A custom designed built-in bed can be the perfect solution for an architecturally awkward bedroom or to gain additional storage or extra floor space in a small kids or guest room. Not to mention, who would not love curling up in a cozy nook?

Lin Ellis is one of the principals of Running in Stilettos, a full-service lifestyle management, personal concierge, event planning, home organizing & design & property care firm covering the southern Lake Norman area. Running in Stilettos is proud to be members of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, National Organization of Professional Organizers & the International Concierge & Lifestyle Management Association.

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The other day I posted this image to Pinterest:

I pinned it to my board “Love White Rooms”, but what actually caught my eye when I spotted this picture was the lucite hanging chair. I am a firm believer that every room needs a touch of whimsey and something unexpected and this room, a perfect meld of both traditional and modern elements, brings it with this hanging chair.

A hanging chair works in both interior and exterior spaces ~

Lin Ellis is one of the principals of Running in Stilettos, a full-service lifestyle management, personal concierge, event planning, home organizing & design & property care firm covering the southern Lake Norman area. Running in Stilettos is proud to be members of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, National Organization of Professional Organizers & the International Concierge & Lifestyle Management Association.

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Did you know that prior to the 17th century, only the most powerful & wealthy Englishmen & women sat in chairs? Stools or benches are what the masses used & it wasn’t until the 18th century that seating was designed for comfort & relaxation. But, some chairs transcend their practical intention ~ the balloon, or dome, chair is a case in point.

Every bit of a statement, a balloon chair ~ or a pair of balloon chairs ~ will add a touch of personality & whimsey into a room.

Lin Ellis is one of the principals of Running in Stilettos, a full-service lifestyle management, personal concierge, event planning, home organizing & design & property care firm covering the southern Lake Norman area. Running in Stilettos is proud to be members of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, National Organization of Professional Organizers & the International Concierge & Lifestyle Management Association.

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I am a HUGE proponent of reinventing & repurposing older pieces of furniture ~ in fact, I have a Craigslist score getting a makeover as we speak. Taking an older piece, especially if it has some family or sentimental value, & breathing new life into it, makes sense on so many levels.

To inspire your own inner DIY creativity, first up is a desk that got a kelly green update ~

Chairs ~ especially one of smaller scale ~ can tuck into a nook in any living or sleeping space ~

Basic, unfinished furniture can get a one-of-a-kind look. And, when you get tired of your creation, a can of paint is all that stands between you and a whole new look ~

Another desk ~ & do not forget the power of new knobs & pulls when planning out your project ~ Anthropologie has some great ones ~

I love what this DIYer did with a basic $69- Ikea desk. Awesome job ~

It spent 12 years serving a family of 5, before being relegated to the garage ~

And, with the addition of some wood scraps & a fresh coat of paint, now looks like this ~

Wow!

I’ll be back on Tuesday with some more reinvention inspiration for you as well as my own reveal!

Lin Ellis is one of the principals of Running in Stilettos, a full-service lifestyle management, personal concierge, event planning, home organizing & design & property care firm covering the southern Lake Norman area. Running in Stilettos is proud to be members of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, National Organization of Professional Organizers & the International Concierge & Lifestyle Management Association.

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Bar carts offer up great functionality with a little bit of styling heaven. Big in the 1900s, the bar cart virtually disappeared, but has been enjoying a bit of a comeback as of late. Beverage carts are not only practical, with most being able to wheel from room-to-room or even outside, but also sends a signal of hospitality to your family & friends. They offer up an opportunity to unleash your inner interior stylist; a place to show off your beautiful decanters & glasses & other dining accessories.

Today, I have curated for you some really special bar carts ~

The Tipple trolley from Society Social ~

The Sheffield entertaining bar cart from Pottery Barn ~

Johnston Casuals Eclipse contemporary serving cart from All Modern ~

From the 1930s, a vintage mahogany French art deco cart on 1stdibs ~

America Retold Pharmacy Trolley at Gracious Home ~

For the modernist, the Kartell Battista trolley available at 2Modern ~

From 1950, the JZ tea trolley from Espasso ~

Lin Ellis is one of the principals of Running in Stilettos, a full-service property care, personal concierge & lifestyle management firm covering the southern Lake Norman area. Lin is passionate about art & design & started a design blog, Style is in the Details, two years ago & also writes all of the blog posts for Running in Stilettos.

I am a huge fan of reworking older pieces of furniture & giving them a new & funkier life (in fact, I have 2 chairs I scored on Craigslist about to be transformed). So is former Nascar racing trailblazer & Charlotte resident, Shawna Robinson (read a nice profile of her here). Shawna’s second passion, her love of design, has evolved into her post-racing career & new business, Happy Chair. Also, read more about Happy Chair on DavidsonNews.net here.

“I love big, bold crazy color. I love art. I love animals & as is evident from my past as a race car driver, I love the thrill of taking risks. I’ve combined these loves to create Happy Chair; a unique, soul stirring, heartwarming furniture company designed to create happiness!”

Shawna takes tired chairs & infuses them with new life & a distinctive personality. “My heart, soul & hands personally go into each piece of furniture designed to be a Happy Chair. I brazenly mix & reconstruct new and vintage fabrics.”

Bebe Gallini’s, located in the Oak Street Mill in downtown Cornelius, has the largest selection of Happy Chairs in all of the greater Charlotte area.

Now here is the good news ~ Bebe Gallini’s has a 20% off coupon available on check-out that is good through the end of business on Saturday (7/22/11) for anything in their shop. They are also hosting a trunk show on Saturday featuring several artisans ~ I plan on stopping by ~ maybe I will see you there!

Lin Ellis is one of the principals of Running in Stilettos, a full-service property care, personal concierge & lifestyle management firm covering the southern Lake Norman area. Lin is passionate about art & design & started a design blog, Style is in the Details, two years ago & also writes all of the blog posts for Running in Stilettos.