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NOLA recap #2

laura — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:00:12 +0000

I am back from a great trip to Louisiana visiting my husbands’ family. I spent a day last week in New Orleans while staying in Baton Rouge. My morning started with a visit to Eclectic Home, where there is tons of neat lighting, fun accessories and great looking furniture. I was looking for a few things for a client, and they couldn’t have been nicer or more helpful!

I took a quick swing through Gerrie Bremermann and Passages Antiques.Next stop wasInterior Designs which has great upholstery, lighting and prints.

One great thing about the blogging and design community is that you get to know people over email, and then when you meet them you feel like you already know them a bit. I have been reading The Gimlet Eye for a while, emailing with Jessie, and I got to meet her in the morning which was a treat.

Next I went toPerch and spent some time with the owner Caroline Robert, who writes a great blog and is a very talented designer. Perch always has the most hip looking art, lighting, chic accessories and it is all mixed with comfortable furniture.

Valerie Hart aka. The Vamp (who works at Perch and is the coolest woman in nola) arranged a fun lunch at Coquette on Magazine for a few bloggers and shop owners and we had a great time.

Thanks to Beki (blue dress) from ArtsyCraftyBabe who posted this photo on her blog. At lunch I sat in between Caroline and Fifi Laughlin and across from Valerie. I know, lucky me! Fifi makes fabulous lamps, which I wrote about last summer.She sells her lamps in the back rooms of Kathy Slater’s shop on Magazine, they are worth a stop!

After lunch I had a kaput car battery, and the talented decorative painter and blogger Mitch Settoon tried to help me jump start it but no dice.

So while I sorted out my car issues, I got to hang out with Julie Neill and the fun girls in her two shops. A big thanks to Julie, Christine and Jennifer for helping me out in a pinch!!

If you are in town be sure to check out her new shop with Shawn O’Brien N + O (Neill and O’Brien/New + Orleans = CLEVER!) down the street, it is amazing. I had a few more stops that I didn’t make it too, but most importantly I did pick up my husband at the airport on time. I am looking forward to my next trip!

Stay tuned for NOLA Recap #3, possibly a two-day adventure.

it’s Sharp: a life in full color

laura — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:00:07 +0000

I enjoyed the article in this month’s Vogue (Tina Fey cover) about Christopher and Suzanne Sharp’s home in London and some background on their interesting life together. It discusses their travels in which they have purchased many of the eclectic items found in their home and the formation of the Rug Company in London in 1997. Their home is a combination of bold colors and funky geometric patterns.

The Rug Company website shows a range of their rugs designed by some of the world’s top designers.

A life in full color, right up my alley.

click here for the Vogue Article and click here for the Rug Company site.

Photo Credits: Francoid Halard for Vogue (1-5), the Rug Company

Stencils with Sunny

laura — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:00:44 +0000

Thank you to the WASHINGTON POST for including this post in the BLOG WATCH

It’s not wallpaper….

Stencils are a great alternative way to add a decorative design, whether it is giving contrast to the floors,

or to the walls…

or by giving some new life to old furniture.

What a cute idea to put up a monogram in a girls bedroom.

My new favorite source for stencils is Sunny’s Goodtime Paints in Richmond, VA.

The website is full of helpful tutorials and fabulous products.

I found Sunny’s business when she left me a comment on my blog and a link to her site.

What do you think? Do you love the look of stencils too?

Photo Credits: All from Sunny’s Paint but #1 via Fabulous Finishes

LCI Giveaway with All Modern

laura — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:00:28 +0000

It’s the first LCI Giveaway!

All Modern is giving away one of these items to one of my lucky readers. Simply leave me a comment letting me know what item you would choose if you win and a winner will be randomly selected next week.

Choose from this fun bowl,

this great creamer and sugar set,

or one of these fun throw pillows!

All Modern has a fantastic selection of modern furniture and home accessories from many leading designers. Part of CSN Stores, All Modern is just one of over 260 retail sites that offer a diverse array of products from Herman Miller’s popular Aeron Chair to cookware by Rachael Ray. This giveaway is only open to US residents because of shipping restrictions and limited to one comment per reader. Maybe something for yourself or a head start on a Holiday gift?

To leave a comment simply click on the word “comments” below. Enter the information and which product you hope to win. Your name and email address will not be shared with anyone.

I know what I would choose, how about you?

LCI Ten Tips for Kids + White Rooms

laura — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:00:47 +0000

Last week I received this email from a reader: ”I keep reading about designers picking sturdy, stain resistant fabric, but without more detail. In other words can I have a white room that is child proof? “ I feel that the best room is one that is great looking, but simultaneously meets your current lifestyle. This reader has a 3.5 year old boy and almost 2 year old girl? My bottom line answer to her is yes with conditions….Here is my top list of ten ways to have kids + white rooms.

1. Use a few pieces of white furniture (consoles, side tables, etc), all in varying shades of white. This will give variety and depth to the space. White furniture is easy to clean and touch up if it gets scratched.

2. Zippers and Scotch Gaurd on seat cushions. When I need fabrics pre-treated I send them to a company (Proseal Plus) who specializes in this before sending them on to my upholsterer. They also sell a special cleaner to be used on fabrics that have been treated. I tell you that this stuff works miracles. Zippers allow for cushions to come off easily and be spot cleaned or partially replaced.

3. Slipcovers are also a good way to get longevity out of a fabric. If there is a spill or damage to one part of it a seamstress or workroom can replace that section. Make sure to buy a few yards extra in case your fabric gets discontinued or runs out of stock. Slipcovers can be very fitted and tailored, using them does not mean you have to do the shabby chic look.

4. Skirt around all white, this is where I fake it a little yet still achieving the look of all white. Some of the upholstery should be a khaki or neutral color that will wear a little better. The upholstery is going to get the dirtiest. You can always add white throw pillows on it as well.

5. Durable fabrics to me mean a workhorse fabric. It can get pulled, jumped on, spilled on, and still last a long time. In order for a fabric to be considered really durable it has to pass the Wyzenbeek Test. The Association for Contract Textiles uses this guideline for heavy duty fabrics intended for general upholstery. Contract fabrics are stronger than residential upholstery fabrics and many companies make fabrics that are contract grade and still comfortable.

ACT GUIDELINES
General Contract Upholstery
ASTM D4157-02 (ACT approved #10 Cotton Duck)
15,000 double rubs Wyzenbeek method

ASTM D4966-98 (12 KPa pressure)
20,000 cycles Martindale method

There are many residential grade upholstery fabrics that meet these standards. If you are shopping for fabric the information card about the fabric would say exceeds 15,000 double rubs (or something similar). I call it the tushie test. You can sit on the fabric 15,000 up and downs before it starts to fray. Strong Cottons, Linens, Twills and Velvets fall into this fabric category. This Robert Allen fabric (Chevalier) is a cotton and viscose blend. It has passed the Wyzenbeek test and comes in a bright white too but it is too hard to see here on the white background, so here it is in Pearl. Keeping the price of the fabric reasonable will also help to prevent a complete breakdown should #10 happen…

6. Mix in light and dark wood. It may not be white, but I feel as though our senses need some differentiation.

7. Be open in your rug choice- We have an Oriental rug in our LR and it hides every fleck of dirt that comes through there. Rugs with white in them show dirt immediately and and sisals can be a good alternative but aren’t always as comfy on bare feet. I know I have posted this picture before but it is quite applicable. Mariette Himes Gomez achieves the look of a fresh and bright white room while still using an Oriental rug.

8. Top White Paints: My favorites are BM (Benjamin Moore)- Super White, Cloud White, Linen White and China White. Use it in an Eggshell finish which is more easily cleanable than a flat paint. It is more expensive but for a very high performance, cleanable and durable paint ask for a BM Aura.

9. Colorful accessories also help to give some dimension to the room.

10. A good and realistic attitude. Stuff gets dirty to begin with, with kids it gets dirtier and white shows it the most. But if you can and want to constantly keep children somewhat clean, no crayons, no shoes (if you can), no food or drinks (at least for the kids), no pets on the furniture and pre-treat your upholstery you can do it. Life happens and you should enjoy your home as much as possible. If it is going to make life too hard on you and your family to have a white room right now, wait until your kids are older.

It was good timing that I got this email. The talented writer and blogger Courtney Barnes (aka. Style Court) wrote a post called “Surfing Inside” about designer’s attitudes towards kids and their rooms last week. She was kind enough to ask for my opinion on what happens at our house. If you want to a bit more of a peek into what goes on at my house and some other of my favorite bloggers thoughts on the subject take a read through her great post click here. Thanks Courtney!

Do you have a topic you want to know my opinion about? Send me an email….I am open to any and all reader requests. I would love to hear comments from everyone on this one and so would the one who asked! Even if you don’t have kids, I hope that these tips are helpful in creating a long lasting white room! Anyone have any other suggestions? Do you have an all white room and love it or regret it? Can you do it or do you want to?

Photo Credits: Domino Magazine (1,3) Shakin Style (2) Cottage Living (4) Robert Allen (5) Victoria Hagan (6) Mariette Himes Gomez (7) Phillipe Starck (8) Cartoon Stock (9) Courtney Barnes (10)

John Robshaw & Garnet Hill

laura — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:40 +0000

John Robshaw is a very talented textile designer.

His line of bedding and throw pillows is now availble through Garnet Hill.

Pretty and affordable. Oh happy me!

Test of Time

laura — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:00:19 +0000

There are a few key pieces when furnishing a home that you can count on to last a very long time if you pick the right ones. Often people say that their styles have changed or that they have grown tired of their furnishings. Here are a few key pieces that I feel will stand the test of time.

A tight back sofa. Clean lines with not too oversized arms.

A durable fabric and some throw pillows and you are set for a long time.

A beautiful lightly tufted Jansen sofa with just the right proportions.

Chinoiseriehas never gone out of style and it never will. I can’t resist papers by de Gournay.

Even with contemporary furnishings and accessories the wallpaper still looks great.

A wing chair is also a good investment. There are many updated versions of the wing chair so it doesn’t have to look like your great-grandmothers. Williams Sonoma Home makes a nice looking with great looking nickel or brass nail heads.

A few good table lamps are key investments. A Bouillette Lamp has a more traditional look but when paired with some eclectic accessories or a more muted palette it doesn’t look too dated. Daryl Carter did this nicely, though I am not into the Georgia O’Keefe style accessories…

Beautiful Venetian glass lamps from John Salibello Antiques.

A great four-poster bed from Ralph Lauren. I love the caning at the headboard.

A great kitchen table is essential to family meals. Whether your style is a little more traditional or transitional you can’t go wrong with a basic farmhouse table that will only get better with age. I would be especially happy if the farmhouse table was made with reclaimed wood.

Iconic fabrics should get their own post because there are too many to pick from. What I will say though is there are some trendy ones today and there are some classics. Many of the ones today are based on those from the master himself. If you know the history of a fabric it will never be dated. Thank you Mr. Hicks.

When choosing coffee table books pick ones that you are genuinely interested in. They can make for great conversation topics. When working with a client I try to remember things that they like as we go through the process. A client might mention that he or she loves Cy Twombly artwork or the style of Bunny Williams. What never goes out of style is books that you are interested in and enjoy discussing.

A simple arrangement of peonies or hydrangea from your local farmers market is always classic.

The list could go on….A Billy Baldwin étagère, a hand-knotted rug in beautiful colors, a klismos chair. I think soon I will do a post on what I think is trendy today and what I doubt we will see in 25 years from now.

In your eyes, what will stand the test of time?

Photo Credits: Baker Furniture (1), Jansen Sofa (2,Pigtown Design), de Gournay (3,4), Williams-Sonoma Home (5,6), Daryl Carter, John Salibello, RL Home, David Hicks, Ursus Books, Bunny Williams, Google images

new to sources

laura — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:29:18 +0000

Christopher Peacock has introduced a new line of paint with some strong and beautiful colors.

They have the “lowest VOC of any high-quality, waterborne paint in the world”.

There are great sample pots and fan decks.

They were developed with the Greenhouse line of wallpapers for F.Schumacher.

Pair it with a great blue…

or a pale silver…

Michael Smith, a favorite designer, has debuted a few new rugs for Patterson and Flynn.

Peacock Paint and their sample pots and fan decks can be purchased onlineor in a few showrooms.

Patterson & Flynn and F. Schumacher are “to the trade” (interior designers and architects).

If you are interested in any of it please feel free to email or call me.

Rachel Alexandra

laura — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:52:33 +0000

Did you see the Preakness yesterday? I was on my feet jumping for Rachel Alexandra. She is a beautiful horse and the first filly* to win in 85 years. I loved her jockey’s (Calvin Borel) great attitude at the derby. He chose to ride Rachel Alexandra instead on Mine That Bird for the Preakness. If you missed the Derby click HERE, if you missed the Preakness click HERE.

In the spirit, here is Ralph Lauren’s current equestrian ad campaign with bold colors.

No Triple Crown this year but who will Borel ride at the Belmont? It will be fun to watch (June 6th)!

Do you think he will ride all three winners? On Rachel Alexandra? I hope so!

Photo Credits: Bangkok Post, Ralph Lauren Home

*Filly- A female horse under the age of four.

Market Finds

laura — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:44:42 +0000

I have been in High Point at Market with a friend this week, and we had a great time. A lot of walking, talking and sorting through what we like and what we don’t. There are many new lines and here are a few out of many more that I saw.

Barclay Butera Home

Bobo Intriguing Objects

Selamat Designs

Remind you of something?

Eastern Breeze Home Collection

Trowbridge Gallery

at Trowbridge photography by Charlie Waite

Kevin O’Brien Studio

See anything you like?

Photo Credits: Barclay Butera Home, Bobo Intriguing Objects, Selamat Designs,

Eastern Breeze, Trowbridge Gallery, Kevin O’Brien Studio