Year of the Snake

Today is Chinese New Year's and the Year of the Snake! 

The snake has traditionally been seen as a symbol of wisdom, wealth and longevity, but is considered less auspicious than other animals in the 12-year Chinese Zodiac such as the dragon. It is said to bestow mystery, intelligence and beauty on those born in a snake year. 

Here are some serpent and snakeskin inspirations for your house! 

Serpent Mirror from Benjamin Dhong

Large serpent mirror from F Schumacher

Snake stools from Daniel M. Pafford

Snake stools and table from Daniel M Pafford

Framed Natural Curiosities Snake prints from Artfire

Snakeskin stencil for DIY painting from DIY Stencils on Etsy

Snakeskin leather cuff bracelet with turquoise from LivingFreebyEP at Etsy

Snakeskin boxes from Jayson Home

Snakeskin sawhorse desk legs from Tonic Home

Nate Berkus Snakeskin pillow from Target 

Bedroom Updates with Color & Accessories

One of my readers contacted me about a some ideas for her updating her bedroom. She has a pink damask duvet but wanted to create a new look her in bedroom using some fun pillows in different patterns! I created a few boards for her using her pink damask paired different colors, pillows and accessories. When updating a bedroom Etsy always has great pillows in assorted colors! I think places like Home Goods, Z Gallerie, and Ikea, can make fun place to treasure hunt for inexpensive lamps and fun colorful accessories.

Pink & Orange Bedroom 

Pink & Teal Bedroom 

Pink, Teal & Yellow

Pink, Yellow & Gray

Pink & Gray

In my guest bedroom which is one of my favorite rooms in my house, I have a white matelasse coverlet and 2 large scalloped matching Euro Pillows, then from there I can add fun pillows, blanket or duvet folded at the foot of the bed. This is another way to update a room but keep existing duvet you have and work around it.

Here the white matelasse coverlet is used with the folded duvet at the foot of the bed by Katie Rosenfeld Design

Colored matelasse with printed duvet at foot of the bed from Tobi Fairley

Another example of printed duvet folded at the bottom so the print is not as overpowering from Coastal Living

Vintage Souvenir Scarves

I am in vacation mode, I have 14 days until we leave for our Caribbean vacation which led me to feature this post about Vintage Souvenir Scarves! Beginning in the 1930s, maps were screen-printed onto various types of textiles such as tablecloths, scarves and tea towels and sold in souvenir shops across the nation. Today, they can be used in various projects whether framed, made into pillows, cushions, etc! 

Vintage tablecloth turned into a roller window shade from Martha

Framed souvenir tea towels framed and cushion made from tablecloth

Vintage tablecloth was used to update this beach chair and beach bag from Martha

Assorted souvenir scarves and tea towels made into pillows from BHG

Buy your own at Inglenook Decor

50's vintage souvenir scarf on Etsy

German Souvenir Scarf pillow on Etsy

Collectors' Guide to Vintage Souvenir Tablecloths And Linens (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

Decorating with Malachite

Malachite is a green psychedelic type swirl pattern in a stone that was made popular in the 70's. I usually associate this pattern with luxurious black and gold interiors similar to Tony Duquette's style. His love and interest for this stone translated into dishes, bound books, floors and tablescapes and made this style popular. While Malachite walls may not be for everyone a touch of Malachite through a frame, book, decorative box or unpolished specimen may add a little touch to your home. 

Viceroy in Miami decorated in Malachite theme by Kelly Weartsler

Entryway table decorated with malachite obelisk and green lamp by Mary McDonald on Veranda

Tony Duquette malachite window treatments Coco Kelly

Tony Duquette Malachite pillows from Jim Thompson

Tony Duquette Malachite chair from Belvedere on 1st Dibs

Modern twist on Malachite walls being paired with red decorated by Kate Schintzuis from Designsponge

More tradional style I usually see used and this in case a masculine bathroom with faux malachite walls and black laquered vanity designed by Linda Heckman on Elle Decor

Faux Malachite Chest of Drawers from Lewis Trimble on 1st Dibs

For a more low key look a Malachite frame for sale from Honeymoon at Home

Malachite placemats from Dransfield & Ross featured on Elle Decor

Malachite painted box from Indecorous Taste

Malachite fabric from Spoonflower

Malachite wallpaper from Cole & Sons Love this wallpaper against the black and white tiling.

Vintage Malachite box c. 1950 from Go Antiques

Vintage Semi-Precious Stones book that has a malachite cover from Amazon

Malachite specimen from Etsy

Caitlin Wilson Textiles

I have been excited to see the great designs from Caitlin Wilson Textiles as I have followed her blog for years, even when she was living in Hong Kong and then making her move to Dubai. Now she is back in the US and has brought some fun, colorful and reasonable prints inspired by her international living taking us from scallop scales in South China seas to architectural inspirations from Byblos, Lebanon, one of the oldest cities in the world.

The beautiful designer, Caitlin Wilson

Most of the fabrics come in pillows 14x20, 16x26, 20x20, 24x24 and 26x26. This pattern is one of my favorites the Souk Trellis which is a twist on the trellis style with an exotic Arab type pattern found in markets and mosques. 

Peacock Scallop fabric inspired by the strong scales of the scallop evoke images of the South China seas.

Tangerine Lotus fabric that carries you to the exotic water gardens of tropical Asia

Jade Byblos fabric inspired by one of the architectural elements in Byblos Lebanon, one of the oldest cities in the world.

Navy Fleur Chinoise inspired by Asian blooms

Coral Tall Chevron inspired by her mesmerizing city experience in Dubai