The Interior Insider, Area Rugs Edition

Hi there!
Who's excited for our next edition of the Interior Insider? I know I am! Today, Lori will be sharing about the "in's and out's" of area rugs, how to pick the right one and important things to consider when doing so. Hope you enjoy!

Picking the Perfect Area Rug

An area rug is essential for pulling together the different decorative elements of a room, as it creates cohesion and an interesting aesthetic effect. Placing an area rug in a room is a wonderful way to add color, comfort, and beauty. With so many styles of area rugs available, you'll have lots of choices for the best one for your space. I have worked with hundreds of clients selecting the perfect area rug and love when a client can see that a rug can make the room. 

When shopping for an area rug consider the following:

Design Style

Identify you design style. Is it Eclectic? Eclectic design uses different varieties of color, pattern and texture to create a cohesive look when combined. Cottage, casual, fun, florals and stripes. Contemporary, bright colors and unusual shapes are common characteristics when selecting contemporary rugs. Traditional style rooms could have any rug from classic oriental rugs to solid sisal. Beach house or coastal cottage? Whatever your style is we have a rug for you. (Continued below.)

 1. Amy Butler's Acanthus Rug | 2. Amy Butler's Chrysanthemum Rug | 3. Amy Butler's Parrot Tulip Rug  4. Dash and Albert's Birmingham Green Stripe Rug | 5. Dash and Albert's Chocolate Ticking Rug 6. Dash and Albert's Staffordshire Rug | 7. Dash and Albert's Jamaica Ticking Rug | 8. Dash and Albert's Mattress Ticking Rug | 9. Dash and Albert's Palm Beach Ticking Rug | 10. Dash and Albert's Siena Sage Rug  11. Surya Centennial Rug in Slate | 12. Trina Turk's Bright Solids

Rug Style
Knowing a little bit about the different styles of rugs can help you make a well-informed decision when it’s time to pick area rugs for your home.  Wool - Long the choice of rug makers, wool stands up well to traffic, provides a soft cushion underfoot, and, over time, takes on a patina that adds to the character of a room. Cotton - More casual - and more affordable - than wool. Cotton rugs are often flatweaves or braided, and because cotton dyes easily, these rugs are available in a wide range of colors. It's a softer, though less durable, alternative to seagrass, jute, and sisal rugs. Jute, Seagrass, and Sisal - These natural fibers create tough, durable floor coverings. Jute is softer than the other two; sisal is the strongest. None will be as soft as wool or cotton, but their distinctive textures and often large-scale weaves add interest that wool and cotton can't always achieve. A good choice for those with wool allergies. Stains can be difficult to remove. Polypropylene - A stain-resistant synthetic fiber that repels stains and water, making it the perfect choice for outdoor rugs. Dry cleaning is not recommended because many dry-cleaning solvents can swell the fibers.
 
Budget You should buy the best rug you can afford, even it means living with bare floors while you save up. Look for good quality natural materials such as wool and silk. A high-quality wool rug will wear well and even look better over time.
Cotton rugs are easy to clean and perfect for those with allergies. Indoor/Outdoor rugs have become increasingly popular in dining rooms and playrooms as they can be bleached and taken outside and washed with a hose.
Sisal, jute and grass rugs often cost less, but are difficult to clean and don't last as long.
 
Size
Choose a rug that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room. Hall rugs should have at least six inches of floor showing on all sides. Dining room rugs should extend at least 18 inches beyond the edge of the table so that the rug accommodates the dining chairs. In bedrooms, try runners at each side and even the foot of the bed, or place a rug one-third of the way under the bed so the rest of the rug creates a nice mat at the bottom of the bed.  In large rooms, rugs should fit the configuration of the room and furniture. A big room set up with two smaller conversation areas would look best with two separate rugs, as long as they're linked by color or material.

We hope this guide helps you when shopping for your area rug. Lavender Fields offers complimentary design assistance when shopping from our online shop or at our retail store. We also offer full Interior Design Services.

Thanks for reading along. Lori will continue to share her amazing knowledge and useful tips and tricks with us so keep your eyes peeled for even more of the Interior Insiders future editions! If you have any questions, feel free to comment, email or call. Lori or one of our other interior designers will be happy to help you.

Historic Homes

Hello everyone!
Today we're happy to introduce to you one of our excellent interior designers, Michele!

Michele Moschides,  M.A.H.P

Specializes in Historic Interior Design Services

BIO:

Michele has a Master’s Degree in Historic Preservation, a Bachelor’s in Art History and an Associate’s degree in Travel and Tourism. She has been researching and studying historic architecture and interiors for over twenty years. Also a fine artist, Michele has a flare for color and design. As a hobby she restores small antiques and likes to create one of a kind art and décor using unique and vintage finds.  She specializes in vintage and antique art, smalls and furniture that will set off your interiors and make them totally unique. She also specializes in historic color consultation for historic homes, both interior and exterior.

As a Historic Preservationist, Michele also provides professional historic research and investigation services, historic paint consultations, historic home design consultations, suggestions on adaptive use of older structures, etc.

Click to enlarge (1.) (2.) (3.)

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Historic Interior Design Services

Do you have an older home that you know has great possibilities and you just don’t know where to go with it? You can give almost any home instant charm. Whether you live in a 18^th century Colonial, a High Victorian, a cute 1950s Cape Cod or a classic new home and want an historic look, we can help you achieve it. You can decorate your home the way it should look for its era or just add a bit of warmth and charm.  You don’t have to spend a fortune to add a touch of class and imagination to your home. Attention to detail and choosing the best pieces you can afford without overdoing it or over-decorating is the key. This unfortunately is something that a lot of people can’t visualize. Some styles we specialize in:

Early Colonial

Victorian Era

Art Deco/Jazz Era

1950s

Adirondack

Southern Coastal

We travel within the NY Metropolitan area. (Travel fees may apply). We do not have to work on site. We can work by photos if necessary. Call us to inquire.

Sources: 1., 2., 3., 4., 5., 6.

Maura Daniel Spotlight - Light Your World!

Hello everyone,

We've got another wonderful Spotlight for you. This week we're spotlighting Maura Daniel Lighting! Maura Daniel was started by the husband-wife duo, when they realized they couldn't find the perfect lamp for their daughters room. This creative couple were artists in their own right and the lack of design and quality, inspired them to create a couture lighting line with style! We carry a variety of their products at Lavender Fields.  As always, here are some of our favorites:

 1. Camilla Milk Glass Chandelier | 2. Black Lily Double Sconce | 3. Betsy Medium Table Lamp & Shade 

4. Mimi Gold Chandelier | 5. Margaret Floor Lamp & Shade | 6. Eleanor Sage Chandelier

7. Sophia White Medium Lamp & Shade | 8. Sophia Pink Lamp & Floral Cream Pink Shade | 9. Sophia Small Table Lamp & Shade

 10. Rose Celadon Small Table-Lamp & Shade 11. Petite Lamp & Shade in White | 12. Stella Sage Green Chandelier

They are truly passionate about their work and it shows in each product they produce. Providing lighting for not only commercial but also residential use, they have turned themselves into one of the most sought after lighting on the market today. I truly enjoy the playfulness in some of their lights (like #7) and I then instantly fall in love with the sophistication (#3) with another. That just proves to me that their products are very versatile! I assure you that whatever you're looking for, they will definitely provide you with the style you want.

Enjoy this inspirational illumination!

Bella Notte Baby!

Bella Notte Linens has amazingly luxurious baby bedding for your adorable teeny tot! Since you want what is best for your bundle of joy, they also know how important it is not to expose your baby (or yourself) to dangerous toxins. This is why they use top of the line non-toxic and low-impact dyes. It keeps the environment healthy, and you and your munchkin too.   

 

1. Whisper Linen Crib Dust Ruffle | 2. Loulah Baby Blanket | 3. Quilted Linen Bumper
4. Betty Bumper | 5. Silk Velvet Baby Blanket | 6. Whisper Linen Receiving Blanket
 

Bella Notte pride's themselves in creating beautiful products with the least environmental impact. Each order is custom dyed with their low-impact and non-toxic dyes. The process they use saves more heat, water and energy than the use of conventional dyes. Bella Notte's low-impact/non-toxic fiber reactive dyes are the best quality man-made dyes available and the most environmentally friendly.

"While conventional dyes not only contain toxic chemicals
and cancer-causing heavy metals, excessive amounts of water are used
to rinse these harmful substances from the fabric.
In contrast, low-impact fiber reactive dyes are able to provide us
with the same diverse palette of vibrant colors, yet create less toxic waste
and use less heat, energy and water. Low-impact fabrics are categorized as
those textiles with a minimal impact on the environment over their
entire life cycle--including raw material selection, production,
usage and disposal. Each fiber differs in impact throughout
the varying stages of its life.
For example, organic cotton (a textile used in our line) is grown
using a production system that replenishes and maintains soil fertility,
reduces the use of toxic pesticides and defoliants, and builds
biologically diverse agriculture.
Such methods and materials have a very low impact on the environment
unlike the production of conventionally grown cotton,
which uses more than 40 million pounds of pesticides per year." - Bella Notte Linens

Our very own Lori Madrid is a certified interior designer and offers free design assistance. With free swatches, layaway services, and free shipping, you're getting the whole sha-bang! All of this can be done on a payment plan for even further ease.

Lori also offers FULL design services within the Lavender Fields service area, which is located in Long Island, New York city and New Jersey.

I loved sharing all things Bella Notte baby with you!

Stick around, we have much more exciting things to share coming your way.
Have a pleasant weekend!

Bella Notte Linens Spotlight

Hello, hello!

It's that time again; it's time to spotlighting one of the many wonderful brands we carry in our shop. 

Bella Notte Linens is a magnificent example of thought, quality,  and care put into manufacturing process. The entire collection is manufactured in the San Francisco Bay Area, by local craftspeople. Spending years refining their process, they have become pioneers in the garment-dying world. Their unique process leaves the end result with rich colors and a luxurious softness that you can't find anywhere else.

 

One of my favorite aspects of Bella Notte is the fact that they pride themselves in creating beautiful products with the least environmental impact. Each order is custom dyed with their low-impact and non-toxic dyes. The process they use saves more heat, water and energy than the use of conventional dyes. Bella Notte's low-impact/non-toxic fiber reactive dyes are the best quality man-made dyes available and the most environmentally friendly. Top quality and it doesn't ruin the environment? Count me in! 

 

We carry a wide variety of their products in our shop, from bedding to baby, and a whole lot more. Here's a sneak peek at just a few of our favorites. Be sure to check out the entire collection here.

1. Homespun Duvet Cover | 2. Linen w/ Crochet Lace Duvet  | 3. Madera Duvet Cover 

4. Colette Duvet | 5. Primrose Sham  | 6. Betty Duvet Cover

7. Loulah Sham | 8. Whisper Linen Shams | 9. Silk Velvet Quilted Sham

10. Linen Whisper Tablecloth | 11. Homespun Napkin Set of 6 | 12. Silk Velvet Quilted Placemat Set

The quality of their products is clearly evident, even just from viewing a few photos.  But the ability to provide such beautiful products that are safe for our health an environment really brings "quality" to a whole new level. 

"While conventional dyes not only contain toxic chemicals and cancer-causing heavy metals, excessive amounts of water are used to rinse these harmful substances from the fabric. In contrast, low-impact fiber reactive dyes are able to provide us with the same diverse palette of vibrant colors, yet create less toxic waste and use less heat, energy and water. Low-impact fabrics are categorized as those textiles with a minimal impact on the environment over their entire life cycle--including raw material selection, production, usage and disposal. Each fiber differs in impact throughout the varying stages of its life. For example, organic cotton (a textile used in our line) is grown using a production system that replenishes and maintains soil fertility, reduces the use of toxic pesticides and defoliants, and builds biologically diverse agriculture. Such methods and materials have a very low impact on the environment unlike the production of conventionally grown cotton, which uses more than 40 million pounds of pesticides per year." - Bella Notte Linens

That's pretty amazing, if you ask me! Be sure to check out the fabrics we carry by Bella Notte Linens and peruse all of their products that we carry in stock. 

 

Thank you so much for joining me for this Spotlight! We hope you enjoyed this exciting brand. 

Until next time, friends! Have a great day!