Markham Roberts Inspires Me!

  Hey Everyone,
  
        As a designer, we all know that there are those special designers that truly inspire us - Brian McCarthy and Miles Redd do that for me and now Markham Roberts must join this elite club I am forming for myself. 

        Markham Roberts has an exciting, fresh design perspective that cannot be denied - he brings a modern approach to traditional design that is timeless.  If you look closely at any of the photos I am including in this blog I am sure you will find many ideas that you may choose to emulate in your coming projects.  He inspires me to try different color palettes and textures - to be daring in a safe, chic way.  (We all know that sometimes a risk can cost you, how many times I have had to repaint a room - I will never tell!)

      The clients personal style and taste  has been and I am sure will continue to be a important element in his designs.  Take a look at each photo and you will see the personal style of each client - this is an amazing gift that he possesses to infuse his expertise while giving the client the exact home they always imagined.  Here are some of my favorites - Enjoy.....

 Exciting - Inspiring - Beautiful

The man himself, Markham Roberts

Tilton - Fenwick - Amazing Rise to the top!!!

  Hey Everyone,

     I have been away for a bit, but the mind is always working - taking notes on things that have caught my eye and noticing my fellow design colleagues and their fabulous works.  When I was involved with the Ronald McDonald House working for Meg Braff Designs, amongst the big names like Jamie Drake, Bunny Williams and Anthony Baratta were many fabulous designers as well.  In the mix were two young women that have taken a meteoric rise to the top and maybe it's because they are so darn cute that I am hooked!  Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham
 (aka -Tilton Fenwick) were amongst the design team that did all of the fabulous work at RMH, but its their personal/professional triumphs that are on my mind today.

     Tilton Fenwick have coined themselves as Boutique Designers and have worked with some of the best - Ashley Whitaker, Markham Roberts and Brockschmidt & Coleman.  Their style is clean and uncluttered, very livable which is important to me - they have a young fresh look to designing that is just so nice!  Along with their 2011 "Rising Stars to Interior Design" award they recently have developed a fabric and furniture line.  Keep your eyes on these two, they are far from done!

 Well Done Ladies!!!!!

Ruthie Sommers - House Beautiful March 2014

  Hey Everyone,

        Every now and again a picture will just grab my eye.  Maybe this one excites me because of the color palette.  Definitely in my wheelhouse.  This room is by Ruthie Sommers and is featured in this months House Beautiful, the entire spread is lovely but I enjoy the dining room the most.  I think the mixture of colors and textures is gorgeous and especially like the choice of chair fabric (Clarence House - Talcy Velvet).  Funny thing, I was just in Kravet about two weeks ago asking for textured velvets and here we are.  I also love the white console she is using under the very baroque mirror, mixing it up always makes a room so much more interesting to me. The pink Murano lamps are to die for, I would so love to have a room like this in my house!

  Hey Everyone,

        Took some time to myself and went to the NY NOW Trade Show at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center yesterday.  Had a great time with my good friend and fellow designer Liz Cordiero of Long Island Style. 


                 

It was great seeing some of the new pieces at Bungalow 5 and Worlds Away. 

The wooden carriage that is holding up this lovely Bernard cabinet from 

Worlds Away gives it and eclectic feel that

 I thought was very smart in todays market place. 

 Loved the look!

Keep in mind my picture does not do it justice.

Worlds Away can also take credit for this Troy chair that I immediately fell in love with.

 A contemporary design that can be infused into any home.

  Looking for a special place in mine right now!
Check it out online, my picture stinks.
 

Here is the Savoy chest by Bungalow 5,

 smart, clean lines make it easy to 

work into any room.

The classic Jacqui console in navy, paired with the Chloe chair.

  They may not be new additions to the line but their versatility is endless. 

 Deserves a mention, so used to seeing this piece in white.
I actually just purchased it in white for myself, love it but the blue is so Ralph Lauren.

Loved these Monaco chairs from Bungalow 5!!! 

 I am a complete sucker for caning - timeless.

After the show, Liz and I shot over to the D&D for some quick samples - that is always fun.  Unfortunately that put us right into rush hour traffic - 1 1/2hrs later we were home.  Ughhhh.

It was worth it!

Weekly Wonder!

  Hey Everyone,

     My most sincerest apologies! My weekly wonder has thus turned into an Occasional Wonder, LOL!

    I recently had a shipment of samples arrive from one of my favorite vendors - Osborne & Little.

    There was one fabric sample in particular that you would either love or hate.  I happen to love it! Here they are showing it on a full sofa, which I think is a bit much - I see it more as a fun great accent fabric - maybe on a bench with silver or Lucite legs.  It is a metallic velvet with a scaly effect.  Very cool, I am sure Jamie Drake would know exactly what to do with it. LOL!

Osborne & Little 

Mathew Williamson

Eden Stripe

F6534-01

Alexa Hampton Book Signing at Meg Braff Designs

  Hey Everyone,
      Well the weather could not have been worse, cold, icy storm, snow and dangerous driving conditions.  None of the above kept our friends from joining us for Alexa Hampton's book signing.  The evening went on as planned and a good laugh was had by all.  Anyone who has ever met Alexa will know what a hoot this lady is - so much fun to be around and so talented.  Here are some pics to commemorate the evening.

Me, Alexa and Meg

Betsy Pash getting her book signed

Bob Scalamandre

Our brave friends all having a great time

Alexa and Liz Cordiero

My Mini Makeover

 Hey Everyone,

     Well it has been 5 years since I moved into this house and since I am definiately the type of person that lives in her house hard, it is time for new sofa's, rugs and an overall update.  Being that I moved in with tons of furniture from our last house some of my choices in furnishings I am stuck with.

     This go around I have much more knowledge of furnishings, rugs, draperies, lighting....need I go on?  Great, right? This should be a breeze!  Wrong!!! Now I know too much, can't make a decision - brass tables, linen wrapped table - velvet on my favorite chair or a print?  I have decided to take this journey to the people, sometimes writing things down clears it up.

      The first picture that I am posting today is my living room in its current state, seriously undone.  I have purchased two beautiful sofas from Lee Industries with a gold tone silk tape from Samuel and Sons bordered in larger brown tape by Hymen & Hendler.  There are currently two sunburst mirrors from Two's Company and the seagrass carpets are from Frank's Cane and Rush.  The only side table I have purchases thus far is a vintage low square mirrored piece from Meg Braff Designs on Forest Avenue in Locust Valley that I have decided to place next to the settee and I love it!

     Here is a pic in it's current state.  The room is rather large (25' x 26") and being that the fireplace is centered I am forced to create one living space.  I have a small reading space in the far left corner that is quite cozy but the chair needs reupholstering.  My new settee needs a fabulous new fabric as well.  We are still a long, long way from complete.  Chairs are missing, pillows are from the old living room - I just keep them there so my gorgeous dog Oscar won't jump on my new sofas. LOL! Tables are on their way!  I cannot commit to any of the accessories, if you look carefully they still have price tags on them!  I need amazing x benches and a sofa table to balance the space.  Stay tuned!

My Baby Boy!!!