Penthouse - More Than the View !

Happy Sunday.

It's rainy, but kinda happy about that.  I have been running so much that a weekend at home is pretty appealing.  Played around yesterday with my new kitchen in progress.   I am dangerously close to finishing, hallelujah . . . just like the rest of you, I have to wait and wait.... but it will be worth it !  I hung art, placed new pottery pieces and set up my "coffee bar" which is already getting major use. 

While staging my kitchen and binge watching Gotham (to catch up for Lucy) I checked on and geared up for three big, whole house installs this fall.  Made sure all the accessories were shopped for, all the pieces were in route and the game plan was set.  They are big and don't want to miss anything - that is really Bree's forte and she's great at getting it all together for us !

I am in that zone though -  of working on what will be next or what we can install in the interim.  I have this project and new client I am pretty excited about.  A penthouse here in Charlotte, newly built and ready to style !  Love this image, the views are gorgeous up there in the clouds.  Lauren did a great job with they key pieces, wall color, kitchen counters, and lighting but called us in on helping with the rest.

Take a look at the Fahrenheit.

The lobby is mighty pretty too !

I was asked to help with what can be the hard part.  Fabrics, accessories, those unique pieces that help make a unique living space basically bringing it all together.

Take a look at the colors I want to incorporate in this gorgeous space for Lauren.

The first thing we want to do is add non-functional curtain panels below to soften.  Now, I am all about the very modern, clean lines and in most cases I would opt not to do curtains panels, but with the furniture, mill work and overall feel of this home, I think it really calls for it.

We need a few occasional chairs, pillows, accessories and a little furniture shifting in this great room.

I am starting, however, in the large front foyer and smaller sitting area.  With an exposed brick wall more views of the city with it's own terrace, Lauren had chosen a sofa, lighting and rug.  I worked on a design board to give her a good visual to incorporate two new chairs, one in a caramel leather, the other in a cream.  Mixing our metals and shapes and adding pillows and accessories. 

 I chose this particular pillow as Lauren is an artist and it just seemed perfect.

Along the side, exposed bring wall, a console cabinet Lauren found.  I chose a Stark carpet pattern to compliment the living space rug she had - but can have made very long to fit the space.  

I chose tall, unique sculptures in both metal, marble and stone to add texture, mixed with one of her own pieces.  Another idea is to mix is a piece we have both been admiring at Shain Gallery !  I have been eyeballing these pieces by artist Estella Fransbergen hoping to find the perfect client to show. (stay tuned on an additional post spotlighting Estella)

Ok, so back to the large front foyer and smaller living space.

I really want an eclectic mix of metals, glass, wood, and brick and to compliment that - textural fabrics and rugs.

The two I have chosen are full of texture and have a bit of "traveled" vibe which I love.

Moving down the open, window filled hallway to the two story great room, my plan is to add unique pieces for personality.  The big stores - Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Room & Board - all great for sectionals and such, but mixing in other pieces found keep things from looking a little "catalog."  I love this particular fabric for the windows that I think will soften the space with a little organic touch.

Along with the big curtains, a pair of new chairs, why these . . . mainly the backs and the mix of wood with all the metal going on.  The back of these chairs will be visible as you walk into the space from the kitchen.

I want to mix in two long window side benches and new pillows on the chairs and sofa  - but one of my favorites pieces is this taller storage cabinet.  It will help balance the very tall bookcase opposite it but it's upholstered front and antique brass hinge detail makes it very unique.

And don't forget lighting.  The overhead glass bubble chandelier is gorgeous and to continue the eclectic mix of wood, glass and metal - a pair of lamps with a very organic feel, love these.

With a huge bookcase opposite the windows I cannot wait to get my hands on it and style it all up.  Take a look at a few of the pieces I found and love.

Lauren's studio is right over top of the great room - jealous !  Maggie and I enjoyed snooping a bit at Lauren's work !

Lastly, the master bedroom.  With a full wall of windows, curtains asap are a must!  Want to add an accent paper, this one a strie navy lacquer to add a little weigh and texture to the space.  Love their bed, sides and dresser.  New benches and rug are in the plan as well.

That's the plan.  Heading over to measure those windows this week and can't wait to get it going in between those big installs !

Install of the Day !

Hi There !

Getting your dining room party ready in September and you won't be stressing in November.  Better yet, we won't be stressing !  We tend to get crazy busy in the fall with dining rooms especially, so when clients come to us in the late summer we are thrilled.  We have time to receive all the elements without the crazy last minute install.  John and Olga Karagounis did just that and Maggie did a beautiful job designing their front space and coordinating it with a custom foyer runner and new great room.  She also created a plan for the master bedroom and their new baby daughter's room, all in the works as well.  Just installed the other day and shot by Mekenzie I am in love with the room's richness and elegance with the eclectic mix of modern and traditional.  Party ready.

Take a look at the design she planned . . .

At our original meeting we noticed their dining room table in the garage.  John was planning to paint it black.  Good idea.  We did, however, snap it up and had it professionally sprayed a black lacquer. 

Maggie worked with shades of navy in this space.  Grass cloth, ombre upholstered head chairs, new side chairs in black and lots of gold touches.

The finished product is stunning.

Brass sconces mixed with antique white, black and a lucite bar cart.  Modern, abstract art gives the walls even more pop.

Love the look from the front door as you walk it, it sets the tone.

Moving to the kitchen and great room, she added another paper.  This is one of our favorites.  We have used it in the blue/grey color way and black/grey (in my own foyer.. yummy).  In this space we chose the gold and off white.  Just on one wall it adds major visual impact.

all photos by mekenzi loli

The great room is next on the books.  Large cabinets flanking the fireplace, a cluster of big lighting hanging from the vaulted ceiling and a new swivel chair with contrast fabric on the back.

A large sectional was newly re-upholstered and re-delivered. 

The new baby girl is also getting a few tweaks.  Art, a rug, lighting.  Just some things to pull it together.

And lastly, isn't it always . .  the master bedroom !  The design compliments all our colors downstairs.  Maggie picked some beautiful elements - lacquered side chests, paper and a fab rug.

The window area with a new chaise, lighting and side table.

Loving all the new pieces and beautiful photos.  Great job Maggie !

Wonderful note from our client !  Thanks so much....

Nearly a year ago, after seeing Lucy &Co.'s design work in multiple magazines, as well as in a family members home, I turned to them looking for a funky bookshelf for our babies bedroom. I walked in the showroom and met Maggie and briefly explained to her what we were looking for. I also explained that we had just built a new home and how a design plan surely would be nice too! Maggie then began picking our brain, mind you we were extremely picky and some what quite knowledgeable on what we liked and disliked and gung-ho on what we wanted. She later arranged a meeting and told us she had  confidently finished designing our boards. As she went through them sharing what she had come up with, we were blown away and amazed by her work. We were wow-factored to the point that we could not believe how spot-on good she was, and we of course loved every single thing Maggie came up with, instantly saying, "make this magic come to life, Maggie"!! 

And she did, alright: From unique grasscloth walls, original art paintings, over the top fabrics and window treatments, fun horn sconces, multiple tiered artisan geometric hanging lights, breathtaking quality furniture pieces, large cozy rugs, coffee and side tables making a truly elegant and functional  living room, and not to leave out one of my fav amazing adorable baby girls bedroom!!! And...more and more and more to come!!

Being an entrepreneur myself, I was blown away on Lucy &Co.'s professionalism, work ethics and top notch expertise, along with hands down the highest level of quality design and most importantly the one on one personal relationship you need and want with your designer. Maggie, is out of this world amazing at what she does, exceeding our expectations in every way. Her great personality is the best to work with, filled with confidence, talent, understanding design and style on a highly professional level, which is exactly what we were looking for. 

Maggie, and let's not leave the legendary mastermind Beth Kiem out, good work once again ladies and we thank you dearly!!

Artist Spotlight: Jennifer Levine

Hey !

Jennifer Levine, Charlotte artist.  I love her work and have placed it on several occasions.  She shows at Slate Interiors and during my many "swooping trips" at Slate I always pause and see if one of Jennifer pieces will fill an empty wall at a current install.  That's just what happened when I was shopping for accessories for the recent Lake Game Room, and got lucky !!

He work is colorful, vibrant and full of texture and movement.  Take a look at a few of my favorites from her site, and head over to Slate Interiors and give them a closer look !

A little more about Jennifer, from her site . . . 

Jennifer Levine has enjoyed a love of art most of her life with the help of her very artistic father and artist grandmother, who illustrated medical text books in the 1920s through 1950s. At St. Lawrence University, in Upstate New York, Jennifer studied Art History, Fine Arts and Economics, but set the artistic visions aside when transferring to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she continued her major in Economics and then Political Science. After 15 years working in Commercial Real Estate Investment Banking with Bank of America and Wachovia, Jennifer became a full-time mother of three children, and began to really explore her artistic interests and techniques. She works with oils, watercolor, charcoal, pen and inks and printmaking. Her style ranges from abstract interpretations of still life and landscape in very large form, to playing with geometric forms through hazy layers below and on the surface. Jennifer shows paintings primarily in Slate Interiors, or by appointment.