Archive for July, 2007

I’m sure that many of you beachgoers have had your fair
share of unwanted run-ins with driftwood, so you may be surprised to find out
that while it’s often considered a nuisance, driftwood has increasingly been
gaining in popularity when it comes to home décor.

Being that I am in the midst of decorating my upstate cabin
and that I’m going for a rustic look, its been great to see a lot of driftwood
in design shops that I like. The cool thing about the wood, and why I think
home decorators are increasingly starting to use it, is that each piece of wood
is 100% unique with colors and textures that are impossible to replicate.

Something I’ve done and would be an easy project for anyone
looking for furniture with an authentic, earthy feel is to simply attach a
glass plate to the top of a leveled piece of driftwood. This is an easy way to
make a great end table. Actually, you’ll probably find that the hardest part is
finding useable wood, especially for those of us who aren’t in close proximity
to a beach!

For those of you who would rather buy something ready-made,
there are some truly stunning pieces out there. I just found an eye catching
mirror made out of old strips of driftwood. It’s a great example of taking
something natural and turning it into something polished.  Here are some other great products I’ve found
that turn driftwood into refined and elegant home pieces.

I love this slung coffee table because it’s a perfect
example of how you can take an organic piece of driftwood and turn it into
something simple and fun!

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Great for children or a summer home, this mirror captures
the beach vibe people so often associate with driftwood.

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This a great way to incorporate driftwood in your garden,
especially if you don’t have a lot of time to spend caring for your plants.
This particular example features Tillandsia which grows easily on rocks and
trees without soil.

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Modern and sleek this lamp would be great for an end table.

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After spending the weekend ill and perched on my sofa, I
feel inspired to address the question of how to pick out the perfect couch.
It’s a question I often get asked, but like most things in the world of design,
it’s highly personal and dependent on your lifestyle needs.

When it came to choosing the couch in my own living room, I went the form over function (well, comfort) route. I came across this amazing 1950s shallow couch that worked very well with the rest of the room and its foam cushions make it the perfect place for guests to sit. It looks absolutely perfect in my living room.   But, it’s not the spot to curl up and watch Gone with the Wind. 

Here is the couch in my apartment that I got on eBay two years ago. I had the foam cushion reupholstered
.

For many people, comfort is the key. Those who like to relax on a nice cozy couch after a long day of work should really go for a couch that is no less than 23 inches from the front edge of the cushion to the back edge of the cushion. The higher above the 23 inch mark you are, the comfier the couch tends to be; when you get less than 23 inches, you’re looking at a couch that is more for perching. An important thing to keep in mind if you are purchasing your couch online is that sellers (and sofa manufacturers) usually quote the overall depth of the couch, not the edge-to-edge cushion measurement …  so make sure to ask for the edge-to-edge cushion measurement I just mentioned.

Also you should look into what the cushions are made of. Solid foam cushions are the hardest ones and down/feather cushions are the softest; if you can’t decide between the two, some couches have cushions made from a thin foam center with a down wrap.

Besides the material, most of you have probably noticed that some cushions require “fluffing” while others require no maintenance at all. It’s the feather/down cushions that need the “fluffing-up” to maintain an attractive look (cushions with only down wraps require a little less maintenance). So, if you aren’t into maintenance, foam cushions are the way to go. You can balance the hardness of the foam by selecting cushions that have been sewn into a cotton case (they allow for the smoothest upholstering). Another way to add extra comfort is leather upholstery; its durable, softens with age and is easy to care for—it’s a great balance of comfort and fashion.

Here’s an example of a shallow leather couch
  

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If you’re like me and use your living room more for hosting purposes, a shallow couch is a great option for cocktail parties so guests can perch over while engaging in
conversation.

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Here is an example of a deep, comfy couch.
 

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Beyond deep versus shallow, buying a couch is mostly aesthetic and there are endless options to explore!

Living in New York City I often find myself nostalgic for my carefree childhood nights spent camping in the Adirondacks. Perched over an open fire on a campsite, my friends and I would roast marshmallows while we relaxed and enjoyed the warmth and crackles of the great outdoors.
With this in mind, I‘ve always known that when I built my own country patio I would create a sitting area with a fire pit as the focal point. From cocktails that can be enjoyed around the fire before moving indoors, to taking in a cool nighttime breeze, fire pits are truly great
for all ages and they have the added bonus of warding off pesky bugs!

I spent much of this past 4th of July weekend working on the terrace at my country house, my getaway in upstate New York. And of course, the fire pit is the star.

If you don’t want to build your own, there are countless options for readymade ones. Here are some of my favorites!

Streamlined and sleek this fire pit would be an elegant addition to anyone’s patio. The aluminum base and granite top make the fire pit easy to maintain and able to resist even the worst weather. Best of all it is multifunctional as it can double as a table.

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This fire pit truly brings back childhood memories. You can
use fire wood or some Duraflame logs, either way this is a great take on a
traditional campfire pit.

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For those of you who are working with a small space a metal
fire pit and screen like this one is a great option.

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This type of steel fire pit is great for those of you
looking for a modern take on an old time classic.

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“Hi, I’m Shawn Henderson. As the eBay Design Director, I’m here to share design trends, product picks, and advice to help you get the most out of shopping for home décor on eBay. You may remember my page of favorite picks, www.ebay.com/whatilove. Well, now I’ve turned it into a blog – so that I can chat with you even more often about my favorite finds and trends… eBay just has so much to offer.

If you haven’t come across me on eBay before, here’s a little more background… I’m an interior designer based in New York City, with my own firm (www.shawnhenderson.com).

eBay is part of my work every day – I use it to shop for my clients as well as for my own home. It’s truly vital to my design process: I use it for everything from finding inspiration to sourcing statement pieces. I’ve found some of my all-time favorite furniture and accessories on eBay.

So, check back often to see some of the things that I love right now, and ideas for how to find them on eBay.”