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

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

Trickster Gallery & Shop Buildout

   When Anita from Trickster Inc, came to Mignonne to inquire about the possibility of collaborating 

on her new retail space for Trickster, we were ecstatic!  Not only do we love what the company does-  they specialize in creator-owned art, limited edition books, and wares amongst much more..., but we also loved Anita's make up story that kept her new retail space much in mind.  She created a fake 'history' of her store front, rifting off the real phases the last decades have had- prohibition, berkeley in the sixties...and shared it with me.  Let me tell you, Anita is one of the best story tellers there is!  Throughout the phase of our project she shared many, that always kept me on the tip of my toes.  Her story on the shop really captured a mood, and vibe that I wanted to deliver in the buildout.  I left that meeting, and collaborated with my other half / lead carpenter Brian Hill so we could manifest her dream space!  Next step...see the shop!

I'll be honest, I walked in and thought...wow, this is really a blank canvas!  And had to just push my confidence that we could def make it happen...

And so the transformation began!  Anita is amazing in that she knows exactly what she likes and doesn't.  From a designers point of view, I think this cuts out a lot of wasted going back and forth, and choices get made quicker.  We shoed her our sketches/designs/visuals etc..yes we have a very Bohemian approach to design, which works for us :)!

Walls went up, and our favorite color!  I really wanted to go dark to make the space more dramatic in a modern way, and this gray is so sharp.

Mignonne's design consisted of large bookcases to really bring your eye up to bring out the grandeur of the space, while playing with that old library vibe.  We were set to build custom ones, when Anita spotted these at Omega Salvage- could we revamp them?  You better believe it, so we snagged them cutting cost here and they turned out amazing...thanks to Brian's carpentry and skills!

before pic:

As the space continued to progress with Brian focusing on building custom display pieces, I continued to work on decor- like these custom velvet curtains I designed and our upholsterer sewed to make such a crazy cool entrance!

Here are some of the custom pieces Brian built:

custom french inspired moulding

 which we then modified to allow for better art hanging for Anita!

custom island display pieces:

and the decorating continued...

I found the perfect rug, reupholstered chairs, scored on an antique National cash reg, refinished a desk for Anita's office, and designed top hat light fixtures...

My dear friend Hannah Stouffer was hired to do an amazing installation of the Trickster logo:

With lots of handwork, the space has grown into something beautiful and inviting...

So go check them out in Elmwood, Berkeley!

trickstertrickster.com

Mignonne is available for hire for interior & commercial projects.

email us to start a dialogue :)

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xxx

johnelle

Salvaged Chic Of The Week: Mexicana Settee

This 1940's chaise lounge is a piece that I designed recently and has taken the spot of one of my top favs ever!  The geometric design paired with the pops of red and cool modern white made it so incredibly fun to design.  I used remnants of a Hudson Bay blanket, white linen, white burlap, denim, and mexican throws.  Those of you who follow Mignonne and my designs, know that I love being bold while still having a sharp edge.

Functional art is what you will find in the showroom at Mignonne.  It can be hard sometime I think for my clients to understand how a piece like this could be integrated into a space, and spearhead a design- let me tell you...it's simpler than you think.  First off, please don't over think every bit of color that comes into your home.  Pick a couple of colors that you know you would love to have dance within a space, then pick a few key pieces that can bounce off each other.  I like simple white or cream walls for the client who would be willing to take a risk with such a piece.  It helps keep a room alive, intentional, and not circusy!?

Once you have a couple colors and a core piece you know you would like to integrate, like this Mexicana Settee, you can then make smart choices with your other core pieces, and art pops throughout a room.  Let's say this Mexicanan Settee I just finished was brought into a new living room.  I could for example see it pairing with a simple grey modern couch as such:

So now we have white walls, this grey linen modern couch, and the Mexicana Settee.

To ground the space with a rug (over hardwood) I could envision either of these options below coming into the mix.  They play off the tones of the settee, have a natural earthy vibe that keeps the room sharp versus trying too hard, and also allow for more art pieces to have intention!

So back to the settee, now we have hints of yellow, reds, corals, and the modern blacks and whites that we can pull from to add subtle other pops in our living room!

I could see this type of shelving unit working well to showcase books etc... having some of the pop bindings play off the Mexicana Settee.

A few pieces of art to tie all together, and voila!

A room redo can start with that one artsy piece, such as the Mexicana Settee!  Remember you can always collaborate with Mignonne on a new piece, or design services.  Email us to start a dialogue at

quotes@mignonnedecor.com

xoxo

Johnelle

settee pics:  johnelle mancha, grey couch pic: Houzz, rug pics: West Elm, art pic 1: Larry Zox, art pic 2: rummage.com

Salvaged Chic of the Week: Santa Cruz Chair

This is one of my favorite SCOTW's yet! I am so in love with the bright punch of color this chair has and I love the vintage mustard and gray toned seat that grounds the paint color. It's always a near miracle when you can find an intact vintage fabric to match your soon-to-be revamped vintage chair! When scouting, Johnelle has a sixth sense for finding vintage fabrics that will really complete the look of a revamping.

The color of this chair and the design of the fabric are like salt and pepper--they're great by themselves, but even better together! The cane back of this chair is absolutely perfect for the feel this chair now has. Beachy, bright and surfer-chic, yet another piece I want to sneak home!

A little chair like this is such an amazing value! You only have to pay for the painting of the chair and the reupholstery of only the seat, but what you get is a piece that has the power to change the whole room.

Aptly named Santa Cruz, this chair elicits memories of skin browned all summer in the sun, salty air, and sixties beach bunnies. This is the girl version of this chair:

While it's not required, this piece would lend itself perfectly to a funky California beach bungalow like these:

If you're not lucky enough to live in a surf shack on the beach you can use this chair as your inspiration to infuse your city space with a little beach vibe (and to help you look forward to summer!).

If you're like me, you're already looking around your house to see if you have a lackluster chair that you could transform into an amazing piece like Santa Cruz!

All Santa Cruz photos by Johnelle Mancha. Other photos One: chanelbagsandcigarettedrags.blogspot.com, Two: weheartit.com, Three: coastalliving.com, Four: oraclefox.blogspot.com; Five: marthastewart.com; Six: amberinteriordesign.blogspot.com

Email us at quotes@mignonnedecor to set up a design meeting to talk about your chair!

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.