design Archives - Page 32 of 40

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.

Color Obsession: Olive

Olive is one of those hues I tend to gravitate toward.

When I think of Olive, it reminds me of army colors. It is one of those hues I tend to gravitate toward. Olive is an earth-oriented shade, not something that pops with jolts of color. It has a more serene presence. Although part of the green color family, Olive has a brown under hue and works well with a gray or neutral based palette. It’s also a very specific color. When you say green, people visualize a whole spectrum of possibilities. Say Olive, and everyone understands exactly what color that is.

1. Living room design by High Fashion Home.

2. Cleos Breeze fabric by Robert Allen

3. Z Spoke handbag by Zac Posen

4. Over the knee boots by Christian Louboutin

5. Paint colors by Benjamin Moore

6. Image via Modernica

7. Tripolina Chair from Environment Furniture

8. Dress by Shinaz Engineer

9. Risky Business, 2010, by Madeline Denaro

Cover Image: Guiseppe Zanotti Open Toe Bootie, Valentino Rockstud Hobo, Living room image via DigsDigs

Chicago’s Langham Hotel and Travelle

When visiting Chicago recently, I knew I really wanted to see Travelle, a restaurant and lounge at the Langham Hotel.

When visiting Chicago recently, I knew I really wanted to see Travelle, a restaurant and lounge at the Langham Hotel. The hotel, which is located in a building designed by the iconic Ludgwig Mies van der Rohe, is situated in downtown Chicago with easy access to shopping and popular attractions. With private event space, a spa, pool, and ballroom, as well as several boardrooms, the Langham is a luxurious place to stay for pleasure or business.

I made a fast dash to Travelle and sat in the lounge for drinks. Its very cool, urban, monochromatic feel was designed by architect David Rockwell. The floor to ceiling windows flood the lounge with light while giving guests a gorgeous view of the river and Chicago’s famous Loop. One striking feature was an interactive digital wall undulating amongst the lounge’s chic furniture. The space is full of lush elements and visual, techno details. As we enjoyed drinks and a woman playing rock songs on the violin, the digital wall of photos constantly changed and altered. Such a cool atmosphere!

The lobby of the Langham is another stunning space. I thought it looked really magical, with all these gorgeous clusters near the center of the ceiling. It has a special, totally different vibe, more elegant and formal. So beautiful!

Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay at the fully-booked Langham, but I did enjoy my brief time there. If you’re ever in Chicago, I highly recommend a visit to the Langham, and Travelle in particular!

More Must-Have Design Books

I love adding to my collection of interior design books

I love adding to my collection of interior design books. There’s so much inspiration in all of these pages! Seeing what iconic designers are doing really makes me want to be a better designer myself. Books like these are an invaluable resource, allowing us glimpses at a wider world than we would normally see in our day to day lives and opening our minds to new possibilities. Here are some design books that would make a great addition to any design enthusiast’s home library.

As you all know, books are a passion of mine. Here are some recent ones that I’ve been exploring.

1. Artfully Modern: Interiors by Richard Mishaan

2. Jean-Louis Denoit: Interiors

3. Tory Burch: In Color

4. Markham Roberts: Decorating the Way I See It

5. The Tailored Interior

6. Mies

CTC&G 2014 Pink Aid

I was so happy to participate in the 2014 Pink Aid Fashion Show and Luncheon by Connecticut Cottages and Gardens.

I was so happy to participate in the 2014 Pink Aid Fashion Show and Luncheon by Connecticut Cottages and Gardens at Mitchells of Westport. The event, which raises money for the fight against breast cancer, includes an auction of pink chairs and other pink items donated by designers. I contributed a chair, which you can see in the November 2014 issue of CTC&G, along with all of the other pink items created by some very talented designers.

I donated this great antique, Midcentury chair covered in a geometric Lanza Jaipur Pink from Romo. Pick up a copy of CTC&G to see the other pink items!

Color Obsession: Currant

When I think of Currant, I think of a deep, sultry color.

When I think of Currant, I think of a deep, sultry color. I became inspired by it as a change from the trend of black, white, and neutral interiors. I recently pitched this color for a library as a cohesive palette to pair well with and balance rich wood tones — think walnut and wine. It’s definitely more dramatic, being so deep and saturated and just a more grounded color. A hue like this is about taking chances and steering away from the path everyone else is walking.

1. Teatro Cervantes Buenos Aires IV, 2006 by Candida Hofer

2. Torn Spiral Series, Moss & Lam

3. Sloop Chair by Amy Somerville

4. Donna Karan, New York Fashion Week Fall 2014

5. Currants, via Tumblr

6. Decollete 554 by Louboutin

7. Over Dyed Vintage by SACCO Carpet

8. Rock Chronograph Watch by Marc Jacobs

Oscar de la Renta

The fashion world lost a true icon with the recent passing of Oscar de la Renta.

The fashion world lost a true icon with the recent passing of Oscar de la Renta. Since first becoming internationally known for dressing Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s, the Dominican born designer has dressed the famous and the elite.

Oscar de la Renta 3 — Michelle Obama wore an Oscar de la Renta dress at a Fashion Education Workshop event.

Oscar de la Renta began his education in Spain, studying painting. To earn extra income, he sketched clothing for fashion houses and newspapers, which led to his first commission designing a gown. That gown graced the cover of Life magazine and launched de la Renta’s distinguished career. He went on to dress First Ladies, and his fashions were always a part of any red carpet event. One of his most recent fashion accomplishments was the design of the dress worn by Amal Alamuddin when she married George Clooney.

Emma Watson looks stunning on the red carpet, wearing Oscar de la Renta.

Amal Alamuddin wearing Oscar de la Renta at her wedding.

In fashion, Oscar de la Renta was known for his glamorous designs. His goal was to make women look and feel beautiful, with lush, feminine clothing that conveyed both youth and polish. He made dresses that women actually bought, having an instinctive knowledge of the difference between the runway and fashion. Oscar de la Renta’s fashions became legendary, a hallmark of sophistication.

His personal life was as full of vitality and glamor as his designs. Whether relaxing at one of his homes in the Dominican Republic or rubbing shoulders with celebrities at a gala event, Oscar de la Renta embodied the idea of living a good life, full of love and enjoyment. He was known for being at ease everywhere he went, feeling a passionate and enduring love for both of his wives (the first died in 1983), and never hesitating to speak his mind.

His appreciate for feminine beauty is clear.

I love this glimpse at the design process.

When I think about Oscar de la Renta, I think about my own business and how fashion and interior design are parallel worlds — especially for me, as someone who is very aware of fashion. Oscar de la Renta had an approach to fashion design that mirrors what we do with interiors. His whole mantra was to make women feel beautiful. His designs weren’t about himself. What we do is similar; we make interiors beautiful through details, tailoring, and custom touches. De la Renta was, first and foremost, a fashion designer, but he also happened to have an interior line, as well as furniture and fabric. Like his fashions, his interiors were well developed and well lived — impeccable.

Oscar de la Renta's home in Punta Cana. — Oscar de la Renta’s home in Punta Cana.

At the Kent, CT, home of Oscar de la Renta

I admire Oscar de la Renta for more than his talent with fashion design. He had a fearless, generous approach to life. He seemed to be so approachable and kind, full of charisma. I look at what he’s done in the course of his lifetime and an have so much admiration for him. He was super involved in his life, his business, and his charities. Life is short, but Oscar de la Renta embraced it and lived it, and the whole world watched him do it. It really puts life into perspective. During his lifetime, he conquered so much and left behind an impressive legacy. I hope that when I am 82 years old, I can inspire that spark in someone just as Oscar de la Renta did in me.

Design Dose

Family friendly.

Zoe Bios Creative

Zoe Bios works with dozens of artists worldwide, overlaying their prints with elements such as aging, gesso, leafing, and India ink to develop high quality pieces.

Zoe Bios Creative is a California firm I learned about at the NY NOW show. They produce art in house, creating repeatable originals in editions of 100. Zoe Bios works with dozens of artists worldwide, overlaying their prints with elements such as aging, gesso, leafing, and India ink to develop high quality pieces.

What I find wonderful about the Zoe Bios pieces is the mix of materials, like the oil paint with metallics. I love abstract art; it’s very contemporary. The various sizes available from this line allow you to play with different spaces, making a bold statement with a larger piece or using a smaller scale to suit a specific area. Their photography pieces offset the abstract collection with additional options.

Many of these prints are beautifully saturated with color. I get tired of seeing the same prints or accessories used over and over again in design magazines, so having such an appealing range of unique choices is refreshing.

To see more of the artwork offered by Zoe Bios Creative, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook.

International Contemporary Furniture Fair

This past weekend I went to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Javits Convention Center in NYC.

This past weekend I went to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair at the Javits Convention Center in NYC. Now in its 26th year, the ICFF draws close to 30,000 visitors who browse over 600 exhibitors. Since I missed the last ICFF, I was so glad to be able to attend this year. The ICFF is completely inspirational to me! I don’t understand how other people can go to this event and only buy one or two things. I just want to hoard everything and not share new sources, but at the same time I want others to be inspired by all of amazing products I saw.

From innovative items to re-imagined classics and even archived elements that have been brought back to life, the ICFF had aisle upon aisle of products that left me feeling energized. I saw so many artisans from Brooklyn and a ton of great items that I can’t wait to use in the right environment. Here are my favorite finds from the ICFF.

These new Trove wall coverings, printed on foil, look so beautiful in person.

I love this amazing outdoor sculpture and bench by Atelier Vierkant. I am absolutely crazy for these organic objects and vessels. The sheer scale of their products is unbelievable.

Tibetano has a great range of rugs.

This is one of the sources I am tempted not to share but keep all for myself! This collection by Gilles Caffier of Paris is handmade and each piece is a work of art.

There was a ton of Danish inspired furnishings throughout the show. These pieces by Vitra were so comfortable! The Petit Repos is a cool swivel chair, super good for kids spaces. The Grand Repos – it’s not your grandfathers recliner.

I am seriously obsessed with this tile from Walker Zanger, especially the chevron pattern. It would make a cool kitchen floor, mudroom, or handsome master bath. I can’t wait to use this!

Heated outdoor furniture by Galanter and Jones – can you believe it! This is absolutely the best find of the day. It would be amazing for my Montana project.

Textiles by Hiroko Takeda, a beautiful company who uses alpaca kid wool and silk, woven to your specification and oh so luscious to the touch.

Talk about an endless amount of choices to make your head spin! Cosmopolitan Glass is a very cool company from Brooklyn – this is how creativity starts!

Bernhardt Design is a staple in the design world. Beautifully crafted!

I cannot wait to incorporate many of these finds into my designs!