Shelf Life...

A question I hear often: "How do I arrange my shelves?"

Here's the inside scoop without any consultation fees. Start by taking inventory of your items. Pull every single accessory item out of the room and, "stage," them so you can easily shop your own items.

You can't go wrong with 80% of your display as hardcover books.

Not a literary genius? Scour second hand stores or your local Good Will. No ones needs to know you didn't read War and Peace. Consider stacking them vertically, horizontally or separate them by color.
One of my favorite designer tricks... Visit the neighborhood stationary store, paper store or Paper Source online and invest in a bundle of couture paper or wrapping paper (sans the sheen). Do as you did in the 3rd grade and create your own book covers. An easy, simple and inexpensive way to add color and interest to your display.

If a punch of color isn't your cup of tea create a look equally as interesting with items from the same color palette.
Mix in framed art or photographs. Don't be afraid to layer them atop one another. Perfection is boring. Think designed without looking decorator-ey (it's a word, I swear).
Look no little, ditsy accessories! Think of the shelf as a composition, not a retail display. I love the series of red vases standing at attention side by side.

Do as you do in fashion... Layer, layer, layer. Stack books behind frames. Perch frames on top of the books. Not perfect, but not messy either.

I LOVE a piece of art hung on the face frame OR hang a piece to completely cover one cubbie. Feel free to hide all your skeletons and junk behind this new, "designer door."
Make sure you incorporate new items with old, an antique vase with a lacquered box. Be critical. Stand back, look at the composition as a whole, and edit as necessary. Then take a picture and email me-I'd love to see what you're up to!

Best,

Brooke Voss

brookevossdesign.com

Clear Vision...

Fact: Designers love lucite. Dare I say one clear piece = room makeover?

See through and see to it that you add one piece to your home's portfolio of fabulous objects. Maybe a small piece like this stool which doubles as a magazine rack...

Or a twist to a clean-lined, transitional sofa...


Perhaps it's an end table flanking the side of your favorite lounge chair or a small scale night stand...

Fable: Lucite is reserved for occasional chairs and tables.

Imagine how incredible this queen size headboard would be layered on a wall adorned with a great wall covering or upholstered walls...

Fact: Every dwelling needs just one piece incorporating lucite.

I happen to have the Kartell ghost chair, perched in a corner of my bedroom. The ghost adds a place to perch without consuming space visually.

If my office was this tidy an acrylic desk would top my list of must haves.

A boudoir chair. A romantic addition to your makeup counter. Big design impact without any bulk. Take a risk with a fun pattern or printed fabric.

At the foot of your bed. Functional, yet glamorous.

Fable: Acrylic is hard to incorporate with antiques and traditional furnishings. It's reserved for contemporary design.

Fact: Acrylic is to the home as blue jeans are to the wardrobe... Completely interchangeable and always fashionable.

Shed a little light (and just the right amount of sparkle) on any situation.

Above all, have fun!

Best,

Furniture Rehab: The Bookcase.

Face it, who doesn't love a D.I.Y. (do it yourself) project now and again? Especially when the project allows us to re purpose, "junk," we already have. Save a little cash, spare the landfill and breathe life into a tired piece of furniture. This month we tackle one of my personal favorites... the bookcase.

Fess up. Do you own something similar to this?

Fear not, a tired, ugly bookcase can get a serious face lift for less than $50 bucks and a tiny bit of elbow grease. Begin by investing in quality paint, a good brush and take a chance on some COLOR!

Begin by painting the frame and shelves of the bookcase a neutral color. Try Benjamin Moore's Cloud White or Black Jack. Bring the bookcase to life by adding a punch of color to the inside back. Give Benjamin Moore's Yellow Highlighter or Grape Green a shot.

Family heirlooms are important, but don't worry if your Aunt Hilda's antique secretary isn't your cup of tea.

A little lacquer and new hardware will bring this piece to life (maybe just warn Aunt Hilda first...). Take a chance on Benjamin Moore's Florida Keys Blue complimented by Purple Hyacinth.
Now, puzzled by how to stage your new shelves? Stay tuned for the how to.
Best,

Brooke Voss Design

Let it rain!

When Mother Nature-Minneapolis presents a soggy city... design with the rain in mind! Containing clutter and maintaining organization is the first step to a beautiful interior. Perch a perfectly appointed umbrella stand in your vestibule and fill it with a bundle of matching (or coordinating) umbrellas of the same size and stature.

Here are a few of my favorites currently available online:

$300.00 http://www.mcachicagostore.org/ From the Chicago Museum of Modern Art, inspired by bamboo objects created by Brazilian artists.

$175.00 www.horchow.com Beautiful toile for the traditional home.

$99.80 http://www.venucci.com/ A fabulous faux birch forest printed on porcelain.
$120.00 http://www.unicahome.com/ Modern, sleek and perfectly polished in chrome.

$389.00 http://www.artc-acrylic.com/ Great juxtaposition with a classic Grecian pillar screen printed on acrylic.
$248.00 http://www.gumps.com/ A clever umbrella-umbrella stand.


$49.95 http://www.zgallerie.com/ My personal fav! A pair of crispy white wellies house your favorite umbrella beautifully.

$160.00 http://www.unicahome.com/ Interesting and sculptural created with a natural sponge in mind.
$140.00 http://www.burkedecor.com/ Contemporary yet kitchy.

Stay dry and be well! As always your questions and comments are welcome.

Best,

Brooke Voss

www.brookevossdesign.com

Discover the suzani....

The suzani, from the Persian word suzan meaning needle, is a truly amazing textile. This handwoven heirloom is an interesting ethnic rival to the Midwest quilt. Bold, vibrant colors are created by hand dying yarns from the fruits of the land. Think red from pomegranate skins, warm browns from walnuts and deep blue from indigo. These intense colored strands have been hand stitched into intricate patterns dating as far back as the 18th century from behind the former Iron Wall. A significant amount of these pieces come from Central Asia including the country of Uzbekistan.

A suzani as a throw blanket adds color and interest.

An antique suzani, typically done on a neutral ground of silk or cotton, withstands the test of time.

Beauufully blended. A French bergere upholstered with a suzani.

A suzani crafted into a bedroom bolster.

Typical hues in a suzani:

Pillow perfect. A more modern suzani features a medallion motif on a bright yellow ground.


A heirloom which withstands the test of time.

Wondering where to get the best buy on a suzani?

Of course... Ebay...