My kitchen has been a work in progress; and at a slow turtle pace.  And our vision has taken on a whole new feel.  Here is the update:

After busting down the wall between our family room and kitchen, and the new wood flooring went in, we had our cabinets painted a creamy gray shade.  We let the cabinet doors cure for about two weeks.  During that time I realized I am not a big fan of open cabinets-I just can’t handle it.

Our next step was to tackle the island. I wanted a huge island but P was concerned about the size.  Of course, I got my way……..

So instead of an island we purchased a cherry red corvette!   We laughed the whole way home with our new island in the back of our SUV.   As P assembled it we laughed harder-how dare we do this to our light kitchen palette.  He did an a-mazing job fitting all the pieces of the island together so I am now nicknaming him ‘p-mazing’.

It is 5′x6′ and can store more of my ‘never use but need’ kitchen food maker stuff.  We even have a garbage can pullout drawer.

P did get something he has been asking for, a butcher block top.  It was the perfect topper to tone down the red corvette.

P cut two 8′ wood tops down to the size we needed, then glued them together.

So here we are.  And with one turtle foot in front of the other,  we will get kitchen wallpaper pasted up (hey Jim, when can you fit us in?)

And new island lighting (did you notice they are in the wrong spots right now?)

So P, if you are reading this, I just sketched out twenty foot built ins-care to get started on them (laughing inside).

Our goal was to create a warm, contemporary urban vibe for young hip professionals in this urban area.  We got to work right away.  Once our design plan was approved we had three weeks to complete the project on a budget.  Our paint crew rolled on the colors while SJ and I, in baseball caps and sneakers, purchased, assembled and placed all the furniture and decor.  And with some help from a contractor from heaven, all of our wishes came true (minus the broken mirrors and stressed out moments)!!

THE LOBBY

To dramatize the unique curves of the lobby’s walls we painted stripes in two shades of grey to keep it serene and fresh.

I fell madly in love with a rockin’ red orange paint color and used it to dramatize the lobby’s fun niches.  It is very unexpected for such a clean gray palette.

HALLWAY TO MODEL APARTMENTS

From the lobby, prospective renters take the elevator up to the hallway where the model apartments are.  We wanted to create a ‘wow’ moment as soon as the elevator doors opened up.  To do this, we focused on the main wall directly across.  Finding inspiration in this contemporary large chocolate and cream wallpaper, we had it glued on, then wrapped the rockin’ red orange paint color all around it, giving it a big bold dose of personality.

THE UPTOWN MODEL APARTMENT

The Uptown model apartment is a rich blend of bold color and shiny finishes.  A place for a young sophisticated executive to host after work happy hours and .  We brought in that red orange, along with deep grays, to play off the shimmering finishes and exposed pipes.  Warm deep colors can bring down the size of tall walls, to make room feel comfortable.  To keep the space from feeling overwhelmed with color we broke it up with some white walls in between.

To take advantage of the main space we floated a good amount of seating in the center of the room, utilizing as much floor space as possible that would other wise be unused.  Using light colored upholstery and a thin metal framed coffee table keeps the loft space feeling open and airy.   The oversized shiny chandelier above not only offers greater brightness when natural is limited, but offers an industrial chic addition, that now compliments the exposed piping.  We also used a buffet as the media center to get more storage out of it.

The foyer leading into the apartment is long and narrow, so to give it strong interest, we used horizontal stripes of the same paint color but in two different finishes- matte and semi gloss.  The silver framed mirrors grouped together become art work, but do not take away from the clean lines of the paint stripes.  Now it feels like its own fun space to have a conversation in.

AFTER

There is something so soothing and happy about a light shade of purple.  Maybe that is why it is so popular these days.  We used a beautiful shade of it in the kitchen area to distinguish it from the rest of the bold palette.  We also introduced a tall piece of furniture in the small alcove, taking advantage of more storage using a ready made piece.

In these loft apartments there is a wall that divides two sides of a bedroom.  In order to help a perspective renter visualize how to use these rooms, we created a home office and reading lounge on one side.  We changed up the paint color to keep it relaxing, but still used bits of the red-orange in accents to tie it to the colors used in the living room.  The paper mache ceiling fixtures are my favorite and they were the most stressful.  When I ordered them no one could tell me how they hung from the ceiling.  When I opened the box and found a long wire and metal links I was relieved.

On the other side of the dividing wall is where we placed the bed.  The headboard literally came in the day the project had to be completed.  Tracking it became a daily ritual, but it was worth it.  The elephant colored leather adds the luxuriousness to this urban pad.

THE PRODIGY MODEL APARTMENT

The Prodigy model apartment has some unique spaces and niches so our goal was to showcase all of them, and create a warm, classic urban oasis.  Through a mix of materials and finishes, make this a home for relaxing and recharging.  The living room is the first space you enter when you open the apartment door.  The room is longer in width than depth, so we lightened up the walls to brighten up the space and instead, added bold color to the furniture and accents.  To get this room right I spent a lot of time plopped in the center of this room in the ‘thinking mans’ position.

Super cool space with such unique floor plan!  We had to be creative with it, and make it functional!!  First up, create stairs!

This was the most intriguing space that really needed to be furnished to visualize how great it was!  Like the other apartment, there is a dividing wall in this space so we treated one side as the bedroom and the other as a home office and library.  We took advantage of the upper niche which was four feet off the ground and five feet deep.  We created our very own staircase leading up to it.  Everyone that walks into this space loves to try out the staircase.  We used a bold golden yellow on the back brick walls to give it depth and importance.   This is a really great loft area!

On the bedroom side of the dividing wall we made the bed a focal point by placing it on the tall wall.  This new layout also gave it more privacy and left the rest of the space open for more furniture if you wanted a sitting area.

The bedding was a clearance find, and instead of using traditional table lamps, we placed utilitarian desk lamps that bring in that loft industrial vibe.

BEFORE

AFTER

This apartment has a ton of natural light seeping down a hallway from the bedroom to the bathroom.  I was really attracted to this hallway. I wanted to soften the light but not take away from the view of downtown Allentown.  The windows were super tall so custom drapes was my top choice.  But I had less than a week so I bought ready made white grommet drapes, and had a sewer attach a limited supply of this silky orange fabric to the bottom to create a longer drape.   They turned out fabulous!

AFTER

Another long hallway to the washer/dryer and bathroom made for an interesting new function.  To show possible renters how you could use the space, we set up a vanity station.

THE ATRIUM

BEFORE

The four story Atrium area is such a unique space, and needed to be spotlighted, so with our hot red-orange paint, Gerry and his team of painters spiced up the back brick wall.  It was amazing to watch them, four stories up on scaffolding, with cans of very bright paint rocking back and forth in their hands; yet painting steady as an arrow.  We then added three contemporary canvas art pieces vertically down the center to give it big colorful interest.

For more information on this apartment building located in downtown Allentown PA CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE to see Shoshana’s TV interview about this!!!

CLICK HERE to see this TV interview

Last year I began an annual tradition of showcasing my favorite decor finds, trends I dig, and ideas in interior decorating that make me go ‘oh yeah!’ on WFMZ TV 69 News At Sunrise, then blogging about them.  It was so fun for me to share these joys, and many of you seemed to like it, so here we go again!!!  Below are this years delicious goodies incorporating my motto ‘Happy Living’.  So check out where I’ve shopped, how I’ve used these items, and why I adore them so very much.

CLICK HERE to see Shosh discuss her favorites with Eve Tannery.  Watch her explain, in her own words, why she chose the decor pieces below as her Fave-O-Faves!

Did you see something you liked after watching the video?  Get the lowdown below!!!

THE MOST INTERESTING FLOOR LAMP OF THE YEAR. I bought these West Elm Branches Floor Lamps for a luxury apartment building I recently decorated, Versailles at Eighth, in downtown Allentown, and wow, they are one of my favorite accessories. Everyone who has seen them has been impressed. They are contemporary and urban, a perfect fit for these loft style hip apartments, or any home.  Totally worth the money.

For information on the Versailles at Eighth apartments, contact Ken Palumbo of Paragon Real Estate Group (610) 216-9934 or visit the WEBSITE.

MONGOLIAN LAMBSKIN OBSESSION. I have been using these furry friends as throw pillows on sofas and as fun accents on beds.  I am leaning against one right now!! You can get them from Horchow, West Elm, and Target, to name a few.  And the price varies greatly, but I have had luck with all three of these retail stores.  Tip-Avoid keeping them in direct sunlight & use a wide toothed comb to freshen the fur (think of them as a hairy pet!).

MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY ORGANIZED IN MY OFFICE. I am ‘serving up’ organization in my design studio by using serving trays to hold my ‘to do’ items and little essentials on my desk.  I love these trays that I bought at Target because they are shiny! I used to have wooden ones, but they weren’t nearly as fun.  And these are approx 19″x14″ which works really well on my rectangular desk.  You cannot get these online but here is the LINK to get the info on it, and see if your local store has it.  It comes in other shiny colors (bling bling.  oh baby!).

I also think Everglades 30″ square tray in faux leather croc is hot from ZGallerie!  If you have a large ottoman, this could be a beautiful and functional topper!

….pssst, the mongolian pillow and the blown glass lamp shown in my office above, are on this list!!

MOST CREATIVE TABLE LAMP. Glass blown lamp bases that are fillable allow you to show off your personality, and then change it as your mood changes.  I’ve been having fun with clients, coming up with limitless possibilities of lamp filler. Fill it with love letters, heirlooms, collectibles, and change out for every season and holiday.  I love my Atrium Glass Table Lamp from Pottery Barn.  I keep it on my office desk and showcase my love for my Grandfather and his passion for painting by filling the base with his acrylic paint tubes.  Most are older than me!  The one I showed on TV is from Target.  It is the Collectible Glass Lamp Base from their ‘mix and match’ collection.

I AM MAD FOR BLUE AND ORANGE!!!  In the picture shown above, I have paired two of my fave decor items this year using the blue and orange color combo that has me dancing and singing.  This lovely modern floral blue bedding and these vibrant chic martini tables look so juicy dressed in tangy red orange and a reflective deep pool of blue.

This color combo is fresh and hip and can go with multiple decor styles!  Here is info on the decor:

THE HAPPY COMFORTER. Your bedroom is your sanctuary and tranquil bedding is essential. For me, this Target Home Modern Comforter Set is relaxing because it has two fave-o-faves of mine- modern florals and fresh glistening pool color blue. Fabrics with florals are big and bold, and fun!   You can get with this trend of very modern take on flowers, and leaves and trees, by adding this comforter, or thru throw pillows, upholstered furniture, rugs, window treatments, and even art!

THESE MARTINI TABLES HAVE  GLORIOUS CONFIDENCE!  The West Elm Martini Tables would stand out in any room although they are small, their shape and bold choice of finish makes them stars.  And of course I adore the persimmon one.  I am staring at one right now.  It is for a client, but I might pick a few up soon.  I would use two or three as a coffee table in my living room.  I have been infatuated with garden stools for years (remember the white garden stools on my very first TV appearance?).  And ust like my everlasting love of wing back chairs, the garden stool is a classic idea, but variations of them keep me wanting more!!

MY SPARKLE ‘GO-TO’ ITEM. When I want to add something shiny in a room I always think of these little Hexagon Side Tables from West Elm that you see in the photo above.  When doing glam decorating I use shiny reflective surfaces to get sparkle in rooms.  The polished geometric design allows more reflective power increasing the ‘bling’ factor.  I have used these tables in living rooms often, including this apartment shown above, to give it a ‘Mad Men of 2012′ feel, which is the perfect mood for the young fresh vibe the rest of the Versailles at Eighth apartment building exudes.

For information on the Versailles at Eighth apartments, contact Ken Palumbo of Paragon Real Estate Group (610) 216-9934 or visit the WEBSITE.

MY WINGBACK OBSESSION! Each year I seem to fall madly in love with a version of a wing back chair.  This year is no different.  This chair is an updated version of the classic wing chair with a steam bent cabriole leg and side cut outs. It’S SEXY!!  The chair I showed you on TV has a back that is upholstered in a luxurious flame stitch chenille.  The inside back and seat is covered in full top grain leather that has been embossed in a snake skin pattern and fully aniline dyed in garnet to give the hide a deep rich color that is fade and stain resistant. This chair is available in over 600 different leathers and an infinite amount of fabrics.  For more info on this chair, contact Ebert Furniture Gallery at 3602 Broadway Allentown PA 18104.

HIT THE PET STORE FOR SEASIDE DECOR.  I love incorporating sea life into my home design.  And I have found a new place to look for accents-my local pet store and aquarium!  No need to wait until summer months for stores to carry nautical decor, to pay or to pay high end prices.  You can also find drift wood there! These are great natural elements to incorporate in a bedroom or bathroom.  I just picked up the bone white coral replica shown above and is not as chalky and breakable as the real thing or other replicas I have purchased that have crumbled before I even made home with them.  This one is called Cauliflower CoralReplica from Petco.

FAVE DINNER BOWLS FOR BIG BOY & THE PRINCESS OF DARKNESS.  Treat your pets to a chic eating experience without spending a bundle.  My two cats, Big Boy and the Princess of Darkness, have used the same metal bowls forever.  Not only are they unattractive, but they slide around although they have rubber on the bottom.   I found two beautiful black and white new bowls with a decorative damask pattern at Petco called Chateaux Print Ceramic Bowls.

And to keep them from sliding around I placed a Boots&Barkley silicone small placemat underneath them.  I found the placemats at Target in the pet aisle.  They had a few colors available.  I purchased red to really pop the damask pattern, and fit in with the other red accents in the room. I like them a lot because I just wipe them down, and they clean right up.  I can’t give you a link to the placemats because I couldn’t find it online.  But the store has them.  And ever since I began using the new bowls, Big Boy has been meowing in French.

“2011 was a fearlessly fabulous year!  I can’t wait to see what finds and designs will be uncovered in 2012!” – Shosh