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

THE STUDIO, A STUDY

IR: There are no small ideas, only small spaces. Defunct are the days of grandeur, and we say: be gone with them, anyhow! Small spaces have practicalities which facilitate a modern life, unfettered by tedious upkeep and a heavy bill pile.

So lets talk about how to make the best use of a small space. With some practical solutions devised by lead designer Johnelle Mancha and her ever-innovative Mignonne team, we'd like to present some examples of just how we've conquered the dilemmas of the small space, and helped this client make the most of their more petite abode.

Customized pieces can be the best route in making the most use of a space that's dimensionally challenged. Dual use decorative and storage pieces, like an entryway hall tree can provide the feeling of a hall or foyer, without the real existence of one. 

Multi-use pieces designed for a dual purpose space, like the kitchen island designed by Johnelle and husband Brian Hill from a vintage dresser, which provides service as a storage unit, a kitchen surface space, and even a table on which to enjoy your home-cooked meals, can make your home into a swiss army space! 

Partitions like the vintage door room-dividers made here to order, can be used however you like, providing more space to hang paintings, privacy in study and changing areas, or just something to break up the space, which is an important factor when residing in limited quarters. There's only a short period of time in most peoples lives where living in a dorm room is appealing, and as adults, most of us can say those days are behind us.

Next comes styling, wherein storage is king! Every space should be utilized, and the challenge for the Mignonne crew, when re-vamping a small space, is to combine storage needs with the desire to minimize clutter and overpacking. In this space they utilized side-tables, shelving and vintage repurposed crates to optimize (and beautify) the storage capacity. They styled with the Mignonne touch, a bright and modern eclectic style, giving the small space some much needed vivacity. To get the full understanding of the project, I've included some before shots, take a look.

Johnelle ultimately executed her intent for the studio apartment, that being to break the space up into usage areas: living room, bedroom, and entryway, etc. By doing this she gave versatility and variety to what was, on its own, a stale living quarters, if not a great blank canvas.

And…please have a look at the feature Mignonne received on APARTMENT THERAPY of this studio revamp, we are so thankful for the post!

Design consults can be scheduled with our lead designer by the hour, and pieces can be made to order. For whatever the extent of your re-decoration, we can help! Have questions? Don't be shy, shoot us an email at quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo mignonne

Curio Love

This piece I just finished is one of those ... could I keep?  Find a space in the house somewhere?  Certainly there could be a place!  And honestly, I am sure I could make it work, but that would mean parting with another gem that I love so dear.  So this works out to your advantage, because she is now up for grabs!  

'Portlight', takes me into an old world I don't want to leave, where precious keepsakes were cherished and treasured, and kept in curio cabinets like this to share with our loved ones.  A pop of color instantly transforms a room and adds for conversation.  When I picked up this piece, I went back and forth on painting it.  It wasn't so far gone that it couldn't have stayed wooden, however it wasn't as magical to me as it is now!  And that is something I try to work with clients on...if you are going to love something so much more once it's been transformed then let's go with the so much more!  A furniture piece is just a furniture piece, and our time here is valuable so I say make your home what you want, and don't get so hooked on what should be, take a risk!

'Portlight" also duals as a desk...I know it gets better!

Such an easy way to put out of sight, out of mind!

Other details I love...

Wooden window trim, and

this cool curved front and claw feet!

for example it could transform your space like:

or..

shoot us an email for a quote on how to transform a piece of your own, or swing by and pick this beaut up!

xxx

johnelle

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

pics 1-4: mignonne decor, pic 5 abeautifulmess.typepad.com, pic 6 pinterest

The French Connection ... Huitième (8th) Note ... Everything is nicer with a little whimsy!

bonjour chérs amis! so sorry for the delay, we are recovering from an internet blackout too complicated to describe but so happy to be back. I am ready to continue sharing about the fun times à la Maison et Objet, when last I wrote I promised whimsy so here we go!

Because optimism and general good spirits have been in short supply in the world, designers have decided that colorful, whimsical and affordable are ways to improve our dispositions and make our homes happier! there were lots of little ways to do this on display at the design conference.

Garlands, for example ... were to be found everywhere and in many forms ...





to be hung in a doorway or over a window, or in a kid's room near a closet, around a bed or crib ...













or as added accoutrements for a lamp or chandelier














Another playful feature were fun déco objects just for the sake of conversation ... like these huge fruits


or other whimsical objects ...





















There was fun furniture to dream about ... but these will be dreams that make you smile!




tee hee!!!























designers from ALL over were getting in the spirit of things .... even playful Germans!










this reminded me of one of those alien bar scenes from a Star Wars movie!!

this aspect of the show was definitely a bit of fantasy ... but I also found it inspiring to see how designers, small and large, were opening up their hearts and humor a bit and acknowledging the role that color and laughter can play in making a house a home.

Believe it or not, I still have quite a bit to share from this designers dream date ... next up, the lovely world of lighting!

jusqu'a la prochaine fois!! beeeee-zooooooo!

*all images courtesy of Kimberlee Mancha

Our guest correspondent for The French Connection is Kimberlee Mancha, mother of Johnelle and co-founder of Mignonne Décor. Now living in France, Kimberlee started our sister shop "The Bohemians" in 2009. She will be providing live updates for all you Francophiles and lovers of beautiful European inspirations.

Salvaged Chic Of The Week: Witney Hudson Bay Camp Couch

I want this piece desperately, luckily for you I can't snag this week's amazing Salvaged Chic Of The Week because I live in a shoebox (you know, not literally) with walls that threaten to burst with many a Mignonne treasure!

This week's piece is this gorgeous reupholstered vintage couch, "Witney", revamped with an amazing vintage, Hudson Bay Blanket circa 1940's, with a plush down stuffed center cushion.

I love this piece so much, and as an admitted obsessor of details it's little things like Witney's herringbone band, petite corduroy piping, grey denim and original patches from the red blanket that's the focal point of this piece.

Johnelle made sure both of the original patches from the blanket (which were packed with character) were sewn onto the couch as a great way to see the life this piece has had before.

Did I mention these AMAZING pillows are included with this piece?! I love that they're on point with a trend right now, but they're also classic vintage navajo/kilim textiles & pillows are the perfect part of a couch to display something more current because you can change them seasonally, bring them to another room, and bring them back again whenever you please! The back of the couch even has a hand sewn patch of the kilim worked into the mix.

This piece is inspired by the original Witney Point blanket and Johnelle's designs were born from that central piece, and the rest followed. As we've said before, fashion and design are intertwined and you can see how this look is shining now in fashion as well.

Just like fashion, Witney would look great as the pop piece in your home nestled next to a newer couch (you could even use Whitney's pillows on your other couch to tie the both together, or have Johnelle make you another set!) or as a stand alone piece. Because of the brilliant way Johnelle designed the fabric pieces for Witney, this couch is a piece that can be pulled away from a wall (if you choose) because it's gorgeous and detail packed from every angle!

Come into the shop to gape at this gorgeous piece in person, you know you want to snuggle up against that soft blanket backing!

Images of Witney taken by Johnelle Mancha. Non Whitney: Image One: September's issue of Elle Magazine, Image Two: InStyle Magazine, Image Three: October's issue of Lou Lou Magazine via The Portland Collection's Fan Page

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.

be Bold & Live a little...

It's always exciting to get lost in the moment, a colorful dream, where you have no inhibitions, and life just flows! It is so ridiculous how ridiculous it can all just be sometimes (ha!), and so when I find myself in a bind to follow my gut on color & design... is this piece too bright? Can I dare to go there? Could we really build that? I am more and more inclined to take those risks, and realize why not? I can't bare the thought of loosing the fun of it all. So today's challenge is to look at the surroundings you are in, and ask...

Am I bold enough?


Do I take a stance?


It is surprising how color and art can play into our everyday moods, and that is why transforming these pieces makes me alive. Be bold, choose freely, and pass it on! And for those who need a little guidance and helping hand we are here at Mignonne to just so.

xo

Handmade Farm Tables Galore...

A large dining table is not only a place for activities, dinner parties, and family, but it is also a reflection of your personality & everyday life! There are so many options out there when deciding what type of table to have in your home. Do you go with a simple rustic....


photo Country Living

paired with modern chairs?

or do you opt for a painted blend?





A farm table only looks better with time, like an old pair of jeans it's character comes out through the years. At Mignonne we can customize and make the perfect table for you. Brian Hill and Johnelle Mancha can team up to help you have that killer piece!

Check out some tables built by Brian...

reclaimed petite console farm table:



reclaimed bench, perfect pair for a table...



or this stunning reclaimed redwood top table, with vintage base:



all dressed up..




Regardless, Mignonne can help you be budget savvy about your special reclaimed piece! email us at quotes@mignonnedecor.com to start a dialogue of how to make a custom order.

xoxoox

Mignonne