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.

Thursday's Room(s)

It's all in the details...


The wonderful Mariette Himes Gomez published in Elle Decor


The brilliant Albert Hadley published in Elle Decor



















The next four are compliments of Houzz ~ the fabulous Amy Lau and Tracy Murdock

modern home office design by new york interior designer Amy Lau Design

modern living room design by new york interior designer Amy Lau Design

mediterranean bedroom design by los angeles interior designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

eclectic bedroom design by los angeles interior designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

It is very difficult for my when a client stops just shy of the accessories. They figure they'll pick them up eventually. Please ~ never, never stop short of the accessories. It's what brings the design to life!

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.

The Cabinet Anchor

Skye Kirby ~ Elle Decor

There is something quite lovely about having memories surround you. There is also something quite grounding about a large cabinet anchoring a space. This is why I love display cabinets. They can be the anchor of any room. Not always the focal point, but in a grand supporting role. You don't always need to see inside to know they hold something important.

Alessandra Branca ~ Elle Decor

Darryl Carter ~ Elle Decor

Symmetrical cabinets can add grandeur to any room...

Scott Slarsky and Katarina Edlund ~ Elle Decor

Rose Anne de Pampelonne ~ Elle Decor

Here are a few of my favorites...
Barbara Barry's Open Oval China Cabinet ~ Henredon
The 732 Dolls Cabinet ~ Sarreid
Lorenzo Cabinet ~ Hickory Chair

Vauxhall Cabinet ~ Hickory Chair
Barbara Barry's Looking Glass Cabinet ~ Henredon

French Window Oak Cupboard ~ Sarreid

Here's my living room ~

In the left side of the cabinet, a portion of my mother's crystal collection, the right side, a wine bar, in the middle, glass art that I adore, and on top, three diamond cut vases symbolizing my family (my husband, daughter, and myself). Surrounded, grounded, anchored. I love this room ~

Bold Wallcovering

Elle Decor recently did a story on the bold wallcovering trend. They selected some nice examples and ones that I could not fully appreciate. The one above is delightful. It's fresh, lively, and quite happy. I could live with it for a while. For me, the last statement is key ~ with this much pattern and color throughout the room, can I live with it for a long while or will I tire from it too quickly to make it worth the expense? Here are some others from Elle decor...

At first glance, I liked this wallpaper. Second glance, I liked it less. Third, even less. I doubt I could live with it for the long haul.

I wish I could say I could live with this one. It is relatively neutral but is appears busy to me. Love the chandelier though.

I could not live with this one. It is striking but for me, it is imposing.

I like this one very much. I could live with this wallcovering for a long time. It is soothing ~ tranquil ~ simple.

This one is from my gal, Kristin Drohan. She used a cork with orange metallic from Phillp Jeffries. I could definitely live with this one.

For me it's all about how congested the motif is. My eye needs to rest. Why then do I like the first one? Its the curves of the vines. I find them relaxing. While I love geometrics, the second one has a congested geometric type motif that would likely irritate me over time. The third one feels like the walls are closing in. The tree ~ ahhhh ~ a breath of fresh air. The metallic cork has the appearance of texture with sparkle versus a busy motif. Wallcovering is in the eye of the beholder. What I find busy, another may find divine. What I find soothing, another may find boring. The point is when choosing wallcovering (paper or paint), one needs to ask themselves ~ Can I live with this in the long run?

I have nothing against wallcoverings. The wallpapers coming out today are spectacular. My favorite application is to place it in shadow boxes when the room lends itself to shadow boxes.

Here's a room I did that is all about femininity and sparkle. The wallpaper in the shadow boxes has a large motif and has metallic features. It gives the room just a bit more luxury. However, I could not live with that wallpaper either if it covered the entire room. A little goes a long way (and it is a bit easier on the pocketbook when using high end product).

What's your take on wallcover? The more the merrier ~ love it in moderation ~ no way jose to wallpaper ~ __________ (fill in the blank)????

Don't forget to enter the art glass ornament giveaway! Winners announced Friday ~

Fall High Point Market ~ Part III

The Sustainable Furnishings Council was well represented at this Market. They have three heavy hitters as their spokesmen. I attended their Summit. The Council's president, Jeff Hiller, moderated the round table discussion with Vladimir Kagan, Thom Filicia, and Alexander Julian. When the Council went in search of their spokesmen, they researched them. They wanted people that didn't just start being green with the latest trends but folks that have been practicing it, demonstrating that it can be done well. Thom Filicia, as many of you know, has begun a green line of furniture with Vanguard. I plan to look into his line in much more detail. I wasn't able to see it due to my unexpected departure. Still I want to give a nod to those that went through the long training day (missed that too but I am taking the webinar version right now) and to the companies that have passed the Council's strict guidelines. When I am finished with my training in December, it will render me a 'Certified Green Designer' for clients would like to work with one. How wonderful!

In addition to Thom's line at Vanguard, here are a few more furnishing lines that are recognized by the Sustainable Furnishings Council.....

Boulevard Echo Upholstery


Palecek


West Brothers


Lee (natural Lee)


Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth


Ibolili
Plus many more ~ easily find what you need on the Council's website.

Ok, I have completed my moral greening behavior.

Now its time to sin with shameless name dropping.

This is how I started my day.....

Thom Filicia was the kind soul I remembered him to be. Full of hugs and kisses. We discussed his green Vanguard line and wondered out loud to him why they didn't have a designer program. Thom did not know. Hmmm... I wonder if he'll mention it to them?! After seeing the line, which I'm sure I'll love given what I saw in his show house, I'll bring it up again with Vanguard.



This how I ended my day....
I met Margaret Russell from Elle Decor at her book signing soiree. She was lovely and patient. She was also cold. It was chilly in the tent and she had on short sleeves. I commiserated with Margaret as she kept removing her throat lozenge from her mouth to smile for pictures. We both look a bit like deer in the headlight as my friend has minor technical difficulties with the camera.

What a wonderful day ~ that is until I drove home to be with my daughter. No worries, Lauren is fine AND my coverage is not yet done. I saved the best for last. It will be part of my Fun Friday post. First, the winner of the E~Design contest will be announced (you can still vote until 8:00 pm EST tonight) and then on to the best part, the very fun and inspiring part of Market!

Stay tuned.....

Fun Friday ~ Shouldn't Renee Be Here?

What was Elle Decor thinking? They should have asked Renee to grace these covers in her fabulous Carolina Herrera originals!


Yes, I would say Renee looks smart and sexy in gray! She should have been standing to the left of the sofa.

Romantic with a touch of sparkle in this one shoulder beauty! They should have expanded the shot so Renee could be standing just right of the cocktail table ~ her hip echoing the shape of its side.

Renee poised just behind the middle the sofa would been the epitome of classic cool!

Sexy, sexy, sexy ~ they probably would have sold more copies with Renee standing just left of the chair.

I've joined the Hooked on Houses Friday Party ~ check it out!

Enjoy your weekend!

Source for Renee Zellweger photos ~ InStyle.com