Fun Friday Fact ~ Men Are Visual Creatures

And I didn't even tap into Maxim!

My, my, Jennifer ~ you go girl!

Enjoy your weekend!

Same ol', same ol' ~ NOT!

My head is spinning a bit as many new projects have come my way. When writing this brief post, I was practically walking out the door to my latest ~ two tween bedrooms. I am so looking forward to it too! These are ongoing clients whom I adore. So far I have done their kitchen, family room, sun room, powder room, porch and deck. The next room was to be the dining room (I actually already found the table in my other travels) but a call from the lady of the home reported that plans have changed ~ its the tweens turn. It's interesting these client have a similar color palette to the one above but the end results are so different. I posted on them ~ just the powder room ~ so far.

A while back, I showed you the Robert Allen Larry Laslo fabric above as the inspiration fabric for one of my latest projects. I have done this color palette many times. Folks just love it. Why? It's classic. At the top is the inspiration fabric with it's family. These will be in the family and keeping rooms (see furniture plan below). The Laslo fabric will be pillows; the wide silk stripe is the drapes. The solid neutral fabrics and leather are large furniture pieces; the solid green and other patterned ones (herringbone and coral-like) are accents. This palette will never retire as there are so many fabrics to select from. Each design remains fresh and unique.So what do you think of the palette? What other favorite classic palettes come to mind for you?

Mitch Dobrowner

I love good photography. Art Knowledge News reported that Mitch Dobrowner, an artist that specializes in black and white photography, is having a show in LA.

"WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA.- The Kopeikin Gallery presents the first California exhibition by Los Angeles based photographer Mitch Dobrowner. Titled Troposphere the exhibition features recent work of extreme weather throughout the Midwestern United States. Mitch Dobrowner has always loved storms; the rumble of distant thunder, the flashes of lightning, the energy and electricity in the skies. Watching a storm born from a small, unstable weather system and developing into a towering, powerful, beautiful and majestic "super cell" is for him a sight to behold, and one he wants to share. The exhibition opens on January 9 and continues through March 6. A reception for the artist will take place on Saturday, January 30, from 6:00 - 8:00."

If you're in that area, I urge you to see it. He delivers provocative haunting black and white images that appear to look deep into the soul of the structure or scene. Take a look.....

You may also see more of his work at his website.

Placing his work in designs takes careful consideration. A grouping down a bright hallway would be wonderful. How about leaning on a shelf with the top of each placed a few inches from the crown of the room that scales one full wall ~ like this .....

Courtesy of House Beautful

..... except not overlapping, and all in black frames, OOOOO!!! Now I am designing.....

Where would you place Mitch's work?

Dream with a View ~

I was perusing one of my favorite sites/magazines, Architectural Digest. I came across this amazing penthouse apartment owned by Nick and Christian Candy. These brothers are the proud owners of Candy & Candy interior design and property development business. Guess where this penthouse is? None other than the luxury capital ~ Monte Carlo. This penthouse is architecture and interior design at its finest hour. The end result is glamorous but not garish. Masculine and feminine but never to an extreme.

This is the two story library. The ceiling and woodwork detailing is amazing. I adore the contrast of dark wood with light walls & ceiling. It expands the room even further. The floor is exquisite.

This glorious dining room is aching for a party. The illumination from the crystal chandeliers plus the reflective ceiling is lovely.

I love the bench swing. It looks large enough to lay on and be gently swayed in the breeze.

This elegant desk has an amazing view. I would use it as a vanity. I would adore putting on make-up bathed in natural light and relaxed by the sea.

This is one of the best understated glamorous bedrooms I have ever seen. The golden neutral hues are breathtaking to me. The upholstered wall serving as the back~drop for the bed is striking. A simple diamond pattern ~ beautiful!

I love this masculine bedroom but note the incredible vanity with the large round mirror. The scale of the mirror is awesome and fits right in with the restrained grandness.

Sumptuous bath and dressing room. Simply incredible.

Now this is amplified by the architecture and the use of light. Of course the designer thought of everything even the important use of light for an evening under the stars ~ without ever missing a step.

The lead designer on this project was Martin Kemp. Well, Mr. Kemp, I take my hat is off to you. Your palette and selections are perfect for me. You could have walked right through the door of over the top glam ~ but you chose not to. You didn't even need to knock on the door to achieve greatness. In Monte Carlo, that takes some moxie. Bravo, bravo!

The Family Room

Since we just came from spending time with family and friends, I am compelled to post about family rooms. House Beautiful did a nice spread on designer family rooms. I picked out a few of my favorites.

Designed by Robert Stilin. Featured in February 2009.

Designer Fern Santini. Featured in December 2007.

Designer Jacqueline Derrey Segura. Featured in July 2007.

Designer Chantal Dussouchaud. Featured in January 2006.

When I look at these rooms, I imagine comfort and gatherings. I enjoy the soothing neutral palettes. Many of the family room in the HB story seemed very formal or uncomfortable. A couple had beautiful but trendy palettes that I know I would tire of.

The greatest compliment I received this holiday season was from my brother, John. He said to me and my husband at different times, "Your home is so comfortable." My brother was here with his lovely wife, Laura, and their three boys Steven (age 20), Matthew (age 17), and Daniel (age 15). My mom was also here. John's comment I'm sure came from the fact that all could sit comfortably with their feet up and a drink shelf behind them in either of our family rooms (main and lower levels). If the girls wanted to watch something on TV, the boys retreated to the lower level to watch their show or play on the Wii. I took great joy in seeing my family all lined up on the sectional eating themselves silly. That's what a family room is all about to me. My family room??!! I only have a picture of the main level one....

Mrs. Limestone wanted to see pictures of my home in 2010 ~ click here to leave a comment of you would like to see on my blog in 2010. Well, here's your first installment, Mrs. L! The sectional is family friendly with easy to clean Ultrasuede on the cushions and leather on the frame. Here is a post I did a while ago using my family room design to illustrate the principles and elements of interior design (it was actually my very first blog post).

Of course, I am linking with Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday as my first blog post chronicles the development of my family room. Join in the fun!

Happy 2010 beginning!

What would you like to hear about?

It's a new year! The sky is the limit! Have you made any resolutions? I have! One is to ask my readers what they would like to hear about on my blog this year.

Don't be shy! Just ask! If you have design questions or would like for me to cover certain related topics, just let me know. Let me know what you need or want!

Come on ~ it's easy! I want to know more about ________. Please write about_________. Just fill in the blank.

Tell you what, when I use your question or topic, I'll shout it out that it was yours ~ on Twitter, Facebook, and of course, in the post!

It's going to be a fantastic year!

Artist Series 2009

Byron Jorjorian ~ Nature Photographer


Andy Skurman ~ Architect


Heather Clawson ~ Interior Designer & Blogger


Elizabeth Lyons ~ Glass Artist

Over the past year, I have covered and interviewed wonderful artists. I had the great pleasure to speak with Byron Jorjorian, Andy Skurman, Heather Clawson, and Elizabeth Lyons. To read their interviews and see the other artists that I have covered, please click here. I'm sure you'll enjoy getting to know them and seeing their work. All have been influenced from an very young age and support continued arts education in our public schools ~ a value I hold near and dear to my heart.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!