Weathered and White Washed Wood

Designed by Jack Fhillips, photo Via Veranda Magazine

 There’s a new trend that is gaining momentum and is about ready to explode here in Calgary. The latest and greatest finish for wood furniture pieces (case goods) is white washed or weathered. Have you noticed? This look has been getting attention in design circles for a while, but the products are really just hitting main stream now. White washed and weathered or distressed wood products are casual, textural and can be appropriate in either modern or traditional lines. They are also perfect for families with children since the wood has a patina and bangs and bruises are disguised.

Room designed by Brooke Giannetti, photo via the blog Velvet and Linen

 This white washed furniture has traditional lines and a very French feel. This room is elegant, but comfortable and the mix of different white wash colors is fresh and interesting. The wood grain looks beautiful peaking through the paint. The blog Velvet and Linen is full of lovely pictures of rooms like this featuring a lot of white washed furniture.

Photo courtesy of Phoebe Howard

 This modern looking coffee table is lovely in the weathered wood finish. It is paired with a trefoil shaped side table to the left and a more traditional piece on the right. Also, check out the soft grey weathered wood chair with the bamboo frame. All these different wood pieces look gorgeous together even though they do not completely match each other.

Photo courtesy of Phoebe Howard

 I can see many of my Calgary interior design clients wanting living rooms that look like this one. The soft aqua fabrics, light walls, and mix of patterns are a favorite among Corea Sotropa Interior Design’s clients. The coffee table in this picture really caught my eye. Its whimsical lines and rough finish make it the perfect thing for a family with young children that are tough on tables!

Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair

 The Prado bookcase by Hickory Chair is available in a number of finishes and can be ordered at Maria Tomas. This piece is industrial looking, but softened with distressed white finish. The mix is interesting and right on trend!

Photo Courtesy of Hickory Chair

 Another Hickory Chair piece available in the weathered finish is the Piedmont dining table. Notice how in this picture they have paired it with a credenza in a slightly grayer painted finish, natural sea grass area rug and linen slip covers. The combination is absolutely delightful!

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel

Crate and Barrel has a few pieces of furniture like the Fulton media console that are modern and combine a rustic wood finish with a metal frame. The wood grain on this piece is a show stopper!

 Photo courtesy of Blue Fish furniture

 Another of my favorite furniture haunts in Calgary is Country Furniture. This particular bookcase by Bluefish furniture is from the Copenhagen collection and is available in several wood finishes. This weathered option looks great and also combines an industrial metal frame for a modern twist.

Photo courtesy of Chintz and Company

 Chintz and Company has several pieces in distressed wood like the Pedestal White Wash Console shown above. This table would be stunning in a foyer or against a dark charcoal gray wall.

 Photo courtesy of Vanguard Furniture

 The Everly Square Coffee Table from Vanguard can be purchased through Domaine Furnishings here in Calgary. This table has really pretty lines and is perfect for a family room with the storage shelf below.

 Photo courtesy of Restoration Hardware

 Restoration Hardware has really jumped on the bandwagon with this trend and most of their new products have a distressed finish. This Shutter Framed Bed has handsome, simple lines.

 This type of finish is effortless and easy to maintain and maybe that is why it has become such a trend. Or perhaps it’s because this furniture looks like reclaimed and restored pieces and this appeals to our “Green Design” sensibilities and responsibilities. Maybe it’s a reaction to the economy and this uncomplicated style is absolutely the opposite of obviously ostentatious and expensive furniture. Whatever the reason, it’s nice to have a new option readily available for our homes. It might just be the right choice for you if you are shopping for a fresh look!

 Cheers!

Decorating with Green – Happy St. Patty’s Day

Interior design by Ashley Whittaker, photo via House Beautiful

Green is such a versatile color to decorate with. It can be soft and soothing like sage or mint or energetic and vibrant like chartreuse or emerald. Green is a popular choice for my clients, and as a Calgary interior designer I am always excited when a client requests green. Reminiscent of nature, green is an easy hue to live with. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and the onset of spring, here are rooms employing some fresh green shades for you to enjoy.

Interior design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

For this Arts and Crafts Calgary renovation that we completed in the neighborhood of Mount Royal, a vibrant shade of lemongrass was chosen for the wall color. This space is a reading loft between the bedrooms and has a view on to the river valley. Green was the perfect choice to reflect the abundant foliage in the summer months.

Interior design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

Wasabi green pairs beautifully with charcoal in this family room. For this client, we designed custom furniture and provided slip covers for the cubes and extra pillows all made in a shade of red so that our client has a summer and a winter scheme. The green is perfect in the summer look! It’s so fresh against the tailored grey furniture and crisp white paneling.

Interior design by Jamie Drake,  photo via House Beautiful

Pretty spring green wallpaper is paired with soft yellow-green bedding and pink accents. This room is ready for spring!

Interior design by Tobi Fairley

Kelly green is preppy and spunky. This room mixes traditional and modern elements beautifully and the green shade is youthful and energetic without being over the top.

Interior design by Mary McDonald, photo via My Domicile Style

Stripes of avocado green, black and pink are vibrant in this family room! Otherwise the room is very white, but the green backdrop makes it lively and fun.

Interior design by Mary McDonald, photo via My Domicile Style

This collection of green pottery is dramatic and makes a statement. Remember when displaying your collections that they are more powerful grouped together then they are sprinkled around the room.

Interior design by Amanda Nisbet

Just a touch of green is all you need to add to your room. In this serene bedroom, leaf green is used on the drapery, blanket, accessories and bed skirt trim. The overall effect is bright and fresh.

Interior design by Amanda Nisbet

A chartreuse wall livens up the neutral furniture in this cozy spot. I can picture this look working well for a media room. The gold accents look gorgeous against the charcoal and chartreuse.

Interior design by Palmer Weiss, photo via Simplified Bee

This rich emerald green sofa is a stately and pretty when paired with softer green drapery and accent pillows. The contrast tape detail on the sofa back and skirt is just delightful. This color is evocative of the hunter green color used in so many interiors during the eighties, but this combination is updated and new again.

House Beautiful did an article describing on the personality of color and here is what they had to say about people who are drawn towards green.

“This is someone who exudes positive energy and a ‘we can make it happen’ philosophy. With a discerning sensibility and an innate desire to put others at ease, this person is a natural when it comes to social endeavors.”

So if you are looking for an interior that is welcoming and easy to live with think about one of the many gorgeous shades of green. There are so many beautiful hues to consider.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Cheers!