Style Counsel: Joan Weissman on Rugs

Lotus, Tibetan hand-knotted wool/silk (top) and Bayahibe, hand-tufted wool

Our sister site, Nook, interviewed designer Joan Weissman for tips on buying and designing with rugs. We just adore Weissman's custom carpets and couldn't resist re-running the story in full. Enjoy! 

Artist Joan Weissman creates gorgeous, custom rugs that are inspired by a wide range of things: lotus flowers, native Caribbean palms, ginkgo leaves, rock formations, even vintage Japanese kimonos.

She works one-on-one with clients to create handmade custom designs in silk, wool and hemp. Her designs are also translated to terrazzo tile, which is ideal for highly-trafficked areas that require extra durability. Her designs have graced several well-known interiors, including the Grand Hyatt in Seattle and boutique hotels, Neiman-Marcus, public buildings and fine homes throughout the country.

As our longtime friend, we've turned to Joan for design advice countless times over the years and have always benefited from her expertise. We invited her to share her insights about what to consider when buying and designing with rugs.

Kyoto hand-tufted wool (l); Leaf Stripe, Soumak with natural dyes

 All images © Joan Weissman Custom Rugs

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Simplified: Modern Scented Drawer Liners

Drawer liners went out of style a while back, perhaps because they smelled more stuffy than sophisticated.
But we've noticed pretty drawer liners with modern patterns and modern fragrances that we'd be happy to put in our lingerie drawers.

The Italian scented papers (above) come in poppy, flax and lavender, and each one has a gorgeous patterns.
@ Touch of Europe, $26/set of 6

Gianna Rose Atelier papers come in gorgeous patterns and lovely scents, including rice flower, vanilla pear and linen. We're seriously coveting the print for the rice flower paper (center).
@ Gianna Rose, $20/set of 6 

The Soap & Paper Factory has S + P Papers offers six papers with great scents -- orange blossom, verbena, fig, cinnamon/clove, green tea and rosewood -- on lovely, contemporary botanical prints.
@ S&P Factory, $28/set of 6

These prints are from Hammocks & High Tea, which makes rice paper liners in a wide range of modern geometric and floral patterns. They scent the papers with organic essential oils, in unique fragrances like coriander, mandarin jasmine and amber.
@ Hammocks & High Tea, $25/set of 6.

Weekend Project: Covering Paperback Books

Saw this smart project at the Crafts Department, a blog written by Martha Stewart's crafters. The idea is to make bright, garish paperback novels look prettier by covering them in semi-transparent vellum.

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Elli Popp Wallpaper

Spotted these dreamy and beautiful Elli Popp wallpaper designs on Design*Sponge today, and had to share them. Aren't they gorgeous?

These stylized, repeat patterns by Katja Behre remind us of the wallpaper we had in our childhood bedroom. There was so much to look at in that wallpaper and the designs held magic, fantasy and endless fascination. We can see these doing the same. The only trouble is, those of us who live in the US may have a hard time tracking them down.

May Luk Ceramics

We just love the sensibility and humor behind these porcelain dishes, which are hand-made by Brooklyn ceramicist May Luk.

The plates in the top row, for example, are named Magritte Nicked My Bike and Brooklyn Chinoiserie (with sketches of the Manhattan Bridge, pigeons and water towers). You can find more of her lovely, original work on her website, Take Me Homeware.
@ Etsy

Sale Alert: French Bistro Set

If you've been waiting for fall clearance sales to buy a patio set, here's a fantastic deal. This French bistro-style patio set includes a 25"- inch wood table and four wood folding chairs painted in bright coastal colors. And it's 60% off now.
@ Wisteria, $112

Beaux Maison Magnet Boards

Some magnet boards are all business. They're nothing more than a utilitarian catch-all for notes, photos and other assorted bits of paper that we want within easy reach.

And then there are magnet boards from Beaux Maison. They have antique mirror patinas, hang from silk ribbons and feature aged botanicals, diamond scrollwork or bird silhouettes. And they bring much more to the party than just serving as utilitarian catch-all.
@ Layla Grace, $155

Wakefield Chandelier at Pottery Barn

Remember Ingo Maurer's lovely Zettel'z pendant lamp we mentioned a while back?
It's the one that transforms paper and poetry scraps into a romantic chandelier. It's also the one with a steep (for us) price tag that's around $1,200.

So, we're happy that Nook, our sister site mentioned Pottery Barn's new variation of the original Zettel'z. The scale and shape of the Wakefield chandelier is very user-friendly, as is the significantly reduced price tag.
@Pottery Barn, $299

Robert Ogden Lamps

These wonderful, one-of-a-kind lamps are made by Philadelphia-based artist Robert Ogden. He carefully crafts each one by hand, using found bits of machinery and vintage tools, such as spigot handles, fireplace andirons, boiler knobs and barn pulleys. We love their charming, steam-punk-ish style.

Sundance Catalog, one of the purveryors of these lamps, explains:

Artist Robert Ogden is the grand poobah of recycling, searching high and low for mechanical parts and decorative doohickeys, then transforming them into eminently stylish and fully functional illumination.

@ Sundance and Anthropologie, from $800-$1,300

Victorian Trading Co. Sampler

Calling all girlie-girls and history buffs. We spent a while poking around the new-to-us Victorian Trading Co. site, which is a virtual warehouse of doilies, Gibson girl ephemera and all things Granny chic.

If you can tolerate reproductions of antique furniture and vintage hankies, you might find a few things to give your house an old-fashioned touch. We especially liked their commitment to put a neo-classical spin on typically mundane items, like brooms and foot stools. A fun shopping site, if you're in the right mood.

Shown: Chintz fan, Gibson girl garment bag, six pin game, toile broom, shower cap, toilet paper roll holder, Eiffel telephone, spice tins, French clock lamp, foot stool, solid perfume pocket watches, music box, waste bin.

Pantone Color Report, Spring 2010

Our sister site, Nook, just did a great overview of Pantone's Color Report for Spring+ Summer 2010. Here's a look at the bright and tropical colors we can expect to see, well, pretty much everywhere and ways to use these hues in your home.

Coral Fusion: River delta bowl @ Anthropologie, $12; Marie Antoinette dresser @ The Paris Apartment, $4,950; Ukiyo round table @ Moss Online, $410; Thomas Paul shell pink linen pillows @ Pillow and Throws, $100; Isola Bella rug @ Anthropologie, $298; Patrica Uriquola Bohemian quilted chair @ Moroso; Blue Finches dishtowel @ Anthropologie, $18

Violet: Perch Hans sconce @ Velocity, $230; Thomas Paul Herbarium pillow @ Pillows &Throws, $110; Gioiello chandelier @ Light My House, £458; Graham & Brown SuperFresco Vogue wallpaper @ Design Public, $50; Antoine & Manuel wall decal @ Greener Grass Designs, $108; Marimekko Tamara bed linens @ Crate&Barrel, from $70; Panton Ameobe chair @ Hive Modern, $1,670; Kenzo Akiko glassware @ Unica home.


Turquoise: Almidi star table @ Vivre, $1,625; Voluspa Cade & Lavender candles @ Amazon, from $9; @ Anthropologie, GurglePot Koi pitchers @ Delight, $42.50; Battenberg Iris bracket @ Anthropologie, $22; Cubix ottoman @ Chiasso, $118; Racine cabriole velvet fabric @ Designer's Guild; Cherner chair @ Cherner chairs.


Tomato Puree: Sol pendant light @ cb2, $100; Vitra/George Nelson Ball clock @ All Modern, $335; Francis! Francis! X1 espresso machine @ Amazon, $899;Stelton Vacuum Jug @ Haus Modern Living, $94; Eero Saarinen's Womb chair @ Knoll, $2,803; Fu dog bookends @ cb2, $50; Blu Dot Desk 51 @ Design Public, $699; Vitra Uten Silo organizer @ Design Public, $350; Take a Number glasses @ Blue Ribbon General Store, $23.


Eucalyptus: Mechano chair @ Unica Home, $500; Alessi Cico eggcup @ Cookware, $18; Kartell FL/Y pendant light @ Stardust, $293; coat rack @ UO, $68; Atelier Chesterfield sofa@ Anthropologie, $5998; Barking Mad wallpaper @ Anthropologie, $108; Perch Frida lamp @ Velocity, $300; Kartell bubble club table @ Zwello, $192

Amparo Blue: Peugeot mills @ Williams-Sonoma; Tow coat hook @ Etsy, $10; Deep End bowl @ Anthropologie, $10; Capri Blue candle tin @ Anthropologie, $12; Acapulco tray @ Jonathan Adler, $28; Salon lounge chair @ Baker; hand-printed bike linen fabric @ Etsy, $12.50; 'You can still do a lot with a small brain' vinyl sticker @ Greener Grass Designs, $56; Staub 5-qt. oval cocotte, Amazon, $173.

Wisteria Triple Medallion Settee

Normally, we prefer cozy, over-stuffed sofas to stiff, prim settees. But there's something about the curvy design, and something about the subdued stripes on this neoclassical Louis XVI design triple-back settee that has a definite appeal. The website offers good ideas on different uses, such as placed in a foyer, or under a window or (and this is our favorite) pulled up to a dining table.
@ Wisteria, $1099

Thomas Paul Souk Segment Rugs

We've browsed right by these Thomas Paul's Souk rugs dozens of times, not quite realizing that we'd seen the entire rug.

They always seemed like close-ups, rather than an a truly original twist on a classic Persian rug. The segments and slices are very cool. They both look modern and classic, and we love the way that the mind fills in the rest in the of rug (even though it took us a while to figure it out.)
@ 2Modern, $270-$1,466

Plush + Patterned Anthropologie Towels

Embossed patterns -- inspired from English castles or Persian palaces -- in plush, heavy terry cloth feel just delicious. The designs are taken from lush floral damasks, tapestries, classic suzani patterns and the ornate tilework from Persia and India.

We've sampled the Isola Bella towels ourselves (bottom left), and they definitely offer the dense and luxurious pampering that's fit for royalty.
@ Anthropologie, from $8-$36

Nicolette Brunklaus Chandelier

Modern... check. Romantic... check.
Perfect for a bedroom (or a dining room table, or a hallway or a corner) .... check.
It's official. This pendant lamp by Nicolette Brunklaus, who is based in the Netherlands, is now on amongst our favorite pendant lights.

Still we wondered if crafty types might be able to make something similar. Perhaps using a lampshade and some transfer paper? If you've got a knack for handmade items, and have any thoughts on this, please let us know!
@ Dutch by Design, £190.
@ Lekker Home, from $395

Vanilla Sky Throw by Dash & Albert

Dash & Albert have dozens of delicious striped patterns to suit any taste or mood, but this is one of our all-time favorites. Something about the quiet, subtle soothing color combo makes their Vanilla Sky cotton throw the one we'd want to snuggle into during a raging thunderstorm.
@ Dash & Albert, $58

The Zettel'z 5 Chandelier by Ingo Maurer

A couple of days ago, a reader dropped us a note that went something like this:

After reading your description that Opaline is for "modernists with a romantic streak", I thought you'd love this product.

She totally hit the bullseye. The Zettel'z 5 chandelier, designed by Ingo Maurer, has been at the top of our 'As soon as we can afford it' list from the second we saw it.

Not only is it beautiful to look at, but how lovely is idea of light streaming through a mobile of scribbled pieces of poetry and romantic notes? We think it's one of the most swoon-worthy items out there. Thanks Kamie!
@ YLighting, $1,220.