I’m really proud to be part of Serendipity Magazine’s Women in Business feature.
I’m really proud to be part of Serendipity Magazine’s Women in Business feature. It’s humbling to be included in this group of inspiring and talented businesswomen! You can see the full editorial in the June 2016 issue. Enjoy!
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.
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.
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.
I’m so pleased to have an entryway I designed featured in the April 2016 issue of Serendipity Magazine!
I’m so pleased to have an entryway I designed featured in the April 2016 issue of Serendipity Magazine! This entry was designed for a home in New Canaan, CT, and was inspired by the client’s love of antiques.
Also in this issue is an invitation to a cocktail reception celebrating the 4th annual Serendipity 2016 Design Market Digest. This May 11 event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. and will feature industry experts, including two Market Honorees. I am very happy to be one of this year’s Honorees along with architect Douglas VanderHorn. The cocktail reception will be held at Lillian August in Greenwich. You can RSVP to events@ungerpublishing.com. I hope to see many of you there!
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!
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 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!
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
3. Black Widow, Dering Hall
4. Cesare Lacca Floor Lamp
5. Charlton Floor Lamp
6. Boston by Chelsom
7. Gold Leaf Barrel Frame Floor Lamp by Dimond Lighting
10. Soledad Floor Lamp from Roche Bobois
Arnold’s series “The Art of Abandoment” has taken him to a host of dream-like places, from empty and decaying castles to haunted looking asylums.
I first became acquainted with Walter Arnold‘s photography after a friend saw his work at the iconic Woolworth Walk in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. A Florida native, Arnold eventually made his home in the mountains of North Carolina. The local natural beauty surrounding his new home inspired Arnold to pick up camera and learn photography. One day, he stumbled across an airplane graveyard and discovered a passion for abandonment photography — the art of photographing places and things that have been left behind.
Arnold’s series The Art of Abandoment has taken him to a host of dream-like places, from empty and decaying castles to haunted looking asylums. He has a gift for capturing the unusual light of these forgotten places. His photographs allow us to glimpse the beauty that used to exist in many places. They invoke a kind of stillness and leave viewers wanting to know more about why these places were abandoned.
What I love about these photos is that they show the complete opposite of what we design and curate. These are places that are no longer cared for. In spite of the decay and ruin, you can still see the architecture, what once was there, and find inspiration in the beauty of desolation.
Arnold’s photos are available as metal prints, meaning the images are actually infused into the surface of a sheet of aluminum before being treated with a high gloss finish. The resulting print is astonishingly vibrant, lending a light to the abandonment photos that must be seen to be fully appreciated.
You can see more of Walter Arnold’s photography on his website. You can also find him on Facebook.
Your exercise room can have a decorative element and still be highly functional.
When choosing an area of the home to use as exercise space, so many people go with a basement room. I much prefer the idea of getting out of the basement and into a more engaging, inviting part of the home.
An exercise space should be an environment with plenty of light, not a sheet rock box. If you plan for an an exercise room ahead of time, when building or remodeling, you can curate an area that’s derivative of the rest of the home. Your exercise room can have a decorative element and still be highly functional.
Stepping into a great space makes you feel motivated and inspired. Being healthy and fit is all about feeling good. A great exercise space enhances that experience. Rather than retreat to a forgotten room, create a workout area that you always wan
