Bet on Bamboo

Secrets to successful style include finding something you are passionate about and incorporating it into your design. We are absolutely feverish over bamboo....wallcovering, fabrics, furniture, accessories all put a personal twist on your home. When you add versatile bamboo in some way, you can be confident it will stand the test of time while working with almost any style ... contemporary, traditional, preppy, urban chic, southern sophisticate, paris apartment...

Bamboo is both classic and earthy at the same time ...comforting and soothing (think spas). According to homedecoratingnews.blogspot.com, bamboo symbolizes longevity in China and friendship in India. No wonder we like it so much! Here are some of our bamboo favorites...

Featured above, Thibaut's Spring Lake Collection 'Bamboo Lattice' wallpaper and fabric comes in several color ways and offer a great way to put a fresh twist on a traditional space.

Bamboo-themed accessories add style and grace to your table. Featured here (left to right) Rogers Bamboo Dream flatware, 45 pieces for $49.99 at http://www.overstock.com/ and to-die-for chic china pattern Nancy by Charlotte Moss for Pickard China, $225 for five piece placesetting at http://www.pickardchina.com/

Tiffany & Co. offers the Bamboo bowl in crystal, available in two sizes, 6" $75 and 9" $125. The cheese knife on the right is also from Tiffany but belongs to the Social Lions personal collection. For more information on these items, visit http://www.tiffany.com/

Bamboo furniture and accessories are easy to integrate into your design. You can find something to suit your style at West Elm, ModernFurniture.com. Ballard Designs and Z Gallerie to name a few. Featured above on the left, the bamboo accent table is a classic piece that works hard keeping those fabulous books handy. The center cream porcelain bamboo lamp graces a living room, bringing a fresh perspective to a traditional room. The gold bamboo nesting tables on the right are very Paris apartment feeling but work well with this retro-chic Palm Beach style sitting area.

Have a seat. Glossy black-painted bamboo chair is part of a pair and one of Social Lions best finds. Originally painted a battleship gray, these chairs got a quick make-over with some paint and new monogrammed cushions. We use them as side chairs or around the circular table in our office. We certainly added a funky, yet personal touch to this timeless treasure.

Staying stylish is easy when you buy pieces that you love and that can change and grow with your life and tastes. Look around at what you have and see what you can use in a new way. Discover your own patterns and passions that are probably already in your design. If you are adding to your collection this year, choose carefully and find things that are versatile like our beloved bamboo.