PILLOW TALK

IR: Pillows and you: the perfect power couple, no strings attached. You can add pop to a simple space using pillows with color, pattern and flare, without making big changes to more permanent features.

Having an arsenal of pillows to add accent where ever necessary can get you un-stuck from a boring décor, without all the commitment. Truly your best friend-with-benefits, pillows can be there when you want them, whether to cuddle you, to accompany your look, and to make you're place feel more homey.

The interchangeable qualities of the throw pillow makes it easy for you to alter the look of a room, spice up a basic couch, or coordinate a look. Our own creations tend to vary based on the specific design needs. Up top I've included a photo of a custom couch bolster, and a set of throw pillows upholstered in an indigenous textile, complete with fringe for extra flare. 

With a few unique and hand-made pillows, a larger, more basic bunch is transformed into an anthropology-esque mismatched collection (on a reasonable budget).

The basic idea is: We custom design some top quality pillows together with our clients, no shape or size excluded, you may even want to recycle your old pillows. Then, we put in the work making the dream come true. We also have affordable, ready-made pillow inserts, great for cutting your budget down even further.

When you take them home you can then pair them with: additional simple throw pillows, a basic couch, or a bland but unchangeable color scheme. Or you may want to coordinate them with design fixtures in your home, professionally elevating the level of design, but on the lightest of interior design budgets. Lets hook you up with some yummy arm candy... for your home!

Added bonus: whenever you have upholstery items designed with us here at Mignonne, they can be personalized with one-of-a-kind, sentimental fabric from your own collection, and in combination with custom measurements and or shapes, you'll always end up with something you couldn't get anywhere else. We know your accessories have the ability to speak worlds about you, and the unique person you are, so why settle?

Today's photo selection a combination of our custom work like the custom made bolster pillow we produced for a client with special dimensional needs, and a set of custom designed pillows made with fabric hand-picked by Johnelle, and made for the shop, plus some of our Pinterest derived inspiration, you can check the Pins out here, here, here, here, here, and here. 

As always, you can email us with any questions, project ideas, or just to show appreciation, we'd love to hear from you and hope we may be of help with your next décor undertaking!

 quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne

WHAT'S IN A NAME

IR: The process of rolling out new pieces in the shop involves many fun steps, and may it be a small side table or a full sized overhauled couch in full patchwork leather, always it deserves a name!

Often, the inspiration for title name comes in a fleeting second from a spark of inspiration, like striking a match. Whether Johnelle herself does the deed, or one of us gets to dub a piece, a gut feeling is always where it begins.

And like the strike of the match, a good name can be a fire-starter, beckoning new inspiration. We like to think our furniture radiates personality, that pieces converse, and a room filled with love and design comes to life. Thus, a name can be another part in the process of making those connections.

Our 'TAHOE' ottoman is upholstered in a vintage wool blanket, accented with herringbone buttons, and a green velvet piping, along with the recycled materials that re-iderateing the 'Keep Tahoe Blue' statement, the nature of the cozy wool and color scheme on 'TAHOE' recall us of relaxing cabin stays in the local oasis of its namesake.

Let a name spark your imagination, you may find that you just can't get that flame out of your head.

As always don't hesitate to shoot us any questions about our furniture, upholstery, revamps and other interior design services! Just email us at 

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne

PULL ME!

IR: In our last post I wrote about the power of small change for big effect. We love affordable, minor revamps that posses the ability to alter style, color scheme, and essence of a space. Well, today, expanding on the subject, we're talking about another small accent yielding tremendous effect. The name of the game: drawer pulls!

From big or small, ceramic to brass to even loose rope, pulls are nearly universal, and therefore, can be an interchangeable feature as easily as earrings in your ears.

With the mid century KENSINGTON vanity in the first photo, matching pulls were affixed. But rather than finding modern pulls for this 60s classic, designer Johnelle Mancha balanced out the angular lines of the piece with a floral, provincial set of pulls. 

Another example in the mid-century realm, is our ever glamourous, black and gold LAURENT side tables, the last photo. Johnelle took two great pairs of pulls, and combined them, giving the tables each the same mismatched set, brass on the one side and a pop of pink on the other! 

Similarly, pictured top right, is one of the DECO TWINS (still available, I might add) side tables, another of a mid-century origin, which have been accented with comparable, yet mismatched pulls. We love vintage, but there's no rule that says a look is set in stone, we like to bring our vintage darlings into the now with some contemporary flare.

Lastly is our HAMPTONS side table set to the bottom left; darling basic tables jazzed up with a New England kitsch. The simple design of this table allows for flexibility with the color choices and hardware. Logically the anchor pulls seemed the perfect fit for these cuties. It just had to be done.  

Really, we love how, by styling with pulls, you can transform a chest of drawers or side table from static to rustic, or from stale, to a sleek modern. From years in the interior design world, those of us at Mignonne have learned how drastically the details like hardware can truly define a piece.

Any questions about revamps, remodels, reupholstery, custom pieces or interior design services we'd love to answer. For a prompt response, just shoot us an email at 

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne

KROEHLER DINING CHAIRS

IR: When your furniture purchases can pay off over a lifetime or more, it's the ultimate. Such is the case with our Kroehler chairs. Their streamlined, modern frames make them versatile, and able to coordinate within a variety of looks. Brand recognition and integrity make certain they appreciate with time. Investing in furniture like this means you can have your piece longer than the life of the upholstery, when you finally do tire it out you'll have quality bones worth the cost of revitalization. Although purchases of this nature can come with a higher price tag than an ikea dining set (though not necessarily), they pay for themselves in longevity and integrity.

The Kroehler dining chairs we have in the shop have been expertly upholstered by us, in a demure black canvas to highlight the festive, teal Bolivian textile on the chair backs. We find it essential to not simply mimic a style, like the ever popular, mid-century modern, but to put a re-envision on it, with the Mignonne touch.

The Kroehler name...
Kroehler is an American furniture company that's still in business today, and in it's heyday was one of the larger producers of modern furniture stateside. The company had a big part in branding the sleek modern look of the mid century eras, a look that has vastly outlasted its time in popularity and relevance.

Mix it up...
Incorporating vintage furniture, from extreme kitsch to timeless classic, is a big part of a achieving a contemporary look. We enjoy giving furniture a new life, and thinking outside of the box, while not simply mimicking the decor of the past. Unconventional upholstery can tell a story, in a functional medium. A piece can be more than its associations.

For inquiries about our Kroehler chairs, other desirables in the shop, or any of our many services from upholstery to full scale interior design, just shoot us an email at

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

DON'T JUST SIT AND PIN

IR: Are you like us, slightly obsessed with Pinterest, and very obsessed with gorgeous interiors? Thought so. Well, isn't it time to do something about that virtual pin-board you've been building? We use our Pinterest page in our work all the time, whether it's browsing and daydreaming for inspiration, or compiling ideas for a current project, or to post our own finished products. It's no shame, Pinterest was made as a virtual inspiration board, so lets get to work on making your dreams come true!

Quite often in the beginning stages of a project, we have clients send us ideas they've compiled from the internet, visual examples that help us better understand what it is that thrills you in a design, and what we can do to make that happen.

Our sincere hope is that you don't get lost in the internet. Lets get our hands dirty and make some magic happen. Let's transform your home into something that others are pinning about!

Don't forget to check out our Pinterest, here, where designer Johnelle posts inspiration for specific projects, our own work, and anything that that strikes our fascination!

Would you like us to help you with a design based off of your Pinterest board? Get the ball rolling on your interior design project big or small? We're always happy to hear from you, whether it's about furniture restoration, upholstery, or customizations of all kinds. Even if you're not at that point quite yet, and just need some information on what you need to get started on a project with us! We love to make your dreams happen. Just shoot us an email at 

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne

EVOCATION

IR: Our recent post about the naming process got me on a long trail of thought. How things can often remind one of anything from a movie, to a memory and so forth. It's worth exploring concept of evocation in a broader sense than naming alone, it occurred to me. Making connections can be a great jumping-off point for a brainstorm on design projects small to large, not to mention a big help when styling, after you bring home that statement piece you've been coveting! 

To evoke is to call on, may it elicit a reminiscence, or create memory anew. These occurrences are what create soul in an object or a piece, and often, what makes us fall in love with furniture.

A recollection of a past era, a nod to a place one's traveled (or dreamed of traveling), or a design that pleases the senses, these are some evocations that can all help us make valuable choices when coordinating.

Though perception may differ from one person to another, the power of evocation is nonetheless undeniable, and we think, that this is when personal style becomes truly alive. 

One of designer Johnelle Mancha's newest creations is her lovely kilim ottomans in small and large (available on our website), evoking in many, images of a bohemian atmosphere, with influences of eastern art and tapestries draped on the wall. The inspiration photos below can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here!

Something clever about an evoked emotion, memory or idea is that it can be physical, or emotional, may it be in a piece found, custom designed, or a combination thereof. The connections we make could be personal or general, shared with like minds or held by us alone, but whatever they are, they are a large part of what we see when looking at a design. At Mignonne, we cherish pieces and the feelings they evoke in us, believing when you're open to the idea, it can lead to further inspiration. 

Don't hesitate to shoot us an email with any questions. We offer design services large to small, in addition to finished furniture, and decor items! We're reachable at 

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne 

PROJECT: WELLS RESIDENCE

IR: We're always proud of our budget projects, for a number of reasons. Being able to do a lot with less is an accomplishment on its own, but being able to all sorts of help people love their homes without hurting their pocketbooks is retribution of the best kind. For the Wells interior design project, Johnelle used her design expertise in revamping this living room, and the best part is, the clients had a big hand in making it happen. Upon Johnelle's advice, they took it upon themselves to do painting, installations, and buying, while Mignonne handled the design vision, including some of the expert tasks we do best, like scouting, furniture revamping, and staging. By working with the client along the way, they were able to do a DIY home makeover, with a professional lead.

With designer Johnelle Mancha's advice and expertise, the clients were able to do a lot of the work on their interior themselves. The Wells' had a color consult with Johnelle, for paint work they were able to execute, as well as direction in window treatments, and styling accents, which they were able to purchase and install. While they were putting in the time at home, the shop was busy revamping clients own coffee table, scouting for hard to find decor features, like the stunning kilim rug. With direction and assistance by Mignonne, the clients were able to accomplish a professional level finished product, with more self satisfaction, not to mention a lesser budget.

If you're interested in our help getting the ball rolling on your next interior project including our services from custom upholstery to large scale installations and nearly everything in between, shoot us an email! 

quotes@mignonnedecor.com 

xoxo mignonne

TREND: MISMATCHED DINNERWARE

IR: Mixing and matching dinnerware; so it may not be the freshest of trends, you may not even see it as a trend at all, rather a necessity. But here me out. Just take a look at a predominant styling choice of some of our favorite new restaurants. Designers are going cheap and recycling both, by mismatching glassware, dishes, silverware and the lot.

In Johnelle's travels, something she can never resist picking up is dishes and other kitchenware that strike her fancy. We do our own mixing and matching, when styling the shop and doing interior design projects, but don't let us do all the fun parts for you. Come down to the shop to get started on your own curation yourself.

When thoughtfully cultivated, a mismatched collection can uplift your kitchen and place settings. Read on for a few of our favorite benefits of collecting for a mismatched array of dinnerware.

Don't cry over spilt milk, or the shattered glass, either. You needn't fret when you break a piece, it won't ruin your set.

Its all in the numbers. You may find incomplete sets at far reduced prices, combine them! Whether you choose to keep within a theme or go all over the map with style, you no longer have to worry about numbers of plates or numbers on price tags.

Tell your story. We just love a thought out scheme of pieces, eclectically regaling different tales. A homey and nostalgic dinnerware and glassware collection invites you into a contemporary setting, making modern, intimate and cozy. Glassware for instance can enhance your drinking experience, but that doesn't have to mean you must use the predisposed vessels, give classic a twist. In photos two and three, stolen from their Instagram pages, you can see the glassware at Rockridge's Ramen Shop and Grand Avenue's Penrose, both restaurants' decor, exquisitely embodys the intentionally eclectic style we enjoy so much. Go grab a bite and a drink, and you'll get free order of inspiration on the side!

Think outside of the box. Often, we like sets or individual pieces that may not perfectly match our preexisting dinnerware, this doesn't have to mean you they're off the table, pun intended. With an overall mismatched look, the aesthetic may grow and change organically, while you develop that sought after, down-home aesthetic.

As always, please don't hesitate to email us with any inquiries, may it be about dish-ware, upholstery, interior design or whatnot, we love to hear from our customers! 

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne

THE EMERALD STUDY

IR: Green, the color of freshness, of nubile elegance, free of gender, and synonymous with nature. Adding a little green is never a bad decision, whether it's in a room with few colors or many, the color adds an organic shine. As a hue, we never tire of green, from lime, to kelly, to forest, and so it's always a pleasure rolling out a green piece (pun most certainly intended)! The natural hue brings life into a room that no other colors can rival.

Art Deco desk 'SAFARI' (available here) has both class and wit in an emerald green a flapper gal would envy. There's a plethora of inspiration for the use of green furniture, and don't even get me started on the infinite styling options. I could drone on and on about how you can pair green with black and white, natural wood, a rainbow of colors, metallics or leathers... but rather than that, we thought we'd just getting the ball rolling with some inspiration! Photos sourced from The Kept Life, attic., Plateful of Love, and Plascon Trends.

At Mignonne love to hear from our friends and customers! If you have any questions about any of our projects or services, or would like to get a conversation started on a custom piece of your own, just shoot us an email at

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne