Creature Comforts

Animal inspired decor is extremely popular in design right now. Examples of this are showing up everywhere; from furniture vendors, to shelter publications and home furnishings retailers. Items like taxidermy, antlers, hair on hide upholstered pieces, tortoise shells, feathers and more are great for adding an element of the natural world's beauty into your home. Whether you choose faux or real, or vintage/antique items, this look is sure to remain chic indefinitely.

Here are some of my top picks that will lend that wild side look to your space:

The Neta bench in hair on hide, Oly Studio

X-imapala horns, Barbara Cosgrove Lamps

The Ari side table, Oly Studio

Sheepskin rug, DwellStudio

Polished Horn ornaments, Arteriors

xo, Amanda

First image, DwellStudio. Remainder are vendor images. Items available through Urban Dwellings Design.

Reminder...Shop Local!

As we gear up for the holiday shopping season and the busiest shopping weekend of the year please remember to support your local businesses. Here are some great facts to keep in mind from the 3/50 Project website:

For every $100 spent in local and independently run stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If that $100 is spent in a chain store only $43 stays here. Spend it online and NOTHING stays in our community.

This Saturday the 26th we will be participating in a new movement called Small Business Saturday. This is a day when we should all remember to shop local and celebrate America's small businesses. Here at Urban Dwellings Design we will be offering 25% off any in store purchase and 10% off any special order.

We have got some great small accessories for gifting and some really sweet holiday decor, check out the adorable hand carved wood owl ornaments!

I hope you can make it!

Jaclyn

Contemporary with a Twist

I am drawn to contemporary style homes and furniture and although I have furnished my home with mostly contemporary furniture, I have started to do a lot of antique shopping. I think it is because I want my home to feel more personal and collected, and nothing does that better than a one-of-a-kind find from an antique shop.

This image is a great inspiration for how I would like to decorate my bedroom. (Note the blue-grey walls, sleek case goods and upholstered headboard.)


bedroom by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

www.mgbwhome.com

But to make my bedroom more special (and which I envision to be more soft and romantic) I have been thinking a Louis XV chair in the corner would add that element.

This past weekend I was in Charleston, South Carolina shopping on King St. (where there are some fabulous antique store and art galleries) and I spotted my dream chair that would take my contemporary bedroom from generic to really special! I'm now on quest to find one just like it locally!


French Regency Armchair, Jacques' Antiques, Charleston, SC

-Ilyssa

DIFFA KC

Next Saturday, November 19th, DIFFA KC will host their annual Holidays By Design soiree at the Historic Firestone Building. Many folks in the design community, among others, create unique holiday decor to donate for the silent auction. Its always a fun event, viewing these works of art while walking around sipping a cocktail and listening to live music.

DIFFA is a leading non profit whose mission is to fund HIV and AIDS prevention and awareness educational programs.

Every year we donate a wreath for the auction and this year we will have two! Come party with us and snag a little holiday cheer for your home, you won't be disappointed! Buy your tickets here.

The Book Wreath

I will be on NBC Action News Sunday morning, November 13th at 8:40am to promote the event and demonstrate how to make this beautiful book wreath. I hope to see you next weekend!

-Jaclyn

More High Point Highlights

This Fall market was one of my best high point trips to date. I did some serious business in a serious short amount of time. I visited loads of showrooms, oogled and tested tons of beautiful furniture and met some really amazing people. I came back with hundreds of photos, here are some highlights!

Bold use of color at the Lillian August for Hickory White showroom.

Loved these lamps

-at Lillian August

Obsessed with this mirror and lamp by Bunny Williams.

-at the Beeline Home showroom

Cool modern table by Dwell Studio

LOVE this side table, so chic!

-Dwell Studio

Dramatic all white setting at the Oly showroom

Those etageres and console are new and to die for!

Oh, that chandelier!!

-at the Oly Showroom

At the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom

All new items I loved: the chair, table, lamp and screen!

Same chairs as above, different fabric. These will be in the store come February!

Fun leather/fabric combo chair

-at the Cisco showroom

Loungy, comfy sofa and fabric ottoman with a global feel

-at Cisco showroom

I ordered these pillows for the shop.

-at Tourmaline Home

Gorgeous marbleized prints

-at Natural Curiosities showroom

Gold leaf prints by Natural Curiosities

-Jaclyn