Red excites people with an enticing, energetic jolt of color.
Red is simply a sexy, va-va-voom color. It makes people think of lipstick, fast cars, love, and risk. Red excites people with an enticing, energetic jolt of color. Brunettes and blonds look great in red, and it’s hard to think of a color that implies more emotion. You can saturate an entire room in this bold palette or wear it all over for a glamorous night out!
I first saw some of Bob Tabor’s photographs at Samuel Owen Gallery, which led me to look into his work. His seascape photography in particular really struck a chord with me.
Photographer Bob Tabor is best known today for his incredible equine portraits. His horse photos are currently on display in Polo Ralph Lauren Home Showrooms and retail stores around the world. His work is also available at Mecox Gardens design stores throughout the United States and at the Tulla Booth Gallery in Sag Harbor, New York.
I first saw some of Bob Tabor’s photographs at Samuel Owen Gallery, which led me to look into his work. His seascape photography in particular really struck a chord with me.
Tabor’s seascapes are so gorgeous. I love the way he catches the light and the dynamic movement of the rambling waves. I can easily imagine being on the beach with these waves breaking along the sand. Bob Tabor’s graphic seascapes are simply phenomenal.
For more examples of Bob Tabor’s photography, visit his website. You can also find him on Facebook.
The combination of black and white in both fashion and design is always very graphic.
The combination of black and white in both fashion and design is always very graphic. You have two strong elements that are not at all subtle. People shy away from using it in interiors, especially those clients with families, but a black and white color scheme makes for a striking environment. On their own, each color evokes its own singular response (mysterious black, pure white) but when used together, the results are quite stunning.
I love leather. It has a masculine, tailored feeling and grounds everything around it when you put it into an environment.
I love leather. It has a masculine, tailored feeling and grounds everything around it when you put it into an environment. I like to use it in unexpected ways, not just on your typical desk chair. On surfaces, walls, pillows, and doors, as well as couches, leather imparts a rich, sumptuous look. There are so many colors and finishes available now, such as ostrich, python, and larger etchings, there’s no end to the possible uses of leather in interior design.
Starflower Engraved Belting Leather TilesGenevieve Bennett – Leather laser cut tiles. Totally off the wall!
There are many great sources of beautiful, quality leather. One of my favorites is Edelman Leather. They have a huge variety of colors and styles of leathers, each more gorgeous than the last.
Edelman Leather’s Ostrich in Grey SlateShagreen City Lights in Smoke, also from Edelman.Edelman Leather’s Rose Petal City Lights in Smoke.
I find myself drawn to leather with a lot of tooling, unexpected details, and customization. It looks old, but is done in new ways, leading to some amazing products. Leather gets better as it ages, like a great pair of jeans. It can be expensive and you need to be smart about how you use it, but the results can be stunning.
Holland & Sherry Interiors, Birdseye leather rug.Samuel and Sons Passementerie Woven Italian Leather Braid. Makes a great detail trim!3D leather wallpaper by Genevieve Bennett. Macassa Leather in Cote D’Ivoire from Rose Tarlow. I upholstered the interior of library bookcases in this leather. Totally luscious in an inky blue color.
One of my favorite projects involved this leather door with nailhead trim. When I first presented the idea to the client, their reaction was “It might look too S&M!” However, once the door was installed, they loved it. It gave the interior an unexpected aspect and grounded the rest of the space. They had to see it in place to fully appreciate the effect of this amazing door.
Leather door with nailhead trim.
The look of leather is so attractive, but not suited to every room in the home. If you want this look without the upkeep or possibility of damage in an area such as the kitchen or bath, take a look at these tiles from Walker Zanger. They look so much like leather, you have to touch them to convince yourself they are really porcelain tiles!
Matouche Design by Walker ZangerAnother example of Walker Zanger’s Martouche Design
Whether the dining room is formal or informal, the dining chairs are an important part of the room.
Whether the dining room is formal or informal, the dining chairs are an important part of the room. They add a sculptural element that can be very present in the room without competing with the rest of the space. I like to mix and match the chairs, using one consistent style for the side chairs and another, complimentary, design for the host chairs. I also like to add layers to the chairs by using different materials to cover the seat or back, depending on what works for the shape of the piece. Comfort is an important factor in choosing dining chairs, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also look great!
1. Royere Armless Dining Chair from Mattaliano. Love this art deco inspired chair – so chic.
10. 1940s French Upholstered Barrelback Chair From Restoration Hardware – Think about using two different fabrics, one for the front and the other for the back. Stain the legs darker and it is a totally different chair. I just did it for a client and it is an amazing transformation!
11. Great combination with the rush back, from Dering Hall.
David Sutherland, Inc. now offers a collection of John Dickinson’s iconic furniture designs.
One of the 20th century’s most acclaimed and important designers, John Dickinson was born in 1920 and grew up in Berkely, California. He attended Parsons School of Design and launched his own firm in San Francisco in 1956. Dickinson was one of the area’s top designers in the 1960s and 1970s when he produced his signature concrete plaster furniture. He died in 1982, but his pieces are still highly collectible and resell for thousands.
John DickinsonJohn Dickinson’s San Francisco residence.
From 1980 until his death in 1982, Dickinson’s furniture designs were represented in David Sutherland’s Texas showrooms. Dickinson’s rather fragile plaster pieces became known for their unique combination of whimsy and austerity, humor and elegance. These imaginative designs are easily recognizable and can be found today in museums and high end furniture galleries.
If you’re hoping to add one of Dickinson’s iconic pieces to your home, you can now purchase reproductions of these designs from Sutherland Furniture. Ever since he represented Dickinson’s work in the early 1980’s, David Sutherland hoped to recreate the collection and bring those designs to a wider audience. Sutherland’s hopes have finally been realized. Sutherland now offers Dickinson’s designs, recreated with a more durable glass-reinforced concrete.
Footed lamp.Hoofed table.Three-legged side table.
I think it is really great that Sutherland carries these reproductions. The indoor and outdoor collections are amazing! Everyone now has access to these fantastic pieces. With Sutherland’s innovative materials, you can not only have a John Dickinson design but actually use the pieces in your home without any worries. I would love to have one of these pieces of history in my own collection!
You can view the entire collection at Sutherland’s website. They are also on Facebook.
One of my favorite go-to designs, chevron’s classic herringbone pattern never goes out of style.
One of my favorite go-to designs, chevron’s classic herringbone pattern never goes out of style. It’s a great graphic whether you go with a large, medium, or small style. A chevron pattern has a subtle or bold impact depending on the color or scale. I love this pattern on an entryway’s wood floor, but you can implement a chevron design in many other ways. Here are some chevron examples I love!
1. Antique French oak floor in a chevron pattern, from Exquisite Surfaces:
A peek into someone’s closet is like a peek into their personality.
A peek into someone’s closet is like a peek into their personality. The way a closet is organized (or not) says a lot about a person’s style and priorities. As a designer, making a closet as special as the rest of the client’s living space is an important aspect of my job. Designing the right closet for a client means staying mindful of that particular client’s storage needs and organizational style. Is the client a clothes horse, a shoe lover, or someone who needs options for storing seasonal clothing? Taking the time to learn about what the client needs as well as wants helps me design a closet perfectly suited to each individual.
Closet perfection! Design by Jennifer Eisenstadt.Furniture layered in a closet. Design by James Radin.The island detail is so clever in this design by Jeffrey Bilhuber. Via Architectural Digest.
As an example, I had a client who wanted their mudroom to act as a storage area for all of the family’s coats and shoes. They literally wanted to keep shoes in that area only, completely out of the rest of the home. The mudroom became like a dressing closet for coats and shoes which kept the actual bedroom closet like an open envelop. Nothing in that closet was closed because the mudroom met those particular needs.
Mudroom designed for my client.Mudroom door detail.
When considering closet design, there are so many storage options to choose from. The right storage for a closet depends on the client, but ease of access is always something to keep in mind. A client who enjoys beautiful things may prefer glass doors to show off the contents of the closet, while for others a system of organized drawers, baskets, and shelves would be more suitable. A closet is a jewel box than be elaborate or simple; it’s all about what the client wants.
A Stephen Gambrel closet design with ikat doors.Home of Aerin Lauder via ELLE DECOR – so pretty and soothing.
For accessible closet design, companies such as Poliform offer well made, modern components. These flexible systems of shelving, pull-outs, hanging storage, and wardrobes are available in a variety of finishes and styles to maximize space as well as perfectly fit each individual’s needs. These closets are as functional as they are beautiful.
Poliform: The openness and structure of the clear drawers and pull out bins creates a look that is so sophisticated.
I like the concept of stripping down to a basic, raw level that can go with anything.
Neutral almost by definition, nude or bare shades in design can be very serene. For example, the nude body is a natural art form, something very beautiful in its understated simplicity. I like the concept of stripping down to a basic, raw level that can go with anything. Starting from such bareness, a simple insertion of color adds interest without detracting from an overall calm mood.
I’ve used Phillip Jeffries products for my own clients many times and their amazing collection never fails me.
I’ve used Phillip Jeffries products for my own clients many times and their amazing collection never fails me. Founded three decades ago by Eric Bershad, this is truly a family business. Eric’s sons Phillip and Jeffrey, the company’s namesakes, now run the business along with their father. When Phillip Jeffries initially launched, they started with a selection of ten grasscloth wallpapers. Now, their products include a wide range of high quality wallpapers like Silks, Linens, Japanese Paper Weaves, and much more.
Extra Fine Arrowroot – When in doubt, a great collection with tons of colors to select from.
Phillip Bershad recently came to my office with a presentation and it reminded me why I am such a big fan of their products. Not only are their wallpapers beautifully designed and constructed, but the quality of Phillip Jeffries service makes them a fantastic source. Once you approve a sample, you get it within only two days, as long as it’s in stock. They are so reliable and will go to the ends of the earth to make things happen for clients. Custom options are always available on select products.
Patterns and styles available from Phillip Jeffries vary widely, with a huge range of colors. Whether I’m shopping for a client with more reserved taste or looking for something spunky to dress up an accent wall, I know I’ll find what I need with Phillip Jeffries.
Chinois Our Way – The color combination is sultry. What a great guest room!Imperial Gates – Very crisp on the white and navy.
I do love it when I enjoy the confidence of a client and can implement a Phillip Jeffries design with a lot of color and texture. Within the line, there’s the versatility of using a quieter touch for those that are more reserved. One of these open patterns with a bigger, more modern impact is the kind of design I love to find the right client for! In particular, I am a big fan of their Ikat!
Tease – I love the over-sized scale.Indo Ikat – Fabulous color! I am crazy for this pattern and can’t wait to use it.
To see more examples of Phillip Jeffries product line, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook.
