Your home has one chance to make a good first impression—and the entryway is it.
The transition space between indoors and out is important for a host of reasons: It creates a sense of welcome and establishes your style. (more…)
Anchor your coastal room décor in the essential colors of the beach: blue, white, and sand. This palette can take on a range of personalities, depending on how colors are used. A space dominated by contrast – navy and crisp white, with touches of sand – tends to be invigorating. A more neutral space – sand and white with hints of sky blue – feels more serene.
Use natural fibers with variations in surface feel: a sofa slipcovered in cotton, baskets woven from abaca or seagrass. Add grooved wood and smooth metal pieces that take you back to the boardwalk. Then, bring it back home with cozy blankets, plush pillows and a soft rug that feels good underfoot.
Choose a range of accessories, from those that are clearly nautical by nature to those with a more subtle seaside vibe. Here are a few options:
From table lamp bases inspired by coral to rope-wrapped chandeliers that can go formal or casual, you can use lighting for much more than ambience in a coastal space.
Create your own ocean views, depending on your taste. Large-scale abstract seascapes, 3D pieces crafted from shells or pressed seaweed, and beach photos can all set the scene.
Finish with accessories that are from the sea or inspired by ocean life, or collect pieces that tell tales of ocean voyages.
Ethan Allen’s designers are always available to help you create your personal coastal getaway. Bring things that inspire you, like magazine pages and photos, to one of our Design Centers, or schedule an in-home appointment with one of our designers (their help is always free).
Next steps:
Many living spaces, especially bedrooms, are tighter today than they were a generation (or even a few seasons) ago—but they can still look airy and stylish. If your bedroom isn’t quite as spacious as you’d like, we recommend you dream big and furnish small.
Here are a few ways to fool your eye into thinking your room is roomier than it is:
And here are some of our newer, slimmer pieces for bedrooms:
EMMETT BED
A streamlined steel frame transforms a traditional slatted bed into a modern, minimalist statement piece. Emmett’s clean-cut silhouette suits a retreat of any size.
RIVER SLIPPER CHAIR
Our Danish-inspired slipper chair sits gracefully low to the ground. River features a freshly interpreted design, modern lines, and a relaxed vibe suitable for any space.
MONTCLAIRE NIGHT TABLE
It’s perfect for a lamp, a book, and an alarm clock, but the Montclaire night table (finished on all sides) invites you to think outside the bedroom, too.
ROSEMOOR END TABLE
Well grounded, yet sleek and airy, the Rosemoor glass-top end table is a living room darling that brings casual, contemporary, sculptural appeal to the bedroom, too.
RINNA PEDESTAL TABLE
A petite piece with a big presence, Rinna is a versatile pedestal table inspired by antique candlestands. Its flawless detail adds high style to rooms with low ceilings.
VERENA SAWHORSE DESK
We took a classic sawhorse design for a modern spin and called it Verena. It’s chic and minimalist, a barely-there desk for a tight corner in a snug space.
See what’s new in Small Space Living Rooms and Small Space Dining Rooms. Never miss a new introduction: Subscribe to The Art of Making Home and check us out on Instagram @ethanallen.
It’s official: The banquet-sized dining room is a thing of the past. Today’s dining room is smaller, more intimate—and no longer used for only two or three holidays a year. Today’s dining area still invites family gatherings, but it’s often simply an extension of the living room or kitchen. Naturally, smaller furniture had to follow. Scaled down with a modern vibe, our fall dining introductions are just the thing.
Check out some of our lighter menu options:
JEWEL DINING CHAIR
Smart, simple proportions give Jewel high marks in both function and form. An airy, understated feel makes it a new transitional classic. Also available as a counter stool.
HOYT RECTANGULAR TABLE
Hoyt mixes materials in the most stylish way, pairing a walnut veneered top with a free-form metal base that looks substantive without making a small dining space feel crowded.
HAZELTON TABLE
Table for two? Our Hazelton with its 36-inch top is ready when you are. With a starburst beauty of a base, this sculptural piece fits anywhere and elevates dining at home.
VERA DINING CHAIR
Sweet and understated, Vera’s petite silhouette, rounded back, and generously cushioned seat bring comfort and style to any dining area (super-sized spaces not required).
MONTCLAIRE CONSOLE TABLE
The modern Montclaire has a pleasing minimalist profile. Two spacious drawers (think table linens, flatware) atop a steel base form simple geometry that’s simply exquisite.
SOMERS SIDE CHAIR
Scale it down, clip its silhouette, minimize its twists and turns, and make it out of bronze-finished aluminum. Voilà! You have a modern Windsor chair updated for today.
See what’s new in Small Space Living Rooms. Never miss a new introduction: Subscribe to The Art of Making Home and check us out on Instagram @ethanallen.
Our fall introductions all have a polished, up-to-date vibe and they play well with a variety of decorating styles. Some are petite, while others have visually lighter profiles or frames. Many of them have one awesome thing in common: They add loads of modern moxie to smaller spaces.
Here are some eye-catching choices for living rooms:
DILLONVALE DISPLAY BOOKCASE
Packing a lot into a small footprint, Dillonvale has form and function in equal measure. It’s finished on all sides, with a mix of materials and a few industrial notes.
ESTELLA TABLE
Graceful, graphic, and handcrafted in India, our Estella marble-top accent table delivers an air of modern luxury to any nook or niche in the house.
ARMOUR BAR CABINET
The secret to gracious entertaining, the Armour bar cabinet features storage to spare: a self-close drawer, removable wine rack, and room for your beverage of choice.
GALEWOOD TALL DISPLAY CABINET
Resting on a simple, visually light contemporary steel base, the Galewood is a show-off; the slim display cabinet elevates anything you place in it.
LOYOLA SECRETARY DESK
A drop-front desk designed for today, the Loyola is a modern piece perfect for storing laptops and other electronics, while adding style to any corner of the house.
MONTCLAIRE DOUBLE DRESSER
The clean and simple Montclaire double-sided dresser looks modern, feels minimalist, and provides an overabundance of storage.
SMALL WONDERS
Form meets function in this fantastic array of accent tables. They’re made from a modern mix of materials: lightweight glass, reinforced fiber cement, mother-of-pearl, mango wood, smoky glass, steel, and marble.
We call it Nautical by Nature because there’s just no getting around the inspiration: We went coastal, in a big way! But the room is proof positive that you don’t have to live at the shore to create the perfect seaside retreat (shhh … we shot it in our quite landlocked Connecticut studio). It has all the trappings of a fresh, inviting, and effortlessly composed cottage. It’s a relaxed, easygoing space that looks like it could live anywhere; it just feels like it’s steps from the beach.
Don’t worry if you’re not started with the same “canvas” we did (whitewashed beadboard paneling and painted floors, not to mention the sliding barn door), you most definitely can build your room around a timeless, crisp blue-and-white palette. Stay true to these hues and you’re halfway there.
Here’s how to get the look:
For more decorating tips, subscribe to The Art of Making Home and check us out on Instagram @ethanallen.
You’ve seen Lora dressed for the Kentucky Derby and kitted out as the star of the best guest room ever. This month, we’re sharing tips for turning this bar cart into a fab, functional, modern-looking marvel.
An uncluttered workspace is a good workspace! Leave plenty of room on the top shelf for prepping, mixing, and serving. When you’re not putting Lora to work, it’s easy to style her for the season with a bowl of fruit, a few succulents, or some flowers (fresh or faux).
Save some space and time when you’re hosting: Cut citrus in advance; spear some olives on toothpicks if martinis are on the menu, and keep them in a low jar in their brine.
A little task light can go a long way! If the base is small and the body is slender, you’ll add useful light without taking away from the utility of the space. (Check out our brand new Magnus desk lamp for inspiration – coming soon!)
Give your hardworking bar a focal point: A small framed print or photograph propped on the top shelf (or even hung right above it) says that even the most functional space can have flair. For a modern look like ours, go abstract.
Add pops of color with bright glassware – or rely on the pretty hue of the delightful drink in your pitcher to jazz things up!
Now for the supplies: Ice bucket and tongs? Check! Cocktail shaker and a spiffy stainless steel 1 oz./2 oz. jigger? Check! Foil cutter, corkscrew, and bottle opener? Check times three! The second shelf is a great spot to stash the tools you’ll need for any occasion.
Even a petite bar like Lora has room for the ingredients for success: Bourbon, gin, rum, scotch, tequila, triple sec, and vodka are the building blocks from which most popular beverages are mixed.
Are you thirsty yet? A classic Cosmopolitan is pretty, pink, and perfectly refreshing. Here’s our favorite recipe – stir it up by the pitcher to satisfy a crowd.
Combine vodka, lime juice, triple sec, and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cover and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime wedge.
*This classic Cosmopolitan recipe has been brought to you by, www.allrecipes.com.
Check out the video to see five ways we set the bar with Lora!
By Alia Ahmed-Yahia
If I walked into your living room and you weren’t home, would I know it was yours? Does it look like you? Is it furnished with things you love? Does it reflect your style? You’d be surprised at the number of people who answer no to those questions—and how many tell me it’s because they think they don’t have a style. I believe everyone has a style. We’re all instinctively drawn to certain looks and I say go with it! The challenge isn’t inventing your style, it’s discovering what it is—and then tapping into it.
I wasn’t born a style expert—trust me, I didn’t land my first job as a fashion assistant at Vanity Fair because of my fashion sense. Back then if you had asked me to articulate my style I probably would have given you a blank stare. In those early years, I focused on learning about myself. For the first time in my life, I was living my personality out in my look—and it was different—but instead of feeling like I didn’t fit in, I felt empowered. When I look back, I can confidently say that the way I showed up to the world every day was one hundred percent me.
We live in a socially driven world with an overwhelming amount of inspiration at our fingertips. How do you want to be seen so you stand out? How do you want to communicate your “brand” to everyone around you? Unless you work in the style industry, you’ve probably never pressed pause long enough to ask yourself these questions. What’s the “secret” to unlocking your own authentic style? Look around, be aware, take note of the things you’re attracted to—and then borrow the ideas that appeal to you. Be bold. And remember, it isn’t about putting things together perfectly, it’s about understanding the small surprises and elements that make you—and by extension, your home—unique.
Visualize how you want to live. Allow yourself to experiment and dream. Get out there. Browse home furnishings stores. Look at shelter magazines. Check out interior designers’ websites. Try things out. Evolve, shift, stay put, move on. Remember there’s no absolute “right” or “wrong.” We think we don’t do it “right” on the first try, we must not have what it takes. In reality, that tension between something familiar and something completely new is what makes style interesting. The trick is finding that tipping point—the place you imagine you’d go if you couldn’t get it “wrong.”
My advice is to take your look “ten percent further”—to that exhilarating place you want to be. Make one little change that takes you outside your comfort zone. Try that thing you’ve never tried because you aren’t completely sure how to pull it off. Allow yourself to inexplicably react to things you love (even if you aren’t sure how to make them a reality) and commit to them as your “ten percent.”
Thinking in terms of ten percent gives you a tangible roadmap as you begin to design (or redesign) a space. It’s a little like taking baby steps; they make all the difference in the world. For example, if my ten percent is gilded objects and black high-gloss trim, and yours is layered Moroccan rugs, our rooms would be uniquely ours—even if we started with the same core pieces. As you begin to develop your look, bring it to the forefront of your home, make it a focal point, repeat it multiple times, and downplay the elements around it so it can be a proper “hero.”
Keep doing this and before long, you’ll be getting credit for not only having style, but for having a signature style of your own.
Alia is a style and branding consultant and the creative force behind the #harpersbazaar #DesignGirlfriend series. See what’s she up to on Instagram @thestylescout and discover new ways to make your home your own every day: Subscribe to The Art of Making Home.
The garden gnomes at Ethan Allen have been very busy this spring and summer!
In May, we launched a new selection of pillows, cushion fabrics, umbrellas, and outdoor rugs. We’re also launching two new lines of patio furniture in August: Vero Dunes, an all-weather wicker wonder, and the modern teak Bridgewater Cove collection. In addition to having the durability and quality you expect from Ethan Allen, they have clean lines and deep, comfortable seats, perfect for chatting at a garden party, lounging with a good book, or relaxing and watching the fireflies.
Decorating an outdoor room is a lot like decorating an indoor room. Well-designed outdoor spaces, like their indoor counterparts, are perfected with carefully chosen finishing touches. Once you’ve settled on the perfect patio furniture, these products, from gorgeous outdoor fabrics to stunning accessories, will help you top off your patio in style.
Our new fabrics are color coordinated for easy mixing and matching. We start with three choices for cushions (navy, taupe, and white) to form the base for your outdoor palette.
The next thing to consider are pillows. In most instances, you can just pick your favorites and feel confident that they’ll play well together. Even so, these hints will help you mix patterns like a seasoned design pro—and of course, if you get stuck, you can always schedule a complimentary appointment with an Ethan Allen designer!
Take a look at this pillow-palooza from our recently released digital Home and Garden brochure. Here’s how we put it together:
The best thing about our outdoor cushion and pillow fabrics is that they’re as durable as they are beautiful. They’re made from Grade-D Sunbrella fabric that’s colorfast, stain- and mildew-resistant, and very easy to clean and maintain.
Of course, you have to be practical—no pillow left out in the elements, 24/7, is going to look perfect at the end of summer. It’s always a good idea to store your cushions or pillows when they’re not in use, and protect your furniture frames with sturdy, weather-resistant covers.
Once you’re chill-axing on your comfy cushions and pillows, it’s time to think about what’s underfoot. A rug really brings a room together, even outdoors. You can add pattern with rugs—either make the rug the hero or make sure it knows its place as a sidekick!—or choose a solid that fits your pillow pattern play.
For a bold, summery navy-and-white striped hero, choose our LaGrange rug.
Note that subtle patterns, like herringbone, can function as a solid while adding more visual interest. Our Willow Grove and Splendor Lake rugs, both available in five gorgeous color combos, make excellent sidekicks in any pattern story. Neutrals are also good, particularly when they add a textural touch. Check out our Marilla rug; its flat weave almost gives it the look of grasscloth, but it’s made from high-performance fibers. Finally, we’ll let you in on a little secret: both our pillows and our rugs are as lovely indoors as they are outdoors.
Our patio umbrellas are no shrinking violets. Our rectangular models are 8′ x 11′, and our round umbrellas has a 9′ diameter, which helps ensure your garden party goes forward, rain or shine. They’re also vented to help them handle wind gusts and summer storms—but again, be practical. Make sure to crank them closed when you’re not using them.
Our patio dining tables are available with and without holes for your umbrella. If you choose a patio umbrella, make sure to purchase one of our decorative stands to support it. Our umbrellas are easy to tilt, to keep you shaded at any angle.
Take a look at our Home and Garden brochure to see how these outdoor styles come together. We’ve made it easy to take the art of making home outdoors.
For more great decorating tips, indoors and out, subscribe to The Art of Making Home. You’ll get an email notice from one to three times a week letting you know it’s time to kick back with some tea or coffee and get your inspiration on.
They’ve traveled many weary miles, or maybe just across town. They’re staying for a week, or a weekend, or a night. You’ve opened your doors to them, and you want your overnight guests to feel like the VIPs they undoubtedly are.
Help is on the way—in the form of our Lora rattan bar.
Now, we’re not suggesting that you tie one on, although that’s one way to relax with your guests! Instead, we’re going to give you ideas for how to style a bar cart in a whole new way. Making guests in your home (or even in your Airbnb rental!) feel at home comes down to providing a few simple conveniences. Lora, as the perfect combination of organization and presentation, has you covered.
In addition to providing clean sheets and pillowcases for the guest room, stock Lora with some bedding basics, like an extra blanket, pillows, or a cozy throw, so guests can make themselves as comfy as they’d like. Retailers often carry inexpensive unisex waffle-weave robes – another item your guests might appreciate. These items fold easily and tuck into Lora’s shelves.
Bonus: For cold nights, we love Naked Cashmere’s Helen hot water bottle. It’s a hot water bottle tucked into a cashmere sleeve—a gorgeous way for your guests to stay warm.
Provide guests with soaps, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other essentials. Place them in one of our Apollo apothecary jars and put the jar on one of Lora’s shelves. If there’s a tub and your guests are the soaking kind, bundle up some bath bombs or bubble bath to help them relax. Also, don’t skimp on the fluffy towels and washcloths! Lora has plenty of room for storage.
Nothing is more frustrating than forgetting a hair dryer or a phone charger when you go on vacation. In addition to providing a spare hair dryer, keep an assortment of extra chargers, cords, and adapters for your guests—or even a charging pad if you’re feeling fancy! Roll the cords and secure them with hook and loop tape to keep them from getting tangled. Then, corral them in an Apollo jar, and place the jar on one of Lora’s shelves.
While you’re thinking of it, make sure there’s a visible, accessible electrical outlet or power strip, so guests don’t have to move your furniture to charge their phones or tablets.
As you’re coming up with ideas for your guest room cart, take a tip from Airbnb superhosts everywhere: It’s the little things that mean a lot.
As a finishing touch, top off your Lora guest cart with a vase of fresh flowers. And why not add a bottle of wine, a corkscrew, and some wine glasses? We’re talking about how to style your bar cart, after all!
With Lora in your corner, that little B&B down the road will have nothing on you! Whether you’re entertaining family and friends or making Airbnb guests at home, everyone will feel pampered and welcome – and you’ll earn that rep as the Best. Host. Ever.
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