BLOG - December 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

Thrilled to have the School Girl Chair in Martha Stewart! For more pictures http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/project-decorate-rebeccas-room#slide_1.  Loving the yellow seat!

Yesterday, I spent some time looking for slipper chairs for a project that we are working on (we can't use CG items all the time, you know!).  I came across quite a range in terms of price and style.  Many of the national retailers like Williams Sonoma Home and Crate and Barrel offer pared down shapes in a variety of fabrics that can be used anywhere in the home.  No muss, no fuss - just point, click, and order yourself a stylish seating option.

While this is certainly a fantastic option, there is just something about a special little antique that makes me all giddy inside.  I consulted 1st Dibs (think Ebay for the design set), which is known for its antiques-for-sale.  I came across two pairs of slipper chairs that I am absolutely enamored with.  Each pair is completely individualistic in terms of its style, and yet I can see either option being incorporated into a variety of environments.  The first set is totally old-school, with tufting and a scrolled back (and perhaps the fluffiest cushions I have ever seen).  The second set is on the other end of the spectrum - mod and angular, with a cut out back and a touch of chrome.  You just don't see chairs this chic every day!  If anyone runs into Santa, please tell him that I'm not picky - I'd be happy to find either one under my tree!

*Images courtesy of Coup d'Etat and Mary Ann Lembo via 1stdibs.com.

I normally do not get overly excited by Christmas ornaments, but these are the exception.  I was back at John Derian doing more shopping and saw these really fun ornaments.  They make a great stocking stuffer or hostess present or even table decoration! Hope this gets you into the holiday spirit if you aren't already!

I recently picked up a book of photography called Rajasthan by Pauline van Lynden (Assouline, 2008).  The unifying theme that ties the book together is color – and lots of it.  The colors that show up in the photos are so bright and full-bodied and luxurious and unapologetic.  There is something about the pigments present in Indian jewels and fabrics that you just don't find anywhere else.  They even paint whole cities one fantastic, matching color! Jodhpur in its entirety is tinted the most hauntingly beautiful shade of blue.  I found the images to be quite inspiring, and they have definitely pushed the Indian subcontinent toward the top of my places to visit.

Growing up, I'd say that I was heavy into the neutral scene.  I thought color was to be used only by those afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder or residents of Miami Beach.  Brown was my favorite - it showed up religiously in the threads of my sweaters, the leather on my boots, and even the walls of my bedroom.  I was drawn to the simplicity that neutral shades offered me - I could put things together and not worry that something didn't "match."  Up until my senior year in college, I was still holding strong to an almost minimalistic adherence to neutral environments.  My dorm room had cream carpeting, off-white bedding, bare walls, and white Noguchi-style lamps.

I'd say my appreciation of color really hit when I first saw the work of the interior designer Miles Redd.  I remember coming across one of his rooms online, and I immediately began researching him to see what else I could find – I might actually have had butterflies in my stomach I was so in love with what I saw.  Miles is a master at mixing and matching saturated colors that harmonize to create these sort of whimsical and collected environments.  I looked at his portfolio and thought - what kind of person actually lets a designer lacquer his walls blue or pink?  Someone with personality and a bit of flair - that's who!  I liked this hypothetical client, or at least what they represented.  Ever since my introduction to Mr. Redd, I have been mad for saturated jewel tones, lacquer, and a certain unexpected jolt of energy manifested in the design of a room.  I believe there is something inherently individualistic about the color you use in your personal spaces, and I think that it is one of the best ways to express yourself and make a space your own (especially if you are a renter!).

Check out some of Miles’s work, complimented by images from Rajasthan, below.  I predict that some of these colors will pop up in future projects...

*Images courtesy of Rajasthan, milesredd.com, and housebeautiful.com.



I love pulling together fabrics for new projects and the combinations below are some of my new absolute favorites. 

A little background-the floors throughout the apartment are bleached white oak and crema marble.  The canvas, shall we say, is light, bright, and airy.

The scheme above is for the living room.  The plan is to paint the walls in a deep blue Venetian plaster (with just enough movement to not be heavy). The orange velvet in the top right of the image is for the sofa.  The gray blue large swatch is for the windows.  I love the tonality of this fabric and can't wait to see it in billowy full-length curtains.  The light blue wool (top row) and blue chevron (bottom right) are options for chairs, pillows, etc.

The Living Room of the apartment is connected to the study with pocket doors.  The Ikat is for the windows (romans)  and the blue and gray weave is for the sofa.  The glazed linen on the bottom right is for a chair and ottoman.  The thought is to paint the walls a deep chocolate brown lacquer. 

For the open Kitchen/Family Room the palette is clean and crisp greens, somewhere between an olive and a kelly green but not really either.  I just adore this color! The straw and green basket weave is for a big comfy L-shaped sofa.  The green velvet is for big pillows and the stripe with yellow and green is for the windows.  The cabinetry for the kitchen and family room will be white with the backs of the shelves painted green. 

The goal for the Master Bedroom was to create a soothing luxurious palette of grays and lilacs.  The bottom right fabric is for the windows (romans).  The top right gray/lilac nubbey linen is for the headboard, the gray and white print on the top left is for a bench and the purple mohair is for pillows.

After lunch at Gemma the other day I wandered into John Derian.  Now that I no longer have a shop Christmas shopping has gotten a bit more difficult.  Overwhelmed by it all, I thought I should get an early start.  To be honest I love all the linens and things at John Derian, but I am as into decoupage as everyone else seems to be.  Yes I know its an art and very time consuming, I can appreciate that part of it.  But would I buy it for myself or a present, no probably not.  However, I discovered these urns that I'm just crazy for.  I want them for myself and I think I will also be giving them to a few lucky friends as presents.  Wouldn't a few of them on a dining table look great with tight little bouquets of flowers or candles.  Or  a series of them on shelving in an all white kitchen.  Or decorative fillers on a bookshelf.  The possiblities are endless!!