Selective Lifestyle Trends
To anyone studying or working in home decor, learning about trends in interior decorating is one of the most exciting parts of life. And it should be, aside from work, the home is where we spend the bulk of our time, and like clothing it needs to be a reflection of us. Style Bust searches the web for the latest and greatest trends for the home; our hope is that you can use some of our findings in the environment you’ve created at home!
Colorblock Thursday
14 years ago
Who doesn’t love a little color to get them through the grueling workweek.
Here are some of my favorite color inspirations today!
This might as well be called the Pantone color kitchen. I really dig this look, especially with the strangely clean counter and tabletop. I think the look could easily go south if countertop appliances and accessories aren’t white, great or a very basic color. I admire anyone who can pull this look off int their kitchen!
Here are some of the best of the best colored pieces this year.
- Sergio Rossi Block-Color Sandals, $277.50, available at Outnet.com
- Forever 21 Colorblocked Sheath Dress, $13.99, available at Forever21.com
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière Leather Sandals, $1,495, available at Balenciaga Boutique NYC
- Derek Lam Colorblock Dress, $1,390, available at Barneys.com
Finally, so fun way to play up an otherwise white bedroom.
The Moss Bath Rug “Larosée”
14 years ago
The thought of having moss growing in your bathroom isn’t normally associated with anything good, but not in this case. The Larosee Bath Mat ($64) promotes green living by growing moss in it. After your shower, the water on your body will absorb into the mat which promotes the growth of the moss rug. The soft flora of the mat makes it comfortable to stand on, it nicely massages your feet as you move on the rug. A bath mat that is green an massages your feet? What more could you ask for!
The wave-shaped edges of the rug allows you to connect more rugs together.
Hembakat är Bäst from IKEA and Carl Kleiner
14 years ago
IKEA has released a cookbook titled “Hembakat är Bäst” (translation: Homemade is Best). IKEA collaborated with photographer Carl Kleiner to produce this book, which hands down, has some of the best styling and photography for a cookbook. Hembakat är Bäst is filled with 30 recipes for baked goodies broken down by ingredient.
It’s pretty difficult for me to guess what baked good the ingredients photographed below belong to – but I find the images artists, so I thought I’d share them with you here!
There are some images of items you’ll recognize in the cookbook too. Now that I think about it, this cookbook could make a really great gift idea!
Stylish and cheap finds: I’m settled in, and I love my room!
14 years ago
Hey, guys! Sorry about my long absence, but I’ve been busy with adjusting to classes starting, living off campus for the first time and on my own, and getting settled in. My apartment is really close to campus, and I bike to classes every day (which I find exhilaratingly fun). Things are going pretty smoothly now that me and my roommates have a regular system for groceries, eating, etc. (They’re molecular genetics, microbiology/pre-pharmacy, and chemical engineering majors so our lifestyles and life views differ considerably), and I LOVE living off campus and having my own space.
But let’s talk furniture. It’s what I’m here for. And that’s most important. I go to the Ohio State University–which is considerably out-of-state–so it was logistical puzzle assembling all my room furniture while my roommates simply brought a lot of their stuff from home. I was on a budget of money and time and limited truck rentals. PLUS, if not most importantly, I had to take responsibility for my design decisions. I owed that to myself and everything I held inviolable. I mean, I am practical and stuff, but for me, I rather have peaceful, empty space than something that I hated. Also, my parents are traditional Chinese, so I had the added pressure of being extra cheap. YET I PULLED IT OFF. It was a bit stressful at times–decisions were sometimes made after flustered hesitation (bless the friends that came to IKEA with me), and it took negotiation with my mom about prices, but I absolutely adore everything in my room, and all purchases totaled under $300.
Unfortunately, I can’t put up pictures of my room until I find a camera that captures the sunlight just right. (That might sound snobby, but the digital camera I have right now is REALLY, REALLY bad. It, like, makes stuff darker or lighter than it actually is.) But what I CAN do is list all the purchases I made and give rave reviews of them. But first, I would like to say a few things about IKEA.
- IKEA is amazing.
- IKEA is cheap. (Prices and quality are Asian mother approved.)
- IKEA is easy to put together. (My mechanical skills aren’t bad, but still. Really easy.)
- IKEA is well-designed.
- IKEA furniture has energy. (Seriously. I see the expensive stuff in up-scale contemporary stores, and most of it feels empty and soulless. You’re much better off getting an equally well-, if not better, designed cheaper version of what you’re looking for at IKEA, where pieces have the fun vibe of creativity and innovative design. Or maybe I’m just weird. Whatever.)
Bed:
I went creative (okay, fine, I did copy my friend) and opted for a sofa bed instead of a regular bed.
BEDDINGE LÖVÅS sofa bed $199 (For the LÖVÅS mattress and the Ransta dark gray cover as shown.)
I always keep it folded down, and I love it! I’m probably going to always get this sofa bed for myself no matter how rich I am. Why my bed is so amazing:
- it is a beautiful, black slab of serenity and calm
- the LOVAS mattress (the firmest of the BEDDINGE mattresses) is really nice to sleep on. I didn’t think it would be at first, but I actually like harder surfaces
- it’s simple like a platform bed
- it can double as a couch if need be
- it comes with those two pillows. I know.
- it has so much space!!
Desk, Chair, and Lamp:
All IKEA, of course! And all stylistically coordinated! (But not in an annoying way.)
VIKA AMON/ VIKA CURRY table $19.99
RICKARD swivel chair $20.00 JANSJÖ work lamp $9.99
Notes:
- Yes, the table is nice and sturdy. (Better on hardwood floors, of course.)
- The chair is actually a bright red. The picture’s color is off. And the work lamp is the same bright red.
- The work lamp is bendy!
Storage:
SKUBB organizer with 9 compartments $4.99 SKUBB box $7.99 (for 4)
Target Itso storage series- itso Cube White $9.99
Notes:
- The SKUBB drawers go inside the organizer.
- Check out Target’s customizable itso storage collection! I got three of these boxes and pinned two of the them together. The third I use as a nightstand.
-Beryl Zhao
Beauty Queen
14 years ago
We know him as the boy next door in Freaks and Geeks, we laughed with him as the stoner in Pineapple Express and then we fell in love with him as Harvey Milk’s boyfriend in Milk. Yes, I am talking about James Franco…teenage heartthrob turned Golden Globe winner turned drag queen?
Alright, so he’s not a drag queen. But he was shot for the cover of Candy Magazine by Terry Richardson, wearing lipstick, blue eyeshadow and slicked back hair. The magazine describes itself as, “the first fashion magazine ever completely dedicated to celebrating transvestism, transexuality, cross dressing and androgyny, in all its manifestations.” It will be out October 24th and there will only be 1,000 copies available.
Photos courtesy of Terry’s Diary
James Franco is in the new movie Howl (which is out now), where he plays iconic gay poet Allen Ginsberg. Since this isn’t the first movie where he played a gay man, people have speculated his sexual orientation – in whichever case, he’s still an amazing actor (he’s been nominated for an Oscar)!
Interview with Blogger Samantha Whelan
14 years ago
Sam has been an important part of Style Bust’s growth since April 2010 when she began as Style Bust’s first guest blogger (yes, she even started before my sister Jessi). Sam has a great eye for style, trends and writing kick-ass compelling stories, and that’s mainly why I dig her. I catch her on her personal blog called Keen Emerald City to get a little more insight into her personal life…she seems to be having a pretty good time up in Seattle. I spent some time getting to know Sam a little better and asked her the following questions.
Style Bust: How did you become interested in fashion?
I can’t remember. I think I’ve always been interested in it since my days of Barbie and Pretty Pretty Princess. My mom was a bona fide fashionista herself so i think its in my blood.
Style Bust: Describe your personal style.
That’s tricky because I feel like I am always shifting. I will tell you what most people call me (and I can’t really disagree)… hipster. I can agree with that because I like being trendy but on the alternative end. I think my look is consistently eclectic and I have a lot of urban influence. Majority of my wardrobe is second hand but that DOES NOT mean that its full of ugly ’70s get ups and cheesy 1950’s dresses. No offense to those who really dig on the whole retro thing, but it isn’t my cup of tea.
Style Bust: You have two websites right now, www.keenemeraldcity.blogspot.com and www.keenemeraldcity.tumblr.com. How did you get into blogging?
I was applying for American Apparel actually and they asked for a lookbook.nu. I was like, “what the hell is that?” and become instantly interested. I started my own style blog and lookbook.nu. I soon stopped posting to lookbook (they’re wayyy to pretentious for my taste) but I kept the blog.
Style Bust: I haven’t gotten into Lookbook, Polyvore or Chictopia, etc. because I have the same feelings..pretentious.
Style Bust: What’s your main inspiration for creating new blog entries?
My main goal is to teach other people to be great bargain shoppers. I like to show people my recent finds, how I incorporate them into my daily life, and how they can find great items at vintage and second hand shops. I like to follow current runway trends and base my search at stores around them and then show others how it all comes together. I think a lot there is a lot of misconceptions about thrift store shopping and the kind of stuff you’ll find when browsing and I want to smash those thoughts into a million smithereens.
Style Bust: Do you have advice for others who want to get into blogging?
Don’t worry if you don’t have like 4389,3492803,0934208 followers, god knows I don’t! Just have fun, have a nice mix of writing and cool pictures to look at and you’ll be good. The people will come when the time is right.
Style Bust: What is your favorite fashion blog to visit?
Besides style bust? Haha. S.t.r.u.t.t.; i love they way it is laid out, the girl who runs it is gorgeous, and its always a delight to look at.
Style Bust: Is there anything you want Style Bust readers to know about you?
As a style blogger, I like to think of myself as pretty down to earth. I just want to show the rest of the world that you don’t have to be a waif thin, raccoon eyed, super rich snob to have great style, nice clothes, and a good attitude. Its hard living in a world where you’re supposed to pretend that you don’t give a fuck what the world thinks of you when its human nature and I want others to know its OKAY to be self aware and self conscious. As Kanye says, “We’re all self conscious, I’m just the first to admit it”.
Walls are Canvases: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
14 years ago
We people in Kansas City may be far away from IKEAs, but we do have the awesome-dee-dawsome Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. I went last Sunday, along with my philistine Asian scientist dad (who periodically made amusing comments of disapproval during the trip), to check out the collections of Western art. Previously, I had only seen the second floor of their impressive Asian collections, but this time–as a newly-awakened design enthusiast–I wanted to carefully soak in the different eras of European and American work that provided the artistic context of furniture design. As I browsed, looking at all the aesthetics with large, enamored eyes, I realized that there were tons of inspirations that people could take back to their living spaces. Art is always an inspiration for living spaces, and museums are like huge catalogs for your home. What stood out to me, however, was the amazing use of color in the exhibitions.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The building on the left is the Bloch Building and appropriately houses the modern and contemporary art. (Photo Credit: Flickr-Rock Chalk Jayhawk Cartographer/John Roever)
If you’re thinking about putting up art on your barren walls and painting them for a dramatic flair, and you’re not sure how to pair artwork with paint colors to evoke the proper mood, there is no better place to look for inspiration than an art museum. Exhibition designers at the Nelson-Atkins expertly set dramatic Baroques to darker, moody reds while putting pastoral, peaceful works to a darker teals. See how the bold lighting, shadows, and colors are accentuated by the wall color and dark gold frame. In your own home, this makes for great combination for a romantic bedroom or dining room.
Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness by Caravaggio (Photo Credit: Flickr ocad123)
Or if you prefer something calmer, pick a more pastoral piece with a cool, dark backdrop and frame.
Still Life by Pieter Claesz (Photo Credit: Flickr-ocad123)
This blue below is great for adding a royal flair to more traditional, colonial rooms. Paintings here have lighter, more playful tones, which work well with the lighter frames and lighter paint. Just look at how the blue walls, golden frames, and polished, wooden high boy with the gold handles all harmonize splendidly together. Delish!
18th-19th Century American Exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins
Art and wall color. Peanut butter and jelly. Come visit Kansas City and our art museums!-Beryl
Ideas from IKEA: I prefer the word ‘frugal,’ thank you very much
14 years ago
Finally! My 2011 IKEA catalog came in the mail! With a generous glossy, full-color 300+ pages of home furnishings amazingness, it did not disappoint. I pored over it, impressed with the company’s commitment to innovation, an environmentally-friendly mindset, and affordable design. Now, being from Kansas City, Missouri–with the nearest IKEA in Chicago–I’ve never actually been to an IKEA store. I’ve heard about them, I’ve read about them, and I’ve seen one on TV (from this one scene from 500 Days of Summer, a movie that I’ve only seen bits of), but never have I actually acquired the IKEA shopping experience. Hopefully, this will change next month when college starts up again, and my roommates and I hit up the IKEA in Ohio for the purpose of furnishing our 4 bedroom townhouse apartment. We’re college students with limited funds; therefore, our budget ranges from “Hey! Pull over! There’s a plaid armchair by the side of the road!” to “Please, sir. The stuffing is coming out a bit. Surely you can give us a discount.”
Even though we will be cutting some serious cost, style does not have to be completely sacrificed. Luckily for the design-conscious and financially-unconscious, I found some affordable (for others), stylish pieces from IKEA that looks like they cost much more than they actually do. Here’s a small sample. Take a look. (Wanna check out the catalog yourself? Visit IKEA’s Online Catalog.)
Tips for the design and budget frustrated: Even if your stuff is crappy and inexpensive, keeping your house clutter-free and purposeful will result in a space that will look better than the vast majority’s. Cherish what you have and make it a point to feel good about everything you buy. Treat and arrange everything as if they were all expensive designer pieces. Because one day they will be.
Left: VATE table lamp ($9.99) Right: VATE table lamp ($12.99): For that exotic flair in a dark room.
EKTORP TULLSTA chair ($149): For an instant, stylish pop of color! Will work in both modern and traditional rooms.
Left: NISSE folding chair ($12.99) Right: JEFF folding chair ($9.99): Yay! Folding chairs don't all have to look bad!
VIKA AMON/VIKA LERBERG table ($39.99): If you want a workstation that really looks like a workstation!
HOPEN bed frame ($149 full): A twist on a modern platform bed.
KLOBO loveseat ($149): Clean and solid. Reminds me of a marshmallow. Throw on some pillows or a throw for color.
LACK series wall shelf unit ($49.99), coffee table ($19.99), side table ($9.99): For a minimalist look.
-Beryl