Style Library . . . Part 2

Hey . .

A lot of my friends ask how I have the time to blog while running a busy firm and being a mom to two teen girls, a 40 year old son. .  sorry husband, and three dogs.  Well, it's just something I love to do.  I find inspiration all over the place and it usually involves research in all sorts of places  that helps me find unique and interest things for my clients (and self) !

While creating a post about one of my favorite vendors, Style Library,  I was reminded of a new introduction to their already gorgeous line up of fabrics and wall coverings.  This collection, Amazilia, has one particular pattern I am incorporating in two new jobs, the hummingbird.

named after the South American Hummingbird, Amazilia.

Hum, hummingbirds.  I have always loved them.  Our mountain house has feeders lining the porch and if you sit still enough, watching them soaring about is a beautiful thing.  This new collection by Harlequin is gorgeous for so many reasons.  Detailed, the look of hand painted, vibrant colors mixed with subtle neutrals.  It can be seen as traditional, yet also modern, depending on what you pair it with.  

I checked out Style Library's blog this morning (here) and learned just a little more.  Louise Collis, an artist from the Harlequin studio has been working with these vibrant patterns for a little over a year having been inspired by tropicals in the fashion world.   Designers in the interior world as well have mixed in larger scale, sultry tones with a tropical, botanical look.  The journey for Louise included a trip to the Kew Gardens studying tropical birds and insects and experimenting with various paint techniques.  I love that !!!

Her technique when developing these prints maximized the detail, and thank goodness !  The patience and time she took in hand painting each one is so apparent.

From inspiration to creation to production . . .

The color and life in these prints can't help to brighten the mood at home !!

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So,  I am working on two new projects, each very different yet each incorporate a humming bird.  I felt it was the perfect choice for my first project.

The family room of my client Susan Cox.  Her home, while smack in Myers Park, Charlotte is off the road, up a steep driveway and tucked behind the trees.  It truly is a "cabin"  with modern lines. and a collected woodsy feel.  

I worked with Susan a while back, hand painting tree branches on the tall walls of  her open concept living room - very subtle and in a taupe on taupe color way.  From the main living space to the dining area we layered more subtle "woodsy" elements yet with a folk art feel, which she loves.  We are now tackling her den.  This small space has a sloped ceiling and only one wall for seating.  Immediately I focused on the Amazilia pattern as an accent paper behind the sofa and up the tall side walls.  It's perfect and tied into the colors in the next rooms.  I then pulled out a deep, kelly green for the sofa with chaise.  All the colors were pulled off an existing rug covered ottoman she loved and wanted to keep.

I love the mix of deep teal and kelly green grass cloth on the back of the bookcases.

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Project no. 2, the craftsman home of another existing client of mind who loves strong, saturated color.  Each room using the deep reds, oranges, golds & blues.  Her master bedroom was no exception.  Now this may not look "calm" but when I paper just her ceiling and then neutralize all the walls and windows, headboard and bedding in a simple grey two things happen:  The paper ties in the colors of the rest of the home and keeps the master from looking "out of place" with the style of the rest of the house.  Visually I added the color over head and on the floor, as not to overwhelm.

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Now with humming birds and other woodsy elements on the brain I am working on my family's mountain house giving it's family room an update as well !

The main space has wood beam ceilings and white bead and batten walls.  I found the perfect, long sideboard to house electronics and games.  Having made a new sofa and mixing in pieces to create an updated look - not over the top mountain, but more comfortable and styled.  Can't wait !!

Loving the hummers !!

Check Out Style Library !

Hi There

Did you miss my Style Library USA Instagram takeover (here) ? It was a fun weekend shooting images of things I was inspired by for my friends at Zoffany (one of my main go-to's for great textiles and wall coverings).  What is Style Library?  They are part of Walker Greenbank PLC, a luxury interior furnishings group of companies which design, manufacture, market and distribute wall coverings, furnishing fabrics and associated products for the consumer market.  The Walker Greenbank brands comprise of Zoffany, Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin and Scion. Targeted at the mid to upper end of the premium contract market, each brand benefits from worldwide distribution. The products can be viewed at flagship showrooms throughout the world, including the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, London, and the D&D Building, New York.

I was also asked recently to be a guest blogger . . . I was happy to do it.  Thought I would give you a look at that post, but be sure to add their blog to your read list for inspiration and the newest intros to the world of fab fabrics and wall coverings !!!   I love them  !!!  (here)

We're delighted to have Beth Keim from North Carolina based interior designers Lucy and Company as a guest blogger. With a unique style and love for all things design, Beth has been working as an interior designer for 15 years. This long-held passion for creating special and stylish interiors has helped Lucy and Company become the flourishing business it is today. We hope you'll be inspired by seeing some of Beth's work and reading some of her top style secrets! (link here)

Art by Jessica Rowe 

Spring is really kicking in. All I want to do is coax my husband to get outside and turn our yard into a virtual botanical garden, in just one day. I want to fill all the flowerpots in the hopes they will bloom when I wake up the next morning.  I want to eat every meal on the back porch with my real china and linen napkins as if hosting a party daily.  Spring is pretty, light, fresh and warm. Spring is full of color and life.  

I am a designer who loves working with color, and multiple textures and patterns. I mix graphic angles with organic motions. I really have a love of large palms and banana leaves. In any room, any setting, bringing in that little bit of nature freshens up everything.

When working with tropical prints I tend to pull in crisp whites and a good dose of black to anchor those patterns. Every room should have some black; it adds a little “weight.” I am really crushing on black and white with a botanical touch these days.  After a recent visit to the Viceroy in Miami I was able to soak in all the details by one of my favorite designers, Ms. Kelly Wearstler. We designers find inspiration from other designers, artists, textile manufacturers both big and small as well as everyday images. I could, and have, spent hours just walking a city street, deeps in the woods, along a beach - finding shapes, lines, colors and then translating what I see into a design feel or look all my own.  My job then begins in translating what I see in my head in a visual way to my clients, via a good design board. These boards are crucial for those who just can’t see it. 

Recently I got a sneak peek at Amazilia, the new Fall collection from Harlequin due out this Summer in the US. When I saw the Paradise pattern with its artistic, loosely painted print, my heart skipped a beat. Mixing with black and white, this tropical print isn’t exclusive for your beach house . . . Take a look at how I was inspired!

I don’t shy away from multiple patterns and textures. Working on this master bedroom, I knew I wanted a big pop of pattern and color behind the bed as a focal point. I decided to fully upholster the one wall!  My upholsterer creates large, padded panels to fit perfectly on any wall or door.  Once I choose my key fabric, I play off that with multiple patterns to complement!

 Zoffany, Harlequin, Scion, Sanderson, Morris & Co., Walker Greenbank Contracts - my go to when starting a design project. Their Style Library puts all their offerings in one place. I search by color, pattern and use. The ease and accessibility makes it fast when pulling ideas. I then turn to my own showroom where all the books and samples are available to me. Take a look at a few of my favorite black and white walls papers ( H - M) and fabrics (N - S)

A. Harlequin’s Paradise 120353, B. Harlequin’s Hamadi 1655, C. Sanderso’s Ooti 231268, D. Harlequin’s Rumbia 131522, E. Harlequin’s Mirella 131066, F. Harlequin Cheree 131071, G. Harlequin’s Limosa 120339, H. Harlequin’s Oto 60777, I. Harlequin’s People 130731, J. Harlequin’s Spirit 60125, K. Harlequin’s Leaf 110373, L. Zoffany Persian Tulip ZTRA07004, M. Harlequin - Oria Kiely’s 110412, N. Harlequin’s Pure 2552,   O. Sanderson’s Tintagel 240108  P. Harlequin’s Orietta 8143,  Q. Sanderson’s Portobello 220047 R. Zoffany’s Verdi Damask 330953 S. Harlequin’s Silhouette 130329

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One more addition to my love of black and white, the oh-so versatile color combo, this teen room I have been working on.  Complete with a loft bed, stairs that also function as dresser drawers, a floating room desk and the ever so popular hanging chair !  Why did I choose this amazing black and white leaf paper. . . . let me count the ways . . .

>  black and white works with everything

> love the graphic pattern with the modern, clean lines of the furniture

> adds to the "being in the trees" feeling of a loft

> it's just plain cool !!!

Happy Weekend !