Ancestral and adorable

We are always on the lookout for something fresh and unique. This is a wonderful chair form with a whimsical fabric. The question in my mind is always how to bring fresh ideas to the familiar and timeless looks. Fabric is one way and this example is precious! It's also a steal at $295 on ETSY!

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

My top pick for new and interesting brain drain t.v. is Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel! I get to spend 20 minutes traveling to rural and not so rural territory with Keith Johnson who is responsible for all the unique and sometimes bizarre housewares you see while shopping at my favorite store Anthropologie. Here he is in a London shop with a local artist who collects vintage British flags and other ephemera and morphs them into something new and usable. It's brilliant fluff!

TRADITIONAL SPIN

I am a designer that likes fresh ideas all the time. That doesn't mean I want to reinvent just to be different. I love classic peices that evolve, evoke and surprise! This chair from ABC Home is just what I look for to add that something perfect. It's whimsical, textural, delicate, functional and yes, timeless. Frankly, it makes me want to travel to Uzbekistan and see where this fabric is made.

http://www.abchome.com/nbsp/upholsteredchairs/tabid/617/productId/330/Default.aspx

OUT OF THE BOX WINERY

Blackbird Vineyards is not only sustainable but embodies cutting edge architecture that evokes warmth and thoughfulness. Textures pop in this intimate setting where privacy is valued and the experience is unique. To learn more go to the link "In Vino Veritas" to see more images.

LIGHTING A KITCHEN

It can be a challenge to light a kitchen that has a pitched ceiling. I want to accent what is great about the architecture and not have it overpower the other elements. In this space I ran the cable system above and perpendicular to the antique beams to be more subtle in constrast to the oversized pendants.

STYLE FOR EVERYONE

Restoration Hardware has come out with a line of reclaimed wood furniture that I love. They are pairing this rustic look with some really interesting industrial lighting circa 1920's and 30's Hollywood.

GREAT BUY

I believe that great pieces do not need to cost an arm and a leg. This is an example. Searching high and low on line and in shops I found pillows without a lot of personality. This pillow is not only whimsical it costs only $20 on Etsy!

ETSY FIND OF THE WEEK

I freaking love this chair! I want it for myself. For $445 you can have a killer vintage and fantastically upholstered chair with personality. You can't get that at Pottery Barn, no way!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27880826&ref=cat2_gallery_3

DECORATOR TRICK

Painting the back of a bookshelf a few shades darker then the wall color accents a focal point.

SMALL DETAILS WITH BIG IMPACT

This sweet bathroom elevation at the vintage pedestal sink is an elegant and unexpected detail when mixing up materials shown here. I love the lime green modern twist which makes it fresh and exciting.

I NEVER GET TIRED OF SEEING THE BIZARRE AND COOL!

By now you all know I have a weird light fixture fetish. This little gem is like a collage of goodness. You have your industrial mix of materials in a delicate balance. It's ugly beautiful.

Think about what it is for you.

RETHINKING THE BATHROOM

In this contemporary minimalist home, a functional room is turned into a bold but quite space designed to relax the mind. I like the sunken tub which disappears and lets the eye rest into the space. Typically used in outdoor applications, waterproof dimmable halogen lights replace traditional sconces. These lights disappear into the ceiling and enhance the clean lines. I would love to spend time in a bathroom like this in a hotel or spa.

THERE'S A KITCHEN IN MY LIVINGROOM!

I'm seeing a trend in kitchens that aren't using upper cabinets. The boundaries between livingroom/family room space is becoming more blurred. When I designed our kitchen I made a choice to make it feel like the livingroom was inside the kitchen. This was driven by the simple fact that our home is small and there was no real separatation between livingroom and dining area. It had to be in the livingroom space. Upper cabinets would have made it feel more like a kitchen so I opted to eliminate almost all but the pantry and art took their place. It was the right choice for us and I feel I lost nothing by not having a traditional look. This kitchen is an example.

COFFEE IN BED PLEASE

Talk about romantic, geeze! This bed is so yummy and layered so beautifully with these dramatically expressive windows. Who needs window treatments?

DESIGNING AN UNTYPICAL POOL HOUSE

I'm working on a project where I'm mixing a formal & ancestral style with a casual bohemian feel. This is just the beginnings but you can see the layering of textures and forms blending together.

CAMPING THE WAY I LIKE IT

We just got back from camping "car style". We pitched a tent and "should" have been cozy. The wind rocked us all over the place and I could not stop obsessing about doing camping a better way. I found this super stylish service called Silver Trailer http://www.silvertrailer.com/index.php

At around $1,200 a week you can enjoy a posh setup and you don't even have to trail it, they do it for you!

OUTDOOR PATIO

I'm looking for creative ways to get some shade without the heavy feeling of a solid overhang. Our new backyard is exposed like this so this could be what I'm after.

GARDEN FOUNTAINS

Now that we are almost complete with our interior remodel my mind is on the next project, the garden and a new water feature. These are some designs that I love. They range from the very modern and architectural to more organic designs. Maybe you will get inspired yourself!

MY LIGHTING FETISH

This light fixture from Anthropologie is the perfect addition to an eclectic room. I don't know what it would be like to dust it but who cares!

GONDOLIER'S LANTERN & KNOBS

I'm not usually a fan of expressive knobs however these knobs with their suble colors are a unique touch and finish to a clean cabinet front.

Perfect for outdoor dining. This reminds me of Italy.

MY IDEA OF THE PERFECT GETAWAY

Indian Springs Resort

VINTAGE RUSTIC

I am attracted to found objects that can be combined with simple elegance.

THE PERFECT CHAIR

The Y Chair by Hans Wegner is my idea of a great chair. It looks great by itself in an informal setting. It can be placed with elegant peices and blend perfectly for an eclectic look or flow into a farmhouse seeamlessly. It's durable, comfortable and the graceful lines complete the package!

TOO CUTE!

In my search for interesting shades for clients I came across this and tried to make up my mind about it but I think I just love it! Find it on http://www.lamplust.com/

LOFT SOLUTION

I love this space divider solution from http://www.greydesignstudio.com/index.htm It's industrial but not harsh.

TOP 10 SOFAS

PAYNTER SOFA AT CONRAN

COURTNEY SOFA AT RUBY HANNA SOFA AT OLY

AZURE SOFA AT ROOM AND BOARDOASIS SOFA AT CRATE AND BARREL
AMALFI SOFA AT JAYSON HOME AND GARDEN

GUSTAV DAY BED AT RUBY

EASTON SOFA AT RESTORATION HARDWAREODETTE SOFETTE AT RUBY

JASPER SLIPCOVERED SOFA AT ROOM AND BOARD