{inspiration} Going Green

I love the rumpled chicness of this apple green slippered chair. Adding the turquoise pillow and elegantly distressed accents gives it just the right amount of  sophistication & playfulness. (image via Fresh Home)

Turn up your wild side with this Jaguar print rug by Safavieh. How unexpected is the punchy green print and barely there aqua spots! Very fresh. (image via House Beautiful) 

The Olivia Headboard decal by blik combines the best of timeless design and modern sensibilities. Great classic shape & totally hip apple green. Love the white bedding and mod pillow. (image via House Beautiful) 

Do something out of the box and try a little apple green in your decor. It is fabulously fresh and makes nearly any color pop against it. I am particularly fond of it with white and turquoise but orange and fuchsia are pretty exciting partners in their own right. Very cool.

{inspiration} gold velvet is pure lux

Oh, another Monday is here and the beautiful weekend has come and gone. So how better to ease into a new week than by admiring a simple yet luxurious space. Sure, gold velvet can be a bit "Viva Las Vegas" if done wrong but here against white paneled walls it simply sings. With it's deep, stream-lined structure and sheer lack of ornamentation the sofa breaks tradition and moves the room into modern day. Love, love, love the industrial pendants in bronze-gold hanging in the adjacent dining room. Hmm..... just lovely. 


*photography via elle decoration uk via {this is glamorous}

{inspiration} An Inspired Mismatch of Pattern

As it is Monday most of you are probably looking to read about a wonderful interior space, designer or stylist whose work or images will inspire us for the wonderful week ahead...but today I thought I would veer a bit off course. Still holding true to showcasing inspired work I thought we could talk about how to find interior inspiration in unexpected places.
Over the weekend I was flipping through the August issue of Instyle and found a great article entitled "10 New Style Statements". The spread talks about how to use traditional apparel pieces and patterns but tweak them in ways to make your look totally modern. This is the exact idea many of us use in designing interiors to achieve spaces with that great dynamic of timelessness and relevance. I used the image above to highlight how a great mismatch of prints and pattern can create a look that is uniquely personal and fresh. Why the outfit works is key in translating this idea into an interior space: 1. Pair prints that won't compete with each other. In this case one print is a bold, ornate pattern (the floral) and the second is a smaller, more graphic print (the polka dots) which will read as a neutral. 2. Use complementary colors that fall in the same color family (deep jewel tones are used above). 3. Give the look weight or a grounded affect by using a neutral (the leather belt) in a natural fiber. 4. Add a few statement accessories to make everything sparkle (the rings).
If this idea of getting inspiration from an outfit is still a stretch for you, think of it this way: A tufted, burgundy sofa with a beautiful gold and blue pattern weaving through it, partnered with a pair of chairs in midnight blue with soft cream dots, a leather ottoman in deep espresso, a tonal, gold rug and fabulous metallic lamps. And that is how the outfit above becomes a fresh look for your home. Inspiration is everywhere... have a great week!

*photography by Ilan Rubin via Instyle Magazine

{idea notebook} Upholstered Screen

What do you do when you can't find the perfect piece of art to fill a big space or create an interesting focal point? I am certain this question has crossed all of our minds more than once. For a do-it-yourself solution try upholstering a screen. It's natural triptych shape is ideal for composition; all you have to do is find a fabric that you love and choose a screen whose proportions and scale work with your wall area. A few pointers to remember: 1. Cut fabric with approximately 3-4 inches of overlap (play)- this will allow you to pull the fabric taught and staple securely to the back of the screen. 2. Iron or steam the fabric prior to affixing it to the frame to remove all wrinkles. 3. If your pattern features any horizontal or vertical images align them carefully using a level or T-Square. I love this idea!

*photography via decorating, room by Huff-Dewberry, LLC

West Elm 2010 Fall Relaunch

I am excited to announce that West Elm is relaunching its brand this Fall with a distinct new look and decorating strategy. To loyalists, do not dismay, the brand will continue to build upon their familiar looks (the Modernist and the Naturalist) while adding a third and fourth decorating style to the mix. The new identities will be focused on a modern interpretation of vintage-industrial and an eclectic, bohemian, style they term the Globalist. Overall you can expect a warmer West Elm, less stark with more feminine touches. I can't wait!

*photography via West Elm

{inspiration+designer} Perfectly L.A.

To begin with let's start with the where; Los Angeles, California, my absolute favorite place in the US besides New York. Where the sun is always shining and the trees smell of orange blossoms. Love it! So while I was flipping through my library of Instyle Magazines for new inspiration I came across a feature on Kristen Bell's Spanish-style L.A. home.

The decor was created by L.A. designer Stacey Vuduris and the work couldn't be more lovely. It is a wonderful and whimsical blend of sleek, modern lines, bold colors and feminine accents. The perfect example of what I feel is great design. Take a peek inside the Dining Room which features faux-suede-and-chrome chairs from CB2, a custom wallpapered ceiling and a clustered globe chandelier from Shades of Light. It is relaxed and pretty but sophisticated. For the Living Room they used yummy, creamy, white upholstery (my favorite!), a fantastic custom ottoman by Plantation (covered with Chiang Mai Dragon pattern fabric) and added contained pops of turquoise, yellow, green and metallic gray. It is simply PERFECT!

*photography via InStyle

A Restored Inspiration

Restoration Hardware is known as a great source or traditional decor with a vintage reference; stream-lined hardware, crisp linens, classical silhouettes. They know what they do and they do it really well. So, I have to admit that upon my recent review of their site I had some very unexpected "wow" moments. In a new web section entitled "Design Gallery" they offer an array of vignette inspirations for their viewers. Bedrooms, Living Rooms, one after the other, gorgeous living spaces filled with interest, drama, richness and beauty. (All things that are so vital to the success of a room.) Yes, I could still feel the Restoration aesthetic abounding in each shot but the heartbeat was much more intense then I have ever seen. Just take a look above at the piled rope coffee table lit by that fabulous pair of chandeliers. Bravo to this new life and wonderfully inspired direction!

*photography via Restoration Hardware website

{idea notebook} Shades of Gray

What I am loving right now is gray... there is nothing chicer, more sophisticated, more fantastic. Gray can be romantic, subtle, industrial or cool. Gray is the much hipper version of the neutral white. Polished or unfinished it is always dead on perfect.

If you need inspiration in finding your perfect color read the article in House Beautiful for 26 wonderful options:House Beautiful


*pictured:Benjamin Moore's Bear Creek 1470, Farrow & Ball's Green Blue 84, Benjamin Moore's Graytint 1611

{idea notebook} Color: The 60-30-10 Rule

I was recently on the HGTV website and came across this piece written by Mark McCauley, ASID. It lays out a really simple guide on how to introduce color into a room if you are at all hesitant or unsure how to go about it. Thanks HGTV!

Use the 60-30-10 Rule
"Decorating a space in terms of color is as easy as 60-30-10. Don't believe me? Take a look at some rooms in magazines or in Designers' Portfolio. You'll notice that the rooms you like the most are almost invariably divided into percentages of 60-30-10. Why this works is anybody's guess. Perhaps it is the human tendency to see an overall theme in the 60 percent hue, unifying the coloration. The 30 percent provides visual interest and the 10 percent, not unlike jewelry, provides that little spark of sparkle.

So, when decorating a particular room, divide the colors into percentages:
60% of a dominant color
30% of a secondary color
10% of an accent color

When you think about it, this color breakdown is similar to a man's business suit:
60% of the outfit's color is the slacks and jacket
30% of the outfit's color is the shirt
10% of the outfit's color is the tie

Translated to a room setting, it typically means:
60% of the room's color is the walls
30% of the room's color is the upholstery
10% of the room's color is, say, an accent piece or a floral arrangement"

*photography via hgtv and room design by Kenneth Brown.

{products+love} Happy Memorial Day!

The official beginning of Summer is here! With a raised glass of lemonade and the sound of the waves hitting the sand take a relaxing minute & check out this great moment from Wisteria, one of my favorite shopping destinations. They offer the perfect decor for summertime living; slightly quirky mixed with a great globe trotting, flea-market vibe. Here's to the long, happy days of summer!

French Country Dining Table $1999
Cooper's Small Colored Stools: $159
French Folding Chair $179
Pendant Cage Lamp $129
Striped Cushion for French Folding Chair $24
Starfish Garland $24
Red Rim Metal Wire Basket $79
Iron Wine Bottle Holder $69
Multi-purpose Wooden Box $39

*photography via Wisteria.com

{product+love} Serena & Lily

Serena Dugan is a textile designer and artist who met Lily Kanter, a savvy baby boutique owner, and together formed Serena & Lily; a company who is dedicated to creating children’s spaces that are fresh and style-driven, with dynamic color and pattern. Their collections have expanded to 14 bedding sets, 30 original fabric patterns and now furniture and furnishings for tall people as well as the younglings. With a careful blend of contemporary, sophistication and timeless simplicity they have turned the industry on its side. As their products evolve, their designs stay the same: full of integrity and a visual Je ne sais qua.

* photography and descriptions via Serena & Lily

Navy Spade: Inspired by Italian tile work, this fabric's navy and white color contrast creates a strong graphic statement.

Citrus Pebble: Alternating citrine and aqua spots make this design both playful and simple.

Air/Chocolate Diamond: A smart geometric pattern in chambray and chocolate.

{product+love} Hip Vintage Is the Style

I am just getting back from a fantastic trip to Colorado where I am decorating a fantastically-cool 1970's ranch. The house has been scraped and basically rebuilt in the amazing vision of it's darling owners. I have been tasked to create a space that is a mix of farmhouse chic, industrial cool and mid-century hip. Hmmmm... well, I love a great challenge! So I will keep you posted along the journey but for now take a look at this great wall lantern I discovered for their reading nook by GO Home Ltd. It's a classic silhouette with hand-finished details, the perfect dynamic for a modern home.

*photography via one kings lane

{inspiration+designer} Melissa Warner

What I am loving now is the work of designer Melissa Warner. If you have a chance to pick up the latest issue of House Beautiful you can see how her L.A. apartment sparkles with a modern palette & sweet touches throughout. One of my favorite features was Warner's extra bedroom turned office. There she used items of mixed style and medium such as metal locker baskets, a tailored draped table, a Lucite chair (a current favorite of mine) and wallpapered the closet's sliding doors in Osborne & Little's Hothouse in Arizona to create a darling personal space. I love the clever wallpaper idea "for an instant splash of color and pattern". How fantastic!

*photography by Victoria Pearson via House Beautiful

{idea notebook} Small Spaces Big Ideas

Good decorating tips are always welcomed treasures in my world. I love to hear how other designers do things or what works for them in unique spaces. Today I wanted to share some thoughts about small spaces that I happen to believe in 100%. The images are via the newest issue of House Beautiful which is simply to die for this month! So go ahead and embrace even your smallest nooks and crannies, they could end up being the best places in your house!

1. Small-scale furniture makes small rooms look smaller. Try using a few pieces with height or width to add substance to a small space.
2. Dark walls can make a small room feel bigger! They can give a small room a much needed sense of depth and richness often making the space feel lush & full.

*photography by Victoria Pearson (top photo) and James Merrell (bottom photo) via House Beautiful

{product+love} Graham and Green

Across the pond there is a lovely company call Graham and Green. They opened their doors in 1974 but are as relevant today as anything I have come across. With a style that oozes with glamor, quirk and global appeal they add that extra special something to any room. I simply adore the pink mercury lamp and the black & bone inlay ram's head chair. A contemporary mix of old and new- which I personally think is simply fantastic. And if you are not in the market for furniture or lighting they also carry a deep selection of mirrors, home accents, kitchen wear & kids decor. Why not bring a bit of Parisian flair or Moroccan chic into your life via our friends from the UK? Now that's global!

*photography via grahamandgreen

{idea notebook} 3 Perfect Paints

As I am away for a weekend work trip & will not be able to sign in today I thought I would leave you with a little ditty I recently read in Womens Day called 7 Perfect Paints. Now although I don't love all seven colors I do quite like the three listed below and seen above. Excerpts of the article will give you an idea of the paints' personalities... just in case you are searching for something to redo this weekend!

"Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (#2137-60) A sophisticated alternative to light blue, this hue is extremely adaptable to all color schemes. Just like a pair of basic gray pants,it goes with everything."
"Olympic Lettuce Alone (#B68-3) Green, particularly a crisp, clean green like this one, looks great in kitchens, where food and colors abound. Consider it for your bathroom too, where it will be fresh and calming."
"Benjamin Moore Wood Grain Brown (#2109-30) Brown is a great color to warm up a room. But it’s hard to find a good one—they often have too much red or yellow in them, which can make your walls look muddy. This brown has a gray undertone instead, which gives it a touch of refinement."
*photography via Annie Schlechter

Smart, Crisp & Clean

Like the smell of newly cut grass, I have noticed that with the change of the season I have begun to migrate towards clean, fresh decor. I am loving navy and white with pops of yellow and green. Sisal rugs and clear lucite thrown together. I like things to look lived in & relaxed but tidy. While shopping for my clients I have found a few companies that perfectly capture this mood. (One Kings Lane for skout and Magpie Lovely) A sample of their home decor offerings are these great pillows- the perfect accents for a casual living space or a guest bedroom suite. Happy Weekend!

*photography via One Kings Lane & Magpie Lovely

The Simple Solutions

I have two lingering issues with my house. One, my kitchen needs a remodel but it is such a huge investment that I haven't wanted to commit to it quite yet and two, the blinds in my bay window are a constant source of timeouts for my tenacious, two year old. While working today I had a light-bulb moment when stumbling on an article from my favorite blog decor8. The topic was window film... ah ha! This could be the clever solution to tide us over until shutters won't trap little fingers. I was thrilled at the thought. Then with further exploration of the retail site 2jane which sells these films I discovered another problem solving product...tile tattoos! Much like my adored wall decals these are adhesive stickers that are affordable (1), waterproof (2) and cute (3) made to jazz up our mundane tile! What a perfect solution for kitchen and bath makeovers without the mess. I love it!

*photographs via 2jane

THE HOME BOOK

A wonderful friend of mine has commissioned me to design her new home. This is a house that was built from bricks to mortar by herself and her darling husband. (literally) It is a wonderful open space soon to be filled with the patter of six little feet. So, as our time-line is quickly drawing near we decided to take a trip to our local Barnes & Noble to peruse the decorating isle for inspiration. Hours later we walked back to the car with arm loads of ideas. My favorite find of the day was a gorgeous, 464 page beauty called The Home Book. Written and produced by the editors of House Beautiful Magazine.

To quote Barnes & Nobles book synopsis:
"The Home Book is sure to become the homeowner’s bible on interior design. A beautiful object in itself, this book will grace every (perfectly chosen) coffee table...but only after this hardworking guide has been pored through and turned to again and again for practical, usable design insights. The volume begins by taking a hard look at the bones of the house: its site, light, and layout. Armed with those basics, you’ll know which elements you can improve, and how to work around those that can’t be changed. From there, develop an overall decorating concept based on theme, color, furnishings, wall and floor coverings, and accessories—each aspect of design receives detailed coverage. Finally, go through the house room by room to see what remarkable transformations you can achieve in every space, from the entryway to the home office, the kitchen to the foyer. The Home Book reflects House Beautiful’s exciting style: fresh, bright and accessible, filled with insider tips from today’s top decorators, and bursting with practical advice for real people."

* Photography via barnesandnoble.com

Very Cool

I am currently working on a home in Colorado whose owner adores mid-century modern furniture. I have to admit that it is a fun era; playful lines & bold colors countered by sleek lucite, metal or wood . It is easy on the eyes and a modern way to make a space sophisticated. Personally, I like using mid-century chairs to narrate a room's color palette or to add a wonderful point of interest in any living space.

To find fantastic pieces to accent your own home I would recommend visiting Spruce. (also found at sprucehome.etsy.com) They are a wonderful custom upholstery company based in Austin ,TX whose passion is updating vintage decor to make it hip & MODERN. Very cool!

* Photography via Spruce. Featured Chairs: Vintage Arrowhead Chair, Mid-Century Lemonade Chair & Laser Light Show Lucite Chair