The Greek Key is H-O-T in interiors!  From fabrics to furnishings, I am definitely a huge fan of the classic design.  One of my favorite furniture pieces is the Cypress cocktail table by Mariette Himes Gomez for Hickory Chair (pictured left ~ bottom left of photo).  Today, I’ve asked my uber-stylish friend Shelly Rosenberg to give us a little insight into some delicious designs featuring the chic motif.

Shelly’s take on the Greek Key…

Designing is pure joy. I just love the limitless options that we have to choose from. Although many interior designers have a trademark look, I pride myself on collaborating with each unique client and creating their own style. However, there are some classic motifs that I find myself relying on time and again, regardless of replicating a historical genre or redesigning an abode into a super sleek mod pod. My favorite of all time is Greek Key, a meandering deign of lines, graphically and repetitively folding into it self.

Despite its name, the ancient Greeks were not the only civilization to discover this geometrically based design. Similar patterns have been found in the region that is now Vietnam and also in the Native American Hopi culture. This versatile motif can also change shape. We are most familiar with the square or T configuration. But there are also “keys” that resemble waves on the sea and even triangles.

Almost like a maze, this crisp design draws us in and guides our eye along the shape it traces. It looks so elegant on the leading edge of draperies, like I have in my own master bedroom. The charcoal and ivory trim add a masculine balance to an otherwise feminine boudoir.  It also looks regal along the bottom of a silk lampshade. You can affix your own Roman border to a simple, store-bought shade, adding a smart sophistication.  There are so many fabulous options through your interior designer. Another option I use in a pinch is M&J Trimmings of New York.

Other designers before me have inspired my own work with Greek Key. Local trend-setter, Jan Showers, mimics the lines of fantastic antique chairs by sewing black ribbon onto the ivory linen upholstery in a key style. Fashion icon Oscar de la Renta adorns his delicious cased goods with Greek Key hardware in his collection for Century Furniture (available at IBB Design Fine Furnishings). The one pictured left, in apple green is divine!

Thank you so much Shelly for sharing some fabulous design inspirations with us featuring the Greek Key!

Finial:   an ornament at the top of a piece of furniture, lamp, spire or gable, or used as decoration at the ends of drapery rods

Can you say fabulous???!!!  Hand blown glass drapery rod finials from the M/K Collection featuring finishes in rusted steel, copper and gold leaf, and verdigris.

Copper Finials are part of the intricate architecture of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.

Custom drapery hardware & finials  by NR Designs

Knole sofa by Hickory Chair featuring “egg” finials

Decorative finials finish off the posts on the gorgeous Belle upholstered bed by Hickory Chair.

A drop leaf table is a multi-purpose table that has a stable center section and hinged side panels that can be raised to enlarge the table surface, or lowered to reduce the surface (definition from about.com).  A rectangular drop leaf table (as pictured) could be used as a console backed up to a sofa & then transition to a dining table when you have company.  These tables are great for tight spaces or apartments & homes that don’t have a designated dining area.  Because of their size flexibility, they are a great investment because they can be used in so many different areas of your home.  You may use it in your current home as an entry piece or sofa table & then use it as a true dining table if you move to a larger home in the future.  They come in a variety of sizes & shapes & are a perfect purchase for those who move around a lot (or for those of us who like to re-arrange our furniture a lot!)

*Pictured is the Christiansen Dining Drop Leaf Table with Beeswing by Hickory Chair.  You can find Hickory Chair furnishings at IBB Design Fine Furnishings.

Here the table is shown as a console between two chairs.

Here the leaves are extended to create a dining table.

Chinoiserie:  a form of European decoration imitating techniques and motifs of the Orient; especially fashionable in the late 17th century and revived during the Regency, or as many say ~ a French term meaning “Chinese~esque”

While researching for this blog post, I stumbled upon a blog devoted entirely to Chinoiserie called Chinoiserie Chic. It’s full of all sorts of eye candy featuring “Chinese~esque” designs.  You really should check it out!

Below are a few of my favorite examples of Chinoiserie

This chair is absolutely stunning!  Image from Chinoiserie Chic.

Chinoiserie wallpaper adds a playful & colorful touch to a bathroom.  Image via Lonny Magazine.

Another gorgeous Chinoiserie wallpaper.  Image from Domino Magazine.

Chinoiserie fabric from Thibaut.

Fashion designer Tory Burch’s entryway features a hand painted Chinoiserie wallpaper by Gracie.

A bergere (pronounced burr-jair) is an upholstered French enclosed armchair which originated in Paris around the 18th century.  Traditionally styled bergere chairs call for a separate seat cushion.  The sides, back & arms are upholstered, but the rest of the frame is left exposed.  The frames often exhibit exquisite carving or moulding and may have striking painted finishes in lacquer, gilding or  gold or silver leaf.  These chairs are generally really comfortable & can be used with an ottoman for a great addition to a family room or master bedroom sitting area.

Louis XV Bergere Chair by Hickory Chair

I love how this fun Duralee fabric really brings these bergere chairs to life!

Grand Bergere Chair & Ottoman from Century.

A bergere chair originally purchased by President Monroe for the White House during the restoration process after the fire of 1814.  The fabric & finish on this chair are so rich & regal.  Check out this link for a very interesting article on the preservation & care that went into re-covering this chair. (image from www.whitehousemuseum.org)

A vibrant hot pink & black gives a playful modern update to this bergere chair in a rich black painted finish.

How fun is this bergere in aqua lacquer?  I found this intriguing piece over here.  It definitely makes a designer statement.  The quatrefoil print on the fabric is to die for!  I could totally see this chair in my house.

If you’re around a professional designer for any period of time, chances are you will probably hear them use the term “case goods”.  This industry term refers to home furnishings that are made primarily out of wood.  Think end tables, armoires, consoles & cocktail tables.

Here are a few of my favorite case goods:

New Gotham City Table in Ivory by Global Views

Thompson Side Table by Thomas O’Brien for Hickory Chair

Raffles Cocktail Table by Century furniture.  You may remember me showing this to you for my 4th of July segment on GMT.

Morgan Media cabinet by Thomas O’Brien for Hickory Chair featuring a hydraulic lift that can accommodate a TV up to 42″.

Game table by Larry Laslo for Ferguson Copeland.

Today’s “Fancy Word Friday” is matelassé.   Matelassé is a French word meaning quilted or padded.  It’s a thick textile that appears to be padded, but actually has no padding within the fabric.  It can be hand-stitched or woven on a jacquard loom.  This quilted fabric is most commonly used in bedding but can also often be found on upholstery.  You will also see it in the world of fashion on handbags & clothing.   Oscar de la Renta even used matelassé in a collection of suits & dresses in the 1960’s and still continues to do so today.

Most matelassé fabrics are done in a single solid color.  The hand stitching is often used to create a decorative pattern to add dimension to to the fabric.  If you love a French flair or a Shabby Chic approach to design, this type of fabric would fit well into your design plan.  Matelassé fabrics are often used in soft neutral colors, but as you can see from the photo to the left from Martha Stewart, the fabric is also stunning in bright bold colors.  The tangerine matelassé coverlet layered on top of crisp white linens is so refreshing.

Here are a few of my favorite matelassé fabrics & different ways they have been used in both interior design & the fashion world.

Beautiful diamond pattern matelassé in amethyst by Barbara Barry for Kravet Couture.  I LOVE lavendar!  It’s such a soft, soothing & girly color.

This gorgeous light blue matelassé by Kravet has an elegant pattern to it.  It’s made fro 100% cotton so you can just imagine how soft & fabulous it is.

The matelassé coverlet at the end of this bed features a very common scalloped edge.  This shabby chic look would be fun in a guest bedroom or kid’s room.  Image from Country Living.

This rich chocolate brown matelassé coverlet adds a plush texture to this upholstered linen bed at IBB Design Furniture Showroom.  The Euro in the center  & kidney pillow are also out of matelassé fabrics.

Black & Navy floral matelassé dress by Oscar de la Renta

My friend Tina from Bagsnob snagged this stunning Chanel matelassé bowler bag on a trip to Paris.  Read more about this sexy bag in her post about it on Bagsnob here.

As designers, we use certain design terms on a daily basis, but people outside the industry may not always know what we’re talking about.  So, I’ve decided to add a new section to the blog called “Designer Dictionary”.  In this section,  I’ll highlight design terminology & give you definitions & examples that may make your journey thru your design project a bit easier.   You’ll be armed with a plethora of knowledge that will help make your design & furnishing purchases go more smoothly.

There are millions of words we could discuss, but in order to not overwhelm you, I will start off with “Fancy Word Fridays”.  If you’re familiar with Fancy Nancy (my daughter is a huge fan!), then you may have read “Fancy Nancy’s Favorite Fancy Words“.  Well, this is my designer adaptation to make learning “fancy” design lingo fun!  We’ll discuss a fabulous “fancy” new design term each Friday.  Please e-mail me or leave me a comment if there is a design term you would like to know more about & we’ll be sure to discuss it!