A new year is approaching and it’s time to start thinking about what we want to change — not only in ourselves but in our home which will ultimately help create a happy and warm environment for us to thrive in.  We all start with the obvious resolutions such as: get healthy, cut back on the sweets and liquor, be nicer because everyone is battling something and be more charitable, to name a few. This year, why not make a resolution to fix up your home so that every time you walk through the door or go to bed at night you can feel complete.  There’s a lot to be said for selecting the right colors, the right lighting and a few things that are trending so your house doesn’t feel like it’s stuck in the late 80’s.  It only takes a few accessories or a fresh coat of paint to make these changes so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank.  Better yet, if you have friends who are looking to give more and be more charitable – put em to work!  Helping friends accomplish a project can be very rewarding and they get to enjoy the results every time they come to visit.  Not to mention free bragging rights.   This is the year to make your house a home.

 

pantone colors 2014

The first step might be to look at the colors for Spring 2014 so that you’re selecting things that are right on trend.  Bring these colors into your throw pillows, smaller furnishings, window treatments and walls.  You’ll be able to talk shop and coordinate with your clothes and handbags!

black and white stripes

A bold black and white stripe is sure to grab attention and it’s very on trend.  Think strong contrast and bold stripes

bright yellow

Bright yellow or “freesia” is just about as hot as it gets these days.  Don’t be afraid to add this bright pop of sunshine

chevron pattern floors

Chevron has been and still remains to be trendy so why not do a subtle version with the layout of your wood floors.  It will help create something new and fresh while remaining timeless

glam in the kitchen

Add a little glam to your kitchen with the back splash, lighting or hardware.  It’s all about the jewelry in the room

mixing metals

I’ve always been a believer in mixing your metals and thankfully it’s now being deemed as appropriate and trendy

orchid

Radiant Orchid is perfect for the kids bunk room or a playroom where you can have some fun and be more daring

yellow door

Say goodbye to those boring wood cabinets and doors and give them some life with a fresh coat of paint and some new hardware.  You can transform your kitchen in a matter of days and make it look like a million bucks

dark walls

Don’t be afraid to paint the walls in a dark navy.  You’ve got enough “bright” in the room with the ceiling, trim, and other furnishings to keep it airy and light.  A rich, saturated wall makes a nice statement

wallpaper

The powder room is the best place to do a funky wallpaper so go for the large geometric pattern you can’t stop thinking about!

These are just a few ideas and there are plenty more out there.  Let’s make 2014 a year to remember and finish those projects you’ve been putting off for way too long now.  I promise you’ll rest easier at night 😉

I have to admit that when I first heard people talking about the book 50 Shades of Grey I was excited to see that someone had finally come out with a book that highlighted the best shades of grey for everyone to use in their home.  It was about time that we were given a guide on what shade to use (where and when) because we all know how difficult it is to get that perfect shade of grey on our walls.  Sometimes it comes out a little too blue or has a hint of purple when all we wanted was straight up grey!  Well, the book wasn’t exactly a guide to grey paint but more of a romantic thriller that explores new love and the complexity of human connection.. and while it’s supposed to be amazing and a MUST read, it has nothing to do with decorating!  So, with that being said, I still plan on reading the book 50 Shades of Grey and I’ll continue to narrow down my favorite grey paint colors until I can create my own guide on 50 shades…or maybe  just 25.  This is where I’ll start:

Benjamin Moore 859 Collingwood

Here’s how Collingwood might look on your walls but this is obviously a room with a lot of sunlight so it’s reading as a very soft and neutral grey.  It might turn out slightly darker in your space depending on the amount of natural light you get

Benjamin Moore 2125-60 Marilyn’s Dress

What can I say other than it’s the perfect soft and subtle hint of grey

Benjamin Moore 1465 Nimbus

Nimbus is more of a greige so it has that slight beige undertone that will keep your space perfectly balanced and calm

Benjamin Moore 2133-70 Tundra

Tundra is a perfect soft grey that will keep things light and bright

These are the greys I’ve used on recent projects and been very happy with – I know I have a long way to go to complete my 25 shades of grey but It’s a start.

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!

After a long stroll and tour of the showrooms mentioned in my last post, we finally landed (and i mean we were able to sit back and enjoy some southern BBQ) at Hickory Chair where we chatted with Alexa Hampton, Mariette Himes Gomez, Thomas O’Brien and Suzanne Kasler.  They took us through their showrooms to explain how their lines were evolving and what was new to market this year.  I could go on forever about each and everyone of them but I won’t bore you with babble and I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Belle King Bed by Alexa Hampton

Thomas O’Brien’s upholstered bookcases and luxurious velvet sofa with nailheads

How amazing are these Anastasia benches by Suzanne Kasler?

Mariette Himes Gomez standing in front of her beautiful Calla bed

 

Hickory Chair is known for its timeless style since 1911 and in celebration of their 100 years in business they launched a new 1911 collection which is a must see.  These twin beds below are enough to make me want kids so I have someone to put in them!

The draping adds a little drama where drama is needed!

Gorgeous breakfront that’s available in different finishes.  Another great thing about Hickory Chair is that there are many custom options so you can make each piece your own.  Notice the blue in the interior of the cabinet – such a pleasant surprise when you open it up.

 

More to Share from Hickory Chair

Simply divine.  All of it!  Hope you are enjoying my photos from the tour of the showroom.  They say that pictures are worth 1000 words, but I can tell you that after having seen the Hickory Chair showroom in person, I can be certain that they live up to their reputation.  Each piece is crafted with quality, style and their consumer in mind.  Most importantly, they believe that building trust with their customers is most important so you know you’ll be treated with the best service when shopping at Hickory Chair.

 

 

 

I’ve just returned from the famous High Point market in North Carolina where I was able to browse through some of the best showrooms in the business, mingle with editors, store owners, buyers, publishers, designers, bloggers and more.. and let’s just say, the trip was a success.  It’s not often that you get to have lunch with  Alexa Hampton, Suzanne Kasler, Thomas O’Brien, Mariette Himes Gomez and Katharine Hable.   

Century Furniture

There were so many amazing things to see at Century this Market but a few things really caught my eye.  They have such a wonderful range and variety of pieces and styles, so it makes it easy to find something you love.  They’re constantly evolving and refreshing their lines so that what you saw as traditional yesterday, is still tradtional, but with a twist and a touch of the unexpected.

 I entered through their garden room which emerged from nature and organic inspired fabrics.  Botanicals and gardens are very relaxing and refreshing in general, so who wouldn’t want to bring that into their home?

 A gorgeous sideboard with beautiful carved details and a touch of whitewash

Notice the fern tree fabric on the headboard and the branch-like legs on the bedside table

This chest of drawers is nature at its best.  Such a great and unique piece that will catch the eye of just about anyone

Another collection that stood out for me at Century Furniture was Ed Robinson’s natural, weathered (yet practical) line seen below.  Ed knows how to push the envelope ever so slightly to create a natural feel that’s modern and approachable.

Here you see Ed explaining his line beside his gorgeous sandblasted center table with the most exquisite base I’ve seen in a long time

 A hand rendered sketch by Ed sitting on top of the actual DR table that was produced from the sketch.  Rustic yet divine!

soft and serene

The chair below was created by a student who was selected as this years winner in Century’s student design competition known as Project UDesign.  Ryland Quillen created this fabulous next generation sustainable wing chair that wowed the judges and you can see why!  What a great and fun idea to bring a new piece into your line.

Ryland Quillen’s winning chair!

 

Hooker Furniture

I was pleasantly surprised when walking into the Hooker showroom which seems to be moving more in a transitional direction as opposed to the traditional and classic styles I remember them for.  Their Melange line stood out for me the most because every piece in the line was inspired by textiles, art, jewelry and apparel rather than existing furniture.  It just goes to show that inspiration comes from everywhere and all creations come from things that are beautiful.

A beautiful silver leafed scalloped chest of drawers lined with a fun wallpaper design on the inside!

A rustic and weathered chest of drawers with a beautiful interior lining.  Notice the ornate knobs on this piece.  Hardware can do wonders to your furniture

Hand woven water hyacinth dark mahogany bed that’s even prettier in person!

 

Sligh

Sligh furniture specializes in quality home entertainment and media furnishings that are highly practical.  So much thought goes into each piece which made me realize how focused they were on their consumers needs.  If you’re going to build a media cabinet you need to think about all the elements that are going to make that cabinet function while still keeping it stylish and well made.  It was clear that Sligh did just that.

A simple yet beautiful desk with more function than meets the eye

Here you can see how they incorporated a secret outlet for all your charging and plug-in needs!

A close up of a cabinet with a lovely robins egg blue background

One of my favorite moments in the Sligh showroom was when they showed me their room filled with 1000 (almost) oragami birds which are supposed to bring you good luck.  I’ll let you know if my luck changes in the next few days.  fingers crossed!

 

Theodore Alexander

TA struck me as high end, well crafted English furnishings that will give your home a sense of  distinction.  Although I wasn’t allowed to take pictures while in the showroom I did catch the Keno brothers showing off their unbelievable new collection exclusively sold at Theodore Alexander.  This collection is a must see because of its innovative, modern approach to fine, handcrafted and extremely labor intensive work. 

The Keno brothers (known best from ‘Antique Road Show’) explaining their collection and concepts behind each design which i have to say are extremely unique and breath taking.  They have a variety of finishes which include olive ash burl veneer and tamo veneer to mention a few.  You can see the gorgeous chevron box in the foreground that was enough to make me want more. 

 

I’ll be back to share more from my trip to the high point market including one of my all time favorites, Hickory Chair.  Until then, browse around the websites of the companies mentioned above – you won’t be disappointed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my new favorite designers, Christen Maxwell, is having a BIG sale on One Kings Lane tomorrow.  Be sure to check it out and get a great deal on something new and fun for your home!  You’ll be kicking yourself if you miss this sale so put it on the calendar!

New laminated linen wrapped trays

 

There are always new designers that have a few tricks up their sleeve and Christen Maxwell is one of them.  She and her team have been busy creating fun new fabric designs that are sold by the yard as well as used to make laminated linen trays, throw pillows, lampshades, ottomans and more.  Christen was a first timer at the NYIGF this winter where her product was flying off her booth!  I had the priviledge of speaking to Christen herself and when asked what we have to look forward to she said this: ” As far as right now, we’re focusing on expanding our availability to customers nationwide, working on developing some new prints,  plus have a possible letterpress stationary collaboration line in the works.  We’re also continuing to grow our laminated linen accessories line (it’s been SUCH a hit) and work on new product development – holiday oriented (perhaps stockings and gift-y items).  Sounds like we have a lot to look forward to!  Keep your eye on the rising designer and her products by visiting her website.  You won’t be disappointed.

luxurious patterns and colors that will brighten up any room

 laminated accessories for your bath, desk or bedroom

 have a designated spot for keys?  you do now..

 this laminated bowl is great for jewelry or even nuts at your next cocktail party!

 I’ll be sure to keep you posted as Christen develops more fabrics and product in general.  Until then, shop away at her online store and take home something snazzy!

I’m on the hunt again for a client and need your help.  Does anyone know where the wallpaper in Blaire Waldorf’s stairwell is from?  Gossip Girl seems to be catching the eye of a lot viewers.  Not only am I looking for this paper but I have another client whose 15 year old daughter wants Blaire Waldorf’s bedroom!  Looks like the Upper East siders are onto something ..of course it helps to have an endless budget.

Where is this wallpaper from???

Blaire’s glamorous room

Another view

Target strikes again.  Dwell Studio, John Derian, Liberty of London..What’s next?  If you’re looking to spice up a room on a small budget don’t forget to shop at Target for those necessary and affordable items that just might make your dull room shine!  I’ve selected my top 10 list below and will be doing plenty of holiday shopping online with the bullseye free shipping!

Carlyle wall mirror

Chevron throw pillow by Dwell Studio

Suzanni bedding by Dwell Studio

Floral rug

Liberty of London throw pillow

Thomas O’Brien linen stiped sheers

Tear drop lamp

Chandelier wall decal

Outdoor wicker furniture

John Derian – all of it!

 

One of the best aspects of the bedroom is the bed where you lay your head every night to sleep.  It’s the one thing and the one place you can honestly say you’re going to use every day – hopefully for at least 8 hours.  With that being said, why not make your bed a stylish and comfortable spot to rest and install that upholstered headboard you’ve been dreaming about.  They come in all shapes and sizes and the best part is you can dream up and create your own shape!  If you’re extra crafty and can handle a big project there are all kinds of instructions on the internet that show you how to make your own headboard.  However,  if you know what you want but don’t quite have the patience or the skills- ask your local upholsterer to make it for you.  Take a look at some of the different headboards below and decide which style best fits your head!

 

Sleep tight!