I am so happy to be included in this talented group of renowned designers as an A-List Winner for my pool house design and a finalist for my dining room design.
The Winter 2013 issue of At Home Magazine, which also happens to be the A-List issue, is now available! As always, the magazine looks beautiful and is full, cover to cover, with incredible design by this year’s A-List Winners. I am so happy to be included in this talented group of renowned designers as a winner for my pool house design and a finalist for my dining room design.
The A-List Award Winners this year comprised a competitive group of people I truly admire. I felt so sad to miss the award ceremony in person. So many special designers that inspire and pave the way for others were there, and I really missed being a part of that event. I know Moffly Media threw a fantastic shindig! It really feels so great to receive this kind of recognition from designers who are a driving force in the design world.
I fell in love with Peter Beard’s photography when I saw his work in a client’s home.
I fell in love with Peter Beard’s photography when I saw his work in a client’s home. The images themselves are beautiful and striking, but each piece is surrounded by a fascinating collage of handwritten memories, found objects such as feathers, and colorful, dramatic swatches of ink. His work elicits excitement at the thought of being so close to these incredible animals.
Born in New York in 1938, Peter Beard traveled to Africa as a young man first in 1955 and again in 1960. He later returned to Kenya and worked in Tsavo National Park, photographing the demise of thousands of elephants and rhinos. Dismayed at the mass hunting of these animals for sport and the lack of conservation and regulation at the time, Beard published two The End of the Game books. He was ahead of his time in drawing attention to hunting for sport without limit or consequence. The End of the Game is a great collection of images and a book I love to put on coffee tables.
Peter Beard’s work appeals to me not only because it is real, but because the layered, collage effect of mixed mediums brings a textural experience to his art. His use of these mediums is clever and fascinating to me, making each image seem like a personal memory from his own journals. Although the photos are mainly from the 1960’s and 1970’s, his work is still prominent and quite impressive. You could curate a room room around this stunning photography.
Not all of Peter Beard’s photos focus on animals and people he encountered during his time in Africa. A rather privileged young man with a trust fund and host of interesting celebrities as friends (including Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa), he once turned his lens on the iconic Jacqueline Kennedy in Greece where, he says, he taught her how to properly use a camera. To see more examples of Peter Beard’s work and publications, or to learn more about his fascinating life, visit his website or find him on Facebook.
One of my favorite go-to designs, chevron’s classic herringbone pattern never goes out of style.
One of my favorite go-to designs, chevron’s classic herringbone pattern never goes out of style. It’s a great graphic whether you go with a large, medium, or small style. A chevron pattern has a subtle or bold impact depending on the color or scale. I love this pattern on an entryway’s wood floor, but you can implement a chevron design in many other ways. Here are some chevron examples I love!
1. Antique French oak floor in a chevron pattern, from Exquisite Surfaces:
Since founding Bilhuber and Associates in 1984, Jeffrey Bilhuber has earned his place as one of the world’s top interior designers. He’s been published in more than 50 design books and been featured in every nation and international design magazine. He’s completed projects from New York to London and exudes such an accessible philosophy that he’s been invited to appear on shows such as The View and Conan O’Brien as well as HGTV. His Bilhuber Basics line for Stark Carpets increased his name recognition as did the success of his first book, Jeffrey Bilhuber’s Design Basics, as well as his next two books, Defining Luxury and The Way Home: Reflections on American Beauty.Jeffrey is known for blending traditionalism with modern sensibilities to produce beautiful and practical interiors uniquely suited to each client. His career and clientele so far have been really amazing so far!
Love the suzani and the black floors.More layers and textiles. Great combinations!
I adore Jeffrey Bilhuber for so many reasons. Each of his spaces is the perfect collected mix of details and fearless, unexpected, fascinating touches. His designs feature vivacious colors and timeless, sophisticated beauty. He implements top-notch finishes and creates these layered interiors that I really admire. Everything from his color selections to the way he uses big plants or bunches of grapes to bring a human element to a room resonates with me and certainly inspires me. When I find a stack of new design magazines in my mail box, I can’t wait to see Jeffrey Bilhuber designs among the pages.
I love this foyer: light, simple, and comfortable.Truly a bold statement with the gilt paint on the de Gournay panels.
My own designs have definitely been influenced by Jeffrey’s work. He inspires me to use the unexpected but still be timeless. I know when I give my clients examples from Jeffrey’s designs, we build a relationship of trust and confidence to maybe take design risks they might not otherwise have considered. I wouldn’t copy Jeffrey’s ideas, of course, but reinterpret elements and make them my own. The magnitude of his design is so big, other designers can learn so much just from just from taking a bit here and there to adapt to their own style and their clients’ needs.
The color combination is luscious with a stunning hand-painted detail on the floor.The backdrop of the black against the light sisal area rug is a great contrast.
I’ve used Phillip Jeffries products for my own clients many times and their amazing collection never fails me.
I’ve used Phillip Jeffries products for my own clients many times and their amazing collection never fails me. Founded three decades ago by Eric Bershad, this is truly a family business. Eric’s sons Phillip and Jeffrey, the company’s namesakes, now run the business along with their father. When Phillip Jeffries initially launched, they started with a selection of ten grasscloth wallpapers. Now, their products include a wide range of high quality wallpapers like Silks, Linens, Japanese Paper Weaves, and much more.
Extra Fine Arrowroot – When in doubt, a great collection with tons of colors to select from.
Phillip Bershad recently came to my office with a presentation and it reminded me why I am such a big fan of their products. Not only are their wallpapers beautifully designed and constructed, but the quality of Phillip Jeffries service makes them a fantastic source. Once you approve a sample, you get it within only two days, as long as it’s in stock. They are so reliable and will go to the ends of the earth to make things happen for clients. Custom options are always available on select products.
Patterns and styles available from Phillip Jeffries vary widely, with a huge range of colors. Whether I’m shopping for a client with more reserved taste or looking for something spunky to dress up an accent wall, I know I’ll find what I need with Phillip Jeffries.
Chinois Our Way – The color combination is sultry. What a great guest room!Imperial Gates – Very crisp on the white and navy.
I do love it when I enjoy the confidence of a client and can implement a Phillip Jeffries design with a lot of color and texture. Within the line, there’s the versatility of using a quieter touch for those that are more reserved. One of these open patterns with a bigger, more modern impact is the kind of design I love to find the right client for! In particular, I am a big fan of their Ikat!
Tease – I love the over-sized scale.Indo Ikat – Fabulous color! I am crazy for this pattern and can’t wait to use it.
To see more examples of Phillip Jeffries product line, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook.
Grey is certainly in fashion now, a softer alternative to black.
Grey is definitely part of a very neutral palette. It’s certainly in fashion, a softer alternative to black. Grey isn’t dreary at all, can be read as blue, and doesn’t compete with other colors. Other colors can be interjected with grey, but it’s a color to be mindful of to avoid taking it to a severe level.
I often find myself turning to quick and delicious options, like a beautiful cheese plate.
As much as I love good food, I am not much of a cook myself. More often than not, you’ll find me standing in the kitchen at 7:00 in the evening asking myself, “What’s for dinner?” If I had the time, I’d definitely do more cooking! Instead, I find myself turning to quick and delicious options, like a beautiful cheese plate rounded out with fresh fruit, bread, and maybe some greens for good measure. If you run into us at Fairway Market, we’ll probably be standing at the cheese counter!
A lovely cheese plate! (Image via The Sprouted Kitchen)
Our enjoyment of these simple meals centered around good cheese has led us to branch out from what’s available at the local market. One place we enjoy right in our own back yard is Napa and Company in Stamford. Their excellent menu is accented by a variety of artisanal cheeses, from aromatic cheeses like Morbier and Epoisses to sharp varieties like Manchego and Tarentaise. The cheese menu includes wine suggestions as well. With such an assortment of cheeses to sample, it’s easy to discover new flavors and expand your palette!
Napa and CompanyNapa and Company
Another fantastic place to dine on cheese or shop for cheeses to bring home with you is Artisanal Bistro in NYC. This is a great stop for anyone in NY who loves cheese, wine, and good food. When you step into Artisanal Bistro, it’s like walking into a different era. I love the retro vibe, with art deco lights and a tin ceiling.
Artisanal BistroArtisanal Bistro
Artisanal Bistro’s cheese and wine pairings are really interesting and the Cheese Shop gives visitors the opportunity to purchase hand crafted cheeses from around the world or impressive cheese platters. Cheese boxes and baskets make wonderful gifts and include gourmet treats chosen to best complement the included cheeses.
Cheeses at Artisanal BistroThe cheese counter at Artisanal Bistro.
Chances are, there’s a local cheese shop near you. Why not stop in and try a new variety of cheese or bring some home for a simple, quick dinner? If you’d like to learn more about the cheese shops above, both Napa and Company and Artisanal Bistro are on Facebook.
Coffee tables come in a huge range of shapes, sizes, and materials, but here are some of my favorites!
The coffee table makes up one of the key components in any room. It’s a grounding element, a piece that can make a big statement or be a subtle anchor for the space. Coffee tables come in a huge range of shapes, sizes, and materials, but here are some of my favorites!
I’ve seen a few examples lately of built-in bookcases creating a library in a dining room, and it’s an unconventional concept I really like.
I’ve seen a few examples lately of built-in bookcases creating a library in a dining room, and it’s an unconventional concept I really like. Incorporating an idea like this into your home works for a few different reasons.
First, everything is integrated. You have one space to inhabit in different ways, whether it’s enjoying a meal together as a family, relaxing with a book while you wake up with your morning coffee, or entertain friends against a cozy backdrop of books. Or, incorporating something like a wine fridge into the bookcases introduces another really cool concept.
Library with wine fridge via Modest Home LibrariesDesign by Jonathan Adler
Including bookshelves in a common room of the home is a lifestyle idea that’s great for families with kids. With so many of our media choices now relegated to computer screens, TV screens, iPads, and electronic readers, placing books in a position of priority in your home, within easy reach of little hands, sends a powerful message. It also encourages parents to read in front of their children and talk to their children about books. What’s not to love about creating a book-centric culture in such an important room in the home?
Image via Elle DecorEclectic design, image via Maureen Bower
The idea of a library in the dining room is also great because it works in so many different ways. Whether your home design style is rustic, traditional, modern, or more hip, stocked bookshelves can easily be incorporated into the dining room. You don’t have to commit to a specific look to make this concept work. I think David Kleinberg, in particular, has designed some really great spaces by incorporating a home library into the dining room.
Design by David KleinbergDesign by David Kleinberg
Burgundy’s warm, spicy tones make it such a hot color for fall!
Burgundy’s warm, spicy tones make it such a hot color for fall! It’s a color with great saturation that looks good on anyone and makes a wonderful accent for interiors.
The Winter 2013 issue of At Home Magazine, which also happens to be the A-List issue, is now available! As always, the magazine looks beautiful and is full, cover to cover, with incredible design by this year’s A-List Winners. I am so happy to be included in this talented group of renowned designers as a winner for my pool house design and a finalist for my dining room design.
miss the award ceremony in person. So many special designers that inspire and pave the way for others were there, and I really missed being a part of that event. I know Moffly Media threw a fantastic shindig! It really feels so great to receive this kind of recognition from designers who are a driving force in the design world.
