To me, the perfectly decorated room is mostly traditional, but has a few very well-chosen modern elements thrown in for balance. As far as modern furniture goes, I think you can’t go wrong with a Saarinen table and the C&B Petrie Sofa. Both are clean and white and look great mixed in with more traditional furnishings. I’m always on the look-out for these.
If I needed a sofa, you can BET I’d snag this almost-new Petrie off Boston’s Craigslist for $450. (This sofa is $1500 normally). You’ll need to sink $100 into a professionally upholstery cleaning, but you’re still $1000 in the black.
I think the Petrie is a pretty dang good-looking couch…
I thought it was the best part of the movie “The Break Up”
Design by Summer Thornton
via Blueprint
via FlickrAnd who doesn’t love a good Saarinen table? If you only need a small plain white (non-marble) top, I’ve used the IKEA Dockstas before and think they are great for their price. BUT! If you’re like me, and really, really want the oval-shaped marble top, and you live anywhere near New Jersey (you can pick it up for free), this eBay auction is an absolute steal. The same looking table retails for $6800 at DWR.
I think Saarinens are completely classic and will forever be in style. Check out these marble beauties…
via Domino
Photo by Grey Crawford via Katiedid
Design by Tom Scheerer
Other “modern” favorites of mine – the Parsons table and the sputnik chandelier. What’s your favorite way to add a splash of modern to a room?
That couch is a STEAL!!! I own a Petrie sofa and couldn’t love it more.
Great post!
xoxo
Sariah
Very clever post, as usual! I like to add a little modern into a room with a lamp or art, and tend to keep the upholstery fairly traditional.
Great post! Love the couch!
the pillowcases below are beautiful!
okay- i have a question. maybe i should email, but here is goes.
i bought some oops paint (think resoration hardware silver sage) for $1!! i have a wall i have really, really wanted to wallpaper. what do you think about “stencling” something on the wall with the paint? any tips?
You have great taste! I think that is one of my all time favorite sofas. I’m also working on a post about my tulip table (it’s a sad story) for later this week. Really loved this post!
I love the Sputnik chandelier too. My husband refused to let me hang one in our house but they are just timeless to me.
If only I lived closer!
I LOVE the filing-cabinet-as-end-table in the Summer Thornton photo. I may be off to a certain office furniture recycling center that I know of to see if I can snag a cool retro (minty green?) filing cabinet…
Great inspiration as always!
Such nice eye candy…thank you!
The Saarinens table is fabulous with classic chairs. Love all of the images showing different design applications with the same table.
Tricia – Avolli
I absolutely love our Petrie Sofa. Just noticed a few nights ago that it's the new interview chair for Jon & Kate plus 8.