And the winner is...

I am happy to just be nominated but.... won't you take a moment out of your busy schedule to vote for Carrie's Design Musings for best interior design blog 2014?  I know what you're thinking, but just do it.
Please!
We did it last year, let's do it again this year and keep the momentum going!  Come on people, it's a call to action  ~ vote here *  Voting closes March 1st, so hurry

While I am not competitive by nature and am happy to be mixing and mingling with design minded people, this helps keep me on the radar of colleagues, PR people, manufacturers, and industry experts who educate, sometimes entertain, and inform us every day.  This blog has given me so much joy and enhanced my life is so many ways!

 

While you're at it, and at the risk of pushing my luck, I have been nominated by someone to another distinguished list!  Vote here *  Voting closes March 31st

As I approach my 450th post, your vote would make a great gift.  (It doesn't cost anything and it always fits).  It is so gratifying that people like you actually read my lil ole' blog and keep coming back.

 Ally Coulter

Thank You, I am grateful

XO,
Carrie

Altuzarra:Slow and Steady

Spring 2014

This coming season's collection is full of basic pieces that are completely wearable, global in appeal, simple, and modern.  The use of the c word:  Commercial (get your mind out of there gutter) is not a word Joseph thinks about often when designing.

At the 5 year mark Joseph Altuzarra is really hitting his stride.  I like each collection a little more every season.  You see the growth and refinement in his designs.  That is exactly what he intended.  He is in no hurry, as building an American luxury brand takes time and patience.

Double faced cashmere, fine tailoring, and attention to detail are the hallmarks of the Fall 2014 collection and what will keep Joseph in the game for the long haul.  Altuzarra's interest lies in the subtle elegance of simplicity of the clothing and moving slowly and precisely, growing his brand for the next generation.

Hand loomed textiles were part of the fall collection after Joseph was inspired by fiber artist
Sheila Hicks on a recent trip to Art Basel.

The cloth is cut so beautifully and expertly, you can almost wear these pieces inside out.  Think humble pieces ~ elevated.

Known for his American meets French aesthetic, somewhat sexy and sophisticated, the Altuzarra woman might be a little older.  She has taken care of herself, exercises, watches her diet, and MAYBE has had or will have a little plastic surgery.  She isn't at all interested in looking grandmotherly.  These are loosely Joseph's words not mine, but being a woman of a certain age, that resonates with me!  Ultimately though, the Altuzarra woman is anyone who appreciates fine design, elegance, and ease.

For such a young man, he really has an understanding of a maturing woman.  He must have an old soul.  Joseph believes, "There is grace and beauty to be found in comfort" while still being sexy and wanting to feel beautiful.  Amen!

ph:style.com

Into the Fringe

via style.com

I thought my wild child days were behind me, but all these fringe elements are making my heart race and are bringing me back.  I loved fringe, tassels, and adornments of all kinds.  Then the look was streamlined, and clean lines reined supreme.  The pendulum swings both ways.  Everything tilts in the other direction again eventually.  We are going to see more embellishments in a multitude of ways, in a multitude of materials.  I do love me some embellishment!

Even Celine, noted for a less is more approach, is getting in on the act ~

Celine wild child 

The fringe benefit of this little decorative gem is ~ it can look rustic, classic, bohemian, southwestern.  It's application and versatility make it dramatic, feminine, historic, or quirky.

Mia Pendent, Circa Lighting

Altuzarra, ph:ImaxTree

Donna Karan

Giuseppe Zanotti

You know this means bullion is back.  I love the classic look of the trim gracing the bottom of a sofa.

Valentino embraced fringe!

as did Ralph ~

Ralph Lauren,ph:Giovanni Giannoni

via Cindy Hernadez

and Givenchy ~

and Oscar ~

Oscar de la Renta

It's a movement and it's having its moment.  Can the tassel be far behind?

The Red Room

RED = Love, passion, lust ~  it makes your heart beat a little faster and your pulse race!  It is energetic, vivacious, glamorous and it conveys the message that you are too!  Matter of fact, no other color conveys so many (mixed) messages because it also coveys warmth, anger, blood, death.  After all isn't it said they are closely related?

Alessandra Branca

Miles Redd calls red the perfect clarifier.  It looks great paired with equally intense colors and sharpens a softer, contrasting palette.  It makes everything around it more interesting.  Like a great red lip on an otherwise makeup less face, sometimes it's the answer for a little pick me up.

David Hicks

All shades of red are chic.  Whether you dress an entire room in it or use the bold color as an  accent, it really wakes up the eyes and amps up the drama.

Marrying dark colors together, like orange, fushia, black, almost downplays the energy of the red but if you combine it with a pastel or neutral; pinks, whites, beige, the red becomes the focal point.

Ruthie Sommers

Woodson and Rummerfield

It's also surprisingly neutral, meaning it goes with anything, REALLY, it is all in the mix!  Red is  versatile, it's moody, it's anything you want it to be.  It helps lift up those colors around it, it gives them confidence and energy.  That's a beautiful thing!

Anne Hepfer

Oberto Gili

It can convey sugary sweetness or sensuality  and elegance. It works equally well in a kitchen as it does in a nursery.

Kathryn Ireland

Suzanne Coleman

Martyn Lawrence Bullatd

MLB

While red in a room might not be for the faint of heart, who wouldn't want a little more passion in their life?  As Diana Vreeland once said, ‘All my life I’ve pursued the perfect red."and Bill Blass said, "when in doubt wear red."  There's a shade for everyone.  Pump up the volume this Valentines day. GO RED!

Gift Show Round Up continued...

I was so pleased to meet Michelle Quan at the show.  I love her work and became a fan after learning of her at Canyon Ranch.  See story here.  Her new work may have become more sinister looking with the knives and skulls, but no less appealing.  She said that installation at "the ranch" had a wide reaching effect.  It just proves what I always say, "You never know what will come of something, so try anything."

Pelle re-imagines the possibilities of objects and spaces around them from an architect's point of view.  I liked everything in their booth; each piece is strong enough to stand on its own.

If this set of drawers isn't a perfectly creative solution to a tight New York entrance hall, I don't know what is.

Judging from the crowds at the Woolrich and Pendleton booths, the Southwest style and the look of their blankets is peaking again ~ As I predicted, FYI...

Cloud 9 had a great assortment of pre-made pillows in stock, but what really excited me was

the ready made curtain panels that come in 2 lengths, embellished with trim, embroidery or rivets, that make the window treatments look like you're getting a lot of bang for your buck!
Note to self:  Place an order!

Dransfield and Ross are always ahead of the curve.  They displayed chinoiserie and indigo.  Two looks we have talked about before.

Tommy Mitchell continues to guild the lily or chrysanthemum or daisy in his new lighting collection. The giant metal flowers are really eye catching.  Whether as part of a pendant or mounted in shadow boxes hung in multiples, they are striking.

Gold Leaf Designs has been busy creating more interesting wall play.  I wrote about it here.  Their inspiration always comes from nature.  The new offerings, whether from the forest or under the sea, make big impacts in small spaces.

This rubberized board is another clever design.  It's made from recycled materials.  The thick looking rubber band like board can display awkwardly shaped items, or you can create an art installation, or the air plants and succulents look pretty interesting.  I can think of a multitude of things you can do with this inside or out.

Something similar, albeit less pliable.

These laser cut papers can be applied like paper, used in windows to create a little privacy, cut, colored, framed; you are only limited by your imagination!

I'll take one of everything ~ with a cherry on top!

I have seen theses cuties in shelter magazines of late.  Oversized tabletop sculptures really make a statement and make me hungry from BHCollection.