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Whats black and white and amazing all over?

words to live by...

Saw this on a wall of the UK design firm Candy Black and fell in love with their space.... 

The Era of Design

Read this great article in Forbes by Adam Swann of Gyro about how Design has been "Democratized".  Customers have become sensitized and particular when it comes to products, interiors, interfaces, etc... that have been poorly designed.  Companies like Apple and Target have raised the bar and are exceeding their competitors profits even in this economy.  We still have a long way to go, I can't tell you how many times a day I notice how poorly designed something is, whether its a bad web site, door handle or uncomfortable chair...Thanks to Susan Fireside of Winter and Construction for posting this

Waterworks

So beautiful I almost did cry...the new waterworks catalog came out today and I am in love with their new styling and new product offerings.  Please peruse their stye pages for a look see and don't forget to checkout their website for the gorgeous details.  I am particularly coveting the Industrial fixtures...and, as always Square One Studios is happy to purchase any of these items for you.

Classic

Industrial

Organic

Traditional

Eclectic

Where the Wild Things Dream

“Here is Menard's own intimate forest: 'Now I am traversed by bridle paths, under the seal of sun and shade...I live in great density...Shelter lures me. I slump down into the thick foliage...In the forest, I am my entire self. Everything is possible in my heart just as it is in the hiding places in ravines. Thickly wooded distance separates me from moral codes and cities.” 

― Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space: The Classic Look at How We Experience Intimate Places

“If I were asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace. ”
― Gaston Bachelard

That very night in Max's room a forest grew...and grew...and grew until his ceiling
hung with vines and the walls became the world all around...

Being a big fan of Maurice Sendak, I was saddened by the news of his passing today... I wanted to honor him today by showing you how he inspired me as a child... His illustrations were rich, dark and incredibly imaginative but one of my favorite drawings was this one from Where the Wild Things Are... I still have my 1963 copy that now sits on my grown daughter's book shelf.

He illustrated the perfect room to dream, taken over by the deep dark forest that opens to the world of possibilities outside, a scary world that a child can create and tame... a wonderful message.

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak

Wild and real.
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Anthropologie
artful and whimsical
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Very sweet and romantic.
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Minimal and serene.
The Forest bedroom at the Moschino Hotel.

Birds, Bees and Babies

My Etsy shop is having its first sale...after dipping my toes in the water and getting a few sales with relatively no marketing I thought I would try my hand at trying to boost sales this month by getting the word out there and offering discounts here on my blog.  Enter code SPRING25 to receive 25% any purchase.... Here is a sneak peak of my blue bird series...to be released this spring.  I've arranged the artwork along with new spring furnishings and decor for ideas on how to pull it all together.

Sometimes artwork can be the springboard to your design, color palette or mood of the space.  Because the silhouettes are both modern and traditional they with both the lazy day space as well as the romantic dining or writing room.  using the periwinkle and white in different ways can lead to two totally different applications.

If you don't have the budget for totally new art there are some ways to change a room with very little effort or expense.  Simply changing the matte color or painting the frame can give you a pop of color that can help energize a wall.  Take your kids art off the fridge and frame them.  I have a piece my daughter did in grammar school that is still hanging front and center in my living room and every time I look at it it makes me smile.

I am often inspired by nature and animals in particular... I love the symbolism and meaning they represent and the kind of totem's they seem to become for people.

So for Spring this year I decided that I wanted to create some pieces that represented the optimism of spring and what could be more auspicious than a pair of blue birds?

Thought to be harbingers of home from sailors abroad... so much so that they would get their images tattooed...Think sailor Jerry.  They have also always signified matters of the heart and love which is why I thought they would make a wonderful addition to my spring line.

Perfect on their own or for commemoration I think they would make a lovely wedding or anniversary gift.  Available now at my Etsy shop for purchase.

Also in my new spring collection are my new custom child silhouettes, that can be personalized with a name or completely customized with your child's profile!  I would love to see these framed and hung (with ribbon) on the door of your child's room.... or in a grouping with silhouettes of the whole family.

The new bee silhouette is is also being introduced and is striking in both black and white.  For your hardworking and industrious co-worker, queen bee of the PTA or book club...or displayed in a collection with my other beautiful bugs, butterfly, spider and dragonfly.

Week End Finds

These eccentric glass plates offer both a statement and graphic style.
I love the vintage feel and of course the silhouettes!

 Weekend Finds at Jayson Home and Garden... One of my favorite places to go for unique accessories. This weekend I was looking for soap dishes and happened upon an amazing selection of glass, horn and ceramic options.  I also happened upon a great terrine and fun ceramic berry cartons... which satisfied my fetish for white ceramic ware!

You know I'm partial to almost anything square, and these Moroccan tile
inspired dished in wonderful orange, lime and blue will brighten any room!

I have been wanting a horn dish for my own bathroom but had such a hard time
deciding between all of the wonderful different shapes and sizes!

These Milky white ceramic dishes are embossed with wonderfully vintage patterns.

I want to get a collection of these for my desk!  I love
the ceramic versions of these berry cartons.

I thought of my book club gals when I saw this beautiful terrine.
They were ohhing and ahhing mine at our last meet up.

BIG MOVE

While navigating the social media and networking waters I've decided to consolidate my blog and website into one... YAY! 21st century here I come! Well almost... So thanks ahead of time for your patience while I'm under construction... You may see a different format in the not so distant future but rest assured it is still me...Stay Tuned for more developments but in the meantime....

Here are some progress photos of one room of a home I am designing in glenview... A little before and after... showing you a hint of the major transformation that is to come. My clients moved into a lovely home just outside of Chicago and kept the window treatments, lighting and drapery of the previous owners...As you can see we are trying to lighten and brighten the space so that it is more like the personality of this energetic young family!

Trying to convince them to paint the woodwork was quite a task as it is with most.  Many people find wood trim to be precious even when it's not well done.  In this case the wood trim overwhelmed the space and gave the room a heaviness that was oppressive.  Even on a sunny day the room felt dark and dreary.  With the woodwork repainted the room is cheerful and contemporary!

A 30 story Hotel constructed in just 15 days you say?....I can't even get a chair delivered from Room and Board for less time!  The Broad group created this pre-fabulous wonder and has received the 2011 United Nations Champions of the Earth award for their Entrepreneurial Vision.  An amazing feat to be sure however I wonder how long it took to plan, engineer and design the building?  Kudos' should go to the project management team who ran this project so tightly! It's not just a feat of engineering but also a major feat of organization. This Hotel is energy efficient and sustainably produced, but would you want to stay there?  Is this the future of building?

Sunny Side Up Monday

I just took some photos to brighten my Monday.... and to help me reclaim my weekend of painting and rearranging my workspace.  I think the abnormally balmy temperatures have triggered my spring cleaning mode a bit earlier than usual.  I have been inspired by the amazing design palettes on Design-Seeds so I thought I would do a "Color Autopsy" of my own.  Both photos are taken using my new and improved painted work tops.... Continuing in the long line of my obsession with gray and yellow combinations.... I painted these both using a high gloss Enamel Premium Behr Paint... I am normally a HUGE Benjamin Moore Paint fan but for painting furniture I have better luck with Behr.  Despite some glitches in  putting things on top too soon, I'm ecstatic with the results! Happy Monday!

Citrus Zest by Behr, Poached Peppered Eggs with Rye Toast by Me

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I had such a hard time picking the color for this top, (formerly Benjamin Moore's Decorators White) but settled on a great Amphibian gray by Behr.

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Gnomes!

I have a confession to make.... I love gnomes!... Ever since I got a book about on Gnomes in grammar school I have been secretly obsessed.... And it seems as if I am not alone... During a recent trip to Homegoods I was gleefully surprised by all the gnomes I spotted.

BOLD Target Tuesday!

My favorite discount retailer, Target always seems to inspire me with their commitment to providing low cost alternatives for great design and great designers.... From Missoni to Dwell Studio, the seasonal offerings are always worth a "peruse".... This past weekend, my trip to Target got me oohing and ahhing at their new home decor selections.   All of the items pictured below are either in stores or online now.

Taking inspiration from Asia, Morocco and Hollywood, bold patterns and colors are the order of the day and will turn your frown upside down during these gloomy grey days in January.  If you are on a tight budget and still want to Perk things up a bit... Here are some great low cost/great looking options for you.

Try adding a new lamp in a bold shape or color and changing the pillows and some accessories, you can give your space an instant facelift!  Most of these items are so reasonably priced that you can update your room for $100-$200....

You can also do it for less by updating what you have and repainting/ recovering them.  I have seen many ugly lamps transformed into funky bases simply through one can of spray paint!  Grab that hideous animal statue at the next garage sale and paint it white, the transformation will be remarkable! ....and whatever you do, remember to Go Bold!

2012 Color of the Year

Ole' for the citrussy boldness of Tangerine Tango!

Pantone has released it's new color of the year and I must say that I do like it a lot more than I did last years honeysuckle.  I have always been a big fan of orange-reds/red-oranges so for me this is a win win.  I am even considering changing my business cards which are currently the carrot shade of orange.  I do know that when I am designing my Chinese New Year cards this year, this shade will be included!  What is very interesting is that the upcoming year ahead is the Year of the Dragon, a year of change, excitement and boldness... a perfect companion to the intensity of the Tangerine Tango.

I have included some great examples of interior spaces using the Tangerine Tango.  I especially like it when it's used alongside a neutral greige.  I love using Houzz.com to get inspired by my fellow designers.  No matter what any designer says we ALL do it.  Especially if I am not used to working with a certain palette, I love to check out how other designers have worked it out.  What's great about this site is that you have your own idea books which are collections of photos on the site.  They can be labeled whatever theme or category you need so its a wonderful reference as a designer.

The photos I have put in my idea box are from some of my favorite designers.  I love how the tangerine is used as an accent color and I especially love the pullout closet units.  What a great idea to change up an existing closet with repainting the drawers a bold color.  The painted front door puts a delightful twist on the typical "good luck" red door that we see everywhere.  One of my favorite color combo's is red and aqua and this bedroom photo below is one of my faves.  While most of my photo references are of more traditional spaces, the kitchen here is definitely Mod.  Tangerine tango helps bring energy and life to the minimal design of the kitchen....and for any room for that matter!

Monday Musing's

This past weekend I was asked to sit in and give design advice at the Chicago Home & Garden lounge. It was a great day full of beautiful fall sunshine and creative design solutions.  Helping people with their design dilemmas is my "not so secret guilty pleasure".  Seeing the light bulb go off in their eyes when I offer up a solution is intensely satisfying.  The reason why I love seeing that light go off is because I love what good design can do for people... and I love that the best design often is the most simple.

Great design makes life better, period.  Creating spaces where people feel comfortable, productive, excited, nourished, etc... is an important endeavor and affects people in profound ways.  The best spaces can stir ones senses and memory, evoking nostalgia and home.  These spaces can inspire awe, promote healing and spirituality.  On very basic levels they can help us save time by being organized and efficient as well as help us be rested by being comfortable.  If you have ever seen the opening of the Dick Van Dyke Show... you know that a good furniture layout is good for your health as well... albeit maybe not as funny.

So as I talk to these people looking to improve their spaces, I can't help think that I am helping them to improve their lives... to make their day brighter, their space more efficient, to make their walls more artful and interesting, to help them add color to an otherwise bland palette, to make them push themselves just a little so that their nest reflects their own style and personality... to help them feel as though they can express themselves confidently and creatively!

All of the people I met had stories about their lives and spaces, including their hopes for the future.  Many had watched shows on HGTV and thought designing themselves SHOULD be easier and a few found out that it sometimes isn't.  Everyone has their own issues, obsessions, defaults that sometimes are hard to overcome unless their is an objective third party.  A Design professional is just THAT person.  Designer's can see the simple solutions through the complex gobbledygook (yes that is the technical term) and offer creative options and alternatives that fit both the spaces and their lives of their client's.

Design Harvest

This weekend is the second annual Design harvest festival on Chicago' west side (Wood and Grand ave.)... it's a great mix of great design shopping, hip music, food and crisp fall weather.... For all of those who love finding those unique pieces and are tired of the typical pumpkin patch visit.... you will not only get your design fix but also get to enjoy the best of the fall season.

Yours truly has been asked by Chicago Home & Garden Magazine to offer design advice to attende's.  I will be there on Sunday from 3-4!  Check out the links below for more info.

Design Harvest

architecture for animals

An aviary to help repopulate the worlds declining bee population, a computer reality game that makes you see and perceive surroundings like non humans, a farm based theme park, an urban birdscraper....etc. all winning entries in this years animal arcitecture awards. 
Here are just a few....for more info on these amazing designs go to the link above......

Farmland World, designed by Designed With Company

The Nottingham Aviary by Amelia Eriksson. Fraser Godfrey, Ana Moldavsky, Sko Willman from the University of Nottingham

Birdscraper by Zhong Huang

Bullseye for Missoni!

Yet another reason why I love Target!..... and why I love fall... Arriving September 13 to stores near you, Missoni for the masses... With all of their patterned and colorful exuberance. Both their fashion and home lines offer the same chic, bohemian eclecticism that is oh so IT right now... and as style goes, Target continues to impress me... they get it... that low cost does not have to equal low brow...and now here's a sneak preview.... All photos are the courtesy of Missoni for Target.

For more images of their look book and more info on the line go to Racked

still rockin after all these years

Designer Richard Clarkson's Cradle Chair

I just saw Designer Richard Clarkson's Cradle Chair via 3 rings blog and thought it was beautiful... comforting and sculptural....Think giant modern Moses basket...the design is based on studies of autism's RMD (Rhythmic Movement Disorder) which has concluded that certain rocking movements help calm people with Hypo and Hyper sensory conditions.... I don't know if I would have womb for it in my living room :) but I have always fantasized about my own cool personal stroller :)

Check out the 3 Ring blog post for more info and photos here.

Mad Men Madness

 I am currently in a Mad Men/ Mid Century focussed obsession mode so I was completely elated at the the newest Etsy finds..... Check it out here Mad Men inspired Etsy finds

Returned and Raw

Back from my summer break just in time for these beautiful Jean Prouve additions!  Prouve is one of the most important designers of the twentieth century.  As one of the leaders of the French modernists, his prolific work has been translated superbly, using different materials and colors...Hard to imagine modernizing the classically modern without doing some damage but they really have done it respectfully and stylishly... G star, the dutch clothing company and Vitra worked together for two years to "revitalize" 17 of his classic pieces.  The new Prouve RAW collection is on exhibit in Weil Am Rhine, Germany (in the Zaha Hadid designed Firehouse) until August 14 and in the Fall nine out of the 17 will be available to Vitra retailers.

This Set of original Prouve's is available from Christie's for just over $95,000

The newer RAW version of the same chair is $3,600 and includes updated materials and colors

Check out the rest of the collection at Vitra's site here.