Install of the Day !

Happy Monday . . .

There is a lot of banging going on downstairs at my abode, with a major renovation underway.  I am held up in my master bedroom getting my thoughts together, packing and orchestrating for our summer vacation!  We are jumping across the pond to celebrate Lucy's 16th birthday !!!  I tried to plan our trip around our renovation and all new floors downstairs .  . stressing me out a bit, but when I get back it should be done done !!!

So I have a few minutes here and I thought I'd post last week's install at Jen and Mark Greer's!  With Mekenzie being back from her honeymoon the two of us hit a few of the installs we worked on so she could shoot them while still fresh and new !!!

I am on this soothing blue and white kick at the moment, or at least that's the request I am getting a lot these days.  Last year I helped the Greer's with their downstairs just after they purchased their Eastover home and now the time has come to tackle the Master Bedroom.  With a clean slate and a newly renovated Master Bath, I was asked to create a calm retreat.  

Take a look at their color palette.

Was so happy they were game for the wall sconces !

The starting point of this project . . . Jeffrey Alan Marks recent introduction with Kravet.
I fell in love with these two fabrics and worked the entire room around them !

Take a look at the finished product.  We decided to have a new bed made and relocate it to the window wall, with a large window treatment behind it to "disguise" the off centered window.  This allowed more room for new dressers, side tables and a piece for under the TV.

The slightly odd "nook" space became the perfect spot for her dresser, floor mirror and the "disco" ball.

The addition of the Phillip Jeffries grass cloth added that extra layer of texture I was looking for !

So soothing !

New lighting, new mirrors - all tie together.

The details are what I love.. this swivel pouf.

The dresser hardware.

The mirror.

The art and sea sponge bowl - thank you Cotswald Marketplace!

With the newly renovated master bath, we chose a striking sconce and two new mirrors.  All white and pale grey.

So pretty, enjoy Greer's !!!

Spotlight Jeffrey Alan Marks

Hi There . . .

I met Jeffrey Alan Marks in Atlanta last year, briefly of course, but felt he was quit approachable and frankly just down to earth and easy to talk to.  He admits, in his new book, to be somewhat quite and reserved, which you probably wouldn't think if you have ever watched him on Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators.

His fresh and timeless design is what I am most impressed with.  He has the ability of mixing classic looks with an edgy feel which has earned him recognition as one of today's most influential designers, and listed in Elle Decor's A-List of top 25 decorators - that's huge !

I added his new book, The Meaning of Home, to my ever growing coffee table stack.  The one thing about this read - it will calm you and bring you back to the classic look that never dates.  Somewhat reminiscent of "As Good as it Gets"  - Hampton's beach house - Diane Keaton roamed in her white turtleneck, yet 2014.   That movie, a classic, and the feel of that home reminds me of Marks, but with a great surprise in every space !!

Is he infamous for the row boat above his bed?   Maybe.  But this is the unexpected element that makes his designs stand out and never boring.  Elle Decor is by far my favorite publication, it's confident - as is Marks.  Congrats for being included in the 25th Anniversary video clip narrated by Editor in Chief - Michael Boodro, sitting in that red chair along with the greats.

Take a look at some of his gorgeous work.

He has just launched a new line of fabrics with Kravet.  This designer collaboration, "is inspired by nature, the beach in particular."  In college he played water polo and the "water polo nets" pattern started it all, according to Marks.

Take a look at a few of my favorites, all in the blue color ways . . .

His idea of a modern floral.

He chose Kravet to work with because they "aren't corporate."  I agree 100%.  When I visited their NY offices I felt a sense of family, why ? - family run business.  Their main offices are not only beautiful, they are filled with amazing talent, a sense of ease and a spirit.  Ninety-Six years, five generations of one family!

Love your collection Jeffrey and congrats.

Install of the Day !

Hi . .

I tell people it can be a slippery slope and this project is exactly what I mean.  I worked with Shannon Avason just recently on her main living room, kitchen and breakfast room.  We took down a wall and opened it all up.  We changed ALL the colors from tan / red / brown / gold to a lighter combination of grey, green, white and a touch of teal.  Major color difference and major style change.  The slippery slope is wanting to continue that palette and style into the other rooms, which is just what we did.

Now because I took out a wall between the kitchen and the family room and closed up a wall from the kitchen to the dining room to move the fridge over, it required that we fix what was behind it in the dining room.  Rather than just painting the same color back in the dining room, I papered it with a green grass cloth to jive with the new color scheme.  Shannon happily accepted my teal showroom curtains (which were up for grabs with my re-design) as well as my beloved white twig chandelier.  I have loved it, but was ready to let it go for something new to come in.  These few changes in the dining room, now work with the new colors in the family room.

Shannon really wanted to do something in her master bedroom which was just across the hall from the dining room.  I came up with a plan to continue the colors, as well as work in some other showroom pieces as well as new pieces.  These showroom pieces saved quite a bit and allowed us to completely revamp the master !  We changed it all . . .  Take a look at the boards I did for Shannon for a visual.

We installed the other day and,  being the slave driver that I am, Mekenzie (still wearing her Florida flip flops) jumped from her car into mine minutes from returning from her trip to head to Denver to shoot.

I absolutely love these images !

Isn't this the dreamiest bedroom.  We relocated the bed up against a sea of pattern, both in the paper and curtains (which made Shannon nervous, but got it when I was done !)

A new upholstered headboard, side tables, lamps . . . all these pieces of different styles but in a cohesive color palette.  So bright and airy now !!!

We did a large gouging over a new sofa of mis-matched pieces, all that work as a group.

Mix art, photos, empty frames (why not.. the frame itself is gorgeous) mirrors.

Take a closer look at the pattern on pattern . . . as well as the contrast of somewhat formal in the tufted headboard, painted tree lamp and open side table.  I love the legs on these tables.

A few vintage finds made it in the room as well (thanks Slate) as well as a very modern bench.  We mixed all sorts of woods, paint, stains, fabrics, papers.  I think it works!  You?

Shannon's new color palette is now really coming along !  Take a look at all the colors together that I am bringing into the house.

Installed just recently over the holidays . .  Shannon's new family room focuses on the greens, greys and whites with a touch of teal.  We started the dining room with new grass cloth, curtains and chandelier.  Carrying the paint colors in the foyer and up the stairs I am sure we will next . .  Phase 3

I am in love and she is a joy to work with . . . the "surprise me" element has been a win-win!

Thanks Shannon . . .