A Pied-'A-Terre In The City

I am designing a pied-'a-terre for a client. A place in the city she can use as a second home. This particular client loves beautiful fabrics as much as I do. It is a joy to work with her. I have wrapped her home in gorgeous fabrics from Nina Campbell and Calvin Klein.

 In the living room I am using Nina Campbell fabrics. The top  fabric is Salix, a woven willow stripe for the window treatments. Next is Arboretum a soft linen embroidered and appliqued . It will be used for pillows. The third fabric is Lombardia Chenille which is woven to resemble the bark of a tree. This will cover two chairs.

 

 The Arboretum leaf applique is done in velvet on linen.

 Salix, the window treatment fabric is a woven willow stripe with an ombre' effect running through the leaves.

 Salix and Arboretum are a wonderful combination.

 The fabric for the kitchen window treatment is Delphine. It is a large scale pattern of twin maple leaves printed on a textured woven linen.

 The bedroom will have an upholstered headboard covered in a flax colored Belgian linen from the Calvin Klein Collection through Kravet Fabrics.

 The window treatment fabric for the bedroom is stunning. It is the Petiole fabric from Nina Campbell. Petiole is a tree of life pattern embroidered on a soft linen ground.

There is more to come on this beautiful and fun project.

Window Treatments * Comfort And Style

Window treatments are an important element in interior design. We know longer need heavy layers to protect us from cold winds in drafty homes but window treatments still provide comfort and add style to our interiors. In this post I have included various styles of window treatments and details that add to a beautiful design.

The floral print Roman shades in this setting are a wonderful addition. They provide the necessary coverage on the windows and add to the overall charm of the English cottage style.

Although not a window treatment, I chose this photo to show how using coordinating fabrics on each side of a panel created a well designed room divider.

I think this is a beautifully designed room. What I like most about the window treatments is their height. Installing them well above the windows and close to the ceiling emphasizes the height of the room, which is a wonderful detail to show off.

These silk panels are graceful and elegant. Pulling them back higher in the panel allows more light to flood in to the room.

I particularly like the use of color in this room and the way the window treatments are part of the color scheme. The strong colors on the chair and wall are balanced by the light color of the fabric used for the window treatment.The fabric's pattern has the colors that bring the room together.

The window treatments here have a quiet elegance that are part of a neutral background allowing the accent colors used to be the focal point of the room. A stunning design.

The shade and panels of this window treatment provide comfort and style for the room. A beautiful and functional combination.

The Roman shade in this office provides color and pattern in an otherwise neutral room.

Window treatments are often the element that completes the design of a room while providing the necessary comfort.

all photos from http://www.homesandgardens.com/

Designer Finds * New In The Showrooms For Fall

 Designer showrooms are filled with new products being introduced for the fall. This week was Designer Day at Design & Detail and I saw wonderful new product that included fabrics and rugs.

 Kravet has an amazing line of area rugs. There are various groups that include custom made hand knotted wools and the new Tufts, which are wool, tufted and gorgeous.

 Fabricut's latest offerings include printed cotton fabrics in coordinates of modern florals, graphics and stripes.

 The British fabric house, Sanderson, is celebrating its 150th anniversary. To mark the occasion they have reissued classic patterns in updated colorways, charming and current.

 Sanderson has also introduced new patterns. A favorite of mine is this cut velvet  floral. A beautiful pattern in great colorways.

 Designers Guild has produced a collection of digitally printed fabrics. The patterns combine florals and architectural elements with vivid colors and extraordinary detail. 

The digital prints are clear,crisp and vibrant.      There are amazing new products in the showrooms. If you are a designer go see them now. If you are not a designer find one so you can see what's new and wonderful.

Where Do You Find Inspiration?

I am in the midst of teaching a class called Inspiration. It is about finding the elements that inspire the interiors of your home, then taking those elements and making them work.
I find inspiration in a lot of different places. Sometimes I find it in the links between fashion and interior design. Inspiration can be found just about anywhere.

This photo of Coco Chanel is a source of inspiration for me. I have it on the inspiration board in my studio. Its very elegant, stylish and the proportions are perfect, like the design of a Chanel dress or suit. When I first saw the chandelier with its miles and miles of pearls it immediately reminded me of the Chanel photo.
                                   These photos were originally ads for Scalamandre' fabrics. I love the strong color, the way traditional and modern are combined and I particularly love the styling done for the photos. On the left the sweater and purse add a touch of fashion to the interiors and on the right the 60's pink phone brings in the mod touch. Great combinations and style ideas.

Overscaled patterns are a wonderful way to add a statement to a room. What I like about these rooms are the color palettes and the the way the patterns are used. In both rooms the patterns add style but do not  take over the room. The grey, yellow and white palette is striking and comfortable.  The tans and white with accents of pink and fuchsia create a beautiful room.                                                                                                                                                                              

Color. I find inspiration in the paintings of Matisse. His use of color is extraordinary. Strong colors working together create works of art. Along with the strong colors are areas of light  that keep the color from becoming overwhelming.  The photo of the sitting area also shows strong color combined with areas of light. The art work, light colors of the fabric pattern and the area rug bring balance to the intense color of the room.
Inspiration is all around us,
Where do you find inspiration?

Ralph Lauren The Heiress Collection

When it comes to traditional design nobody does it better than Ralph Lauren. In the Heiress Collection he has combined traditional design and Bohemian style to create a look that is comfortable, usable and gorgeous. I love this collection.

From the perfect crystal chandelier to the curved arm of the sofa this living room is stunning. The collection is overflowing with style. It can be used in a variety of settings. It looks wonderful in the traditional room shown. It would also look great in less formal settings. Maybe even better. I always like something a bit unexpected.

The dining room is sumptuous. I love the styling . From the soft swag of the treatment framing the window to the neutral palette highlighted with a burst of flowers and a table set with sparkling crystal, the room is perfect.

And the chandelier wrapped in a soft sheer fabric is so very RL.

A bedroom with two chandeliers, of course I like it. RL bedrooms are elegant, comfortable and inviting. A dream whether you are awake or asleep.