Monthly Archives: April 2012

style update- PUDDLEGATE! …OR…- to shorten or not to shorten?

30 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in best interior design, classic interiors, decorating ideas, decorating tips, design details, Design process, Drapery design ideas, Home design, Interior Decorating, Interior Design, lifestyles, Linen fabrics, Uncategorized, updating your interiors

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We must, simply must, address the PUDDLE GATE situation.  I LOVE my puddles.  Yes, we are talking about draperies.  Beautiful, elegant, sophisticated, oh so lovely, draperies with a puddle at the base.  BUT – the design police will not let me use them anymore!!!  SO, I am finally ready to go with them.  I don’t really have a choice. 

OK – I know it may be more “practical”.   And in today’s economy, anything lush is not what we are doing now.  So I give up.  I don’t mean to sound cynical.  I even, basically, agree.  I just don’t want to be dictated to by trends.  Well, Celia, get over it!  OK, I guess I will.    We are installing a new project tomorrow.  And, yes, our draperies have a break, not a puddle.  I’ll send you a photo of the installation later this week.  Not pro shots, that takes a little more time to accomplish.  Just a snap shot.

The point is, several of these truly beautiful draperies CAN be updated very simply and quickly.  We can take them back to our workroom and take up the hem. Yep, that is all it takes.  Just like a dress that is just a bit too long.  Some of these luxurious rooms should not go too short.  It would not  make sense for the overall look.  But we can simplify the puddle.  I think a full break, one that gives us just a little fabric still on the floor, will be enough to bring us up to date.    Again, I don’t advice going crazy over this.  But I know things can be updated and simplified very easily.

Recent installation with a simple “break”.

I know we can all handle this transition, if we take it slowly and not go overboard.  We can smooth out the lines of our rooms with just a few instructions to workrooms or other contractors or vendors.  So don’t panic.  Help is on the way.  You don’t have to start over!  We will tweak.  I’ll address the next step soon. 

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style update-21ST CENTURY NEO

20 Friday Apr 2012

Posted by in bedrooms, best interior design, classic interiors, decorating ideas, decorating tips, design details, Design process, Drapery design ideas, Home design, Interior Decorating, Interior Design, interior design award winner, interior design firms nyc, lifestyles, Neoclassical Style, Romantic Interiors

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TRANSITIONAL AND BEAUTIFUL

As I mentioned a few days ago, I want to explore a few ways to bring my traditional clients up to date.  Most of them are not interested in going 100% contemporary.  And we have gone to a lot of trouble and expense to make their homes beautiful and comfortable.  Yet, they are traditional.  Well, let’s face the facts, the work is spinning as fast as it can toward contemporary design.  I think this is a good thing.  –overall— But let’s not all jump on the wagon TOO TOO fast.  Let’s take a look at these fantastic traditional interiors and think…OK – how do we update these to the world of today without ruining our look and all our work.                                                              This is a truly lovely bed.  It has the proverbial “clean lines” (so tired of that saying) and it is a simple design.  But look closely.  It has taken a few Neoclassical details , simplified them, and made an exquisite piece.  This bed could go with almost any style.  and this particular finish is luscious.  OK – the reveal – it is a Baker piece.  Thanks, guys, for an almost perfect bed.  I’ll explore some ideas and updates soon.  Let’s do it.

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style update-Interior Designers NYC

19 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Antiques vs reproductions, bedrooms, best interior design, classic interiors, decorating ideas, decorating tips, design details, Design process, Home design, How to change a bachelor pad to feminine, Interior Decorating, Interior Design, interior design award winner, interior design firms nyc, lifestyles, New York Interior Design, New York Spring, Uncategorized, updating your interiors

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I learned so much in all my years as an interior designer in New York.  I loved it.  and I still love it.  It is energizing, stimulating, inspiring……….all of the above.  I am back and forth now, but every time I am in the city, I learn something new.–still. I finally gave up my Chelsea office/apartment.  Now I share a tiny office on the Upper East Side.  And that works well for me.  I can service my New York/New Jersy clients well from there.   

With a search for a way to transition my long standing clients into a more contemporary and updated style, I ran across this fabulous bed.   The lines of it blend well with traditional looks, yet still brings us all into the 21st century.  I love this one.

I’ll take a look at several things that can update a traditional interior in the next few weeks.Great bed to transition into contemporary style

PORTICO MAGAZINE

02 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in antiques, best interior design, decorating ideas, decorating tips, design details, Design process, Farm Tables, Food lovers, Home design, Home Renvations, Interior Decorating, Interior Design, Kitchen Design, lifestyles, neutral color palettes, New Artists, Uncategorized

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Portico magazine - cozy home - great renovation

Portico Magazine is a terrific place for our Madison, MS renovation project to appear.This was such a delightful project.  Great clients, challenging problems. 

     

The existing kitchen was tiny and dark and very closed in.  Now they have lots of light, space and openness.  I think they are happy, and so is their adorable puppy.  Many comfortable family meals and evenings will be spent here.    A few nice details were the Ikat rugs, the Pierre Deaux chandelier, the antiuqe leather chairs with great hobnails, and I especially loved using her flea market finds, family antiques, and a few newly found antiques.  Great stuff.  Oh yes, a beautiful contemporary painting by Richard McKey of Jackson.

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