Method Monday
Today’s Method Monday features a neutral scheme based on a grey palette.
Today’s Method Monday features a neutral scheme based on a grey palette. I love this combination of fabrics and furnishings for the variety of textures. The use of white elements brightens everything up and the overall feel is modern and sleek, but comfortable.
Design Dose
Super symmetrical.
Image from a vignette I designed for a Mitchell Gold furniture event.
What Inspires Me: Paintbrushes
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.
Robert Motherwell at the MET
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.
Design Dose
Refurbish an antique bed.
Rox by CJ Designs
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.
Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia
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.
Design Dose
I could see this in my own home.
Image from a vignette I designed for a Mitchell Gold furniture event.
New Perennials for 2015
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?