Take the Gloom Out of Gray

Tone variation of the brush strokes on "Positano in Graphite" by Amanda Nisbet look as though someone actually hand painted the silk ground.  This fabric would make very chic pillows.

A new client of mine likes the soothing sophistication of gray for her beach house living room but still wants the room to feel fresh and cheerful.  The key to achieving gray without gloom is to pick the clearest grays without any beige or green undertones.  We decided to layer gray in fun prints on a warm toned sisal rug with grass cloth walls.  Here are a few new happy gray fabrics that I discovered while scheming the room!

Zwada Home Imports Ancient Chinese Techniques from Hong Kong to Vancouver

The Imix Club's Chair 1 features hand carved faux bamboo knots.

On a trip to Canada last month, I came across Zwada Home, an Asian influenced interiors shop in Vancouver's Yaletown.  Zwada Home has exclusive North American representation of The Imix Club, an exquisite line of solid wooden Chinese reproductions. The Imix Club's pieces are hand made in Hong Kong using the centuries old Ming Dynasty joinery techniques.  Unmistakable quality is evident in the workmanship of the furniture and the luster and depth of the wood finishes.

Southern Charm and Taste Too Big For a Niche

Charleston's Niche Interiors carries a range of upholstery, antiques, lighting, original art and smalls.

During a recent trip to Charleston, South Carolina, I stumbled across Niche Interiors.  Niche is a chic new design shop offering a sophisticated selection of antiques and tailored upholstery which are beautifully merchandised with layers of original artwork, lighting and smalls.  Niche's merchandise transitions well to a variety of settings; Niche would be at home as easily on Madison Avenue as on Charleston's King Street.  Read on for decorating inspiration, floral design via four wheeler, caramel cakes, talk of a love child and funny stories from the deep South in my interview with Niche's fashionable young owner Matthew Bees.

Brunschwig & Fils Purchased By Kravet

Brunschwig and Fils chintz was quilted and made into slipcovers for this East Hampton living room designed by Rob Southern as featured in the March 2011 issue of House Beautiful.

In January 2011, iconic fabric house Brunschwig & Fils filed for bankruptcy protection as a result of declining revenues since the onset of the financial crisis.  At yesterday's heated auction, competing fabric house Kravet outbid investment firm Soverign Partners to purchase Brunschwig & Fils.

Quadrille's Interactive Website

The Little Club at Lyford Cay designed by Tom Scheerer combines Quadrille's "Lyford Pagoda" fabric on the pair of chairs with "Trellis Background" wallpaper.

Quadrille is my go to source for stylish, punchy prints that instantly bring youthfulness and fun to any room.  Their fabrics can be custom colored and printed on a range of ground cloths including linen, cotton, silk and outdoor fabric.  Quadrille recently added a new Editorial Portfolio link to their webiste featuring over 100 photos of designers' work using Quadrille fabrics and wallpaper from publications all around the world.  This new link provides an innovative and convenient way to generate ideas and better visualize certain fabrics as curtains, upholstery, pillows and more.  Two of my previous employers, Meg Braff and Phoebe Howard, are well represented in the link!    

Ralph Lauren Home Releases Safari Inspired 2011 Spring Collection

Once a white boxy loft, Ralph Lauren Home's New York showroom  is transformed seasonally and currently displays the 2011 Spring Collection, "California Romantic".

Each season, Ralph Lauren Home designs a new collection of furniture, fabrics, bed linens, tabletop and accessories all of which have a common theme chosen by Ralph.  I had the chance to view the collection at Ralph Lauren Home's showroom, located in a large Chelsea loft, which is completely redesigned each season so that every detail, from architecture to accessories, reflects the season's theme.  The 2011 spring collection was partially inspired by Ralph's trip to Africa last year.  Like all things RL, no detail is overlooked and walking through the showroom made me feel transplanted to a luxe safari.

Slab Marble - Coldstone minus the Ice Cream



The carved marble wall panels bring the eye up and add architectural oomph (bathroom by Mary Spalding as featured in Veranda, June 2009). 

Marble can instantly elevate a kitchen or bathroom from ordinary to luxurious.  There are countless ways to cut and install marble, but my favorite is to keep it in the slab form.  Slab marble shows off the irregular lines and natural beauty of the stone.  Slabs can add scale and drama to a large room or make a smaller space seem bigger with less interruption from grout lines.  Be careful when installing slabs on bathroom floors and buy some pretty mats so you don't slip!  

Meg Braff Launches New Wallpaper Collection

Manhattan designer Meg Braff just launched her first line of hand printed wallpapers and they are stunning!  Meg combined vintage inspired patterns with sophisticated color palates, ranging from soft neutrals to bold corals, resulting in an overwhelmingly chic collection.  Here are a few of my favorite wallpapers by Meg Braff Designs:

I love patterns like "Endura" that are reminiscent of wood grain as they can really enhance the feel of a room that lacks in architecture.

Hubby's Corner: Wall Curtains

 Bedroom with wall curtain by Lindsey Bond as featured in the October 2010 issue of House Beautiful.

Big fan of the unnecessary curtain against a wall.  The fact that there’s a curtain begs the question to what it’s hiding, and if people are questioning why it’s there, they’re interested, no? The point is to fill a void.

The Finest Rooms With Thomas Jayne

Last week at the Institute Of Classical Architecture & Classical America, I had the chance to hear Thomas Jayne, acclaimed designer and historian, lecture on his new book The Finest Rooms In America. 

1stdibs Takes New York

1stdibs is Michael Bruno's innovative online marketplace, the first and finest of it's kind, for the world's most sought after antiques.  1stdibs gives virtual access to the best dealers from around the globe and allows streamlining of searches by piece, period, location, etc.  The site has dramatically changed the way designers and end users alike shop for antiques. 

Campaign Furniture's Timeless Style



Campaign chests have brass plates on the corners to avoid damage during transit.  They were often made in two pieces with brass side handles for easy carry.  Campaign Chest of Drawers in Teak from Michael Donaldson Antiques.

Originally commissioned in the late 1700's by military officers traveling to posts abroad, campaign furniture was designed to easily dismantlewithin minutes using a single screwdriver.  It was a status symbol amongst officers to see who could keep up with the latest styles at home.  Campaign furniture was often made near the posts so local materials, such as teak, were used giving the pieces an exotic flair.

French Polynesian Chic at Le Taha'a

Over-water bungalows at Le Taha'a Island Resort and Spa in the foreground with views of Bora Bora.



Winter Sale At Aero Studios

Tuck office clutter away in the "Hallings Secretary," one of my favorite pieces in Thomas O'Brien's collection for Hickory Chair. 

Peter Pennoyer: Architect To Know & Book To Own

Peter Pennoyer has mastered the perfect balance between past and present to reinterpret classical architecture for modern living.  Twenty of Pennoyer's residential projects are featured in his new book, Peter Pennoyer Architects: Apartments, Townhouses, Country Houses.

Hubby's Corner: When Priceless Antiques Meet Partridge Family Taste

The joke of the day is brought to us by the late John Barrett of Bath, England. Seems Mr. Barrett inherited a more than average pot upon the passing of his 77 year old father in the 1975. Indeed, Mr. Barrett made it more than average by drilling a few holes, running some cable through the holes and affixing a light bulb on top. But it was more than his casual renovation to the piece that made it stand out:

Young Collectors Night & Designer's Top Picks from the Winter Antiques Show

Me with Jennifer Lee of Sotheby's Institute.

Learn How to "Design With Antiques" At The NY Winter Antiques Show

Philip Gorrivan's new collection of fabrics for Duralee was used on the upholstery in his Salon vignette at "Designing With Antiques," part of the Winter Antiques Show.

Addison Mizner's Influence On Sea Island Architecture



A vintage post card of the original Cloister Hotel
designed by Addison Mizner in 1928.

"V For The Home" Offers Worldly Finds

This pair of zinc
corbels is currently one of
Deborah's top picks.

The assortment of furniture, lighting, carpets and accessories at Richmond's V For The Home has a well traveled feel.  Owner, buyer and designer, Deborah Valentine, selected patinaed continental European pieces that I would expect to see in her native New Orleans.  Brushes of gilding, mercury glass and beading excite the neutral palate.  My favorite items are lamps made from antique architectural elements and the wide selection of reasonably priced smaller antique rugs.  I will be back to shop for decorating jobs in Virginia and beyond!