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1.15.2013

Touch of Gold

Warm metal finishes are showing up everywhere!  Think gold, un-lacquared brass, bronze, and copper.

Kitchen and bath fixture companies are now offering these finishes for their more transitional and contemporary styles.

I recently saw this New Ravenna mosaic tile in person at Architectural Ceramics in Baltimore.  It's gorgeous!  I also like how they mix the finishes here (the faucet is polished chrome).


Gold mirrors and lighting are classic...


Pretty table base...

Kelly Wearstler
Warm hardware is a sophisticated look with the grey cabinets...


Buttery drapery and gold cocktail table work beautifully with the grey walls.





Hab Chic Blog

Hab Chic Blog


Celerie Kemble


Things That Inspire Blog




Sara Richardson

Enjoy the rest of your week!  Contact me if you would like help turning your home into one that you love!





1.10.2013

Tips for Pet-Friendly Interiors

We all love our pets!  But what can we do so they don't destroy our pretty homes?

Here are some of my tips...

1.  Use hard surfaces wherever possible.  They are easier to clean then carpets.  If you have to do carpets, stick with the low pile variety.  Higher pile carpets are much harder to clean.

Pinterest

2.  Strategically place a blanket or throw where your pet likes to hang out.  My black newfoundland likes to hang out at the end of my cream sofa so I hang a pretty throw over that side.  It's easier to clean then the sofa.


Pinterest

3.  Match your decor to your dog's hair color.   It'll hide a lot.

Country Living

4.  Washable slipcovers and bedding are great.


5.  Indoor/outdoor rugs are easy to clean.


6.  Have a designated spot for your pet to hang out.

Jonathan Adler

7.  An attractive dog bed is good too.

Michael S. Smith

8.  Use good quality washable paint.  A satin or eggshell finish is a must.  Don't use flat!

Darryl Carter

9.  Consider keeping you windows clear of long drapery, especially where your pets spend a lot of time.

House of Turquoise Blog

10.  Keep your pets clean and well groomed.  Weekly brushings will cut down on the amount of hair and dander in your home.

Michael S. Smith


11.  Less is more might be your look.

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12.  Indoor/outdoor fabrics are great.  Also, use tightly woven fabrics that have been treated to be soil resistant.


13.  A home with some rustic patina hides a lot.  

Thomas Buckborough

Have a good weekend!  

If you would like help creating a home you love, contact me about our design services!





1.03.2013

Mad for Plaid

I'm currently loving plaid.  Whether it's an accent or you decide to wallpaper entire room in it, it's a great classic pattern that's easy to mix with what you already have going on!  

Tommy Smythe who works with Sara Richardson likes it too...


Tommy Smythe's home
Tommy Smythe's home
Unknown

Cameron Kimber 

Unknown

Unknown


Apartment Therapy




Apartment Therapy

 If you would like help making your home beautiful, contact me!


Hope you are enjoying your first week of 2013!!!







12.23.2012

NYC Trip

I jumped at the opportunity to join Reid in New York City last week.  I'm a huge fan of the city and feel fortunate that it's only a two hour train ride away.  My game plan, I mean our game plan...visit the Guggenheim Museum, check out the holiday windows at Bergdorfs, shop at ABC Home and see the NY Botanical Gardens.   



The Guggenheim was designed by the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.   The museum is one of his most famous achievements, so I was eager to check out the museum in person.  The museum's website describes the building as an "inverted ziggurat", with "galleries...divided like membranes in citrus fruit", similar to a "nautilus shell".    

The building is spectacular from the outside but, unfortunately, we'll have to go back to see the inside.  During my careful planning, I overlooked the fact that it's closed on Thursdays!  

Next stop, the famous holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman which did not disappoint...


The windows are a mix of fantasy and fashion inspired by the Jazz Age in the 1920s and 1930s.  Bergdorf's visual presentation team starts planing holiday windows in January.  Their creative meetings must be so much fun!









 Especially liked the bird's eye view of the band playing...




Across from our hotel was the well known, "Lipstick Building" by Philip Johnson and John Burgee.  It's shape, is a break from the nearby rectangular skyscrapers.  It's said all offices are "corner" offices.


Before dinner we took the subway to ABC Home, one of my favorite home stores.  We walked by the colorful Empire State Building on the way.


I had no idea that the ABC Home windows would be a treat too...




My main reason was to see the 6th floor with all their gorgeous rugs, includes the vintage dyed ones below...


We had a yummy dinner at the Casa Lever House restaurant which is best known for its retro modern interiors.


The next day, on our way home, we stopped by the New York Botanical Gardens.


The highlight was the holiday train show that includes 140 iconic New York buildings made from twigs, fruit, seeds and other natural materials.  Here are some of my favorites.

The real St. Patricks Cathedral is currently under a full restoration, so it was nice to see this model without all the scaffolding.


The Guggenheim...


And Yankee stadium...


Since we've been back, our holiday festivities have been in full swing, including our 8th annual gingerbread house decorating party for the neighborhood children.   



I wish all you a joyful holiday season and happy new year!