All posts by Marlene Ridgway

As the Assistant Editor at Unique Homes magazines, Marlene Ridgway brings five years of experience in crafting captivating narratives within the luxury realm. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in English, Marlene's passion for language and storytelling shines through in her articles, covering a range of topics from the newest design trends to exciting travel destinations.

Making A Blanket Statement

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Statement throw blankets are the perfect way to seasonally decorate, soften a space, and bring a personal touch into any room.

 

Is there anything quite as tempting as curling up on the couch with a soft blanket?

Throws are functional and don’t crowd a space as other bulky blankets might. With the right design, fabric, and color, throws are an easy way to spruce up your decor without committing to major design changes.
Ditch boring blankets for exciting prints and cozy materials. A thoughtfully placed throw can lighten a room for summer or bring a pop of color in the winter.

Stretching a few plush throws across any bed or couch can add layers and a decorative touch. Layering is a great way to mix and match designs and add complexity to your room. The additional warmth is an easy way to spruce up your everyday furniture. Pairing throw blankets with metal furniture or placing them against other sharp surfaces can create a contrast that will entice visitors to stay awhile.

Choosing different fabrics are another way to make a statement when selecting a new throw. Ultra soft or simple comfort can help set the atmosphere of a room.

 

Massimo Alba’s ‘Yes Yes Yes’ blanket and Coralie Miessen’s ‘Home’ blanket are fun ways to personalize your home.

 

And Oyuna offers a cashmere option known as the ‘Uno Throw’ that will encourage a lazy afternoon full of lounging. After relaxing, the ‘Uno Throw’ can be casually folded across bench seating to invite guests.

Photos courtesy of WallpaperSTORE*  store.wallpaper.com

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How To Weather The Decor Dilemmas of Modern Farmhouse

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Photo by Bert Vanderveen, Verellen Furniture

Revamping past trends is hardly a new concept, but modernizing farmhouse decor can still be a challenge. Avoid cliches and break away from traditional choices that can make a space feel themed and overdone.
Focused designs call for a certain amount of balance, which is a great place to start when shopping for a specific space.

Weathered Works

Rustic and weathered pieces will be rightfully tempting. Not only do these looks add a cozy and comfortable feel to most rooms, but they’re inherently a large part of Farmhouse decor. The best way to avoid overdoing it with rustic and weathered styles is to pair them with their opposites.
Wood and stone look great with clean lines and smooth finishes. Soft fabrics and plush rugs can also be combined with natural components that will stand out among diverse materials.

Photo courtesy of Woodland Creek Furniture

Photo courtesy of Woodland Creek Furniture

Accents Not Props

Accents are the perfect opportunity to bring your room to life. A carefully chosen accent can be playful while unifying. A thoughtfully selected plant, antique sign, or a modern piece of art is an opportunity to personalize a space.
Overly obvious props will make a room feel staged. Repurposed mason jars are a thing of the past, but unique pictures of nature or wildlife are a smart way to tie in classic aspects without over-decorating.

A Touch of Nature

One or two natural elements can go a long way in Modern Farmhouse Decor. Choose a focal point to find inspiration and then build around it. Materials such as stone can be paired with modern touches to create a balanced look.
It’s easy for a modern look to take over, but polished surfaces and vibrant colors still have a place in Modern Farmhouse decor when they work together with other influences.

             Stone Forrest Natural Bathtub

Photo by Bert Vanderveen, Verellen Furniture

Neutral Not Boring

Neutral colors such as tan and gray urge accents to really pop. A textured, gray fabric will highlight greenery or the subtle reds in a brick wall. Neutral flooring and walls are another way to keep Farmhouse decor modern.
Painted wood floors or a rustic paint job over brick is key to sprucing up traditional farmhouse elements.

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STEMed from Mother Nature

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Eco-friendly furniture and sustainable decor are more than a cute trend — they are a priority for STEM.

With the increasing amount of plastic in our oceans, shrinking forests, and our overall impact on Mother Earth, sustainable designs are becoming more and more popular. Companies like STEM are realizing the importance of sourcing materials responsibly and spreading the message.
Going beyond the typical one or two eco-friendly pieces that most companies offer, STEM’s collection takes sustainability carefully into consideration. Founded by two brothers, Ryan and Travis, STEM is inspiring buyers and designers alike with its entirely eco-friendly collection. The company prides itself on creating a “Healthy Planet, Healthy Home.”

STEM ensures satisfaction by building each piece one at a time in L.A. from eco-materials like natural latex and wool, bamboo, organic cotton, and more. Cutting out harsh chemicals like fire retardants and certain glues are also a part of the process. Sofas and sectionals — being the biggest portion of STEM’s business — are made with FSC certified wood frames, natural jute, and organic cotton. Pieces like the Rio Sofa and Blumen Sectional can be made to the inch to get it just right for each customer and space.

Bamboo Float is a unique style that STEM incorporates into sofas, tables, and more. Bamboo is an ideal material because it grows as quickly as a weed. STEM uses sheets of bamboo for the base and then attaches an upholstered piece for the seating component.

For the Voya Side Table, the piece is handcrafted with FSC certified walnut or hard maple and is covered in zero VOC matte finish. The design can also be made into a coffee table as well.

Also using FSC certified walnut or hard maple for the base is the Sino Coffee Table. The top is white carrera marble and has the option for a draw for storage.  STEM makes each piece as it’s needed, therefore cutting out the mass production of generic goods.

 

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Italian Stone Company Partners With Design Icons

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Partnering with icons from the design and architecture industry, CITCO — an Italian stone company — has created an impressive home and office collection.

Created in 1990, CITCO continues to reimagine the perception of marble with revolutionary partnerships alongside Zaha Hadid Design, Ora ïto, Daniel Libeskind and Arik Levy.

Zaha Hadid Design

Zaha Hadid Design presents the Malea Coffee Table, with the idea of a spiraling seashell at the heart of the design. Despite being carved from a block of onyx, the table appears malleable with sweeping lines and fluid shape. The transparent acrylic material that is paired with the onyx adds to the complexity of the piece.

Ora ïto

The Isa Coffee Table, designed by Ora ïto, also has a sculptural look with bold and curving lines that draw the eye. The table is reminiscent of a table designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1947, but with a clear sense of the new designer.

Arik Levy

Arik Levy brings us Negative Spaces, a new series of vases that are available in three different shapes and sizes. With the impression that the pieces have movement, the vases work together to create an energy and depth. The materials are semi-polished Onice Cappuccino, capturing a sense of warmth in nature.

Daniel Libeskind

Using sculpture as inspiration for furniture, Daniel Libeskind reveals his Endless Side Table. The piece plays with perception and is multi-functional, quenching the thirst for art and function. A unique viewpoint and manipulation of space, light, and lines have brought a three-dimensional spiral into the home and office space.

Photos courtesy of www.citco.it

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