Brown Design + Development

Make a Statement with an Oversized Vase

If you want to make an impact, try using an oversized vase.  For a zen look, keep the arrangement simple as seen here with long stemmed lilies.  This vase is available for purchase from our online store www.ryanbrownstyle.com.  We love this piece because of it's versatility to be used as a terrarium or as a vase (as shown below). 

Over-scaled green leaves from your local florist are also a nice change from your typical arrangements.  This is also a great way to create more height to your room.

 

Affordable Wall Art

In a recently completed beach condo, we purchased these wall strips from CB2 and created artwork in the master bathroom. A set of 3 costs $129.  One set provides a clean and modern feel or you can make a statement by layering multiple sets as shown below. 

Pick of the Week

We love these oversized wine bottles from Pottery Barn.  They were purchased from a collector who found them while scouring restaurants in Europe.  Prices range from $99 for the small bottle to $279 for the extra large size. 

Pick of the Week

If you are looking for a fail proof accessory, try this "aged teak ring" from D.A.O. in Los Angeles.  This particular piece is a by-product of a teak plantation.  This comes from the top portion of a stump that is  left after harvesting the log.  The organic texture and white wash patina are the results of natural weathering.

 

Seen below are examples of this type of accessory being used in both a modern and traditional application.  Organic pieces are so adaptable in any style of home--making them the perfect accessory.

  

Decorative Register Covers

Unattractive vents will no longer take away from good design with decorative register covers. 

In the image below, we used registers in an oil rubbed bronze finish for a client's traditional home. 

This white cover keeps the vibe clean in a modern application. 

Even major retailers like Restoration Hardware are selling register covers.  They come in a variety of styles, finishes, and sizes and are extremely affordable. 

Vintage Accessory Resource

Each week we get an email from Etsy's Blue Bell Bazaar with weekly vintage accessory finds.  Not only do they have really great stuff, but everything is affordable too.  If you visit their site and are interested in their vintage accessories, we recommend signing up for their mailing list so you can stay up on the latest items they have for sale.  Here are some of our favorites from this week's finds. 

   

Accessorizing Tips and Tricks

Whether you are planning to buy new accessories or refresh with the ones you already have at home, follow these simple tips to create vignettes that will make a powerful statement in your home.  If you need to buy new accessories, don't just purchase from your local retailers.  Take the time to shop flea markets.  Accessories are better when they look like they have a little bit of history.

It's best to begin with a blank slate, so begin by removing all small accessories from each room in your home.  Place these small accessories together either on the floor in one room or spread across a large table.  The key here is to get all small items together in one place. 

We completed this exercise in a client's home and wanted to show how we accessorized two areas in the living room; a wall space above a sofa and a fireplace mantel. 

 

Once all accessories (old and new) are in one area, organize them by color, keeping any hanging items separate from the rest.  This will help you determine what you have to work with and also makes it easier to begin your groupings.  Brown Design loves to work with color, but it is even more beautiful when you organize your objects by a common shade or texture. 

While selecting a grouping for a wall space, lay it out on the floor first.  This will help you create a common theme and visualize the end result.  The grouping below was moved around several times before settling on the optimal formation, so laying it out on the floor first made it easier to move things around. 

With the addition of the accessories and the custom pillows, the room now has a tremendous amount of warmth and depth. 

For the fireplace mantel, we selected accessories in a variety of shapes and heights, but stayed within a similar color tone. 

Organic Elements

No matter the style, we always incorporate something organic into our designs.  This photo was taken in the reception area of our modern loft-style office in Los Angeles and shows how a simple accessory can add comfort and warmth to an otherwise clean and minimalistic space. 

Vintage Glass

Accessories are very important to finish off a space and add character.  Utilizing vintage glass as an accessory is a great way to add interest and color.  

When purchasing, you can choose colors that coordinate with the room.  For example, if you accessorizing in a gray room, you may choose vintage glass in gray tones.  Or, if you are buying for a room in monochromatic tones, you can buy vintage glass that adds a pop of color.  

Major cities will have vintage glass dealers.  If you cannot locate one in your city, try shopping flea markets.  They will range in price from $15 to $1000 depending on the history of the glass and size.  When purchasing, look for the vintage stickers on the glass, making it more valuable.   

If you happen to be local to Los Angeles, try visiting Neptina.  They have a large selection and specialize in Italian, Scandinavian, and American pieces ranging from the 1940's to the 1970's.  A few names of well-known glass are Venini (Italian), Blenko and Greenwich Flintcraft (American), and Holmegaard (Scandinavian).  You can also find out more information about Neptina on their website at www.neptina.net.

At a recently completed home in the Hollywood Hills, we purchased a mixture of Italian, Scandinavian, and American vintage glass in an assortment of sizes and colors.