Archive for the ‘Color’ Category

Last Year we were lucky enough to work on a project out of Palm Beach, Florida.  I have to say that it was a lot of fun and they have some amazing antique shops!!!!!!  While these pictures aren’t the best quality (taken with a camera phone) I still thought it would be fun to share.  This condo was done mostly  by shopping locally at antique, consignment and our favoirte……Mecox store in West Palm Beach.  Let us know what you think!

This is the Main Living Area.  The colors are bright and fun which goes with the feel you get in Palm Beach.  The coffee table is a vintage piece that we found at Mecox and the mirror was a bargain find at a local consignment shop.

My favorite piece is the Oly Elizabeth buffet in the chalk w/gold detail wood finish.  We had to drill holes in the back of the cabinet for the wiring….my client had a hard time watching.  The little red chair in the corner we picked up at anthropolgie.

We needed some height on the wall, so we put this bookshelf and filled it with interesting pieces from local shops.

Another view of the living area.  The lamps are from an antique shop and we are having custom lampshades made for them.  Lamps are a nice way to bring in a little color to a space.

The window treatments are hung from the ceiling.  Looks very cool!!!!  The installer did a great job… we are looking forward to using him on our next Florida project.

Here is an example of what we give our work room.

Instead of using a sunburst mirror, we used a sunburst ceiling light.  Looks perfect in the space!!!

Cote Jardin Antiques is one of our favorite stores to peruse.  It was so much fun to actually see everything in person after following their online store for the last couple of years.  Also, Kelly Wearstler had stopped in a week before…just missed her!

When dressing your bed,  you can go with the simple necessities, or accessorize to create a multi-layer look. Here are some ideas on how to accessorize your personal retreat.

A classic White bed (courtesy of decorpad)

*Using all white for sheeting and pillow shams is great  if you are drawn to the “hotel” look. It creates a very clean and serene space to unwind.

*A nice classic way to dress the bed is by using euro-shams (a 26×26″ square pillows) in the back row to add some height. you need 3 for a king size, and usually 2 for a Queen.  Then add some standard or king shams and a decorative pillow in front.

*A fluffy duvet can be folded along the bottom edge of the bed to create a lofty look.

Blair Waldorf's bed from the TV show "Gossip Girl"

This bed looks effortlessly chic with its elegant yet relaxed silk bedding. This is a completely different look than the stiff silks used in decorative bedding… this silk is made to be slept in.

*The type of silk you should look for is silk charmeuse. Besides looking fabulous, it feels amazing against your skin and its good for your hair and complexion. Our favorite line is Kumi Kookoon (www.kumikookoon.com).

Silk Pillowcases from Kumi Kookoon

*If you like the look of a little more structure but still want the benefits of silk, switch only your pillowcases to silk and you will love the difference.

White room with Pop of Pink (courtesy of elle decor)

If you need a pop of color in your room, try adding a bright colored throw or quilt at the foot of the bed. Throw blankets and pillows are a great way to accent your room with your favorite color of the moment without making a permanent commitment.

Stacked Pillows at the Avia Hotel in Savannah

If you prefer a more minimalistic approach… try stacking your pillows. To keep things linear and modern, try a throw folded into a rectangle at the foot of the bed, and no more than 3 pillows per stack. This look works best if you use knife edge pillows or even cases.

Honeysuckle is the color of the year for 2011. We are not sure if this would be our pick.  What do you think?

Home Interiors
Honeysuckle is upbeat and dynamic when used on large areas like the entry area of a house or an apartment. It is an appetite and conversation stimulant when used on the dining room walls. In the kitchen, it adds a fun touch on the table in placemats and other linens (patterned or solid), colored glassware, candles and small appliances. Honeysuckle is a great color to cover up shabby kitchen cabinets, or, if that’s too much of a color statement for you, try repainting knobs and drawer pulls. But be warned – once you try this arresting shade, it can become addictive. – From the Pantone website

Here are some ways of introducing the color into your home

I love this pillow from Lisa Fontanarosa!

I am wanting this Valentino coffee table book for my house!

Floral Trail Wallpaper from York wall coverings.

Florentina Wallpaper from Stark Wallcovering

Voluspa candles are always nice.  You can email us if you would like to purchase.

Southern Living

Adding a throw and some pillows are simple ways to  bring the honeysuckle color into your space.

I thought I would share a few Jaw dropping glamorous rooms I have come across. Glamour styled rooms can sometimes look to overdone. These rooms show how beautiful modern and glamorous can look.

Room designed by Kelly Hoppen in Metropoliten mag

I love how Kelly Hoppen did the window treatments in this room. We plan to do something similar in a clients home we are working on. Window Treatments add so much to a room when done right.

The paint color in this room is beautiful! Paint your wall in Eagle Rock by Benjamin Moore to get this look.

Enclosing  a space makes a room feel warm and inviting.  Use a sheer fabric to enclose a space in your home.  It will add instant glamour.

The bergere chairs  look  perfect upholstered in the Ikat fabric. So many of our clients have chairs with beautiful lines that just need to be updated.

Tips from Elle Decor on how to make a Modern Glamorous room:

• Blend old and new
• Create warmth with metallic tones
• Experiment with drapery
• Mix in Global touches
• Amp up drama with multiples
• Select striking Chandeliers
• Find room for a daybed
• Set off an intimate retreat
• An Awe-inspiring fireplace
• Think scale thing grand
• Be fearless with color

a minimalistic clear coffee table with an ostentatious gold mirror (decorpad)

One of the questions that comes up time and time again is whether or not its okay to mix. Is it okay to mix gold and silver? Dark and light wood? Modern and traditional?  And the answer, for the most part is YES!  The mixing of different mediums is usually what brings a space to life and brings an unexpected excitement to a room which could otherwise feel a little too matchy-matchy.

Mixing different fabrics in LUXE Magazine 2010.

A dark kitchen island surrounded by bright white cabinetry. (elle decor)

A mixture of modern to traditional in a mostly neutral color palette. (Elle decor)

While I do encourage mixing, you dont want to go overboard on the different types of mixtures you place in one space. If you have a pretty traditional room, its okay to mix in some modern accessories, lighting, and artwork to freshen things, BUT then you should take caution in your color palette.  If you are going to mix several different finishes on furniture in a room… try to keep all the lines the same, and choose furniture that is the same style. Remember, the goal is to have a sense of eclectic beauty.

Theres something so exciting about the Trina Turk boutique that draws me in every time I pass by. The graphic prints and colors evoke happy feelings!

Here are a few of my favorite ways to bring some of those happy feelings to your home:

PILLOWS:

The higher end….

Pillows by Trina Turk (prices range from around $100) *picture from polyvore.com

Looking for a steal…..

dwell studio for target $24.99 each

ADD A THROW BLANKET

Nova Throw by Z gallery ($69.95)

Missoni Kalahari Viola Rug

Bargain….

Ultra chic Chevron pattern! Nate Berkus Dhurrie Rug (5x8 $229)

Since we have been busy working on a Nautical themed house, everything with Anchors and Rope has been catching our eye. One of our all time favorite nautical pieces is from a collection designed by Annie Selke for Vanguard Furniture. The whimsical ropey detail makes for a great accent piece in an entry or a bedroom to fill a space or create a focal point.

Kelly Wearstler used the Ropey chair in her design at Maison 140 in a rich orange.The splash of color really makes it a statement piece. It can be anything from beachy chic to high volume glamour.

Who says gray has to be drab and gloomy? Adding a coat of gray to a room can bring a certain understated elegance to the table.

Grey is one of my favorite neutral colors because it becomes a canvas that will emphasize and empower any color you place next to it. It’s also a great way to create depth in a monochromatic color scheme.  Kelly Wearstler is known for using A LOT of COLOR in her designs, but still, she does not shy away from gray.  The Viceroy is a great example of how well grays can play up the drama!

Using Slate and silvery grays can add a bit of a modern feel, while a putty-gray can give it a traditional charm.

Adding certain decorative elements like window treatments and bedding can transform the tone too!  This white room uses vintage accessories to play up a romantic feel with the mirror, delicate bedding, and distressed headboard.

Some of my favorite grays:

Slate paint collection from Restoration Hardware; Benajamin Moore’s Stonington Gray; Sherwin Williams Spalding Gray; Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray.