Hey Stud

Barry Dixon

We've all seen and become accustomed to furniture with nailheads.  They are beautiful accents to  furniture, but what I am loving now are all the clever applications I am seeing in addition to them being used in furniture.  I am looking at studs in a new way!

Phillip Jefferies created  multi textured papers using them

Barry Dixon has long been a fan of this carpet finish

Finishing the stairs in this way is not only beautiful, it is practical as well.  The weight of the studs keeps the carpet in place.

Creating interest on walls and other surfaces has peaked my interest.  You're only limited by your imagination.

The decorative studding design on the upper portion of the walls in this sitting area stopped me in my tracks.  The winding circular pattern, no doubt inspired by the lines of the table, creates such rhythm within the room.

Coffinier Ku from Kips Bay

Nickey Kehoe via Cococozy

A nook or self contained space is an ideal spot for a little studding.

via Room Remix

Jeffery Bilhuber 1

and 2.  Obviously a fan of the stud

I love how the designer took the design que from the Sunburst mirror .

via Green Design Services of Charlotte

 Brad  Oops, wrong file ??

Spring is Slow to Come ~

I think I have seasonal affective disorder.  I cannot take this cold, raw feeling any longer.  I have been living in a foggy, grey wasteland for what seems like eternity.  I can't remember winter being so long and so cold.  Is this a sign of age? (please say it's not just me).

I want to feel the warmth of the sun, the buds bursting forth, a kaleidoscope of color enveloping me in the birth of a new season!  Maybe that's why I have been surrounding myself with flowers.  A colorful interior palette is the next best thing ~

A little floral fantasy to interior finery in anticipation of what's to come.

Nathan Turner

                          

Alberto Pinto

Albert Pinto

I'm Lovin it... The Parson's Desk

Specifically, the West Elm Parson's Desk.  It is perfect in every way.

Legend has it that Jean Michael Frank, the French master of minimalism, asked his design students in the 1930's to come up with a piece of furniture that would keep it's integrity whether it was constructed of wood, plastic, parchment, or whatever.  West Elm reinterpreted this now iconic shape, and it is still going strong.

Jen Ramos of Made by Girl chose one for her office

Robyn Karp via Jackie Von Tobel

West Elm kept true to the iconic design with its squared legs and clean, chic design.  The elegant proportions make it ideal for any room in the house and any style of decor.  Use it as a desk, console, bed side table, sofa table; it's endless.  I guess that is why it has endured for 80 years!   I have seen it in very high end designer decorated rooms.  It's also the perfect choice for designing on a dime at $299.99 for the molded plastic model, to the NEW $599.99 all mirrored version.

Massucco Warner Miller

Sara Story

I have incorporated the other versions, but this mirrored desk is stunning!  I can't wait to use it on a future job.

West Elm

Kudos for The Serene Salon

In 2008 I did a Show House room benefitting the Pennsylvania SPCA, called DogHaus (cute, right).
 I had just returned from a trip to Turkey where I was so inspired, I knew, I somehow wanted to incorporate that into my design.  I obviously did it thru shapes and textiles.  My room was called  The Serene Salon. I wanted to do a classic sitting area.  I chose a small room on the 3rd floor.  The house was built in the late 1800's and I wanted to respect the architecture and overall feeling, so I kept the original wood floors and windows ( I polished them up a bit) and juxtaposed the old world elements with a a few contemporary pieces like the glass waterfall table, chandelier and floral painting by local artist Tony LaSalle.   The ceiling is high gloss pink which matched the ikat pillows by Madeline Weinrib.   It was a wonderful experience!   The commraderie between the designers was the best part and in the end my little Serene Salon was accepted by Schiffer publishing into their book, ShowHouses 2, which was just released.  I am proud of myself and would do it again in a heartbeat!

This is the other side of the room that is not in the book

A few details

There were gold paillettes on the silk romans

I added a water bar and ethnic accessories to the console table which was a gorgeous 18th C. antique

If you love seeing beautiful show house rooms as much as I do, from the comfort of your couch, pick up the book at Amazon.com

photos:John Armich

Dining By Design 2011

Ralph Lauren

DIFFA, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, has been fundraising since it's inception in 1984.
It includes all facets of the design/arts community.  DIFFA provides grants to organizations that provide education, treatment, and outreach to those living with HIV/AIDS.  Dining by Design has become a huge event over the past decade with major designers and events planners creating magnificent tabletop vignettes.  Here are some of my favorites:

I love Donna Karen's zen-like table setting.  It might not be condusive to talking to those across from you, however.  The water trickling over the pebbles and around the orchids invites sitting long after dinner.

Donna Karen

There's a great design que here; the panels were all painted, a very easy DIY project, if you have steady hands.  Simple flowers floating in bowls are always elegant.  And don't forget a gift for each guest!

Coffinier Ku

Vicente Wolf

It appears to be raining around the perimeter of  the table, which no doubt is helping the wheatgrass grow.

Evette Rios

I wouldn't mind dining on a bed of roses

David Rockwell

I loved the profusion of flowers and colors.  That is Wills and Kate on the plates.  Maybe in the States, we'll help celebrate.

David Beahm

I loved the Ode to the Woody.  My first car was a woody station wagon (and sometimes it was turned into a bar when we opened the back) but I NEVER drank and drove, nor did I consider bear skin rugs!

Brad Ford

Just heavenly!  I love the simple centerpieces elevated by the cloches.  The guests' names were in silver frames under glass.

Jeffery Brooks

The Butterfly Effect, "Amidst suffering and disaster, can a small gesture make an immeasurable impact?  In this vast system, we are not alone in our struggles.  We are all connected."  How prophetic!

Tug Studio

Springtime In Paris ~ Underground

We left off looking at beautiful Parisian themed displays from the Philadelphia Flower Show.  Now for something completely different.  A nitty gritty floral homage to the art work under the City of Lights.

Jim Dempsey

I was aware of the Paris Catacombs.  Due to fears of disease spreading during the 18th and early 19th centuries, bones from about 6 million bodies were taken from mass graves and overcrowded cemeteries.  The bones were relocated and entombed in the Roman era limestone quarries.

unknown

Beneath Paris is a labyrinth of tunnels snaking some 180 miles.   Artists have taken to sneaking into the catacombs any way they can to immortalize their art.  Cataphiles as they are called, gather underground looking for freedom to express themselves.

The art is as varied as the artists.  Some are fine painters, graffiti artists, sculptors, performers, or bone rearrangers.  Below are all pictures taken from the catacombs.

ph: Jerome Bon

The Wave, ph:Stephen Alverez

ph: offbeatearth

Depicted below are representations from the Flower Show speaking to the graffiti art that exists under the city.

Robert DeBellis

A tribute to an actual painting.  I wish I knew who the artist was and that my picture wasn't so blurry.

ph:Stephen Alverez

It's odd, but there is beauty to these bones.  A tribute perhaps to the lost souls.

I had no idea there was such beauty beneath the earth.  Paris really does have it all.  This requires another trip back!