Escape to NY. . Day 2.

Howdy . . .

It was Day Two and the first day of the New York International Gift Fair . .  an inside gig, thank goodness.  We had such a great time wandering around, a few celebrity sightings, which is always fun!

Mixing in a gritty i phone shot with Mekenzie's much more impressive ones . . take a look at what we fell in love with, including a few hilarious things . . . and remember, be happy to order anything that you fall in love with too !

clockwise (1) great beaded graphic pillows (2) new mirror sightings (3) designer gum balls . . yep that's right, they looked like a bowl of pearls !

check out the base of this nailhead dresser

honeycomb console front

love the lines on this occasional chair and great new mirror

love the white against the plume walls

accent wall lights and a splashy new rug

seriously glamorous shelf with glass detail

hide hair dresser front and vintage letters

great new lamp colors

fun side tables and drum lights in all colors

a new rug line

pillows and fun art

colored glass galore

loving Christian Lacroix and check out his "wood" tie !

more Lacroix cards, and notepads

fell in love with the "painted" laminate floor and big vintage clocks

new lamp colors and styles

pillows and blankets

and I saved my favorite for last . . . stay tuned for the details !

photos by Mekenzie France

Escape to NY . . Day 1.

Hey There . . 

Mekenzie, Molly and I headed North the other day bound for the frozen tundra, Manhattan.  I have an install I've been looking forward to and we decided to add a day or two on the trip to go to the gift show (NYIGF) and run around a bit. But our first day was all about my client and their daughter's big girl room.

So we left our cozy room at the Carlton on Madison and caught a train, Scarborough bound . . . Mekenzie and I snapped a few on the way out the door . . 

This job is for a client who recently moved out of the Big City to the quiet, spacious, picturesque town of Scarborough on the Hudson River . . .  Well -  let me let her tell you . . .

“Having just moved to a house in the 'burbs (40 minutes north of NYC), my husband and I had never considered working with a designer/decorator not located in the NY Tri-State area, much less one that was a 10 hour drive away! But when I saw Beth's work on Houzz, one particular room "spoke to me", and served as our inspiration for Abby's room. From my initial conversations with Beth, the collaboration felt right. From the get-go, Beth and her team were awesome--taking the time to speak with me about the design, and just as importantly, respecting the budget we had to work with.

We really wanted a room that our 2 1/2 year old daughter could "grow into" -- one that felt child-like and whimsical, but also something that Abby would love just as much when she was 16 years old. Beth and her team nailed it. It made no difference that she and her team were in North Carolina, and I in NY.  We corresponded often (through many emails and phone calls!), and she made it easy for me by having many of the big pieces sent directly to our house. The best part was her willingness to come to New York, and do the full install. 

My only regret was that I didn't get to meet Beth and team on the day of the install (as I had to be at work), but what fun to come home and see this beautiful room - which started on a basic design board - come to life! 

I would highly recommend working with Lucy and Company - whether near or far.”

I love that a room I created in the past spoke to her, but I didn't want to duplicate the look exactly.  I took inspiration from it and gave the room a uniqueness of it's own!  I wanted this little girl to have her own special room with similar colors my client loved, yet a little more eclectic and whimsical.

Our color scheme  . .  peachy orange and teal . . .

A classic graphic accent paper, new upholstered bed and a mixture of furniture styles to mix up the look.  I found this great side table and floating shelf  and paired it with a new headboard.  Attaching to a West Elm frame is a great way to go "skirt less."  These frames are also "platform" so when moving a young girl to her first big bed, leave off the box spring so the drop to the floor isn't so high.. just kidding!  Add a low profile box spring when you want to boost up the bed . . .  We chose a big, splashy rug and new curtain panels . . . 

 

 The large, mirror-topped dresser has big, deep drawers in a clean, white lacquer.  I offset the art and large lamp for some added interest.

 I love these random pillows I came across.  The colors pull in a little more whimsy and the touch of green and lavender to break up the consistent color palate a bit!

More unique textures in the bedside lamp (those would be paper bags!) and rug.  Remember this fabric on the windows?  I used it in a living space recently with a big chocolate sectional.    I love it can take on a whole new look when mixed with furniture and accessories in softer fabrics and colors.

 I even decided, at the last minute to hang the dresser mirror on a side wall at Abby height !

My thanks to a trusting, fun, long-distance client and Keith for driving up and helping with the install.  Spending a week in Jersey, he made a nice detour and was a big help.  Thanks too, Mekenzie for the great, story-telling photos, and Molly for helping me put all the new goods in place.   Turned out great and without a hitch (exempt maybe the excessively, massive chandelier I brought . . what was I thinking.. will be mailing something smaller !!)

All items available at www.lucyandcompany.com and feel free to contact us about your long-distance project, it can be done!

Stay tuned for other sights and stories . . we head to market tomorrow.

Mind Change . . .

Hi there . . .

So it's been overnight, and I still love the green,  so much so I want to put a twist on my new office . .  which I would say is half done since getting kinda-busy I haven't devoted the time on finishing it.  But as I sit here working on a Sunday (the chipper at my house drove me away) I have decided I want to finish and enjoy it.  Pretty environments help me focus ! After writing about Emerald Green yesterday I decided I want to bring that color back into my design plan.

I found total inspiration from Muberry's new spring collection that I came across this morning.  I love their color combination, and take a look at the runway backdrop . . . It's just gorgeous !

I am really close to finishing, all the messy part is done . . . just need the sofa, some pillows and a bookcase !

I revisited the pillows . . . I found these from a vendor of mine.  I especially love the painted "floral"  it combines some beautiful washed color.  The ribbon graphic threads the green, caramel, grey and a touch of the blue.  Perfect - going with that.

So I tweaked my boards and it's game.  I also found this great vintage bamboo chair yesterday and snapped it up.  It's perfect as is with it's cream leather seats - and I have Keith doing a Rothko inspired piece, with a little gold leaf mixed in.

 I love the mix of patterns, textures and fabrics.   A little mid-century, mixed with industrial topped my glam, velvet sofa . . can't wait.

And if you are wondering what I meant by "chipper" driving me away . . . take a look at what's happened back on the home front.  Yes, that would be a 50 foot oak tree . . . down.  Ugh !  Hence my escape to the office.  The neighbors are all climbing, watching, and designing their coffee tables with the huge pieces they are cutting down. So sad !

Happy Sunday !!

Color of the Year !

Hey there . . .

I don't have to go far to get inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year, Emerald Green.  I just have to looking around my showroom or come home to my new green Chesterfield.   Last year I re-designed the showroom using Emerald Green as my punch color.  I was ahead of trend. . . love that!

I still love it  . . . Get inspired with Emerald Green . . . 

Last year I wanted the March of Dimes Designer House to have strong, bold colors.  Having the freedom to do anything I wanted, I really aimed to show the use of black and white and not be afraid of it.  Having always loved emerald green - I used that as my pop color.  It's strong, crisp look instantly reminds me of nature's malachite, which is so amazing.

I still love mixing Emerald with black and white . . .

But a pop of turquoise in the mix . . gives it a whole new feel.  Still strong and sharp, but maybe not quite as saturated feeling?

I just spotted Lulu DK's new bird fabric below (available at www.lucyandcompany.com) and I love this idea - the wall plate grouping.  Typically a "plate installation" can read very traditional, yet hung in this way with the cut edges is much more modern and artistic !

The turquoise velvet chairs seem to break up the b/w/emerald a bit and soften the look.  Mix in a rug - an Aquasilk and you have something pretty spectacular.

What is Aquasilk you ask . . . a harmonious connection between nature and interiors, taking it's inspiration and allure from the ocean.  Hand-woven in India using recycles Sari silk, over-dyed and translucent layers of patterns emerging.  Water-like and mesmerizing.  To learn more check out ABC Home's  Aquasilk Film .  Rugs and fabrics above available at www.lucyandcompany.com

Familiar with Artist, Mark Rothko?  His later pieces in his words . . . to make the viewer feel "enveloped within" ... to paint a small picture is to place yourself outside your experience . . . however to paint the larger picture, you are in it."

Similar to the above piece of art, but the real deal . . . maybe you know an artist who can give you the look (I do!).

Mark Rothko not available at lucy and company (really . .  why !)

So add a little Emerald Green it's a great overall or mix in color. . . it's got me re-thinking my office a bit . . hum