Stairway to Heaven

Recently installed broadloom in a clients home really dressed up the front staircase.  I chose the Pattern Gigi from Stark Carpet, one of the most well regarded carpet and broadloom showrooms in the industry, because it reflects the graphic patterns found on the African art hanging in the stairwell.  In spaces where there is little opportunity to create a cohesive look, i think it is important to make a connection between furnishings or to make a statement with one thing and leave to rest neutral.  In this case the client’s motto is “more is better” so we went with this strong pattern that reflects back to the strong shapes of the masks and shields collected from various trips to Africa.  I chose not to add a border to the stair runner ( like I did in the area rugs found at the top of the stairs ) because the body of the rug would have been visually too narrow and I wanted to avoid bringing the space in or creating a “tight rope” effect on the stairs.  I love the way this project turned out, and so does the customer.

Have a Seat

The Anziano Chair From Donghia is a favorite of mine.

The molded shell is a beechwood veneer. Base construction is mandrel formed steel rod with a black powder coat finish.  This good looking and comfortable chair is available in the following colors:  Natural, Warm Cherry, Brown Mahogany, Ebonized and Ivory. Introduced by Donghia in 1991, it became an instant classic.

Width: 20″ (51 cm) Depth: 20.5″ (52 cm) Height: 31″ (79 cm) Seat Height: 18″ (46 cm)

Green Envy

This wonderful shade of green seems to be the color du jour.  Sometimes it is a bit more acid green and sometimes a bit more toward sage, but hands down Green is the IT color.  Green is a  restful color making it the perfect choice for a bedroom or library.  This beautiful room is further softened by the use of cream as the counterpart to the green rather than a stark cold white.  A few of my favorite shades are: Folly Green from Farrow & Ball, Leek & Surrey Green from Pratt & Lambert, and Silken Pine from Benjamin Moore.

Flame Stitch

Flame Stitch is  A type of Bargello motif in which zig-zag or flames are created. Dating back as far as the 17th century, this enduring pattern is once again showing up everywhere.  Traditionally a woven material suitable for chairs and foot stools, companies like Dash & Albert, Company C and luxury brand Missoni are producing rugs for todays flame stitch enthusiast.  As a fabric the flame stitch mixes well with other fabrics, pairing well with prints, stripes, geometrics and stripes.  Even though this pattern is very traditional it is a great twist to a contemporary space and lives comfortably with modern furniture.

That Time of Year

Summer is wrapping up and I am afraid it is that time of year…time to put away the “Summer” pillows and the other seasonal details you may have added to your decor this spring and summer.  I enjoy changing small details in a room to make the space feel fresh and obviously more appropriate to the weather and how we live in the Autumn and Winter.  It’s also nice to bring out the bright colors and summer weight accessories after a long winter, it keeps them special while making creating a new cozier look easier.  This SNAPshot is a guest bedroom at my house, the day bed is transformed in the fall and winter by swapping the stripes and shell motif pillows for thick navy blue mohair pillows and a textural navy, light blue and pear woven pillows.  The darker palette along with heavier textures and the editing of the summer “whimsy” all help this room feel warm and wintery… of course it goes without saying, a big fluffy throw is the perfect finishing touch.

SNAPshot

One of the best things about summer!

My Precious!

I was looking at some great old vintage and estate jewelry on websites like FayCullen.com and I got to thinking about the What Color Are Your Drapes? blog i did awhile back.   Jewelry, like drapery,  says something about who we are, or want to be as people.  Here are a small collection of rings I reacted to, no I don’t think I’ll be wearing any of them any time soon, but something about them spoke to me… they definitely tell a story, maybe memories of people and places in my past.  Maybe these strong bold statement makers simply say I like things strong and bold.  There is a reason why I picked each type of stone ( I confess amethyst reminds me of my mother ) and setting, I’m convinced of that.  Believe it or not, there’s so much more to choosing a piece of jewelry than simply visual appeal. In fact, the jewelry that you wear says a lot about your personality. The next time you are perusing a collection of beautiful jewelry, such as that found online at LangAntiques.com or my favorite IsraelRose.com, take a look at each piece and discover just what it may say about you.

If you have a fun and flirty personality, consider wearing a pair of large hoop earrings. This stylish design is more than just a fad; it is better described as being a classic trend. In addition to looking great, a large pair of hoops will tell others that you are easy-going and have a great sense of fashion.

These days, you cannot flip through a magazine or turn on the television without seeing a circle or diamonds ( or circles in furniture motifs; see my Circles, Circles, Circles blog) necklace. In addition to being in style, this popular design says that you are open to new things. Afterall, a circle itself is open by its very design. As with large hoop earrings, sporting a circle necklace lets others know that you have an eye on current fashion trends and can appreciate attention to detail.

Pearls are a classic. They are worn in weddings, to dinner parties and even at work. If you wear pearls, you are conveying a message of elegance and style. Just as the jewelry that you wear, you are letting others know that you believe in honoring the classics.
If what you’re after is a bold look, try wearing a ring with some ”bling.” A bold ring says that you are bold person who doesn’t lack in confidence. If you have a strong will and are not afraid to be noticed, a knuckle-to-knuckle design or a ring with a lot of sparkle will be the perfect choice for you.

Perennial Fabrics

No Bones About It – Zebra
# 710-201

100% Solution-Dyed Acrylic
55 in  wide, 32 in Vertical Repeat, 27.5 in  Horizontal Repeat
Soil Resistant Finish.  Can be railroaded.

Perennials Fabrics

Available through your Interior Designer.

Before & After

Gone are the country coverlets and the stale paper, after a client asked me to freshen a guest room in her costal summer house.  Sorry the pictures are not better (iphone, SNAPshots) but you can see that I simplified the bedding by going with white matelasse coverlets and used a seashore inspired wallpaper from Thibaut and matching fabric for almost everything else.  I added custom headboards covered in an orange and pink narrow stripe from Perennial Fabrics to help make the room really feel complete and focus on the beds as the focal point.  As a finishing touch the valance over the white match stick blind and the lamp shade were fabricated from the same Thibaut pattern.  Updated and fresh!

The Perfect Table

I have been so into furniture latley, I hope your enjoying my posts.  What is the perfect table?  The perfect tables suits your needs, is beautiful, and is the correct scale and style for your space.  I would use two of these demi de lune iron tables in a foyer on opposing walls.