Trends & Tips Archives

Rope Furniture

The nautical look of rope furniture definitely has the spirit of summer.

With the dog days of summer nearing an end, I am still hanging on to the spirit of the season. The nautical look of rope furniture definitely has this same spirit!

christian astuguevielle 1 — Christian Astuguevielle

These examples of rope furniture are so beautifully made and well crafted. Each piece is a work of art. I love how rope, a simple fiber, is translated into something sculptural for the home.

I also like how this type of furniture is open to interpretation. It can be whimsical and quirky, a indication you don’t take things too seriously. You can use one or two pieces of rope furniture to soften a space, or go full force and use them throughout a room. It would be fun to combine rope elements with something more formal, playing with that juxtaposition. So many possibilities!

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Favorite Things: Credenzas

In the dining room, a credenza is ideal for added storage and provides a great surface to serve from.

A credenza is a large, closed cabinet often used as a sideboard or a buffet. In the dining room, a credenza is ideal for added storage and provides a great surface to serve from. We often use custom pieces to meet a client’s individual needs, an option that allows us to integrate the credenza’s interior into the design. A custom credenza gives you added flexibility for size, style, color, and material for a super unique look. Additionally, a credenza provides structure and a foundation for lamps and art. It grounds a space. I love using elements such as shagreen and ebony or two dimensional doors. When working with a craftsman, you can trick out a credenza for a memorable, one of a kind piece. Here are some of my favorite examples of gorgeous credenzas.

Morgan Console from Four Hands

Oly Studio Serena Buffet

Irwindale Buffet from Theodore Alexander

Grammi Sideboard

Tompkins Buffet from Wud Furniture Design

Rondelle Credenza by John Pomp

Fumed Oak Credenza from ISOM

Milano Mystic Buffet from Ercole Home.

Harper Side Board from Precedent Furniture

Painted Credenza from Jeff Martin Joinery

Ingemar Cabinet from KGBL

Raised Front Ebonized Floating Credenza from 1st Dibs

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Planters

One great way to incorporate greenery is with planters.

Sometimes the spring/summer season sneaks up on you, but you can’t neglect the task of beautifying your patio or deck. One great way to incorporate greenery is with planters. With such a range of sizes and styles available, you can really say something with planters.

axel medium sutherland furniture

pennoyer newman industrial planter

cubist fiber planter from terrain

When choosing planters, you can find something that provides contrast or select pieces that blend with the architecture, outdoors or indoors. There is such a variety of textures, colors, and shapes of planters –big pots filled with gorgeous plants make a major statement in a great room or sun room. Or, you can group smaller planters together on a wall, the stairs, or a console.

great lakes rectangular planter

artisan series planter

riverside sheet metal zinc planter

You can further customize planters with what you fill them with. The contents of your planters have just as much potential for variety, from flowers and herbs to trees and tall grasses. When choosing plants, take into consideration their height, texture, and color. Some plants repel pests while others make pleasant sounds when the wind moves through them.

inverlussa palm box with rivets mckinnon harris aldo cibic and cristiana urban riviera plant stands

williams sonoma reclaimed redwood planters

How do you decorate with planters?

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Color Obsession: Citrus & Lime

I find myself craving color right now, drawn to everything bright, sunny, and cheerful.

Maybe it’s because I was born in summer , but this my favorite time of year. I find myself craving color right now, drawn to everything bright, sunny, and cheerful. This is the season when I search for bold hues that make a big impact. Lemon, lime, and other citrusy colors remind me of the warmth of the sun and are perfect for this season. You see these colors in a lot of vintage fashion from the 1940s and 1950s, a time when people were adventurous in how they dressed. You can definitely make a summer splash with Citrus and Lime!

Living room by Jeff Andrews Design.
Imperial Gates – Green and Key Lime on Ivory Manila Hemp from Phillip Jeffries.
Malibu Wrapped Coffee Table from Oomph.
Cosy Light Fixture from Urban Electric.
Overdyed Vintage Rug from Sacco Carpet.
Pulling Down on Yellow, 2013. Gloss paint on aluminum. 49 x 49. By Natasha Law.
Lime Alpaca from Sandra Jordan.
Christian Louboutin Cap Toe Lucite Heels
Swimsuit by Eres Paris.
Bubbles and Lime Slices

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Outdoor Furnishings

As we start my favorite season of the year and total summer bliss begins, remember that the exterior of your home is one of the most important spaces.

Happy summer! As we start my favorite season of the year and total summer bliss begins, remember that the exterior of your home is one of the most important spaces. When making outdoor furniture selections, it’s always best to prepare in the winter and early spring months while the chill is still in the air. We have been installing so many exterior spaces in the past few weeks and the components have been mostly modular. These are great since you can configure the pieces in so many different ways, making the most of your exterior layout.

modern retailers — Patio furniture from Modern Retailers

Muubs Rockefeller Teack Fiber Concrete table — Muubs Rockefeller Teak Fiber Concrete Table

This year, I’m seeing a lot of comfortable pieces like daybeds, swings, and rockers in a mix of materials. So many companies came out with total eye candy – it can be hard to pare down selections when there are so many great choices. Rockers are big this year, particularly comfortable, modern rocking chairs.

canasta daybed walters wicker — Canasta Daybed from Walters Wicker

west elm huron lounge chair — West Elm Huron Lounge Chair

Walters Wicker Omega Curved Sofa — Omega Curved Sofa from Walters Wicker

SWINGREST Hanging lounger dedon — Swingrest Hanging Lounger, Dedo

mbrace dedon rocking chair — Mbrace Rocking Chair, Dedon

hanging lattice chair Patricia Urquiola — Patricia Urquiola Hanging Lattice Chair

I also like in incorporate outdoor lamps to bring an unexpected element and encourage the idea of bringing the inside out. Heaters are another great addition to an exterior. They look whimsical but have a purpose and really do a lot to extend the use of your outdoor space.

sutherland furniture outdoor lamps — Outdoor Lamps from Sutherland Furniture

kindle living — Outdoor heaters from Kindle Living

There are so many possibilities with the different lines of outdoor furnishings. Pieces can be customized with a range of materials, finishes, and fabrics. How would you design your ideal backyard retreat and a true extension of your home’s interior?

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Splatter

I had an idea for a Pollack-like, splatter look for a client’s wall that was inspired by some very cool splatter designs I’d been seeing.

I’m often fascinated by what comes up during the course of a project. I had an idea for a Pollack-like, splatter look for a client’s wall that was inspired by some very cool splatter designs I’d been seeing. I like how the splatter can be condensed or loose.

Splatter ceiling. Design by Kelly Wearstler.

When coming up with a splatter design for my client, I worked with an artist to develop not only the look I wanted, but the correct consistency of paint. The key was to use a paint that would splatter on the wall, but not drip. It took some trial and error to concoct just the right mixture.

One of the splatter sample panels I designed.

Another, looser, splatter panel I showed my client.

Even though the client chose not proceed, it is all about the process and the journey. Working with the artisan to understand the process and the selection of the correct color palette to make the masterpiece come together was a great experience. It’s also fun looking forward to the moment of being inspired by that client who opens the door for exploration into something unique.

Kitchen Organization

The key to a great looking kitchen is organization.

The key to a great looking kitchen is organization. In order to have uncluttered counters and tabletops, your storage solutions must be smart, suited your lifestyle, and designed to avoid wasting space.

A kitchen takes about 12 to 14 weeks to build. It’s important to consider how the space will be used so the design includes strategic storage solutions. Think about where you cook, how you clean, and where you can store specific items. How close to the range do you want spices, oils, and utensils? Which kitchen items do you need close at hand, and which do you only use rarely? When designing a kitchen, I look for storage and organization solutions that work for each client’s needs.

Part of designing a kitchen involves editing out superfluous items. It’s more difficult to be organized if you have too much of everything. Do you need five wine openers? Focus on the basics, not on overabundance. I also plan for the client’s storage needs in terms of dinnerware. Today’s plates are big, sometimes 12 or 13 inches in diameter. Typical kitchen cabinets may not work for oversize dishes, so I find a 14 inch clearance is ideal. I also love it when the insides of cabinets and drawers are finished. They should look beautiful when you open them!

If you plan to renovate your kitchen or are building a home, think beyond the surface beauty of kitchen design and explore organization solutions that will allow you to truly enjoy the space. Think about how you use your kitchen — are you a baker, an entertainer, an accomplished home chef? Thoughtful design is essential!

Custom Rugs

About half of the rugs I install for clients are custom, which really allows us to hone in on the color, style, construction, texture, and pattern of the piece.

I love custom rugs. About half of the rugs I install for clients are custom, which really allows us to hone in on the color, style, construction, texture, and pattern of the piece. If I see a rug that I feel isn’t quite right for a client, I can adjust the color or keep the pattern but change the construction. The beauty of a custom design is that we can design a rug around a particular room.

Sometimes I will see a big rug that’s perfect for a client but needs to be tailored down to fit a space. Or, I’ll really like the border of a rug so will keep that element but leave the rest of the piece open.

When designing a custom rug, you have to aware of geometry and how the pattern will lay out over the entire surface of the finished rug. You also have to take into consideration the amount of traffic a rug will endure. For family room, I would create a hand tufted, completely indestructible wool rug. Another rug might consist of linen and silk with a traditional sumac construction and an integrated weave of high and low pile. A custom design results in a rug designed to look, and live, perfectly in a space.

At Home in Fairfield County: Get Fresh

At Home in Fairfield County Magazine asked forty designers, including me, to pick tried and true colors for a fresh spring look.

At Home in Fairfield County Magazine asked twenty designers, including me, to pick tried and true colors for a fresh spring look. My choices are Steep Cliff Gray and French Lilac from Benjamin Moore. Pick up a copy of the March/April issue to see all of the top color choices!

Favorite Things: Floor Lamps

One of the most important aspects of a room is the lighting.

One of the most important aspects of a room is the lighting. Lighting contributes to both the mood and functionality of a space. When choosing a floor lamp, take into consideration qualities such as style, size, and shape. It’s also important to plan for the purpose of the lighting in that particular place – is it for mood, accent, or illuminating a specific task? The right floor lamp is as decorative as it is useful. Floor lamps are such a great opportunity to bring something sculptural to a room. Here are some of my favorite examples of floor lamps:

1. Anora Lamp, Dering Hall