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The Iconic Chinese Chippendale Chair

London-based cabinet maker and furniture desinger, Thomas Chippedale created the iconic Chippendale chair in the mid-18th century. He became immensely famous for his detailed mahogany furniture that can be found in castles, museums and fine homes throughout the world. According to Wikepedia, Christopher Gilbert – an American poet – “was able to identify in 1978 from among over sixty known clients twenty-six documented commissions where surviving furniture by Chippendale could be identified, much of it still in the aristocratic houses for which it was made.”

Chippedale’s furniture designs are still popular some 250 years later and fall into three main styles – Gothic, Rococo and Chinese. It’s his chair I am crazy for and in particular, the Chinese Chippendale. This decorative chair is known for having a pagoda roofline, dragon motifs and flipped up ears on the top. The chair’s body has fretwork, a stretcher for carving and a drop in seat with an exposed wooden apron. Its legs are square in section, on block feet.

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Whether you already have a prized Chinese Chippendale or are dreaming about one, this print – Red Chinoiserie Chair by Annechovie may be just what you need.

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Read full story By on October 13, 2009 in chairs, chinoiserie, furniture, interior design

Preston Bailey – Fabulous at Designing Events and His NYC Apartment

Preston Bailey is world-renown for producing fabulously one-of-a-kind, opulent events surrounded in dramatic vibrant blossoms, exotic textiles and theatrically lit crystals. After struggling at first in NYC Bailey’s best friend, interior designer Vicente Wolf, suggested he create floral arrangements for his clients. It wasn’t long before Bailey was designing parties for A-listers like Oprah, Donald Trump and Bill Cosby.

Bailey is also a bestselling author and his latest book, Preston Bailey: Celebrations (Rizzoli September 2009) showcases a sampling of his stunning work. With all this success, he still seems like a down-to-earth guy – love this! And I really like his advice from an interview in the New York Social Diary about throwing a party at your home, “You really have to let go of it – and let them help cleaning up.”

No, this is not another one of Bailey’s events; It’s his dining area in his cozy and colorful NYC apartment. Once part of a wedding by Bailey, the glass ball ornament is beautifully reflected in the enormous floor to ceiling mirror – great design element to visually enlarge a small space. The furnishing throughout the apartment was by designer and friend Vincent Wolf.

Bailey’s galley kitchen is simple in black and white. Again, the large mirror helps expand the small space visually. The white urn and flower arrangement is fabulous!

The round tufted leather ottoman is a perfect addition to this small living space. In a pinch it acts as additional sitting and my guess is it allows for storage within. The metallic copper color is a great juxtaposition to the dominate chartreuse sofa, walls and rug.

A pair of orchids and sea shells bring organic elements inside. We can also see a peek into the bedroom and Bailey’s racing bike. He is also an avid tri-athlete – go Bailey go!

A beautiful floor to ceiling curtain in teal divides the living area from the sleeping nook. And it’s brilliant how he used an easel to hold the TV.

Are you inspired to redesign your small space or throw an over-the-top party? I am.

* images from Preston Bailey and NYSD

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Read full story By on October 12, 2009 in dining rooms, Entertaining, interior design, living rooms

Opulent Beverly Hills Estate by Interior Designer Karan Brady

Designed by architect Paul R. Williams, this stunning 21,000 square foot estate in Beverly Hills includes the main house, guest house and grounds. The renovation of the 1930s colonial revival took three years, but the result was worth the wait. Interior Designer, Karan Brady of Ralph Lauren Home helped deliver the homeowner’s vision of a home fusing styles of a classic Hamptons estate and down-to-earth California chic.

The entrance hall showcases the home’s gorgeous ebony wood floors and neutral walls in linen wallpaper. An antique canoe Brady found at a Parisian flea market hangs high on the wall. The designer adds organic elements to the space with petrified wood pieces from Holly Hunt hung over a bench from Kathleen Clements Design and a cowhide rug.

The home’s earthy-toned great room is luxurious, yet inviting. The stone fireplace is flanked by an ebony grand piano and 1930s-inspired Duke Bar, by Ralph Lauren Home. The milk white Murano glass chandelier is pure opulence and is balanced by the rustic beams made from reclaimed railway ties.

The all white kitchen is simply gorgeous. Brady again mixes new and old elements. The Parisian antique lamps over the island are brilliantly paired with modern stainless steel appliances. And what I would do for two farmhouse sinks!

The romantic master bedroom is also in warm earthy tones. The French doors are beautifully framed by golden silky puddle drapes that are paired nicely with the walls covered in a textured wallpaper. The contemporary bed and chairs are by Ralph Lauren Home.

My husband peeked at this media room and said, “This is the way it should be done.” I too like the laid-back leather sectional with square woven ottoman. Comfortable elegance. The bar of course is magnificent.

Even the two-story guest house was gutted and remodeled. It too has a relaxed, yet luxurious style. And if swimming isn’t your thing, how about a game of tennis, golf on the putting green or reading by the koi pond? This estate has it all. I don’t think I would ever leave the grounds. How about you?

*images Luxe Magazine

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Read full story By on October 5, 2009 in bedrooms, interior design, kitchens, living rooms

Infusing Yellow in Your Color Scheme and Interior Design by Amanda Nisbet

Yellow is the color of some of my favorite things including sunshine, lemons and bumblebees. New York-based interior designer and one of my personal favorites, Amanda Nisbet knows how to design a space with the color yellow. In some instances she uses this cheerful hue as the primary color and other times as an accent. Following Nisbet’s work as a guide, here are some ideas on how you can infuse yellow into your space’s color palette.

In this elegant sunny living room, Nisbet keeps the color scheme warm – yellows, neutrals and accents of red. She selects neutral tans and browns for the upholstered furniture and natural woven rug.

Nisbet selects a soft canary yellow like Farrow & Ball’s Dayroom Yellow for room’s walls. She coordinates the window floor-length draperies to match.

Nisbet also bring the color palette together in throw pillows and accessories. This Citrus Swirl Throw Pillow from Pieces would do the trick.

In this stunning living space Nisbet pairs golden yellow with neutrals and accents of teal and melon. Yum! Various shades of yellow are picked up in the room’s walls, console table, throw pillows, draperies and accessories.

Nisbet frames the French doors beautifully in floor length buttercup draperies. To achieve this look, consider a fabric like Peter Fasano’s Vallelunga in Dijion to add a splash of color and interest to your windows.

Picking up additional citrus hues, the sweet bench behind the sofa is upholstered in Amanda Nisbet’s own fabric collection available through Holland & Sherry. The Chip 2 pattern in Tutti Fruitti would also look fabulous on an armchair!


A linen Lemon Rope Throw Pillow available at Pieces in a neutral shade armchair would mimic Nisbet’s inspirational look nicely.

Nisbet creates an upbeat modern white and raspberry girl’s bedroom with bright accents in citron yellow, turquoise and orange. It’s darling. Notice how she consciously places bits of yellow throughout the room, but not next to each other.

To achieve this look, simply add splashes of bright yellow and repeat it in small accessories once or twice. A Garden Stoolwould pull in the yellow accent color beautifully while being multifunctional – use it as a chair or table.

 

Pair the garden stool with accessories like this handmade, glazed ceramic Double Yellow Parrots to repeat the accent color. These darling feathered friends would look fabulous atop a contrasting side table, but would get lost if near or on the garden stool in the same hue.

In this chic contemporary living area, Nisbet pairs neutral walls and upholstered furniture with black and yellow accents. She selects dramatic golden floor length drapery – similar to Durlee’s Sungold fabric below. Nisbet repeats the color in an armchair on the opposite side of the room and lamp shades placed throughout.

An upholstered chair is always a great place to add an accent color.

This romantic tufted Earl Chaisein citrus by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams would be a great choice.

Like in the Nisbet living room example, adding a table lamp like this Yellow Faux Bamboo Lampis a perfect way to pull yellow accents to your room.

In this living room, Nisbet combines yellow with deep reds and neutrals to create a warm color palette. She has the wall painted a bright yellow while placing an area rug in a more subdued, muted tone. In addition, Nisbet splashes yellow accents in the throw pillows and ottoman.

This exquisite silk and wool Marigold Tulip Rug by Galbraith & Paulwould be a lovely way to pull in a muted yellow tone into your room.

Nisbet creates a sunny breakfast nook by painting the walls and upholstering the bench and chairs in citron yellow. Love those lucite chairs!

Instead of paint, wallpaper is another option for adding color to your room’s wall. I love this sweet Bumble Bee Wallpaperfrom Farrow & Ball and think it would look great in a breakfast nook.

Which of the cheeful rooms designed by Amanda Nisbet is your favorite?

*images from Amanda Nisbet, Pieces, Tonic Home, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, Duralee, Decorati

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Read full story By on September 30, 2009 in breakfast nooks, color, girl's bedroom, home accessories, interior design, living rooms