I am in L-O-V-E with hardware and fittings (door hinges and window hardware, even!). The latest thing I'm stuck on is retro-designed light switches. I have been researching Mid-Century Modern design for a project I am working on, and I discovered this quirky passion for hardware laying dormant. I like the push button varities, and I love the cool toggle designs from Forbes and Lomax. Using specially selected hardware puts that extra layer of design interest and integrity into a well-done interior.

Push button switches from Rejuvenation

Antique Bronze Push Button from Forbes & Lomax

Dimmer from Forbes & Lomax

Invisible toggle switch w/ acrylic backplate by Forbes & Lomax. LOVE it!

Also check out House of Antique Hardware if you are a hardware maven like I am. Make sure you look at the period home collections...heaven! Historic House Parts is also a fun site to peruse.

I love the idea of stand-by furniture that actually looks nice. The idea behind "break down" furniture came from the need to travel during political campaigns...all the comforts of home would be neatly folded up, packed, and unpacked at various locations. Portable furniture broke down fast and it was the easiest and best way to transport everything along the trail. Now that we have hotels, "fold-able" furniture usually makes its debut when we go to the beach or the lake, throw a Bar-B-Q...or when we host unusual amounts of holiday company (think cold aluminum chair with a cushion the thickness of a pancake). Now there is no excuse. Find the entire line of British Campaign Furniture here, and visit this site for other fold-able options.

Havana chair in Rosewood with matching table. By Lewis Drake.

Makes a chic picnic setting, don't you think?

The Havana chair, folded.

Rosewood Lounger by Lewis Drake.

Would look great on the deck of a yacht.

Officers Lounge Chair in Rosewood by Lewis Drake

Barbados Croquet Chair by Lewis Drake, also in Rosewood

Great for extra seating for various home styles.

French Cane Back Folding Chair from Stacks and Stacks.

Diamond back folding chair, Stacks and Stacks

Pintura's textiles are handmade from weave to print (yes, they are hand stenciled!). Its comforting to know that true craftsmanship isn't dead. They draw inspiration from all over the world and turn out classic patterns. Their textiles are truly gorgeous and very well made (I'm waiting for a showroom here in LA!). Here are some of their gorgeous new patterns:

"Summer"

"Milano"

"Oasis"

"Parterre"

I adore the "4154 Chest" (see below) from Polidor, a furniture manufacturer out of Greenwich, CT. I had to clip it to my Polyvore in order to save the photo, so the colors are a bit off (the foam green is actually brown). To see this chest with better color rendering, click here.

Either way, this piece reminds me of Burberry Nova Check plaid. A great example of how fashion inspires interiors, even if this wasn't the original intent (which, I would like to think it is- what a great take on Nova Check!). I love making these connections. Reminds me of my time spent in the fashion industry.

To see other Polidor pieces, visit their homepage here.

Top Photo: Burberry "Nova Check" plaid pattern

Bottom Photo: Polidor "4154 Chest" in Chocolate Brown

I love the following fixtures and chandeliers from Currey & Co. They have so many really great products, but these ones really struck my fancy. I love their updated flare- very elegant, yet fresh and unfussy. I also love that they look like cutouts- such an updated take on a classic form. These are great chandeliers for transitional interiors- anywhere you want to hang a chandelier is usually appropriate (can you tell I adore chandeliers?). Visit Currey & Co. for more eye candy.

Candor

Ardor

Everlasting

Domani Chandelier

Tocca Chandelier

I am on the mailing list for many, many (many!) product lines. This one came across my wire today and I drooled a bit, thought about where I could put it in our place, decided I didn't have room for it- and that I would just post it here. I'm pretty sure I have an affinity towards British Colonial styling from growing up on "Pippy Longstocking", "The Swiss Family Robinson" and Disneyland's "Jungle Cruise" as a child. I also love the dark wood in British Colonial style- just like American Georgian and Federalist, which I (surprise!) admire as well. Enjoy this gorgeous settee! I would get a long down stuffed, self-welted cushion made from cut velvet for this chair. In white or possibly my signature mossy green from my living room. I would then place it in the foyer or somewhere in my bedroom. No pillows. Wouldn't want to hide that gorgeous canning or fluting!

"Settee BR003SE", Chocolate stained Mahogany wood.

$4,200 retail. By British Regency.

Fauteuil Pacha by James Duncan Collections

Cane /kan/, n.: stems of bamboo, rattan, or wicker used as a material for making furniture or baskets.

Fauteuil /fo-te'y...for us Americans, it sorta' sounds like "fo-toy"/, n.: an upholstered chair with open arms and a wooden frame.

I love this chair because it proves my theory on caning. It looks better painted, rather than stained. Its more graphic and fresh when its painted a solid color. Love it. Also, contrary to popular mistake, this type of chair is not a Bergere. A "Bergere" is an enclosed upholstered arm chair.

Perhaps people call it a Bergere because its easier to pronounce than "Fauteuil", but technically, an open arm chair such as this is a Fauteuil. Or, perhaps people think these are Bergeres due to sites like this. No matter- now you know! Impress your antiques dealer and your interior designer next time you discuss chairs.

For those of you who are desperately bad at French, like myself (due to four total years of Spanish in both high school and college- I just mix up all the rules and pronounce French words like a train wreck), just take a stab at it. Its better to call it what it is, rather than call it what its not.