Pink is not an easy color to design with, but I can appreciate it in certain elements.
I’ll be honest with you — I’m not obsessed with the color pink. It’s just not my go-to color on the wheel. It always seems like such a stereotypical, over-used “girl color” to me, but it also makes me think of bubblegum and Pepto-Bismol. It’s not an easy color to design with, but I can appreciate it in certain elements. I love pink flowers and reading Pinkalicious with my very girly-girl four year old. Pink has also become a positive symbol for breast cancer research and awareness. Many women look beautiful in pink, which exudes femininity. It makes people think of spring, flowers, hope, and happiness. I don’t know about you, but as we endure yet another snow day here, I could use a reminder of spring! What do you think of pink?
An ottoman is such a versatile piece of furniture, able to double as a coffee table or make a statement in the center or a room.
I love using ottomans when designing a room. An ottoman is such a versatile piece of furniture, able to double as a coffee table or make a statement in the center or a room. The ottoman doesn’t have to be confined to the living room, either — it can look great at the foot of a bed or under a console table in the entry or hall. Ottomans are useful for layering a room and come in such a wide variety of sizes and materials. The ottoman can soften a room or dress it up with just the right details. Here are some of my favorite ottoman designs:
Your front door is not only the opening to your home. It’s also the first thing to greet guests when they arrive at your house.
Your front door is not only the opening to your home. It’s also the first thing to greet guests when they arrive at your house. The door can make a big statement or have a quieter impact. Details such as carvings and nail heads form intricacies that tell a story and hint at the personality and style of your home’s interior.
I love the idea of using a unique door, maybe something reclaimed or salvaged, for the front door, a wine room, or a butler’s pantry. I once worked with a contractor who had a collection of such doors. They were all amazing, which made it so hard to choose! You can modernize a reclaimed door or dress it up with stained glass or antique mirrors. Turning the door into a work of art is a fun way to make something special out of a prominent feature of your home. If you need further inspiration, try looking at elaborate doors from around the world!
I absolutely love black! I wear it just about every day. Something about black makes me think of confidence, so I feel stronger when I’m wearing it. In interior design, black makes a dominant accent color, especially when used in a key area of the room. You can’t be wary of black when designing with it; you have to be bold and fearless, whether you choose to use it for paint, furniture, or fabric. I am obsessed with it!
I’ve seen quite a few lists of design trends to watch for in 2013, and several of them really resonate with me.
I’ve seen quite a few lists of design trends to watch for in 2013, and several of them really resonate with me. Some appeal to the traditionalist in me, while others are a bit riskier. It will be interesting to see which of these trends get the most attention over the upcoming year or beyond, and which turn out to be more short-lived. Here are the predicted trends I am most excited about!
1. Brass: This is a metal I’ve seen come up on more than one list. This warm, ’70s inspired finish is something I’m already in love with.
Brass staircase designed by Kelly Wearstler.
2. High Gloss: Nothing compares to the shine and polish of a high gloss lacquer! Lacquered walls really stand out and, when thoughtfully combined with more traditional elements in a room, create an unforgettable look.
Incredible lacquer walls, design by Jeffrey Bilhuber.
3. Art: Selecting just the right piece of art for a client’s space is one of my favorite things about designing. I am always on the look out for an artist whose work appeals to me and fits perfectly with one of my projects. I love that this is a trend for 2013.
Octopus sketch by artist Tierra Connor.
4. Antique Furniture: The trend here lies in mixing antique furniture with more modern elements, something I always enjoy doing. In fact, hunting for just the right piece until I find exactly what I’m looking for is so exciting.
This gorgeous antique piece I found for a client’s entry used to be part of an 1800’s bar in the south of France.
5. Embellished Walls: I have long been a fan of custom wall coverings. There are so many amazing options available to suit the needs of nearly any client in nearly any space. From grass cloth and linen to hand painted and beaded, wall coverings are as varied and unique as the spaces they decorate.
For this client, I covered the walls of their home theater in Ralph Lauren Mahogany Yacare Crocodile.
6. Lace: If the word lace makes you think of your grandmother’s doilies, think again. Like other old-is-new trends, using lace in unexpected ways can bring a lot of beauty and character to a room. Think of combining it with more contemporary designs or using it in small, non-traditional ways.
This pillow features black lace accents. From the Jason Wu/Canvas line.
I always look forward to Pantone’s list because it’s great to see how their choices compare with my own changing preferences as well as trends among my clients.
Each year, Pantone announces its choices for the Top Ten Women’s Colors for Spring and their Color of the Year. This influential forecast highlights color trends in both fashion and design. I always look forward to Pantone’s list because it’s great to see how their choices compare with my own changing preferences as well as trends among my clients.
My three favorite colors from this list are Lemon Zest, Grayed Jade, and Emerald, the Color of the Year. In fact, I was pretty close to the mark last year when I created my Jade Color Board and my Yellow Color Board!
Lemon Zest is both bright and soothing. It’s not a color I would have naturally gravitated toward in the past, but it stands out and and really has a mood-lifting effect. I like it more and more as time goes on!
Yellow lacquered ceiling. Design by Jeffrey Bilhuber.Lemon Zest canopy. Design by Jeffrey Bilhuber.Lemon Zest works as a bright accent here, by Jeffrey Bilhuber.
Grayed Jade’s soft, subtle hue appeals to my more traditionalist nature. It pairs well with other shades and is a calm alternative to brighter greens and a more romantic alternative to simple gray. It communicates elegance and sophistication.
Grayed Jade on the runway. By Rodarte.Grayed Jade makes a very nice neutral.A living room I designed for a client, using tones of Grayed Jade.Chair detail.
Emerald, Pantone’s Color of the Year, is also my favorite color from their Top Ten list for Spring. Emerald is such a chic and glamorous color, bringing to mind gems and luxury. For all its elegance, Emerald is also an energetic color that injects any space with a vibrant depth.
A kitchen I designed for a client with Emerald lanterns and accents.Emerald sliding door.Emerald house in the Netherlands.Emerald green bedroom by Miles Redd. The artwork on the walls is perfect!Emerald green as an accent. Design by Cristi Holcombe.S.R. Gambrel’s great use of Emerald Green in a living room.
What do think of Pantone’s Top Colors for Spring and Color of the Year? Which colors do you prefer from the list? I look forward to a New Year of exciting design opportunities and challenges, as well as the chance to incorporate some of these colors into my own designs!
Tomorrow marks the start of 2013, the Year of the Snake.
According to legend, the Chinese zodiac originated long ago with the Jade emperor. The emperor decided there should be some way of measuring time, and so challenged the animals to a swimming race across a swift river. The first 12 animals to complete the race would each have a year named after them. The story says 13 animals raced, with the cat coming in last after being tricked by the rat. The sixth animal to complete the race was the sneaky snake.
Tomorrow marks the start of 2013, the Year of the Snake. Snake characteristics include traits such as intelligence, motivation, and influence. In honor of the Year of the Snake, I’d like to use today’s blog post to look at the influence of snake imagery and snakeskin on the worlds of design and fashion.
Deco cast bronze ceiling mounts by Paul Marra.
Snakeskin is a very conceptual texture, something a lot of people love. It’s not for everyone and typically works best in small doses. Snakeskin is about confidence and bringing out your inner fangs!
Paul Marra snake lantern.
The use of snake imagery doesn’t have to be literal. It can be incorporated into hardware or mirrors or simply suggested in shapes and lines. Snakeskin is a dramatic choice as well. I used this gorgeous Maya paper on the face front of interior doors in a NYC residence with really amazing results. It’s high glamour, over-the-top chic that doesn’t scream “reptile.”
Slink™ Hand-Painted Vinyl by Maya RomanoffLarge Custom Karung Snake Skin Pillow – Lobel ModernGold Tone Serpentine MirrorSnake Chain fabric in Dove from Dwell StudioLigne Roset Serpentine Outdoor Chair
In fashion, snakeskin is all about confidence and bringing out your inner fangs! I sport snakeskin about once a week on my shoes or bag. It’s a really bold pattern and I love it!
Lima by Brian Atwood – Serpentine inspired.Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013 Runway Looks via Harper’s BazaarPython bag from IntermixOnline
What does the Year of the Snake have in store for you?
Few things sum up the holiday spirit like a beautifully decorated mantel hung with stockings and lit up by a cozy fire in the fireplace.
Few things sum up the holiday spirit like a beautifully decorated mantel hung with stockings and lit up by a cozy fire in the fireplace. Mantel decorations can be simple or extravagant. Mix in different elements with traditional greenery. You can make it playful and try something different each year. I like to use real flowers and unusual greenery such as magnolia leaves, nothing artificial, to give the mantel more substance and make it truly special.
1. This mantel uses white dishes and greenery for a classic, simple look.
2. An abundance of greenery looks fantastic!
3. I love the idea of hanging a wreath on a mirror over the mantel.
4. Mixed greenery and fruit create a fresh, lovely mantel.
5. Magnolia leaves make a substantial wreath. Varying candle heights add interest to the greenery and pine cones.
6. Sweeping swags of evergreens and a large wreath make the mantel a dramatic focal point.
Incorporating flowers into your holiday designs gives your decor an unexpected and memorable twist.
When you think of decorating for the holidays or creating a centerpiece for your table, you might think of evergreens, holly, pine cones, and berries before thinking of flowers. However, incorporating flowers into your holiday designs gives your decor an unexpected and memorable twist. You certainly aren’t limited to poinsettias, either!
A unique and more modern way to cluster flowers. The hint of red suggests Santa is coming.French tulips – a very white Christmas indeed.Paperwhite flowers always remind me of the holidays.
Arrangements that include more than just flowers can also make a great centerpiece for the holidays. Leaves, feathers, acorns, and fruit are items you can use in different ways. Experiment with colors and textures, even adding elements you wouldn’t typically think of including in a floral arrangement. The finished effect can be surprising and eye-catching.
Feathers arranged like flowers make an interesting centerpiece.Oranges and acorns – great idea!
There’s no hard and fast rule that says your centerpiece has to be on the table. Look up and around and take advantage of accessories already present in the room. The materials in your arrangement an reflect the colors of the holiday without being composed of the typical trappings. The chandelier below is the perfect example of making an unexpected jump and decorating for the season without being literal. The green and red pieces evoke the holidays in a traditional, yet unexpected way.
Love the decked out chandelier and the red pomegranates that hint at Santa’s suit!
Do you make flowers and greenery part of your holiday decorations?
It’s always nice to receive a gift, but when that gift is carefully wrapped in a special way, the recipient can’t help but but feel spoiled!
I love wrapping presents for Christmas! Putting together wrapping papers with coordinating bows and accents is like designing on a smaller scale. There are so many thoughtful and beautiful ways to wrap presents with nearly endless options for colors, patterns, and accessories like ribbons and bows. It’s always nice to receive a gift, but when that gift is carefully wrapped in a special way, the recipient can’t help but but feel spoiled!
A craft box layered with a fun wrap and simple red ribbon always looks custom.Elegant use of two complimentary papers and greenery with the ribbon.Very sweet wrapping paper for kids.Owls in trees wrapping paper — adorable.
Adding just the right touch with decorative details is another way to create an especially beautiful gift. Think of what you can add to the ribbon or bow to further dress up the present. It can be something festive or personal, colorful or classic. When you take the time to wrap the gift with extra thought and care, you show the person you give it to that they are worth the extra effort.
Berries and holly – a great addition to the ribbon.Use a great tag with calligraphy writing.I love the idea of mixing the metallic paper with pine cones and branches.
For me, gift wrapping is all about the presentation! Do you have a favorite paper or embellishment for wrapping Christmas gifts?
