Posts Tagged ‘Design’

SIXX DESIGN – DOWNTOWN CHIC

Wednesday, May 6th, 2009

sixx-design.png

Image via The New York Times

downtown-chic.jpg

Image via Amazon

We were recently talking to our friends at SIXX DESIGN and were excited to hear all about their fabulous new book DOWNTOWN CHIC Designing your Dream Home: From Wreck to Ravishing. (released on May 5th and available through Amazon)
Cortney and Robert Novogratz are the authors of this beautiful book. It is full of amazing stories and advice and has an assortment of brilliant before and after photos! You will be amazed and inspired by what this young, hip couple can achieve and all while bringing up six(x)+1!!! children under 9! They have developed and designed many properties in Manhattan, all with understated and flawless taste and always with a touch of luxury. Their design philosophy sees them involved in all aspects of their project, no matter how big or small. Cortney and Robert, you really are the masters of turning “funky into fabulous”! (oh yes and a totally handsome couple too….)

Decorating 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008

It’s that time again, to redecorate the White House.

 

White House
Here are my picks from the past.
Jackie Kennedy
Picture 15.png
Picture 17.png
Jackie at the white house 1962
Then: The Kennedys’ Blue Room
The-Kennedys-Blue-Room.jpg
This photo of the elegant Blue Room was taken during the Kennedy administration in 1962.
Then: The Lincoln Sitting Room
Lincoln-Sitting-Room.jpg
The Lincoln Sitting Room by Little Rock designer Kaki Hockersmith, had strong colors and patterns during the Clinton years. This photo was taken in 1994.

 

Today’s best designer’s tell House Beautiful what they would do if they were decorating for the new first family.

 

What If? Windsor Smith Created a Multipurpose Space

Windsor Smith multi purpose space for White House

 

“I would replace frou-frou damasks and silks with environmentally sustainable casual linens in an earthy brown palette, with accents in optimistic colors, like verdant green, lemon, yellow, and tangerine…. Most important, I would create an amazing, relaxed, colorful multipurpose space where they can really be a family and escape the demands of the world. Their love and commitment to one another will no doubt be his inspiration for all that he is embarking on.” — WINDSOR SMITH, LOS ANGELES

What If? They Went Green

“First, let’s open up those storage rooms and reuse things from former presidencies in a clean, fresh, new way. Using what you have, or buying vintage, is a great way to lessen your carbon footprint. Then, let’s make some green choices, beyond just lightbulbs, like environmentally friendly paints for Sasha and Malia’s rooms, or buying wares from local artisans so we know the wood and materials are environmentally sound and locally harvested.” — NATE BERKUS, CHICAGO

 

What If? Darryl Carter Suggested a Modern Take on Antiques

Modern-Take-on-Antiques.jpg

“As a native Washingtonian, I am predisposed to the historic fabric of this city. As a modernist with a penchant for white rooms whose vocabulary predominantly consists of antiques covered in muted palettes, this would be a most intriguing undertaking.” — DARRYL CARTER, WASHINGTON

What If? The Fabrics Had an Easy Charm About Them

Carolina-Irvin- Andaluz-Delft.jpg

“I would start with a sustainable hemp print such as Carolina Irvin’s Andaluz in the color Delft. It has the feeling of an old quilt with a modern twist. This fabric to me represents the approachable, easy charm that this young family radiates.” — PHOEBE HOWARD, ATLANTA

THANK YOU Desire to inspire!

Monday, December 1st, 2008
Today I started the day with a wonderful surprise.
Desire to inspire december 01
Thank you so much for the mention Desire to inspire!

“How Would Dorothy Do It?”

Thursday, September 18th, 2008

When I was in New York back in July, my best friend Sarah gave me the most wonderful book. My Favorite Things, A personal Guide to Decorating and Entertaining by Dorothy Rodgers 1964.
The wife of composer Richard Rodgers, Mrs. Rodgers writes about making a house a home. “Taste is made, not born,” she says at one point in MFT. She then goes on to recount how she, in the midst of a brilliant theatrical, artistic, literary and diplomatic milieu managed to run her home, bring up her children, create her own business, entertain hundreds of friend s and acquaintances. Her sense of style became her signature!

Here are a few of my favourite bits from her book, or should I say bible.

Cover of Dorothy Rodgers book My favorite Things
Dorothy Rodgers guide to decorating drawing of a sofa
Dorothy Rodgers guide to decorating bedroom picture of black and white pattern fabric on bed and curtains

 

 

Urban Maison

Saturday, September 6th, 2008

Here are a few things that I spotted on my new favorite website: Urban Maison. I have to confess, I am an online shopper from way back, There is just something about shopping around the world from the comfort of my bed. I think: How M. Proust! (Or as my daughter often reminds me: very Gray Gardens. grey_gardens_dvd.jpg
I can imagine myself resting on this insanely beautiful green velvet day bed.

green velvet day bed

John Robshaw - Maharaja Bolsters

My other two favorite pieces are a stylish Napoleon III chaise lounge circa 1860, as it reads: would be a great way to relax with a G&T! Check out the Les Indiennes fabric I want to redo it in.

GinandTonic1.jpg
4_fleur-chocolate.jpg

Also love this very elegant 19th century Louis XVI armchair reupholstered in this fabulous Of the Young and The Restless fabric.

p1020620_002e_1.jpg

yr_thorny_rose-honeymoon.jpg

 

Blog Widget by LinkWithin