Too much of 'two of everthing' can make a room predictable and boring. Most designers will tell you to use an odd number of pillows on beds and sofas and for the most part I agree but if you are using asymmetrical patterning else where in the room then it's OK and sometimes advisable to pair pillows up. 

 

 

 

Size matters and variety is good thing: avoid using just small pillows on a big bed and vice versa. Proportionality is important and using different sizes, shapes, colors and textures helps to make the bed a focal point in the room.

 

 

Seven & Three

When it comes to sofas you want to be able to sit comfortably without having to move pillows around to do so. Keeping pillows closer to the arm rests makes this a little easier. On a standard size sofa try to keep the pillow count under 7 and with love seats 3 or less.

Bold & Bright

When you want to give a little more contemporary feel to transitional furniture use bright colors and bold patterns. Floral patterns are usually a traditional standard but there are many modern floral prints available today that can give a modern flare to your transitional decor.

Balance & Weight

A little color goes a long way. Adding a touch of color can give balance to a sofa. In the example below the detail of the face pillow pulls the eye to the right while the blue draws the eye to the opposite end giving equal visual weight to both sides of the sofa.

Variations on a Theme

Pillow themes can really pile on the charm factor when staging but beware of being too kitsch. Below is a ocean theme using bright red contrast, textured fabrics intimating coral, and a blue crab to define the theme. Of course this looks great in a beach house not so great in a log cabin in the mountains.

 

Mirth & Whimsy

Everyone can use a little laugh these days. Using whimsy to entertain potential buyers can lighten the mood of a space and create a sense of fun and interest. Unusual pillow shapes like the penguins and felt "stones" can instantly transport your imagination to another place, which is not really the purpose of staging so temper your sense of humor and keep the avant garde for your new home.

The penguins and felt stones are a couple examples of my favorite pillows. Although, I wouldn't necessarily stage with them I would definitely use them as an interior decorator. I invite you to post your favorite pillows and share how they make you feel. So lets continue the pillow talk...

 Pillow Talk: the artful placement of pillows vol I. beyond the fringe

 

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

Vol II. And then there's Mod!

Not everyone enjoys or appreciates the Modern Movement, but these revolutionaries of design helped to define modernity as we know it. You will no doubt notice that almost all of these furniture designers were architects and their furniture is intended to showcase not only the modern aesthetics of clean lines and organic forms but also the architecture in which they are framed. When it comes to staging a modern or mid century property keep these designers in mind, to help sell the architectural elements of the home while staying true to the movement. All of these modern classic designs are widely reproduced today and can be purchased easily on line (ebay and retail sites).

The Modernist Movement began to emerge in the late 19th century and took shape under the influence of the Bauhaus school (1919-1933) and Frank Lloyd Wright's principles of organic architecture which is the foundation of what we refer to today as Mid-Century Modernism (1933-1965). Technological advances in laminates, latex foam, molded plywood, and fiberglass allowed designers an unusual selection of materials to express their modern design aesthetics where form follows function. 

 

 

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1886-1969 German born Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe worked in the family stone-carving business before becoming an architect and is widely regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture. Utilizing advanced structural techniques and Prussian Classicism; Mies van der Rohe furniture is noted for combining graceful form and functionalism. His designs, such as the Barcelona Chair, are considered among the most enduring of the modern era.  

 

 

Le Corbusier 1887 - 1965 Swiss born Charles Edouard Jeanneret, was a watch engraver before he became the renowned architect and designer whom we know as 'Le Corbusier'. Le Corbusier furniture stands out for it's classic elegance and clean straight lines. The LC3 collection designed in 1928 as a modernist response to the traditional club chair reverses the standard structures of sofas and chairs by having frames that are externalized.  

 

 

 

Classic Bauhaus, inspired by Le Corbusier 

 

 

 

Eileen Gray 1878-1976 Originally a lacquer artist of Irish descent turned furniture designer/architect; was one of the pioneers who helped define the modern movement during the 1920s and 1930s. Her tubular steel furniture was unheard of in its day, prominent in her famous Bibendum Chair, which is accepted as a modern classic today.  

 

 

Marcel Lajos Breuer 1902-1981 Hungarian born architect/designer; Breuer is considered one of the masters of Modernism, modular construction and simple forms. The Wassily Chair designed by Marcel Breuer makes use of continuous lines of bent structural steel, revolutionary for it's time time. The original chair was the first design to introduce seamless steel tubing to home furnishings, the chair was named after fellow Bauhaus teacher and modernist, Wassily Kandinsky who greatly admired the design.  

 

 

Charles and Ray Eames 1907-1978 Charles Ormand Eames, Jr and his second wife Ray are regarded as two of the most important American designers of the 20th century.  This dynamic duo are most recognized for their molded plywood designs and pioneering innovative technologies, such as fiberglass and plastic resin. The Eames Chair is known for it's unconventional, functional and sophisticated design.  

 

 

Eero Saarinen 1910-1961 was a Finnish born American architect and product designer; famous for his sweeping, arching structural curves, and machine-like rationalism. In the late 30s Saarinen joined his father's architectural practice and soon met and began collaborating on furniture design with Charles and Ray Eames. His most spectacular piece the stainless steel Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO, (1965), is the world's tallest monument. Saarinen's Iconic Tulip Chair reflects modern elements such as molded reinforced fiberglass.

    

 

 

Harry Bertoia 1915-1978 Italian born American sculptor and furniture designer, Bertoia emigrated to the United States in 1933 and joined famed furniture maker Knoll International (1950). Known for his sculptural works the Diamond Arm Chair combines comfort with a steel mesh.

 

 

 

 

 

Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

 

 

Vol I. The British Invasion

I love auctions and nothing gets my adrenaline pumping like bidding and obtaining antiques at auction; especially when I'm getting a good deal on a quality piece of furniture. Not everything sold at auction is an antique but it's usually the antiques that get the biggest buzz when placed before the gavel. Not only are most antiques of better quality and construction, they are often less expensive than their contemporary counterparts. And what better way to help the environment then buying previously owned furniture.

Obviously, antiques work in certain design styles and not in others. If you have a traditional, transitional, colonial, Georgian, neo-classical or an eclectic style, American made antiques and reproductions can help define and refine your home or property for sale.

Whether you're buying the real deal or a reproduction it's not always easy to recognize one style from another. Below I have created a pictorial catalog describing design styles from the pinnacle of British furniture making during the 18th and early 19th centuries. All of these design styles were widely reproduced in America and furniture makers continue to reproduce these styles today. From a practical stand point these chairs would be used for dining or occasional uses and can be stained, painted and upholstered to taste.

 

Queen Anne-style is based on design trends during the reign of Queen Anne 1702-1714. Chairs in this style are recognizable by the curvilinear crest rail, urn-shape splats, (center back support) and cabriolet legs(an S shaped leg).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windsor-style is an English style that originated in the Windsor area of Great Briton in the early part of the 18th century and is characterized by turned stick legs and a spindled back rest attached to the seat. Variations include bow, comb, and sack back (shown here) .

 

 

Chippendale-style is based on the designs and works of Thomas Chippendale. He was one of three English Designers known as 'the big three'. His works command hefty price tags today at auction and are exquisite examples of English furniture. The chairs are noted for elaborate splats, and may also include cabriolet legs and ball-and-claw feet. His most famous works are his padded wing back chairs

 

 

 

 

Original Chippendale Illustrations

 

 

Hepplewhite-style is based on and adapted from the published designs and illustrated work of George Hepplewhite a contemporary of Chippendale. No known works of his exist today as his popularity as a designer was posthumous. Hepplewhite designs are most recognizable of all the English design styles by it's iconic shield back, tapered fluted legs and spaded feet.

 

 

Sheraton-style is based on an 18th-century British design originating from the published illustrated works of Thomas Sheraton and the design is noted for it's square backs, classical inspiration, and motifs. Like Hepplewhite no known pieces of his work exist today but his neo-classical style is often reproduced.

 

 

 

Regency or Empire-style is also known as Duncan Phyfe. This early 19th-century style features a scroll back, squared top, and saber legs. The lyre back is an example of a classical motif. This chair style was widely reproduced in the 20th century and is very popular today.

 

 

 

 

The Red Room of the White House designed in the Empire Style

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

Pillow Talk: the artful placement of pillows...

Pillows, like people, come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Some are firm and supportive, others just want to be seen and fawned upon; affirming that even the outrageous and impractical have a place in the world of design.

Pillows not only provide comfort, support, and a soft place to rest ones weary head, but these ubiquitous creatures give company to us in our most private spaces; laying about most exotically while expounding punches of color about the room. Sometimes these beasts are beaded and bear sequins, impossible fringe and tassels, that can strike fear in the hearts of men and passion in the minds of women.

When selecting pillows for a room, choose colors from the present interior to give depth and draw the eye through the space. Use a variety of materials, colors, textures, and sizes. I like to use at least five colors in my designs however, if you want a more subdued tranquil environment go with five shades of the same color. Pillows are relatively easy to make and offer and endless array of color combinations.

 

 

Baubles, bangles, and black shiny beads...

When placing pillows, place larger ones in the back and graduate the sizes forward and save your detailed and beaded pillows for the front. As a personal guide line, I like to cover no more than 25% of anything with pillows. When arranging pillows on a sofa or bed, asymmetry is preferred by most designers and often times an odd number is used. Personally, I find symmetrical patterning to work fine as long as it's not predictable. I like to use an odd number of high detail pieces that rest upon textural and complementary colored pillows.

Don't be too forward with your fashion...

Remember to stick to the design style of the decor. If it's modern use geometric pattern, solid color, materials that reflect the modern movement. Fringe is not a modern device, however, it all depends on the dynamics of the design. Traditional and transitional styles feature brocade, embroidery, fringe, and an endless variety of tassels and adornments. Natural fibers such as silk, flax, sea grass, and bamboo are known for their texture and are popular in Asian, Pac Rim, and Eco Friendly design.

Remember whose head will be resting...

Some designers say you can never have too many pillows and I say sure, if your decorating a harem. Too much of anything can be problematic not only when it comes to taste level, but practically and aesthetically speaking, as well.

Taking off and putting pillows back on a bed should be easy and simple; having to disassemble a mosaic before bed does not encourage peaceful sleep at night nor consistent bed making in the morning. If you have an occupied stage, nothing annoys sellers more than making them recreate your pillow palladium every morning before work. Keep it simple. Fringe, to many men is a golf term and for the most part they would like to keep it that way so go easy on the tassels, bells, and whistles when staging. 

 

Keep eye an out for Pillow Talk: the artful placement of pillows vol II. piling practicum

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009