In A Nutshell

Does the start of school make you dream of Spring?!

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:35:00 +0000

Well into September, with vacations officially over, most of us are just getting ourselves and our families organized back into a semblance of a structured routine. Halloween is being thrust into our faces in every store and Thanksgiving can't be too far away.

Pantone, however, has leapfrogged fall, as well as winter, and published their Spring 2012 Color Report:

I am so happy to see such cheerful Easter-egg colors! Especially as we head into winter. Keep this bright forecast in mind if you get Restoration Hardware's new "catalog" or should I say "doorstop". Although I love their quality and generally their style, I think they have "jumped the shark" with this one.

Wikipedia.com

Get the gist of what I am talking about and read what Jennifer Sergent so eloquently wrote about their Fall 2011 catalog in her DC By Design blogpost. It's worth the read just for her take on the room vignettes!

Here's to color and common sense!!

www.86073.com

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:51:00 +0000

I've been blogging about my family room's redesign: purple walls and the use of pink as a primary color. How do you end up with a room like this!? As it turns out inspiration for a design can come from anywhere: a favorite color, a photo, a memorable vacation, a favorite family heirloom or furniture piece. Do you remember that Kohler faucet commercial--" design a room around this!"?

Well, that's not far from how a room design can begin!
Start paying attention to what attacts you, what you collect or to what you tend to gravitate.

One home office I designed, started with watching Masterpiece Theatre's Sherlock Holmes. I loved the color of the walls in his study and the mood it gave the room. Here are some images I found of his study (sorry, they were the best I could find--they don't really do it justice):

zetaminor.com

dailymail.co.uk

Watching (and loving) this show, I honed in on Pratt & Lambert's "Arizona" #8-22.

Pratt & Lambert "Arizona" 8-22

A color which, had I seen it on its' own, I would have rejected as too "dark". Inspired by Sherlock, the color created a warm, inviting study and enhanced the existing oak bookcases. Using the wall color as our starting point, we added natural woven roman shades and touches of bright color.

Catherine Jordan Design, LLC

So, what was the source of my family room inspiration? I designed my room around Audubon's "American Flamingo" painting.


princetonaudubon.com

Being inspired by something doesn't mean building a "theme" around it. In other words, my room is not filled with all things flamingo!

Being inspired for a room design means taking an element---in my case: color; then using that element to develop a design.

Maybe you love the shiny lacquer of Asian art.

You could use that love as inspiration for designing a room with laquered walls or bookcases to hold your treasures.

Look around at the things that you love and think about why you love them---what are the base elements that you love? Color, texture, subject, memories? I know you'll find inspiration!

Can You Live in a Pink Room?

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:15:00 +0000

In my last post I told you that I had redesigned my family room with pink as a "predominant color".

Crater Ranch

My husband, looking over my shoulder as I was writing, was incredulous that we had a pink room in our house! "What pink family room?" he asked.....That comment was very satisfying from a designer's perspective! Because our family room, probably like yours, is the one room besides the kitchen that is used everyday. And what man wants to think he is living in a pink room?!

While, I said pink was the "predominant color", I didn't say it "dominated" the room. Clearly his comment shows that a color, such as pink, which at first seems very limiting, can be used creatively in unexpected spaces without slapping you in the face:

In accent pillows and accessories:

Domino

On one textile piece in the room (chair, carpeting, ottoman):

via Little Green Notebook


House Beautiful

via PepperDesign

I love how the back of this desk chair was upholstered! Who would have seen that coming?!

House Beautiful

Or an unexpected accent wall---here the bookcase is the accent wall! Love it!

Alessandra Branca

The Washington Post Local Living section last week had an article which illustrated how a creative balance of strong colors can be achieved. Writer, Terri Sapienza, featured a sitting room with coral-pink walls.

The Washington Post

I loved her lead in "If you've grown tired of the grays, off-whites and earth tones that have dominated the design scene in recent years, you're in for a treat." Amen to that!

Alessandra Branca and I must be design soul-sisters because the article quoted her as saying "she chose a coral-pink for this Georgetown sitting room because she wanted it to feel fresh and exciting. "I grounded it with chocolate brown so it wouldn't be too feminine or girly," she says". Exactly!

The walls in my family room are purple---do you think hubby knows?!

Pink is It!

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:46:00 +0000

You know how when you buy a new car and how special it feels?

Americans Space

Then you drive out on the road and notice how many people are driving your car?!

Last year I redid my family room with pink as a predominate color (you're thinking that sounds crazy, right?!). Well, suddenly I'm seeing the color pink everywhere. It started with Pantone's announcement that Honeysuckle is the 2011 Color of the Year. Yeah! So happy it's another bright color! Read here what Pantone thinks Honeysuckle means as a color in our lives.


pantone.com

The covers of the March issues of House Beautiful and Architectural Digest have picked it up ---each in a different way.

Architectural Digest's cover takes pink as a soft, muted tone paired with golds and neutrals.

Architectural Digest

House Beautiful's cover uses the the pure color of pink with bright yellows, teals and whites.

House Beautiful

In fact, House Beautiful's entire March issue is devoted to the color pink!

Each of the magazine's covers have a different look and feel. The two together really show off the range pink has--it's not just for Lilly Pulitzer fans!

Garnet Hill

I love the range of colors that work with pink: yellow, teal, brown, black, purple, green (of course, to you Lilly fans!).

Look at Nordstrom's February catalogue for another inspiring combination: pink and gray! Subtle, soft and soothing without being dreary.

Nordstrom

Another inspiring classic is the linens from Provence, in particular those by Le Jacquard Francais. I have always admired the strong, unexpected color combinations--who would think pink and orange would look so hot?!

Where are you seeing pink?


Americans Space

Everyday Design - My New Iron

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 17:10:00 +0000

I am not a good housekeeper--having to bring out the vacuum (even a great Dyson) is like torture to me. But as I have gotten older I have been more and more appreciative of a tidy house and have noticed that I have to pick up things I've left haphazardly around the house or the untidiness starts driving me crazy! It must be a sign of age--or of living with a man who irons his jeans!

Speaking of that, on my list of household duties I hate is Ironing. I don't even own an ironing board---when I do iron, I put a towel on my granite countertop.

hubpages.com

After Christmas this year, I decided that before I put away all my holiday linens I would iron them so so they'll be good to go when I pull them out next year. As we all know the road to hell is paved in good intentions---my tablecloths and napkins sat on my laundry room counter(aka ironing board) for four weeks--unfortunately, I am good at procrastination.

CountryLiving.com

I couldn't stand the thought of using my old Target/Walmart/Kmart iron, so instead I did nothing. After working around this pile for several weeks, I decided the reason I hadn't completed this task was that I didn't have the right tools. So I did what I love to do--Research the Web (another great procrastination tool in my bag of tricks---not actually doing the task but feeling like you are taking some kind of action). After extensively researching irons, I bought a Rowenta---the Mercedes Benz of irons. I bought a "starter" model for $75: Rowenta's DZ5080 Focus Stainless-Steel 1700-Watt iron.

Look at it! It even looks speedy! Well, I am here to tell you that it was money well spent! I read all the directions (another procrastination trick) and made sure I "understood" my iron before attempting to use it.
Can I tell you what a pleasure it was?! To hear and see the loud "whoosh" of steam each and every time I lifted the iron was like pure power--wrinkles didn't stand a chance. The pointy tip of this iron is long---reminscent of Cruella Deville's high heeled shoes.

This "high precision tip" gets into every crevice easily and irons out pleats effortlessly.
The ball at the base of the cord kept the cord from tangling and the stainless steel non-stick soleplate glided rhythmically over the fabric.

I found myself getting into almost a meditative state ironing my linens.
I am currently reading "Quiet Mind- A Beginner's Guide to Meditation" compiled by Susan Piver.

Larry Rosenberg's section on Vipassana meditation talks about meditation in daily life:

"The Buddha's teachings are not limited to silent sitting meditation. We are encouraged to bring the mindfulness we develop while sitting to all the activities that make up our lives. Bring undivided, full attention to every situation. If you are washing the dishes, wash the dishes."

And if you are ironing your linens, iron your linens! Having the right tools makes all the difference in any job!

It also makes me think about a quote I keep in my briefcase and try to keep in mind when working on any client project:

"When a customer buys a low-grade article, they feel pleased when they pay for it, and displeased every time they use it. But, when they buy a well-made article, they feel extravagant when they pay for it, and pleased every time they use it. - Herbert Casson

Happy Housekeeping!!!!

theredvelvetshoe.typepad.com

New Year's Resolutions...Four Weeks In

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 23:41:00 +0000

To my one Google follower (you know who you are!)---I'm back!

I started this blog last July after a wonderful trip to a beautiful Virginian cottage in the country. Since then, I had high hopes of posting an interesting new blog entry every week...well is it possible I have seen and heard nothing interesting since September?! (No!)
My New Year's resolution was to publish a new post each week...well, it is almost the end of January and nada...
What does this mean?

Do I have nothing to say? No, I have plenty of things to say about design!

Have I just not found my "voice"? Possibly--i.e. how "professional" should I present myself in my blog when I have a website for my business? (comments welcome smile ).

Am I just not interested? No, I am definitely interested and fascinated---not only by design in big and small ways, but about blogging in general.

Feeling guilty of not meeting my self-imposed goal, I was preparing to restate my New Year's resolutions---Note: new goals starting in February!...when I read the new issue of Rue. The Editor's Letter set me right again. I must belong in the blogosphere, because apparently there was a revolution this year against New Year's resolutions!!

Hallelujah!

Apparently, bloggers starting with Design for Mankind's Erin Loechner, began publishing their non-goal posts! Hurray! I can do that! The message that is circulating is to start the year listing the things you are doing right---not listing what you should've, could've, aught to do....Here is my list of what I love about myself, my life and my circumstances:

1. I'm proud of myself for achieving my goals last year: setting up my website and blog; continuing to expand my business; managing and overseeing the details of designing and building our beach house; starting and maintaining a new fitness routine and running program.

2. I have a wonderful family life: a caring husband, with whom I could happily be stranded on a desert island and never be bored; my handsome son who has given me a run for my money since puberty, but who never ceases to amaze in how openly he can communicate with me. My two stepdaughters, who welcomed Jack as their brother from day one of our marriage. Our two, gorgeous newfs from whom we derive such parental pleasure!

3. I feel grateful for my current circumstances and the people in my life. I have been working to show my gratitude and to keep connections in small ways: endeavoring to stay in touch with friends through email and snail mail, writing thank you letters and sending birthday cards, taking extra time with my mother, caring for and maintaining my home, being responsive, gifting and contributing thoughtfully.

All in all, when I look over my list, I realize that I tend to pin myself into a time box with hard, self-imposed deadlines ---instead of making changes as part of a process or journey. My accomplishments have all come about, not from creating a false deadline and meeting it, but by doing little things over the course of the year. As the saying goes "How do you eat an elephant?..One bite at a time". Given this self-discovery, my new and revised blogging goal this year is to publish more posts than I did last year. I know I can do that! I somehow feel elated and excited by this challenge versus my original goal of publishing one post per week. I know I am on the right path! Happy 2011!!!!

Design: This is serious business

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:44:00 +0000

As I venture into the blogosphere, hoping to make my impact on the *virtual* World of Design, my sister brings me back to the Real World with this blog link:

Catalog Living

Pay attention next time…Despite Elaine’s simple instructions (position 2 wooden pedestals on the table so that the smaller is rotated 45 degrees and tucked slightly under the larger one, top both with leaves and put just cheese on one and just figs on the other), Gary still managed to screw it up.--- catalogliving.net

I have to admit it took me a minute to "get it". I have been so immersed in the details and business of design, that I forgot about the fun and, especially, the creativeness of it! Because, if nothing else, the author of this blog is very creative and sees the humor in at least, the marketing of design!

I especially had to laugh at the September 18th posting -- I definitely would have used this advertisement in MY September 18th post on "Let the Sun Shine In.." or the "meaning of gray and yellow"!!! Not with the same caption though! :)


Ever since he was a child, Gary had wanted to play the decorative yellow stringless mini-cello, but he had to admit he did not take to it as naturally as he had hoped. --- catalogliving.net

I hope something or someone has made you laugh today!

Paper or Paperless?

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:19:00 +0000

Remember when we first started relying on computers at work,etc? Ok, I am probably dating myself! Unfortunately, I do remember! The big buzzword was the "paperless" office! Wow! We thought that paper was literally going to go away! All our storage issues would be solved! How has that worked out? I can pretty much guarantee that everyone now keeps a paper AND a paperless/virtual copy of important documents at work and home. Do we really "trust" our online documents?

One thing is for sure, paper is not going away any time soon..

Last week, two new online magazines launched: Rue

and Lonny

I spent some time going "through" both magazines. First of all, I have to admit I am a hoarder: I have stacks of design magazines that I haven't gone through, but can't bear to throw out yet; I have files of "resource library" materials---i.e. pages ripped out of magazines that I use for design ideas, and I am a big book collector (not antique!)---but not so much a big book reader! So I may not be part of the target (more young/hip?!) market of these online mags.

From this perspective, I will summarize what I found to be the pros and cons of these two magazines, in particular, and of online magazines, in general:

Overall, I found Lonny to be an easier online read. Here size does matter, and somehow the screen sizes and shots were larger and easier to read than Rue's---again I am showing my age!
I also liked that Lonny's Table of Contents is linked to the article, whereas Rue's Table of Contents is a static snapshot. I liked Rue's "Extras" section of take-home recipes and crafts (but didn't like that I couldn't preview them before downloading). Both sites employ hyperlinks on each magazine page to sources; but Rue seemed to have more advertising pages than Lonny's. Used as an online resource, the biggest advantage of these magazines is the quick browsing and hyperlink features. These web tools make the online magazine more than what you get in the paper version.

Having said that, although I browse magazines websites, I won't be giving up my hard copies any time soon! I find that I get lost: there is no beginning or end to an online magazine--you can easily jump around the site and "lose" your place. Before you know it, you are worlds away from the actual magazine. It leaves me wondering--am I missing something? In a hard copy, I can always mark my place and come back to it. There's a reason why it's called "surfing" the web, and as far as I am concerned it all contributes to my ADD. Keeping articles, clippings and other noteworthy things is harder for me online than saving the actual paper document. I have so many things that I "bookmark" online and then never look at again! Out of sight, out of mind! Plus, one computer blowup and my entire archive library is toast!
Of course, I am finding that my paper archives are stacking up and I have many vendor catalogues on my bookshelf that I never open because I go to the vendor website instead.

So, as a result, I now have paper and paperless versions of my design sources and resources---just in case! How about you, do you have a preference? Paper vs. Paperless?

Let the Sun Shine In..

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:57:00 +0000

I'm back! Summer is over --- but it looks like sunny days ahead! As I type the sun is shining on a beautiful fall day.
Looking at my current design mags, I see that the sun is peeking thru, too! It had seemed to me for quite awhile, that all I had been seeing in design world was the gray, industrial look---look at the current Restoration Hardware catalogue to see what I am talking about.

So much of the look now is to monochromatic shades of gray. I love the look, but can you really live with it for a long period of time? Could these colors be a reflection of our bad economic times?

Apartment Therapy.com

We must be feeling glimmers of hope, because everywhere I look I see gray rooms with pops of sunny yellow!

From fabric manufacturers:

Vervain

Kravet

to photo spreads

Architectsforlife.com

Furntitureseen.com

to blogger articles ...

like this one from Belle Maison, which has some great inspiration photos!

cococozy blog post: Peony bowl, Bloomingdales

Let's hope this is a sign of better times ahead! Let the sun shine in!

Blogs: A Great Design Resource!

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:04:00 +0000

I have started to get announcements from vendors about their blogs, the latest being Schumacher.

Schumacher

I hadn't really thought about exploring vendor blogs until recently--since I started my own blog (smile). They are a fantastic design resource!
Since I began surfing blogs, I now see websites as a formal and fairly static internet resource, and blogs as an outlet for current news, thoughts and observations. Vendor blogs are great because they are talking about their passion (like every blogger) ----which is their product! What's really nice is that they also link and discuss other design sites and products that you might not find out about otherwise.

Maison 21's favorite Schumacher fabrics

For instance, Schumacher's blog recently had a post about Traditional Home magazine's new interactive weblink. You know how you look at a photo spread in a magazine and wonder where the products you like can be purchased? Well, you can now go to Traditional Home's website; they have linked the items in the issue's room photo to the vendors! It works great--they even have paint colors linked! As a fabric and furniture manufacturer, Schumacher is interested in this because it can be a link back to their product--a win-win situation for both customer and manufacturer!

Traditional Home

Another blog I like is Circa Lighting's. First of all, I love their lighting products!

Circa Lighting

Which makes me want to know more information: how does a particular light look in a room, what about sizing lighting correctly? What other inspiration and ideas do they have around lighting? What new products do they have and what designers do they like? It's all here!

Finally, a shout out to my sister's company's blog for Dominion Electric Supply - "Enlightening"! A great resource for what's up and coming in lighting, presented in an easy, conversational form. It is very different from their website which is more technical in nature.

Get out there and blog!

Is Less...More?

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 00:37:00 +0000

It seems so, looking at this video! Twenty-four rooms in 330 square feet?! Truly amazing when you see the video, but could you really live in it? Or more specifically, could an American, used to larger spaces in general, live in such a small space?

Interestingly enough, House Beautiful magazine's theme this month is "Is Small the New Big?" and features designer David Kaihoi's NYC one bedroom apartment that is 390 square feet. He lives there with this wife and daughter. It sounds amazing until you read that their daughter shares their only bedroom! How long can that last?!

The rich colors of this New York apartment made me feel like I was inside a Godiva chocolate, so warm and rich! Very different from the mirrored, stainless steel apartment in Hong Kong. Two such different approaches to small spaces! Do you think you could live in either of these spaces? Alone or with your family?!

Reading the Washington Post today, is an article of a family of five who lived on a small sailing ship for seven--yes SEVEN years! 24/7 with each other in a space the size of a standard hotel room. The father said as soon as they left their port in Maryland all sibling rivalry stopped...Hard to imagine!

Perhaps our larger spaces are leaving us more isolated....something to think about...

Thoughts of architecture today

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:40:00 +0000

The Washington Post had an article today called "Potomac's un-Potomac". Heading the article was a beautiful photo of a gorgeous home, which is part of a planned community with strict architectural guidelines---

I'd have sworn was an old Adirondacks house.

Aren't we all surrounded these days by new homes that are a horrendous mix of architectural styles and materials?

Here's a typical McMansion..(the builder loved stone (all the way to the eves!) apparently!)

I loved that this Association's book of Architectural Guidelines contain 8 photos of "Examples of Unsuitable Design"(p.77). All these homes are in their neighboring communities! If you really want to understand the architectural components of what makes an esthetically pleasing home, download these guidelines!

As summarized in the Washington Post, regarding good architecture--- "no matter what the style, they use natural materials and proper scale.."

One thing that I always remember---is that we don't have to recreate the wheel--look around to see what attracts you and then start looking at the parts that make the whole visually appealing.

A beautiful Neoclassical stone house

When planning the community, the Architectural Review Committee looked around at homes that were considered beautiful and found that:

"Houses built in older neighborhoods, though grand, had a more 'delicate and smaller scale'".

"They were constructed from natural materials: slate roofs with brick, wood or stone sidings."

Most notably, and a little disturbing: "The architects who designed the old houses were better trained in scale and proportion than architects who work with large developers."
The lesson here is if you're lucky enough to be looking to hire an architect don't make any assumptions! Look at their designs and the homes they've built!

It was wonderful to read about such a conscious effort to maintain high architectural standards in new construction!

Old Virginia Summer Cottage

noreply@blogger.com (BestofDesign) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:50:00 +0000

On a recent day trip, my mother and I trekked out of metro Washington to visit her 91-year old friend at her summer home in Lancaster Courthouse, Virginia about two hours away.

Taz, the guard dog greeted us

The property has been in her family for almost a century and is on the river. BeeZee's cabin is deep in the Virginia woods down a dirt road, dense with hollies and mountain laurels. It is just what you imagine the old summer places were---on a pond--complete with lifesaver ring and dock and stocked with freshwater bass.

The house hasn't changed.....

I love the tree growing in the middle of the wrap around porch.

The screened in porch is the main living area in the summer.

Mom (in pink) and BeeZee relaxing before a lunch of Chesapeake crab salad, home grown tomatoes and cucumbers.

Stepping inside was witnessing a family history: it is obvious that the cottage evolved over many years, artifacts collected on the property mix with an eclectic collection of family furniture pieces.

The cottage has two rooms: one large room containing the kitchen, bedroom and living room, and a small bathroom.

Details, details, details---years of collecting can be seen throughout.

Bottles of "river glass"- containers from colonial times found in the area.

Coming from the Metro DC area where McMansions rule; it was rejuvenating to "step back in time" at BeeZee's cottage. Even the two hour drive was an escape--beautiful countryside with cornfields and small towns.

Seeing BeeZee's cottage sparked me to initiate my blog---I couldn't let such a unique place remain a secret!!! Thanks, BeeZee for all the inspiration you and your cottage gave me!