Archive for the 'FURNITURE' Category

Turn Up the Style Dial: Exclusive Interview with Crystal Gentilello of Rue Magazine

Crystal Gentilello

Rue Magazine’s Editor in Chief Crystal Gentilello recently migrated to a hot new West Coast homestead that’s brimming with unique pieces and clever finds, including an array of lust-worthy pieces hand-picked from hayneedle.com. We caught up with Crystal for an exclusive one-on-one about the style and inspiration behind her to-die-for decor. Here’s what she had to say:

Talk us through some of the pieces you chose for your home and why.

I chose the ivory headboard because I loved the curvy shape and nailhead trim. I knew I wanted my bedroom to be a very feminine and romantic space and the headboard is definitely the crown jewel!

We love your choice for the headboard! What does that particular piece say about your bedroom?

Arch Nail Button Upholstered Headboard

The headboard is the statement piece in my bedroom. The ivory color offers a subtle contrast to the pale pink walls and the soft curves are perfect for the feminine feel I was trying to achieve. The headboard sets the tone for an unapologetically romantic space without feeling over-the-top girly. The ivory balances out the pale pink and makes the bedroom feel distinct from the rest of the apartment’s gray walls.

Also, the color of the headboard inspired the sheer curtains on the windows. The headboard makes for a beautiful focal point and everything else blends seamlessly into the background.

Tell us a little about your decision-making process for the dining table.

I chose the pedestal dining table because it’s elegant and neutral. The white contrasts the dark gray walls and the round shape encourages an easy flow of conversation at dinner parties. It introduces a round element to a rectangular room and really opens up the space for entertaining. I love that it can seat either four or six depending on who’s coming over. Because the dining table is white and the walls are painted a dark gray, I knew I wanted to introduce texture with burlap upholstered dining chairs that balance out those two colors. The result is a very intentionally layered look that I just love.

How does it affect the space?

The table defines the dining room, which is attached to the bedroom as opposed to the kitchen. Having a very clearly labeled space for eating and entertaining was essential since it’s not outwardly apparent.

You also chose two gray armchairs. What did you find appealing about them?

Stein World Wingback Chair

The two gray chairs in the living room are decidedly more masculine than other pieces in my home and I love the contrast they introduce. I wanted the living room to have a slightly moodier look and the gray upholstery definitely does the trick. Plus the nailhead detail gets me every time! They are so perfect in keeping with the moody palette I had used as inspiration for the space. They are comfortable and dramatic with brassy details that I just can’t get enough of!

The chairs definitely called for two oversized throw pillows to help them stand out from the gray walls. Simple striped pillows (a flea market find) are the perfect complement!

How would you define the “dramatic” look?

Dark paint, dark trim, and dark furnishings with plenty of natural light and sophisticated accents.

A huge thank you to Crystal for giving us insight into her decision making process and a look into her home. Read more about her home in the latest issue of  Rue Magazine and check out Hayneedle to shop a selection of pieces hand-picked by Crystal.

From 2.5 to 3.5 – Oh, Baby!

I have been a quiet contributor to the Hayneedle Blog for sometime now, but I think it is time I come out of the shadows and start sharing a little more with you guys.  First off, my name is Angie, and I’ve worked at Hayneedle for three wonderful years.  A lot has happened in my time at Hayneedle; I got married, got a dog (Lander – so cute – I’ll share pictures later), and now am expecting my first child!

In the past I have written about buying the right baby furniture, decorating the nursery, and other various baby-related topics, but boy has my perspective changed. I have many nieces and nephews and coworkers who have started families, so I thought my research on the topic of preparing for baby was sound. I was confident that I would be the most prepared expectant mother when my husband and I decided to go down the path of starting a family.  Now that I’m experiencing the fun (and stress) of planning for a baby firsthand, I have a humbled perspective of what it takes to get “baby ready.”

As I go through my journey of being an expectant mother, I’ll bring you along for the ride, from deciding which stroller/travel system is best to deciding how to decorate the nursery.  Feel free to offer your opinions and parenting insight, or to ask questions. I look forward to going through this journey with you!

-Angie

Twitter : angiekub

Holiday Decorating

Sometimes I like to get experimental with my holiday decorating.  For example, I have a really interesting piece of art that is basically a big piece of driftwood hanging on the wall of my dining room.  Last year I strung the art piece with holiday lights and everybody really seemed to like it.  One of the great things about holiday lights is that you can use it instead of your regular lighting to create an intimate vibe.

Lighting can make any room feel festive, but garland really ups the ante.  My mother loves to string garland through the handrails of the staircase at her house and she usually puts one on the mantle of the fireplace as well.  Garland adds an element that is festive and fancy at the same time.  With the large varieties available, I’m sure that you can find a few garlands that fit your style!

Christmas Wreaths and Garland

With the garland hung and the Christmas lights twinkling I suggest adding a few more decorative pieces that can warm our hearts. Nothing does this more during the holidays like a nutcracker!  Every time I see a nutcracker I think of the ballet.  Not that I get to see the ballet every year, but if I have an actual nutcracker, it’s kind of like the next best thing!

Now that you have your fireplace all decked out, you’ll probably want to get a fire roaring in the fireplace to finish setting the scene. While fireplaces are warm and inviting one item I highly suggest purchasing is a fireplace screen.  Not only are fireplace screens ornamental, but they also will help keep the little ones from getting too close to the fire.

Uttermost 3 Panel Egan Fireplace Screen

Well, it’s been quite a journey preparing our home this holiday season.  I hope that I was able to give you some tips you can use to not only make your home more beautiful for your guests, but for you as hosts as well!  So now go make your gift list so we can get the presents under the tree!  Happy Holidays!

Holiday Decorating Done Right

Thanksgiving is days away and that means December holidays are coming right up!  So by now I’m sure your dining area is completely set up, your guestroom is all made up and ready for your guests to arrive.  Did you get something new for the entryway??

Well now it’s time to get into the spirit of the holidays and put up some lights, tinsel and garlands!  While some people really have a good time of decorating for the holidays, other people can tend to get a little stressed out.  A little advice that can really help you get the most out of the experience would be to consider making decorating an event.  Invite some family and friends over and make a day out of it.  That’s what we do in my family.  Also, you may want to choose a theme or color scheme. Too many different decorations can overwhelm a room. Select a few key items and tie them together by color or style for the greatest impact.

Pre-Lit Christmas Tree

For many years, I’ve been a fan of having a “real live” Christmas tree, but this year I’m all about “going green” in a different way.  Be environmentally friendly and buy a Christmas tree that you can use over and over again!  You can even get a tree that already has the lights on it!  Remember what a chore it used to be to string the lights??

I’m hoping most of you took my previous advice and bought a new welcome mat for the front door.  Now don’t forget to complete the welcome with a wreath!   Perhaps you might consider getting two wreaths; one for fall (Thanksgiving) and another one for Christmas!  No matter what your choice is, a wreath hanging on your front door will immediately inspire your guests with wonder and holiday cheer!

Time to Serve Your Guests

Serving your guests efficiently and smoothly and making sure they’re satisfied should be a host’s top priority.  It’s a lot easier to ensure your guests are happy if you’ve thought out the organization of your kitchen and dining spaces.

In my blog, “Holiday Spirit”, I went into depth about the best and most efficient way to think about setting up for a party that would be more casual.  So this time, let’s talk about the sit down dinners we’ll be having.  I know that I’ll likely have more sit down dinners than casual parties, but that’s my personal preference.   Each host should do what feels fun for them!

Dining Tables

The size of your dining table will surely be determined by the amount of people you are regularly planning on having over, but don’t forget also about placemats, table cloths, napkins and other decorative items to make your table look perfect.  While shopping around online, you may likely find a great selection of dining table accessories or you can always be creative and make some table settings that you can then personalize.

Once again, don’t forget that if you have space in a closet inside your house, purchase some folding chairs.  My parents just bought some really nice folding chairs that match perfectly with their traditional cherry dining room set allowing them to sit up to fourteen people.  Unless you look closely, you can’t even tell that they fold up!

A few years back, my bother cooked a Turduncken in a fryer.  It’s a small chicken stuffed into a medium sized duck that is then stuffed into a large turkey.  He then cooked it in a fryer!  Talk about comfort food!  It was a great way to bring that good country cooking into the holidays and we didn’t make a mess inside.  For those of you that are interested in cooking outside, consider making your holiday meal out on a grill or in a smoker!  I promise you that you’ll guest will be pleasantly surprised!