Sunday, October 31, 2010

A Pop of Pumpkin

Design by Ashley Putnam, image courtesy of Lonny Online Magazine

Fall is in the air here in New York City.  Although the weather has been warm, the breeze blowing through the City is unmistakably Autumn.  Golden, auburn and persimmon leaves swirl down the sidewalk in Tribeca, ghosts and ghouls adorn the trees and brownstone stoops in the West Village, and brightly hued pumpkins and seasonal squash decorate the tables and menus of restaurants on every corner.  As we approach the end of the month, specifically Halloween, I thought I would pay homage to the classic colors of orange and black.  If paired correctly, the fusion of orange and black doesn't always have to scream Halloween, and it is a lovely combination all the year 'round.


Clockwise starting from the top left:
1. A herringbone by Designers Guild, "Crawton" in "Zinnia"
2.  "Sally" in color "Pumpkin" by Schumacher
3.  A toile, "Tortuga" in color "Safran" by Manuel Canovas
4.  "Sunglass Print" in "Orange" by Schumacher
5. An ikat, "Sunburst Luce" by Madeline Weinrib Atelier
6.  "Arches Print" in color "Orange" by Schumacher


A primarily rusty orange bedroom with matte black accents by NYC designer Sara Story stays mostly neutral aside from the adventurous wallpaper.

image courtesy of Lonny Online Magazine

The designer of this small dining space makes a statement by utilizing mostly black charcoals and grays and then slipping in hints of bright and bittersweet oranges.


Clockwise, starting from top left:

1. "Shockwave" in colorway "platinum & jet" by Schumacher
2.  A city scene, also by Schumacher, "New York, New York" in color "black & white"
3.  An ikat by Madeline Weinrib Atelier "Black Daphne"
4."Zebre Epingle" in "black/ecru", by Schumacher
5.  A black leopard print from the Kravet Couture collection
6. "Decade Tuxedo" from Kravet Couture

image courtesy of Lonny Online Magazine
Designer David Cafiero painted this living room a peachy-orange and then brought a more ruby-orange into the space through a vibrant patterned fabric.  Jet-black finishes give the pastel room a sleeker edge.

image courtesy of Lonny Online Magazine

Designers Ethan Feirstein and Ari Heckman painted it black in their masculine bathroom and then chose russet bath towels and a mirror framed in an orangey wood to complete the look.

image courtesy of Lonny Online Magazine
New York Interior Designer Ron Marvin expertly chose a pop of pumpkin in a predominately gray space.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Birds of a Feather

Alexander McQueen.  Paris, Fall 2010. photo courtesy of harpersbazaar.com

...Flock together.  Namely, the latest trends of design, both fashion and interior, tend to be linked by similar trends and motifs.  Currently, one such trend is the influence of our friends of the winged variety. Birds of all persuasions are influencing design from sweaters of feathers to rooms of plumes.

Derek Lam, image courtesy of Harper's Bazaar.
Owl sculpture by designer Michele Varian

Click images for a closer look...

Gown by Jason Wu, image courtesy of Harper's Bazaar.
Living Room design by Michelle Adams, image courtesy of Lonny Magazine.

1. "Golden Finch Birdcage" Pendant.  Kate Spade
2. "Joelle" Mirror. Clayton Gray Home.
3."Owl Stud" Earrings, MARC by Marc Jacobs, Neiman Marcus
4. "Snow Owl" Bookends  by Spisani Barney's
5. "Duck Leg" Vanity Mirror. Clayton Gray Home.


1. "Glendalough" Wallpaper, Osborne & Little
2. "Proud Plumes" Scarf,  Anthropologie
3. "Chocolate Peacock" Pillow, Michele Varian
4. "Rowan" Dress by Rachel Pally, Shopbop.com
5.  "Jeweled Peacock" Brooch, Kate Spade
6. "Sunbird" Sheet Set, Anthropologie


1. "Bird on a Branch" Metallic Pillow by Michele Varian
2. "Grande Diego" French Lantern , designed by Sandy Chapman, available through Circa Lighting
3. "Silva Embroidered" Dress by Erdem, Barney's
4. "Blue Bird"Chair by Old Hickory Tannery, Neiman Marcus
5."Petal to the Metal" Bag by MARC by Marc Jacobs,  pursepage.com








Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Sitting Pretty

I love the look created by allowing beautifully framed artwork to relax on the floor, mantle, dresser, or sideboard and casually lean against the wall.  This method of display creates an easygoing attitude alternative to the more popular permanent placement of wall hangings, and the the only effort required for display is finding the perfect place for artwork to sit pretty.  So, measuring tape?  Forget it.  Hammer and nails?  No thank you.  Leveler?  I don't think so.  Ladder?  Doubt it.  There are a lot of great reasons to use this distinctive display technique.

In a small space, or on a mantle, shelf or sideboard, pack more loveliness into an area by layering several different pieces. 

In this New York Dining Room, designers Keith Johnson and Glen Senk pair different sized pieces giving the room more dimension.

Hattie Wolf & Abby Rizor, designers of this Florida Family Room, maximized display space by layering a mixed bag of similar-sized artwork and framed memorabilia.
image courtesy of House Beautiful

Fill an unusual blank space with a small piece for an easy accent.

In Frederic Fekkai's New York Living Room, designer Robert Couturier placed a small piece of artwork on the floor between the mantle and mirrored chest to flawlessly finish this simply wonderful decor.














image courtesy of elledecor.com
 Designer Miles Redd used a few small photographs and pieces of art to break up the monotonous lines of the bookshelf.

 image courtesy of milesredd.com

Framed small prints were creatively placed by architect Michele Bonan to sit on alternating steps of this staircase at the Hotel J.K. Place in Italy.

Give the big picture in order to create a focal point rather than just an accent

In actress Ellen Pompeo's California Dining Room, designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard utilizes a large mirror of his own creation and a vintage subway sign for expanse in a white space.
image courtesy of elledecor.com

Designer Rafael de Cardenas rests a rich-colored painting against the wall in this Manhatten apartment to break up an otherwise radiently pink room.  The placement of this piece balances the flow of the room by sitting in an area that is perhaps too small for furniture.                 image courtesy of elledecor.com



A mixture of a few pieces hung on the wall and several propped up beneath is also a great way to maximize display space


  In this reception room in Thailand, abstractly arranged frames of both the mounted and resting variety give character to a small space.
 



image courtesy of elledecor.com

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Dabbling In the Dark

Some people are afraid of the dark.  Especially when it takes the form of a paint color on the wall. However,  I have been excited to see a variety of dark charcoals, midnight blues, and smokey grays cloaking the walls of bedrooms everywhere.  But have no fear! There is nothing ominous about these dusky dwellings.  These deep hues provide a beautiful blank slate to create masterpieces in either chalky whites and neutrals, or a true variety pack of color.  So whether playing it safely sumptuous with stark white or tawny and taupe...

courtesy of decorpad.com

courtesy of decorpad.com

          Or venturing more where the wild things are...

courtesy of decorpad.com

design by Moises Esquenazi, photo courtesy of House Beautiful

a dark wall is perfect for displaying a constellation of artwork...

courtesy of elle decor

courtesy of decorpad.com

...or letting the depth speak for itself.

courtesy of decorpad.com

And if you are still a bit of a fraidy cat and feel you may need a night light, an inky accent wall is the ticket for tentatively exploring your dark side.

courtesy of decorpad.com

courtesy of decorpad.com


Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Barn


Having grown up riding and spending a LOT of time at the barn, a certain nostalgia comes over me when I see anything barn or horse related. When I came across the above image, I started thinking about the barn door for the interior....and then I got a little google image happy! Below are some of the most fab interior applications of barn doors. Specifically, sliding barn doors.

Love this black and white scheme designed by Darryl Carter. Notice how the track makes an L shape above the doorways on the perpendicular walls. I also love that the black is echoed in the flooring and the beams on the ceiling.

Red bard door? Got it!  Bestor Architecture separated the space in this home with the traditional red barn door, freshened up with a heavy dose of lacquer!

 These sliding doors maintain the integrity and grain of the original barn or carriage house they belonged to.

 The sliding barn door can be a very simple and creative way to separate a small space. I love the idea of creating a mini-pantry! Image from Smitten Design

A bathroom barn door from Design Sponge

Separating a small office off of a kitchen.
Courtesy of Attic Mag

A clever way to conceal a washer and dryer! 

 Or to conceal a hall bath...
Photo courtesy of Max Levy.

A crisp all white scheme from Feldman Architecture

A cozy office from Sunset

A grand yet simple bathroom entry from Sarah's Fab Day.

Yellow barn door and gray walls? Love.
Courtesy of Southern Living