Following The Dream: A Creative Mind

I subscribe to Oprah's Thought for Today Newsletter.  If you haven't seen it, you should. There are always interesting stories, inspirational quotes, motivational essays. I read these quotes geared toward the creative mind (but apply to anyone) and wholly agree.  I wanted to pass them on...

AMEN 

I am thankful that I am able to make a career out of doing something that I am passionate about.   Creating beautiful  interiors for my clients fills me with a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction.  Sharing my musings with you is icing on the cake.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Holiday House 2012 ~ Part 2

Suzanne  Eason happened to be sitting in her room when I was there.  It's really nice when you are able to speak with the designers, because often times there are subtle references or nuances you may miss by taking a look around and walking out.  In this case the theme was "Origins of life," a birthday study.  The small space was richly layered in my new favorite color combination.  A beautiful place to work and reflect.

I recognized the Trove wallpaper right away, but did not put 2 and 2 together that it was the double helix pattern, as in DNA.  The Roubini rug features a snake with an apple in its mouth:  to tempt Adam and Eve?  The sculptures depicting Adam and Eve were created by master sculptor Daniel Williams for the room.

When a designer pays a lot of attention to detail, I tend to take notice!  Lee Robinson, who you may remember from my coverage of the Hamptons' show house is one of those designers.  The Chinese New Year celebration was apparent in his small space, but Lee made the most of it.  With its black textured ceiling meeting a decorative tape delineating the malachite papered walls, there was a lot to look at.  The decorative chinoiserie transom above the door delighted and surprised.

The trellis motif was carried around the room, and the beautiful bar was as decorative as it was practical

Walking up the steps to the third floor was a nice surprise.  I felt like I was in the hall of mirrors, and apparently, I was.  Jon Call, with the help of Robyn of J. Pocker, did a great custom and stock mirror lined hallway with a geometric ceiling.  Robyn told me it was a striped wallpaper that was cut and put back together in this dynamic way.  That idea is a keeper!  Inspired by the idea of charity, the reflective surfaces reinforce the desire of the designers to exhibit the "brave" and "reflective" concept.  That's so existential.

AH, here's a theme I could detect ~ birthday, in this case ~sweet sixteen.  What 16 year old wouldn't want such a happy place?  I know this because it says so on the door (in crystals).  Done in luscious lilac with sophisticated art and great textiles, Robyn Karp created a dream bedroom for any young girl.  A touch of coral helps keep it young and punchy.

Vincente Wolf created a Swedish Winter Dream Room.  Is that a holiday?  It is classic Vincente Wolf and it is dreamy but...

I miss the days of old where you understood and were aware of the holiday being portrayed.  As I said, the subtle reference in which to design these holiday rooms is so much more interesting than the obvious holiday themed room.  It would be interesting to see how each designer over the years put their own spin on the holidays we know, love, and celebrate ~ otherwise, isn't it just another showhouse?

Holiday House 2012 ~ Part 1

I was a tad late getting to the party, but I made it to the 5th annual Holiday House benefitting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  It was founded by Evelyn Lauder.  The portrait in the foyer was a fitting tribute to Evelyn, who lost her life last year due to ovarian cancer.

I was having a déjà vu moment upon entering the house.  I realized it has been held in the same upper east side mansion each year.  Designers are given a holiday, or choose a theme with which to base their designs.

Geoffrey Bradfield was inspired by Marcel Proust's Rememberences of Things Past.  The past and the present co exist in the kind of room Geoffrey does best.  His interiors are airy, functional spaces with a  sculptural quality.  It was opulence in black and while.

I like a designer with a sense of humor.  You'd better have one in this business!  This bust was in the fireplace and appeared to have had a pie thrown in its face.

Ally Coulter's Father's Day den is a dream for any testosterone filled man about town.  Ralph Lauren would be proud.  You could move right in; everything was picture perfect and slightly sparkly.

The house has such strong architectural lines, and the dining room with its decorative barrel ceiling is a showstopper.  It was appropriate that Inson Dubois Wood created a Venice carnavale like feeling with it's riotous mixture of art and high/low layering.

Ironically, I did detect a gun theme.  I liked the unexpected placement of the light fixture on the table.  Dramatic?  Yes!   Practical?  No!  Who says show houses have to be practical?  I think lighting these rooms was an issue.

Upstairs, Dineen Architecture and Design had the task of creating a room based on Mother's Day.  I found it interesting that they chose to do it in a slightly masculine or non-gender specific way.  It was just clean lined and well curated.  Each detail was exacting.  A space where any woman could relax and rejuvenate.

Dyfari Interiors gave a tiny room impact, suggesting it was an ode to her father.  A master tailor with a penchant for the feminine?  I could picture him down on the lower east side toiling away.  I like that a frame corralled the different colored threads and it became more than the sum of its parts.  You were suppose to feel enveloped in a men's suit with the Phillip Jeffries herringbone fabric wall covering.

Stay tuned for part 2.
I apologize for the less than ideal lighting.  It was a challenge for the designers and the amatuer photographers.