7 Ways To Incorporate the Medieval Trend in Your Home This Fall

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Chevron plaid motif first found in medieval cathedral design

Move over Boho girls—Here comes the ladies in waiting! One of the hottest movements this Fall in fashion and design is the medieval trend, and I’m LOVING it!

Alexander McQueen Gown

Fashion lines are focusing on this haute new look which references the idea of protection by using elements in design anywhere from cloaks to metal studs to high necked garments like the Nobility Dress from Anthropologie. The patterns on this dress can be found in the patterns etched into medieval cathedrals.

Medieval Trend Anthropology Nobility Dress

Anthropology Nobility Dress

 

The Medieval period, also known as the dark ages, was a cold and cruel time in our history and we wouldn’t want to revive that! However  during these times alluring and fantastic story dialogues were created and nobles and peasants alike looked to luxurious woven materials, beautiful architectural patterns, fireside warmth and candle lit rooms and other ornate comforts to warm up their cold dark homes and castles. These warm elements are driving this throwback trend and I’m pretty sure that the Game of Thrones has something to do with it too!

Here are 7 Ways to Incorporate the Medieval Trend in Your Home This Fall

1-Try on the Corset

Space Case Design Medieval Throwback Corset Dining Chairs

Corset back dining chairs from Design Master Furniture. Dining room design by Space Case Interior Design, Torrance CA.

These corset back dining chairs come in several wood stains and lots of fabric options. The fabric seen here was custom selected to repeat the patten of the vintage style tiles in this home. In the medieval days corseting and laces were used on everything from shoes and clothing to utilitarian objects such as saddles and knife handles.

2-Layer with Faux Fur

Medieval Throw Back Design Trend exhibited in a Young man's room design by Space Case Interior Design.

Old world map focal point and cozy fur throw elements lend themselves to the Medieval trend. Young man’s room by Space Case Design, Torrance CA.

Above a young mans lair is given an update with a vintage mirrored map, plaid and woven shams and window dressings as well as a cozy fur throw. Custom plaid window dressings further drive the medieval trend in this design.

3-Go for the Classic Plaid

Medieval interior design elements

Elegant plaid bathroom tile takes us back to the medieval period of the highlands and their clansman. This bathroom feels timeless.

4-Create a Story with Tapestry

Medieval Inspired Design Dining Room with Anthropologie wall tapestry wallpaper

Island Coastal Dining Room Design by Space Case Design shows elements of medieval influence via the use of a large wall tapestry from Anthropologie.

Tapestries were often woven by or for the members of a royal court. They not only warmed the walls of their cold castles, but they told a stories that often linked the family name to mystical histories and legends.

Medieval Throw back interior design

Example of tapestry dating to c1450 – Hunt for the Unicorn Tapestry.

5-Cozy up in Soft Velvets

Blue velvet sofa

Rich velvet blue sofa against a colorful library wall with layered rugs and a thrown chair.

Velvets are hot right now. Try recovering an old chair or buy a couple new velvet pillows for your linen sofa. Velvets in medieval history would have been a luxury for even wealthy families. We still consider velvet a luxurious and warm fabric.

6-Opt for Heavy Wood Pieces

Medieval table setting in warm dining room

A table set for the court. Long rustic plank wood table set for many with draped faux furs recalls the warm dining rooms of tester year. Eclectic dinging room by Space Case Design, Torrance CA.

This trestle style bench and plank wood table in a raw waxed wood finishes are a great way to add a little medieval trend in the mix and don’t forget to add lots of candles to your table scape. The more the merrier!

7-Consider a Medieval Motif

The quatrefoil, trefoil, Fleur De Lis, and chevron patterns are just a  smattering you can choose from  to inspire dark age design — cathedrals and castles often covered their architectural elements in this motifs.

Medieval pattern inspiration in kitchen's tin ceiling

This kitchen’s tin ceiling pattern draws directly from those age old patterns seen on medieval cathedral columns in France and Germany. Classic patterns bring warmth to a space. Kitchen by Space Case Design, Torrance CA.

Chevron plaid motif first found in medieval cathedral design

Home office I found on Houzz dining the large chevron motif found on the Durham cathedral in England dating to c1093.

Chevron columns medieval throw back design

Picture of Durham cathedral from c1093 found on Pinterest.

So now go cozy up with a nice jeweled chalice of mulled wine and re-watch Game of Thrones. How better to continue to inspire this new medieval trend.

Apple Recipes & Fun – My 5 Favorite Ways to Fall Into Crisp Apples!

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I was standing in the Seattle’s Pike Place Market a few years back, biting into a huge freshly picked crisp Golden apple, and at that moment my LOVE affair with Apples began. Since then, every fall I get excited knowing that apple season has arrived. Below please find Apple Recipes & Fun – My 5 Favorite Ways to Fall Into Crisp Apples!

1. Go Apple Picking at Riley’s Farm –One of the best day trips ever! It’s about 1.5 hours down the 91 a to the 215 until you hit Redlands–Riley’s is right up the road from there. What you can do there?

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My 10 Favorite Ceiling Lights for Under $500

Ceiling lighting is a MUST for creating sumptuous atmosphere in a home. Typically a beautiful pendant or chandelier dangling from the ceiling focally marks a specific living center in the home –a place to enjoy. If you don’t have fun or cool pendants /chandeliers over your dining table, kitchen peninsula or island, breakfast nook table, tub, reading area or corner bar or bed, then you are missing out on an opportunity to create some real ambiance in your home for all to enjoy. Lighting is truly magic for our senses especially when we head into the gloomier fall and winter months.  These beauties below will transform your space day and night and will not break the bank in doing it.

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My Top 10 Design Picks from IKEA to Update Your Home Now!

My Top 10 Best Design Picks from IKEA to Update Your Home Now!

We’ve all been to the Swedish home store, IKEA, right? For me it compares to the fun had at an amusement park–an undulating spiral walk among fun color-filled designs and magical lights a glow! I always end up at the check out isle with a full yellow shopping bag.

A Swedish friend of mine once told me that in the US we pronounce IKEA wrong. It’s actually pronounced (Eee-KAY-UH). So now that we can all say it right, let me make it known that I am a big believer in buying quality for a home, and not all things at IKEA (Eee-KAY-UH) are made to last for years and years–in particular the upholstery, seating and wood products in my experience do not stand the test of time or provide the comfort levels that I want and for that reason I skip those products when I’m shopping there.  However, during my recent pilgrimage to the Carson CA location (my local IKEA), I found some pretty cool new designs that when mixed in right can create a fresh sense of added color, organization and a happy new room feel. I have used and even own some of the items I recommend below–I selected these 10 products as my top design picks because they rival some of the items that I sell from other top quality manufactures- and of course they are sold at a fraction of the price.

Below are MY 10 Best Design Picks from IKEA to Update Your Home Now!

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Tendergreens Green Hummus Recipe

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Oh my, how I love Tendergreens Restaurant. And, their green hummus Recipe. I’m thankful for their quick and healthy farm to table food options.  I used to frequent their 1st Culver City location. Actually, we renovated the building a decade ago to create the vanilla shell before the design phase and restaurant move in. Back then, I do not recall that green hummus was on the menu. However, last summer they opened one of their new locations in my home town. Yay! Now I cannot get enough of that Green Hummus. So nom, nom. Thankfully they are kind enough to share the recipe (AND lots of their recipes) on their site. Seriously you must get down to Tendergreens for their healthy grub and definitely make this Hummus–it might just replace your other favorite hummus recipes.

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Need More Zen in Your Life? See Our Zen Design BEFORE & AFTER

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Need more Zen in your Life? Maybe update your space with a little Zen Design!

Zen refers to a word used in buddhism to define harmony and an enlightened state achieved through meditation and devout living. As a yoga teacher and interior designer, I can relate to this and I say, “Yes! Yes Yes!”. In fact, the word Zen is derived from the Chinese word “chán” and the sanskrit word “dhyana,” which means “meditation.” In sanskrit and yoga philosophy the root meaning is “to see, to observe, to look within.”

The idea of Zen is a way of life — a personal search for meaning that elevates simplicity to an art form. Zen design embodies the idea of minimalism, making use of natural materials and patterns and emphasizing a space free of clutter so that we can live in the present moment.

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We LOVE Industrial Interiors, Do You? + 5 Ways to Update Your Space in the Industrial Style

We LOVE Industrial Interiors, Do You? + 5 Ways to Update Your Space in the Industrial Style

Industrial Interiors are one of the hottest design trends of 2016. This style pulls from a multitude of industrial periods around the world, from the late 1700s to 1940s.

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Our 9 Favorite Ways to Beat the Heat This Summer

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Summer just arrived and temperatures have already hit triple digits. So please enjoy our 9 Favorite Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer- they are bound to cool you off.

1. Ditch the Down Duvet

Take the down off the bed, give it a good shake and store it away for the summer. You will most easily drift into dreamland on these hot nights covered in a linen or cotton, breathable blanket.

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How to Make a Magnolia Table Garland the Easy Way

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Magnolia is one of my favorite leaves to decorate with during the holidays! I love the way the leaves are a deep waxy green on the front contrasted by its rough cognac tone posterior. When many leaves are placed together you get the perfect mix of texture to dazzle the eyes. Once colors and lights are added to the mix, such as fruits and candles, the outcome is sensational. Below is how to make a Magnolia Table Garland the easy way.

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How To Craft a Last Minute Creepy Room for Halloween in Five Easy Steps

Crafting the perfectly spooky space doesn’t always mean jack-o-lanterns and witches. There are a few steps to creating an eerie feeling room. Below I teach you How To Craft a Last Minute Creepy Room for Halloween in Five Easy Steps.

1. Neutralize your room! Take a look around and clear away any bright colors. Put away color pop accents and drape brightly colored upholstery in white, grey or black sheets or old curtains. Cover bright and happy looking lighting and lamp shades with creepy gauze cloth.

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