My Design Secrets

You put your personal spin on home decorating by choosing colors and patterns that create the mood you love.  But no matter how hard you try, there’s no denying that the products and colors that are available to us are influenced by extensive research and forecasting.  I always encourage you to go with your gut on what colors appeal to you; but that doesn’t mean you cannot appreciate and utilize the new shades, tones and palettes that have been carefully orchestrated by the color forecasting teams at the large paint companies.  They present new points of view on old favorites and totally new colors are being formulated as a result of improved technology in the paint industry.

Trends in home design make a couple of stops before they wind their way to your doorstep.  We often see patterns and colors starting a trend in the world of fashion.  The following year you will see these colors start to infuse the world of custom interior design.  Finally these palettes arrive in the retail home decorating world in large retail furniture and fabric collections.  These are the colors that reflect our communal thoughts about what’s going on in the world and what colors feel like “home” to us.  There is some fantastic inspiration out there and I see some common themes popping up:  Organic, Comfort, Modern, Tranquil, Opulent, Natural, Classic & Getaway.  Start with what you have and add something refreshing and new!

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Boutique hotels provide wonderful interior design inspiration.  Unlike large, chain hotels, the interior designers are often encouraged to focus on ambiance above all else and make the guests feel they are enveloped in luxury.  Occasionally I will show you some great hotel interiors that deserve your attention and give you some insight as to why the design works and how they pull it together.

The photo above is from the Setai in South Beach, Miami.  Their motto is “Be embraced by Serenity”; and you can certainly see they live up to this promise.  This bedroom creates a wonderful mood and achieves a delicate balance.  Let’s start at the bottom and make our way up.  The flooring is a combination of teak and slate.  The combination of flooring gives you a nice balance of warmth and coolness as well defining the spaces.  The simple linens on the bed are graceful and crisp.  This is a look that it is easy to create in your own bedroom.  The wall color is creamy and warm.  Nothing too bold to take away from the beautiful wood.  Lighting, now this is critical.  They have used 3 different types of lighting in this room.  An overall light from the ceiling that highlights the bed and could be used for reading.  The sconces add drama and ambiance along with the floor lamps which are a good idea for a small spaces where nightstands are a squeeze.  All lights are controlled from switches beside the bed.  There are a lot of straight lines in this room but the central focus is on the soft, light colored bed that softens the space and balances the feel.   Overall a great design.

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Amazing.  Innovative. Inspirational.

That’s Ann Sacks tile.  Never before I have seen such an effective translation of art into tile.  There are new collections appearing all the time.  They craft some very traditional styles and patterns, but I smile every time I see an ad for one of her fresh new collections.  Back in 1980, while some of us were sporting big hair, Ann was looking for the perfect wedding dress and saw a box of Mexican tile being sold as trivets.  It inspired her.  She first worked with hand-glazed Mexican tile, then she started a line to coordinate with Kohler fixtures.  Next came a stone collection.  Eventually the  company started embracing a more modern look and feel.  Ann sold the company to Kohler in the early 1990′s, but she continues to contribute to the line.

I have purchased quite a bit of of tile from Ann Sacks for my clients.  Their customer service is top notch and they offer tile at many price points to fit your imagination and your budget!

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Angela Adams says that her designs reflect the beauty of the Maine coast and she does a phenomenal job of backing up that claim. On first impulse I would not expect Maine to be a haven for modern design but her creativity as an artist who has a keen eye for interiors is evident.  The shapes and colors in her amazing rug designs reflect the beauty of nature with tranquil undertones.  She has a large selection in wool and additional designs in cotton as well as bedding and pillows.

I also appreciate that they are an affiliate of RugMark.  RugMark is working to end illegal child labor in the carpet industry and to offer educational opportunities to children in South Asia.  Good for your home and good for our world!

Renovating your kitchen? Well here is a cool way to add some fun to your project. Elmira Stove Works has put a unique twist on some old favorites. They manufacture unbelievable reproduction appliances from two different eras.

Panasonic 42″ Plasma HDTV from Circuit City

Superbowl Sunday is quickly approaching. If you did not purchase a flat screen TV for Christmas you might be tempted to get one before the big game. The recent International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas further proved that flat screens are all the rage. They are getting thinner and thinner and also are featuring more designer options such as color and attractive stands. Many designers who previously did everything in their power to hide TV’s are now admitting defeat and realizing that tech toys are a source of pride for most consumers and they want to display them front and center. While I admit I have hidden them in armoires and built-in cabinetry in the past I am finding it is easier to work them into the design these days. The fact that they are so thin and can be hung on the wall is a huge plus. Also, many companies have caught on to the trend and there are many attractive storage options for the components.

I know it’s tempting to purchase one at the spur of the moment when the price is right, but if you want your new tech toy to fit more seamlessly into your home keep a few things in mind.

1. Size: Bigger is not always better. You should purchase a TV that is going to work best in your home and that means taking the viewing distance into consideration. How far are you going to be sitting from the TV? CNET has some great advice to share on this topic.

2. Location: Where is your cable hookup and are you prepared to move it to where you think the TV looks best? Is the light from the windows going to shine on the TV? Do you want to be able to see the TV from the Kitchen?

3. Height: Whether you are hanging the TV on the wall or putting it in a cabinet or on a stand, the right viewing height is critical. You don’t want to be craning your neck to see the TV. The middle of the TV should be in line with your eyes. For a 6′ person that is about 52″ above the floor. Consider everyone in the family and average it out.

4. Components: That TV looks pretty slick all by itself, doesn’t it? Well don’t get used to it because you still need to hook up the cable box, TiVo, stereo, DVD player, speakers and computer. Where are they going to go?

Basically you can buy a stand, have someone build it in or have the components tucked away remotely in a closet. But remember, all these options are going to cost additional money. Stands are your least expensive option and there are some very nice ones out there.

TVX1 from Boltz for 34″ – 36″ TVs

If your taste is more on the modern side, I like the products from a company called Boltz that makes some very cool, minamalist stands. The also carry coffee tables and other furniture if you want to tie the whole look together.

Sligh TV Console 9711–1DM

If you are more traditional. Sligh has some really nice stands and they can be ordered from a retailer near you.

Happy Viewing!

To complete this room I would use the Benjamin Moore Paint color Waterbury Cream as a neutral wall color and then paint the ceiling Blue Allure for a celestial feel. Add some great little art pieces from the Yuki Lau Gallery on http://www.art.com/ and you are all set. When selecting the type of paint, you may want to consider using Benjamin Moore’s new EcoSpec paint. It has low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). That is what causes the “paint smell” that lingers. Even after the smell is gone, these compounds continue to damage the environment, not to mention your babe’s little lungs. Children are more sensitive to chemicals when they are growing so why not try to avoid all the chemicals we can!

Whenever I go to a museum I am inspired by the shapes and colors. Beyond the wonderful artwork on display I observe the colors they select for the walls in a particular exhibit and how they arrange the pictures. There is so much wonderful inspiration and lessons in balance and color. Most of us cannot afford the artwork that is featured in a museum but we can afford some of the great finds in a museum shop. Let me share a few colorful finds:

I love this Nelson Wall Clock from the Museum of Modern Art Store. This clock would look great in your kitchen to add a splash of color. It would also be a fun addition to a home office. This is an exact replica of the one George Nelson designed in 1948.

This Tobacco Leaf Cloisonné Vase from the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a beautiful little item for an end table or night stand. I can picture a bunch of red tulips peaking over the edge. This is a reproduction of a Chinese tobacco leaf design that was popular in the 17th and 18th Century. It’s one of those items that looks like you inherited it!

This cute Balinese Gecko caught my eye and is featured at the Smithsonian Store. For $25 this little guy will add a bright spot of color on your patio or in a child’s room. It makes me smile!