Things of Note

The new Lonny Magazine came out yesterday and I thought I would share with you some of the pretty photos that caught my eye.

American Fashion Designers At Home

This Fall, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) will release the (soon to be coffee-table) book of American Fashion Designers at Home. This book features interior designs of homes of 115 members of the CFDA including fashion figures like Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen and Derek Lam.

Art Needed

OK, so I know this topic is a bit contradictory to my last post, "No Art Needed," but I wanted to share my passion for art and how important it often is to interior design. A single art piece can be the main focal point in a room and therefore should be special and chosen with consideration.

An art piece can dominate interior design and often lends its colors to the accent pieces incorporated in the rest of the room, such as linens and accessories. It can also be the only source of vibrant color.

decor pad

Here are a few artists that I have recently found and absolutely love their work!

Jerry Iverson at Pulliam Gallery

I also love this artist, Joshua Jensen-Nagle...too many cool pieces to post...you will just have to check out his site

http://www.jensennagle.com/

No wall art needed!

I sometimes get stuck looking for wall art for my clients. If you cant afford custom or original pieces, the same retail art seems to be circulating and finding a unique option can be tough.

If you find yourself in this situation you can always consider adding molding detail to your plain walls! Here are a few photos for you...no art needed, just the simple geometrical beauty and texture of the molding.

thehouseitch.com

Try framing in wallpaper for some added pattern or pop of color! PS with this route you can splurge for a more expensive wallpaper option because you need less of it for your project!

Photo Walls

Everyone wants a photo wall, which means that everyone has a photo wall...So I am always trying to find new and creative ways to display photos. Here are a few examples of some photo walls that are fun, funky, and different!

One important factor is to have all of your photos printed in the same color scheme...all sepia or black & white for example. Matting should also be consistent, but the framing can be different colors, widths and styles....have fun with it! Placement is also just as important as the frame, photo and matting...I love the close proximity of these frames!

Pottery Barn

Elle Decor

Australian Vogue Living

The New Kitchen Island is a Dining Table!

I love these bright kitchens with the focal piece being the dining table. The dining table can serve as a island for food preparation or a gathering place for guests while you cook...lets face it, everyone is always in the kitchen, you might as well have a place for them to sit!

Elle Decor

The "Industrial" Takeover

I love incorporating some of these unique pieces in design. Even if you have a very clean design, just one of these cool lamps or a few stools, can make a great conversation piece and set your design apart from all others!

Loft Life

Monochrome vs. Color!

Although I love monochrome interiors, I have a "hidden" love for the dark and bold paint colors! I say "hidden" because most people would gasp at the thought of painting their room Battleship Gray. It takes the right client, the right room, and the right light to pull this off...but when done well, its fantastic! Below are some exquisitely-executed "dark" rooms that I just love!

The trick is molding, the more you have the better. Thick door and window casings, as well as crown molding, help set off the dark paint color and make it pop.

Carol Prisant

Try dark molding for a richer look...

Head Over Heals

Elle Decor

Tara Donovan

So this is not exactly "interior design", but I love this artist so much, I thought that I would share this with you. If you have the chance to see her work, its sensational! She uses ready-made objects like straws, plastic cups, and scotch tape to make beautiful organic sculptures and installations.

If you are in the San Diego area she has an exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art (Downtown)

http://www.mcasd.org/

Great Drum Chandeliers

I love the simplicity of these lights! They allow you to have a classic, clean, look or give you the freedom to use bolder patterns like this tile in the picture below. Try these lights with a fun drapery fabric in your dining room or over your kitchen island!

Here are some great lights from Restoration Hardware to help you create this look...

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1154268&navAction=jump&link=ct_parson_chandeliers_and_sconces&cm_re=CT-_-CategoryText-_-PearsonChandeliersAndSconces

The little things in life....

Chair by Bernhardt

Some great new pieces from Wisteria...

You don't have to go crazy with these "industrial", metal pieces...just one piece will make a great addition to a living space and bring some added texture. I liked this side table from Wisteria.

I also thought that these head boards were something different from the norm. Try hanging old doors or iron fences on the wall as a headboard!

http://www.wisteria.com

Branches Wallpaper

I love this wallpaper inspired by nature...I am using this in a small powder room. It has a bit of a shimmer to it...its fun and sophisticated.

http://www.wallquest.com/sandpiper/bookView.htm?book=50148

Cool Fireplaces

I often help clients reface or reconstruct outdated fireplaces. Depending on your architecture and design there are some really great new products out there to choose from. Stacked stone, cast concrete, tiling, suspended fireplaces....here are some ideas that I love!!

Paint Colors I Like

So, if you have ever painted your home or tried to pick out a paint color...you know it can be a daunting task. Truth is that paint is the LAST thing you pick when doing design. There are too many factors that can change paint selections, such as upholstery, window treatments and hard-scape materials. You should have these materials selected before you begin your paint search. Of corse lighting pays a huge factor so be sure to paint a large sample on you wall to view at different times of the day before you commit to a color.

Here are a few Frazee paints that I love together...

Museum CL2681W this is a great neutral color

Hailstrome CL3012W is a great gray color

Im sure you know...wallpaper is back in full force! Although you may think of your grandmother's kitchen...the trend is back and its only getting better!

This website has some fun papers with transitional twists and some great color palettes!

http://www.wallpaperfromthe70s.com