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Live Simply

January 27, 2012 · Comments { 3 }

It’s a great motto right? Well it’s also the name of Annie’s darling organizing blog. Today, I have the pleasure of being interviewed by her. We talk about organizing of course, but also what motivates me to get out of bed. Although, this week nothing could motivate me – I spent most of it in bed sick. Never fun.

Happy Friday! Wishing you a very healthy weekend!

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Read full story By Cristin on January 27, 2012 in bookshelves, girl's bedroom, interview

Interview with Interior Designer Suzanne Tucker

January 24, 2012 · Comments { 5 }

Once a protégée of Michael Taylor {a designer known for creating the “California look”}, Suzanne Tucker is now recognized as one of the country’s leading interior designers. She founded the San Francisco interior design, Tucker and Marks with her husband Timothy F. Marks in 1986. Over the years, Suzanne’s esteemed 20-person firm has received numerous design awards and has been featured in countless shelter magazines. Most recently, the firm was honored as one of Architectural Digest’s AD 100 for 2012.

I’ve long admired Suzanne’s work and I’m not alone. Her elegant, layered, yet refined approach to design attracts clients from around the world. Suzanne believes, “a polished mix of fine antiques, richly sensual textiles and beautifully designed accessories are the foundations for a timeless home.”

I am thrilled to be interviewing her today!

Simplified Bee: Your award-winning designs are luxurious, timeless and beautifully blend old and new. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

Suzanne Tucker: My mother will tell you she saw it coming when I was a little girl and would spend hours re-arranging all the ornaments on the Christmas tree. I always took art classes outside of my school curriculum and it was natural for me to gravitate towards the arts, art history, architecture & design when I was in college.

elegant living room suzanne tucker design

{photo by Matthew Millman}

SB: How would you describe your personal style?

ST: I’m a classic girl, my style is timeless but relaxed. I love the word “sprezzatura”, loosely translated “the art of unstudied elegance”.

SB: What type of architecture are you drawn to?

ST: I work with so many wonderful architects and in a diversity of styles that for me the common thread is scale and proportion. I’m a classicist at heart and feel strongly that one must learn the scales on the piano in order to write the modern symphony.

SB: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?

ST: I would have loved to have been under the tutelage of John Fowler when he was working for Pauline de Rothschild. Think what you could have learned from those two…. what taste, what style!

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

ST: I love the Fine Paints of Europe palette, particularly for high-gloss woodwork, Pratt & Lambert, for their lovely clear colors, and Benjamin Moore for their historic palette. Also, Ann Hall paints have the most marvelous multi-pigmented hues.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

ST: Classic scale & proportion will never go out of style. The decorating “rules” of matching and perfect coordination have been permanently broken and I highly doubt they will ever come back. I don’t follow trends, trends by nature are here today, gone tomorrow.

SB: Where do you recommend clients splurge versus save?

ST: Splurge on the best quality upholstery you can afford and on one really good piece of furniture for a room. Concentrate your dollars and don’t spread them too thin. You can definitely save on accessories in a room because you can find the interesting and the unusual at flea markets or garage sales.

SB: In addition to designing, you’ve been busy launching Suzanne Tucker Home and started with an exquisite fabric collection. Can you tell us about your latest collection and what inspired you?

ST: One of the greatest inspirations to any designer is travel. While daydreaming about traveling, I thought of the vast continent of Africa, the historical journeys, the adventurous safaris, the spice trade, nomads, tribes & exotic caravans. So we launched our Caravan Collection with eight new designs all evocative of the “Dark Continent”. The collection offers an enchanted journey of textiles – a lovely silk jacquard reflecting the exotic colors and fauna of Morocco; two luxurious cut/loop velvets inspired by the coat of the cheetah and traditional African trade baskets; soft subtle weaves mimicking the patterns of the sands of the great Sahara desert; dream-like hand woven Ikat stripes and rich cottons inspired by the flora of the jungle and the magnificent zebra. I was so thrilled to see that Pantone had selected Tango Tangerine as the color of the year, as it is a prominent part of the caravan palette.

SB: What’s next for Suzanne Tucker Home?

ST: We just launched my first table top collection for Royal Limoges called San Marco, inspired by the mosaics in the Piazza San Marco. I am also working on a new textile collection inspired by my travels to Istanbul. Up next is furniture, lighting and wallpaper.

SB: Fill in the blank. No room is complete without…

ST: a touch of black.

Thank you Suzanne for your time and generosity. Keep inspiring us!

Read full story By Cristin on January 24, 2012 in interior design, interview, living rooms

Bathroom Accessory Tips from Waterworks

October 13, 2011 · Comments { 3 }

The right artwork, mirror or throw pillow can elevate the style of a room. Home décor accessories are often forgotten and can be easily overdone. Striking the right balance is key.

Accessories are important design elements in any space and this of course includes powder and bathrooms. If you are struggling to finish off your bathroom with just the right accessories, you are in luck.

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Barbara Sallick, the Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Design of Waterworks. In 1978, Barbara and her husband, Robert founded the luxury bath company which is known for craftsmanship and artisanal designs. I am excited to have her share tips on accessorizing the bathroom in style.

Simplified Bee: What are some new materials being used in bathroom accessories?

Barbara Sallick: I love natural linen – a material that has long been a tradition in the European bath, but is not as popular in the U.S. Linen is durable and only grows softer and more absorbent with age—many are surprised that it’s more absorbent than cotton. This fall we are launching many natural linens that are hand loomed and quite lovely. From elegant guest towels to crocheted bath mats to richly textured shower curtains.

I have not seen new materials for the bath recently. However, resin continues to be a great material for the bath. It is heat and water resistant, is available in great colors (I love our new fall color, purple) and very easy to keep clean. Resin lends itself to clean modern shapes and is at home in any space.

I also love ceramic accessories for the bath. Here is an opportunity to search for great vintage pieces such as soap dishes, toothbrush holders repurposed as containers for jewelry and waste bins often the output of old English ceramics factories. But there are wonderful new handmade ceramics that add that personal touch as well. Our new Chatham accessories have clean shapes, slightly irregular surfaces in tones of gray and white. These add an artisanal touch to any space.

SB: What is the best way to bring in bathroom accessories without being too matchy?

BS: I much prefer the personal touch of handmade or found objects that don’t match when used as bathroom accessories. Many of our new accessory and textile collections are handmade so that no two pieces are exactly alike. For example, Chatam is kiln fired porcelain that is handmade in a small studio. Beautiful oversized white ceramic soap dishes look great on a counter as partners to more utilitarian nickel towel bars. A small vintage table is useful for candles and well packaged apothacary and more interesting than built in cabinets that resemble the ones in the kitchen. It is the mixing and matching that makes any space more interesting.

SB: Do you have any creative tips for displaying towels?

BS: I love to layer towels on towel bars. I start with thick rich white Gotham bath towels folded in thirds; I then add a different but neutral colored hand towel on top of the bath towel; the final layer is usually vintage linen towel with long fringe for additional texture. This inspired many of our new linen towels.

Sometimes I roll towels and place them in a beautiful woven basket and mix the palette for an added color splash in the bath. Our Waterworks Jute basket is a perfect way to neatly store towels. I am very careful about how I fold the towels and often pile them up on the bathtub ledge. I recommend that all towels need to be folded very neatly and the assortment is limited.

SB: What are you favorite bathroom scents, soaps?

BS: I am not a flowery kind of person. I think scents that suit my personality are “outdoorsy and fresh”. I love lemon verbena, vervaine, eucalyptus and a hint of mint. Our new apothecary diffusers are a perfect way to diffuse a lovely scent without overwhelming.

SB: You have a guest staying over – what are the three most important things that need to be done in a bath before they arrive?

BS: The bathroom must be sparkling clean for guests from the grout to the water closet. All light bulbs must be in working order and the mirrors clean. Install a fresh roll of toilet paper, new bars of soap for the sink and the shower. Make sure there is a clean drinking glass. It goes without saying that your towels are fluffy and newly washed. And, don’t forget to place a container of your favorite body lotion on the shelf over the sink or on the counter. Our new Fresh Linen apothecary scent is reminiscent of how any guest bath should be: clean, welcoming and elegant.

Thanks Barbara for the great tips! All of the home furnishings and accessories pictured above are currently available on Waterworks online store.

What special ways do you prepare your bathroom for guests?

Read full story By Cristin on October 13, 2011 in bathrooms, home accessories, interior design, interview, waterworks

Interview with Interior Designer Doryn Wallach

September 26, 2011 · Comments { 2 }

Before going out on her own, New York based interior designer Doryn Wallach, worked for several design firms. Her successful design career includes both residential and commercial projects. Doryn has also been a contributor on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. She has a new passion and gig too that she will share at the end of this interview!

Simplified Bee: When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

Doryn Wallach: My great-grandparents were antiquarians and while I didn’t know them, my mother was always involved in interior design. I used to go shopping with her when she would go on shopping trips with her interior designer but my Mom really did the majority of the designing. She was very talented but never turned it into a career. I really had no aspirations to be a designer and kind of stumbled on the major in college and it clicked for me. I love all kinds of design and style is important to my aesthetic.

SB: How would you describe your personal style?

DW: I have very eclectic taste. I could really design any space in any style depending on what was needed. I appreciate most design styles. Because of this, in my own home, my taste is diverse, but somehow it just works together. I love a touch of glamour for every room, even if it’s the bathroom. I love mixing textures and punches of color and creating style in unexpected places.

SB: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?

DW: Steven Gambrel and Kelly Wearstler. I feel almost cliché saying Kelly Wearstler because I feel like she is “trendy” at the moment, but I have watched her for a while. She isn’t afraid to take chances on her style, and really goes for it in some of her spaces, but in her hotel spaces, the vibe is toned-down. The Viceroy in Santa Monica and The Viceroy in Anguilla are two of my favorite hotel spaces. Steven Gambrel is someone whose work I have followed for a while and I really love his simple style, and yet he pays special attention to detail. Details are what really makes a home, and a lot of designers and consumers don’t realize this

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

DW: I don’t really. I go by the elements/colors in the space and then choose a paint color. Even if I use a white on a trim and there’s a dominant color in the space, I use the lightest possible hue of that color which appears white, but really ties the space together.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

DW: I am really loving how wallpaper has come back in style and not just your typical “grandma paper”. There are so many amazing papers out there today–beaded, suede, fabric backed, shell, metallic. It’s such an interesting way to add texture to a wall or ceiling and a great way to put a punch of something different in a bland space like a plain powder room. I would like to see Ikat prints fade FAR away. I think they’re on their way out…hopefully.

SB: Where do you recommend clients splurge versus save?

DW: Splurge on the items you will use the most. Your sofa, your mattress and your kitchen. Save on things like accessories, throw pillows, dinner plates and glasses. Light fixtures can go either way for me. I think having one amazing light fixture somewhere in your home is always a good investment because it will make you happy every time you turn it on and go from home to home with you no matter where you go! My best piece of advice is splurge on classic pieces you know you’ll never grow sick of and can work in either a modern or traditional space, because BELIEVE ME, your taste will change a gazillion times in the next few years, for me, it’s about every 5 years!

SB: It seems you are embracing social media. You are on Facebook, Twitter and write a blog. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets?

DW: Ha! This is a great question because to be honest, I am not a big fan of ANY of them! But, it’s a must today for any business. Facebook, for me, is the easiest way to communicate, and I wish it would merge with Twitter. Blogging is something I started in 2005 and loved doing solely because of the connection with people I made. Now, blogging is more about business now. I am not a writer, never claimed to be a writer and frankly, dislike writing. It is HARD for me to get blog posts out, I would prefer to speak to people over the radio or in person if I could. Twitter, don’t get me started. Twitter gives me anxiety!! I feel like if I am away from it for a few hours I have missed tons of opportunities and then I get stressed. The people that tweet non-stop, I just can’t understand how they do it! BUT, again…it’s a great way to market your product or business and you meet lots of great people along the way. I have made TONS of business connections through Twitter. It blows me away! My advice to other interior designers…HIRE someone to do it for you 🙂

SB: Fill in the blank. No room is complete without…

DW: Something personal that warms you inside and brings a smile to your face when you look at it. Every room in a house should have something that you have a personal connection to, picked up in your travels, bought because it was quirky and expresses some part of your personality, a picture or piece of artwork, just a color that makes you feel good. These are the things that make a room look like your room and not a showroom or retail store.

SB: What’s next for Doryn Wallach Design?

DW: I have really been examining this a lot lately. My heart is really, truly not in residential design, though I just finished my home, which took about a year. Possibly a hotel. I do enjoy suggesting quirky, fun, not obvious products to people. I can be very resourceful and I guess that’s how Doryn’s Dish came to be. It’s fun to me, but I would prefer to do it in person some how as an “expert”. I am also very interested in being on the radio. I had a radio show in Connecticut a few years ago. My idea for a new show would be: the “Psychology of Interior Design”– all the issues that come with it. “How to Renovate With Out Divorcing” or “How to Merge His Things With Yours” and other non-couple related ideas. I’m also considering designing a lower-to-moderately priced wallpaper line that can be used for both kids’ and adults’ rooms. However, beauty may be my first love—it is just another way to approach design and style. I lived in London a few years ago and wasn’t able to work because of visa issues (was there for my husband’s job). I wrote a ton of beauty/spa and beauty product reviews on Doryn’s Dish and pursued something I always wanted to do which was makeup and hair styling. I LOVED every second of my classes but never really did much with it because we moved back and I was pregnant with my daughter. However, just recently, I have partnered with an amazing mascara product called LashControl that I recommend daily to friends and family and I couldn’t be more excited to be on board. I am working on the creative development and marketing and it is FUN! It’s a dream come true and it’s going to be HUGE. As I get older, I realize that as a creative person, it is difficult to limit yourself to just one creative field. We are typically able to do many different things which is both wonderful and difficult at times because we can’t sit still. But I think deep inside me there’s a much hipper, cooler Martha Stewart waiting to be born. 🙂

SB: All of these images are of Doryn’s home she recently complete. The spaces are eclectic, inviting and fresh. I also this candid, down-to-earth interview with Doryn. Most importantly I am so glad she is following her heart and doing what she loves. Life’s just too short! Thanks Doryn for your time!

Read full story By Cristin on September 26, 2011 in bathrooms, foyers, interior design, interview

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