Beach House Decor

Why Knot Hire Noir Blanc Interiors In 2012

2012-01-02T01:55:00.004-06:00

Starting off a new year, one often reflects on their experiences and life. When I look back on my own personal life, I have owned many beach homes starting with my first condo in Gulf Breeze, Florida transcending to a home on Malibu Lake in California, where I decorated with one of a kind artists pieces I selected at High Point and various furniture and gift I frequented while working in publishing. Years later, I moved to a ocean front home in LaJolla, CA where I spent one year renovating the kitchen, bathrooms and decorating with fine antiques and beach house decor. With a showroom to the trade in Chicago, I also found myself selling my lovely Victorian home in the Old Town area of Chicago. I then went to work designing a total build out of a 4,500sq ft. apartment that faced Oak Street Beach on East Lake Shore Drive. This was sophisticated historical property and the interior design and decor was refined, urban, coastal living. Next, newly married, I was living in beautiful grand water front home in Annapolis mixed with a second home in Fort Lauderdale off Los Olas where the decor was Tommy Bahama style. Newly divorced, I moved into a high rise with a marina at Harbor-view in Baltimore, MD there I used deco inspired Barbara Barry, Baker as the mood for my water view high rise decor. My design work had me traveling, and soon I was moving to Marina del Rey, CA where I moved into a high rise with floor to ceiling ocean and mountains views. Know one would leave once they saw the view. With a tennis club, yachting and a beach right on the premises, the chosen beach house decor was a white shabby chic style sofa and simple minimalist beach house decor. Granted, this was the shabby chic era of design and California. As my career evolved, so did my own personal knowledge of design and living on the water. I found myself working abroad buying, designing, and working with large yacht companies.

As the President of Noir Blanc Interiors, when I meet a client, my passion, and expertise of over twenty years of business shines like a vibrant violent light as an interior designer who loves living at the beach and understand the lifestyle of designing the right interior for your beach house decor. Our professional team at Noir Blanc Interiors, has exciting 2012 projects in the works with our clients. If your interested in interior design or renovation, we'd love to meet with you. Happy New Year!

The Treasured Year Of 2011 At Beach House Decor

2011-12-31T20:58:00.000-06:00

Focusing on beach house decor, has always been a natural passion and focus of my life. When another year ends, we find our selves reflecting on where we are in life and where are future goals will lead. I must say, 2011 was an exceptional year for Beach House Decor. January started off with being a Guest Judge for a Digital Doll House, contest where the winner design a Campion Platt Beach House. It was great fun and I was personally amazed at the talent of young people who have the passion to design at a young age.

My thirst for knowledge was fueled by leading Interior Designer Chat every Tuesday on twitter. It's been my own personal way of "giving back" to the design community and bringing global conversations with a strong professional community of Interior Designers, Architects, and professionals in the home decor industry. In April I spoke at High Point Furniture Market in the Spring, on Social Media and The Design Industry. And we had a live #IntDesignerChat where I had the pleasure of meeting many twitter friends in real life. Another honor and thrill from this experience was being featured in New Englang Finery Magazine. Also in April, my blogging here at Beach House Decor, had me invited to dine at the Designer Blogger Dinner Sponsored by Masco - KBIS 2011. It was a thrill and an honor to be dinning and meet some of the top designers in the Kitchen and bath industry.

In Las Vegas, as the founder of Interior Designer Chat we had a live #IntDesignerChat sponsored by KraftMaid and Merillat with Guest Host Mark Johnson.

Then it was back to living and working the island life in Newport, Rhode Island.

June was travel to Chicago for Neo Con, where I also put on a three day event, IDC Education and Design Worth Spreading. During this education design event, Barbara Segal competed in a kitchen design contest using sketch-up. What an incredible learning experience it was to learn from blogging tips from top blogger Ronique Gibson and to be inspired by Author James Swan. Having the privilege of working with the best in the design industry for these three days.

The months of July and August was spent enjoying summer and coastal living design work in Newport. I shared a post with Brabantia, the joys of guests visiting the beach house. For the record in 2011, Newport Polo had a sensational winning year.

In September, I was chosen as a top design blogger to attend Brizo Fashion Week. My Brizo experience goes down as the best design experience of 2011. The opportunity to work in New York with the industries top interior designers, design stars, and bloggers was amazing! Of course you've read that post! And having my design team come in 2nd amongst the top designers in the country was rewarding and inspiring to the entire Noir Blanc Interiors team. I'm thrilled to be sharing the opportunity to order the exciting Jason Wu Collection at Brizo with my beach house decor clients and readers here.

I treasure my following here at beach house decor! When my design schedule got busy this year, I kept my readers informed at Noir Blanc Design tumblr, Facebook, twitter, and pinterest. Please take the time to follow and catch up with me there as well. Cheers to a fabulous 2011.

I leave you with inspiration for a sand-tastic 2012!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Mark Twain

Letting Creativity Flow

2011-09-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

This September, I left the beach house decor and design business to spend three days in New York City during Fashion Week. As a creative person, the Brizo company understands, that designers are fueled and need creative inspiration. The Brizo design team gathers much of their inspiration through travels and architecture throughout the year, to gain ideas. Rooted in the fashion and design communities, Brizo who is the primary sponsor of fashion designer superstar Jason Wu brought together designers and bloggers from around the country and demonstrated a brand’s commitment to quality and a USA made product. Brizo is the first national sponsor of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dream Home® Giveaway.

This luxury brand of faucets, is environmentally responsible, eco-friendly and believes in working with the best in design, to ensure their products are aesthetically pleasing. Brizo opens all avenues for creativity to flow. Since I have sspecialized in coastal interior design for so many years, Brizo LIFETIME FAUCET AND FINISH LIMITED WARRANTY was a huge selling factor for Noir Blanc Interiors, to learn. Beach house decor often has salt and humidity factors to consider when choosing faucets in bathroom, kitchen and bar design. Sharing this quality USA Made product with design clients and beach house friends now flows naturally.

Promoting the relationship that Brizo has built with fashion designer, Jason Wu and giving back by inspiring designers from around the country. Brizo merged our worlds together. By exposing us to their product line and fashion week. Sponsoring a group of top designers and bloggers from around the country. The Jason Wu’s Spring Summer 2012 fashion show during New York Fashion Week! The Blogger 19 Design Challenge sent us off to find inspiration and creativity in New York City neighborhoods. Chosen to be on Team Venuto with top designers: Tyler Wisler of New York City, Kerrie Kelly of Sacramento, CA and Patti Johnson of Cincinnati, OH was a challenging, collaborative, and fun design experience. Our Team Venuto, three blonde's and a guy, designed a glamorous bathroom entirely inspired from our TriBeCa neighborhood tour. The Judges: Brendan Cannon, Celebrity Stylist, Susan Fisher, VP Marketing of Brizo, and Michelle Adams, Editor in Chief of Lonny Magazine awarded my Brizo design Team Venuto, 2nd place during a private cocktail party with Jason Wu.

Brizo believes that all forms of high-style can be achieved in the home, and they understand that fashion contributes to an interior aesthetic. Brizo is proof positive that form and function are one and beautifully the same.

Come swim with my new design and blogger social affections and the BRIZO team.

http://www.thedecorista.com - Ashlina Kaposta
http://dcoopsd.wordpress.com - Brandon Smith
http://cocokelley.blogspot.com - Cassandra Lavalle
http://maison21.blogspot.com - Christian May
http://goodwithstyle.com - Emily Anderson
http://creategirl.blogspot.com - Julieann Convino
http://livethefinelife.blogspot.com - Kathy Sandler
http://katierosenfelddesign.com - Katie Rosenfeld
http://kerrielkelly.blogspot.com - Kerri Kelly
http://www.meredithheron.com - Meredith Heron
http://encoredecorblog.com - Mindy Miles Greenburg
http://pattijohnsoninteriors.com- Patti Johnson
http://www.astylistslife.com - Raina Kattelson
http://kitchenlab-chicago.com - Rebecca Zaveloff
http://nydesignguy.blogspot.com - Tyler Wisler
http://www.buckinghamid.com - Julia Buckingham Edelmann
http://www.stylebyemilyhenderson.com - Emily Henderson

Susan Fisher - Vice President Marketing, Delta Faucet
Brian Nobbe - Marketing Director
Laura Brooks - Senior Brand Manager
Jai Massela - Senior Channel Marketing Manager
Judd Lord - Director of Industrial Design
Seth Fritz - Lead Industrial Designer
Celine Kwok - Industrial Designer
Brian Jones - Senior Product Marketing Manager
Mandy Ellington - Product Marketing Manger
Kristen Baum - Product Marketing Manager

Disclaimer: Brizo payed for my travel expenses for this trip and sponsored The Blogger 19 Design Challenge.

Life's A Beach! As I'll Be A Guest At New York Fashion Week

2011-08-16T02:27:00.014-05:00

I am so excited to be a guest of Brizo for an exclusive product and fashion experience in New York City September 7 -9. I can't wait to leave the beach of beautiful Newport, Rhode Island to meet, other top interior designers, architects, bloggers, and editors who will also be a guest of Brizo! We will be the guest of Brizo at the Jason Wu Fashion Show. So Dear Clients, thank goodness your all so fashion savvy, because this interior designer is leaving the beach house decor for the most exciting week in fashion, Fashion Week in New York City. Jason Wu designs for Michelle Obama and Brizo offers fashion forward designs for the kitchen, bath and shower. So, there's no denying that this is big, really BIG for Barbara Segal of Noir Blanc Interiors.

Photo Credit: Style.com

Disclaimer: Brizo is paying/paid for my airfare and travel expenses for this trip.

Tropical Blue Mischief

2011-04-30T23:36:00.007-05:00

Grand coastal estates, with beachfront acreage come to mind when we hear the word Newport, Rhode Island. But the city has a simpler side, one that's about the laid back pleasures of the soothing effects of the sea. The interior design scheme of a Newport Coastal home establishes a coastal serene feel of the sea, dark against light, pattern versus color, that personalize the home's style and personalizes it. This is what our Newport client, was after when they asked our firm, Noir Blanc Interiors, to streamline details and unfuss their new summer home to a coastal house, different then their New York apartment city environment. Removing the formality from the New England Coastal home was the main goal of this project. Through out the house, French doors let in an abundant light and ocean air. And it's not unusual for guests to show up for the weekend and stay for or a week or two. Outdoor rooms are being designed like indoor ones, with several vendor ordered furniture pieces ordered during a recent trip to highpoint, North Carolina. This coastal home's beach house decor is elegant, old and new, sophisticated and laid back. The owners point of beach living is to celebrate the outdoors, with a happy place where natural beauty and indoor comforts collide.

Blue is the main color in this coastal New England Ocean home. We hardly used it at all, as when you look out from any room,you see the sea. It's like a giant blue painting in every room. So Noir Blanc Interiors, incorporating beach house decor with three motifs for a balanced and smart look: textured fabrics, chalky matte finishes, and transparent glass vases. Sourcing handmade, antique chandeliers mixed with slip covered furniture pieces to give the home that added touch of warmth and soul. Our goal is to create a feel of easy fanciness that perfect for this families, coastal living home.

A North Shore Beach Apartment To Rise And Shine Too

2011-03-10T01:26:00.003-06:00

When a East Lake Shore Drive client called to requested an interior job for her, North Western University daughters apartment, we said, sorry we don't do apartments. The client politely reminded us that Noir Blanc Interiors had indeed designed her 5000 sq. ft. apartment. The client had us, as yes we certainly had spent two years working with her on the interior design of her Chicago high rise apartment. Then she gently suggested, that she would throw in two tickets to The Chicago Lyric Opera and pick us up in the family private jet. Several weeks later, Noir Blanc Interiors spent three day's in Chicago, transforming a small 1930 walk up apartment facing the lake, into a cozy, color full, and fun space, that was to every one's delight.

Keeping in mind that the daughter loved to travel, mixing old with new, we transformed the small vintage apartment into the ultimate chic and cozy beach decor. Now our clients, daughter had a place to rise and shine to that was chic and fun, just steps away from the city's north shore beach. If we do say so our selves, we left the snow and the cold of Chicago on a high note.

You Can't Go Wrong With The Color Of Love

2011-02-12T12:00:00.002-06:00

February is simply a beautiful month for me. It comes all wrapped in a big blue box and tied with a big red bow. It is one of my favorite months for activities and fun. It's the month that often creates a dramatic and exciting set of opportunities for the year ahead. It's a time for taking the first steps, large or small, that your heart yearns to do or accomplish. From creating small rooms in red, to adding decorative accessories of red to your beach house decor, to spreading love to a number of people in your life every day. It's also a time to put yourself first. I love the vibrations of February. I've spent the month decorating a small room in red, to riding high in red Gondola's, mixed with fashions at New York Fashion week. This is the month, to turn up the heat with red.

BG3 by thè cs featuring cherry bags

Miami Bathroom Design

2011-01-15T20:30:00.033-06:00

Transforming beach house decor for a tropical Miami home in January is a tropical transformation of the senses. Miami bathroom design is inspired by soaking in the sun on the beach, beautiful tropical gardens, and ocean breezes. We were asked to transform a bathroom that would create a stunning first impression for our female clients guests when they visited her home for the first time. So we searched for a vanity that had a vibrant "cool" color like blue which helps you relax and chills you out. Image our delight when we discover the unusual bath vanities from Ypsilon, the Italian company that creates bath vanities with modern design and glamour. The vibrant color of Ypsilon doll collection was perfect for our beach house decor clients style. The use of blue and glass accent pieces and the blue color became the focal accent to the bathroom space. A splash of color and the perfect luxury for any guest in her Miami beach home.

That's One Thing You Really Need For Sure

2010-12-09T01:29:00.031-06:00

It's Funny the one thing my homes have always had is a fully designed table setting. Perhaps it's all my years of working in the luxury gift industry and being around the fine luxury's of interior design. Or perhaps it's the fact that I inherited antique's from generations of women in my family. When the holidays arrive, it's time to bring out your tabletop and fine china and deck the table top!

And yes it comes from the love of entertaining and the art of living well. The holidays are a particularly good time of year to set and design your table with a holiday theme. Pull out your best crystal, place mats, napkins, candelabras, and china to show them off. Set a theme and keep it set. Dresses up your home with this simple, marvelous addition to your table or tables.

You will find looking at your beautifully decorated table will actually inspire you to entertain. I've been doing it for years! An invitation from friends to attend the nutcracker will easily turn into your reciprocating invitation of "How would you like to come for a light pre-ballet dinner?" As a cook, one gets a real joy out of friends saying "this is delicious."

During the Holidays a simple caviar and champagne table is elegant and a late night ambiance for special fun evening out.

Keep your beach house decor holiday festive and your tables set. With the holidays here a girl ought to have a sense of humor, that's one thing you really need for sure!

Winter Beach House Decor

2010-11-29T12:30:00.023-06:00

Beach house decor for the winter months can easily be transformed to a rich, romantic, snuggle up and feel warm ambiance. Changing the interiors of a beach home during the month of November and December is a simple chic way to add character to your ocean or waterfront home. From LaJolla, California; to Vancouver, Canada; down to Fort Walton, Florida and up to Newport, Rhode Island; a beach morning and night has a chill factor a home owner must add into their beach lifestyle. Living at the beach in the winter months, does not mean your ocean home needs to take on a cold, damp chill. A few simple interior changes to your beach house decor, can set the mood of a cozy beach home with a loving warm ambiance.

How To Add Winter Ambiance To Beach House Decor

Add velvet pillows to your bedroom & living areas mixed with touches of houndstooth, wools, cashmere, rich warm colored pillows to your sofa and chairs (put away the summer pillows until spring).
Add cashmere blankets and throws of the same color palettes of your beach home, now is the time you can go richer and deeper in your colors.
Add some texture like a Mongolian lamb fur throw.
Noir Blanc Interiors always recommends investing in duvets, as there are four seasons to my interior design clients homes. Nothing is more luxurious, then having a fresh new look of your bedroom with the simple change of your bedding.
If you have a fireplace in your beach home consider converting it to gas. It adds a glow to your home and is energy efficient.
Consider adding a gel-fueled fireplaces or electric fireplace to your beach home.
Adding candles to your beach home in the colder months, mixed with natural outdoor elements.

Go ahead beach friends, light the fire, snuggle up, and turn up the charm it's the holidays!

A Fine Coastal Wine

2010-10-01T10:03:00.025-05:00

Coastal living in the North East has a cool grape growing region with many wineries. In early fall, clusters of ripe grapes, dark and plump, hang from the vines. Soon they will be harvested to make wine. This fall Saturday afternoon, the celebration of the coming harvests has guests arriving and gathering for dinner in the vineyard. The coastal vineyard owner's estate looks out on to the water and the vineyard. As the guests stroll through the house and take in the dazzling decor. The question is always asked, "May they see the estate owners private wine cellar?" Yes, when one has a vineyard guests who are invited into the home, often go tracing through the house, like it is their own, looking for the wine cellar. So a well-designed cellar is not simply an indulgence—it's a necessity. "A wine cellar is an extension of its owner. With the increased importance of entertaining at home, a wine cellar can be as essential as a gourmet kitchen. And a well-designed cellar is important, since it safeguards what is often a substantial investment. With the topic being grapes, vintages, and the upcoming harvest while the guests stroll through the home, all eye's are dazzled in anticipation of the statement the wine cellar make. Although wine cellars ranked low in a survey of real estate amenities conducted by Century 21, I can assure you, they do have a strong appeal for the very affluent.

As the guests gather in the vineyard for dinner, opinions and irreverent humor spice freewheeling talk of real estate, art, politics, and sports as we drink wine and dine. Laughter of friendships linger way past the hours of the scarlet sunset and compliments are shared on my well designed dinning table. Yes, working in interior design, along the Coastal Wine Trails and vineyards, is another part of my passion of beach house decor. And perhaps I should mention, I am pretty good with a corkscrew!

Fall Nesting With The Memories of Paris

2010-09-08T00:27:00.018-05:00

Every September I take a trip to Paris for the experience of Paris in the Fall. I stroll the streets, I eat my favorite Laduree Macarons and I attend Mason & Object Paris. The temperatures are cool and the air is crisp. Over the years, I have down sized my spending. Well okay, when the dollar became weaker then the euro and I returned home to the USA with a Chanel Camel Cashmere Cape, only to find the same one at the Chanel in Chicago. So yes, I have learned to change my French spending spree ways. Now in the new economy, I go to take in the Paris Fall merchandising, the fashion, the people, to eat the food, sit at Bistros, and to travel home with my new found influences of nesting the french way.

I love Mason & Object Paris because it is a 360° vision of furniture, decoration, and every single aspect of the world of interior design. So how do I transform this adventure, this trip to the city of lights, and bring it home to the beach? While antique shopping at the Paris Flea market, I may select one fine French antique treasure that I bring home for a clients or my own beach house decor. Several years ago I selected a French door, which everyday my client opens like a fine gift from Paris. My own french beach house treasure, is a lovely sink with the flowers from Paris. Every evening and every morning, one awakes to the pleasures of water in the french flowered sink. You see I love fall nesting, with the memory and influences of Paris! Yes in Automne I begin to feel a bit Marie-Antoinettish.

Photo Credit: Paris Breakfast

This Beach House Decor Post was Inspired by The 3rd Fall Nesting Party

Ahoy Mates

2010-07-15T23:16:00.026-05:00

Beach House owners can often feels like a Captain of a ship, with so many guests and activity of friends, relatives, and guests of guests beach house guest. Back when pirates sailed the seas, they had a rather sneaky practice of keeping many of their crew below decks. Thus, when a merchant ship loaded with treasure caught sight of a pirate ship, only a few crew members would be visible. The pirate vessel could then capture the luckless ship by employing their below-decks crew. Honest captains kept their crew "above board." As a Interior Designer sneaking in as many guest rooms as possible into your beach house decor is important. Last weekend this beach house had 10 guests, this week it has had 7 last night, 5 tonight and this weekend it could be up to 10 again. Creatively the home looks like a neat beach house with only a few. Because there are beds stowed away in every nick and corner of the architectural design of this Beach house. A well planned out design when renovating or building a beach house, is single guests beds in as many places as possible when designing your beach house decor. The decor doesn't have to be anything but simple, airy, nautical, beachy, and practical with perhaps some hidden storage space. Living by the beach is a summer pleasure, one everyone wants to enjoy. So when decorating think single beds. Trust me, mates your going to need them. Because birds of a feather flock together.

Photo Credit: Coastal Living, Southern Living, Douglas Friedman

Beach House Decor And The Newport International Polo Series XIX

2010-07-06T23:41:00.012-05:00

The Newport Polo Series is a one of Newport's oldest traditions and most popular summer attractions here at this seaside resort. In 1876 James Gordon Bennet, hosted a special dinner party for a carefully selected guest list of a dozen gentlemen who were of the sporting set. Bennet had previewed the new game of polo, on a recent trip to England. The game caught the imagination of the buccaneering class of the Gilded Age. The sport set, embraced the sport and made it part of their annual summer retreat in Newport. Playing fields were established near their summer beach homes on Bellevue Aveunue and the Westchester Cup became the fist polo club of the US. Making Newport the birthplace of polo in America. Today over 23 nations from all six contents have competed in the Polo Series at Glen Farms in Portsmouth.

When summering in Newport, an invitation for cocktails before Polo is a Newport tradition. More often then not in Newport, the beach home will be behind Iron Gates. Here views of the sea shore from one's beach house porch is the Summer Resorts luxury and beauty, that International guests love to take in. As the International sport set mingles, talks polo, and Newport's campaign to host the next America's Cup the beach house's decor must be simple and not be competing against the sea's spectacular beauty. A pair of wicker sofas from Restoration Hardware suits this classic tradition and conversation. Bottles of Veuve Clicquot mixed with coral reef pillows add to the beach house decor conversation and excitement of the social highlight of the polo season the International Polo Charity Ball, on Friday, August 6th. So come on everybody, take a surfing safari Summer trip to Newport! On the following day USA plays Australia, concluded by an authentic New England Lobster bake.

Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel Fine

2010-06-30T23:35:00.014-05:00

Beach house decor is paradise by the Sea in the month of July. Beach houses are filled with summer house guests and one realizes that Summer is here. The warm Summer nights, takes on a smile of light, and your beach house takes in the fresh Sea air. You Sea, when one live by the water, you want your home to take it in and to breath the air.

In this beach house there is the love of the Sea and Sailing. Time is spent on the families Sail boat and it is an important source of entertaining. In the month of July living outdoors plays into a large part of decorating a clients beach house . We choose this simple but sophisticated look, that can be achieved on many out door porches. A beach house decor DIY summer porch. Shown here is Sunbrella Natural fabric drapes, secured with Sunbrella Pacific Blue tie backs, four wooden rocking chairs painted white, two side tables, and two palms, two geranium potted green plants. A few blue accented pillows are placed on the rockers to achieving the elegance of blue's happy summer color.

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit."
– Henry David Thoreau

Breathtaking Views And Ocean Breezes

2010-06-20T00:11:00.014-05:00

Breathtaking views and ocean breezes is part of this Ocean Estate's decor. Open the doors and your introduced to the grand Italian Renaissance style of ocean living. The opulent entry grants access to all and welcomes you to the first and second levels of living. Walk into the elegant and refined decor of this Newport Cliffwalk Estate and there is a sense of comfort in the design for casual entertaining. A Sun room's to love decorated with bright colored decor of white, yellow and coral. Yes this is the perfect beach house decor, for arriving sailor and guest, before setting out to a day of yachting. This Beach House Find is an Estate like no other, situated on Cliff Walk over looking the sea. The design and decor is perfect for the all the cultural events and yachting attractions in Newport, RI. Not to mention the Tennis Hall of Fame, Jazz Festival, golf, and polo events as well.

This Property Is For Sale at Lila Delman
Photo Credit: Lila Delman

Follow The River And You Will Find The Sea

2010-05-25T10:33:00.002-05:00

Beach French Country is always tres chic and elegant when living by the sea. The enchantment, romance, charm, and warmth of French Country has been a favorite of Aristocrats and Historians for Centuries. The charm of a Chateau along the water is a french proverb, "Follow the river and you will find the sea." Cadeaux pour la maison, of French Country and signature Provencal charm is a decor with a signature style. One can fill a room with a Normandy styled sofa, European St. Remy table, surrounded by Chaumont Chairs that grace the Louis XIV style Chairs covered with Toile. Beach French Country decor by the Sea becomes your Chateau.

A French Country Beach home is always one of life's favorite treasures and pleasures. Decor in a French beach house is often inspired by ones flea market finds in Paris, or Yachting vacation in the South of France where Provence style classics made of 100% French Cotton table linens are plentiful. Always of eloquent nature and style, the French will have a french style desk with clean lines and classic details accessorized with vintage frames for memories, love note, a letter or French inspired quotes. The desk as part of your beach house decor, is a treasure by the Sea in your Country French beach home. This French Country Kitchen is designed by Julie Laughton Interiors, with it's french country charm one can only dream of cooking and living in a french country beach house. Play a little Edith Piaf's, French love song La Vie en Rose and your life will be but a dream.

Photo Credit: French Country Kitchen By Julie Laughton Interiors

The Ultimate Beach House Antique Hunt

2010-05-17T12:51:00.014-05:00

When it comes to achieving the look and feel of a beach house, nautical antiques are the ultimate Island touch. Which is one of the thousands of reasons, my Chicago friend and I traveled to the famous Brimfield, MA Antique market. With over 6,000 dealers, who pack more than 20 fields in the town of Brimfield, Massachusetts for nearly a mile, it is one of the most talked about Antique markets in the world. It all started in 1950 in one big field, we learned from Fred with the J&J Field (which Fred tells us was the original market). The town of Brimfield embraced the market Fred told us, "As they realized they could all make money selling parking spaces, leasing their fields." Now Brimfield Antique Market is three times a year, and had been running strong for over 50 years.

This is the treasure hunt of all antique markets! "How much is it?" is the question we ask through out the day. A sign, "Prices Adjusted According To Attitude," gives my friend and I a good laugh (we are both former shop owner) as we know this to be so true! Here, you can touch thing, see things, hold things, and learn from the Dealers the history of the antique's days gone by. It is like a trip down memory lane, as all my experiences of growing up with my Mother, her Mother, and my Ancestors before them come waving through my visionary brain. Robert, wades through Transferware, as I spot antique lobster traps, nautical sailing wheels, and glass buoys down the field. There are no ocean breezes here, but the history, the mystery, and the pleasures of finding nautical antiques is the ultimate treasure hunt, for any coastal living and beach house owner. Two Designers walk through the fields, eating the best Kettle Corn we have ever had, and twitter away @NoirBlancDesign for all to sea. (wave) Everyone has a chance to find a treasure at Brimfield. Designer Rock Stars like, Martha Stewart, Rachel Ashwell (Shabby Chic), and Eddie Ross all know Brimfield is filled with enchanting pleasures and treasures for all to find and Sea. So mark your calendar and make the trip, besides having loads of fun, this is shorely the ultimate beach house antique treasure hunt of all.

The Brimfield Antique Show runs May 11-16, July 13-18, and September 7-12.
visit: brimfieldshow.com

Designers and Taste Makers Dine At The Breakers in Newport

2010-04-27T15:09:00.031-05:00

Newport, Rhode Island has an extraordinary array of architecture and grand interiors. Newport is where many of the cultural forces that shape Designers and their work, through the ages meet. Here they discuss great interiors, masterpieces of furniture and the great designers at the yearly, "Newport Symposium." The Preservation Society of Newport County and a list of prominent sponsors present the symposium. This years theme: Great Designers, A Colorful History of The Interior. The morning and afternoons are filled with tours and lectures in Newport's Historical Buildings. One can almost experience the feeling of the bygone era, as you embark on the adventure of refining and decorating for a discerning and wealthy clientele. "Don't Think To Much of Style," was presented Monday by Kit Wedd, of English Heritage, United Kingdom. Touring you discover Wall coverings, textiles, glassware, distinctive tile, fine China, and fine Furniture embarked in the history of Newport that is today popular in manufactured reproductions.

The thought of beach house decor on the grand interior scale, of a Newport Mansions is what put American Glamour on the International map. Tonight taste makers from around the world will dine at The Breakers, and discussing Duncan Phyfe, Dorthy Draper, Billy Baldwin, Josef Hoffman, Robert Adams, Alva Vanderbilt, Jules Allard and Sons of Paris, and William Morris to name just a few. All while over looking the Ocean Cliffs of Newport, in one of it's many Grand Mansions and dinning room. With this many visionaries dinning at The Breakers, I won't be the least bit surprised if the ghost of Alva Vanderbilt joins in.

*If your a Designer, Architecture, a Historian, or Student consider next years Newport Symposium.

Love On NewBury Street In Boston

2010-04-19T01:00:00.004-05:00

Oh to be in love and live in Boston. My clients two young adults, live on Newbury Street where everyday she a Med Student and he an Architect, pass by the Vera Wang Bridal Salon. This I learn quickly, was a huge draw to both of them when choosing their apartment. As well as conversation, amongst visiting family and friends. He liked minimal, the old beams of the 1900's building and she wanted some color. Both, were brought up to appreciate the finer things in life, including quality furniture. With a minimal approach, small budget, and the influence of wedding bells. We choose white on white with a touch of color added by pillows and a chair. Used as our muse, this photo gave us the coastal living influence with the romantic but minimal and airy feel. Today guest will arrive for cocktails after the famous Boston Marathon.

Photo Credit: Sweden Elle

Making Waves

2010-04-13T23:13:00.006-05:00

While working on a design project in New England at a large Beach Home in Rhode Island with four Children, I have been thinking all thing Nautical. The project has ocean views and lots of white bead board. A kids bedroom is always fun to design when working with beach house decor. I love this Child's boat bed with storage and pier tables. The painted floor is also a great idea, giving it the look and feel of water and at the same time it is good for the never ever sand kids bring in. For you DIY readers the boat bed were made with white bead-board panels and then the team treated all the woodwork to a boat finish. Floors were varnished or painted in high gloss.

Bed linen -Pottery Barn. Lantern- Brunelli Designs. Sconces -Hinson.

Photo Credit: Veranda.com
Tria Giovan
Diamond Baratta Design

Add Color to Your Traditional Spring Table At The Beach House

2010-04-01T19:08:00.004-05:00

At last April has arrived! Blessed with Family traditions, tulips, daffodills and garden clean up. Just the fact that we are adding color back into our lives is enough to make me want to burst into song! This weekend our Beach House has Family arriving and guests. Anyone who owns a Beach House knows this is always the house guest time of year. Being a Designer, I typically plan my menu first and designing my table is a fun passion. April brings the change of weather and the traditions of Spring. I love color, as I think everyone is tired of hearing from me by now. When the new Traditional Home (May Issue) arrived last weekend, I was so ecstatic over how much color the issue featured. I even tweeted it @NoirBlancDesign and Traditional Homes in NYC even caught my enthusiasm and delight thanks to twitter. An issue filled with color brought a burst of happiness to any read or set eye on it. It made you want to break out into song, it inspires you, and visions appear of fantasy colored rooms. To see a brownstone in Boston with pink walls, well I just savored it. Unfortunately for me, no man I have ever lived with has agreed to pink walls.

This table from Traditional Home is my Muse for my Easter table. It is colorful, with the bamboo patterned silverware, simple white linen, and it has a bit of a tropical flair. The rose colored goblets, I own among my family treasures handed down from my Mothers, Mother. There is something about tradition this time of year, so using anything old feels fundamentally correct. The Guest include three adult men with Girl Friends, along with the rest of the family. I plan for my table to be a beach house decor, serenade.

What are you planning for your Easter table, at your beach house? I would love for you to share.

Photo Credit: Tradtionalhome.com

A Great Room Evolves Over Time

2010-03-29T22:40:00.001-05:00

Beach House Decor often is inspired by attending a great pool side cocktail party. The invite stated guest were to wear colorful attire. What was I to wear? I had come across great deck chairs by Vancouver’s Ga llant & Jones the week before and what I loved about the chairs was the Trina Turk Fabric. On my way to Westweek at the PDC, I stopped to take a look at Schumacher's indoor/outdoor signature patterns called The Trina Turk Collection. Rich in color and adapted from Turk’s stunning apparel and obviously inspired by her lifestyle in Southern California.

It was there at this moment that I had the Epiphany to take a drive to Trina Turks LA Boutique. As I arrived, I was drawn to a Sea of Floral embroidered linen pillow, that seemed Hawaiian-inspired, the pattern a colorful collage like Kaleidoscope. I was lost in a sea of colored embroidered pillows, hook rugs, needlepoint coasters and guest towels. I learned that Trina Turk has been in the contemporary market for 15 years (her silk dresses retail for about $300), which she oversees with her stylist-photographer husband, Jonathan Skow. Her brand has grown into a $45 million enterprise , she designs 10 collections a year, about 45 to 50 pieces each time, and all her prints are original.

Always the Stylish Designer, I left with a fabulous dress for the upcoming cocktail soiree and the perfect pillows for my own beach house. Funny how I can pick things out easily for a client but for my own home I sometimes searching forever. But Trina Turks pillows had that ohhh, ahhh, zingo factor. Oh and one fabulous turquoise necklace just because it reminded me of the sea. Yes she is quite the gal Trina Turk and a colorful design inspiration muse to all. Cocktails anyone?

Photo Credits: Trina Turk

Hangin' On For Dear Life

2010-03-25T01:17:00.000-05:00

At our Beach House we love a deep, comfortable seat on which to contemplate the day's beach activities. Our family is made up of all men/boys and the family pup. Our beach house is always filled with athletic guys looking to throw down a remote with some snacks. The Britton Collection's Sofa by Russell Mackenna is the perfect fun loving cottage/apartment style sofa for any young man. You know the guy, the one who loves a deep, comfortable seat for stretching out to watch a game on TV. The only thing that could be better, is a beach blanket nap on this man inspired sofa.

Britton Apartment Sofa

Starting At: $2,520

Photo Credit: RussellMackenna

Outdoor Beach House Decor As Relaxing As A Day At The Beach

2010-03-23T09:08:00.000-05:00

Beach House Decor is not only inside, it extends to the outside world, when you live at the beach. With Spring here taking your guests and lifestyle outdoors is always one of the best parts of living on the water. The views, the sounds, the smells, and sunsets all make for the pleasures of living on the water front. We love the Nantucket Outdoor Collection from Restoration Hardware, built to withstand spring rains, sun, summer squalls and that unexpected spring snowstorm... without cracking or yellowing. The navy cushions are finished with crisp white piping that inspires the feeling, that if you caught a wave you would be on top of the world. Classic accessorizing of the nautical outdoor beach house decor is knot hard to sea. The classic rectangular tray trimmed with seagrass rope, several outdoor hurricanes candles placed as lighting, and a well placed coffee table book for relaxation. Yes, mix the outdoor Nantucket beach house decor with some drinks, and everyone will be having a Sand-sational time!

Photo Credit: RestorationHardware.com