Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Market Watch - Wellborn Re:Defined Furniture
The folks at Wellborn, know for beautifully crafted Kitchen and Bath cabinets, have expanded into old-wood new-construction furniture all made in the USA. In a word - gorgeous! According to the company's recent release, "the mission at Wellborn Re:Defined is to create and manufacture high-quality sustainable furniture..."
My favorite is the Stella console. How can you not love something named Stella? Stellllaaaaaaaa!
Check out the whole line here. http://www.wellbornind.com/id5.html
Monday, June 20, 2011
Inspiration: Hydrangeas
Olivia arrived at the back door the other morning with a gorgeous bouquet of hydrangea and lillies. The yard is bursting with summer colors - the cool blue and deep purple hydrangeas and the cheery orange day lillies. Mother Nature sure picks some great color combinations! I've always had a thing for blue. It's restorative, peaceful and calming. Here are a few of my favorite blue inspirations.
And a little shameless self promotion...here are a few of my new blue and orange introductions for fall 2011.
image credits: (1) Ally Bank Interiors; (2) Hotel Maison, (3)Paris via mixr.se; (4)TM Design via Deco Pad; (5)Ally Banks Interiors; (6) Pam Bolig Photography
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Dear Dad
Thanks for all the advice you've given me especially when you thought I wasn't listening (ok ok Business School was a good decision). Thanks for teaching me how to sail and giving me a life-long love of the water and messing around on boats. Thanks for the wedding. Thanks for the sense of humor.
Thanks... for being Dad!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Field Trip: Maryland Avenue
One of my favorite parts of being a designer is the shopping. Not the actual slogging around, but the thrill when you find just the right thing or a new resource. In an effort to share all of the wonderful resources I find I've decided to add a new feature called "Field Trip". Hope you enjoy the first of the series.
In the last few weeks I've re-discovered Annapolis' own Maryland Avenue. This quaint street between the State House and the Naval Academy is known to Annapolitans as being the art and design district. I hadn't payed the shops much attention in a while (OK years) and I can't believe what I've been missing.
Today's post is about Natatlie Silitch Antiques. Natalie is famous in this area for her folk art but this lady has a killer eye for interior accessories! Her shop is one where you need to go through at least twice just to make sure that you see everything. Accessories are gathered from all over the globe and such a refreshing change from the chain stores. The store is a nice mix of fine antiques, accessories (both vintage and new), one-of-a-kind pieces, jewelry and gifts. Here's a peek.
These copper seahorse door pulls just had to come home with me. They are fabulously big and heavy. I have no idea where they will live but I'm currently thinking they may be towel hooks in the girl's Bath.
I adore these porcelain hands. Wouldn't they be cool as a soap dish?
I adore these porcelain hands. Wouldn't they be cool as a soap dish?
I've been wanting this purple barnacle for a summer centerpiece. Going to be a guest at a friend's beach house this summer? Skip the flowers and give something really unique.
I'm a sucker for anything dog so the bookends caught my eye first but the really cool pieces are the metal roman numerals behind. They have little spikes that can be pressed into the ground and as a group they form a life-size sun dial. What a great garden feature!
This is just about the coolest door knocker ever!
I especially love the little carved, wooden dragon boat. The oars really move.
Old printing press number and letters. keep them in a bowl on your coffee table and let guests spell something fun.
If you find yourself in the market for interesting home accessories then Natalie Silitch Antiques is the place start. You can also read more about Natalie on her web site http://www.nataliesilitch.com/shop.php
Hope you discover something fun this weekend!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Inspiration Board: Tween Girl's Room
My tween client is ready for a more grown up room design. In this case, my 10-year old client is my daughter, Olivia. Yes - I promised we could re-do her room when she turned 10 but how did that happen so quickly? Family are always the toughest to please. This client has decided on purple which I have to say is not one of my favorite colors, especially on the wall. Purple is tricky. Too much and you will tire of it quickly. Just the wrong shade can be garrish. Plus I'm still madly in love with the soft, hazy blue grey that's currently on the wall. Hmmmm.
The solution here is to select a soft, greyed shade of purple, almost lavender, with enough black in it to give it depth. I selected Benjamin Moore's "enchanted" which I think will do the trick. Soft grey, brown and white accents will compliment the walls. A punch of yellow on her reading chair will keep things fresh and young.
My tween's only other parameter is that the room must reflect her love of riding. Most people instantly think of tailored equestrian for a girl's room. The challenge is that this young lady rides western. Yup - cowboy boots and all. So how can the room be sophisticated enough and not, well, country western? I'm focusing on the mix of textures that evoke the barn - a faux cow rug, an upholstered faux suede headboard with some nailhead trim. We'll bring in the horse element by blowing up some black and white pictures I took at the barn of Olivia's favorite horse for artwork.
I'll post pictures as we make progress this summer.
Have a great weekend!
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