Décor Double Take: Something’s Gotta Give

/in /by

kitchen-adI saw the movie a long time ago, but to all my movie going friends out there, another great designer-friendly movie that I will never forget is Something’s Gotta Give. How wonderful was this family room? Doesn’t it just make you want to sit down and relax? Oh, how and I could go on about how fantastic the kitchen was with all that great white cabinetry. The overall theme screamed vacation. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have a beach home that felt this rejuvenating? It was a beach home that we all long for—I can almost smell the ocean air and not to mention the views! And Dianne Keaton and Jack Nicholson were quite a pair. It just feels good to see love can happen at any age.

living-room2-ad

Photo Credit: Sony Pictures

Spring Palettes: Turquoise and White

/in /by

With spring fast approaching, it is hard not to notice all the spring decor that is popping up in the stores. What is really hitting the scene now is turquoise and white. Together, these two colors are bright and fresh, just perfect for spring. Check out this great image from the Color me Happy blog. What a lovely guest room this would make, don’t you think?

Click here to check out more spring palettes on the Color me Happy blog.

image_thumb[19]

Colour me Happy blog

Décor Double Take: The Blind Side

/in /by
blind side-www.imdb.com

The Blind Side, IMDB

Have you ever been watching a movie and have fallen in love with the décor? If you are anything like me, you notice the set design before anything else. So, speaking of a great movie, I would highly recommend The Blind Side. Not only is it a wonderful story, but if you are a crazy designer like me, you will love seeing the scenes in Sandra Bullock’s home.

It is a lovely home from the outside, but the decor inside is very well done, too. Sandra Bullock plays an interior designer in the movie and some of her scenes are easy for me to relate to–especially how much I talk on my cell phone…it is constantly connected to my ear! But seriously, don’t you just love the living room and that gorgeous sofa that Big Mike sleeps on? The movie is not only a good one for those who are design obsessed like me, but husbands will enjoy the show, too. On a side note, I do wish there were more good people in the world like the folks in this show. You just walk away feeling better.

By Janine Terstriep

2010 nursery style alert: birds, owls, giraffes oh my

/in , /by

Expectant parents have so many decisions to make when designing their little bundle’s nursery. One of the first decisions that parents must make is choosing a theme. While themes can range from the ultra modern to the understated traditional, some of the trends hitting the scene have included nature-inspired themes such as birds, owls, and the newest addition: giraffes.

giraffe_nursery_theme_B_large

Jennifer Sbranti's giraffe-inspired inspiration board

Though giraffes might be all the rage now, Jennifer Sbranti, Founder + Editor-in-Chief, Hostess with the Mostess blog, suggests making the nursery personal  by incorporating those special pieces, like a piece of art or mural, alongside the more trendy decorations to avoid that “matchy-matchy” look of the past. She also advises that those little touches such as  unique throw pillows or adding colorful trim to a lamp shade can help personalize the room and make the nursery a comfortable haven for mom and baby.

Interested in learning more? Click here to read more from Jennifer Sbranti’s post featured on the Stroller Traffic blog.

By Jessica Scheufler

Design News: Chair Adoption?

/in /by

vimeo-activeSocial experiments seem to be popping up all over NYC . Well, another one to add to the list is an experiment involving curb mining and unsuspecting New Yorkers. Blue Dot, a furniture company out of Minneapolis, conducted the experiment on November 4-5. The company placed chairs, each equipped with a GPS tracker and a note, all over New York City and offered them up free for the taking.

View the Blu Dot experiment here.

Houndstooth, modern and classic

/in /by

Popular in the 60s, this mod trend has been recently spotted on trendsetters Gwen Stefani and Emma Thompson. It’s no wonder that it has made its way from fashion to linens and textiles. While the pattern is modern, houndstooth can also add that extra pop to a neutral palette. Here are just a few examples of how you can incorporate this trend into your own wardrobe and home:

It would be easy to imagine the ever-so-posh Peggy Lipton of the Mod Squad sporting this Michael Kors trench coat.

Michael Kors Houndstooth Coat

Michael Kors Houndstooth Coat

Who knew duct tap could be so fashionable?

Fortis Design Duct Tape

Fortis Design Duct Tape

Dress up your living room with a houndstooth-patterned pillow.

2 Modern Pillow

2 Modern Pillow

By Jessica Scheufler

In Style: Wood Wall Coverings

/in /by
Beadazzled Relief Marquetry™, Maya Romanoff

Beadazzled Relief Marquetry™by Maya Romanoff

It’s not your mother’s paneling. Today, coverings made of wood—from highly textured cork to intricate marquetry—are some of the most stylish wall treatments you’ll find. Many are so paper-thin that you can wrap columns and turn corners. Depending on your choice, you may want to use them sparingly; by limiting a wood covering to a feature wall, you’ll create a focal point in the process. Keep these tips in mind, too:

  • Properly illuminate wall coverings made of wood, especially marquetry. Recessed halogen spotlights will allow you to better appreciate the wood’s luster and grain.
  • Care for wood wall coverings like you would a piece of fine furniture. Dry dust with a microfiber cloth that will actually pick up the dust, as opposed to a cotton cloth that will just move it around.
  • It’s best to hire an installer who’s accustomed to working with unusual wall treatments. (Some furniture upholsterers will even install wall treatments; because they’re used to aligning patterns, they can be a good choice.) The manufacturer should also be able to provide good installation advice.

By Louise Lange

Material Possessions

/in /by

With the arrival of the New Year, you may well be thinking about how to freshen up your interiors. One of the best ways is with today’s wealth of fabrics. But it’s important to know which one is best-suited to what use.

Silks, chintzes and lightweight cottons work well in formal environments, where there’s less risk of stains or everyday wear and tear. They’re especially desirable for window treatments, due to their hand and drapability. But these fine fabrics aren’t limited to public areas; they can also be good choices in the bedroom for linens and decorative pillows.

When it comes to upholstery, synthetic blends incorporate the best attributes of several fibers, resulting in materials that are all but indestructible—a real advantage in homes with children and pets. (To take it to the next level, look for fabrics with stain-resistant finishes, too.) Other options include leather and microfibers. They’re not only good-looking but also easy to clean; a damp sponge and soapy water is often all you need.

Given the vast array of fabric types today—not to mention the wide variety of patterns and colors—making a decision can be daunting. And that’s why we’re here. Let us help you with the editing process; we’ll find something that works for your home and your budget.

By Louise Lange

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Magazine


Turquoise: The Talk of 2010

/in /by

Just as each New Year invariably brings resolutions, so does it deliver forecasts of home fashion trends. And in terms of color, Pantone—a color research and information center—is arguably the premier predictor; when they talk, anyone who uses color in their profession listens, including interior designers.

Image Courtesy of Pantone

Image Courtesy of Pantone

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, says turquoise is the color of the year for 2010—specifically, PANTONE 15-5519. “In many cultures, turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” she explains. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that turquoise represents an escape to many—taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Additionally, the Pantone color experts note that turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It’s universally flattering, appeals to both men and women and translates beautifully to interiors. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.

By Louise Lange

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

/in /by

Like most interior designers, we continue to be inspired by the ever-growing number of design blogs. One of our current favorites is The Peak of Chic, where blogger Jennifer Boles recently devoted a post to holiday decor.

Photograph by Jennifer Boles/Courtesy of The Peak of Chic

Photograph by Jennifer Boles/Courtesy of The Peak of Chic

If you’re still in need of inspiration or simply enjoy admiring the handiwork of others like we do, take a look at The Peak’s Christmas post. Send us pictures of your own decorations, too; they just may inspire others!

By Janine