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

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 

African Mud Cloth

LA: Known in Malian culture as Bògòlanfini, or Bogolan, West African Mud Cloth is an ancient practice that dates back hundreds of years.  Traditionally, men weave the handmade cotton fabric and women dye it with fermented mud. Because every piece is handmade, each textile is one of a kind.  The painted symbols tell different stories with their arrangement, color and shape, not unlike ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.  

As makers that believe in handcrafted, one of a kind pieces, here at Mignonne we love the aesthetic that African Mud Cloth brings to our furniture!  Displayed in Picture One is our 'MUD CLOTH' Chair, a 1920's antique slipper chair reupholstered with original African mud cloth, available now in our West Berkeley shop, Mignonne Decor. 

In Picture Two, a reupholstered mud cloth chair spotted in the studio of woodworker (and maker of many things) Ariele Alasko, whom we adore!  This is a stunning example of integrating traditional West African patterns with a simplistic, modern interior.  Here, the mud cloth provides an earthy, natural look that is eye catching and unique.  

Interested in having an African Mud Cloth of your own?  We can reupholster a piece you may already have, or check out our site for more transformation ideas.  And email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com to start a conversation about a project of your own.  

xoxo mignonne

Salvaged Chic Of The Week: Oiseau

We hope you're all managing well with the holiday madness. Thank you to everyone who came to our Holiday Bazaar last Friday, it was a blast! Thank you to all of the amazing vendors and artisans who made our first Bazaar such a success too!

This week's piece is so exciting because not only is it tres chic, but it's also just the tip of the iceberg when we say we can "customize any piece."

Johnelle painted the designs on this piece freehand, can you imagine?!

Oiseau is a classic vintage dresser with fun mixed vintage pulls that add to the playful feel of this piece.

While Oiseau has now found its home, it's a great example of customization of a piece as well as Johnelle's expertise, and it doesn't stop there! Johnelle can also do different styles, like this amazing graphic piece she did last summer.

The woman's creativity knows no bounds.

She also does murals!

As you can see, your imagination is your only inhibitor! Whatever you can imagine, Johnelle can help you come up with a design whether she paints it, designs the reupholstery, or builds a custom piece along with Brian Hill. Feel free to email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com for more information about a piece you're envisioning and want Johnelle to bring to life!

Rebekah is a member of the Mignonne family and former Mignonne assistant. She now freelances and owns the company A & B Creative, read her blog.

Playing with fabric

So you want to think outside of the box for your custom re-upholstery but not sure where to begin? Here are a few tips that will help you incorporate playfulness and whimsy

into your modern interior design.

1.) Go Retro! Often thriftier than more contemporary fabrics, you can really achieve a unique flair with this nostalgic alternative. You're not limited to digging through bins at your local thrift shop either, use an old blanket, curtains, that dress shoved in the back of the closet... really the sky is the limit.

2.) Think Local. We recently collaborated with local fabric designer Caroline Cecil on this lovely twosome, pairing a vintage chair with her pink hand silk screened cheetah print!

3.) Use patterns. Dots, stripes, chevrons or even your own custom patchwork! This sweet reupholstered arm chair even includes sentimental swatches of it's owners wedding veil in the patchwork, making it even more special!

4.) Last but not least... Make it POP! Inject some bright colors into your design. Yellows, pinks, chartreuse... A surprising flash of buttons or contrasting piping makes your new piece stand out.

Open your eyes to inspiration. Recognize pleasurable patterns in nature, colors that may be missing in your life or ones that bring you joy. Touch, feel, explore, appreciate those subtle details that make all the difference. Flip through magazines and start a look book. Snap photos when your vision is stimulated and translate that into your own expression!

Good luck & have fun!

As Promised.. New Store Expansion Pics!!!

Since Mignonne opened in 2006, we have epitomized the meaning of Mignonne: ...small/petite for one, cute, and having a woman's touch- or the touch of women! We have been constantly challenged with our small space, and have spent many hours trying to create interesting vignettes in tight quarters. It has always been a great sense of pleasure to try to make successful layouts in tight quarters, and so now that we have more store space, we are feeling even that much more inspired and out of our minds with possibility!!

It's like a huge door has been opened, and we are having a party everyday! ha! But really, we feel so lucky, and excited for the future displays..
have a look:

Matmi Ikat Chair is pure love....

When i picked up this little 60's chair, I was in love with the shape, size and possibility! It had the perfect masculine silhouette, one of the many things I love about these mid century pieces, but it also screamed take a risk...and spice it up. I love the look and feel of raw silks, but also want my chairs to be pieces you can cozy up in with out all the fuss. I picked up a small amount of this green, vintage Thai Ikat fabric, also known as Matmi, and knew I could use it somehow as an accent in a chair. The black & white raw silk blend used in the seat has the durability that I love for daily use, and the Ikat has just the right amount of sophisticated color to shine. The little decorative reversable pillow pulls her all together.

The Matmi Ikat technique is also extremely fascinating and is very labor-intensive! From what I've read it requires great skill because the yarn has a tie-dye technique that happens before it is all weaved. I am so drawn to these bright, bold patterns, that feel timeless, organic, and vibrant. Email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com, for a free review of a piece you are thinking of transforming! Remember my collection of fabrics grows daily, and I would love to help design a piece with you!

i love it when you give me creative control...

I have to say that every time I work with a client who gives me the lead on making a vision come true, I have such a cool end result! It's like a weight is off my shoulders because I am free to mix the colors I want, and trust my gut on how a furniture piece will look in their home! I truly want to please all my clients, and having the reign to create makes me happy... Of course I love working on all different types of projects, no matter how we swing them...just saying that sometimes the less over thinking the better the finally is! Some of my favs...

Mignonne Décor's Home Design Services

Did you know Johnelle now brings her art background to custom design services for your home? Johnelle and her team offer a full range of services to redesign one or more room interiors. Mignonne provides interior home painting, flooring makeovers, custom bookshelves, hand-painted furniture or redesign of your existing pieces, upholstery, scouting services and more.

We offer an easy, one-hour consultation where we listen to your ideas and incorporate them into affordable plans to create the room or rooms of your dreams!

Give us a call to schedule your consultation now. This would also make a perfect gift for someone you know who wants to tackle a home interior project, but doesn't know where to begin!

garbage can be pretty!

look at this way cool ice bucket ... now sure, you could go ahead and use it for ice and why not? its adorable.

but we also think it would be totally fun to put it in a powder room for your wastebasket ... and the cover would be practical too! this is what we mean by reimagining everyday items with a twist.

Design Consultation

We've told you about our furniture refurbishing services and how much we love custom projects. We've set up affordable options for our customers, like layaway, to help make your vision reality.

Did you know we also offer décor consultation? Ever feel like you have all the right pieces but just can't get your décor "puzzle" to come together? Well, you'd be surprised how much you can learn with just an hour or two of advice from Johnelle, our design specialist (and proprietaire!).

For a reasonable hourly fee, Johnelle will make a personal visit to your home to review the space you're seeking help with. She can advise on a range of subjects ... including color, room layout, lighting, what to do about that 'questionable' chair ... :-)

She'll leave you with a list of actionable ideas. Steps you can take yourself and ideas that we are available to help with, if you choose to have our support. Our ongoing design services include refurbishing existing furniture, painting, selecting fabric and arranging reupholstery with our talented partners, rearranging room pieces, identifying missing or new furniture pieces to complete/augment your room and scouting them out for your review and purchase.

We have a number of satisfied clients and would love to add you to that list! Call or email us to find our more ... or to pose your design question.

express yourself!

Your home décor can be a reflection of you and your indvidual style! Whether colorful, muted, rustic or mod ... We can help you bring out your taste and style in your home environment... here's a sampling of recent pieces ... give us a call if you need some support translating the real you!