Our New Design Offices

I finally found a new space for our offices. It's close to home, the kids' schools, and most importantly, decent lunch spots. It's much smaller than our current space, but we will have actual walls. Now we can all be on the phones without sounding like we're in a call center.

I haven't been able to focus on much else beside the aesthetic of the new space. Green is always my office accent color. But after years with boring gray walls (my mistake!), I want to bump up the drama and paint the walls a rich emerald green.  My cabinet maker is retrofitting our cabinets, including installing these brass library lights with black shades. Of course, because I'm the client, there'll be lots of Empire and Chinoiserie touches, crystal, and gilt. Mercifully, the landlord agreed to let me replace the current 80's fluorescent lights and bad carpet with these crystal fixtures and white wood floors. 

Have a look at the inspiration board. (Unfortunately, we will also have to bring along the less attractive storage stuff.) Stay tuned...

Shop the look...

Empire Chest with Cararre marble top, $3,900

Brushed brass library light with black shade, $255

Lightweight zinc-look Regency planter, $ 175

Everlasting Pink Peonies, $375

Art Deco crystal fixture, $425

Everlasting boxwood topiary, $232

Gilded crystal chandelier, $695

Emerald green storage bench, $300

Scalamandre le tigre velvet pillow, $475

Bamboo desk chair, $375

Emeralds and Black Leather

We've seen so much emerald green this year, and I couldn't be happier. No color is more uplifting or optimistic than this color of renewal, fertility and youth. It's the reason I love visiting Wisconsin in the Spring. The landscape is that intense, lush green of Ireland. (Of course, they've earned it after those winters!) I especially love emerald green with black and gold. Classic, crisp and just plain gorgeous.

I'm happy that it's still going strong on the runway this fall. You know I'm already Fantasy Shopping. Have a look at the things I've found, like this regal Versace military coat (a steal at $4,675) and emerald ring, which I'd pair with leather leggings and Valentino studded booties. (A lady with an edge.) The python clutch with gold coral clasp is the piece de resistance! Forget Missoni for Target. This is what I'm buying this week! In my dreams and on my blog.

Here are some spaces along the same lines. Love the way Europeans mix periods and styles with total nonchalance. Notice the Victorian ceiling above a very modern fixture and furnishings.

What can I say. I can't stop staring at this image above. Timeless. Who can guess what decade this is from? Bet you're wrong. Bet I'm wrong; I don't actually know. There are hints of the last five...and I'm still trying to source that fixture. Anyone?

A lovely vignette from Cristi Holcombe!

GORGEOUS! Though it wouldn't really work at the kids' hockey games. Unless! I wear that Versace coat!

via The Decorista

This color combo even works well in bathrooms, where it goes from sexy glam to clean and fresh.

I love the way Miles Redd layered emerald paintings over the emerald walls. And speaking of paintings, here's one from my gallery, Green Elephant Studios, by a mixed media artist (paint, ink and tape - 19x19) {email me for purchase info}

Emerald leather works, too. Is this delicious or what! {email me for purchase info, Honey, 'cuz our anniversary's coming up and I'm just trying to help you out.}

Serious Prep School Style

As leaves burst with fall colors and dormitories all over the country fill with students, I'm once again reminded of aspiring designer Maximilian Sinsteden's digs. He's now well on his way in the world of interior design, in part thanks to this NYTimes article that brought him to my attention.

But I still love to look back at how it all began, here, with his uber preppy dorm room at Drew University. Even the most talented studio art directors could only hope to get "dishelved prep" so right. I think the only other person to take this affectation of young American WASP to such heights of perfection was that Jewish kid from the Bronx, Ralph Lifshitz. Or as we all came to know him, Ralph Lauren. 

Note the Bunny Williams book at the far right. I just love that green paint and his artful tie display.

A mix of plaids, paisleys, and persian rugs makes this one very stylish dorm.

No posters on this gallery wall.

Something tells me while the rest of the kids were chugging flat beer from plastic cups, Mr. Sinsteden was stirring some mean Tanqueray and tonics, in vintage Baccarat. 

What I'm Working On- Hollywood Bungalow

I loved the term "Global Regency" when I read it on Camila's post about melding these two styles. It is exactly what I'm constructing for my latest clients.

Remember they want "comfortable, casual with a little bit of Napa Style." The kitchen was already remodeled in contemporary Craftsman and there is brown wood panelling throughout the living areas. Both of these things dictate what will feel appropriate in the space. 

She originally said she wanted a totally neutral scheme, greenery being the only color in the room, but she fell in love with the fabric at left. It's intensely bright in person. Somewhere between an acid apple and a malachite emerald. I thought it would be difficult to thread through the organic, neutral room (even though it's an ikat)--until I found this room from the DC Design House. Perfection. LOVE those super gloss green lampshades! The rest will be like icing the cake.

Here is my mood board for my clients' living room.

Here are some of the finishes and fabrics we were playing with in the studio.

The ikat (on my board) will be pillows. The velvet flocked trellis fabric (right) will be the drapes en lieu of the black ones in the inspiration room. (I know, I have a tiring thing for green trellis patterns. Ever since my neighbor's" garden room," as Mrs. Barbetti called it, back in the early 80's. I'd vie for sleepovers just to hang in that room. It even had the great pop of color from a bright red gumball machine. But I digress). So, What d'ya think? We'll add the 'Napa Style' they like with textual elements like fishermens' baskets and a bricklayers table. An unlikely mix for me, but I'm liking it!