Table & Chair Pairings
27/11/08 15:40 Filed in: Furniture
Q:How
do I find appropriate chairs for my
table?
A: The first thing to consider is...
the style of the table itself. Is it traditional or contemporary? Does it reference a particular time in history (e.g. Renaissance or Mid-century modern)? The choice of chair should harmonize with that style. That said, an exact, authentic match is not necessary. For example, a traditional oak table could be nice with simple, contemporary parsons chairs and a modern, dark veneer table could look striking with the same chairs. Or, a deliberate rule-breaking can take place. For example, one pairing I've seen lately involved a salvaged wood top placed on two modern metal bases with four chairs from entirely different time-periods. This pairing worked in the otherwise white on white environment with an eclectic, well-chosen mix of new and old furnishings.
A mid-century Modern Pairing
Modern Table, Parson's Chair & Traditional Table
A second criteria is the material and finish of the table. A wood table can be nice matched with wood chairs. Keep in mind that a close but not perfect match will likely look awkward and accidental. It may be more interesting to add texture with a rush seat or counterpoint the wood with modern, coloured chairs. Keep the materials and colours consistent with those in the room at large or use them to tie together disparate elements.
Wood Table with Wood Chairs; Wood Table with Modern Chairs
A third factor to consider is the shape and structure of the table. A contemporary table with chrome base may benefit from a graphically shaped chair in man-made materials. On the other hand, a wood, rectangular table could benefit from chairs covered in fabric to add some softness.
Contemporary Table & Chair; Traditional Table & Fabric Chairs
A number of chairs could work with any given table. Keep the table style, finish and structure in mind, be prepared to experiment, and you will strike the perfect pairing!
A: The first thing to consider is...
the style of the table itself. Is it traditional or contemporary? Does it reference a particular time in history (e.g. Renaissance or Mid-century modern)? The choice of chair should harmonize with that style. That said, an exact, authentic match is not necessary. For example, a traditional oak table could be nice with simple, contemporary parsons chairs and a modern, dark veneer table could look striking with the same chairs. Or, a deliberate rule-breaking can take place. For example, one pairing I've seen lately involved a salvaged wood top placed on two modern metal bases with four chairs from entirely different time-periods. This pairing worked in the otherwise white on white environment with an eclectic, well-chosen mix of new and old furnishings.
A mid-century Modern Pairing
Modern Table, Parson's Chair & Traditional Table
A second criteria is the material and finish of the table. A wood table can be nice matched with wood chairs. Keep in mind that a close but not perfect match will likely look awkward and accidental. It may be more interesting to add texture with a rush seat or counterpoint the wood with modern, coloured chairs. Keep the materials and colours consistent with those in the room at large or use them to tie together disparate elements.
Wood Table with Wood Chairs; Wood Table with Modern Chairs
A third factor to consider is the shape and structure of the table. A contemporary table with chrome base may benefit from a graphically shaped chair in man-made materials. On the other hand, a wood, rectangular table could benefit from chairs covered in fabric to add some softness.
Contemporary Table & Chair; Traditional Table & Fabric Chairs
A number of chairs could work with any given table. Keep the table style, finish and structure in mind, be prepared to experiment, and you will strike the perfect pairing!
Retro vs. "Retro"
Answers:
Old - a, b, f, g, i, j
New - e, d, h
Either - c
There are a few ways to tell the difference between a truly retro piece and a reproduction. Plastics have improved over time and wood laminates appear more natural. Fabric is softer and more pliable. In addition, fasionable colourways and textures have changed. In contemporary pieces we see softer browns and greens and less bronzy golds. Textures are generally more natural and less obvious, smoother. As well, patterns and structures are often simplified.
Tecnology & Decor
Technology
evolves as new discoveries and improvements are
made. We've come a long way from quill and ink
to computer keyboard!
As technology evolves so does decor. The two meet in
the form technology takes. Over time, there has been
a general movement toward simplicity and compactness.
Then again, "retro" is "in" and we can buy
telephones, for example, that look like they did in
the 30s but still function like their
contemporaries. 
See for yourself in the technology time-capsule below:
Bring the Spring Inside!
28/04/08 23:50 Filed in: Seasonal
Colour: Try the seasons fresh colours: Citrus, Earth,
Tranquil.
Light: Clean the windows & remove the curtains altogether! Or, hang some sheers.
Flowers: Treat yourself to cut flowers. Or, add some of the fabric kind.
Air: Open the windows! Place a chair near the one with your favourite view. Try a candle in a fresh scent like lavender or lemon.
Newness: Rotate your collections. Hang some new art or photos.
And don’t forget -- go outside!
Light: Clean the windows & remove the curtains altogether! Or, hang some sheers.
Flowers: Treat yourself to cut flowers. Or, add some of the fabric kind.
Air: Open the windows! Place a chair near the one with your favourite view. Try a candle in a fresh scent like lavender or lemon.
Newness: Rotate your collections. Hang some new art or photos.
And don’t forget -- go outside!
Barn Door Question
28/04/08 23:00 Filed in: Doors &
Windows
Q:
What do I need to acquire and hang a barn door
in my interior?
A: Barn doors are becoming more prominent in decor magazines. They allow unusual sizes, save space and provide the convenience of a pocket door without having to break into the wall itself. In a space where the swing of a door interferes with furniture placement and traffic flow, a sliding barn door can be a great option.
You will need a way to hang it, a rail system (track, hangars, floor guide and optional safety stops). These range in price from about 200-2000. KN Crowder makes some quite affordable systems with plain aluminum tracks and clear hangers (available at Century Builder's Hardware). The rail can be wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted.
A floor guide ensures that the door runs smoothly in the upper track and the safety stop keeps the door from running off of the track.
Richelieu hardware provides higher end and modern-looking rail systems. On the other hand, Home Depot itself does not recommend the quality of their track barn door systems.
Standard door sizes run from about 6'6" - 7' X 1'6" X 3' and for the full effect of a barn door, you may need to special order an over-sized model. A 40" X 90" door with glass insets runs from about 300-700. The all-wood version runs from about 500-1000.
A sleek, modern option may be a simple, unpanelled wood, metal or have a small, geometric row of glass insets. To get some light flow through, some of a door's panels can be glass and some of wood.
The door can be made from salvaged barn wood or a beautiful vintage salvaged door. For ideas, check Porte Millet, (carried by Home Depot) or Madawasca, (carried by Fairbanks Lumber).
Finally, you may need handles for sliding the door open and closed. Door handles can be inset, lever or surface mounted.
Whatever design and hardware you choose, your barn door is a guaranteed unique touch for your interior!
Recommended shop: Century
Builder's Hardware Ltd., 493
Dufferin Street, York, ON, 416-789-7061
Glass Ideas
We
often buy a mirror because we're impressed with
the frame. And, how often do we think about the
glass that comes in pictures frames. Not until
it breaks at least!
In fact, glass, in its many forms, can be the source of some very creative solutions and add unexpected beauty to home decor.
Recently, I've visited my favourite glass and mirror place several times. My reasons have ranged from replacing sliding mirrored doors to "fixing" a crooked mirror wall with vertical 2" beveled strips.
Some other good and creative uses for glass and mirror:
- fit to a table, desk or counter top to protect it and make it fully functional
- install in cabinets to allow a compromise between storage and display
- make a mirror out of a beautiful old frame
- re-face a tired piece of furniture with coloured glass or mirror
Featured shop: Canada Glass & Mirror
http://www.cgmirror.ca
1700 Jane St.
Toronto, Ontario, M9N 2S4
cgmirror@rogers.com
416.245.7032