Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from my Family to You and Yours ~

Getting Back to Projects...

I am so sorry it has taken me this long to post. I started my Newsletter which took some time to set up and the holiday prep, and projects..... yada, yada, yada..... Any way, back to basics... Remember this post What am I up to? Well, we have come a long way in terms of the design. Here is the new and improved design rendering...

After reviewing the initial design in depth and remeasuring, we determined it would be more functional to reposition the doorway into the dining room. This would allow for a better work flow in the kitchen. We also moved the cooktop to the island at my client's request. This enable us to float the hood ~ which I love. This will be spectacular when complete. The custom backsplash tile, cabinets, and hood will differentiate this kitchen from the rest. There will be wonderful pops and architectural details. Partial demolition has already occurred. There is more starting today.

Yes, this is the home with the supervisor cat keeping a watchful eye on things...

Hey quit messing around Supervisor Cat and get back to work!

Sorry :(

I just wanted to say I am sorry for the lack of posts. With the Holidays approaching and projects reaching new heights, I haven't been able to sit down and collect my thoughts to blog.

I enjoy blogging and it does help me to have an outlet for my writing. I love to wright.

So stayed tuned and I'll get back to business shortly ~

Builder's Blunder Solved

A while back I posted about a builder's blunder... remember this? Many folks commented and gave me great suggestions but I had a plan. My client did not want to do any type of construction ~ they had had enough of that with their kitchen renovation. So naturally I thought well placed mirrors would work nicely as I would hang the new chandelier lower such that the light reflected in and off the mirror. Can you see the pattern on the door? Diamonds. The existing sheers that I used again also has a diamond pattern ~ I added the drape and area rug below to the sheer ~ you can vaguely see the diamond pattern on the sheer...

I decided to pick up on this theme and add a crescendo to the rhythm...

The gorgeous area rugs I designed are covered for the install but there you have it ~ my non-construction solution to the builder's blunder.

What do you think?

Thankful

I am thankful everyday for my family, friends, clients, colleagues, and you.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

My Design Gets a Nod

My Delos rep emailed me a while back. He asked for some pictures of the rugs I recently designed for a client. I had no idea why he wanted them but I sent them along. Sure enough ~ here is one of my designs (top left). You may recognize it for one of my blog posts (it actually looks better on the blog post :-)

Here's the thing ~ I snapped these photos with my little camera. Had I known they were being considered for publication, I would have had Bob in for a photo shoot.

Either way ~ there it is!

Thank you Delos for selecting one of my designs to feature.

Sophisticated Funky ~ Brocade Home

I was just perusing Brocade Home for a specific funky item and couldn't help but take all the wonderful pieces. Here is sophisticated funkiness at a reasonable price. They have everything from ceiling to floor...


I found what I was looking for. Did you?

Console Whispers

I don't know about you but I have placed more consoles than I can recall. Sometimes one just wants a console to play a supporting role versus standing out. I'm going to share my console secrets with you. Here are the two most versatile consoles I have found. This is the Milo Made to Measure (Milo M2M) Console by Hickory Chair. That is exactly what it is ~ made to measure. Plus Hickory Chair has so many finish selections, one is bound to work well.

These are the Skinny Consoles from Worlds Away. I have placed these so many times. They are truly thin ~ 10" max. These are wonderful when space is at a premium. They come in hammered gold and silver and gold and silver leaf so literally they can accommodate any decor. The shelves make them easy to personalize.

Both of the them are slender, have sleek lines thus adding little mass to the design. I have placed two of each side by side behind long sofas and sectionals. It looks fabulous and does not over power the space.

There you have it. Consoles I am truly in love with!

Paul Montgonery Studio

Paul Montgomery Studio is a collection of artists all striving for perfection and beauty. They do custom murals or panels. They create handpainted wallpaper. This is luxury at its finest. They work with the trade or public directly. Here is a sampling of his collections. Check out is website for beautiful inspirations. Take a look at these...

Salon Collection

Decorative Panneaux

Imperivm Collection

Renaissance Collection

Chinoiserie Collection

Antiquity Collection

European Panoramic Collection

I love the diversity of the work. Each truly captivating. The Imperivm and Renaissance Collections stole my heart. Do you have a favorite?

Living Legend ~ Quincy Jones

You know I am a big fan of the Washington Post. I look forward to their Arts & Style section every Sunday. Today I was riveted. Why? You know music and I are one ~ well there is a story about living legend Quincy Jones written by DeNeen Brown. Mr. Jones, in my opinion, is the single most important person in American music thus far. In the article, he stresses the importance of knowing and understanding the history of American music; of learning, listening, and growing as an artist. He notes such greats as Coltrane, Davis, and Charles. He seems to completely get that the present and future are built on the past. Not that one imitates the past but internalizes what jives within you and making it your own and leaving out the parts that are incongruent with one's self. I couldn't agree more. Here is a link to the article. It's a great read and I learned a couple new things and that is a treasure.

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!