What I'm working on...Breakfast Room

Tonight I'm up too late thinking about a breakfast room for one of my clients. One of her inspiration photos is this Tobi Fairley image, which, I agree, is just beautiful. However, it's a bit too traditional for our tastes, or for the rest of the house. Here's what she's really responding to (I broke it down with her):

• soft color scheme: aqua with pops of peachy coral
• touch of walnut, mixed with painted wood
• graphic patterns, mixed with light florals

She wants fun, "updated," and kid friendly. We're already having a round walnut table made for the space. Three active kids will be eating, crafting and spilling at it, so I'm covering all seating in either an ivory faux leather or an aqua "snakeskin" vinyl. (I have some beautiful embossed vinyls that you'd swear were the real thing. And they're totally kid proof!). 

I did some very quick mood boards tonight. Hopefully they'll convince her to add some deeper teal to flow with the intensity of the rest of the house.

A slightly refined, yet eclectic version. (Remember the kids can rub cranberries into those chairs.)

Would love to snag something like this artwork for her. I don't care where we put it! Couldn't you just see it over a brass bar from Society Social.

A more casual, global version. I love this chair from Layla Grace. I know, they are getting a bit ubiquitous, but I still love them. Cushions, of course, would be covered in something wipeable.

Okay, just a quick episode of 30Rock with the hubs and a glass of wine, then it's off to bed.

Good night!

The Un-Staged Home

Earlier this summer I received a fantastic article written by Bunny Williams for William Sonoma Home's "To the Trade" series. It's all about Making A House A Home, something too many of us designers (and clients) tend forget. 

Everything doesn't have to be hidden that is not entirely by design, or arranged for maximum impact. I'm all for the beauty of cool objects and the serenity of an orderly, well designed home. However, I love that she reminds us that, when arranging furniture, we should think first of maximizing easy conversation rather than style; that people should display the books they truly read rather than the pretty ones, and that it's okay to let newspapers and mail be seen, just not "left lying around willy-nilly." (Who but she could use the term "willy-nilly?") 

I think this is why I tend to gravitate toward European home magazines. The rooms, even in all their glossiness, never look "staged," but rather like living, breathing, spaces occupied by living, breathing people. That's always more interesting to me. Like perfect people, perfect rooms, no matter how stylish, are totally boring.

A Bunny Williams designed salon for Kips Bay.

I think the vibrant eclecticism of this space makes it all the more inviting.

In a world of pretentious kitchens, this one actually makes me want

to cook big meals with my kids and hang out with friends.

Perfect for a long family breakfast (coffee reading at hand) or 

a formal dinner with friends.

Images: Kips Bay shots via Cote de Texas, Bunny's seaside living area as seen here in Lonny, my pinterest, Minnie Mortimer's Malibu home via Vogue