Last week I did a post on my design dilemma... can you create your own style even if you buy some pieces from catalogues? From your comments, it appears that many of you are battling with the same question. The discussion that followed helped me realize that as long as I buy what I love no matter if it was old or new, expensive or inexpensive, I can create a home that reflects my personal style.
One of the thoughtful comments that I received was from Mark Sage, owner of Bobo Intriguing Objects and Love Train, who is also one of the new designers for Restoration Hardware. You can read Mark's entire comment here (and it's worth the time to read it), but here is part of what he had to say:
"Some of you attended a Catholic school. There were certain girls that just looked “different”… better. How could this be when the uniform was all the same? The answer of course was the way they WORE that uniform."
"If six different people had the EXACT same coffee table, it would look COMPLETELY different in six different settings. It still comes down to how you place it, the other pieces surrounding it, the shape and color of the room and how you accessorize that table. Putting your personal touches to a reproduction piece can be very rewarding."
This really rang true to me. My office is a perfect example. Here is how I used my Bobo Four Door Bakery Cabinet...
and here is how interior designer Georgia Carlee used this piece.
image via Veranda
I e-mailed Mark to thank him for his insight, and he said:
"I had a dream last night. You read my post about how the same coffee table will look different in the hands of different people/designers. Maybe we can make this a blog contest? I could give (and I mean give as in free... I pay for the table and the shipping) to three people and the only catch is that they have to submit pictures of it in their homes for a blog post. "
So we're doing it! Mark has generously donated three Brickmaker's tables for my 300th post give away to prove our point that it's not what "you wear but how you wear it".
Here are the rules:
1. Please submit a picture of the room where you want to use the Brickmaker's table by Thursday November 19th. Here is my e-mail.
2. Leave a comment on this post describing your style and why you feel the Brickmaker's table would be a perfect addition to your room.
Once we receive all of the entries, I will post 10 of the most unique rooms. Of those ten, Mark will choose one room, I'll choose one room, and you will choose the third.
Ooops, I forgot to add the best part.... Sorry I'm adding this after this original post went out:
3. The point of this give away is to show how a piece like the Brickmaker's table can look different in three unique rooms. To prove this point, the three winners will be asked to send pictures of the Brickmaker's coffee table in their rooms once they receive the table
Unfortunately we have to limit this give away to the continental United States.
Spread the word! This is going to be so much fun!!!
All entries agree to the rules and guide lines of this contest. To read the rules and guide lines click here.
xo
Brooke
