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!

Sunny with Patches of Blue Sky

This happy room, published by Martha Stewart Magazine, has me falling for yellow all over again. The muted coral throughout the space is the perfect shade to prevent a sunny palette from going too high key. The whole feeling is also kept cool with lots of white and splashes of blue, black and green.  I love the easy eclecticism; like the Louis XV chair beside white lacquered nesting tables. Notice all the cheap chic details. Those are IKEA bookcases! She added radiator grills to the insides of the glass doors. (Home Depot and IKEA--doesn't get any cheaper than that!) Clever girl. 

The wainscotting is actually balustrade. The lampshade detail--an easy DIY project.

The graphic orange trays, sitting on folding cots, are another DYI. Check it out here.

Here are few things I found to get you in a Sunkist mood for Spring!

Coat ($99! Seriously!, J. Crew); bag, Marc Jacobs, (Matches); shoes, Christian Louboutin ($732, Blue Fly); dress, Max Mara (Matches); 

umbrella, Manolo Blahnik for Liberty UK

Sources: Martha Stewart, Posted by the Fab Camila at Effortless Style

Blue and White Master Suite--Final Photos

It's been a while since I posted the inspiration boards for that master bedroom I was working on. The gorgeous House of Turquoise just published them straight from my portfolio this morning, and I realized I'd forgotten to share them with all of you. So here are some shots of the suite and the rest of the house. This was a looong project: lots of millwork, lighting, and furnishings. Hope you enjoy.

First, my inspiration board:

And here's the house:

Coming soon.... The cutest nursery I think I've ever seen.

Source: Alexandra Rae Interior Design

What I'm Working On: Blue and White Master Suite

Here's a peek at the master suite I'm working on. My client wants a soothing blue, spa-like space. Her own pair of coral silver prints served as inspiration for the motif and the color scheme. I thought we were on the same page, blues and whites with silver and crystal accents, until I mentioned layering in creams, textured natural fabric and golds to warm an otherwise dull and cold palette. While I personally don't care for mixing silver and gold on the body, I think it's a necessity in home decor. We dress every morning, but a home is supposed to feel layered and evolved over time. So far she's a bit resistant. So here's hoping my first mood board can help nudge her along. I know it's hard to see so tiny, so check out the photos below.

I'll use lots of antiqued mirror (hopefully framed in silvery gold). I love the idea of a little lucite end table in the sitting area. Any good resources?

Trims and fixtures with warm accents will give the room depth. Notice how the brass floor lamp mixes beautifully with sterling silver desk accessories.

My idea for the hallway leading to the master bath is mirrors inset in panel moulding. It will brighten the short dark hallway from the bedroom to the bath area. I especially love the warmth of the antique gold light fixtures, camel leather wing chair and the dark beige coral on the mantel.

For the bath area, I found this Thibaut paper which made me fall for coral motifs all over again. It is TDF in person. Aqua rice paper with hand blocked metallic coral in three shades of blue and silver. The silver picks up the veins of the carrera marble I'm using on the countertops.

While this photo doesn't necessarily reflect the style we're going after, it has the layered blue tones and gilded frames we'll use. I'll keep you all posted!  

See the final photos here!

Images: Elle Decor, Traditional Home, Southern Accents, Layla Grace, House Beautiful, Schumacher, Ankasa, Traditional Home, Traditional Home, Traditional Home, Thibaut, Tradtional Home, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Thibaut, Traditional Home