Steampunk, a blend of vintage, Victorian style and today’s technology, has found its way into the interior design world. Wonderfully bizarre and alluring, the style is best known for oddly beautiful objects, art and rooms. If you were throwing a dinner party and Steampunk was a guest, it would be the person telling interesting, somewhat unbelievable stories.

Though you may be unfamiliar with the term, you’ve probably seen the look. Movies like Hugo and The Golden Compass draw on this design sense. Think science fiction meets the Industrial Revolution.

The concept has been around since the 1980’s, but it’s recently become one of the hot, new trends for 2012. By taking elements from the Victorian era and mixing them with current technology, Steampunk can be described as pure fantasy. Still not sure? We’ve included photos from fashion, as well as interior design to give you a clearer picture.

Incorporating this look into your home is fairly simply. Start by looking for items using machines, wood, cogs, polished metals, rivets and leather straps in unique ways.

Steampunk spaces reflect a mix of old and new…machine and steam. An example of a new “classic” is this crystal chandelier within the metal sphere. This piece would be absolutely stunning in any space.

Here’s a second example using metal steins.

No matter how you decide to use it in your home you can be assured the result will be visually stunning and unexpected, which quite frankly, is how we’d like to be described.

Decorative pillows and an ornate armoire add an international, worldly flair to this room by channeling the Far East.

The key to the opulent look is in the details. Gold accents add an air of elegance, and mirrored surfaces reflect light.

So far, we’ve shown you some glammed up versions of master suites, but today, we wanted to share a softer side. Bathed in yellow, this sunny room is the perfect retreat for cold winter days.

We love the vintage feel of this beautiful bathroom. Although largely monochromatic, texture and shine make this room feel special.

To make a space feel special, the key is to pay attention to the details. Fresh flowers, soft bedding and spa features create feelings of luxury and decadence.

Don’t believe us? Just think of the first time you walked into a honeymoon suite.

In a lot of homes, the master bedrooms are the last spaces to receive any design attention.  But in our eyes, they deserve so much more. When it comes to creating the perfect suite, we think the details matter so much. From the closet to the bed, we design retreats to support the homeowners’ love for each other.

We think a beautiful dressing area is the perfect place to get ready for a romantic date.

This bedroom is an excellent example of how even the closet can add to the glamour of a great master suite. If you’ve never thought a closet could be beautiful, you have to see this.

So, in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating master suites this week. Each day, we’ll share gorgeous spaces that are designed to pamper. From glamorous to worldly, we’ve found a little something for everyone.

Whether you’ve found your Valentine or are on a quest for love, these rooms are sure to inspire romance.

Tune in every day this week to see some beautiful master bedrooms. We can’t wait to hear which ones are your favorites. Feel free to drop us a note on Facebook and let us know what you like.

I don’t know about you, but I have some fairly grim memories of wallpaper. In the past, it has often been defined by dated, cutesy prints commonly found in grandmothers’ houses. Luckily, wallpaper has undergone a transformation in recent years. If it was in an 80’s movie, it would have had a makeover montage.

You can now find it in rich colors, patterns and textures. It has been reimagined with unique materials and techniques like flocking, glass beads, pearls and cork. Its ability to dress up a room is pretty remarkable. With this inexpensive and dramatic tool, you can change the feel of your space. Vinyl wallpaper can even protect walls from damage.

There are number of ways to use it. Instead of just hanging it in a standard manner, we’ve included a list of our favorite uses for wallpaper. Some are more subtle than others.

1. Create an accent wall in a room.

2. Hang it in strips or horizontally.

3. Wallpaper the ceiling or the wall above the fireplace.

4. Fill trimmed out shapes on a wall with paper to create dimension and add texture.

5. Add it to shelving or the inside of cabinets.

6. Use it to create a custom look for your lamp by papering the shade.

Traditional wallpaper isn’t the only way to significantly change a room by focusing on the walls. Three-dimensional wall panels add texture and dimension.

Or, try attaching silk flowers to the wall or use a dynamic 3-D wallpaper.

We will offer one last piece of advice for using wallpaper. Be sure to order extra. That way you’ll have some on hand to replace any sections or pieces that are damaged.

We’ve developed a great line-up with our thoughts on wallpaper, steampunk and pattern to start. That being said, we will take breaks from trends occasionally to talk about other time sensitive, world threatening issues, like master bedrooms for Valentine’s Day or outdoor spaces this spring. Things will get pretty spicy.

At this point, you’re probably thinking, “I don’t want to miss a single installment of this exciting series.”

Well, you don’t have to. Look for new post announcements on our Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin pages, and feel free to drop us a line. We can’t wait to hear your favorite trends and insightful musings.

Cheers!
Jill & Carmen

The fashion and furniture design industries have become so intertwined that it seems, at times, furniture mimics fashion. We see this especially in the color-blocking and animal print trends. Patterns that have always been prevalent on the runways of Paris and New York can now be seen in the latest interior design ideas. The trend has even gone so far as to include fashion designers along with interior/furniture designers. Even more recently, however, furniture has literally begun mimicking fashion design. From little black dresser drawers to a corset-ed chair, let’s take a look at just how furniture has been mimicking fashion.

Sarah Louise Dix (via)

Dix, a bespoke furniture designer got her inspiration from a corset of all places. It features a fully-boned Victorian style corset back and the fabric is a vintage damask with velvet ribbon…very Marie Antoinette.

Fredrik Farg (via)

It’s rare for men’s fashion to be re-inspired in furniture design, but this accent chair does it beautifully. Farg, who coined the term “slow fashion furniture” re-imagined the tailored black wool coat as a chair. The chair is actually made of a durable yet soft felt and looks cool, crisp and very masculine.

Interior Design Center via Sicis Next Art (via)

Painterly blues and purples, as well as subtle silken pleats remind one of the latest in Spring fashions.

Design Hey via Straight Line Designs (via)

What’s not to love about this cheeky take on the must-have item in every fashionable woman’s closet? The little black dress inspired this chest of drawers that’s meant to hang in your closet, preferably next to your other little black dress.

Daily Furniture Magazine (via)

A table, Stiletto, eponymously named for stilettos. This table can function as a desk, console table or dressing table and features a stacked heel and a red sole.

As you can see, quite a few furniture designers have taken their love and admiration for fashion to a very literal level. These pieces reflect classics pieces every man or woman should have in his/her closet and in doing so, are made classics themselves.

About the Author

Joanna is a writer focusing on interior design, home furnishings and art for Design Shuffle.com which is a fantastic inspiration website that showcases the work of top designers around the world. Her background includes over 15 years of work experience in the interior design industry paired with ten years of writing experience.

To make a guest’s room really special, we’ve found the key is in the details. That being said, you should start with a gorgeous room, not one that’s serving as a storage space for left over furnishings and boxes. We suggest you begin with fresh bedding; clean, fluffy towels and new, pretty soaps. At this point, we invite you to turn up the volume with:

• Cotton swabs and cotton balls
• Feminine products
• Shaving cream/razor
• Shower products
• Ibuprofen, Tums, Melatonin, etc.
• A plush robe and slippers

But to create a truly luxurious retreat, try these extras:

• Fragrant flowers
• Mouthwash
• A new toothbrush and toothpaste
• Candy and/or mints
• A small radio or stereo
• Snacks and/or bottled water
• A coffee pot and accessories complete with a small, laminated card on how to make the best cup in town
• A sewing kit
• Magazines
• A journal and beautiful pen
• A small selection of essential oils (Some of our favorites are rosemary, eucalyptus and lavender.)

• Assorted teas or hot chocolate
• A candle on a beautiful plate with matches
• A miniature tree or special soaps for the holidays