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Design Blogger Series: What Would You Do?

December 1, 2010 · Comments { 37 }

After a fun and well received first Design Blogger Series: What Would You Do? , today I have invited four more fabulous interior design bloggers to participate in the second version. Laura Casey of Laura Casey Interiors, Emily A. Clark, Janell Beals of Isabella and Max Rooms, and Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8 were each asked to design a look around the White Lacquer Desk from Pieces by incorporating four or so home décor items of their choosing. This chic desk features X base legs, lucite pulls and two drawers for great storage was simply a starting point as each designer created a unique vignette giving us a glimpse into their personal style.

laura casey interiors blog designer series

Charlotte, North Carolina-based designer, Laura Casey of Laura Casey Interiors chose to use the desk as a vanity for a sophisticated and classic dressing area off of a master bedroom. Laura said, “It’s just the spot where a woman would want to get ready in the morning.” As a backdrop Laura covers the walls in Bamboo Flower wallpaper by Colefax & Fowler. A fresh Matisse Armchair by Bungalow 5 is selected for the vanity; The leaf patterned back is a beautiful compliment to the Chinoiserie wallpaper. Laura places a glamorous round crushed Kabibi shell mirror from Made Goods with a soft ruffle over vanity. The Crackled Fishtail Vase Lamp by Vaughan add just the right pop of color and additional task lighting to the space. An elegant Waterford crystal ring holder and perfume bottle are the perfect finishing pieces.

Emily A. Clark {with a blog under the same name} is also based in Charlotte, North Carolina. When she first saw this desk, she immediately envisioned her dream office–a really glam design studio in the big city. Emily paired the desk with modern pieces that are both sophisticated and feminine. “I love a bold, graphic rug {Moresque Coral} and would soften it a bit by using an updated damask fabric in black {Calico Corners}, white and gray for ceiling-to-floor curtain panels” she explained. Emily selected a really sleek Colin Cowie chair in a shantung fabric and top off the look with a sparkly drum pendant found at Lamps Plus.

isabella and max rooms blog designer series

Portland, Oregon-based designer, Janell Beals from Isabella and Max Rooms created an office using bold patterns and a bit of bright color. She started with a strong graphic wallpaper, Leaves in Graphite by Schumacher because it’s traditional, yet modern. “Its gray and white color palette grounds the space.” said Janell. A Hot Pink Versa Rug by Madeline Weinrib brings in another bold pattern to the space and works because the scale is larger than the print on the wallpaper. The Nickel Plated Urn Lamp is classic, providing wonderful task and ambient lighting, while the black wrap chair from West Elm brings in a strong accent. Finally, Janell adds a fun punch of color with an orange lacquer tray by Jonathan Adler.

Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8, based in Southern California created a Chinoiserie chic office with the white lacquer desk. To Megan the desk is utilitarian, retro glam and therefore she selected a feminine backdrop – hand painted Chinoiserie wallpaper by Gracie Studio. “ I’ve been dying to use the Gracie wallpaper for awhile, and I love the way those organic lines look juxtaposed to the angular lines of the desk” said Megan. She repeated the juxtaposition in the lines of the faux bamboo regency mirror {eBay find} and the Frances Elkins Loop Chair from Todd Merrill Antiques. The fabulous Antelope Ax Carpet from Stark was selected because Megan said, “it’s a bit more subtle than the leopard.” The Chris Spitzmiller lamps add the perfect punch of color to the overall scheme.

Did you notice all designers used strong graphic wallpaper or rugs? The four chairs selected are wonderfully different too and seem to set the tone of each vignette. What elements do you like?

Thanks again to the four fabulous designers who participated today!

Read full story By Cristin on December 1, 2010 in design blogger series, furniture, interior design, office/study

My Favorite Resources for Chic Baby Nursery Décor

November 15, 2010 · Comments { 12 }

Designing a nursery room for baby is such a pleasure because of the joy in preparing to bring home a new member of the family. A well designed nursery room needs to be high-functioning, but in doing so it doesn’t have to sacrifice on style. And there isn’t a better time to design for baby. Today there are so many wonderful baby décor companies producing a vast range of style-savvy, multi-functional and eco-friendly products. In addition, many of these furnishings and accessories can be easily purchased online. Here are some of my favorite nursery room décor resources:

serena & lily crib pecock nursery
For Crib Bedding

My favorite resource for classic nursery bedding is Serena & Lily. Their crisp, fresh prints are fun, yet sophisticated and several are organic. Serena & Lily sell fabric by the yard which is nice if you’d like to have some custom upholstery or window treatments. They also offer low VOC paint and accessories that coordinate beautifully with their bedding collections.

block print crib bedding nursery rikshaw

One design trend making its way into the nursery is Eastern-inspired block prints. The Rikshaw Design offers a romantic and whimsical collection of crib sets, pillows and accessories, all hand block-printed on soft Indian cotton voile. The line is easy to mix-and-match with coordinating prints, florals, stripes and motifs.

For Nursery Furnishings

When selecting a crib, expecting parents have a lot of terrific styles and options today. Classic cribs are always in style, but many are now designed to grow with your child and transition from crib, to toddler bed, to full-sized headboard. I encourage clients to think ahead and purchase items that will represent a smart, solid investments – that will last beyond baby’s first years and become a permanent part of the home. When shopping for nursery room furnishings, I search Pottery Barn Kids, Rosenberry Rooms, and All Modern Baby. PetitNest is also a new baby & children’s décor company worth checking out.

A good nursing chair is also an important piece and investment in a newborn nursery. I advise my clients to think long-term with this purchase. Will it look okay in a big boy or big girl room? Can we move it to a family or another sitting room? Serena & Lily and Restoration Hardware Baby & Child {above} carry gliders with great lines and customizable fabric options.

nursery lighting lamps children posh tots
For Lighting

Lighting is an important part of the overall design of a nursery. It can set the overall mood and provide needed task lighting. My favorite resource for lighting a nursery is Posh Tots. They have a wide variety and styles to choose from. Recently, I also found some great and economical lighting options at Target.

For Storage

Compartmentalized storage pieces are essential to keeping a nursery organized and efficient. The MacBeth Collection {above left} offers tons of stylish storage tins that are easily tailored to the room’s color palette and best of all can be personalized with your child’s name, monogram or name of item it may be storing. Pottery Barn Kids {above right}, Ikea and Target also have fun storage options for nursery rooms.

For Rugs

An area rug might be necessary if the nursery room has wooden or tile flooring. I always visit Overstock.com first to see if they have any rugs on clearance that might work in the design. Another great resource is Rosenberry Rooms {sampling above}.

nursery artwork children polka dot peacock

For Wall Art

There are so many great options for decorating the walls of a nursery. One trend is the use of wall decals. They are wonderful to use in nursery rooms because the can be easily removed or changed out as your child outgrows the space. I am also a huge fan of original artwork. Etsy has loads of talented artists that will personalize pieces for your little ones. Another favorite spot for art is Polka Dot Peacock where I found the artwork above.

What are you favorite resources for nursery room décor?

Read full story By Cristin on November 15, 2010 in baby and children, baby nursery room, Design Tips, furniture, interior design, Tips/Tricks

Design Blogger Series: What Would You Do?

November 3, 2010 · Comments { 37 }

Williams Sonoma Home Cosmopolitan Console Table

House Beautiful has a designer series I enjoy reading called, “What Would You Do?” A handful of interior designers are asked to create a small vignette using the same piece of furniture. Today, I have invited four fabulous interior design bloggers to do the same. As a starting point, Brooke Giannetti of Velvet & Linen, Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home, Scot Meacham Wood of The Adventures of Tartanscot and Michelle Workman of Furnishing a Fabulous Life were given the Cosmopolitan Console Table from Williams Sonoma Home. It is a beautifully proportioned console in a glamorous Regency Revival style of 1930s Paris. With it the designers were asked to design a look by incorporating four or so décor items. Each created something wonderfully different that gives us a peek into their personal style.

designer series what would your do brooke velvet and linen

Los Angeles-based designer, Brooke Giannetti of Velvet & Linen created a relaxed “coastal” entryway using the console table. She places a pair of Leila Chairs from Giannetti Home, slipcovered in a cream linen on either side of the console. Brooke says, “they bridge the gap between contemporary and traditional, just like the Cosmopolitan Console.” A chunky jute Bora Bora Rug in “Sunrise”by Merida grounds the space with warmth and natural texture. Original artwork by Brooke’s husband, Steve Giannetti ‘s water painting series helps set the serene coastal tone and is also available at Giannetti Home. For the “perfect amount of aged patina” she adds a 1930’s copper lantern from The Elemental Garden at 1st Dibs.

designer series what would your do lauren liess

Based just outside Washington DC, designer Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home envisioned the Cosmopolitan Console in the entry of her dream lake house. She used Susanna Kasler’s quartrefoil chairs in blue from Hickory Chair. to flank the console. Theresa Fike’s painting found on Etsy grounds the grouping and adds a sense of age. The llama sconces from Porta Romana are “hysterical” and fun and totally out of left field which is why Lauren loved them. Lauren also added, “I’d love to layer more more and more on the table, but since we’re allowed only 4 items 😉 ” A large potted foxtail asparagus fern was selected to add some life and fresh green to the space. Lauren said, “they’re hard to kill too which is key.”

designer series what would your do scot wood

Designer, Scot Meacham Wood of The Adventures of Tartanscot created a calming, relaxed and stylish entry of the Four Seasons Private Residences in San Francisco {also where Wood is based}. He images, “a beautiful San Francisco skyline glowing with the late evening sunset and the space welcoming homeowners from a hectic day.” The walls are covered in a calming Arrowroot, “Springtime Green” PJ1737 by Phillip Jeffries Wallpaper. Scot flanks the console table with a pair of Macassar Veneered Armchairs, recovered in Apple Green Mohair available at 1st Dibs. The Blue & White Ginger Jar Lamp from Ralph Lauren add just the right touch of Chinoiserie. Over the console Wood hangs original artwork of Daniel Tousignant, available from Geras/Tousignant Gallery.

designer series what would your do michelle workman

Los Angeles-based designer, Michelle Workman of the blog, Furnishing a Fabulous Life created a “New English Study” with the Williams Sonoma Home console table. Filled with books, this very hip study or library would be painted a forest green. To anchor the space Workman adds the Climbing Leopard rug by Diane Von Furstenberg. She also includes a pair of chic canopy chairs in white patent leather from Mogul. For a big of “old” an antique Gilded Running Horse Weathervane from 1st Dibs is added on the console. From the ceiling, Michelle hangs a timeless chandelier – the Aurburn from Arteriors Home.

A big thank you to Brooke, Lauren, Scot and Michelle for participating in this series!

There are elements in each design that I think are brilliant. Which one catches your eye?

Read full story By Cristin on November 3, 2010 in design blogger series, foyers, furniture, interior design, original artwork

Notes on Navigating High Point Furnishings Market…

October 15, 2010 · Comments { 6 }

Starting tomorrow and running through October 21st, approximately 85,000 people {mostly serious retail home furnishings buyers} will be attending The High Point Market in North Carolina. It’s the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world and it happens twice a year. They claim if you can’t find it in High Point…it probably doesn’t exist.

{Arteriors Home – Building: IHFC #H320}

“With more exhibitors than any other event, Market Week presents a truly comprehensive product selection, covering every category, style and price,” says Market Authority President and CEO Brian Casey. “Plus, all of the latest trends in form, function, color and finish arrive in tens of thousands of new product debuts. But we also believe that retailers and designers want to understand the context from which these forms emerge, and they want real-world, nuts and bolts solutions to their business challenges. So, we also offer a full slate of seminars and presentations by our industry’s leading researchers and consultants.”

clarke and clarke fabrics duralee high point lino sheers

{Clarke & Clarke – Duralee Fine Furniture Showroom High Point – 330 N Hamilton, Ste 301}

With over 188 buildings and 12 million square feet of show space to cover. The experience could get overwhelming really fast. Having a plan of attack is a must. Here are some great resources to help you plan your trip. Unfortunately, I cannot attend this year, but I’m taking notes!

If it is your first time attending the event, here’s a link to a video and list of valuable planning tips courtesy of The High Point Market Authority.

Red Egg Turquoise Chinese Cabinet buffet high point

{Red Egg – Building: 415 W High Street}

Recently, High Point Market Authority launched a social media and planning tool called MyMarket. It allows attendees to customize their Market Week experience by finding exhibitors, presenters and events and saving selections for future reference in an itinerary. MyMarket can be accessed online to set up view Market schedules and events, view contacts and exhibitors, send messages and set meetings. It is also mobile-browser compatible for smart phones and iPads. Go to https://www.highpointmarket.org/MyMarket

Jaimie Young High Point Harem Collection Stools

{Jamie Young Co. – Interhall Booth #IH205}

Also, I loved this article, How to Make the Most of Your Visit to High Point by Elizabeth Morten from Dovecote Decor as seen on Brooke’s Velvet & Linen blog. Liz lived near High Point for over 30 years and shares her insider tips. After securing lodging {biggest hurdle in Liz’s eyes – for a list of accommodations go here}, she recommends your first visit the InterHall in IHFC (International Home Furnishings Center).

“If you are not snagging “one of a kinds,” your first stop is the IHFC.” says Liz. “Walk through the main entrance (Commerce) and walk down the hall to the right. InterHall is the must see, juried space at market… Interhall represents boutique vendors, with different styles with uniformity of scale–read, not super-sized. This is hybrid furniture, often made of sustainable materials, in Asia, with small production runs. You will wait months and months for most things from InterHall, but the look combined with price is worth the wait.”

worlds away two tier ring console in gold

{Worlds Away – Building: IHFC #D319}

The next High Point will be April 4-10, 2011.

Are you headed to High Point this year or next?

What vendors are a must see on your list?

Read full story By Cristin on October 15, 2010 in furniture, home accessories, interior design

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