Install of the Day !

Hi Everyone . . 

Remember this?  The Caron install.  Loved doing this job - blank slate   Tricky a bit, in that my client wanted the look of a loft in their ranch style house.   I started with a color scheme, cool colors:   Whites, grays, black with a touch of teal.  Furnishings for this look are generally modern with straight lines, with a dose of metal and worn wood.  I chose a long grey sofa with a pair of white chairs.  These pieces were perfect for our “industrial” color palette, yet in keeping with the style of house.  The coffee table very “warehouse” with it’s wood top and metal wheels, low to the ground and the rug had the look of a concrete floor.   

It was a great install, and turned out exactly like I imagined in my head.

With happy clients, I got the green light to move onto the den, kitchen and breakfast room.

Again, a bit of a blank slate.  Take a look at my design board . . .

We wanted to continue the modern, industrial look, but had pickled kitchen cabinets and beaded board walls to contend with.  The walls I had no problem with, the color actually worked as did the texture. Rather than ripping out all the cabinets, a fresh coat of bright white paint did the trick with a contrast of black on the island.

We filtered in sleek and contemporary, yet comfortable furnishings - with a little fun and whimsy.

All Paula's amazing photography showcased beautifully in the new look.

The breakfast room received the biggest change.  The gold walls with white trim was transformed to white with black and we added a big splash of graphic color on the ceiling tying back to the colors of the front of the house.  

I found this great new light fixture at Modern Lighting's New Showroom on East Blvd (welcome new neighbors and thanks !)  Perfect . . 

Styling and accessories complete any look.  For the breakfast room, we had two new benches made for the existing table, and found these great inexpensive turquoise vases, who's pattern mimicked the ceiling pattern.  

The traditional brick fireplace was styled up with a vintage metal flower burst, and lots of strategically place artwork.

We chose these great white leather swivel chairs to flank the fireplace.  Very fun and perfect for the look we were going for.

Take a look at the other options that were on the table. . .

Coffee table winner was a nice large "tree" cut, but take a look at the other options . . .

The house - as a whole - is now very cohesive, and pulled together !!  The color palate works and all is well in the (Caron) world !!!

- Beth

Welcome Home to A New Look !

Hey !

Ok.  I usually wait until an install is completely finish before I photograph it and post it . . BUT I am too excited about the quick fix - overhaul I did this past weekend while my friend Amy Boardman and the family was fun-ing it up in Florida . . 

With the run of the house I went in with my painters and wall paper installer and took over . .  it was so fun to watch the transformation take place, knowing how excited Amy would be when she came home to a new look, clean and put together after a long trip . .

She has great taste, her home is also very cool.  At the end of a cul-de-sac near a park.  New construction - so mixed among all the 1920's bungalows with small rooms and low ceilings, this house has high ceilings and a larger, open floor plan.  The only down side is the "new construction" paint job you sometime get. . . not so great.  A good paint, we use Ben Moore exclusively, applied well, will transform your place.  So we painted all her big tall doors black - all 22 of them !  We also repainted all the walls in the main living spaces.

We used a pretty blue-green, pulled from her den rug as our jumping off platform. 

She has this beautiful piece of art, visible from the front entry and great accent pieces.  Did a little rearranging there  . .  

But my biggest transformation was the front room by the door.  This room housed a sofa, chair, ottoman and piano . . . and bad overhead.  We decided to make this room a "music / lounge space for Amy."  Being right by the front door, I wanted to give it a little drama !

Take a look at my inspiration board . . .

And take a look thus far !  Room cleared out, new paper, new chandelier, new black doors, piano back in.  Now just waiting for those pair of new blue chairs, rug and hide to finish it off !

Now if big, bold wall paper scares you, it shouldn't . . but this might - if you are paper - shy. . 

Powder Rooms are THE place to go nuts . .  and take a look at how fun !

See what your designer can accomplish when you leave town, stock your fridge with Diet Cokes and  give them the trustful green light !!

- Beth

A Day with Grizzel & Mann . . . Part One.

Howdy !

Our Grizzel and Mann Rep - Molly, who we all love, came to see us and brought Rusty Koontz (of Dessin Fournir - which will be in an upcoming post!).  Grizzel and Mann represents fabric lines from some of my favorites . . .  Osborne & Little (which includes Nina Campbell and Lorca), Desingers Guild (which includes Christian Lacroix, William Yeoward and Ralph Lauren) as well as JAB, Harlequin, Christopher Farr Cloth, Kathryn Ireland, Perennials and Rose-Cummings.

Remember all of these are available through us at Lucy and Company

Yesterday I wrote of my love of Lacroix . . . so today I want to show you what came through my doors for 2012 !!  His new collection with Designers Guild.

This fabric was my most favorite in the new collection.  A sumptuous cut velvet, with a unique digital overprint in colorful floral blooms !

The wall papers are amazing, the trompe l'oeil will make you do a double take and want to touch !

Take a look at the Souvenir Collection.  A gorgeous collage of memorabilia from the house of Lacroix - all placed on a ribboned pin board, digitally printed paper and fabric !

These black and white papers are available in several other colors.

Printed carnations strewn across a bed of stripes and polka dots, he created in reference to the love of the south of France, printed on crisp cotton.

Available in 3 colorways

Ruffled love . . 

This watercolor style pattern creates the effect of flowers in an ikat style.

This cut velvet design is inspired by the appearance of a crushed striped haute couture gown with a natural jute effect ground.

This oversized lace damask, jacquard woven with a satin ground to create an almost photographic effect.  Available in black as well as white . . 

Small scale cut velvet inspired by a motif found on a vintage Provencal silk petticoat !  Mix the two together for some pretty fab pillows !!!

and in closing . . . my favorite of the group in the black colorway !  Love this so much

Thanks Molly . . . and stay tuned for the other new introductions we were privy to in a Day with Grizzel and Mann Part Two and Three !

- Beth

Flower Power and Christian Lacroix . . .

Hey . .  

It's really yuck outside... now I'm not complaining because it's been a really mild Winter . .  I even saw a daffodil come up in the yard yesterday - but today is rainy, cold and gross.  I have been seeing all the Spring introductions at work and I am wishing it would hurry up and get here.. February can be such a drag . . . so think I will jump the gun and focus all my attention on floral.  Maybe it's coming from my Lulu post, maybe it's coming from a recent request for Christian Lacroix . . fabric.  In any event - let show you want comes to mind with I think Lacroix and floral coming together . . .

Pattern on Pattern, Big and Bold . . love.  I think what I am drawn to is the big pattern against a sharp black or white background.

pants by H & M, shirt by Zara

shirt dress and shirt by Paul Smith

So here is the fabric I was talking about . . .

It's just gorgeous, digitally printed on crisp, clean cotton.  It just jumps off the page !  It's from a series offered by Designers Guild and my obsession in this post.

It conjures up the memory of a floral chintz I believe covered my Mom's sofa in the early 70's when I was a kid. But this fabric isn't your mom's floral chintz. . though I am not slamming chintz or floral for that matter.  I love it, and used in the right place, in the right way, I would be the first to say yeah!

Habitually Chic ran a post back in May of 2010 entitled of course "Flower Power"

Get it, love it and am in totally agreement of every happy, flower inspired word.  Here are a few images from that post which I love.

Tricia Guild (Creative Director and Founder of Designers Guild) and Sacha Walckhoff (Creative Director for Lacroix) got together to translated the spirit of Christian Lacroix.  You all know who he is . . the man behind the French fashion house best know for its extravagant silhouettes and flamboyant use of color.  The introductions aren't new this year, but I think need some new attention !  

Christian Lacroix for

Designers Guild

Since its inception in 1987, the house of Christian Lacroix has electrified the fashion world with its many collections inspired by gypsy and Provencal traditions and by the flamboyant Haute Couture scene in Paris and London during the swinging 60's

Over the years, the brand has become synonymous with an innate, complex glamour and vivacious confidence.  Its reputation as the house for haute couture was well founded and built upon a distinctive and passionate creative energy.  

The "maison" of Christian Lacroix is creatively led by Sacha Walckhoff, Mr. Lacroix's second in command for over 17 years.  Sacha says "To be able to express the essence of the House of Christian Lacroix through this first home furnishing fabrics collection with the complicity of Tricia Guild, is both an honor and a true joy".

Designers Guild is also offering this pattern which I love too.  On closer inspection the flowers and urns look pencil drawn, which appeal to my artist side.

Or how about this pattern.  I could see it so many applications.  The fabric is also digitally printed on 100% cotton.  Of course the scale is huge - so how about an upholstered wall, headboard, or "canvas."  A duvet perhaps.

 The colors are so sharp, clean and crisp.  I could see big windows covered in this colorful bouquet of happiness or maybe a chair or two, pillows filling a white down filled bed maybe ....

Tricia Guild

I love Guild and Walckhoff's tribute to the spirit of Lacroix.  His style, his projects . . . take a look at a few more - these boutique hotels will make you want to change your reservation !

The Hotel Notre Dame in Paris is filled with the designs of Christian Lacroix, take a look at the amazing pieces he has created . .  we have been using wall paper as a backdrop and accent wall behind beds or anywhere really . .  this brings it to a new level . . more decoupaged . . . my wheels are turning.

The Hotel Bellechasse Saint Germain, also in Paris features eclectic interiors and one of a kind rooms, all designed by Lacroix

And the Hotel du Petit Moulin, a converted bakery in Le Marais.  The 17 room hotel is gorgeous.

This time last year a new series of books published by Harper Collins came out.  This classic fairy tale stories were reinvented by fashion industry greats.  This book features designer Lacroix as the prince, tracing his career from his early days in haute couture to the opening of his fashion house.

I love that the "beauty" in his story is not in need of a kiss, but a fashion makeover !

So hats off to Mr. Lacroix . . . love your sense of color and pattern and to you Tricia Guild and Sacha Walckhoff for your collaboration with all these great fabrics and wall coverings. .

Brought this Lacroix fabric to a client of mine last week and she fell in love too, so stay tuned for just how I plan on using !

Fashion and Interior design are so intertwined . .  find your inspiration the next time you are reading your copy of Vogue . . 

Chow !

- Beth