Category Archives: Fabric

Lyford Cay

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It has been too long and I apologize….however, I do have a juicy vacation spot for you all. My husband and I just went to Lyford Cay for the first time for a dear friend’s wedding. All my expectations were surpassed. After countless hours of ogling the redesign of the club by the uber-talented Tom Scheerer ( http://www.tomscheerer.com/content/projects/commercial.html), I finally was able to see it in the flesh and I was not disappointed. A soft sea-shell pink dominates the many rooms he redid and the effect is fantastic. The main club, rooms, cottages, and dining room are steps from a white sand beach that boasts bevy of kyacks, sailboats, and paddle boards that you can rent.

The overall feel of the club is warm and gracious. Like your chic grandmothers home it is easy to live in yet something to aspire to. Tom was able to blend the old tradition with a new forward thinking look. I assuming keeping members of all ages thrilled. It is very difficult to bring about any change in a club and he has done so with aplomb. You find chinese chippendale mixed with bamboo, rattan, wrought iron, cane, grasscloth, antiqued mirror, and loads of quadrille, and michael devine fabric.

Above: One of my all time favorite rooms

Above: A close up of the walls. They installed grasscloth and painted it a deep chocolate brown. They then painted ivory and white palm trees on top.

The result is fantastic.

Above: A shot of the Library where backgammon is played and you can escape the sun to read.

Above: The Bar done in reds and tans with leopard rug. It is cozy and timeless yet feels totally current.

Above: A close up shot of an etched bell jar lantern- one of my favorite light fixtures to use.

Above: A seating area in the lobby with large panels of antiqued mirror, a Peter Dunham fabric on the kidney shaped sofa, and a custom fig leaf ceramic ashtray.

We stayed in room 39 right on the beach and it was fantastic. I can also recommend the cottages which were terribly chic, calimg, and fresh with their quadrille wallpaper. Another favorite spot was the Yacht Club with a navy and black striped floor that picked the colors right out of the swordfish that hangs above the fireplace. Sitting outside at a table you overlook a bode court watching beautiful boats pull into their slips. Sigh…..take me back.

Above: The clubs signature drink the Rum Dum.

Totally relaxed!

xo,
S

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Lonny/ TradHome Innaugural On-line Issue

Art Books Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Photography No Comments

Thank you TradHome and Lonny for including us in your list of Top 20 designers to watch. I am flattered and thrilled! Be sure to vote for SGI in the Duralee contest on-line and you will be entered to win $1,000.00!

To vote please visit: http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/youngdesigners-sara-gilbane.html

The shoot with Lonny Mag’s Patrick and Michelle was as fun and laid back as you would expect something from Lonny to be.  This project was definately one of my favorite I have worked on.  The loft space is amazing and the client’s were a dream – great taste and excited about the design process.  It was wonderful working on this project and therefore very fulfilling to share this with Lonny, TradHome, and all of their readers.  A few more shots below:

If you haven’t read the article you can find it here: http://www.lonnymag.com/issues/19-trad-home/pages/1#p97

To see more images from the apartment please visit my website and view the TOWN section in my portfolio: https://saragilbaneinteriors.com/

xo,

S

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DIY in New Orleans

Antiques Art Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

I am loving the DIY aspect of antique dealer Karina Gentinetta cottage in New Orleans. Many people are afraid of the preciousness of antiques and shy away from them for everyday living. In the Home and Garden section of The NYT Karina shows how beautiful and livable antiques can be. Most pieces in her home were bought for a song after Katrina but look fabulous! A fresh coat of paint ( her favorite is Ralph Lauren’s Tudric Pewter), some belgian linen, and old thread bare rugs create a classic lived-in and well-loved look.

My favorite quote from the article is “Happiness is not a big house. It’s being in each other’s way. That’s what brings memories.” This could not be more true.

Read the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/garden/07location.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=garden

Visit Karina’s online shop at 1st dibs: http://disegnokarinagentinetta.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_search.php?FRID=ZmqXaGxpkZWW

xo,

S

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Lyford Cay Club- Bahamian Beauty

Fabric Inspiration Interior Design Travel No Comments

I must post on the newly designed Lyford Cay Club by Tom Scheerer. Absolute perfection in chocolate browns, greens, shrimp, and pale pink! The living room is stunning.  He used grasscloth painted it chocolate brown, and then painted 20′ tall palm/ coconut-esque trees.  I am working on a project in Palm Beach and this has been a huge inspiration.  Quadrille, Peter Dunham, sisal, antiqued mirror, pickled cyprus, tented rooms….sigh.

xo,

S

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Prada Spring 2011 Campaign

Fabric Fashion Inspiration Shopping No Comments

In New York it is snowing, freezing, and all together nasty. The winter doldrums are upon us and everyone needs a mental break. Sping is one of the best seasons in New York. The Winter storms let up and with the disappearance of the last snowflake you can feel people’s spirits rising. The Spring 2011 add campaigns get me in the mood for a tropical vacation. Stripes, bold colors, and fun accessories are my cure for the winter blues. Prada’s collection has me particularly excited. I could definitely rock any of their Spring shoes or cocktail dresses. Bold colors and raffia are a great combination!

xo,

S

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6 Simple Ways to Refresh a Sofa

Fabric Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

House Beautiful asked me to style a sofa for their most recent issue (Jan/ Feb 2011). It was a fun project as it challenged me to get my personal style across with just throw pillows.  As you can see from my portfolio, I love color, texture, and fabrics so I thought it best to try to find a combination of the three.  There are many fabulous throw pillows out there but these caught my eye as something fun, chic, and different.  I am a fan of pairs of pillows and on a white sofa I love a solid color to make the throw pillows pop.  The deep eggplant ostrich feather pillows are so much fun.  Both the color and the feathers jump off the clean ivory linen sofa.  Layered in front are some of the most beautifully embroidered multi-color throw pillows I have ever seen.  The embroidery adfds another layer of texture.

I often advise clients who are in rental apartments/ homes to go with a neutral color palette for their base so they won’t have to reupholster their sofas over and over as this can be expensive.  Stick with a neutral on the sofa and you can completely change the feel of your next apartment with throw pillows and paint colors.

To see the other 5 ways to refresh a sofa visit House beautiful: http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/home-makeovers/pillow-decorating-ideas-0211

To purchase the Dransfield and Ross throw pillows you can visit my shop:  http://saragilbaneinteriors.bigcartel.com/

I took it one step further and selected additional items I would furnish the room with:

I would go with a deep teal grasscloth on the walls ( as seen in the background) to add an earthy texture in a bold color.  Taking a cue from the glam ostrich throw pillows I would bring in the capiz shell light fixture, gilt foo dog table lamps, and antique mirrored desk.  A desk chair with a fun shape upholstered in acidy yellow pulls out the color from the embroidered throw pillow.  The rug from Van der hurd studios adds another pattern and so unbelievably soft.

xo,

S

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Autumn Hues- Gray

Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

Gray – stone, elephant, dove, Dior, asphalt, slate, silver, steel, cement, anthracite, smoke, pearl, dust, driftwood, putty, charcoal.  All these words are used to describe one of my favorite colors.  It can be moody and calming.  Grays are another way to go neutral depending on what you pair with them.  Below are some of my favorite fall gray rooms.

A room designed by Mary McDonald for the Greystone Estate show house.

Thom Felicia designed the above bedroom.

Silver Gracie wallpaper in a dining room by Andrew Raquet.

Both rooms above are in Monique Lhuilier’s  home featured in Elle Decor.

Jeffrey Bilhuber goes all grey with wall upholstery, painted floors, and upholstered sofa.

Pops of gray:

The above room by Todd Romano works with tans, caramels,a nd ivories with a nice pop of deep charcoal grey on two club chairs.

Room by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Gray paint selections ( as seen in House Beautiful):

1.  Benjamin Moore Horizon

2.  Farrow and Ball Pavilion Grey

3.  Benjamin Moore Stone Harbor

4.  Modern Masters Platinum- this paint actually has some metallic in it so it glistens ever so slightly at night.

5.  Farrow and Ball Down Pipe

6.  Fine Paints of Europe Silhouette Gray

Gray Wall coverings:

1.  F. Schumacher Zimba Silver 5003300

2.  Osborne and Little Wilde Carnation W5554

3.  Osborne and Little Trifid W5556

4.  F. Schumacher Imperial Trellis in Charcoal 5003361

Gray Fabrics:

1.  Vanderhurd Grand Prisme in french grey/ cream

2.  Vanderhurd hand woven fabric fez in desert- how fabulous would this tough fabric be on a headboard or sofa?

3.  F. Schumacher Cloisonne Velvet in platinum by Celerie Kemble

4.  Lee Jofa flannel 2009138_11

5.  Lee Jofa SC10026_1611

6.  Thom Felicia for Kravet 30779.516

7.  C & C Milano

Gray Accessories:

1. Leontine Linens Addison and Grace Bed Linens

http://www.leontinelinens.com/index.php/bed/product/addison_grace/

2.  Throw pillow with spots in charcoal by Michael Devine

3.  Moroccan Pouf in silver through Pieces Inc.

http://piecesinc.com/moroccan-pod-silver-metallic

4.  Alexa Chair in cerused oak through Tonic Home

http://www.tonichome.com/catalog.php?item=1451

5.  Custom x-bench through Jonathan Adler

http://www.jonathanadler.com/X-Bench-in-Brussels-Charcoal/

6. D Porthault bed linens Tigre on Gray

http://dporthault.com/www/#/collections/bed-linens/tigre-grey/

xo,

S

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Autumn Hues- Beige

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Beige- camel, sand, caramel, toast, tan, taupe, buff, acorn, mushroom, squash, milkshake, hay, chardonnay.

A shade or two darker than ivory or just shy of brown tan is a wonderful neutral.  It can read both feminine and masculine depending on what is paired with it.

Soft painted beiges:

The above room by Bunny Williams has soft beige walls and a sisal rug while the upholstered pieces take the room into darker caramel and toffee hues.

A bedroom by Jeffrey Bilhuber plays with ivories, beiges and grays for a neutral, relaxing, and sophisticated scheme.

A living room by Jeffrey Bilhuber

Beiges and animal prints:

How chic! An entry staircase covered in leopard.  The natural pine console and mirror keep it from going over the top.

Soft beige walls are the perfect backdrop to the bold art and spotted rug ( carpet is Antelope through Stark)

Soft beiges and creams keep the room feeling light and airy and the pinks, reds, and animal print benches add a spark of personality.

Ivory walls with pops of tan:

Above: I LOVE this tan sofa with the nail head details. Show stopper!

The effect of wood:

A home by Thom Felicia.  The natural walls, beams, and stone fireplace take center stage.

A barn done by Carrier and Co.  The natural wide wood planks on the walls and the beams create a wonderfully rustic backdrop for the linen sofa upholstered in ticking stripe, the rush wing back chairs, and the farmhouse table.

One more barn conversion above.  The old brick floors are softened a bit by the sisal rug, kilim ottoman, and sofa.

Deeper textural caramels:

The zig zag patterned grasscloth makes this neutral color anything but boring.

Deep caramel walls and the caramel/ goldenrod mohair club chair make this room ready for fall. Room by Nate Berkus.

Though neutral in color (except for the wild yellow sofa), Nate Berkus heightened the drama of the room with texture.  The stone fireplace, leather upholstered panels on the wall above and lots of brass and bronze make this room interesting.

Beige paint selections as seen in various House Beautiful issues:

1.  Benjamin Moore Raccoon Hollow

2.  Full Spectrum Paints Mushroom

3.  Farrow and Ball Shaded White

4.  Benjamin Moore Milkshake

5.  Benjamin Moore Camelback

6.  Farrow and Ball Buff

7.  Benjamin Moore Chilled Chardonnay

8.  Farrow and Ball String 8

1.  C & C Milano Art. 161957

2.  Michael Devine Orangerie through John Rosselli

3.  Edelman Leather Royal Suede in Toast

4.  Clarence House Tigre Velours Soie silk velvet

5.  Edelman Leather Ostrich Color 11

6.  Duralee Giraffe

Beige Accessories:

1. Custom leopard print console

2.  Holland and Sherry embroidered blanket EMB727

3.  Leopard print settee through Todd Romano

4.  Throw pillow through Michael Devine

5.  Raffia chest of drawers through Italian Profiles

xo,

S

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Autumn Hues – Brown

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Brown- dark chocolate, dirt, coca-cola, teddy bear, milk chocolate, mink, otter, bronze, caramel, toffee, mushroom, elephant, fig, and bourbon.

Brown is courageous, rich, steady, understated, sensuous, warm, and masculine. Used a the base color of a room the possibilities are endless. I love a deep, velvety, dark chocolate mixed with McClosky’s glazing compound to give it a liquid-like look. I prefer to use this color on walls in a room that is all ready dark. It feels like you have found a secret nook where you can spend hours reading, writing, watching movies, or napping. Brown works as a neutral and you can bring any color in for a pop. Paired with white moldings the rooms has a crisp tailored feel and art work really floats on the wall. The lacquered finish allows light to play off it in the most beautiful way.  A deep chocolate is another wonderful way to ground a room ( and hide stains!).

I love this deep caramel and chocolate brown room.  The painted white faux moldings give the oil painting a nice dose of modernity.

This image is from Elle Decor 2006.  Notice how the deep chocolate walls receed and the carpet, daybed, mantle, art, and drapes become the focal point of the room.

Both rooms above are by Markham Roberts.  The dark wood paneling creates a serious atmosphere and the fabrics he adds lighten the mood.  I love the pop of turquoise in the lamps seen in the top room.

Jeffrey Bilhuber gave this dining room high gloss deep brown/ burgundy walls and kept everything else light with pale blue leather dining chairs and a sisal rug.

Brown is used as the accent in this room in Veranda.  I love the chocolate brown valances and drapes that surround the bed and club chairs.  This room has a clean quiet masculine feel. The white walls, ceiling, and sheets keep the room feeling light.

A fabulous room by Christina Murphy.  The dark brown walls and bookshelves make the space feel bigger than it is.  She keeps it modern with a geometric print wall to wall carpet, an orange sofa, and geometric fabric on the club chairs and throw pillows.

Below are a my picks for paint colors, wall coverings, fabrics, and accessories:

Best Brown Paints as seen in House Beautiful:

Background color is Benjamin Moore Bittersweet Chocolate – a personal favorite

1.  Farrow and Ball London Stone- a nice taupey brown for those of you who prefer lighter browns.

2.  Farrow and Ball Buff

3.  Pratt and Lambert Autumn Dusk

4.  benjamin Moore Appalachian Brown

5.  Benjamin Moore Middlebury Brown

6.  Benjamin Moore Tudor Brown – a reddish aubergine brown- very warm.

7.  Benjamin Moore Mink – another personal fave

8.  Benjamin Moore Night Horizon

Brown wall coverings:

When painting or papering a wall with a dark brown it is important to have some gloss or texture.  The two selections above have texture and a bit of sparkle.  This will keep your room feeling inviting rather than a dark pit.

1.  Phillip Jeffries – Glam Grass in Mink- The sparkling silver strands running through this are amazing.  When the light catches it a slight sparkle is cast off. Very chic.

2.  Farrow and Ball- Dragged Paper DR1283.  This is a stried paper which peps up the otherwise classic brown.  While it feels flat the strie gives it the appearance of texture.

Note:  Using a chocolate wool, felt, or velvet as wall upholstery is another great way to envelope a room in a textural chocolate.

1. Lee Jofa – 2009145_8

2. Lulu DK Chant brown w/ cream – also available in wallpaper through Donghia

3.  F. Schumacher 52321844 by Celerie Kemble

4.  Lee Jofa – 2430-GWF_68

5.  Lee Jofa – SC10050_616

6. Martyn Lawrence Bullard Bodrum in dark brown

7.  Lulu DK Peru caramel – through Donghia

8.  Lee Jofa – 2009138_68

9.  Lee Jofa – AM-Dora_3

10.  Lee Jofa- GWF-2643_24

11.  Lee Jofa – GWF-2635_165

1. Carter club chair in bitter chocolate colored mohair through William Sonoma Home

http://www.wshome.com/products/p9359/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1%7C24%7C%7C%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7Ccarter&cm%5Fsrc=SCH

2.  Dodi silk throw pillow in brown through Madeline Weinrib

http://madelineweinrib.com/mw/ikat/Dodi-Brown.html

3.  Leather Abbott sofa through Jayson Home- on sale!

http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=2866

4.  Moses wool rug in brown through The Rug Company

http://www.therugcompany.info/contemporary-collection/suzanne-sharp/moses-brown.htm

5.  Leather Conrad sofa through Jayson Home – on sale!

http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=4018

6.  Dorea table linens through Leontine Linens

http://www.leontinelinens.com/index.php/table/product/dorea2/

xo,

S

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Is the bed skirt dead?

Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design No Comments

Are dust skirts a thing of the past? I myself love a dust skirt as long is it is crisp, clean ( NO ruffles), and tailored. I am a fabric junkie so I tend to go for a fun pattern or tape along the bottom of the skirt. Sara Costello had her debut article published in the Wall Street Journal today and her friend, the uber-talented designer Miles Redd, has no problem saying good bye to the dust skirt. The key: a boxspring cover made of a fabulous fabric ( and a bed with a beautiful frame…no harvard frame from Sleepys!).

Miles Redd’s bedroom above.

Read Sara’s piece: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882404575519921627120254.html?KEYWORDS=sara+costello

xo,

S

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