New York Design Blog | Material Girls | New York Interior Design

Out with the old, in with the new.  Just as in fashion, where we see trends come and go, (and sometimes come full circle decades later) decorating has its trends that move with the colors of the year(s).  For quite sometime now (i’d say over the past 2 years), gray has become the new beige and it’s making a statement like no other.  Gray is such a calming color but it can be bright, light, dark, subtle…no matter what, it’s always soothing to the eye.  This is the very reason I’ve been convincing my clients to use so much gray lately, especially on the walls!  It’s the perfect neutral that will cohesively tie any room together.  Take a look at these gray rooms and see how well it works in different spaces:

I’m loving these lanterns and chairs in this country gray kitchen!

Don’t be afraid to mix your grays and beiges – just make sure that gray is the more dominant color in the room.  It will freshen up your space instantly and keep you on trend!

With all the beautifully designed wallpapers out there today it’s no wonder why papering your walls is back in style — It’s the element in a room that can pull it all together in one fell swoop.  Have you ever noticed that your space doesn’t feel quite complete until the art and mirrors are hung on the walls?  Well, wallpaper has the same effect and it can give you that final dimension you’re looking for. I’ve been browsing all kinds of wallpaper lately for clients looking to complete their powder rooms, nurseries, kitchens and dens — and I’ve come across some pretty amazing stuff:

Kudos to Meg Braff for creating such a fun yet useable line of wallpaper.  I’m loving her Meadow Reed paper in coral on white

Another gorgeous design by Meg Braff – Sasa

Sometimes the boldness in the paper is enough to complete the room without adding too much color.  The Imperial Trellis by Kelly Wearstler strikes again..and again.  It’s that good!

Speaking of F. Schumacher style – their new-ish Jaipur hand block wallcovering collection is to die for — Rampura Turquoise is shown above

One of my all time favorites by Florence Broadhurst – Japanese Floral

Another one “spotted” – Florence Broadhurst’s Spotted Floral

Hello color!  Loving this bright pink vine floral from Thibaut

And this bright green ikat also by Thibaut – could be really fun in a kids room!

Whatever the case may be, your walls can always use an extra punch of pattern and color — and paper is the best way to add that jazz.  So when you’re decorating your house or re-doing a room try to think beyond paint and spend a little extra money to get a unique look that will be the envy of the town!

I can’t seem to focus on anything other than pumpkins these days and because it’s almost Halloween I thought I’d share a few rooms that may inspire you to add a little orange into your life.  It’s a beautiful, bright color that works well with blue, and when done right, it can add just the right amount of happiness and pizazz.  Use the holidays and colors of the season as a guide for color in your home. Color schemes are often right in front of us —  We just need to be more observant!

Pumpkins!

Orange turns an otherwise neutral room into something bold

These walls have a perfect spice to them

Go bold with your sides

Modern and sharp

Smashing with the black and white zebra

Don’t forget to bring in color with flowers!

I woke up this morning happy to see that the sun was shining and that the day was going to be a perfect 66 degrees.  Sundays are the perfect day to walk around the city and in and out of stores in hopes of finding something new and different (and affordable!).  Although YellowKorner gallery has been around since July of 2010, today was my first visit inside and I have to say I was very impressed with the entire collection.  Their concept is simple: To introduce the greatest photographers from all over the world and to increase the number of copies to make it accessible to all.  It’s simply brilliant!

Mykonos Beach by Richard Silver

Avel, St. Tropez by Jonathan Critchley

Vosges I by Friedrich Gier

La Fille au Parapluie Rouge by Matthieu Casimiri

Please visit the website to see the entire collection, there’s obviously much, much more — and if you’re in New York you must visit the gallery in Soho or the gallery at the Short Hills Mall in NJ.  There’s something for everyone so now you have no excuses as to why you aren’t collecting art.  Make your home a happy home by adding something spectacular to your walls!

Most people are afraid of using white in their home because the thought of anything spilling on it is absolutely terrifying! My advice is to take the risk and go for it – at least in one room.  Take a look at these rooms and tell me how soothing they make you feel.  I for one, need a little white on white in my life to keep things fresh.

throw a little shag in there for some texture

fix up an otherwise dated room with a painted white floor and ceiling

paint that old chair that you inherited from your grandmother and make it fresh and chic

add some black for contrast and a nice pop

the dark wood floor is a perfect platform for crisp white furniture

so simple yet so sweet

a bright, white and sunny space to wake up in!

texture, wallpaper, lacquer, old and new – what a great mix!

When it comes to stripes you’re already committing to something bold so don’t be afraid to use them in small spaces, on the walls, on the ceiling, on the floor and just about anywhere you feel fit.  There are multiple ways to get your stripe on, so take a look at these rooms for inspiration and do something fun for Fall 2011.

A perfect way to add some striping to the room is to put it on the ceiling

Add stripes to one feature wall so you’re not completely striped out

Keep the stripes subtle and neutral for a soothing effect

Another subtle stripe with additional stripes in the furniture and rug

Change your basic beige wall into something with style and funk

The striped rug mimics the black and white stairs perfectly!

Bring in some sunshine with bold yellow!

I made my way out East at the beginning of last week to take a walk through The Hampton Designer Showhouse and visit with my favorite designer duo Tilton Fenwick – who are as chic as they are talented.  They created a gorgeous family room in what most would use as recreation, and pulled it off with gorgeous style and class.  As for the rest of the house there were certainly some highlights for me, but I have to say, I wasn’t blown away by all the rooms.  I found a few “tricks of the trade” and interesting ideas that I will certainly keep in my bag of tricks for future use, but other things just lay sort of flat for me — and by that I mean, I’ve seen it a million times!  The show is definitely a MUST see for those who can make the trip.  Each room will inspire people differently, which is the beauty of design, so please visit the house to see what catches YOUR eye.

 Tilton Fenwick’s gorgeous family room with hemp wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries, custom made banquettes upholstered in Schumacher’s Gainsborough Velvet 42863, ODLR tortoise parchment table from Century Furniture, curtain panels made from Robert Allen’s Ultima Alabaster, trimmed with Brunshwig & Fils’ Tamerlane Aquamarine, a cabinet by Pearson Company,  a French Chateau hanging lantern by Vaughan Lighting and a gorgeous painting entitled “Summer Sky” from Emily Amy Gallery

They clearly had a well thought out plan that was executed perfectly!

It’s all about the details and the styling!  The ostrich covered game table is a custom design by TF using “Exotica Ostrich” by Stark Fabric

The gold etagere is from Elizabeth Bauer and is vintage from the 1960’s.  You can see the wallcovering up close and personal which looks as though they’ve applied nailheads to the wall – not the case!  It’s all part of the paper

 

Look at the gorgeous slipper chair which was custom designed by TF using Muriel Brandolini “Chartreuse” fabric as their center panel and Ellora Stripe “Aqua/Jade” by Stark as their side panel fabric

This coffee table spoke to me in a “I’m simple with a hint of glam” kind of way

Meg Braff did a lovely design in both the powder room and pantry on the main floor.  Simple with a touch of sophistication and calmness you want to see in a beach house in the hamptons.

The wallpaper against the carrara marble and white cabinets is divine

Two of my favorite “rooms” in the house were the ladies’ dressing room and the men’s dressing room off the Master Bedroom.  The colors are insane (in a good way) and the strong contrasts make me want get a lot bolder with my projects.  The gorgeous hand painted mural on the wall was done by The Paint Palette.  Absolutely amazing!

Another shot!  Even the clothes have an abundance of color and groovy style

The men’s dressing room has just as much boldness with a touch of vintage

I would spend a lot of time in here if my dressing room looked like this!

The Mendelson Group did a fantastic job on the upstairs landing with their version of “The Landing Pad” using avaiation as the theme.  A perfect place to land after a long day

 

 

This is a detailed nook in the guest house by Eileen Kathryn Boyd 

The pantry/wet bar in the guest house also done by EKB. I love the reversable curtains in grey and lilac against the grey striped wall

The upstairs portion of the guest house was done by Brady Design and was done with great “pops” of color and creativity

The best feature had to be the custom painted beer pong table that rested on polished nickel work bench legs.  LOVE

These are just a few highlights so please make your way out East to see the show with your own eyes.  After all, design has much more of an impact in person!

 

 

I’m loving this temporary wallpaper by Tempaper on SALE at Joss & Main today! It’s temporary wallpaper that has the same quality and durability as regular wallpaper yet it can be applied and removed within minutes!  What a great idea for a rented space or a space you’re not completely willing to commit long term to..

Edie in Frosted Teal

 

 

It’s not often that you come across a beautifully decorated home, with soft, serene color palettes and cozy, plush furniture and assume it belongs to Ozzy Osbourne who was once known as “The Prince of Darkness”.  This month, Architectural Digest shows us a softer side of Ozzy which clearly has to be the result of Sharon’s decision making and the work of designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.  The Los Angeles home is quite remarkable with it’s eclectic mix of new and old and use of lavender throughout the MBR and sitting area.

The MBR is so soothing with the soft lavenders and de Gournay wallpaper

What a fabulous reading nook in the corner of the MBR

A bathtub fit for a king (of heavy metal)

You can never have too much lavender in one room.  Afterall, it’s the color that suggests refinement, grace, elegance and something special

Photography by: Roger Davies

While at the Design On a Dime event the other night I couldn’t help but notice all of the beautiful colors used in each vignette that added a perfect punch to each designers creation and it made me wonder what would we do without the simple use of paint.  Thanks to Valspar, I was able to see how a room can come together and how easy it is to refurbish your old furniture with a touch here and a splash there.

Valspar, who was a sponsor of the Design on a Dime event, shows you exactly what can be done with color, and while their booth might be too loud and colorful for most, think about having one statement piece in a room that would otherwise be boring and dull.  Take a look at the transformations below to see how easy it is refurbish your old furniture.

Add fun yellow stripes to an otherwise plain table

An outdated chair can become a brand new piece with a little paint and even a fun, new, modern fabric!

This desk has transformed from bland to grand with a little ‘pink burst’.  Now just imagine it with some beautiful new hardware from Anthropoligie and you’ve got yourself a smashing office!

This display cabinet obviously needs to shine and be the focal point in your Living Room

What a great idea to keep the inside of the cabinet grey and frame it with a bright “swiss coffee white’

A luggage rack is a great accent piece in a bedroom so make sure you get creative and choose your paint wisely

 

Just remember to add a little color in your life and always keep an eye out for a piece of furniture that’s looking for a quick makeover.  With Valspar paints you can bring beauty to your home