West Elm Fall Preview

If you're like me you're not even thinking about Fall.  Well not so for the folks at West Elm who have recently released a preview of their Fall collection to the Trade.  Even if you're not a big fan of modern design, many of their pieces will work in transitional or even traditional interiors.  Two of my new favorites are in the picture above:  the Cabriole Leg Desk and the Horse Bookends.  Check out the entire collection of new arrivals.

Elle Decor Showhouse

via Elle Decor

I wanted to share the living room space of this years Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House.  This room was designed by Carrier and Company and showcases many clever space saving ideas.

Carrier and Company used pops of yellow much like that of the yellow forecast for 2011 in the Benjamin Color Trends seminar I attended.  The yellow juxtaposed to the grey beige walls gives the room a fresh and modern look.  Since the home is in NYC, the designers used bookcases to house book collections, storage and a cocktail bar.  Multifunctional furniture is a must in small space interiors.

The view from this side of the room shows how a chaise lounge was used along with a table to create a multipurpose space.  By using glass and mirror, the designers expand the visual space and create a energetic and practical living room.  The arcing lamp over the table is the perfect choice in such a space.

Design your own Fabric

Design, like so many things these days, has come a long way in the last few years.  There are many tools out there that help us such as 3D Room Designers, Color Preview software and online access to design experts.  I learned of one site recently that intrigued me and I thought I would share it with my readers.  


It's called Spoonflower and their easy to use website allows visitors to design their own fabric.  Now I know most people will not find this quite as exciting as I do.  While other little girls were playing softball and pretending to be Wonder Woman, I was making doll clothes on my first little Singer.  However, just imagine the possibilities!  Any pattern you have access to or design can be made into pillows, drapes or napkins to help customize a room.  Not to mention how fun this site could be for quilters, especially landscape quilters needing to find just the right pattern and color.

The process is extremely simple.  All you need to do is upload an image and the software on the site will show you how the pattern will repeat on the fabric.  In this case, I chose a bold pattern from a Jonathan Adler notebook and scanned it into my computer.  I cropped the image and uploaded it to the Spoonflower site.  The resulting fabric I created can be produced in many different sizes and weights.  If you want to make drapes or pillows you would order either Linen Cotton Canvas or Upholstery Weight Twill, while napkins would be fine made from Quilting weight cotton.  Even if you don't sew, you can have these items made for you at either a dry cleaner or by a good tailor.

Margarita on the Rocks

Since it's Friday I thought I would post my favorite margarita recipe - enjoy!

Margarita on the Rocks

1 oz. Rose's Lime Juice

1 oz. Triple Sec

2 1/2 oz. 100% Agave Tequila 

5 oz. Sweet & Sour

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake until nice and cold and serve over ice.

2011 Color Trends

As part of the design trade community, I recently had the opportunity to attend a Benjamin Moore 2011 Color Trends seminar.  This is the third one of these types of events that I have attended, but I have to say this year's trends are the most exciting to me because they more closely reflect what I am seeing trending right now and what my clients are gravitating towards.


The seminar was lead by Mary Hoffman, Color & Design Specialist for Benjamin Moore.  Mary explained that 2011 year is the year of balance.  Neutrals are a huge story this year and many of the colors we are seeing are very much earth inspired.  These are colors that make us feel calm and restore balance.  This year there is no "shock" of color like the saturation of color we might see on TV.


She shared several color stories with us, but I want to bring you just a few that are speaking to me right now.

Yellow is still present, but rather than a bright citrus yellow we saw last year, this year this color is moving more into the gold range.  Orange is still present going forward, but in more earthly livable tones that are more comfortable.

Purple is another color moving forward from last year, but this year we are seeing more magenta and lavender.  The presentation of these colors in small pops make them very easy to live with as well as vibrant and fun.

Finally the Red story for this year is showing a darker or more "blackened" red.  This story also includes pink in two shades: one as a more "Barbie Pink", and the other as a comforting light pink.  The pink is giving a nod to mothering and nurturing which is of course is at the heart of how we experience comfort.


I am hopeful that you will be inspired to use some of these color trends to freshen your space and bring some increased comfort to your home.

Tiffany Blue

Today's post, more inspiration from my recent trip to New York.  I snapped this photo on the fourth floor in the gift section of Tiffany's.  I was just in awe of all the gorgeous displays and all of the products that are produced in the coveted Tiffany blue - even coin purses!  In this picture you can see an old fashioned typewriter that has been carefully painted Tiffany blue.  It got me thinking.... what could I paint Tiffany blue?


That lead me to my next search for a paint that would best approximate the iconic color.  Sherwin Williams manufactures a color called Tiffany Blue, but if you are looking for something close to that of the little blue box, don't waste your time.  I did however find four colors I think are worth checking out.

Benjamin Moore, Tropicana Cabana 2048-50

Valspar, Seafarer 5007-10A

Sherwin Williams, Mariner 6766

Benjamin Moore, Caribbean Cool 661

I was able to pull these great color swatches off of a very helpful site called My Perfect Color.  My favorite blue is definitely the Valspar, but I need to find something fun to paint that color so stay tuned! 

Hotel Silver

During my trip last week to New York, I had the opportunity to visit the Champagne Bar in the Plaza Hotel.  After walking all over Manhattan I was very happy to enjoy a relaxing, albeit expensive ($16), glass of chardonnay in this amazing and historic hotel.  As I sat breathing in the luxury, I began to wonder how I could bring a small piece of this decadence home with me.  Then it hit me...Hotel Silver.

Hotel Silver is commonly found in heavy serveware with a nice bright silver plate.  Silver plate is a coating of pure silver on a base metal such as copper or nickel.  Sterling silver, on the other hand, is comprised of 92.5% silver and commonly stamped with 925.  Many of these lovely silver serving pieces can be purchased through ebay, however, I came across a great online store, Paris Hotel Boutique , that sells hotel silver in addition to several other collectibles.