Color Crush: Lilac

   Not everyone's color crush is a citrus shade tending this season. Some prefer to stay with softer tones. Lilac is a wonderful color that works beautifully in a soft neutral palette.  Shown is Sherwin Williams 6835 Euphoric Lilac.

 Designer Guild's fabric Cabriole/ Heather blends shades of lilac with cream and metallic accents.

 Soft lilac walls with pale green linen covered sofa and chairs, white trim and silver toned metal tables.

 Styling by Designers Guild:  Lilac accenting shades of grey and white

 A table lamp is a great place to use your color crush as an accent.

 Lamps from Arteriors

 Plate from Anthropologie

 Custom designed wool rug : grey background, pattern in lilac highlighted with moss green silk

 Light neutrals with aged brass table and lilac accents.

White, grey, taupe, cream and lilac
Your color crush is whatever you like. Trends are fun but they don't have to define what you like and have in your home. What is your color crush?

Inspiration Is Everywhere

I recently did some vintage shopping (hunting) at Junque, located in a building which was part of the International Shoe Company in St Louis. Junque is always filled with treasures from architectural elements to decorative items. It is fascinating. What is also fascinating is  the complex of buildings in the area, some are in use some are not. 

 The building, constructed in the 1860s, was originally part of the Lemp Brewery. International Shoe purchased it in 1922. The building is intact and houses a few small businesses.

 The combination of the colors on the bricks, the blue/green shade of paint on the window and door trim and the grey stone details is wonderful. You never know where you will find you next favorite color palette.

 I wasn't sure what was through this doorway but I had to go in.

 Just inside was this amazing metal spiral staircase.

 These metal cogs. wheels and whatever were on the ground outside of the shop.

 Color, texture, pattern is everywhere.

 A small portion of architectural elements to be found at Junque.

 This piece was once part of a conveyor belt. It has such a great sculptural look. Maybe next it will be a wall hanging.

March Inspiration

I love March. I am inspired by the change of seasons. Spring is on it's way. Inspiration can be found almost anywhere; sunrooms, wallpaper, chandeliers,artwork, room layouts.

This sunroom is full of beautiful elements. I like that the color palette is not typical for a sunroom.  The black, red and white create a sophisticated and charming room.

The chair fabric is Scalamandre's Luca, one of my favorites. The curvaceous pattern looks great against the straight lines of the rattan furniture.

In this room I like the simplicity of the furniture, the symmetry of the placement and the vibrant artwork used as the focal point.  And the chandelier is kind of amazing too...

This gorgeous wall is made from a Walker Zanger Tile. Stunning. I love the color and the texture. A beautiful combination.

The hand bag and accessory designer, Lulu Guiness is the owner of this charming, perfectly scaled sitting room.

This room is over the top wonderful. It is in the home of the fashion designer, Zang Toi. The curved white furniture against the fur like area rug is a vivacious and sultry choice. The Marie Antoinette styled portraits in the background are amazing. And again, great chandelier.

Scalamandre's zebra  wallcovering in this red colorway is a great source of inspiration for me at this time. It is the inspiration for the design I am working on for an apartment at the St Louis Repertory Theater. I am using a palette of black and tan with accents of red.

Black, tan, classic style with a hint of red.

I find inspiration in this sophisticated style. I love the perfectly placed art hanging above the sofa.
Inspiration is all around me. I just need to keep my eyes and mind open.

photos from House Beautiful, Homes and Gardens, Elle Decor, Veranda, Walker Zanger

Tricia Guild Colors, Patterns and Space (Or What I Got For Christmas)

For Christmas I received the newest book by Tricia Guild: Colors, Patterns and Space. You probably already know what a big fan I am of Designers Guild fabrics and wallcoverings. Tricia Guild is, for me, a rock star.

Colors, Patterns and Space is a beautiful book filled with gorgeous rooms and spaces designed by Tricia Guild. The book's chapters are designated by the project: Coastal Retreat, French Chateau, New York Loft...

Each chapter also names the essence of the projects: Eccentric, Dynamic, Glamorous...

Wonderful design, Beautiful photography, Happy me

Published by Rizzoli New York

Eccentric

Glamorous

Sophisticated

Contemporary

Beautiful

Vintage Charm

Atmospheric

Tranquility

Reflections

Elegance

Modern

Classical

Graphic

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?

Inspiration and Design Bringing The Color Home

Bountiful color is all around us. I have a new favorite color at least once a week. Taking these glorious colors and using them in your home can be a bit tricky.
I have put together inspirations and designs to show how to take the wonderful color you see in the world around you and bring it into your home.
INSPIRATION  PHOTO  The combination of white hydrangea and intense pink hibiscus is bright, lively and lovely.
DESIGN  With these selections I have taken those colors and used them to create a well designed and balanced home.                                                                                                                                         

                 The design includes: a floral printed linen, a stripe strie silk, a plush velvet, a woven plaid, a flat braided trim, a  textured wool carpet, and a quilted cotton fabric.
The Sherwin Williams Paint colors can be used in various combinations throughout the home to create schemes from bright and lively to soft and quiet.
6575 Priscilla                                                6431 Leapfrog
6385 Dover White                                        6577 Jaipur Pink
7029 Agreeable Grey

The INSPIRATION here is glorious orchids with veins of vibrant color from pink to purple. They also show softer colors: orchid, white, gold, cream and taupe.
DESIGN  The selections include: an embroidered silk fabric with stunning pink, fuchsia and purple on a taupe background, a creamy velvet with a lush brush fringe, a small scale stripe in tones of orchid, taupe and white, a cream wool carpet in a lattice pattern and a printed damask in orchid and cream on linen.

The Sherwin Williams Paint colors can be used to have rooms with vibrant color or soft color using the vibrant colors as accents.
6274 Destiny                                                      6555 Enchant
6977 Queenly                                                     7009 Pearly white
6128 Blonde                                                          7064 Passive             
Sherwin Williams Painthttp://www.sherwin-williams.com/