This beautiful gold leaf side table at 18″ square x 26″ high was just the beginning as each designer created a vignette reflective of their personal style and talents. Take a look at these fabulous inspiration boards:
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Design Blogger Series: What Would You Do?
January 18, 2011 · Comments { 36 }
Today I am thrilled to have four more talented interior design bloggers participate in the third, Design Blogger Series: What Would You Do? Erika Ward of Blulabel Bungalow, Marianne Strong of Haven and Home, Maria Killam of Colour Me Happy and Kirsten Krason of 6th Street Design School were asked to design a look around the Maynard Side Table by Worlds Away {available at Clayton Gray Home} by incorporating four or so home décor items of their choosing.
“2011 is all about a little spontaneity. This look is inspired by Jessica Snow’s artwork, Louis the Third, which features overlapping lines in energetic hues. Affordably priced at $200 for a 17”x 22’ print, there’s still enough money in the budget to have it framed. The Brownie Sofa [with its nailhead trim] grounds the space while adding a touch of glamour. Pulling colors from the artwork, I chose a versatile peacock blue chair and a gold Greek key rug to further the modern, funky vibe. Thom Filicia’s Citysquare fabric carries the Greek motif to the windows as drapery panels and to the sofa as accent pillows. Toss a couple of solid canary yellow pillows onto the sofa to complete the look. Hovering over the room is the most gorgeous pendant light which borrows metallic cues from the side table and its shape from the artwork. I would never have a sad day in this room.”
“I imagine this table paired with another one in a small guest bedroom in my future 2nd or 3rd residence in New York {smile}. I love the green diamond pattern in the Serena & Lily headboard. Every guest room needs some fabulous, decorative toss cushions, these are by designer Trina Turk. The hot pink from the pillows would be repeated with a Robert Abbey Table Lamp from Macy’s. The white barrel back chair from Williams Sonoma Home would be perfect in a guest room because no one would ever sit on it. This mirrored dresser from ZGallerie adds the perfect Hollywood glam touch for this bedroom to go with the end table.”
“As soon as I saw this table I instantly thought of a cozy reading nook. The first thing I would add would be the Carter Chair from Mitchell & Gold. It is large enough to be inviting, yet the nail head detail, legs and lines keep it stylish enough to compliment the side table. I would upholster it in either a dark leather or natural linen. Next I would add a floor lamp to make sure there was ample reading light. I chose the Circa Bamboo floor lamp because it is sleek and adds an additional texture against the metal. The table has a certain refinement to it, the Peshawar rug from Williams Sonoma home shares this quality while adding softness and some pattern. Since I see the table in a reading nook I would add the Charcoal Script pillow from South of Market and the Blue Sage Ruched Throw from West Elm for added comfort.”
“I imagine this wonderful side table next to a comfy reading chair in an intricate batik ink print. {Slope Chair at Urban Outfitters}. A beautiful pillow found on Etsy pulls out the gold in the table and then the Pottery Barn’s Star & Flower rug has accents of gold and blue. This little reading nook would be cozy, sophisticated and colorful. The industrial iron floor lamp serves as a great reading lamp. And the butterfly art, Christopher Marley’s Form & Pheromone, Lanternflies is simple enough to work with the busy chair and rug patterns.”
A big thank you to Erika, Maria, Marianne and Kirsten for participating in this series!
There are elements in each design that I think are fabulous. Which one catches your eye?
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By Cristin on January 18, 2011 in blog, design blogger series, furniture, interior design
Interview with Interior Designer Bunny Williams
January 10, 2011 · Comments { 16 }
New York-based design icon and tastemaker, Bunny Williams has been creating elegant, timeless and inviting rooms for more than 40 years. Before launching her own firm, she spent the first twenty-two years of her career with the legendary decorating firm, Parish-Hadley Associates. In addition to being an award-winning designer, she’s also an accomplished author, speaker and businesswoman. In October 2010, Bunny debuted her furniture line, Beeline Home II by Bunny Williams, at the High Point Market and received The Best of Market Award, which recognizes the showroom that best exemplifies design excellence. In addition, Bunny recently released her latest book, “Scrapbook for Living.”
Simplified Bee: Your designs are timeless, inviting and fit each client precisely. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?
Bunny Williams: I grew up in a wonderful house in Charlottesville, VA with a family who loved beautiful things and who loved to entertain. I had a little playhouse surrounded by a garden with wicker furniture and a small table with a miniature tea set. I loved giving tea parties for my dolls and rearranging the furniture. I learned early on how to create a comfortable welcoming house. I truly think becoming a designer was in my DNA. Later on when I moved to New York I was taught by the best, Mrs. Henry (Sister) Parish and Albert Hadley whose firm I worked at for many years. I opened my own firm in 1988 and have enjoyed working with many wonderful clients all of whom have helped me grow and expand my horizons as a designer.
SB: How would you describe your personal style?
BW: My personal style is all about making my houses comfortable and inviting for my family and friends, and of course, my dogs. I adore all kinds of furniture, love combining antiques and new pieces, and am always moving things around. I am a shopper and a collector. I love to be surrounded by books, have lots of comfortable chairs and good lights for reading. I get a kick out of putting something inexpensive and stylish next to a fine antique. It is the mix of periods, styles, and pedigrees that excites me.
SB: You have said that every design decision you make is based on a fundamental principle: “Knowing what you value is essential.” Throughout your career, has there been a common theme with what you and your clients value?
BW: It is true that I make design decisions based on the fundamental principle: “Knowing what you value is essential”. That underlying theme helps me understand each of my clients and is also important to me in designing my own homes. It is essentially getting to the core of how they live and how they want to live in the spaces I am designing for them. I would say the most common theme amongst all my clients is to have a home and surroundings that are comfortable, flexible and that suits today’s fast paced lifestyle. We all live much more casually today and people want a place to relax, enjoy a wonderful dinner, appreciate the outdoors, welcome family and friends, and feel at ease. In addition, they want the best quality their dollars can afford.
SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?
BW: My go to paint colors right now are all from Farrow & Ball. The quality of the paint is superb and the well edited color palette provides the perfect background for furniture and art.
My favorites are: Orangery, Blue Ground, with White Tie for trim. I also love Book Red.
SB: In March of 2009, you launched your first collection of furniture and accessories, Beeline Home. The collection is magnificent. The Eglomise Coffee Table and the Eclipse Chair are my favorites. What are your favorite pieces? Do you have any new pieces you can share with us?
BW: In my first BeeLine Home collection, I particularly love the Nailhead sofa. It has a high back the perfect seat depth, a charming scalloped apron, and nailhead trim which defines the silhouette of the piece.
In Collection II which we just introduced at the High Point furniture market a few weeks ago, I adore the Harvest table which has an unusual wrought iron base and is available with a cerused oak or honed marble top. It is very versatile and could be used as a center table in a foyer, a library table, or even as a dining table.
SB: In addition to designing, you have authored several books including An Affair with a House, On Garden Style and most recently Point of View. Was one easier to write than the others?
BW: Having written four books which is truly a labor of love and takes amazing discipline, I must say that the easiest one to write was “An Affair with a House”. Since the subject is my own house in Falls Village, CT which I bought and restored over many years and is where I escape to relax and work in my garden, the book felt natural and the words just flowed. My fourth book “Scrapbook for Living” published by Stewart, Tabori and Chang, with beautiful photographs by Amy Archer was also fun to write. It is filled with tips and things I have learned about creating a wonderful home that is well organized, personal and has soul.
SB: It seems you are embracing social media. You are on Facebook, tweet and write a blog {Bunny’s Buzz}. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets?
BW: I think Social Media is definitely the way to connect with people today. I still love a hand written note and a telephone call, but the new ways to communicate are fast and fun. I just got an iPad and I am addicted! Stay tuned for our new website bunnywilliams.com. All of my enterprises will be there: my interior design projects, Bunny Williams Inc., BeeLine Home, and my shops Treillage. We will be able to link to other sites, show beautiful photographs, and Bunny’s Buzz will have the capability to show videos and give great tips and information.
SB: What is your favorite room in your house and why?
BW: My favorite room in my house is the Conservatory in the barn right next to the main house in Connecticut. It is a room filled with plants that during the day is one of my favorite places to read or visit with a friend as it gets beautiful light pouring through the hand blown glass windows. In the evening it becomes a candlelit dining room and is just magical.
11 Design Trends for 2011
January 3, 2011 · Comments { 22 }
Yesterday I was over the moon to be included in a San Francisco Chronicle article by Anh-Minh Le titled, 11 Top Trends for 2011. Eleven design bloggers {most from the San Francisco Bay Area} were asked to discuss their top decorating ideas for 2011. Small homes, nostalgia for books and cultural layering were some trends that made the list. Here’s mine {and you may have guessed it would have an organizing slant!}:
1. A magnetic board with a bold geometric print {Jonathan Adler}, 2. French vintage basket {1st Dibs}, 3. Kuta tin boxes {Serena & Lily}, 4. IKat mini bowls {Athropologie}
To find out what other design bloggers’ are trending for 2011, visit the full article at SFGate here.
Happy New Year!
Welcome 2011 and Favorite Simplified Bee Blog Posts of 2010
January 1, 2011 · Comments { 7 }
Happy New Year! 2010 was a wonderful year and I truly enjoyed writing this blog. I also appreciate all of my loyal readers. Many thanks! You make it all worth it.
Here’s a look back at my favorite Simplified Bee posts of 2010:
A tour of the Elle Décor’s first designer showhouse in San Francisco: Living Room by Gary Spain, Teen Girl’s Bedroom by Grant Gibson, Guest Bedroom Retreat by Suzanne Tucker and Master Bedroom and Bath by Jay Jeffers.
Wishing you a very happy, healthy and joyous 2011!
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By Cristin on January 1, 2011 in baby and children, home organization, interior design






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