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!

There’s always something out there that will inspire us, whether it’s where we’re standing, what we’re watching, the people and colors around us and most importantly the great compositions created by the masters in design.   It’s almost a new year which means it’s time for new trends, new colors and new designers but before we move on from 2011 we need to look at the 10 best interior design books of the year.  If you’ve got champagne taste and you’re looking for fabulous inspiration and ideas,  these books are a MUST in your collection.  They also make great and easy gifts for those last minute shoppers who try to get it all done at the 11th hour.

Jeffrey Billhuber ‘Design Basics’

Thomas O’Brien ‘American Modern’

Charlotte Moss ‘Decorates’

Michael S. Smith ‘Elements of Style’

Kelly Wearstler ‘Hue’

Suzanne Kasler ‘Inspired Interiors’

Victoria Hagen ‘Interior Portraits’

Vincent Wolf ‘Lifting the Curtain on Design’

Bunny Williams ‘Point of View’

Darryl Carter ‘The New Traditional’

What a great year in design!  I look forward to seeing what 2012 will bring

When I think of bunk beds I immediately think of kids rooms and overflow in a ski or beach house — most people want to pack as many friends and family in their vacation home so why not create a designated space for the kids to hang out in.  There are all kinds of fun and creative ways to make this space friendly, safe and inventive.  If the kids love it, they might actually want to go to bed when you tell them to!

Simple and sophisticated so they don’t outgrow it!

Adorable nautical themed room with a stunning white bunk – check out the cleets that are being used as drawer pulls

Feels like another boat to me!  perfect for the spillover

Now here’s a bunk design that is great for adults – so chic!

Whatever the case may be – don’t count out bunk beds when you’re renovating or trying to maximize the sleeping space in your house.  It’s a great way to pack in the people and you can get your contractor to build you just about anything.  Let your imagination fly!

Grange Furniture recently asked me to participate in a contest for a chance to win a trip to Paris for the January Maison et Objet, and I’m pleased to announce the voting has begun!  I, along with three other bloggers, have created virtual vignettes using Grange’s popular “tray chic” coffee table, which I have to say is quite inventive and fun.  Please take a look at their website to see the various finishes and colors, and start creating your very own unique tray chic table today.  More importantly, click here to see my vignette and vote (by “liking” my vignette) for me so I can see what Paris is like in January!

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!

 

 

This weekend is the opening of The Hampton Designer Showhouse which is not only the best showhouse of the year, but also includes one of my favorite design teams, Tilton Fenwick, who created one of the most stunning “rec rooms” i’ve seen in ages.  This, of course, is my opinion only from the few photos I’ve seen online so I can only imagine what it looks like in person.  I can’t wait to get in there and take it all in!  The show opens this Sunday, July 24 and is open through September 4.  If you’re looking for inspiration or simply something to do this summer, I highly suggest making the trip to Bridgehampton

1224 Scuttle Hole Road, Bridgehamtpon, NY

Sneak peek of the room designed by Tilton Fenwick.  How fabulous are those pagoda lanterns?

One more detailed photo by TF.  I don’t want to give too much away!

I look forward to seeing the crowd this weekend and for those who don’t live nearby I’ll be posting plenty of pictures after I see the show in person.  Stay tuned for some fabulous design

 

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

 

The American Red Cross Greenwich chapter had another successful Red and White Ball at the Westchester NetJets Hangar last night and I was fortunate enough to be involved and create a tabletop design along with designer Erin Olivier.  Each table had its own flare, some flashier than others, but they were all fully admired by the 400 + guests who attended the ball.  This years host was actor Stephen Baldwin (who sat at my table!) and the honorary tabletop design chair was noted interior designer Barclay Butera.  The ball’s co-chairs were Pamela Blackwell and Elizabeth Boutry and the media sponsor was Connecticut Cottages & Gardens.

I joined the guests for the cocktail hour and was able to explain the inspiration for our table which was a Japanese theme demonstrating our support to those affected by the recent disasters.  By the time I returned to break down and clean up the table (close to midnight), the guests were still getting their groove on and enjoying one last cocktail before it was time to wrap things up for the night.  A big thank you to those who organized (Beth Dempsey, Tonette Cookson and Rachel McAree to name a few) the event and those who attended and donated to help the Red Cross with their disaster relief efforts. 

And now for the tables…

My table! (designed by Rebecca Tier Soskin and Erin Olivier).  The fabric is Brunschwig & Fils’ classic ”Le Lac” with a solid burgundy silk contrast trim on the bottom

Trim detail

Table close up

A close up of our gorgeous flower arrangement donated by Nielsens’ Florist in Darien, CT.  We provided the pogoda lantern and they did the rest!  A HUGE thank you to Nielsons for creating such a stunning center piece that completed our table!

Our napkins and napkin rings came from Pier 1 Imports and our fans are from Pearl River

One last detail shot!

Ok, enough about me!  Let’s check out some of the other fabulous tables from the ball which I have to say were slightly more adventurous and fun!

She’s got legs, and she knows how to use them!

A black rose tableskirt with solid red and black and white stripe.  I’m loving the black and white damask napkins for a pop on each plate

A simple and soothing design

Red Roses and butterflies

There’s something about a solid white arrangement that makes me happy

Unfortunately I only have a shot of the centerpiece but how amazing is this colorful blue and turquoise bird cage with bright green ferns

Another photo of just the centerpiece but again a show stopping arrangement with large birch branches and bird houses wrapped in a variety of fabrics including Quadrille Fabrics.  Designed by Amy Aidis Hirsch

Another Japanese themed table that used the bright primary red throughout their design.  There’s also an umbrella covering the table which can’t fully be seen in my photo

I like to call this table Miami Vice!  It was popping with all kinds of glam and fabulousness

Miami Vice close up!

This pucci-esque table was bursting with flavor

A picnic table design by Beth Dempsey

Looks like a Sunday afternoon in the park to me!  This table was designed by Diane James and her daughters Carolyn and Cynthia.  Take a look at their website to see some of the most beautiful faux arrangments and orchid plants out there!

All said and done the tables were fantastic, the guests looked like they had a “ball” and the Red Cross raised a ton of money for those who have been, and continue to be, affected by disasters all over the world.  Job well done to everyone involved!

 

It’s almost time for Easter brunch and while the kids are running around collecting Easter eggs and loading their baskets with candy you’re probably busy baking your honey baked ham and figuring out how to dress the table!  Check out these great ideas from Martha Stewart.  Nothing says Easter like jelly beans and baskets with tulips!

Simply pastel and perfect

Delicate dyed eggs vases

 

However you decide to set the table, I hope you enjoy your egg hunts and brunch and most importantly your time with family.  Happy Easter!

I’ve been shopping around a lot lately for abstract photographs and paintings for clients and I’ve seen some of the worst and best stuff out there - but this artist blew me away!  The colors, the composition, the ease (i think) at which she paints – it’s amazing!  Thanks to High Gloss Magazine for featuring such a great artist.  Take a look at Michelle Armas’ work and let me know what you think. 

 These paintings would snazzy up any room and be a great pop of modern color in a more traditional space