1.02.2017

Install of the Day !

Happy 2017 !

Thought I'd catch up a bit on the 2016 end year installs, and shoots with Mekenzie.  Over the holidays I really did turn if all off to get a much needed brain rest.  There was a day or two my polka dot pajamas never left my sight, it was the best !  Ok.. it's Monday, and while it's still a bit quite this week with our vendors still closed for a few days thought I would bombard my blog with upcoming projects and resent shoots !  I think it will get me back in the mood for some fun jobs and new things coming up soon.

Take this project we finished installing just prior to Christmas.  The guest cottage bedroom.  It's now ready for company to have their own little oasis away from the main house.  I did carry the colors from the main house for a cohesive look.  Navy's and white with just a touch of .... purple / fuchsia ! If you read my earlier post, just a touch is all you need for impact I think !


This space is all about the walls and this killer Ikat wall paper, love it !!  A warm and soft off-white shag rug, upholstered bed and mismatched side tables.  A little space for reading or a snack (with a small kitchenette nearby, it's very handy)









I do love the tie back to the rest of the "big house" with the navy's and fuchsia . . .  take a look.





photos by mekenzie loli



This is one happy, color filled house !

That Time of Year Again !

Hi There !

I love this time of year.  Even with all the details of the holidays, the running around, the shopping, the school plays and the last minute rush jobs to get things done for my clients, I have the time to work on a few things I love without work distractions.  From December 24 to early January vendors are closed, subs are on well deserved vacations and people are home enjoying their family (and new spaces) and not thinking of that facelift they want to do to their family room (well maybe they are while sitting there over the holidays .. call me in January !!!)

One of my favorite year end holiday projects is creating our yearly photo album.  All those pictures I take during the year I have printed in an Apple book and give as gifts to my parents and Keith's. Nothing drives me crazier than being behind and disorganized when it comes to pictures .. gotta stay current.

The dogs are all in front of the fire, I'm listened to a movie of two and having the best time dropping, dragging and photoshopping.  Our books aren't just a featured trip or event, they are filled with all the crazy from the year - moments.  With my phone nearby, I pulled up my instagram pics to keep to a time line going and with the magic of my Apple and Photoshop, I even took a few that weren't on the Cloud, cleaned them up and dropped into i photo on the desk top.

The "project" part of i photo is so user friendly.  Drop and drag, add text, enlarge, even adjust the color, pretty easy when you get into it.  Holds up to 100 pages and while I love to fill the page with one large photo, to get everything in you can have up to 6 photos per page.  During the year I also start the text intro with funny things the kids have said or done, big news, funny news and even silly things I don't want to forget... like Oscar winners, popular songs,  fashion trends all for the year past.

So - New Year's resolution  . . . keep it current.. organize all those pictures floating in your Cloud into files and start a book, keep up with it and it won't be so daunting someday . . .






How We Love Purple !

Morning . . 

As of late we have had several requests for purple!  In my opinion is one of those colors that can be tricky and come off tacky if you aren't careful !  I typically use it sparingly because even just one purple piece has an impact.  Falling in love with Pinterest again lately, I went through several of my files and picked a few of my favorite images that inspired me and may you as well on just how to design with purple.

I particularly like the "heather" shade of purple when mixed into a seemingly European, dare I say Parisian, inspired look.  A statement piece here and there like this sofa when mixed with warm vanilla walls.  The heavy moldings and light, distressed chevron wood floor and neutral rug make it work.  The clean, not overly accessorized look is gorgeous !


Not too long ago I designed a dining room for a client who loves purple.  My goal was to give it a slight aged look, but keep it modern and sophisticated, and only used a slight bit of dirty, dark heather.  Take a look at my design board for her to visualize.



I particularly love the chandelier in this space and the suede walls give it the richness I love !


Mixing modern and traditional always feels so collected and unforgettable, soothing and cozy.  Perfect example - the moldings and fireplace here with the graphic rug and streamlined sconces.


Or how about Elle Decor's pop of purple in this modern coffee table, and pillow.  Just a touch of it does the trick and say "purple" to me even though the majority is shades of grey and white.


I think of my trip to France when I look at these images (all stored up in my Pinterest files).  Pretty dreamy.



Love the mix of old and new.


Take a peek at a few images that would fill my inspiration boards for an aged, collected "European" inspired look with touches of purple . . .






Purple in warm and cool tones.


 




I feel purple really starts taking on a punch when mixed with out warm tones and when mixed with crisp black and white. 


Perfect example . . . plum and peach done right.  What makes this work in my eye is no white trim.. not white at all... all deep earthy tones.  Pretty yummy.


With this look, I feel it's all about the rug - these beauties compliments of ABC, New York.




I do love this combination of plum and peach . . .


And Schumacher sure did capture it here . . .  This one fabric could jump start and entire color scheme for sure...



Peach and purple not your thing... my other favorite look is the all black and white with a little bit of color,  like this one plum chair . . .



. . . .  this one purple rug . . . .


or like my office on East Blvd . . . the one lavender pillow accent pillow and killer rug I found at ABC last year.


Working with a new client in Philly we are going in the more crisp direction with big pops of color.   My first design board for their dining room included primarily black, white and grey.  Adding these killer chairs in purple with a contrast fabric on the back bring it up a big notch !  With the addition of paper on the ceiling adds a sophisticated whimsy.



After talking a bit more on the flow of this room, we have decided to do a banquette against the long wall and off center the chandelier.  Love this look as well ! (Stay tuned !!)



To carry the colors back through the house, the plan is to keep the neutrals going but add a big pop in these pillows (by my friend Windy O'Connor)


Pretty fabulous right !


So happy purple . .  a little does go a long way, and is truly gorgeous !!!