I love the idea of pure creation represented by a collection of well-used paintbrushes.
I love the idea of pure creation represented by a collection of well-used paintbrushes. The anticipation of how the brushes will be used on a blank canvas is really inspiring to me. The more paint you see on the brush, the more you know someone is using them as tools of creation.
New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art will be showcasing an exhibit to mark the one hundredth anniversary of American artist Robert Motherwell’s birth.
New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art will be showcasing an exhibit to mark the one hundredth anniversary of American artist Robert Motherwell’s birth. He founded the New York School, an art movement that included Jackson Pollack and Mark Rothko, and was a teacher, writer, scholar, and champion of fellow artists. I have been so into art lately, and this is one collection of work that I don’t want to miss.
Motherwell traveled through Europe and spent time in Mexico, experiences that not only influenced his art but allowed him to create lasting relationships with other artists. He was, in fact, a crucial link between the American art world and its European contemporaries. His work is an important part of the Abstract Expressionism movement, featuring bold brushstrokes, dynamic movement, and simple shapes.
Robert Motherwell’s work will be on exhibit at the MET through July 26. To plan a visit, see the MET website. You can also learn more about Robert Motherwell and see more examples of his paintings at The Dedalus Foundation. His work can also be viewed in the Robert Motherwell Paintings and Collages trio of books from Yale Press. I absolutely love this set — they make great coffee table books.
When shopping at Bungalow, a great shop in Westport, CT, I found a line of gorgeous decorative boxes. I actually bought one for my mom for Christmas, an acrylic box topped with malachite. These boxes are just so cool.
The creators behind this find are Caryn Jacobs and Julie Lieberman. In 2013, they launched Rox by CJ Design, a collection of acrylic and lacquered boxes topped with things like geodes, amethysts, and agates. Each piece is unique. They make really nice gifts and add such an interesting vibe to a tabletop or as an accessory in just about any room.
You can see more examples of Rox by CJ Design products as well as a list of retailers on their website. CJ Design is also on Facebook and Instagram.
I first learned about Southern Ocean Lodge from a client in Montana who wanted an interior inspired by the lodge.
Just off the southern coast of Australia lies Kangaroo Island, a 93 mile long paradise known for its wineries, honey production, and vacation destinations. It’s also the home of Southern Ocean Lodge, a beautiful luxury resort. I first learned about Southern Ocean Lodge from a client in Montana who wanted an interior inspired by the lodge. It brings us so much inspiration when a client points to something they experienced and want to emulate in their own environment. I love finding new things through clients!
Southern Ocean Lodge pampers guests in one of the world’s most stunning landscapes, near the island’s dramatic cliffs and adjacent to two national parks. The impressive natural beauty of Kangaroo Island surrounds Southern Ocean Lodge, providing access to the most memorable cliff walks and wildlife observations. Guests can enjoy world-class fine dining and a luxurious spa, all while relaxing in suites that incorporate sweeping and scenic Australian vistas. The area’s coastal palette is reflected in the lodge’s modern design, creating an almost seamless environmental experience for guests.
The aspects of Southern Ocean Lodge we focused on incorporating into the client’s home are gathering areas, the way the interior is laid out spatially, and capturing what’s happening in the exterior. Although the Australian vista is quite different from Montanta, we went with the concept of featuring the exterior landscape. We were careful to edit the design so as to avoid obstructing or taking away from the view. The room pictured below with the hanging fireplace is one reference we return to again and again, taking inspiration in the curve of the floor and playing with the way it presents itself. It’s often amazing to me what clients bring to a project.
Have you been to a place that inspired your interior?
To learn more about Southern Ocean Lodge, visit their website. You can also follow them on Facebook.
It is never too early to start thinking about your gardens!
It is never too early to start thinking about your gardens! In the fall, we begin to prepare the garden by planting bulbs that will bloom in the spring and putting plants in the ground so they become established over the winter months.
I am always looking for perennials that are different, whether it be color, shape, or size, to add to the garden. Looking over the new variety of plants for the 2015 year, there were quite a few which caught my attention. I would like to share a few of them with you, though I have to admit I had a hard time choosing!
One of the earliest plants to bloom are Hellebores. They bloom in late winter to early spring, though mine have bloomed through the summer. A woodland plant, they prefer dappled sun. I loved the color of this variety.
David Austin English Roses are on top of my list. I started a rose garden last year and love these roses. They combine the forms and fragrance of old roses with the repeat flowering of modern roses. They are easy to grow and are disease resistant. Their extensive collection contains a rose for almost every garden situation. This year there are four new releases and I have included two of them.
Another favorite plant variety of mine is the Hydrangea. I have to admit, I do have quite a few varieties including trees. They make gorgeous cut flowers. The newer varieties are repeat bloomers and bloom on old and new wood. There are quite a few new varieties available. I may have to add this blue variety to my garden this year; it is such a beautiful color.
Clematis are graceful vines meandering over fences or trellises, or arched over doorways. With so many varieties to choose from, try to look for one that will rebloom. Here are two beauties, the latter being a shorter variety.
Echinacea are easy to grow, blooming summer to early fall. They make great cut flowers and are the perfect addition to your butterfly garden. I love all the different colors, sizes, and varieties. These are a must for your garden. I love this color!
Astilbes are mainstay of shade and woodland gardens; their foliage is attractive for the entire season. They look great planted in groups. This new variety is especially gorgeous.
When shopping for perennials, there are a few websites I would recommend for choice and quality. Bluestone Perennials is one good source. Another site I like is Monrovia, and for roses I enjoy the selection at David Austin Roses.
Many of these perennials can be potted in containers for those who do not have space for a garden. Try planting a rose bush or dwarf hydrangea in an attractive container. There are so many different and quite beautiful varieties of perennials available; do you have a favorite?
The fireplace is a really special part of a home.
The fireplace is a really special part of a home. In any room, any style, a fire is capable of creating a warmth and a mood like nothing else. When thinking about fireplace design or looking at different styles of fireplaces, I’ve definitely been gravitating toward more linear, pronounced, modern styles lately. As part of a modern interior, a fireplace can make a dramatic impression.
Fireplaces can range from rustic to formal to minimal. The home’s architecture is what will define the type of fireplace goes into a space while the room the fireplace is in determines its purpose. The fireplace can also define the period of the home and be simple or grandiose. It’s a great opportunity to make an impact on an interior! Here are some of my favorite examples of beautiful, modern fireplaces.
What style of fireplace do you prefer?
Vintage chairs are an amazing way to add spunk and interest to your interior.
I love vintage chairs. They are an amazing way to add spunk and interest to your interior. When you source vintage furnishings, it makes the space special, like a piece of sculpture in the room. A sofa from a catalog, though customizable, doesn’t have the same presence as a Milo Baughman or Jean-Michel Frank chair. The history behind these designers gives their work that authentic feeling and brings so much more value to a space. Whether there are many of a particular chair out there or not, they have beauty, detail, and form.
Often, I make a vintage chair more appropriate for a client by reupholstering it to suit the space. I’ll consider color or a contrasting element. You can take something from the original design and build on it. The finished result is a truly unique piece.
I’ve been looking out for chairs for my office and saw that my friend Amy Vischio had a great pair of vintage chairs through her company Mixit Inc. Unfortunately, she’d just sold them. She promised to do what she could, however, and in only two days called me back to say she found this amazing pair of Milo Baughman chairs and had them delivered to me. My plan is to pull them apart and reupholster them, a project I am really looking forward to!
What are your thoughts on vintage chairs?
Located at 85 Tenth Avenue in NYC, Del Posto is the creation of Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Lidia Bastianich.
Located at 85 Tenth Avenue in NYC, Del Posto is the creation of Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Lidia Bastianich. The restaurant’s goal is to create an atmosphere of European luxury where guests enjoy refined Italian cuisine and a world class wine list. The menu is crafted from the highest quality ingredients and tailored to provide an unrivaled experience. Lunch consists of a 3 course prix fixe with antipasto, secondo, and dolce. Dinner guests can choose for their table the five course Il Menu Del Posto or the sumptuous eight course Captain’s Menu, each available with wine pairings by Del Posto’s sommelier. Each dish is executed to perfection and so beautifully presented with a truly memorable combination of flavors and textures. The food is pure art — as soon as you see it, you know it tastes amazing.
Of course, I always notice the interior of a restaurant. As soon as you walk into Del Posto, the restaurant’s design influences your expectations and sets the tone for the meal you’re about to enjoy. Del Posto’s dining room is opulent and lavish, but also inviting. The food is bright and colorful while the interior is a handsome and masculine contrast with dark woods and geometric floors. The yellow hue on the ceiling provides a light counter balance, and the overall effect is just a great backdrop to the food. Del Posto is definitely on my must-visit list!
To see a complete menu, visit the Del Posto website. You can also find them on Facebook.
Lavender is my grey.
Lavender is my grey. It’s a calming color that can be perceived as pretty and feminine. It exudes a warmth where grey can be more cold and can range from amethyst to lilac. We had the pleasure of designing a large office for a client who wanted the room to be her own space. Everything in that room is purple, from the walls and upholstery to the window treatments. She says it is one of the happiest spaces in her home, and she loves it. It works because the shades of purple can be pushed to either end of the spectrum, toward blues or toward rose and pink. Everybody looks good in purple. A man wearing purple just exudes confidence. What do you think of this color?
1. Design by Carla Aston
3. Amethyst lamp by McCoy Design
4. Emzee Fabric from Duralee
5. Vogue
6. Field of lavender. (Source)
7. Bulgari hand bag
8. Innocent by Ali Kursun
One of my favorite parts of the design process is pairing fabrics with furnishings, lighting, and accessories.
One of my favorite parts of the design process is pairing fabrics with furnishings, lighting, and accessories. It’s the most creative part of what we do and the point where everything comes together. This is the strategic part of balancing various elements. Laying out fabric options so I can see how they work together in terms of color and texture is a simple method to narrow down and finalize choices. When I add in other elements, a picture starts to come together and my vision for an interior really takes shape. Here’s a glimpse at this method!
I always start with the colors, and what I love about this combination is that the three colors are so cool together. I would use navy for the rug, grounding the room. The gold/yellow would be on the walls, brightening the space. When the green is added, it just pops — and that particular element doesn’t work without the grounding aspect of the navy. Together, they just work so well.
