Author: Amy Hirsch

Chinoiserie Dining Room

When a client approached me with the goal of designing a dining room for entertaining large gatherings in a formal setting, I really enjoyed both the challenge and the opportunity to build a room around many truly beautiful design pieces.

When a client approached me with the goal of designing a dining room for entertaining large gatherings in a formal setting, I really enjoyed both the challenge and the opportunity to build a room around many truly beautiful design pieces.

The dining room originally had a generic wood mantel with very little appeal or individuality.  I also had to consider how many people would use the space and how to configure the design to appeal to both large and small groups of guests.  The bay windows provided another challenge, being difficult to treat while keeping the design and scale appropriate.

To begin, we decided on a fabulous color palette using Farrow and Ball paint in Pipe Down against a chinoiserie patterned butter yellow paper and predominantly grey curtains.  In addition, every aspect of this room was custom designed, from the walls to the carpet, for a highly individualized room.

In place of the boring wood mantel, I installed a custom, hand-carved stone mantel which provides a nice focal point for the room.  The gorgeous hand-painted chinoiserie wall paper from de Gourney gives the room a lovely backdrop without the need for paintings or decorative items.  The unexpected dark color of the woodwork is the perfect contrast to the custom panels, and the window treatments accent the large bay windows without becoming overpowering or detracting from the view.

One of the most stunning pieces in the room is the dining room table.  As the centerpiece of the room where guests will gather, the table needed to be something special.  Every aspect of the Ebanista table was customized to allow the clients to entertain large or intimate groups of guests in beauty and style.  Every small detail of the table, including the inlay, had to be carefully considered and strategically placed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The overall impression of this dining room is one of luxury and comfort, a room as individual and unique as any client could ask.  Using such a range of exquisite products and companies allowed me to give my clients a dining room perfectly suited to their tastes and needs.

 

 

Nature, More Ideas

This week, I’d like to share some more ideas on ways to bring a touch of nature into your decor. Instead of focusing on individual items, a grouping of similar natural items adds a lovely decorative touch to a space. Take advantage of shelves, walls, and other display areas to show off a collection with true natural beauty.

This week, I’d like to share some more ideas on ways to bring a touch of nature into your decor.  Instead of focusing on individual items, a grouping of similar natural items adds a lovely decorative touch to a space.  Take advantage of shelves, walls, and other display areas to show off a collection with true natural beauty.

These hand-made nature prints make a bold statement when grouped together.


Vintage apothecary jars in a variety of shapes and sizes can be filled with natural finds like sea glass, shells, or pretty rocks and displayed in a sunny location.

Pressed and framed leaves, green or in vibrant fall colors, pretty way to bring a bit of nature indoors.

At Home A-List Awards 2011 Winner

“This dining room is bold, brash, and contemporary, a perfect combination to make a traditional home feel modern,”
Eric Cohler notes.

Amy Aidinis Hirsch
For this chic Greenwich dining room, the designer paired metal-framed chairs upholstered in cowhide with a solid wood bench for seating. The dark chocolate grass cloth anchors an abstract canvas digital print on the wall. An antique Chinese cabinet adds a splash of red. “This dining room is bold, brash, and contemporary, a perfect combination to make a traditional home feel modern,”
Eric Cohler notes.

Professionals
Designer: Amy Aidinis Hirsch
203-661-1266; aahirsch.com

Attic Game Room

I love the opportunity to work on a project that provides a challenge and allows me to utilize some unique accessories.

I love the opportunity to work on a project that provides a challenge and allows me to utilize some unique accessories.  The challenge for this room came from the design of the attic space with load-bearing poles to work around and the client’s desire for three separate areas:  billiard space, television viewing space, and a bar.

To start, we decided the game room would be something of a departure from the design of the rest of the house.  It would have a more thematic, whimsical design with influences from the Far East and Indonesia.   I covered the walls with a suede paper from Philip Jeffries Ltd.  This paper gives the room a warm, luxurious backdrop.   I also chose a fantastic cotton velvet sofa fabric and beautiful in layed furniture.  To round out the room I added accessories from local artisans and wedding baskets from Simon Pearce.  Some of the best pieces in the room, such as the Indonesian side chairs with mother of pearl accents, came from local shops.   There is a lot of value to not selecting every accessory and piece of furniture for the initial presentation.  The hunt for the perfect piece is an organic process that allows you extra room for creativity and inspiration.  Plus, using local artists and retailers supports your community.

When addressing the challenge of working around the pole in the television viewing area, I had to consider the layout and purpose of the room.  Obviously, no one wants their view of the television blocked by a pole.  Also, speaking around the pole when talking to a group of friends and family would be awkward.  Choosing a sectional sofa proved to be the key to working around the pole without sacrificing comfort or style.

The final result is a room where people can relax and socialize in a sophisticated and timeless setting.  A splash of modernism gives the room just the right amount of balance, with an art deco inspired rug.  Lighting from Dennis and Leen and lounge chairs from Ralph Lauren help to round out the classic appeal of the room while the accessories and modern touches add a subtle element of fun.  What the client can now enjoy is a handsome setting for spending time with family and friends.

Pleasing Pillows

Few things have the ability to give a room an instant makeover like the throw pillow. It’s not difficult to imagine the infinite variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, textures, and themes pillows come in.

Few things have the ability to give a room an instant makeover like the throw pillow.  It’s not difficult to imagine the infinite variety of sizes, shapes, patterns, textures, and themes pillows come in.  Throw pillows are easy to store, easy to change on a whim, and even easy on your budget.  By following a few simple suggestions, you can make choosing the right pillows simple and fun.

First, use pillows to pull together other colors in the room.  Paint chips that match your furniture are an ideal reference to take with you when choosing throw pillows.  Avoid repeating patterns found in the room, but instead focus on specific colors

Try an assortment of pillows in the same color scheme.

If you can sew, choosing your own fabric to cover a plain pillow is a great way to get exactly the custom look you want.  Even if you can barely sew a button, however, you can still pick out fun throw pillows to change the look of a room with the seasons.  A splash of color for spring or summer, leaves for autumn, or anything else that invokes the feeling of a certain season while complementing or tying together elements already present in the room.

Whatever style you go with, have fun and try something new.  You’ll be surprised at how much of an impact a different set of throw pillows can have on a room!

Dimensional Tiles

This month’s product find features beautiful dimensional tiles created by Exquisite Surfaces.

This week’s product find features beautiful dimensional tiles created by Exquisite Surfaces.  These Moorish-inspired terra cotta tiles are hand-stenciled and versatile, offering an endless array of possibilities.  Available in a variety of colors and designs, these gorgeous tiles are a seamless blend of contemporary and Old World style.

To learn more:  exquisitesurfaces.com   800.970.9798

Italy’s Amalfi Coast

When I look at images of Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast, the first thing to strike me is the color.

When I look at images of Italy’s beautiful Amalfi Coast, the first thing to strike me is the color.  The soft pastels of buildings clinging to steep hills, the deep azure of Mediterranean waters, vibrant gardens and lemon groves, all with a backdrop of stunning mountains and clear skies.  How could anyone resist translating these riches for the eyes into delicious design elements?

Landino Photo Image Studio

Since childhood..Neil has always been artistic, painting, drawing, sketching. But it wasn’t until he borrowed a friend’s camera in high school that he realized that this was the medium that he can truly connect to. Having been trained in film photography, LandinoPhoto was born in the dawn of the digital photography age.

Since childhood..Neil has always been artistic, painting, drawing, sketching. But it wasn’t until he borrowed a friend’s camera in high school that he realized that this was the medium that he can truly connect to. Having been trained in film photography, LandinoPhoto was born in the dawn of the digital photography age. Since inception, Neil’s work has grown from intimate fine art portraits, simple and elegant weddings, to some of the finest designed interior and exterior spaces in the area. His worked has been published in prominent national shelter magazines, has won international garden design awards and is consistently seen in regional publications. Currently, he’s working on his first full book based on Swedish design.
Neil’s eye and composition draws you into his images. He showcases the natural beauty of light spilling into a room while emphasizing the intended design elements that have been thoughtfully constructed. The strength of Neil’s photography lies in his sincere connection with his subjects. His easygoing and inviting personality is displayed in his images.

http://www.landinophoto.com/

Creative Evolution, Decorative Painting and Custom Murals

Patrick Ganino is the owner of Creative Evolution, a full-service decorative painting company that has operated in Connecticut and surrounding states since 1999. His clients have included successful business owners, celebrities, and high-profile interior designers. His work has been featured in many newspapers, magazine articles, and TV yet his responsiveness and personal dedication to clients remains his first priority.

Patrick Ganino is the owner of Creative Evolution, a full-service decorative painting company that has operated in Connecticut and surrounding states since 1999. His clients have included successful business owners, celebrities, and high-profile interior designers. His work has been featured in many newspapers, magazine articles, and TV yet his responsiveness and personal dedication to clients remains his first priority. He approaches each commission with an eye for the client’s individual taste and style, a passion for creating unique and lasting designs, and a wealth of experience in delighting even the most exacting clients. In addition to offering a wide range of faux painting and custom murals, Ganino has written a book entitled The Business of Faux, produced instructional DVDs for artists, teaches classes at his studio, and participates in The Faux Forum, a website he developed. He has worked with renowned artists from around the world and recently completed a spectacular series of murals on the exterior of a 12-story building in Brooklyn, NY. Ganino strives to continue to offer his clients an exceptional level of commitment on all projects. His drive to continually master new techniques will ensure lasting satisfaction from clients who expect only the best.

Distinctive Projects

Renovation of the Wadsworth Mansion, 2002 Middletown, CT… Residence of 2003 World Ice Skating Champion Shae Lynn Bourne, 2007 Rocky Hill, CTResidence of Judy Sheinland (Judge Judy), 2008Greenwich, CTRenovation of 2 12 story building (6000 sf mural) 2009 Brooklyn, NY TV Work ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover, 2007,08 Connecticut and New Jersey Bravo’s Tabatha’s Salon Takeover, 2010 Boston, Ma Fox’s Gordon Ramsey Kitchen Nightmares, 2010,11 Florida, Connecticut Spike’s Bar Rescue, 2011 Framingham, Ma Publications “Country Sampler’s Decorating Ideas” magazine, Oct 2005 Article featuring work done by Creative Evolution Spectacular Homes of New England, 2006 Featured work done by Creative Evolution The Business of Faux, 2007 Written by Patrick Ganino For more info: View Our Full Website

Phone: (860)334-5504

Email: pganino@creativeevolution.net