Sunday, October 4, 2009

How to Add "Bling" and a Giveaway!

I love to walk into a room and be hit by that one accessory or element that makes me stop, admire and take notice! I call it "bling" - that flashy or interesting item, that leaves you wanting more, all the while knowing more would be too much! Like fashion, too much "bling" can look garish, but done right it can leave a lasting impression. Let's have a look at some rooms with just right amount of "bling!"
habitually chic
Here is the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in NYC. The aluminum wainscotting certainly adds the "bling". But notice that all the other accessories and elements in this foyer are more graphic or structural in shape and form. This gives your eye a rest and the ability to take in the wainscotting with out too much distraction.
A close up - I love the texture of this application and it's sparkle against wonderful heft of the hand forged railing.

Southern Accents
Here is a wonderful vignette by the talented Daryll Carter with a more subtle addition of "bling". This room has many gorgeous accessories and to Carter's credit it looks fresh and inviting, without looking over staged. But to me, the main elements that make this room work, are the aged wood mirror and sconces. Both add texture and sparkle (and "bling") to the space, and the mirror brings your eye up and adds the illusion of height to the ceiling.
kerry joyce
Of course for most people a simple way to add the "bling" is with a mirror. Here the combination of mirror and mercury glass on the mantel really seems to bring this neutral interior alive.
Mirrors are generally the first thing we think about when adding the "bling". But here the fabulous aged mirror wall from Elle Decor adds an architectural element, as well as tremendous interest and a great backdrop for artwork. I also love the little garden stool to the left - I guess we can call that the "mini bling" in this room.
So Haute
Here is an sophisticated vignette and although the console table is a showshopper, the mirror and candlesticks really draw your eye over to it. I love the way the "bling" can direct how you would like people to recognize elements as well as the pattern in which you want their eye to travel around the room.Washington Post
Here Loi Thai, from our favorite store Tone on Tone, uses mercury glass to add the "bling" in this wonderfully serene guest room. Your eye travels around the room but ultimately lands on this gray cabinet filled with antique mercury glass treasures.
Like all accessories, "bling"elements do not necessarily need to be expensive. Here are some terrific little mercury glass birds from West Elm. These crackled mercury glass pumpkins from Pottery Barn can give you a bit of "bling" all through the fall.
laurie annas
Here are my personal favorite - mercury glass mushrooms. Toss these babies on your coffee table or mantle and your right on track.HGTV
Finally a room where the mercury elements are front and center creating a sculptural art vignette of "bling". Try to visualize a painting here, you just would not get the same striking effect.
I recently acquired some fabulous vintage mercury glass apothecary bottles. I adored them and picked up a few extras for my family and friends, and of course for you, my readers. Just leave a comment on your thoughts on "bling" and you will be entered to win one. Of course all my subscribers are automatically entered to win, so leave a comment for a second chance! Check back on Friday for our winner! Good Luck!

xox-Gina
(never miss a post- just subscribe in upper right hand corner)

49 comments:

  1. Happy to find your lovely blog! Bling is essential to any space in my opinion, it can even come from glass, but shine is essential in my book too! Cheers to the fab blog!

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  2. I think bling is so "in" right now, I love it everywhere too!

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  3. Hi Gina! I really like that gorgeous mirror and those Pottery Barn pumpkins that add a little bling to any space. Saying that I think that every house needs a little bit of bling! Have a nice Sunday!

    Sari

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  4. Love that bling! That aluminum along the staircase is just incredible. Your new mercury glass jar is gorgeous too!!

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  5. I agree, every girl needs a bit of bling in her life - old or new!

    Leeann

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  6. Hi Gina! That aluminum wainscotting is wild - I have never seen anything like it. I saw that article on Loi Thai and the guest bedroom is my favorite. A little bling is a wonderful thing.
    xo Isa

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  7. I love bling too, and I am a huge fan of Mercury Glass.

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  8. I think the only bling I have right now is my dining room and bathroom light fixtures. I clearly need to do some shopping!

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  9. Ooooh I like your theory on bling!

    I love the bling of mercury glass...old, weathered yet shiny...mercurial!

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  10. Gina, not only can you "bling" the walls but dont forget your window area too. I have crystal glass in my garden window and when the sun shines on the crystal it fills up my room with colorful rainbows.

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  11. Sylvia,
    You are so right! Crystal is wonderful way to add some "bling". The crystal chandelier in my dining room creates beautiful rainbows all in the morning and it sparkles so in the evening!!
    Thanks!!
    xo-Gina

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  12. Wow, that staircase is a stunner! I've never seen one like it and you are right, everything around it is just perfect as well. Thanks so much for sharing this! Very inspiring.

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  13. Oh, a girl just has to have a little "bling" now and then. I am so inspired by this post, I am going to go dig out something shinny for my family room coffee table. And I just picked up a ton of old crystal to make necklace with. But they may be added here and there for a little sparkle around the abode! Thank you for the inspiring post!

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  14. Love the mercury glass bottle. I've started a collection in a couple of rooms in my house. It definitely does add that extra "sparkle".

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  15. I would love a little extra bling in my house. Great giveaway!

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  16. A little bit of bling goes a long way!

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  17. BLING is my favorite... I heart mercury glass! ;)

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  18. Mercury glass is just wonderful! sparkly and rustic all at the same time

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  19. Love the vintage piece of mercury glass!

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  20. Gina - I just bought a wonderful mercury glass apothecary bottle at Roundtop last week. I adore it! It's already found a home. Aren't these pieces so tactile, in a fluid silvery sort of way? Loved the post and all the examples of bling.

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  21. How neat! Love all the pictures of mercury glass objects - so pretty!

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  22. Wow, where did you find those lovely bottles? Please add my name to the list. I do believe I am a subscriber also. ;-) I love mirrors. I have a wall of vintage dresser mirrors hung by chains in my family room. It draws the light in from the windows in the next room and makes the little dark room not look so little and dark.

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  23. * Can't do MY THINK if I AIN'T GOT THAT B*L*I*N*G!!! ~~~~~

    ...Annnnnnd, there's just SOMETHING about old, wooden floors in a CHEVRON PATTERN that just LIGHTS MY FIRE!!! Yummy!

    Thanks n' HAPPY MONDAY!
    Linda in AZ
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  24. Mercury glass is one of my favorites. I have it in seaglass green next to my white antique mirror and turquoise apothecary bottle on my mantle. I'll send you a photo!!! Loved the Kips Bay showhouse when I was there, but it looks even better on your blog. Sharon at Maison Lily

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  25. I loveeeeeee mercury glass!!!!! What gorgeous vintage bottles you have. Your collection is just awesome

    Jeannie

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  26. Glad to hear that mercury glass is NOT just a passing fad!! There has been so much of it around for the Christmas holidays...nice to see it applied to other parts of the year, and other areas of the home....I love it....I do believe this is a case, though, where a little can go a loooong way.

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  27. I really love mercury glass...I have candlesticks and a few other bits and pieces ....but these rooms are gorgeous....and the panelling (wainscotting), as we call it in the U.K., is fabulous. I,too, love the pumpkins and mushrooms, which can add the bling and it won't break the bank !! XXXX

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  28. I try to get mercury glass pieces....can't seem to find any older pieces. I love the apothecary jar!

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  29. Love, love, love the bling....and somehow the older the mercury glass the more bling it has!!! ---also love your blog!!!

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  30. Hi Gina,

    Love the mercury glass. I'm always on the lookout for more pieces. I do have a couple of vases that I use to put pens and pencils in in our office! It does have that something special, I agree and can't see it going out of vogue too soon. Love your blog, am in the process of going back and reading all of your posts. Have a wonderful day.

    Janine
    XXOO
    Tasmania, Australia

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  31. I love the Bling! I always enjoy the beautiful things you share on your blog. Winning would just make my day.

    Charla

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  32. A lovely post Gina, full of stylish, tasteful bling! Can't take my eyes from Loi Thai's image, so beautiful. The Kips Bay house stairs & handrail look like black moire taffeta, how creative.
    Millie ^_^

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  33. Nothing adds to a room like aged mercury glass.

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  34. Wow, what a pretty post - every image has just the right amount of sparkle. I don't tend to go for the over-glamourized look, but I think you are right - one or two small elements of shine or sparkle is just what some rooms need. I love that Darryl Carter mirror (i am in the market for one) and so many lovely other images.

    Thanks for the chance to win! I love contests!

    xo Terri

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  35. Gina,
    What a great post & examples of bling! Mercury Glass has always been one of my favorites but I've only thought to include it during holidays. Tone on Tone nailed it in that casual,understated & elegant setting.
    Lisa

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  36. WOW!!! I have alway been a fan of Mercury Glass, but the pictures you posted made me an even bigger fan. I especially like the one from Tone On Tone. Love your blog!!!!

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  37. I have to say that wainscotting in the first few pictures is amazing! I've not seen anything quite like it before. It's definitely a WOW factor. Loved what you pointed out in the other photos, too.
    marcie

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  38. HI,
    I just found your site off of BrownDesign and find your style visually exciting and inspirational.Thanks...my head is spinning...nicely!

    micki

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  39. I so enjoy your blog and will be making a trip to Pottery Barn. Just LOVE Mercury glass! Where are those mushrooms from? Can't figure out how to post except as anon...
    debe14@msn.com

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  40. Great post - loved seeing these examples and your commentary. Wouldn't you love to meet Daryll Carter?

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  41. ooooooh, what a great giveaway and I loved the pics on your post! I am now a follower, and a fan.

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  42. Love you blog! Beautiful photos :)

    Wilhelmiina from finland

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  43. Whoops, too late to enter your giveaway. But just want to say I'm TOTALLY into bling, as long as it isn't overdone. I think every room needs a bit of sparkle :-)

    Kelly

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  44. I love the display over the mantel from HGTV. Very tasteful. Thank you for "Bling".

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  45. First time at your blog....saw you on Anne Marie's sidebar and was curious. I saw these mercury glass bottles at Brimfield and Madison-Bouckville Anitique shows but didn't buy them. Sorry I didn't now!
    Love your blog!
    Carole

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  46. I love the mercury glass bottle, it sets you back to a time when things were so well made and had some class! Half of my home is antique, I always find such amazing items when antiquing, I collect mercury glass items, oh how I would love to have this one, too! Adore your blog! Angie
    angelakin@earthlink.net

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  47. i have the mushroom mercury glass, i love them, i really want the pumpkin ones...hope i win.

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