A Well Appointed Life: In Design Circles

Do you ever feel like you are going around in circles?? That seems to be a perpetual state for me these days, but that is a subject for another time. Going in circles can be a good thing sometimes and apparently the design world agrees because we are seeing circles everywhere! Fabrics, wallpapers, furniture, rugs, lighting...all sporting the circular feel. Sure many of the circles make me think of Twiggy and Go-Go boots...but retro is fun and when you can use the same motif with crisp or bold new twists then you are working with an element that fits in pretty much any style room. So let's jump in the circle and go for a round...

When you think circles in design you first think bold...and of course Marimekko does it best...

You don't have to live retro or mid-century or in an industrial loft to go in circles...garden, classic contemporary, cottage,traditional...all will get a lift from the fresh geometric of circles...don't think circles are just for contemporary retro- chic tastes...circles mix in anywhere...

Start slow-toss a pillow like this one from Koo de Kir or place an accent lamp like this Madison Lamp from Williams Sonoma Home one from next to a reading chair or bedside

Place this great side table next to a classic chair or by the entry

(Horchow)

Hang this perfect mirror pair in a dining room or stairway

(Shades of Light)

I love this "Twiggy" chandelier from Horchow in a breakfast room or kitchen for a taste of circles but it would work in an entry hall or high stairway too

...or cover an accent chair in a great circle inspired fabric like this Elysee velvet from Calico Corners

Speaking of chairs, these are favorites and are at home by a Chippendale armoire or a glass desk...love this Frances Elkins chair from Downtown20 pulled up to a writing desk, as an accent dining chair or in a bedroom

and this chair is coming home with me! From McGuire Furniture it is the ideal corner chair ,even by the most traditional fireplace, and I love it in a study or garden room and of course pulled up in the dining room. A simple cushion and it works in any space.

and this Daybed from West Elm will be fabulous in a study or guest bedroom

Maybe you have a large space or high ceiling and you want to warm the room or ground the space but still maintain openness...circles work for that like in this rug from West Elm

If you still are not sold that circles will work for you think garden! yes, garden! Circles are often incorporated in garden design. This perfect Elsie pattern(yes after Elsie de Wolfe)dinnerware from Charlotte Moss takes a classic trellis look