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LivingColor LED Lamp Giveaway Winner…

Congratulations Deanna! You were lucky comment #29 and have won the LivingColor LED lamp by Philips. You will have to let us know what color you like best!

This energy-saving, chic floor lamp projects 16 million colors that allows your to adjust the color to your mood. The intuitive remote control and automatic color-changing mode are a big hit with the guys and kids! Thank you Philips for sponsoring such a fun, eco-friendly giveaway!

It’s still not too late to enter to win a waste-free lunch Food Kozy from Kids Konserve.

*cheer card image from RedStamp

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Read full story By on April 26, 2010 in Giveaways, lighting

Designer Dining Rooms and Decorating Tips

Although similar in function, dining rooms can vary greatly from home to home. Dining rooms may differ in formality, size and style. However, when decorating the dining room there are several basic design elements that remain the same. Here are some tips for decorating your dining area.
The Table – When selecting a dining room table, it’s important to determine what shape, size, material and style would work with the space, budget and your families’ lifestyle. For example, a round table is wonderful for conversation, but can’t accommodate as many guests as a large rectangular table. The table’s material (i.e. glass, hardwood, marble, etc.) should also be taken into account and will further communicate the room’s mood. An elegant mahogany dining table would be a good choice for a large, formal dining room, while a round glass table would be a nice choice for a smaller dining area because it would promote a sense of space. Each material has its pros and cons as well. Hardwood tables will be durable and long-lasting, glass will attract dust while marble, if not kept sealed, will stain.
 
In the formal dining room above, San Francisco-based designer Kendall Wilkinson anchors the room with an elegant oval dining table. The dark wood beautifully contrasts the room’s neutral color palette. The fabulous pearl mosaic wallpaper and glass chandelier again add a sense of formality to the room.

The Chairs – It is best if you choose a table first and then chairs {but, of course there is really no rule when it comes to design}. Ideally chair backs should be higher than the table. A standard table height is 29” or 30” and seat height is 18”. If possible, test a chair out for comfort before buying. A bench (without a back) can look great at a dining room table, but may not be relaxing enough for a long meal.
San Francisco-based, designer Kimberly Ayres selects crisp white Chinese Chippendale arm chairs with citrus cushions in the dining room above. The chair is one of my favorites because of the fretwork back, comfy cushion and ethnic flair. It looks like it is from Jonathan Adler, but I am not 100 sure.

The Lighting – Generally the bottom of a hanging fixture should hang 30” to 34” above the table. A traditional crystal chandelier is always elegant, but you may want to also consider other styles such as pendants, lanterns and modern fixtures in a variety of materials (i.e. wood, metal, plastic). Adding wall sconces and table lamps are a great way to layer the room’s lighting and create some drama. Also, consider putting all lights on dimmer switches so that you can adjust the room’s mood.
It is also fun to mix up styles as in the dining room above by designer Tami Wassong. The whimsical vintage chandelier is a wonderful juxtaposition to the traditional table and chairs. Wassong layers the room’s light by adding sconces flanking a mirror.

The Buffet – A buffet table, sideboard or storage console can be another beautiful design element in a dining room and a very practical one. Many store dishware, linens and table decor. In addition they provide a place to display fresh flowers, ceramic vases and table lamps. 
The stunning dining room above by New York-based Parlor Design (featured in this post), showcases a gorgeous custom credenza with metal inlay from the Parlor Design furniture collection. The silver floral wallpaper and ice blue upholstered chairs are exquisite.

For a classic look, consider hanging a mirror or piece of art above the buffet. In this lovely dining room, designer Billet Collins hangs a large rectangle mirror above a sideboard table. The hand painted landscape mural is a beautiful addition to the room.

 

The Rug – If you have a hard flooring surface and want to help define the dining area, adding an area rug is a good option. When selecting an area rug make sure when the chairs are pulled back to accommodate guests while seated, that the entire chair rests on the area rug. You want to avoid having the back legs on the hard surface and the front legs on the area rug.
In this beautiful dining room by California-based designer Erinn Valencich the black and white rug demands our attention and helps define the space. The rug’s pattern also echos the more refined black and white pattern in the drapes. I love the fact that this room is not matchy-matchy and that Valencich selects a chartreuse geometric fabric to cover the dining chairs.
Remember these are simply decorating tips, not rules. There is no right or wrong when it comes to interior design. So, have fun with it!
* images courtesy of Decorati and Marnie Rose Agency
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Read full story By on March 10, 2010 in chinoiserie, dining rooms, furniture, interior design, lighting

Friday Find: Bocci Lighting and Electrical Wall Accessories

I never thought I’d use the word elegant when referring to an electrical outlet, but that’s what I thought of when I saw this design by Bocci, a contemporary design and manufacturing house located in Vancouver, Canada. Bocci offers a complete suite of innovative electrical accessories simply named 22. Power receptacles, on/off switches, data connections and more may be mounted flush into the drywall or millwork with a new CSA approved utility system that eliminates the need for a cover plate. Electrical outlets will blend in and be more visually subtle. Love this!

In addition to fabulous electrical accessories, Bocci designs fantastic lighting. Their latest line of blown glass pendant lighting, named 28, was created by lead designer, Omar Arbel. Each unique sphere is the result of a glass blowing technique where air is periodically blown in and then out of an intermittently heated and then cooled glass matrix. Designed to be clustered in hexagonal shapes, globes can be made in clear, white or frosted glass and housed a low voltage or LED lamp.

The following images are of Bocci’s 14, a family of low voltage pendants designed to be clustered like 28. The light from the center of the sphere interacts with the rifts, bubbles and other imperfections to create a soft halo of light. When the pendants are hung in masses it makes quite a dramatic statement reminding me of a winter’s snowfall or starry night sky.

*images courtesy of Bocci

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Read full story By on December 4, 2009 in friday find, healthy home, interior design, lighting

Simply Stunning – Luxurious Master Bathroom Design

This summer I had the pleasure of meeting Debbie Grewal, a very talented San Francisco Peninsula-based interior designer. She recently completed this luxurious master bath in a Woodside, California home (pictured above). Before designing residential homes, Grewal worked for 17 years on the commercial side of interior design. Some of her many projects included corporate offices, private banks, senior living facilities and a dining yacht. During this time she occasionally designed for high-end residential clients and realized her passion for personal design and detail. In more recent years she has shifted to all types of residential design including new construction and specification/consulting on custom homes.

Grewal created a serene spa-like bath that started with the fireplace – a “must” for the homeowner who envisioned a tranquil retreat. The stately, dark mahogany stained fireplace is surrounded in gorgeous Walker Zanger Tuscany tiles in Driftwood. The trellis patterned fireplace screen by Restoration Hardware is the perfect finishing touch. The fireplace focal point is wonderfully flanked by the shower and sunken tub.

Bathroom design has become a favorite of Grewal. She loves tile and stone, and I know why after seeing this bathroom. The tub is surrounded by a gorgeous slab of Calacatta Gold marble from Da Vinci Marble and nicely positioned under double hung windows that provide lots of natural light and beautiful views of the garden. The satin nickel hardware is by the Rohl Country Bath Collection and pulls out the lovely gray in the marble.


Here’s a close-up of two glass vases filled with beautiful bath soaps and sponges – love how they vary in height and are finished off with silky dark brown ropes and tassels.

The handsome double sink vanity by Xylem in espresso finish houses Kohler Devonshire white undercounter sinks and is topped with Calacatta Gold marble. Again the plumbing fixtures are by Rohl Country Bath Collection in satin nickel. I love the stunning mirror Grewal selected from Aaron Brothers.

OK, isn’t this simply the most beautiful shower you’ve seen? Look closely at the wall; Grewal has Calacatta Manhattan 12″x18″ marble tiles for the lower half and 6″x9″ cut tiles in the upper half. The wall border and showerbox inset are in Dark Travertine, Opus Anticato mosaic tiles by Walker Zanger.

Here is a view of the amazing shower floor. The inset is tile in Calacatta long offset brick and beautifully trimmed in Dark Travertine.

The simple frameless double shower doors and panels are in a heavy Starphire glass and adorned with satin nickel hardware by Portals. Look, a second showerhead; This one is a rainhead – divine!

Grewal is quite the color expert too. She always tells her clients that paint is their most inexpensive source of decorating. For the walls she selected Northhampton Putty (HC-89) by Benjamin Moore; for the ceiling Latte by Restoration Hardware, and for the trim, doors and wainscoting, Mayonnaise (OC-85) also by Benjamin Moore. The bathroom’s two lovely chandeliers are by Restoration Hardware.

The woodwork throughout the bath is exceptional. The gorgeous reclaimed pine wood flooring was hand scraped. And the wainscoting was masterfully installed by Bay Area Molding. Look how it wraps around near the glass shower doors – the attention to detail is beautiful and doesn’t go unnoticed.

The Kohler Memoirs toilet is tucked away for privacy – love this! Grewal definitely has a knack of blending design elements such as color, texture, lighting, finishes and scale of furnishings. Even the smallest accessory isn’t ignored – don’t you just love the taupe and chocolate monogram towels she had made by Restoration Hardware?

Grewal best describes her design style as transitional, eclectic and casual elegance. She strives for well balanced rooms with impact and definitely succeeds with this stunning master bath – wouldn’t you agree?

Debbie Grewal Designs ~ 650-342-8299 ~ grewaldebbie@hotmail.com

“The best accolade is knowing the interiors perfectly reflect the style and attitude of the people who live there.” ~ Debbie Grewal Designs



*images from Debbie Grewal Designs

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Read full story By on September 1, 2009 in bathrooms, color, interior design, lighting, tile