10.07.2013

Spotlight: Matthew Williamson . . .

Hey . .

Osborne & Little has collaborated with fashion designer Matthew Williamson, in this year's Fall introductions.   Unfamiliar?  He is a world-renowned print master.  His attention to detail and kaleidoscopic color is his signature.  A bohemian spirit with a sense of glamour. . (I am paraphrasing here, as I can't say it any better !)   I totally agree, and have loved his influence of global touches over the years.  He is celebrating his 15 years in the business and has just launched a new line of fabrics and wall coverings.



 Editor and Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour once said...


"Matthew Williamson has such joyful every to the London fashion scene with his wonderful dragonflies, bright bubbly prints and unabashedly pretty clothes.  He's always been so clear about who he is - a designer who understands lifestyle as well as style, a follower in the footsteps of Celia Birtwell and Zandra Rhodes - and who his young, beautiful customer yearns to be.  It's been a real treat to watch his colorful career unfold."




When I received my new samples, I began immediately thinking how I could incorporate a paper or two.  Not for the faint of heart, not for the color fearful.  His papers are bold, embellished and saturated.   Take a look at his new introductions with Osborne and Little as well as his new Fall Collection for 2013, all intertwined . . . fashion and interiors, one leading the other, one inspiring the many . . .

 I love the pop of blues, mixed with neutral greys when working on interiors.  From his collection, this is a perfect example of where I would find color inspiration . . .



. . .  and even a little softer . . .  I love this too.




all of Matthew Williamson's papers and fabrics are available at





10.06.2013

How I Was Inspired . . .

Happy Sunday . . .

I am working on several new projects, all very different which I love.  This one in particular will include the entire first floor.  I want a look that combines unique and original pieces, a luxe vibe yet comfortable and kid friendly, I have a family of six to consider.  Having received a new book from Zoffany, I decided to tweak my original design to include two new papers that really caught my eye.  I love them.


A long time client, Holly Liakakos, is ready to dive into finishing her place with a little style ! The first room to tackle in my plan is the front lounge.  It will set the color scheme and tone for all the rooms to follow.  For reading, relaxing, and a lot of grown up doings, this room should be enveloping and luxe, we both decided.  I fell in love with this lapis like paper and decided I wanted to back two new custom built ins with it, while painting the entire space an equally rich navy tone - yes I know I love navy.  The dining room I recently did for a client was one of my favorites, so rich in color and feel, I wanted this lounge, while a different type of space all together, would have the same rich feel.  Another deciding factor on the navy was the use of two existing chairs in another room, and a dining room rug we both loved.  It was definitely the way to go. Take a look.


Front the front door, I want to carry the greys on the walls, as its such a big tall space, and it's a good neutral that works with everything.

We are mixing blues, a navy and a peacock, along with a touch of yellow with a grey backdrop.  Keith is working on a new series of paintings that might just look amazing with the space is finished!


I love this second paper for the powder room, with new wainscoting mid-way down in a metallic grey.  This new cabinet turned sink, brightens the space and adds interesting trim and color detail.  Just outside the bath and on the way to the master, a grey grass cloth which will be repeated in the dining room.

The stairs need a large scale pattern on the steps, they are so wide and prominent and this is a good one from Stark.  Mixing in a large scale wall paper as art and two gold sconces will add more pattern and color.  

All this ties back to the new rug in the dining room !
The dining room has a new wall to wall antique mirror application on one side.  I want to add a custom sideboard, covered in grey grass cloth and gold nail heads.  With dining for 8 to 10, these barrel chairs are in an ombre grey flannel, will make it hard to leave, they are so comfortable.    I am hoping she goes for this gorgeous art piece by Jacob Cooley I recently saw at Hidell Brooks Gallery.  Hung over the mirrored wall, it will add some depth and just the right amount of color.  
 Opposite the mirror wall, I propose adding the sideboard grass cloth to the walls and flanking the entry door with two thin, but tall, storage pieces.  Sleek and simple, but with great knobs.  All of this will be atop this amazing Ikat Stark Rug.

The family room has tall ceilings and, at the moment, a rock fireplace extending to the ceiling.  Holly has never been a big fan, and seeing the tile we just installed at the lake, I think I sold her to resurfacing it with a new more modern look, a horizontal stria pattern.  I am thinking one of these . . 


Modern, laid back, clean and simple for this family of 6.  Tough, comfortable leather sofas, with low backs, a single large coffee table, with a gorgeous rosewood top and graphic metal base.  I thank my client Mary Frances Parker and of course Jonathan Adler for reminding me of this table, it's perfect.



I'll jump on Holly's upstairs office shortly, along with the Master and two outside porches.  Should be nothing but fun working on this project !

Stay tuned.



10.05.2013

New Arrivals . . . Glitz, Shimmer and A Touch of Grape.

Hi There . . 

I received a few new books last week.  I always love that.  Osborne and Little, Zoffany, Harlequin and Romo.  Last month was so busy with installs and travels,  I missed seeing my reps with these new introductions, but alas, they know me well and sent along the books they knew I'd love and they nailed it.  Some great new textiles and wall papers, rich in color, pattern and dimension, some with a little glimmer.  Thought I'd show you a few that jumped out at me.  I am embracing the grapes and golds these days (so much so that I am in the works on a showroom re-design . . . stay tuned for more info on that - as we will be having a big showroom sale to move out some older pieces to make room for the new !!)

Take a look at a few of the papers and fabrics that caught my eye . . . with Mekenzie in the studio that day, she took some great pics that really show them off  . . . I am getting inspired !




















10.04.2013

And the Love Fest Continues

Hi There . . .

I love blue and I love Chinoiserie inspired things . . . Give me both with this custom, hand sewn, silk wall covering by Fromental.  One word, gorgeous.  I have used it once, in a master bedroom and it was quite the show stopper (too bad I didn't know how to use a camera back then).   Having posted recently on Timeless Chinoiserie in kelly green and pink inspired loves, thought I would continue my love fest in shades of blue.  Enjoy . . . .



(a future dining room I am working on . . .)

Want to learn more . . . check out Chinese Whispers, available on Amazon.







9.19.2013

fun in fort laudy and miami!

when the work was done this past weekend in florida, beth, keith, bree and i were ready to party! we enjoyed the views from our awesome balconies, the pool, the beach, then headed to dinner in south beach and did some sight seeing! check out the photographs i took, some with my grown-up girl camera; some with my phone... 
the amazing view from our balcony at the w in fort lauderdale
beth and keith wave from their balcony above
you must check out their site!! amazing vintage feel to the rooms at the pelican
enjoying a nice lunch at the eclectic red dog cantina
livin large on the 17th floor balcony!
another view from the balcony at the w
stardust hotel and the marlin hotel

breakwater and the versace house, once the most expensive home in the u.s., just sold for 41.5 million in an auction

the pretty lights downstairs at the w and a beautiful plane ride back home!

thanks beth for another great trip! when can we go back?!

passez une bonne journée!