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

We all have busy lives and things we feel we just don’t have time for anymore, but the truth is, we all have at least 10 extra minutes a day to do the things that will add a little happiness to our lives.   In addition to the rain falling non stop for the last few days, I’ve had just about the worst streak of bad luck over the past month or so, and because of that, I’ve decided to come up with 10 things that will make me happy!  So in honor of my “funk” ( yes, a genre of music but in my case it’s more of a rough patch in my life! ) here are my suggestions for adding some sunshine into your home that will make those grey days seem bright:

# 1 FLOWERS

Flowers are just about the best thing you can do to lift your spirits and add color and beauty in your house.  The best part is they work everywhere!  Your bedroom, the living room, the den, the kitchen – you name it

#2 CANDLES

Scented candles can make you feel good and bring that cozy atmosphere you’re longing for after an exhausting day.  You’ll notice that retailers often have scented candles burning in their store – it’s because they’re trying to draw you in and make you comfortable so that you’ll stay longer and spend money!

#3 LIGHTING

Add lamp light to an otherwise dull and dark room so that you can cozy up and read a book or entertain guests in just the right light

#4 MIRRORS

Mirrors are a great accessory that make the space seem larger and reflect natural light that will ultimately brighten the room.  Plus, the better to see you with..

#5 PAINT

You can add a splash of paint just about anywhere but painting the back of your bookshelves adds an interesting dimension that doesn’t overpower the room with too much color

#6 PILLOWS

Change out those tired old throw pillows and add some oomph with new, trendy ikats and geometrics

#7  CLEAN SHEETS

Change your sheets more often so that when you climb into bed you have that fresh laundry scent that will help you sleep like a champ!

#8 ART

Hang a new piece of bright and cheery art in a room you spend time in – whether it’s your kids latest project from school or something you pick up from a gallery or a tag sale, art is powerful and it can bring just the right amount of inspiration

#9 ORGANIZE AND DE-CLUTTER

Nothing feels as good as de-cluttering and organizing/styling something you look at every day like your bookcase.  Make it feel like a piece of art with frames, coffee table books and chachkis galore

#10 TEXTUAL HEALING

Hang signs and use pillows that will keep you inspired and make you laugh.  Nothing like a little textual healing to get you going in the morning

A lot of people have asked for a list of sources for the items in my virtual vignette so here you go:

Jaipur tile rug from Calypso Home $750

Diamond Jacquard window panel from Target $22

Sofa from Andrew Martin $4055

Large grey entertainment center from Layla Grace

Barcelona chandelier by Quintas from Decorati

Antique white seashell mirror from Furniture from home

French provincial chairs from French Dressing

Roland bar cart from World’s Away

Green Trina Turk links pillow from Layla Grace

Mid Century floor lamp from 1st Dibs

Black Drum garden stool from The Well Appointed House

Robert Abbey green double gourd lamps from Shop Candelabra

White side tables from John Lewis

Abstract painting by Michelle Armas

Blue and White ikat pillow by Madeline Weinrib from Houzz

Don’t forget to click on this link to vote for Material Girls!

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!

Being a Jets fan certainly has its disadvantages but after watching their opening game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, I realized, once again, why I love them!   My nerves race and my heart palpitations (literally) increase as each quarter passes.  I suppose this happens with all fans, especially if your team is as unpredictable as the Jets, but to come back from what seemed like an impossible mission and win your opening game with a few game turning plays is simply glorious.  So in honor of the Jets win on Sunday night, I’d like to share a few of my favorite green and white rooms that capture pure simplicity and softness. Green is one of those colors that helps us relax whether it’s indoor or out  – so you don’t need to be a Jets fan to enjoy it!

The colorful green duvet and shams help give this room a little life!

As long as you stay with one color palette don’t be afraid to mix and match your patterns and stripes

A mix of blue and green which makes the room feel very earthy and natural

By selecting a bolder green for the walls you can keep everything else in the room rather neutral

Citrine green can pop like no other

The beautiful damask wallpaper plays perfectly with the bold stripes on the bed and the curtains

Don’t be afraid to mix your traditional greens with your more modern and bold ones

Soft and serene with a hint of green

Bright and bold

While shopping around with a client yesterday I came across some fantastic side tables, one of which I’ll have to show you once we install a pair of them in her apartment!  It made me think about all the other great side tables out there and how hard it is to choose the perfect side for each project.  These are a few of my favorites but I’m constantly finding newer creations out there that make me jump for joy (not really but I get excited!) and I hope each and every designer keeps ‘em comin’.  Nothing is complete without the perfect side!

Would you believe me if I told you this came from Ikea?

Sometimes it takes a simple drum to create the perfect beat

The Edgartown side from Oomph! and the best part is you get to choose the color that works best

An Italian iron and glass table can add an amazing dimension to the room

The Piedmont side from Bungalow 5 is perfect for bedside

The Greenwich side table is perfectly preppy and pink.  Also from Oomph

The Berkely side is also from Bungalow 5 and is a definite favorite

It doesn’t surprise me that every time I think of horses and beautiful photography I immediately think of Roberto Dutesco.  His endless and breath taking collection from Sable Island is enough to make you want to buy a horse.  Ok, maybe just a photograph for your home.  I’m currently working with a client who’s a horse back rider, owner and lover.   Can you think of anything better than a piece from The Wild Horses of Sable Island?  I can’t.  I hope I’m lucky enough one day to own one myself!

It’s the finishing touch to the room!

Makes a grand statement in a dining space by Thom Felicia

Such a soothing piece to keep this living room calm and serene

It really works anywhere.  Simply stunning

Thank you Roberto for your beautiful work.  I truly hope to appreciate it in my own home one day

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

 

One Kings Lane has had some exceptional sales lately and I wanted to share some of my favorite finds as I’m shopping around for clients, wedding gifts and even a few items to spruce up my own home.

Pop Art from HK Photography

 

John Robshaw Cyan pillow from Elegant Exotics

 

Set of 4 horn cheese spreaders

 

Makelike dark gray wallpaper from Boutique Wallpaper

Shagreen box from Oggetti

 

Green dotted vase also from Oggetti

No matter what you’re shopping for, don’t forget to check out the sales at One Kings Lane.  Chances are, they have something that you’re looking for!

When I think of summer I think of weekends at the beach, swimming in the pool, ice cream sandwiches, flip flops, sea glass, outdoor dining, BBQ’s, gnats and floppy beach hats (to name a few).  All of which I was able to experience over the weekend which made my kick off to summer that much more enjoyable. 

One of my favorite finds this Memorial Day was FLEA which is one of the most adorable shops/cafes in Rowayton, CT set up in a chic two door garage just behind Sails restaurant on Rowayton Avenue.  This shop has it all — handmade seashell and seaglass frames and mirrors, summer tunics, refurbished furniture, dog beds, throw pillows, framed artwork, perfume, jewelry, woven baskets, bookends, candles and more.  And the best part?  While you’re shopping and looking for that perfect nick-nack or funky new side table you can sit down (or take it on the go) and enjoy a freshly baked cupcake or brownie.. or better yet a homemade ice cream sandwich!  All deliciously prepared by dough*girl baking company.

How amazing is this space?

Picture frames, flip flops and stools.  You name it, they’ve got it!

Custom made throw pillows and bookends – perfect to spice up your own home or give as a gift to someone special

Cheeky little signs that are good for a quick laugh

unique paintings and candles that will light up any home

custom made computer cases and mercury glass votives

Laura and Laura (the co-founders of FLEA) will be there all summer and then some..I highly recommend stopping in to have a look around and to taste some of the freshest and tastiest baked goods around.  You can visit FLEA on their Facebook page (don’t forget to “like” them) for information and updates until their official website is up! 

I was also able to take a spin on this custom made electric cruiser which is now on my list of “things I need (want)”  For more information on these special cruisers please contact Jimmy at voltbikes@hotmail.com or call him at 917.359.1230.  The website is coming soon!