Design Journal: New York City Showrooms and More!

I usually bring to you, dear readers, some kind of design advice and tips, but today I'm going to let you in on some of the exciting things I get to see as a decorator in New York City. I hope you don't mind a peek into the hidden gems of design!

Working here as a decorator definitely has its perks. Some of the most amazing design buildings are located here, as well as shows and events. Recently, I was able to attend two events, Opening Night at the Architecture & Design Building and the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club 42nd Annual Decorator Show House.

The A&D Building Opening Night was filled with beautiful products, and more importantly, cocktails and hor d'oeuvres, both of which I indulged in! While I wasn't eating and enjoying my margarita, I did manage to snap just a few of the products I love:

B&B Italia flagship store, street entrance. Product shown is Canasta '13 by Patricia Urquiola. Technically, this is outdoor furniture, but it looks gorgeous inside, as well.

Estrella Be Bop White Gloss Finish Mosaic glass tile by Artistic Tile. This blew me away. It's just so beautiful. This tile can be used as a shower wall or on a shower floor...it could even be used as a small portion of a gently used floor elsewhere to create a dramatic effect.

Danse Azul stone tile by Artistic Tile. Another gorgeous tile...it can be used for the same applications as the Estrella Be Bop, but is a little more hardy so it can also be used in a pool or outdoor patio area.

GE Monogram Design Center custom refrigerator panel. Amazing, right? Did you ever think you could have your very own Empire State Building fridge? Or your own whatever-your-heart-desires fridge? No, I didn't either. No more need for refrigerator art!

GE Monogram Design Center custom kitchen. For the cook, this place is a dream come true. You can customize everything in the kitchen to your liking, in any style you can think of.

La Terre Royalty by Exquisite Surfaces. Terra cotta mixed with pewter. This is also offered in terra cotta/brass. I love the beauty of metal mixed with stone. I want to hang a small square of this in my house, just to look at it every day! 

Le Bambole '07 by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. A pop of red invites you to sit down on this cozy sofa. It really is comfortable and is a beautiful option for small apartments. Small doesn't have to mean unattractive or uncomfortable.

Thanks for bearing with my phone photos, by the way.

Last week, I made my way over to the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club 42nd Annual Decorator Show House. It's a fundraiser to which top designers are invited to decorate rooms within the house. This year, the show was held in The Mansion on Madison, built in 1884. It is one of the last remaining buildings in New York City that represents renaissance architecture. The interior architecture is original and is absolutely stunning, as you'll see in these photos. I've selected my favorite rooms to showcase for you below:

Designed by architect William Georgis. His design was inspired by Cardinal Spellman, who presided over and  is buried at St. Patrick's Cathedral across the street from the mansion. This was my favorite room because it embraced the feeling of the mansion, and also incorporated scent and music to influence the mood of the room. These last two factors had a stronger impact on my feeling of this room than what I saw with my eyes. Photo credit Curbed.

The floors and wood paneling are gorgeous, aren't they? The table, named Santa Sangre, was designed by William Georgis to represent the crucifixion of Christ (notice the pile of nails in the center of the table). Photo credit Curbed.

A cozy hallway leads to the bathrooms. I love the reflective gold ceiling and velvet lined banquette. Designed by Young Huh, LLC. Photo credit Curbed.

"Lady Penelope's Dressing Room" designed by Christopher Peacock. I can already imagine all of my own belongings in here! Peacock was inspired by a character from a 1960's television show called Thunderbirds. Photo credit Curbed.

Dressing table in "Lady Penelope's Dressing Room". That's 24 karat gold on the hardware. Photo credit Curbed.

Designed by Markham Roberts Inc. This study was one of my favorites because of the color on the walls and the amazing animal print rug and chair. It made me feel like I was in a collectors haven. Much of the art was of a natural history theme. Notice the white spears...they're narwhal tusks. Photo credit Curbed.

A closer peek at the narwhal tusks. Photo credit Curbed.

Designed by Villalobos Desio, we find another cozy, eclectic room. This room also felt like a collectors space. I especially love the leather herringbone floors and 1960's leather chair with fur pillow. The nook in the back, which appears to have previously been a closet, is a creative way to add more space visually and physically. Photo credit Curbed.

Close-up of my favorite chair and pillow. The stone skull is a a very curious object of interest. I love it! Photo credit Curbed.

I am sure I won't be able to resist sharing more of these events with you in the future, so stay tuned for more sneak peeks! If you have questions about where to find any of the items in these rooms, let me know, and I will consult my copy of the Designers' Sources.

Thanks for reading, friends! Have a lovely week :)

Carole

Tidbits on Design: 10 Steps to Clutter Free!

Coco Chanel once said, "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory."

I think this quote can be applied to decorating, as well. Recently, I've been going through my own apartment trying to remove accessories. I have so many little keepsakes and memories I want to display, but it's causing clutter and chaos. It's distracting, and it's stressing me out!

Do you have the same problem in your own home? Are you having a hard time putting away photos or that vase a family member gave you a million years ago, for fear that someone will have hurt feelings? Well, I am here to commiserate with you (and help)!

Yikes! This living room has too many items on the shelves and in the room! Photo credit Christmas Tree Market.

First thing's first. Don't feel guilty if you want to get rid of something! I think the one thing keeping us cluttered in our homes is the guilt we might feel if we don't display something "special". Special items can be stored and brought out during special occasions. You don't have to display EVERYTHING and certainly not everything all at once.

Don't feel guilty or you'll end up with 25 years of clutter in your home! Photo credit Sunday Comics Debt.

Here is a great way to tackle clutter (I did it this way in my own apartment and it really works):

1. Start in the room that is stressing you out the most. Yes, it's daunting, but clearing this room first will make the rest of the house feel like a piece of cake.

2. Take every accessory out of the room and place it in a pile in another room. Okay, DON'T FREAK OUT! I know it seems like you'll be making a mess, but I promise this is going to work. It's very important that you remove the items so you can complete the next step.

Make a neat pile like this one...neatness helps keep the stress down. Photo credit City Scape Bliss.

3. Go back into the problem room, stand back and take a look at it clutter free. Breathe deeply and relax in there for a few minutes. How does it feel? Wonderful? Let the beauty of clutter free permeate you before you start sorting. Seriously, let it sink in.

Ahhh, see how lovely it is, just for a moment? Photo credit homedit.

4. Now, go "shopping" in that pile of stuff you've got. Separate things into love it, hate it, feel like I have to keep it (guilt items). Here's the part that really matters and you've got to be honest with yourself: what out of the guilt items can you actually let go of? Are there photos? Keep in a photo album or box. Is it a flower vase? Do you love it? Put in the love it or hate it pile based on your answer. Most likely the guilt items are not loved. But if you feel you need to keep it for someone else's sake, this is an item that can be stored until it is needed. When you bring it out, rotate it with another item to stay clutter free. If your guilt comes from spending a lot of money on an item you no longer want, then sell it. There are lots of people looking for accessories on Amazon and eBay!

5. If you are having a hard time anywhere in step four, go back into your clutter free room and remember how it feels. It will help you eliminate the things you really don't need.

6. Get rid of the items you are letting go of right away! Don't allow yourself to go "shopping" through these items ever again!

7. Now, take the love it items back into the room (NOT the guilt items!) and put them in the middle of the room. Look at what you have and try to group them into "like/similar" items.

8. Display "like/similar" items near each other, in groups of three as a beginner, or more if you are brave! You can also place them individually around the room if they can be stand alone items.

Easy Vignette

If you are a beginner, try basic groups of three at first. Store items that don't match well or seem to add more clutter. Photo credit When Regarding Ruffles.

Challenging Vignettes

Notice how there are many items on these shelves, but they are placed in "like/similar" groupings. Also notice that the shelves are not filled with only small objects. It is important to vary object size in each group to add depth (for instance, notice how the picture frames are large and are placed at the back of the shelves). The S has the same effect as the frames. Remember, books are always lovely to display! Photo credit Ideas for Decoration

9. Reminder, you do not have to place all of the love it items back in the room. They can be put away for future use, or placed in another room (once you de-clutter the other rooms and NOT before). Once the whole house is finished, you can move items between rooms as you see fit!

10. Go back to those guilt items. Is there anything you want to display now? If not, store them away or continue to purge. If so, display one item at a time. Give it a few days to see how it feels. You can always add/remove items in the room to see how they feel and function.

Here are a few guilt items I recommend thinking twice about before keeping:

Not sure whether or not to hang on to this goody? Take it from me, toss it. Photo credit Why Did You Buy Me That?!

Just because it's shiny, doesn't mean it's worth keeping. Photo credit Polyvore.

If it scares you, think about getting rid of it. Photo credit Boulder and the Beautiful.

In all seriousness, you probably have accessories that inspire the same weird feelings in your home. If they are from a loved one, take a photo of the item for memory's sake. Then get rid of them or store them away.

Remember, it's your home, not a museum! Ultimately, if you don't LOVE it, get rid of it. If you do love it, but still have too much displayed, store it away until the right time comes to show it off.

I hope this inspires you to start de-cluttering! I know it is a tough job, but once you've done it, you will feel like you live in a new home. And hopefully, you'll feel a little bit less stressed.

Thanks for reading, friends. Good luck!

Carole

Tidbits on Design: What's Paint Got to Do With It and Choosing The One (or two!)

Painting.

People love the idea. You move into a new apartment/house and you imagine painting every room, and you swear to yourself you are going to do it. And then you don't because you are afraid to settle on a color. Admit it. Colors scare you to death when it comes to slathering it all over the wall and living IN it for who knows how long.

I promise, there is no need to fear paint colors.

These days, there are a gazillion of them to chose from. Nearly any color you can physically see with your eyes has been put in a paint can. But let's start with shades, just to ease your fears that I demand you paint your walls bright green (I do have an example further along in this post, though!). If you are really fearful of color, you can chose from MANY shades of white, creme, beige and champagne. If you are looking to try something daring, you can chose as dark as black in luxurious textures and shines. Two opposing examples below highlight the beauties of light vs. dark:

Off-white walls paired with bright white and other various shades and textures keep this room from feeling too sterile and boring. The dark wood floor brings depth and contrast. You could make these floors a bit lighter to create an airier feel. Photo credit Elle Decor.

Dark walls all around create a cozy feel. The dark color in this room brings depth, like the dark floors in the last example. The light furnishings balance the black. See, black isn't scary! Photo credit Homm CPS.

Even if you aren't into colors, the examples above are great ways to bring interest and beauty into your space. Some people just don't want to feel like they are living in a ribbon of the rainbow, and that's okay!

Now onto bolder colors. One of the hardest parts about picking that dreaded can of paint is knowing how to pick the right one. When deciding on a color, a good place to start might be your favorite color. Once you've come up with a color (or two), start thinking about the amount of light in the room you want to paint. Is it bright? Is it a dungeon? Also consider the function of the room. Is it used for sleeping, reading, lounging, etc? How do you want the room to feel? Happy? Cozy? Relaxing?

Example. Let's say your favorite color is blue. And let's say you have a small, not-very-well-lit room. Don't believe the myth that this kind of room must be painted with light colors. Light colors will actually end up looking dingy in a small, dark room because the lack of light creates shadowy, dark areas on the walls, which make all colors appear less bright/light. Battle those shadows with bold wall color and add neutrals and pops of color in the furnishings. The boldness of a color in a small, dark room can make it feel alive, rather than dungeon-y. Check out how beautifully these bold blues brighten the rooms below:

This cozy blue room is balanced with warm neutrals, but includes a bright pop of yellow, adding a bit of warm color to balance the dark walls and floor. Photo credit Homedit.com.

Here's a vibrant blue room balanced with neutrals like white, light brown (floor) and gold. Vibrant green chairs add brightness, and the zebra rug adds drama and fun to the room. Photo credit Jodie Carter Design.

This small, oddly shaped room is painted with a vibrant light blue. The white neutrals balance the space, while the gold blanket and pop of red create interest with contrast. If the bedding was made all white, it would create and even lighter feeling. Photo credit The Stir.

While deciding on a color, you might also take a look at the furnishings you already have. I bet most of you have neutral bases, like the couch, chairs, and tables. What color are the accessories in your home? Look at your artwork. What colors do you find in these little extras? Use these colors to help you decide on a paint color for the walls, either something in the same color family or a contrasting color.


Take a look at some of the colorful examples below. You'll begin to see how color can work in a home when it is balanced with neutrals.

Black and white with pops of blue and gold. Notice the glossy finish on the black wall, which reflects light back into the room. The light rug helps brighten the space, as well. Photo credit Elle Decor.

 

Small, cozy, but vibrant space. Notice the bold blue is also glossy, reflecting light into the room. It's balanced with neutral furnishings, and vibrancy is brought in with colorful accessories. Photo credit Elle Decor.

Yellow isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it works beautifully in this open air hallway. Now, instead of just a hallway, it's a warm space that inspires a sunny, uplifting feeling on the way out and in. Photo credit Architectural Digest.

Light paint colors are lovely in a sun-filled space. This room is relaxing, and the accessories bring just enough color and depth to the space to keep it from feeling too bland. Waking up here would be so refreshing! Photo credit House Beautiful.

This very bold green room feels like a place to mingle and sip on cocktails! Notice how the neutral sofa keeps it balanced. The black and white accessories balance the space in color, but keep it lively with their fun patterns. The reflective gold ceiling helps bounce light around the room while continuing the excitement! Also notice the lack of contrasting colors (to the green), giving the space a grown-up feeling. Photo credit Decor Pad.

A dark grey wall looks soft in this well lit room. The green drapes add a bold pop of color to the neutral tones that dominate the space. A gold lamp and mantle add warmth to the cool tones of this room. Photo credit Veranda.

This lovely gem is cozy and fun. Gold and yellow always pop when paired with purple. The white rug, floor and ceiling keep this room balanced and the light blue chairs add another hint of color without being overwhelming. Photo credit Laura U Interior Design

One last rule of thumb. Whether you are DIY painting or hiring someone else to do it for you, ALWAYS purchase paint testers before you buy a gallon of that bright color. Chose a couple of shades in the same color, or chose a couple of colors if you're still unsure. Either way, you need to see what the paint looks like on the wall(s) you are painting over a time span of at least 24 hours. What will it look like in the morning, at night, and everything in between? Plus, colors often look more bold on the wall than they do on the swatch. Sometimes the surface of your wall will even give the color an effect you won't see until you test it! And even if that color looks really bold on your walls, you have some great examples above that show you how to balance it out and make it beautiful.

Good luck and thanks for reading!

Carole

Tidbits on Design: Art I Love

Every great design incorporates beautiful artwork of some kind. Sometimes people think that only includes expensive paintings or modern art sculptures. Not so! While both of those types of art can contribute to great design, art is meant to include anything that makes you say, "this is beautiful/interesting/captivating". Whatever art you put in your home, make sure it's something that you love. It can include wall art, table art, sculpture, furniture (yes, furniture can be functional AND artful), lighting, fabric, etc. Here are a few types of art pieces that I think are good examples of "different" types of art that could be included in many design styles. Use it for inspiration in your own home!

Right now I'm loving the artwork from Barloga Studios. I met them at the Architectural Digest Home Show this year. Their images can be put on to three types of media, be it their handmade paper, acrylic panels, or aluminum plates. These feathers on handmade paper are just some of the many types of prints they make. Imagine a back-lit acrylic print of these feathers! It would be amazing. Check out their website for more images, including cities, animals and scenery.

Photo credit Barloga Studios

This next piece is just cute. Again, seen at the ADHS this year, these little buggers (okay, pun intended) caught my eye and I was super excited. These could be placed anywhere in the home. They could be mounted on the wall, simply set on a table or shelf, even placed on or near a houseplant for a little whimsy. Whimsy. Another touch to great design. Something like this is unexpected and beautiful. These ants are just one example, of course. Maybe you don't like bugs. There are many other options, like animals, miniature anything, collections of stamps you've been storing for years. Just remember, keep it subtle or it will begin to look kitschy. And look for whimsical items that you love!

Photo credit Arteriors

I mentioned before that you might have a collection of something you've been storing for years. It could be stamps, postcards, maps, or maybe license plates like me! My husband and I have lived in a lot of states, and we liked to keep the plates from our truck, but they kept piling up and getting in the way. I finally decided they would make a really fun art wall for my husband's office area. See how cool this is?

Art can be anything you want it to be, and that's one of the amazing things about it. Don't settle for something you don't love. Don't settle for something just because you think it's what art is "supposed" to be. Buy and use pieces that you LOVE and that reflect YOU. I hope these examples inspire you to look for that next perfect piece with a different point of view. Have fun getting creative!

Carole

Six Months in New York City!

Hello, friends!

It's been quite a while, but I'm finally back to blogging! We've been really busy trying to make a home here (I finally painted the living room!) and a lot of other new changes have come our way, as well.

My interior decorating career is taking off in a really interesting way. I was offered the opportunity to manage a NYC design studio for Rafael Fuentes, ASID. Some of you might remember that I took a certification track in decoration last year, and the designer who taught the courses invited me to partner up with him in his business. So, here I am, manager/partner of this business....and I'm totally and completely excited, of course! I've been able to see and do a lot of really cool things since we opened the studio here, like attend trade shows, walk through showrooms with beautiful things, meet amazing artists who are passionate about their work, and just learn more about the exciting field of design. The more I learn, the more I realize how many opportunities there are for our business to expand in any direction we can think of, and it's a bit overwhelming sometimes! At the same time, it's truly exciting and I am determined to hang on for the ride. :)

Aside from jumping head first into a new career, we've been taking the time to see some shows, like Les Miserables, Waiting for Godot (with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen) and a Brazilian jazz group at Carnegie Hall. All amazing! And Dan, who has never been to any live shows like this, has been thoroughly enjoying each one and I'm so glad! We'll be seeing Phantom of the Opera in June (when my mama comes to visit) and I am so excited! I've been waiting ten years to see it on Broadway. I am also trying REALLY hard to score The Tonight Show tickets to see Jimmy Fallon. I'm obsessively checking every day, twice a day!

Living in this city for six months has been a whirlwind and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love the people, the food, the energy, the opportunities, the endless list of things to do, and being able to hop on a subway in the middle of the night that will take you anywhere you want to go. There are new discoveries around every corner...

So, enough of all the talk! You're saying, "let's see some pictures!", so here are a few of the city in all of it's glorious beauty! Enjoy!

Midtown Manhattan on a foggy, rainy night. We were just coming back from dinner when we noticed how all of the tall buildings were disappearing in to the sky. It was kind of eerie!

A beautiful church on our street. I just love these doors!

Apartments in Greenwich Village. Would you like to live here?

I never thought I'd find an ivy covered cottage in Manhattan. But, here it is in Greenwich Village.

View of Jersey City over the Hudson River. One of our first warm, sunny days out of winter! There are a few piers on the west side of Manhattan that are being converted to park areas. They have great views.

These flowering trees are in Central Park where I run. So haunting and beautiful. Sometimes you just gotta stop mid-run and take a pic.

Pier 54, where the survivors of Titanic arrived after it's disaster.

The iron arch at pier 54. This dock has not been preserved well, and so far there are no plans to restore or repair it.

Early spring in Central Park.

Coney Island Nathan's! We got some hot dogs and cheesy fries. Still a bit cold for the beach!

Obi Wan and Darth Vader share a moment in Central Park. Someone said they saw this pic on Humans of New York. I'm sure their photo is better. Ha.

This little park down the street, Carl Schurz Park, is a charming and quiet neighborhood place to bring your dog, take in views of the East River and it's bridges, and get some sun...unless you're in the shade of a beautiful flowering tree, of course!

An apartment front in our neighborhood. Some of these buildings really know how to make themselves so charming.

Carl Schurz Park. There are SO many plants scattered around and I couldn't stop taking pics!

Carl Schurz Park. I just love stairways that lead to a place unknown. Don't you?

Carl Schurz Park. Even this little jewel box of a park has a bridge. Can't get enough of all the bridges.

And finally, the Peter Pan statue in Carl Schurz Park. New York sure has a lot of Disney characters hidden throughout the city! Do you know who is hiding in Central Park?

Thanks for reading friends! I hope you enjoyed watching the city's winter melt away into a beautiful and lush spring. I know I have! It feels like a whole new world here.

Carole