Install of the Day !

Hi There !

This time of year is crazy !  I always thought the holiday season was the busiest, but then Spring suddenly creeps ups and before I realize it, March is here . .  the kids start getting out for Spring Break and Easter kicks in.  Historically we get a huge interest from clients in the Spring to "re-do." Major projects start happening (thanks to a bonus here and there and maybe a good tax return). 

Luckily a lot of our big projects started in January, the design part, my part !  Come Spring and early Summer we begin the big installs.  I am so excited to see these start happening, about nine of them !!

With the amazing team I have now, Bree, Maggie and Mekenzie - I can rest assure they will coordinate, deliver, style and photograph each one so having to wear all the hats is something I can finally let go of !!!  

With all the craziness, Maggie has been a huge help with the design process.  Her style and taste level is one I don't have to question and her attention to detail is really proving so invaluable.  She and Bree work so well together coordinating it all.  She jumped right in on the Rimler project, finding the Murphy Bed our client really wanted.  She sourced it, styled it and then found the perfect accessories to compliment it.  We installed it the other day and with her taking the lead from the beginning, I wanted to see her full vision and happily did when Mekenzie finished photographing!

This space, just off the main living space was probably intended as a guest room.  With two boys and frequent visitors Irena really wanted a multi function room.  Sleep, art, homework and overall hang out !  It was very important to us to have this space jive with her great room and the look Irena has going on in there.  She mentioned a Murphy Bed.  While we have seen several in NY at markets and such, they can be really pricey.  Maggie contacted local California Closets and at their price point (and installation) we were able to complete the room with all the "wants" on budget.

Take a look at where it started !

Shot the other day, this space has an artistic feel, modern look and slight industrial vibe.

Coordinated, clean, simple and pulled together using the colors Irena has brought into her home.  It's important not to deviate too far from the color scheme of the home, unless changing it all is the plan.

Irena's artwork and current pieces throughout the home are in the warm and saturated family.  Reds, golds, black, chrome.  Her dream is to turn a very traditional home into a modern one and there are ways to do that without completely changing everything and losing the style of the home or going broke in the process !!

Cool Murphy Bed,  huh !

Pull down for guests, push back from more space.  We chose to paint the walls in a like color as not to have this piece look too heavy in the room.  It's blends in allowing the rug and accessories to pop not the bed.

A fold down desk, with the same modern vibe is mixed with a chrome and leather chair, metal file cabinet, great - large task light and fun, red shelf.

Love the metal bookcase and the touches of modern art and the funky floor lamp.

One of my favorite elements in the space are with window treatments.  Functional romans.  The pattern ties it all together with clean, graphic, modern lines and reminds me of the art in her home.

Always fun to see the design boards come to life !

What's next for Irena . . . a tweaked dining room and great room.

Her dining space has the most beautiful Stark rug.  She also already has a dining table, chairs and console.  We were asked to give it some more "interest," style it up.  She just said she wanted a better chandelier actually, but of course we couldn't stop there.  

We managed to convince a wall paper wary Irena to add this paper to give the walls more texture and interest, and it's gorgeous !

With a slight beaded texture and graphic look it helps this space feel more "styled."

It's a beautiful line and available in several colors, these other two are other favorites of ours.

Just adding the paper, chandelier, console lamp and an art piece by my husband Keith,  pulling the wood tones and rug tones up high in a modern way, gave this space a more finished look !

We have another install coming up shortly for her great room.  Again, using what she had and the colors already present, a few new pieces will give that space a fresh look.

Stay tuned !

Kaleidoscope of Color.

Hi There . . 

While on the subject of green check out this "Pattern of the Day" - new from one of my favorite vendors - Scion.  This is the perfect way to add a big statement in a seemingly dull space.  I am working with several clients who want to "do something fun" in the mud room or small side office. This would liven it up for sure!

Available in both paper and fabric.

Working with this bright a green, I like to mix it with black, white and grey especially. 

Another line of papers I have been looking at for small offices, entries and accent walls.   Dig it.

Art on the wall that's for sure !

Install of the Day!

Hi There !

I received a call from Gadi Rwayitare about 8 weeks ago.  He and his family had just closed on a new home in Raleigh and needed quick help pulling it together for company coming July 4th weekend. Wanting an eclectic mix of new things, I loved this project for several reasons, older home with character and color filled furniture, fabrics, art and accessories.   He wanted a mix of urban, mid century and bohemian with a touch of the Congo (where he hails from).  Fun I say.  The living room, enclosed front porch and third floor family room were high on his list to complete.

With a short deadline, I had to select from vendors with quick ship programs.  I then I got really lucky with a few pieces being in stock that I really wanted but wasn't sure I could make happen in that time frame.  Working long distance has it's challenges - using sub contractors I didn't know and trusting their measuring skills, but with the exception of a little wall paper shortage in one room, it went off without a hitch.

Mekenzie and I followed the movers Thursday am to Raleigh and pulled together the living space in record time, a 12 hour turn around !  It's all about pattern on pattern and saturated color for this install of the day.

What was a completely empty family room is now a cozy, eclectic, fun space for this young family.

Prior to arriving I asked Gadi to have the room painted white and the window and door mullions painted black.  I love the way a white wall sets off color.  I also love to paint windows black with white walls - reminds me of a cool NY loft apartment with old casement windows.  We also painted the fireplace black for a little more drama.  

I think the design boards came really close to the real thing !

Keith is working on a series of ink on metal.  This piece was perfect for this blank spot, as well as this unique piece from Pacific Green.  

A little metal and wood shelving off set and styled up - leaving room for art to the right of it.

Mixed in a little mid century inspired seating and a unique floor lamp.

One of my favorite pieces is this rug covered occasional chair.  The colors are amazing !

Now I absolutely LOVE this piece by Joel Hopler.  I found it at Slate.  I took it for the install to show Gadi and Ruby.  They had been art shopping just prior and found a piece they loved.  So it is still available.  Call Terri at Slate if you want to snap it up.  

Joel will be showing at Slate the month of July.  His work (and his wife's) all amazing.

all photos by mekenzie france

The front porch came together, with the exception of two new rugs that won't be available until July - I love the eclectic pieces all clustered  to sit and relax with friends. Pictures coming soon !

The third floor media room was being papered when we arrived, they were running a little behind, so no pictures yet.  But heading back soon to take a few.

It was a fun and quick trip to Raleigh.  

Busy, Busy . .

Hey There !

When you have a new client who's not afraid of color, texture and pattern it's a bit of a dream come true (pour moi).  I had such good time working on these boards for Lisa Hicks.  Recent California transplant, her new home has a few key pieces she wanted to work around, well two actually, A coffee table and dining table.  She needed everything else.  We are starting in her main living space, kitchen and dining room with a huge infusion of color in various forms - windows, wall paper, rugs.  I am quite excited.  Take a look . . 

There are some key things in the design that are new and I have been anxious to use.  The first is this gorgeous wall paper by Amanda Talley (available through us designers or Hidell Brooks Gallery)  Amanda has transformed her unique patterns and colors into these all engaging papers.  Love.

I chose this pattern for Lisa's family room - but it was a hard choice.. all of the colors and patterns are gorgeous . . .

Take a look at the other patterns available

Another detail we are adding to her space is a dose of tile behind her TV and fireplace.  It's a weird angled wall that just needed something.  This is a new pattern mixing a grey marble and a black marble, the perfect tie back to her backsplash in the open kitchen / family room floor plan.

New and unique lighting to replace the ho-hum builder lighting.

And fabrics - big and splashy.  These are the two curtain fabrics I am pulling in.  Brand new and on a large scale for a lot of drama.

Have a fabulous new account with a furniture vendor in Highpoint.   They have several pieces with unique lines and details.

An 84" tight back, tufted sofa in a grey fabric as oppose to the leather, along with two comfortable swivel chairs will fill her living space.  Take a look at a few other pieces in their line that really caught my eye.

All available through www.lucyandcompany.com

A big splash on the "fifth wall' as well.  This Ikat pattern rug with  it's reds, rusts and teal will break up all the blues in the space and add this "mis-match / eclectic" vibe I am going for.

Take a peek at the other colors available.  Love this rug !

After we finish the main living space, we plan on moving into the master bedroom.  I put a plan in place so when ready we can just begin ordering.  I wanted to give the Hicks a full look into how it can all come together, as well as pricing out for planning purposes !

We have a front office and foyer in the works as well.

Stay tuned for this fun install !