Install of the Day !

Hi !

This month's column in Home Design & Decor (check out here) features one of my favorite projects. The home of Mandalin Phillips and her adorable, music-loving husband Hunter.  This home, located near mine was not only so much fun to design, but a joy in the sense they were so trusting and agreeable !  Letting us "do our thing" and basically surprising them with all the bells and whistles made for a smooth, quick, crowd pleasing experience.  I had so much fun not only creating an overall, color cohesive look, but shopping for all the must needed accessories to finish the spaces. (I'll say it again.. do not cut the accessory budget !)

Take a look at the first space you hit when you walk in . . . . 

This space was, at first glance, used for your typical sofa/chair .. don't quite know what to do with, space.  Wanting a "bar and lounge" in a smaller space, I suggested using this room for that very purpose.  Redesigning the fireplace with new tile, adding a floating mantle that tied into the new bar and killer wall paper now creates a conversion spot, and sets the tone right when you enter the home.  I love this room !

Black and white was the current theme of their house, and Mandalin has great taste to begin with, I just helped her amp it up a big, big notch !

The bar area I love.  We custom made the cabinet and our contractor took off the old mantle and added tile to the ceiling in dramatic fashion.

The wall paper is busy in a good way, very graphic and cool for sure.  I incorporated a few new art pieces (this one by my hubs Keith.. one of may favorites).

But hellooooo.... found these Peter Keil originals at Slate  Interiors just down the street on install day.  I had to get them.. AMAZING... and how perfect !  My big thanks to Mandalin for saying OK!

Chandelier yummy.. big and dramatic.

Just off this space are two small rooms.. Hunter's music room and the guest room.  I continued to colors in the guest room with the to die for paper.  I adore it's fresh feel.  Anchored with two black metal side tables and tall lamps. It's perfect.

Hit up Windy O'Connor for the perfect accent pillows in a equally yummy velvet.

Not a lot of stuff.. it's all about the paper !

Across the hall.. Hunter's space.  He's a guitar playing music junkie and we just wanted it all to be about that.  A little more Kelly green and a few stand out pieces.  The oversized floor lamp, chair with great lines and textural shag rug.  Love Love Love.

So happy he's happy !

Heading to the back of the house one of my all time favorite powder rooms.  The paper is so so good and so so fun.  Powder rooms should be fun - why not !  To have it stand out that much more we painted all the tile dark charcoal.  Added a new mirror (love it's wonky shape) and killer light.  I really adore this little space.

photos by mekenzie loli

Get your copy on the new stands now !

Install of the Day, Part No.2

Hey . . 

Ok yes, still on plane and completely restless.  So I forgot to add Lori's Powder Room to the last post. We overhauled this tiny space as well when we were working on the home office.  Decided to take out the existing vanity and have this made.  Thank you Chris Havey, love it !  Added new wall paper and new sconces . . .

Just a tweak or two can really transform a space.  The top of this vanity was pretty, it was just the base that wasn't thrilling either of us.  Chris made this very simple cabinet, with a detailed foot.  WE then added molding in a gold leaf - that's what takes it from simple to something a little special.

Take a look !

Loving a pretty powder room.

The Powder Room, Where Drama Should Live !

Hi.

I am all about a crazy powder room.  I just finished and posted about a Matthew Williamson, paper filled install (here) we just completed for the Parkers.  Firm believer in a splashy powder room.  A space all your guests will visit and talk about, if it's interesting and fun !  I am in the process of installing another for a fearless client.  Happy to say she was thrilled with the look I created for her first floor, and as soon as this powder room is done next week, I will post all the pictures we have taken of this first floor (dream job).   Oh . . so back to her powder room.  I cannot wait to see the paper go up next week. When I saw Martyn Lawrence Bullard's marbled paper in the Kips Bay designer house last spring, I haven't been able to get it out of my mind !  It was my first choice for this space in the blue colorway. The powder room, located just off the foyer - like most - needed to tie, color wise to what we had just finished.  Blues, Reds, Teals, Greys.  Like most small powder rooms, it had your typical light fixture over the sink, over the mirror.  Up way too high and average in style.  I got rid of it.  Not wanting to do the typical art-over-potty thing, I added a new sconce in between the sink and potty and then added two square mirrors for a ton of symmetry.  These mirrors are tufted and upholstered in a faux leather so water won't be an issue and add a little softness to what can be such a hard space.  I cannot wait to see it all done (and if this plan of mine even works !)

House Beautiful  spotlighted 60 + Designer Bathrooms (here) and if you hit Pinterest you might get inspired as well . . . take a look at a few of my favorites (with all photographers and designers credited here).  I am finding on thing in common with all the design inspiration I am drawn to.  The under mount, metal leg, vintage inspired sink.  If major storage is not an issue, these sinks are so beautiful and the perfect look for a powder room.

I love to work on these small spaces.  I'd had fun in the past with these powder rooms below, and hope to keep thinking of new ways to make these frequently visited spots interesting and beautiful.

photos by mekenzie france

Install of the Day !

Hey.

The Powder Room.  Go nuts, it's your perfect opportunity.  Afraid of wall paper (why?!) - it a small enough space so the commitment isn't huge.  When we installed Mary Frances Parker's killer dining room (here) we also installed her Powder Room down the hall.  Such a nice tie back.  She loves saturation and pattern and this paper by Matthew Williamson did the trick.  Busy, rich in color and whimsical, just like her home.  I feel it's quite sophisticated.  Take a look !

A few things about this space . . .  we worked around these simple sconces and - well, interesting sink.  Fans we were not, but didn't want to ripe it all out, so I was challenged to make it look better.  We both fell in love with the paper, and now it's what you see, not the weird sink.

I searched for a mirror that was both oval, "organic" in lines, silver . . but distressed and inexpensive.  I found this piece, but the finish was not my favorite.  Out came the paint brush.  We painted it kelly green first, then overlaid a silver leaf for a more antique finish.  

Window, one small one.  With the wall paper being our complete budget, I was driven to do something cool, yet free, yes free !  I found, at my studio, this left over custom paper.  Love, love the texture !  With privacy not being a big concern I simply cut it, rolled it at the top to have the feel of a roman shade and staple gunned it on the molding !  Voila, done.

The colors of our dining room now make another appearance across the hall and it's company ready !

Matthew Williamson's paper is the showstopper.  Available in several color ways, it's fun and light.

His fabrics are rich with a Moroccan and Indian vibe.

He's coming out with a new collection in the fall, Nature inspired as well.