Lately, I've been in the mood to design a space that's soft and feminine. A timeless combination when done well is the perfect shade of pale pink accented with warm brass/gold tones. This is a great example. I'm going to try to pull a few more images to show a broader example of when it's done well. I have a few photos that I keep in my archives that I will post tomorrow.

This is the Trina Turk boutique in Los Angeles designed by Kelly Wearstler. You can see more photos of the interior by going to Trina Turk.

Color In Small Doses

I admit that my own home is a neutral palette because I tire of color easily. When my clients request color, I jump at the chance to embrace their favorite hue. One of my guilty pleasures is checking in on the latest runway trends when it comes to nail polish. I crave small doses of color; however, I oppose trendy interiors that follows fashion unless you are designing office space, retail or hospitality - favorite areas of design which I have worked on in the past. Color is a beautiful thing...it can be inspiring and it definitely evokes moods. Don't be afraid to explore color in your home or if you're like me at least on your nails.

Clear Up Clutter

I don't think I have ever taken on a project that doesn't teach me something new. That's why I love designing. There's always a challenge to overcome or solutions to unfold throughout the process. Everytime I have that "ah ha" moment when things just click into place, I realize it's not a new idea but something I've seen many times over and have just truly found a practical purpose for it. Recently I redesigned an office space and learned something about organization in the process. Are we ever truly organized? Take a look at these solutions below and some tips from the pros about office organization.

Have Fun With Color:
Choose a good mousepad or desk blotter from www.seejanework.com. Desk blotters are actually one of those things you don't think of buying for a home office or workspace but they have many functions. They create spaces to contain and organize the many things on a desk top. They provide a great surface to bear down on when writing a hand written note or sticky note. They also change the color of an otherwise dull solid color workspace.

File storage is Key:
Add a countertop to lateral files to create a work table above.

Displaying Art

Art is a personal expression of one's own taste. It's as important how you choose to display art. Most paintings can stand alone with the proper lighting. I always recommend bringing in a lighting consultant if you have an important collection. When properly lit, art comes alive. Many of my clients prefer art walls or collections of family photos on a gallery wall in their home. Here's a few of my faves.

Designed by Eric Cohler

Ralph Lauren - Chicago Store


Ralph Lauren's Montauk Residence

Metropolitan Home

Blair Gordon's Residence

Spotlight::Outdoor Spaces

Fabrics by Trina Turk

Spring is almost here which means it's time to start planning your outdoor spaces. I recommend to my clients that you begin now so that the furniture you order arrives in time to enjoy that first warm day. Also, planters and many accessories go quickly and supplies are limited.

Fabrics above and below by Maria Flora available at Kolo Collection

Make your outdoor space fun fabulous and chic. Enjoy having guests come over and dine outdoors especially if you are in Chicago:) where the outdoor season is exceptional but doesn't last long.

Viceroy Santa Monica

Sutherland Furniture

Check out Kolo Collection for great outdoor furniture and accessories. They ship anywhere and they are now carrying a new line of outdoor fabrics, Maria Flora, from Italy that are extremely fashion forward outdoor fabrics. I stopped by the other day and saw some pretty fabulous designs. The hand of the fabrics are so soft, it's unbelievably plush for outdoor fabrics. Have little ones? You can use these fabrics indoors as well!

Last year orange was the hot color trend...this year look out for aqua, teal and watery blues mixed with sunflower yellows. Go ahead, turn up the brightness!

LA Spotlight: Dennis & Leen

I love to travel so any chance I get to hop a flight to a great city, I jump at it. The last time I was in LA I travelled with my girlfriend who is also a designer. We went on a furniture shopping trip. One showroom I didn't want to miss was this one.


Dennis & Leen Showroom

Dennis & Leen makes some of the finest furniture.It's located just off of Robertson Blvd on Melrose Ave. near the Pacific Design Center. If you are in Los Angeles, you must stop in and see their gorgeous furniture& lighting. If you are in Chicago, you can see a selection in the Holly Hunt Showroom on the 17th floor of the Merchandise Mart or talk to your designer. The furniture has a rustic yet refined feel. Take a look: http://www.dennisandleen.com


I love the taupe painted doors with the vibrant green boxwoods.

Renew Your Spirit in 2010

I just tried out the new Soul Cycle spinning gym in NYC on the upper east side. I cannot recommend it enough. The design is fresh! The class made me feel re-freshed. If you live in NYC or are going for a visit, I suggest you sign up today to get into a class.

http://www.soul-cycle.com/

The wait lists can be long if you wait until the day before to sign up. It's a great way to kick off the new year. The music is killer, the instructor had so much energy, and the overall vibe is great. Maybe they will open one soon in Atlanta or Chicago. We can only hope.

I hope the new year brings everyone a renewed, creative spirit!

American Gourmet in St Barths

One of the best things about St Barths is the quality and variety of food and dining. While visiting there recently, I came across a market called American Gourmet. The name of the shop made me wonder for a minute if this was not a little out of place in St Barths where everything is French with a capital "F" if you know what I mean. As I got closer, I saw a list of chefs, the who's who in the cooking world, noting that their products were for sale inside. Now I was intrigued, this wasn't an island knock-off of William Sonoma. Quite the opposite, inside I found neatly lined up products that only the finest of foodies would know what to do with. It was Ahhhmazing! While walking through the aisles, I was imagining the gourmet meals that the chefs on the yachts parked right outside in the harbour were preparing in their kitchens at this moment. I mean, come on, really? This is truly what it means to live "the good life".

Photo of the owner of American Gourmet

I drifted around feeling like I was in a Nancy Meyers film eavesdropping on a conversation that the owner was having on his cel about how quickly he could have fresh Kobe Beef delivered to the yacht. I wandered over to the counter when he hung up the cel. I introduced myself and told him how much I enjoyed his market. He asked, "Do you know Diane Von Furstenburg"? I said of course. He proceeded to tell me that he was just speaking with her to prepare the menu for her family when they arrive next week (for Christmas). Before this, I could only imagine who his clientele was that demanded this level of novelty foods. Now, it was confirmed.



Me standing in front of the shop.


A wonderful selection of teas.


Fois Gras to feast your taste buds on. (click for a larger view)


An amazing assortment of chocolates from all over Europe.


Olive oils that are packaged in bottles that look like designer parfumes. As an interior designer, I was envisioning styling a recent kitchen I've designed for a photoshoot with these bottles lined up on the Carrera marble counters.



More olive oils and sea salts from every ocean.

Here's a preview of one of the stocked shelves.

St Barts...coming soon

My blog is taking a break today so that the Viceroy Hotel is not overshadowed by tomorrow's post. I'll give you a hint...gourmet food shop in St Barts.

Kelly Wearstler::Viceroy Anguilla

Sorry for the lag in my posts. As the photos below tell the story; you will see we have been away on vacation. My husband and I were fortunate enough to be the very first guests to check into the new Viceroy Hotel & Resort in Anguilla on December 16th. They had a soft opening earlier in the year. The place is stunning. The design and architecture teams were still frantically unwrapping furniture and postioning it as we wandered around. I didn't mind at all. What designer can't relate to the last minute race to the finish line.
Our initial reaction was that the architecture is absolutely amazing. Then we were escorted to our beautiful guest room with a two-story balcony and plunge pool. It was there that I began to see all of the unbelievable attention to detail in the fine furniture and fabrics that were used throughout.

Let's just say... there wasn't anything cut from this extraordinary budget. Or at least it didn't seem that there was. Waterworks & Dornbracht fixtures, Sferra sheets and towels, Kohler sinks...

We loved every minute of our stay. The service was outstanding. Virgil, the director of sales and Jan, the general manager went above and beyond what any staff has ever done for us to make our stay quite special. Thank you for being so wonderful. Because of your hospitality, we hope to make this an annual trip and bring our friends and families in the future.

Let's get down to business...the design:

The Oh So Amazing...Sunset Lounge.

These french chair are upholstered in a green cow hide.


The floors and ceilings are also design elements.


The gorgeous Coba Restaurant:


Welcome to your 5 BDR private villa...where you will find your private butler, private nanny quarters, laundry room, kitchen, infinity pool, hot tub, outdoor grill, outdoor dining table. I could go on and on. Like I said earlier, there were no details left undone. They thought of everything and more.


I love the bed side mirrors made from horn.


One of the 4-5 private bathrooms.


Only Kelly Wearstler would dare to upholster bar stools at an open-air bar with black cow hide. Exquisite. (see photo below).


The barstools below are my husband's favorite. They were quite the conversation piece.

Every evening while sitting in the Sunset Lounge with cocktails in hand, my husband and I had conversations about how Kelly Wearstler dares to go beyond where anyone else will go. I love this about her as a designer. I also love that my husband will have these conversations with me. Ha!



Our lovely bedroom:



I find that I am at a loss for words to describe this fabulous place. So if you have the good fortune of experiencing it yourself, please send your comments to me. I will try my best to paint a narrative through the photos we took and make comments about the fabulousness. What impressed me the most was Kelly Wearstler's use of materials, textures, and color. Black cow hide on grey oak barstools sitting at an open air bar on the beach. The casual elegance of linen slipcovered sofas with throw pillows that looked almost thrown together effortlessly in tones of grey. Cerused oak furniture played nicely off the italian travertine backdrop of floors and walls. It was so delicious I wanted to eat it. Ok, not literally. As a designer, you get bathed in all of these wonderful things and then they somehow slowly get edited out of your design scheme as the realistic conversation of wear and tear and "is it childproof etc" come up?



Need I say anymore? The photos speak a thousand times better than I can about this beautiful place.

Worth The Wait...More To Come

There are very few times where architecture and design are so successful that they satiate the senses beyond words.
Stay tuned...tomorrow.

French Inspired Side Tables...

Recently, a girlfriend asked me to help her find reasonably priced side tables for her formal living room. When she came down for my wedding; she absolutely fell in love with the decor of the St Regis Hotel in Atlanta. So I went searching and found several options that reminded me of the french inspired interiors at the hotel. I'm hoping she likes what I found. Jordana, what do you think?

All of the above side tables are from Global Views to the trade only. Please email me if you are interested in getting more information.

Antoinette Side Table with mirrored top from Hickory Chair.

The East Paces End Table (above) is part of the Suzanne Kasler line at Hickory Chair. It's a perfect size end table and is one of my favorites when ordered with the black absolute honed granite top. I wish I could find a better photo of it, but trust me, it's great!!