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

In honor of Valentines day (and my dad’s birthday), I thought I’d post some of my favorite images that remind me of the holiday filled with lots of pink!  To be honest,  pink has been on my mind a lot lately – not because of Valentines Day but because I’m working with two different clients who absolutely adore it.  It’s opened my eyes and made me dig deep to incorporate just the right amount and shade of pink without going overboard or creating something that screams cotton candy!  So with that in mind,  Here are the images that grabbed me and inspire me to be more daring :

Happy Valentines Day to all!  I hope it’s filled with love and inspiration..

It’s been one of those weeks where I’ve been stretching myself so thin, I feel as though there’s got to be a more efficient way to get things done.  I’m meeting with clients, painters, contractors, architects, shopping, returning, cleaning up after a painter (i’m not above it), pinning, blogging, creating contracts, putting out fires (not literally), billing, creating, scheming and the list goes on.  Wouldn’t it be nice to hire some help to get you through the busier weeks but not pay for full-time help?  Well, wake up NYC – Designer Attache has arrived and they’re here to help only when you need them.  I like to call them designer 911 but their real names are Brittany and Nicole.  These two design extraoidinaires have started a business that offers assistant design services to interior designers by the hour or for a flat fee by project.  If you’re like me and you can use an extra hand or two, give them a call.  They’re ready to save you!

Brittany and Nicole

I found another artist (Mimi Chen Ting) who brightened up my day so I had to share her playful pieces with you.  I can see these compositions and colors in all kinds of rooms and spaces – especially if it’s on the traditional side and you’re looking to make a modern statement.  Take a look at her work through Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery and let me know how you feel after a viewing.  It should be cheery!

Your house is never fully complete until you have a dining room (casual or formal) where you, your friends and family can sit down and enjoy good food and good company.  It’s the one place in your home that brings everyone together so why not make it the one place that everyone enjoys and wants to spend time in.  Take the time to think about the style and design of the space.  Should it be cozy and comfortable, bold and colorful, a mixture of old and new?  Whatever look you’re trying to accomplish, make sure it’s well lit and there’s plenty of space for everyone to gather around.

This is a great blend of old and new

Perfect contrast between the table and chairs

A beautiful airy room in Malibu

A modern square is the perfect table to include everyone in the same conversation

Light and bright by the sea

Traditional with a twist of modern

A smaller, city friendly scene

Is it true that Lonny magazine has closed it’s digital doors or will it live on under the supervision of Meredith Corporation?  Check out Curbed.com for the full story and see what the talk around town is.. . I, for one, want the real 411.  Michelle Adams, editor in chief of Lonny Magazine, has an exciting announcement to make.  Let’s just hope it means Lonny will stay afloat in some form – we need these younger, fresher, hipper magazines to thrive so that we can continue to gather inspiration from innovative ideas and sources.  Plus, it’s much better for us decorators to have more places to display our work once we’ve completed a project.  wink.

I’m back on the art hunt – this time I’m looking for something colorful and bold for a nursery and as I’m browsing through, what feels like the entire world wide web, I came across this print gallery that caught my attention.  Cozamia has a variety of art filled with beauty and energy and it’s sure to brighten up your space.

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

Are you still searching for that last minute gift but the thought of spending more money is killing you?  Well, say no more – your perfect gift idea is here!  One Kings Lane has teamed up with Paperless Post and has designed these “Thoughtful Gestures” e-cards to give to friends and family to let them know you care.  It’s thoughtful, easy and FREE!  Give the gift of love this season by clicking here and selecting your favorite thoughtful gesture.

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!