Color Obsession: Rum Raisin and Salmon

Salmon and Rum Raisin just marry so well.

I have been so obsessed with the color salmon lately. This color has feminine appeal and,when paired with a deep, rich, sultry color as plum or rum raisin, it pops with energy. The beauty of salmon is that it can swing towards a pinkish tone picking up on rose gold, which you can introduce as hardware or a lush orange palette. When paired with rum raisin, there is a yin and yang, light and dark effect that I love. The two colors marry so well. Rum Raisin adds depth with out being too close to black for the perfect level of impact.

1. Fashion by Christian Lacroix

2. Coral Reef 012 by Benjamin Moore.

3. Christian Lacroix Houte Couture

4. Softline Swivel Chair from abc carpet & home

5. Sergio Rossi Suede Pumps

6. Carina Lang, Tree and Cloud 3

7. Agra Fort, photo by BhuddaMountain

8. Photo by Guiliano Bekor

Design Dose

Natural light is so important — it romances a space.

Housepad App

I really appreciate the Housepad App as a communication tool and an all-in-one resource for seamlessly maintaining a home on so many levels.

When touring this year’s Kips Bay Showhouse, one of the things I found really interesting was a display on the new Housepad App. Developed by Michael Bruno, founder of 1st Dibs, the Housepad app is an excellent tool for homeowners who want to stay organized and take a proactive approach to running their household. It puts a number of resources at your fingertips.

I know when I leave a client’s home after completing a project, it won’t look the same the next time I return. Little things like the arrangement of cushions or the placement of accessories may be off and I find myself wanting to fluff pillows or tweak other details. With the Housepad App, the homeowner can create room by room lookbooks so everyone from the kids to the cleaning staff knows how a room is meant to look. It’s a simple way to communicate in order to consistently have your home looking its best.

Another feature of the Housepad App is the ability to create to-do lists. These lists can be shared and assigned to family and staff who are then able to send notification when each task is complete. For a large household or one with an extensive staff, this can be a valuable time saver that keeps everyone on the same page and ensures important tasks are finished on schedule.

One of the most thoughtful features of the Housepad App is the ability to create a catalog of household items and appliances complete with invoices, warranty information, and instructions. So much more efficient than searching through files or binders if an appliance needs repairs! Additionally, you can store household emergency contact information, including details such as the location of shut off valves and fire extinguishers. The App even allows you to control a Nest thermostat, schedule maintenance calls with Handy, and keep a master shopping list with one-click Amazon ordering or just as a reference. All of these tools can be shared with members of the household from family to pet sitters to cleaning staff.

I really appreciate the Housepad App as a communication tool and an all-in-one resource for seamlessly maintaining a home on so many levels. It’s such a smart solution!

Roman and Williams

Roman and Williams is a New York based design firm with an interesting back story.

Roman and Williams is a New York based design firm with an interesting back story. Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch spent ten years designing sets for Hollywood films before taking on their first residential project, a home in Los Angeles. Together they formed Roman and Williams (named for their grandfathers) in 2002 and in 2004 relocated the firm to New York. Since then, they’ve completed an impressive scope of projects including homes, restaurants, hotels, and retail locations.

I have a book of work by Roman and Williams called Things We Made, given to me by a cousin who is studying architecture. She thought I’d be interested in their projects, and she was right. I really appreciate what they do and how they do it. Roman and Williams have a different approach than I do, but I like the moodiness and industrial vibe of many of their projects.

I find it interesting how they mix materials. Their interiors feature so many collected items — it takes skill to make this look effortless. They can take dilapidation and expand on it, creating a memorable environment. Roman and Williams has a huge design range, everything from industrial to clubby.

I recall seeing a kitchen years ago and remembering it was in actor Ben Stiller’s home. I was enchanted by the use of 3×6 tiles all over the kitchen walls and not just allocated to the back splash. It’s funny how certain things stay with you, and once I found out the kitchen was a Roman and Williams design, I was even more impressed with the the space and their work.

Meyer Davis Studio

I really identify with the true quality of design shown by Meyer Davis Studio and appreciate how they take time for details.

Founded in 1999 by Will Meyer and Gray Davis, the New York City based firm Meyer Davis Studio has established itself at the forefront of luxury design for home, retail, hospitality, and office. Using “space, form, texture, and light, they develop a visual experience that seeks to compel and inspire.”

Taconic House Meyer Davis — Taconic House

Prominent projects include the design of hotels such as 1 South Beach Hotel in Miami, Four Seasons, the Ritz Carlton, and W Hotels. Their work on Paramount Hotel in New York City was also recognized by Boutique Design’s 2014 Gold Key Awards. Their restaurant designs have been widely recognized by various award groups, making them highly sought after by some of the world’s leading restaurateurs. Meyer Davis also designed Oscar de la Renta’s worldwide boutiques.

I really identify with the true quality of design shown by Meyer Davis Studio and appreciate how they take time for details. I love design that is simple and streamlined, but also crave more decorative, well appointed items. So many of their projects are just perfection to me.

Tennessee Farmhouse Meyer Davis — Tennessee Farmhouse

You can see more Meyer Davis projects on their website. They are also on Facebook.

Serendipity Design Market Digest

Each year, Serendipity magazine creates a special Design Market Digest to showcase the latest styles in textiles, products and interiors in the Westchester County area.

Each year, Serendipity magazine creates a special Design Market Digest to showcase the latest styles in textiles, products and interiors in the Westchester County area. I was happy to submit a Q&A for this featured issue and am pleased to be able to share it below. You can see the original piece in the recent Serendipity Design Market Digest, along with many other great products, projects, and designers.

Amy Aidinis Hirsch

For over a decade, Amy Aidinis Hirsch has been designing elegantly crafted interiors. Each design begins with a deep understanding of architecture and the history of each site and the ability to listen and understand a client’s needs. The resulting interiors are always sophisticated and original, and have been featured in magazines including House Beautiful, At Home, and New England Home.

What inspired you to become a designer?

My father works on high-end residential homes as a plumbing and heating contractor. As a young girl, I was fortunate to always see the floor plans and walk through impressive and large caliber homes designed by great designers such as Tony Ingrao, Thierry Despont, and David Easton. At the time they were under construction, but you could see the craftsmanship, reclaimed materials and history within the spaces. I fell in love immediately with the thought of collaborating and building something from the ground up.

What influences your designs the most?

Fashion is a huge influence. I love looking ahead at the color forecast an dhow pieces are tailored, and I appreciate the intricate attention to detail in couture pieces. I love the idea of curating collections.

What’s your design process like?

Honestly, I am a tornado. I try to bring in as much product as possible — carpets, fabrics, tiles, etc. — that I feel is appropriate for a project and then I begin to edit. I have to make sure I explore every possible element. I am constantly hunting, sourcing and reading to find out what is in the industry.

Any particular places you turn for inspiration?

The beach — it’s a safe heaven and peaceful. It recharges my energy and spirit and allows me to focus on what I am trying to create.

Do you have a design icon?

David Collins, S. R. Gambrel, Jean Louis Denoit, and David Kleinberg — gifted architects and designers who exemplify impeccable taste.

What colors do you love now?

Sultry, saturated colors that have depth and are rich in pigment, like persimmon, ink, plum. I am interested in integrating unusual colors together in a way that is unexpected and out of the ordinary.

What are three key pieces that every home should have?

Pillows, books, and artwork.

What are your top three design rules?

I honestly do not have rules. Rules can get tricky and establish a barrier. As a designer, my best tool is to listen to our clients’ needs and particulars.

What one thing do you always keep in mind?

Scale/proportion: It’s essential when making selections and pairing furnishings together.

Design Dose

Come have a seat.

Design Dose

Zest up your table.

AtHome: Jewel Box

I am so pleased to have one of my favorite projects featured in the May/June 2015 issue of AtHome in Fairfield County.

I am so pleased to have one of my favorite projects featured in the May/June 2015 issue of AtHome in Fairfield County. I loved working on this one of a kind dining room. Having a great relationship with a client who let me run with my ideas allowed the dining room to become everything I envisioned. Pick up a copy of the magazine to read more about the project and each of the beautiful elements in the room.

Color Obsession: Apricot

Apricot makes me think of sun kissed skin and sheer femininity.

Apricot makes me think of sun kissed skin and sheer femininity. It evokes happiness, liveliness, and a kind of sweet freshness. Apricot is not as intense as orange, but has a lighter approach – it holds a yellow-pink undertone, making it possible to mix it with other palettes or maintain one consistent value.