Creepy or Cool?

I think they’re very cool, incredible actually. Completely different in many ways (accessibility, composition, several other obvious points), Tsunami Glassworks‘ Ventricle vase and Claude Lalanne’s Bronze Crocodile chair share one common denominator – they push the design envelope in ways that could be seen as uncomfortable. Sticking stems into an object that resembles a heart and resting your back against something that resembles a crocodile, may challenge a person’s natural instincts – and I love that, particularly because taken on their own as art they’re quite beautiful, but when function comes into play something else (a slight squeamishness?) develops. What do you think?

Kudos to Reed and Delphine Krakoff who seamlessly incorporate the chair into their Upper East Side Brownstone. For more images of their vibrant home (shot by Sheila Metzner) check out September’s Vogue.

Free For All

One of the true design blog originals, Design Sponge is of course a favorite resource of mine. For years now I’ve been visiting the site for inspiration, but I only recently discovered a free feature they offer and I wanted to share it with you before September. This might sound nerdy, but I’m obsessed: every month D*S posts a link to a beautiful new desktop wallpaper embedded with a calendar. August’s was designed by Betsy Walton, a Portland, Oregon-based artist whose now another new obsession of mine. After perusing her web site, I might just have to make it a personal crusade to get her a fabric line. I need a pillow with one of her folksy dreamy creations ASAP.

White Night

These days it seems like every other magazine is focused on color. “Decorate with Color!” “Color’s Back!” “In Living COLOR!” You get the point…….but I’m having a hard time getting the point myself. Apparently it’s common knowledge that incorporating color into design is more challenging than working without, but for me it’s simply the opposite. Creating an interesting composition from a neutral palette, especially whites, is much more challenging because frankly, neutrals often look boring. This bedroom by Ames Ingham (featured in the September issue of Elle Decor) is quite different. I love the balance of whites and ivorys in the bedding, shades and walls, but what I really find clever is the frames above the bed (note a new method affordable art possibilities!). It’s beautiful how the photographs are given a simple white frame and how each showcases vast expanses of a bleached out sky. It’s also interesting to note how close together they hang. All in all, the whole effect of the bedroom isn’t at all boring or safe; it’s complex and simultaneously soothing.
*Photograph by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Dinner Time

My portfolio needs some major updating and thankfully I’m wrapping up a few projects this month. Hopefully I’ll soon be able to hire someone who actually has a talent for taking pictures, but I don’t if I can wait until then to share. Here’s a sneak peak of Mary Grace’s dining room. It’s nearly finished, all that’s missing are bolster pillows for the armchairs. I’m truly very, very happy with how it turned out. My favorite aspect is the eclectic mix of furnishings and the feminine quality of the design that’s not entirely overwhelming. I also like the mix of high and low in price points and design features.

Resources:
Originally from Blu Dot, found used on Craigslist; White upholstered chairs; End chairs; Custom Bench; Cabinet; 1930′s Mirror.

Chicago Cabana Culture

Recently I visited my sisters in Chicago and we spent one hot afternoon at their community pool. It was awesome to jump in the icy water, but what really struck me was the cabana culture. Lining the pool are these little rooms that people rent for the summer and apparently they get really into hanging out there. Think 10am-6pm every weekend for the last 20 years in some cases. Quite the characters, the renters of said cabanas go all out decorating them and I found it amazing how their personalities came through even in such small spaces. I wish I had taken better photos, but I still wanted to get these shots up as a tribute to those fun people I met. From fridge decals, to rugs, to neon flamingos to faux window planters…..these rooms take affordable pool decor to the next level.

I want a Red Closet

Small spaces often lend themselves to big ideas and this closet in designer David Kaihoi’s tiny Manhattan apartment sets a perfect example. While most people would see the space merely for it’s function, Kaihoi maximized the style potential in his closet by painting the interior surfaces a vibrant glossy red. Now when he or his wife rummages inside for a sweater or a pair of jeans they must get a small thrill out of the drama of the interior…I certainly would. Thanks House Beautiful for featuring this in your July/August issue.
*Photograph by Ngoc Minh Ngo

Affordable Art

Without a doubt, the number one thing most clients seek is assistance in styling empty wall space. No one seems quite how to battle the bleakness of blank surfaces within affordable means and I do have to admit, I too relate to the challenge. In fact, in recent weeks the dilemma has weighed me down a bit as I wrap my Greenwich Street project.

Mary Grace’s apartment is blessed with a unique entry way; it’s rather wide and windy. We addressed the first entry space, the foyer you could call it, with a shelf for mail and keys, hooks for wet clothes, and a mirror for a look before leaving.

In the second area we wanted to provide a seating place for pulling on and off wet and dirty shoes (a necessity with city living). I found a church pew at the Brooklyn Flea for a bargain price of $250, but sadly it didn’t work out. After further brainstorming, I realized three small stools worked much better than one long bench. Then Mary Grace would have extra seating for parties and gatherings. It’s highly unlikely that she was ever going to drag a clunky church pew into the living room; in fact, that might have even been a little creepy.

Fortunately I found these distressed white stools (above) for a bargain price at ANC. I like how they look lined up in a row, but they do feel slightly free floating. To unify the space I’d like to place one dramatic piece of art above them, which brings me back to the problem of blank wall space and affordability. While this 60″x40″ print (above) from Art Addiction isn’t exactly a steal, I do really love it’s ethereal color and scale. It’s romantic and mysterious, plus the hues work with the living and dining areas it leads towards. All together I think the combination would create a gorgeous vignette. What do you think?

Mexico Makeover

Acapulco’s not exactly at the top of my design destination list, I’m more of a Todos Santos girl, but I must say I’m reconsidering after seeing images of Hotel Boca Chica. Recently renovated, the hotel embraces an incredible retro vibe that’s extremely inspiring. For more images, and for an explanation of the gigantic raft (above) go to my Inspired Ideas page or click here.

Light on Your Feet

I was going to post Prada’s Chandelier shoes in the Favorite Thing side bar, but then I realized, I’m not sure how I feel about them. Part of me thinks they’re beautiful. An even bigger part thinks it’s wonderful that such an incredible fashion house found inspiration in a classic interior design form, but then part of me thinks……what if you’re feet bang together?

Happy Houseboat

I love this shot from the Guardian’s web site about a young family’s London houseboat. Despite what must often be dreary weather conditions, they’ve created a cheery and peaceful retreat. The bedroom particularly resonates with white walls, a white headboard and white linens accented by pops of color from Emily Peacock’s Kiss pillow and Bianca Hall’s Silence print. Both are affordable sources I knew nothing about before and am hoping to use in the future.