Fabulous Fridays - Really??

I was so thrilled to receive the e-mail telling me I am a finalist for the Design Bloggers Conference's award for "Best New Design Blog".   This will be my first time attending the conference, this year in Atlanta, and I am looking forward to many of the people I have been in contact with just because of this new outlet.  I am so thankful for my readers the past four months and for all of the support leading to this nomination.  If you find a minute to vote, please do so here as voting ends February 12. 

Thank you!!

And thank you so much to the past winner, Hadley Court, for "paying it forward" as she called it and writing this post!

Contest Wednesdays - Don't Forget

to enter our contest here if you are in need of a room design!

Fabulous Fridays - Bullet Proof

I recently had the exciting opportunity to be interviewed by Modern Luxury Texas Interiors.  It began as a discussion as to why my business has landed here in Houston and what my plans are for 2014.  What it ended with was a discussion regarding tricks to make a home both elegant and kid proof; my area of expertise if I am pressed to say.

Believe me it is possible.  I am fortunate enough to work with such lovely young families that need spaces that are aesthetically impressive for entertaining but can feel like home for their children and pets the remainder of the week...

I thought it may be helpful to elaborate on some of the hints I gave via this interview...

"Dressed For Success"

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You can use outdoor fabrics on virtually any piece you are having upholstered.  This can be especially useful in either the dining room or kitchen for obvious reasons.  

I used a Holly Hunt Great Outdoors fabric on these custom chairs from The Shop NY and what resulted was the look of sumptuous mohair.

Using these fabrics does not necessarily mean that you have to create a piece that is completely custom.  In fact, I just ordered a yard of Perennials fabric through Pottery Barn to reupholster my breakfast bench from Target for a total of $75.  Their fabrics are incredibly durable (my neighbor even uses 409 to clean hers) and most have the feel of soft linen.  I love that Pottery Barn has made a few of the colorways available to everyone.

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Put your "wow" factor away from the action.  I often use lighting as my wow factor in spaces and this can create such drama and no worries.  

Sconces by Moth Design

Chandelier by Gregorius Pineo

Scones by Emily Todhunter via George Smith

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Use art and wall decor.  This could easily be listed at number 1 I suppose since any one of us could walk into a gallery and be mesmerized by a piece of art and see nothing else.  I approach design from a more functional standpoint but that doesn't mean that art doesn't create a critical and necessary discussion.  As a cheaper alternative I have created custom floor to ceiling mirrors (about 5' wide by 8' high) in spaces to add drama as well.

Fabulous Fridays - New Space

Part of my 9 year old daughter's Christmas present this year was that we can redecorate her room.  We have spent one year in our new home now and I thought it would be fun to take a few days and take my focus off designing for clients and put the spotlight on Calista.

I am thrilled with the beginning of the palette and that she took such a sophisticated approach.  While I was busy showing her chevron and polka dots she was eying my new floral book from Duralee...so here we are...

       

I'll keep you posted on where we go from here!  I hope you all have a great weekend while I go get my painting gear on...

Speaking of Tiffany Blue I'd like to thank Haley Garcia and The Women of the Woodlands for inviting me to a lovely breakfast at Tiffany & Co. this morning to learn about the needs of Montgomery County Food Bank.  I am looking forward to getting involved and spending more time with this wonderful group.

Contest Wednesdays - Space Planning

This month's design made for quite a simple floor plan.  With only three major pieces I only had to play around with approximately three scenarios.  This plan below turned out to be the simplest as well as my favorite.

Function 1

The storage and art is placed against the far wall for the most visual impact.  

Function 2

Because this is a creative office plenty of lighting is necessary.  With overhead lighting and sconces in addition to the natural light there should never be any issues working with color.  The desk was placed closest to the window to assure this as well.  

Function 3

The chaise is placed by the fireplace for a sense of relaxation and a peaceful view when sitting in the desk chair

Lovely Mondays - Mecox

Today I'd like to take you on a mini tour of one of my favorite shops, Mecox Gardens.  This store is known among designers as a place to go for just about anything you need for a client whether it is a luxurious sofa, unique lighting or overstuffed throw pillows to finish a room.  Mecox opened its first location in Southhampton and now has a total of eight showrooms across the country; thankfully Chicago and Houston are both on the list as I shop there often.  They throw fabulous parties and their doors are open for not just designers, but the end buyer as well.

Here are my picks from their extensive online collection:

These "Large Bone Striped Nesting Tables" are just crazy enough to be so cool.  The would be incredibly dynamic in an otherwise pattern-free space.

They have a wide range of Christopher Spitzmiller lamps and I just love this glossy blue version.

Mecox's collections are not limited to new production; they also offer beautiful antiques such as this Vintage French Cane bench.

This mirror is made with such interest contrast when églomisé and antiqued mirror are combined.

I don't often find desks with built-in storage that I like (in fact my glass desk is always filled with items on the top from lack of storage) but this really is an exception.  

I'll leave you with some of Mecox's wonderful store vignette photos; as you can tell following them on Facebook or Twitter can really brighten your day:

Fabulous Fridays - Exciting Press

Although I quite honestly have not seen this article in person yet, evidently my Lincoln Park feature in Luxe Magazine has hit newsstands in Chicago!  I was excited to receive this text from one of my good friends early yesterday as a preview...

Thank you to my wonderful, easy going, and stylish clients as well as Brittany Kaplan from Luxe and the photographer Eric Hausman.  I also could not have pulled off this shoot without my great assistant, Kelly Barnett.

Professionally and personally I have a lot to celebrate this weekend, who's with me???