Category Archives: Interior Design

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

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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

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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

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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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May Trad Home 20 “New Traditional” Designers

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Thanks Trad Home and Lonny for the nomination!  Keep your eyes peeled for the online inaugural May issue (which will be released in Mid April).  The issue will feature a new project of ours….Can’t wait!

To see curbed magazines coverage and the other 19 nominees visit their website: http://curbed.com/archives/2011/02/02/sneaking-a-peek-at-trad-homes-20-new-traditionals.php#trad-home-17

xo,

S

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6 Simple Ways to Refresh a Sofa

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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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You Can Judge a Book By It’s Cover

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While reading the New York Times this morning I came across an article written by Penelope Green in the Sunday Styles section.  As a designer it hit home with me as I am on a constant quest for beautiful books to fill clients custom libraries and bookshelves.  We spend so much time creating these beautiful spaces with endless shelving finished in high gloss paint, wallpapered backs, french oak, brass or nickle and we are then left to fill the spaces to create a cozy, well read library.

Many clients have their own books which end up looking sloppy or sad in the newly finished shelving.  We hunt down books by the yard to fill their shelves and the end result is beautiful.  The Strand book store in Union Square NYC has a fabulous selection but hearing about Juniper Books is a godsend.  Thatcher Wine will wrap your books or you can select from a vast collection of his.

A few of my favorite’s below:

Above: Custom Blues

Above: Kids Collection

Above: Da Vinci

Above: Fabric wrapped books in linen- how perfect would these be in a beach house?

Above: Pattern wrapped books

Visit Juniper Books:  http://juniperbooks.com/

xo,

S

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Holiday Decor Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

Time has slipped away from me and I cannot believe Christmas is right around the corner.  I will be spending the next few days finding the perfect (last minute!) gifts for family and friends.  Below are a few images to get you in the spirit, if you aren’t all ready in it!  If you are havoing a holiday party you may be able to pick-up a few last minute ideas for the decor.

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

Elle Decor

I absolutely love the red and white paper wedding bells affixed to the bannister. What a fun way to add a dash of Christmas fun without pine needles and leaves to clean up!

Another fabulous twist on Christmas- feathers around a mirror- beautiful!!

As seen in House Beautiful

A Miles Redd Christmas below as seen in Elle Decor with amaryllis, miniature evergreens, and wreaths!

Above: A tiffany blue christmas as seen in Veranda

As seen in Martha Stweart

As seen in Better Hoes and Gardens

Below:  Richard Keith Langham’s Christmas as seen in Veranda

Below: Suzanne Rheinstein’s Christmas as seen in House Beautiful

For those of you in warmer regions two images from Costal Living below:

Merry Christmas!

xo,

S

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