Lighten up home decor with Lucite

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press• June 8, 2013

Kate Spade lucite heel.

It never fails. What you see on the runway is eventually going to make its way into home decor.

And just as Lucite heels and jewelryare the rage in fashion magazines, pieces are again making an appearance in home furnishings and accessories. 

And just as the sparkle of Lucite in a heel has a modern, fresh look, you would not want an entire shoe made of it. The same goes for the home. Less is definitely more.  Use sparingly and you have a look.  Use too much and it can look cheap.

Ozzie Pancaro, owner of the Casa Italia showroom at Miromar Design Center in Estero, says the trend has been "gaining steam for the past two years and that it was seen prominently at the Milan furniture in April."

The Italian, contemporary design, he says, was used sparingly as accents such as "night tables, floating bases, with lighting, sideboards, panels and floating legs."

Most dramatic:  Casa Italia offers a 100% eco- friendly produced bed that is available in 32 colors of matte lacquer or it can be upholstered. It sits on a On Methacrylate base with LED lighting and gives the effect of floating.

Photo: Casa Italia, Miromar Design Center, Estero. 

And don't forget the 2002 classic Ghost Chair, designed by Philippe Starck. It now comes in colors, giving it a little less ghost and a little more pizzazz. It has an elegant, timeless look. Using a single piece of translucent injection-molded polycarbonate, Starkcreated the one of the most recognizable chairs of the 21st century. Versatile enough for almost any space, it is often seen at events such as weddingsbecause of its comfort and durability indoors or outdoors. Fabric chair covers can be added for comfort and color.

What is Lucite?

Lucite is the brand name for a clear, acrylic resin material that has been around since the early twentieth century.  It was firstused for commercial purposes but became a popular material for jewelry and interior decoratingin the 1950's.  Today itappears in wall sconces, chairs, benches, tables, lamp bases and other home accessories.

Using Lucite in your home

Not a serious line of furniture, Lucite takes on a modern, almost whimsical feel. In other words, have some fun with it!

It is great for small spaces and does not take up a lot of visual space. For a small room it can be a good solution as it basically disappears and lightens up the space.

Lucite furniture is perfect for spaces where pattern, texture or paint color, are the focal point. The transparency creates a balanced look to the room and does not add unnecessary visual clutter.

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Ghost Chair, designed by Philippe Starck. Photo: Casa Italia.

Kohl's lucite bistro set.

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 Photos: Casa Italia

Like the look but afraid of committing? Try a magazine rack, barstool or tray for a table.  Kohl's, Target and other big box stores feature accent tables, bar stools, bistro sets and a wide range of accessories.

Lucite combined with brass or other materials and designs can serve as a point of interest. And furniture manufacturers are also making Lucite legs as an alternative to wood to make a piece a focal point in a room.

It's eco-friendly!

Perhaps the best reason of all to consider Lucite in your decorating plan: it requires no cutting down of trees, no toxic glues are used and it can be recycled. It is also durable, making it usable indoor and outdoors.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Sources:

Casa Italia
Miromar Design Center
10800 Corkscrew Road
Suite 250
Estero, FL 33928
239-390-0643
www.casaitalia.com

Kohl's
www.kohls.com

Tips for creating tablescapes: dazzling works of art for your home

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press• June 1, 2013

Accessories are the most important part of any interior decorating project. They are the finishing touch. They make your home. They are personal and reflect your lifestyle. But often it is a bit of a challenge as to exactly what to do with your accessories. Where to put them and how to arrange them. 

Pottery Barn's sawhorse console table is perfect for creating a themed tablescape with candles, mirror, flowers and treasured beach objects. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Tablescapes and vignettes to the rescue. They are the most creative, fun and cost effective way to add that perfect design element to your home.  You have seen them in magazines and in catalogues. And with a little planning and a few tips, you can create one of your own or have your decorator help you design one.  As a southwest Florida interior decorator, they are one of my favorite design elements to create. 

Blues, whites and natural elements are the theme of this tablescape from Williams and Sonoma Home. Photo: Williams and Sonoma Home.

What are tablescapes?

Creatively designed table arrangements that showcase a specific object or collection. In addition to tabletops, items such as bookshelves, coffee tables and mantles can be transformed into a unique tablescape. In addition, tablescaping can include the placement of tables to create an appealing focal point within a given area, which is a great way to add interest to a room.

They can be themed, dazzling, all one color scheme or varied colors, subtle or nature-oriented. They should reflect your personality and decorating style. You can do one for every holiday and change them for each season. The sky is the limit in terms of creativity. They are a work of art. Your art.

Tablescaping emphasizes your personal touch through the use of favorite collections or themes. Finding the perfect theme for your tablescape depends on personal preference as well as the current style of your décor.  Objects in tablescapes do not have to match perfectly but they should complement each other to achieve balance.

Where to create a tablescape or vignette ?

You may have a dining room table that is just sitting vacant now that all of the major holiday are over. Perfect for a tablescape. Or a coffee table or end table thathas been gathering odds and ends. Or a buffet that is waiting for its next party. A fireplace mantle or a bookcase that needs a little pizzazz. Perfect for a bit of rearranging into a vignette.  And don‘t forget the nightstands in your bedrooms...each one should be styled with the objects that you love. A few books and a couple of your favorite (small) things. Voila! It makes all the difference.

Coffee table bench from Pottery Barn is tablescaped with collections on a tray. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Tips for creating a tablescape or vignette

• Pick a location and measure the space that you will be designing.

• The location might be a table top that combines a piece of art on the wall with the elements on the table.

• Need ideas? Go through magazines and online catalogues. My favorites: Williams and Sonoma Home, RalphLauren Home, Ballard Designs.

• Gather elements that you already have and arrange them. Take a photo.

• Come up with a theme based on objects that you love.

• Select different objects of varying heights. These can include:  lamp, mirror, piece of art, books, collections, photos, vase of flowers, a beautiful tray.

• Leave some space on the surface.  Don’t let it become too cluttered.

• Less is more. Like jewelry, take off the last piece that you put on.

• Decide what you need and go shopping (with your photo and measurements).

• Finalize your arrangement.  Take a photo and send it to me. I will select a few and post them on my blog! 

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Her column, Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Mirror, mirror on the wall: Tips for a makeover!

If the mirrors in your bathroom have seen better days, it's time for a makeover and this one is very easy! And will have the most impact on the room for a few dollars.

And if your bathroom itself is lookinga little outdated and tired but you are on a budget,  replacing or redoing the mirror will make a huge impact in the entire room.

Face it, if your mirror is huge and goes from counter to ceiling it is time to update the look. Especially if it has watermarks along the bottom and sides.

Or maybe you have a medicine cabinet with a mirror that is looking worn, it is time to replace with a new one that has a more contemporary mirror.

And if you have a vintage-style bathroom, think about reframing your mirror with some of the easy and inexpensive frame kits that you can do yourself.

A few tips for small changes that make a big impact:

• Purchase a kit from www.mirrormate.com. Select from more than 60 styles, frame any mirror, in any decor. This method is easy and affordable.  Perfect for the do-it-yourselfer! Produces immediate results. This is especially good if your house is on the market and you want to make a few changes that will make the room shine for prospective buyers.

 Mirror before         

Mirror after

• Replace a large mirror with two smaller mirrors. Favorites include reasonably priced framed mirrors from HomeGoods, Lowes or Pier 1 Imports.  You can find a fresh look for any decor. Also check out the metropolitan mirror with a shelf from www.potterybarn.com

• A favorite is the contemporary pivotal mirror that gives a bathroom a fresh, designer look. One over each sink or just one over a smaller vanity with one sink.

Pottery Barn's pivot mirror.

If you are planning to redo your bath, remember, the mirror is the focal point and you look at it every day! So, for a few dollars and some creativity you can enhance the room.

Want a home that makes you happy?

Call me. I can help!