If you've read my blog you know that I have a style obsession with the Brits--so ofcourse, I'm loving these Union Jack pillows. I'm tinkering with the idea of doing a DIY pillow, but if I get lazy...here are some other resources:
Rendering of my new sofa
The very pillow here is from Vivienne Westwood for the Rug Co.
I'm pretty sure this is from Living Etc. Check out that chaise. Wow!
If red, white & blue is not your color scheme, Etsy is a good and affordable option:
Lonny Magazine NEVER ceases to amaze me. It's the best design magazine out there and it's available only online. There's so much design inspiration in this month's issue that its hard to share just a snippet but here are my top picks!
Betsy Burnham of Burnham Design rocks!
Pretty storage solutions for pretty things
Victoria's cheery apartment
Lizzy's Calming Entryway
Take an hour out of your day and watch the most fascinating design show on British television. Iconic designer Phillipe Starck's reality design show "Design for Life" features 12 British product designers--young hopefuls who are all competing to win a coveted 6 month placement at his world renowned firm. Both Starck's character and philosophies are as bold and matter of fact as the success and acclaim he has achieved throughout his career. The frenchman unabashedly proclaims the need to reinvent British design...there are after all only three or four good designers in Great Britain. He reminds me of my own Frenchman, my thesis professor Yves Ghiai, the most valuable and terrifying teacher at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/ FIDM. After watching the six episode season I feel like I've enrolled in a refresher course (thank you Phillipe!) and while I'm not impressed by the competitors --Starck's philosophies along with the determination and earnestness of the students are reason enough to watch. Besides, the flavor of this British reality is a nice break from the materialistic nature of most American programming.
Design for Life from design on Vimeo.
Favorite Starck Philosophies:
-The military truck is almost intelligent. Why because it is driven by function and not by marketing (hummer not included).
-Don't think about design. Think about everything else around it. We are professional dreamers.
-Design is for all. Art is elitist.
If you don't know Starck you probably know his designs.
Juicer that is know to squirt juice in your eye
Iconic Gun Lamp
Ramses Restaurant in Spain
Iconic Louis Ghost Chairs.
British design staple Living Etc. is going bonkers for color this month. Check out the cover (just spotted those chairs at the Long Beach Flea Market this weekend--sans the blue frame and cushion) and a few pages from this month's issue. You can pick up the mag at your local book store--it'll cost you around $8 US.
Also peek inside Jimmie Karlsson's London home:
I get so excited by visiting homes, whether through magazines, books, online or walking through the very doors, of other creative folk--fashion designers, photographers, architects, graphic designers, artists... Bottom line--design translates most any medium. The home of Danish fashion designer Malene Birger easily shows a transition from her keen fashion sense to the monochromatic gorgeousness of her home. I'm generally a fan of color yet, Malene creates a dynamic presence of contrast and texture in a purposefully limited palette. Listed below are some pictures of her sophisticated pad, juxtaposed with her flattering clothing. You can read the original article at Casa Sugar--or check out her runway show by visiting her website. Seriously, I think I just found my fashion inspiration for Spring '10. So my style!
Ignore the fighting and the debauchery and check out the new Real World House in D.C. I'm loving the gray, white and yellow color scheme in the entry and carried into the communal office space. I like the classical touches of the chair rail and molding detail that lends itself to the architecture of our nation's capitol, yet, in the spirit of MTV--the vibe's young, fresh and hip.
ps. the topiaries add a stately feel
Below a home from Domino Magazine Nov. 2008. Ps. the polka dot art is an easy DIY
Baby's rooms are perfect opportunities to have fun in your decor. Our color scheme works equally for a boy or a girl, just add to it an accent color. Love this nursery! Source: unk.
Lastly, one of my favorite tours on AT website.
Last week I had the honor of redesigning the Arts & Crafts Room of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlanta for a pilot we shot for TLC. The center serves disadvantaged--yet amazing kids, providing them with a safe haven for fun activities after school. The Arts & Crafts Room serves hundreds of kids each week and was anything but inspiring. We installed sturdy laminate wood flooring, crisp white ceiling planks, custom desks, tables, storage and reworked the existing lighting. My favorite element in the room? A completely mobile stage--to encourage the kids to find their own inner stardom. Check out the before and after pics below!
Our room needs a lot of TLC. Now for the AFTERS!
New flooring, paint, custom round tabletops. Our window treatments use pretty designer fabric sewn onto store bought white grommet panels. Big savings!
The stage is my favorite addition to the room! Our picture frames hold cork board to encourage creativity and keep things fresh and new.
Built-in table tops flank the room. New and attractive storage above.
Somewhere in the room (on the ceiling) we mounted another flying bird decal to remind the kids to be that free spirit. Always follow your dreams.
Check out our warm laminate wood flooring. Our central seating zone is defined by carpet tiles.
From Granny to Fabulous! Black glossy vinyl w/ piping is super durable for the kids. It also gives our instructor a dignified place to sit. Note, our free spirit bird is mounted above.
Our internal windows are transformed into a custom chalkboard and pinboard, finished with crown molding trim.
The kids give thanks.
Celebrity Carpenter and co-Host Russ Hemmis and I on a job well done!
If you're anything like me you probably love grabbing a latte and hitting the design section of your favorite bookstore. Now I'll admit, I haven't picked up Architectural Digest in quite a while but today I'm glad I did. This gorgeous, minimalist design interperts traditional Islamic decoration which leans towards geometric form as decor rather than iconic imagery. This high rise takes a minimalist approch to furnishings, allowing interesting finishes to take center stage--such as a clever map of Paris ceiling relief and stunning antique marbe wall finish.
image source: Architectural Digest
I came across Ryan Korban's NY apartment last week when I was tooling around on the net. He is the Creative Director of Edon Manor an incredibly chic, eclectic and glamorously styled shoe boutique in Tribeca that pays homage to English style. Ryan's apartment epitomizes a similar sensibility I hold so dear to my heart--a little bit of city, a little bit of the countryside mixed with classical pieces and eccentric finds that peak our curiosity. Below are the images that moved me.
Now this is what I call organized chaos. Have a little to avoid a museum like feel to an overly organized home.
I've mentioned a million times that dark grey is my favorite wall color. Or is that black? Love the pop!
Always use good china!! I learned this from my Grandmother.
Classic. Love this look but you can only pull it off if you have hardwood floors and some classical detailing in the architecture of your space.
Grey dupioni silk with brushed gold hardware adds instant glamour to your typical walk-up.
A casual white slip-covered sofa thing adds some much needed chill to a mostly formal setting.
