Spotlight: Philip Gorrivan

Hi . .

One thing does lead to another . .  Phillip Gorrivan.  Fan for years.  I have cut, filed, pinned and mentally noted elements of his designs that I love - great ideas, color combination and unique, unexpected elements. He and his design team collaborate to design spaces that reflect a client's personal style, while keeping it very tailored and sophisticated, and showcasing the home's architectural charm.  He clearly interjects a little whimsy keeping his spaces fresh and fun.  He believes "understanding a client's lifestyle, should drive the design."  I love his work.

These photos have been in my "inspiration file" for a while.  I have taken note of some of the elements but more importantly his unique and perfect choice of color and scale.  All these rooms are a perfect balance of cohesiveness and the unexpected.

Take a look at my past notes of inspiration from these spaces.

"Note to self . . . trim color in high gloss, love the graphic tile floor (should do a graphic black and white pattern on the front stoop at the office), oh look, the tree wall paper I used in Freeman's house !"

 "Note to self . . . is that Francois-Xavier Lalanne sheep?!  I love those . . . (did a post about it here back in 2012).  That one elements take this room from serious to light.. remember that when using a serious damask type wall paper !  The scale of the art is perfect, and the color choices from room to room are strong yet clean.  Love the graphic mix with the organic touches."

"Note to self . . . gotta use a bubble chair somewhere, love the lines of this bar."

"Note to self . . . when can I do black walls ?!  Wish someone were game"

"Note to self . . . bunks - need I say more"

"Note to self . . . . I want a grey lacquer ceiling, love the touch of pink."

"Note to self . . . love the fringe on the table, love the two table idea in the bay window, easier accessibility, casement windows to die for, lavender and grey - great contrast with the yellow."

"Note to self . . eclectic perfection.  Love the art and built in."

"Note to self . . . just the right amount of "beach" in the beach house."

"Note to self . . . perfectly styled bookcases"

"Note to self . . . love the banquet / dining table situation there . . . makes a great game table when not in use or remove table for more lounge space.  I want a real fiddle fig - hate fake trees !"

"Note to self . . . great color combination - his window fabric makes the room . . must use this fabric sometime !!"

And speaking of fabric . . . We at Lucy and Company carry his fabric line (a collaboration with Highland Court) and I have often used them in my projects . .  take a look at my favorites pulled from all our books at the showroom.  Call for an appointment and I've give you a close up look . . .

I thank you Philip Gorrivan for inspiring me over the years.

How I Find Inspiration . . .

Hi There . . .

One thing always leads to another . . . sometimes I think my head will explode at the directions I travel. After I saw Mekenzie's post on phones, I first laughed remembering our conversation which not only was about phones, but more on how things have changed - technology that is.  Betsy and I both remember the suitcase size phones we had in our cars - yeah, years ago.   We laughed about remembering our first computer, I was trying to recall the first time I even got on the "web."  I have said in the past I have a love / hate relationship with the internet, still do, but the one thing I do love about blogs and websites, is just how inspiring they can be.  I took Mekenzie's post yesterday and went in the direction of red.  I was inspired by the old, british phone booths.

I have always had a thing about these old phone booths, and was inspired to find a photo of one to add to a job I can currently working on.  My client wants to infuse a little red in her space.  I love red, but I love red as an accent.  A single red rug, a large red art piece, pair of red lamps, or a splashy red coffee table.   Small doses.  I kind of shutter at the idea of a room of painted red walls in a flat finish with a ton of heavy wood furniture and white shutters on the windows. Yikes.  It's the first thing I want to ditch.    If it's a crazy wall paper in a small space or shiny, lacquer red walls with a ton of art and built ins over top, then yes.   I am pretty picky about how I would use red.  

 I came across this great photo by Ginette Brosseau and it's perfect for the grouping I plan to do in this space.  A little touch of red on a high gloss sand color wall, with one red pillow across the room on the sofa.  That's it.  

photo by ginette brosseau


Think of red two ways - as an accent here and there . . . take a look at a few red ideas to filter in your space when using red as a pop.

 

Now think of red in a rich, gloss finish covering the walls.  This space, from House Beautiful, designed by New York based Philip Gorrivan (one my my all time favorites)  is the perfect example of how to do red walls.  Gorgeous.  It has all the elements that make it work.

. . . walls are high gloss
. . .  the contrast of a blue or teal
. . .  no heavy cherry or pine furniture
. . . eclectic mix of accessories and furniture
. . . a large grouping on the wall
. . .  keeping the red - just on the walls

design by Philip Gorrivan

That's red perfection . . . this is not !

So work with red thoughtfully (now I sound like Tim Gunn) and remember to
edit !!!

Happy Saturday.