Good Finds

One of my favorite ways to add a little personality to a room is through the addition of zebra. Zebra rugs, zebra ottomans, zebra pillows, zebra fabric. I love it all.

Here are some of my favorite zebra pieces:

26 x 26 Williams Sonoma Home Floor Pillow in chocolate and cream crewel. I love this pillow and it's price ($128) for the size. I have these on my family room sofa and they boys haven't managed to destroy them.

The Oly "Oliver" Ottoman. This piece adds the perfect amount of drama to any room. I own it as well and it's functioned as a living room coffee table and a bench at the end of my bed. It's so versatile and has so much style. Maybe that's why you see it in every design magazine over and over again. It's on sale now at Jayson Home & Garden.

The Oly "Hilary" Bench. I love this piece for an accent in the living room. Maybe two in front of the fireplace? They bring just the right amount of splash and sophistication to any room. It also comes in a long bench version that would be great at the end of a bed or in an entry.

The West Elm Zebra rug. The scale of the print and price make this rug a great value. It also comes in a runner which would be a fabulous way to add some life to your hallway during the dreary winter months. Plus it's a lot easier to clean than the summer sisal/seagrass version.

I love Lewis & Sheron Textile Co. in Atlanta (http://www.lsfabrics.com/). I can always find an amazing solid or novelty fabric for a reasonable price and their customer service is great.

I love this one and apparently everyone else does too as it's on back order. Bengal in sand for 15.00 a yard!

Bengal in black. Also on back order. Hopefully it will come in soon.

Zebra Ikat in Flax. Also 15.00 and on back order. No worries, though, they always seem to stock it. Just keep checking back.

If you have kids and want to create a fun bedroom, why not go for some pink or blue zebra. It would make a great chair or upholstered headboard. Just limit it to one major piece and you won't feel like you stepped into one of Hugh Hefner's "girls" rooms.

Outback Zebra (pink) 30.00 a yard.

Outback Zebra (blue) 30.00 a yard.

I would love to try this in my oldest son's room but I don't think he'd let mommy get away with this one now that he's eight and obsessed with football. I did, however, put two zebra storage ottomans at the foot of his black bed.

Everyone, including eight year olds, needs a little zebra.

Durable Living Rooms

I've been spending a lot of time going through old magazines this week. I came across two articles touting family friendly houses. To my delight, both houses were very chic, comfortable and approachable. I decided to pull out the living rooms of both houses and post them. They are very similar in their approach and furnishings, yet they have a different vibe.


Sorry for the awful scan. Designer Ken Fulk created the perfect casual yet elegant and refined living room. The warm neutral background sets the stage for the fabulous furniture. The RL raffia club chairs are great. The seat cushions are covered in mohair which is one of my favorite durable fabrics for kids and messy adults like myself. The lucite table is incredibly chic and very life friendly. A little windex and your done! Velvet is another one of my favorite fabrics for a room that's used.

This room created by Lisa Rowe (photo courtesy of Cottage Living) is glamorous. She uses white slipcovered furniture to withstand the owners kids and pets as the neutral foundation for the room. Bleach is a great thing! Notice the similarities of the sisal rug, zebra rug and lucite.

Both rooms are fabulous and livable because of the durable foundations.

Which style do you prefer? Me? I'd be more likely to curl up in Ken Fulk's living room because of the texture and camel color. However, I love Lisa Rowe's style for very high traffic areas or houses with lots of pets.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Happy Thursday!