Yesterday’s interview with Nicole Sassaman started an internal dialogue about the misconceptions of modern spaces. Amy commented that she traditionally thought of modern as being cold, but after seeing images from Nicole’s portfolio she had a change of heart. How delightful is it to discover an appreciation for a style that previously left you uninterested.  This is one of the main reasons why I love blogging.

Yes, modern can be warm and here’s how you get the look…Add brown tones and natural elements to your home and wardrobe to heat up an otherwise cold aesthetic. Look for items consisting of warm woods, natural fibers, galvanized metal, patina finishes and items that have variations in texture.

1.|WILD ORCHIDS Matthew Williamson’s Orchid Silk Strap Dress is a flirty take on this sensual floral ($380/on sale, matthewwilliamson.com).
2.|STRANGE FRUIT West Elm’s Round Coco Mirror features coconut leaves and beads bringing texture and interest to any modern space ($199, westelm.com).
3.|A CUT ABOVE THE REST Jil Sander’s laser cut calfskin and wood wedges will surely bring the daredevil out of any fashionista ($1,240, jilsander.com)
4.|FOXY BROWN IN LINEN West Elm’s Sphere Table Lamp is curvaceous and willing to warm up your cold space like no other lamp could ($99, westelm.com).
5.|MAN OF THE HOUSE Diptyque ‘s Essence John Gailliano candle is mysterious, woodsy, and warm…just how I like my man! ($68, amazon.com).
6.|PILLOW TALK Crate and Barrel’s Caney Teak Pillow ($59.95,crateandbarrel.com) is like a sisal rug, but for the sofa. Adam and Viktoria’s Pillow in Pomegranate and Rust (contact for pricing, lisafontanarosa.com) is a wonderfully playful handmade work of art.
7.|WELL ROUNDED If you are looking for a dining room table, this may be the deal of the week. Pier 1’s Clinton Pedestal Table is a hardy piece that boasts an amazing wood finish. Perfect for your small space ($349.98/on sale, pier1.com).
8.|WELL HELLO HANDSOME Crate and Barrel scored big with their introduction of the Blake Lounge Chair. Made from espresso solid teak, handwoven natural rattan, and full aniline leather this chair is best described as a refined, aged gentleman with major sex appeal ($799, crateandbarrel.com).