Monday's Method ~

Isn't this an interesting window treatment? This is Cuff Links panels with Haviana sheers. These pictures came right from Robert Allen's Facebook page. I have used Cuff Links before. It is quite elegant actually. This Monday Method I am featuring Larry Laslo's recent addition in Destinations for Robert Allen ~ these creations were inspired by South Florida and Aspen. You can go to Robert Allen and check out the entire line.

What I like about Mr. Laslo's colorways that many are timeless but he gives them new life. Here's a pic with the neutrals I love and one with orange and green, hues that many of my clients have requested...


Here's a few more pics...



Love the sophistication of these chairs.


These fabrics have a freshness about them ~ happy colors to me.

I do use Larry's fabric quite a bit and these are all good examples of why.

See you tomorrow for Timeless Tuesday ~

Fun Friday ~ Week in Review

This was an interesting week on the personal front. Work was busy, busy... details, details... but life with the family was epic. Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating just a hair but still, it was a full week.

The first thing that happened was Lauren's pet hamster, Tulip, died. Lauren at the young age of seven has already attended family wakes and funerals. Her way to say good-bye is to leave a note or a piece of memorabilia in the coffin. This is her first pet to pass to the other side. We buried her in the backyard complete with memorial service and a gravestone that Lauren made. She painted a daisy on it and wrote "Good-bye Tulip, Love Lauren." The ground was damp so some of it came off but the sentiment is there.

After that we went to the Washington Nationals game where the now famous Stephen Strasburg pitched his first game for the Nats. We sat behind home plate. It was an amazing, fun time. Lauren yelled so loud she almost lost her voice. Jim snapped these pictures. The first pic you can actually see the ball flying though the air, which was difficult to see to the naked eye because his pitches were sooooo fast. Yup, at his very first Nats game, he broke the Nats record for most strike outs in a single game. How wonderful! The Nats hitters came to play too. There were several home run smash hits that sent the capacity crowd to their feet. Baseball is not my favorite sport to watch (football is) but with this year's team, I may just step up to the plate myself.... and watch :)
Last, but not least, Millie. Remember Millie, our rescue terrier mix? This week for the first time, Millie learned the joy of riding in a car with her face out of the window. I kid you not! Millie is a bit timid when it comes to certain things ~ like going into a bathroom. She WOULD NOT go into a bathroom when we first got her. We don't know why but after letting her know over and over again that the bathroom was a benign room, she finally ventured in. Perhaps she had some bad experiences in a bathroom that scared her but now she has no trouble at all coming in. She does not drink out of the toilet though ~ YAY! Getting back to the car window ~ at first Millie had difficulty getting into the car but, again, after she saw that the car was not an evil place she jumps in without hesitation. However, she would never get on the seat and stick her nose out the window. At first, Lauren held her on her lap and let her smell the air through the open window. Millie liked that. Next, I placed her on the seat by herself until she felt comfortable jumping up there on her own. Then I opened the window and drove around slowing a few times. Millie didn't venture up to stick her nose out for a while. But this week, she did. After a couple more drives, Millie is now sticking her nose out the window. When I say Millie is deliriously happy when she does this is not an over statement. When she looks at me after she does this, I swear she is smiling. Life is good.

I think we're going to get another hamster. I wonder if there are rescue hamsters... hmmmm?

Enjoy your weekend!

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 Number Eighteen

Welcome to Timeless Tuesday #18. I'm still in the mood for color palettes so I am devoting this week's timeless classic to black and white interiors ~ perhaps with a splash or two of pops. These delicious features are compliments of Houzz. Take a look...

home design by 2.bp.blogspot.com

traditional kitchen design

modern kitchen design by other metros architect Ilija Mirceski

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

Love Tracy Murdock's work!

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

contemporary living room design

Black and white occasionally with a splash of color ~ always timeless, always classic!

Now it is your turn to share your posts about classics or trends you hope become timeless...

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.

Monday's Method

This Monday's Method will focus on selecting a color palette. I have received several emails asking how I select a color palette. One reader in particular is loving the turquoise and blue/greens that she is seeing in the marketplace but is struggling to select other hues to compliment it.

Well, I usually start with some type of inspiration piece. Most often it is a piece of art, a fabric, or color found in nature. This is actually a very good way to develop a palette since an artist has already selected colors that work together or a fabric company has put their stamp of approval on it or Mother Nature has crafted beautiful scenery.

I get questions a lot on paint colors. My first question is always "What are we basing the colors on?" Usually after this question, people stare me with a blank expression. I smile and say "First we need to find something that can animate that blank expression ~ something that you love." First find a piece of art, a fabric, and place that you love. Let's take the fabric above as an example. This fabric is from Beacon Hill ~ Verlander in Tourmaline. You can see there are four colors in the palette of this fabric. These colors may begin a palette especially if a blue/green is one of the colors you are enjoying these days.

I must admit, I tend to shy away from placing a great amount of a trend color in a room. I like to develop a 'canvas' of neutrals and then add color in smaller doses. First, I love neutrals; second, if one would like to change out the pop color, it is easier if it is in a pillow versus a sofa. Unless you absolutely love the color and have for years uninfluenced by trends, then I would place a color on a large piece of furniture or on the walls. Accents though is where I place the majority of color.

Here is a piece of art entitled As One by Victor Klauss represented by Art and Frame Source. I love Victor Klauss's work. I have him in several places in my home. The one above, I have in my bedroom (of course!). The palette of the room came from this painting.

It is a simple palette of neutrals (yum!) and red (vavoom!) Hey, it's a bedroom ~ remember ;)

Recall the tweens rooms I am doing... one of them was completely influenced by wonderful scenes in nature. If you don't have a place that can draw from ~ look at great photos captured by a great photographer's artistic eye...

Byron Jorjorian's fantastic work above.

Art, fabric, combinations found in nature are all great places to be inspired for color palettes.

Hey, let's help each other ~ do you have a favorite palette? Share for those looking for inspiration!

I am linking with these fabulous blogs. Each deserves a nice, long visit...

Monday ~
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday
Little Red House Mosaic Monday

Thursday ~
The Shabby Chic Cottage Transformation Thursday

Saturday ~
Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special

See you tomorrow for the Timeless Tuesday link party!

Fun Friday ~ Bathroom Makeover Contest

I receive emails all the time for folks wanting me to post something for them. Usually they would like me to show their work or support a product. I have shown work that I found to be very well done. Recently, I received an email from Ashley Albano ~ Public Relations, CSN Stores. It was about a contest for a bathroom makeover.


Did you see this? CSN Stores is an online company offering one lucky winner a bathroom makeover. I don't know anything about CSN Stores but it seems like a nice way to promote your company ~ give away a new bathroom. The best thing about it ~ they promise an eco-friendly bathroom. I'm all for that! So if you have one of these...


and you want one of these...

Source of picture ~ Natural Home Magazine

maybe you should hop on over there and enter the contest. Hey, ya never know! No, I didn't get anything for telling you about this. I didn't even tell them I was going to tell you. Just passing on what might be a very nice thing to happen to one of my readers. If you win, let me know. I'd love to see what they do for you.

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday's Room(s)

Have you ever come across a designer or architect that you just admire and return to their work for inspiration frequently? For today's Thursday's Room, I wanted to share an firm that I continually return to ~ Kanner Architects . These photos are compliments of Houzz. They are the creme de la creme for modern design. Take a look...

modern landscape design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern exterior design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern pool design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern pool design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern living room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern dining room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern living room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern dining room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

modern living room design by los angeles architect Kanner Architects

Inside and out, each project is a masterpiece. I would love to work with them someday. They seem to draw clients with extraordinary locations with magnificent views. Each and every time, they make the most of those views and that is a wonderful thing!

Do you have a favorite?