Elizabeth Lyons at Architectural Digest Home Design Show

If you read my blog, you know I love glass. Elizabeth Lyons is one of my favorite glass artists. She's from my home town, Rochester, New York. Above are the Petite Trios.

She creates these amazing bottles in the most vibrant colors. The ones above are known as Twilight. I love the sky blazing with these colors. The ones below are called Vineyard.


I love the saturation level she reaches. Elizabeth also does soft ethereal hues as seen ion Water Color Wash below. If you're heading to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, stop by Elizabeth's booth and see for your self just how gorgeous her art is.

Enjoy!

Andy Skurman - Architect Extraordinaire - In the Round

I was perusing Architectural Digest.com as many of you do I'm sure when I came across the picture above. 'That looks like Andy Skurman's work,' I thought. I read the credits and sure enough, I was right! I love his round and curved rooms.

He worked with decorator Suzanne Tucker to accomplish the lovely work you'll see in the full article. I interviewed Andy a while back. He's very clear about his work, his niche, and I must say he does it well. I love his round dining rooms the most. Round dining tables I find to be so intimate and primed for conversation. That's why I also enjoy radial balance in rooms. Of course, that could just be the group therapist in me coming out!

Beautiful Blues and Oh Those Views...

No doubt you've seen these incredible pictures in Architectural Digest but I couldn't help but adore them one more time. These are a few photos of a two year redesign from architect Carlos Aparicio high in the sky. You know I am fond of blue. I have it in my own living room and sun room. It is used wonderfully here. The art is magnificent. The human form is my favorite for almost any medium. I love the floor and ceiling echoing the other. Here's more... Here is my day in this fabulous place. I enjoy the view for hours on end...

I do some work in my chic study and enjoy the views for hours on end...

After a hard day's work, I relax and soak and enjoy the views for hours on end...

I retire to my soft and cozy bed and dream of the views for hours on end.

The end.

Glorious Doors

I received my copies of Architectural Digest and Elle Decor. I sat leisurely perusing them this weekend. I was a bit under the weather so these shelter magazine were a great escape. I always find something that truly takes me away to another place. This time it was doors. Not just any type of door but ones that connect you to the world beyond. This one comes from the Shifting out of Neutral story in Elle Decor...

I love the arch, the iron motif, and the diffused light. This is a front door so privacy is important, which the frosted glass provides. What about a back door though...

Ahhhhh, that's a breath of fresh air ~ literally. This comes from Renaissance Man (aka Richard Shapiro) who's beach front home appears in Architectural Digest. His home is stunning and the views magnificent.

Its amazing to me how a door can bring with it so many visions and dreams.

I Love This Time of the Year...

I grew up in up.. up... upstate New York. By this time of the year, we were all inside feeling the cold. Now I'm in northern Virginia where the warm weather lasts a bit longer. I adore the foliage, the crisp, clean air, frizzy hair a thing of the past (the past year that is ~ it will sadly return). But this time of the year is the best for outdoors lunches. While perusing one of my favorite magazines, Architectural Digest, I came across places to enjoy a wonderful lunch...

Bon appetit ~ enjoy your weekend!

Wouldn't these be wonderful in.....

The other day I posted about Elizabeth Lyons. When I was reviewing photos that I have saved for inspiration I couldn't help but place her glass art in the rooms. You know when something is fresh in your mind and you think about how it would relate to what you're currently doing? It was like that. I found two rooms compliments of Architectural Digest where the glass art above can easily be placed.

Some of the pieces would be a lovely addition to these rooms. What about these chic ones?!
Can you see them in this sophisticated space?!
I have to admit ~ my favorite colorways by Elizabeth in her latest and greatest are what I had on my mind when I was looking through pictures. It's funny how these things stick with you. I suppose that is how fabulous pieces usually get placed. The piece lays in the subconscious of the designer and a room can be designed just for it. That happens often to me after Market or after perusing one of my favorite hautes for antiques. And now it just happened with Elizabeth's work. I wonder where they'll end up??!!

Thursday's Room

This is a room completed by Mica Ertegun of MAC II published in Architectural Digest. I gravitated to this room because of its dual purpose. This is dual purpose done well. Not only is it a lovely dining room but it is a library. What better dinner conversation than the stories in the books that surround you? The art piece of the far wall begins the the story for me. From is flows the palette. Even the placement of books flanking the art work expands the experience. I love the detail of the crown molding. Its fitting for a library. I also like the fact that the room it light and bright painted in a white hue that does not compete with or drown the books. The only change I would make is the ceiling color. I would love to see a soft green that mirrors the upholstered chairs below. Nothing loud, nothing heavy but a little bit of depth. What perplexes me is lighting. There is no chandelier or visible portables or sconces or pin lights. Hmmm?? I am sure it is lit in some interesting way and perhaps if I read the article I would find out :) Still ~ love the space. Thoughts?

Yellow and Blue

Today, yellow and blue from the color wheel. The yellows are compliments of Houzz...

The first blue is from Point, Click, Home. The latter two are compliments are Architectural Digest and there are many more blue visions at AD to see!

Timeless Tuesday ~ Five

Welcome to Timeless Tuesday ~ Five. Today, the classic I would like to bring to the party is trees. Trees?! Yes, trees. We all know the beauty of trees, the benefits to our environment, providing shade on the warm day.... What about is interior design though? We have branches and trunks literally pulled into designs... Gorgeous!

Mariette Himes Gomez published in Architectural Digest

And we have them represented in many other ways. Here's just a few...

Anne Tarasoff and Gail Tarasoff-Sutton published in Elle Decor

The painted mural.

Published in Elle Decor

Wallpaper.

Amy Lau working with artist, Jo Lynn Alcorn, and wallpaper company, Maya Romanoff,; published in Elle Decor

Three dimensional mixed material.

SkB Architects of Seattle and Jo Braun published in Elle Décor

And mosaic repurposed mirror.

Trees are timeless. They are naturally soothing and have wonderful shape and form that add interest and dimension to almost any space. We have just seen examples of a living room, a stairway, a dining room, and a bath. Different spaces; different perspectives and materials. And all the simple, elegant, classic tree.

Now it's your turn to show off your classic self ~

1) Add your permalink below ~ not your blog's address in general but the specific post you want people to visit. To obtain the actual post link, click on the title of your post once you have published it and copy and paste the URL into Mister Linky.

2) Leave your name and say a couple of words to describe your post (e.g. "Coco Chanel suits" or "Classic interior design for children" or "Delicious meals in a snap."

3) Copy and paste the Timeless Tuesday logo button (on my right sidebar) to your Timeless Tuesday posts. This is a sure way for your readers to know you have joined in the party.

4) Link back to the host blog, that's me ~ Paula Grace Designs Blogspot Timeless Tuesday ~ so all the bloggers that joined the party will receive many interested visitors.

Thursday's Room

I seem to be looking at a lot of dining rooms lately. I think it is because I am itching to have a dinner party. This one by Charles Allem, principal designer for CAD International, published in Architectural Digest caught my eye. It doesn't have the round table that I am drawn to but this octagon table is quite chic. I like the way the angles are used to place a dinner guest at the table.

The first thing I notice is the scale and proportion of the room, table, and that magnificent light fixture. The direct linear relationship appeals to me and the horizontal balance is comforting. I have always been attracted to long and lean objects. Perhaps it mirrors my own image being 5'8" and lean. The shape of the table and shape and form of the chandelier pair well. Unusual enough for maximum interest.

This particular chandelier not only illuminates but add textures, depth, and dimension to the fifth wall in the room and highlights the simple architectural detail. I see it as the focal point with the table as a close second. The remaining furnishings are in supporting roles ~ simple and elegant.

I also enjoy the neutral palette. If you read my blog, you know I love neutrals. They allow you to pop with color or a detail such as this chandelier. If the palette had more color or the drapes and chairs pattern, it would detract from the focal point(s).

The room as a whole is elegant yet comfortable, chic yet cozy. I think that can be a hard combination to achieve. Apparently not for Mr. Allem. Bravo!

Thursday's Room

Today I am not speaking about one room. I was captivated by one of the rooms in this magnificent apartment but after reading the story, the whole place captivated me.


This beautiful creation was done by the ever talented Hariri & Hariri Architecture and published in Architectural Digest. These knowledgeable ladies were able to do the near impossible ~ turn an upscale Manhattan high rise apartment into an eco-friendly home. Please read the story in AD; what they did is practically unheard of ~ but they did it any way. Moxie. I like that. What stands out for me is space, scale and proportion. They opened up the space in several ways to reveal Manhattan and then populated the expanse with large scale, well proportioned furnishings.


Clearly this 'tree-hugger's' home is not short of glamour. Imagine having a dinner party on a clear night then being serenaded with that view. Breathtaking.


It is not short of refinement. Clean lines, elegant materials, pop of color.


It is not short of beauty. This tranquil spa bath is a far cry from 'crunchy.'


It is not short of functionality. How thoughtful ~ if they tire or run into writer's block, they can simply lay down and look at NYC for relaxation and inspiration.


It is not short of awe. Last Friday, I did a post on fantastic views to awaken to. I showed views of nature and ocean. This view is equally spectacular.

Doubters of elegant eco-friendly living ~ take note!

If Hariri & Hariri can turn this high-rise apartment into an sophisticated eco-friendly dwelling then there are such things as miracles. I believe, I believe....

I feel a tweet coming on....

Fun Friday ~ Sweet Awakenings

Wallace E. Cunningham and Guy West published in Architectural Digest

Imagine waking up from your dream world to this ~ a surreal experience for sure.

Steven F. Haas, Architect; Lisa Tillinghast and Robert Nassar, Interior Design; Renny Reynolds, Landscape Design published in Architectural Digest

For Fun Friday, I thought I'd share my infatuation with waking up to a glorious view. These fantastic bedrooms allow the inhabitants to take in the world, breath it in, and be mindful of the beauty found in our natural surroundings.

Richard Meier, Architect; Rose Tarlow, Interior Design published in Architectural Digest

Can you hear the ocean?

Home of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher published in Architectural Digest

Can you hear the birds?

Guy Dreier, Architect and Interior Design published in Architectural Digest

Ok, I have to say it ~ this bedroom just puts me in the mood.

Enjoy your weekend!