Not your grandma’s brown

What do you tell someone who thinks that their "brown furniture" is old fashioned and boring?  Easy peasy, we say:  It’s all about the mix and  they need to have their eyes opened to how stylish, young and exciting it can be to have a “touch of brown” in every room.  Just take a look at Instagram and see how some of the best designers know how to mix old with new, brown with bold, and sleek with crusty.

Meet William McLure, one of the most exciting designers/artists and an Instagram sensation.  Note how he almost always displays his fabulous art over an equally fabulous antique.  And how even when he moves the piece from room to room, the “touch of brown” always anchors the room with depth and soul. (All images from Instagram @william_mclure)

Another Instagram sensation is the uber talented Rivers Spencer, who has one of the most beautifully curated pages.  Just scroll through some of her photos and you’ll not just see a wonderful array of antiques mixed with modern, but you’ll also see how she sometimes updates the antiques to be more modern.  There’s nothing wrong with that!  She does it beautifully. (@riversspencer)

Dana Wolters is a talented Birmingham designer whose work inspires us all the time.  She mixes form and function in a cohesive manner that looks stylish, warm and comfortable.  And she uses a “touch of brown” in almost every room! (@danawoltersinteriors)

And then there’s our friend, the ever-so-talented and lovely Paloma Contreras, whose Instagram following is off the charts — and so well deserved.  We had the honor of having Paloma on one of our Paris Buying Trips and she was an inspiration to all of us, with her discerning eye and carefully edited choices.  Now she’s the proud author of, “Dream Design Live” which is a wonderful book filled with as much practical information as beautiful photos, and owner of the eponymous store in Houston: Paloma & Co. Follow Paloma @palomacontrerasdesign

Finally, there’s the distinguished Atlanta based designer whose name says it all:  Robert Brown!  Bob has a magnificent eye and his carefully curated interiors are always handsomely tailored with layers of texture, color, art … and of course, a touch of brown.

So you see, we’re not telling our friends to fill their houses with brown furniture, like Grandma’s place; but to choose some pieces that have character and depth, that will transcend current styles and give their home a collected and curated feel for years to come.  A touch of old adds history and soul to a home, and that’s why we can’t let go of brown.

So that’s some wisdom to pass on to your friends … along with a touch of brown!

Ta ta,

HH

P.S.  And of course we’ve just unloaded another container full of one-of-a-kind goodies from Europe, with (you guessed it!) a few touches of brown. Definitely not for Grandma.