Hi all,
Thought I would pass this gem of a website on to you. Taigan is a newly launched site that offers the best of the best. You would have to travel far and wide to collect all of the goodies you will find on their site. They have it all – home goods, childrens, gourmet foods and wines, health and beauty, jewelry…. (you get the picture). Happy Shopping!
Visit the shop: http://www.taigan.com/
xo,
S
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
I am looking forward to the launch of High Gloss Magazine tomorrow February 1st. Featuring spreads on both Tia Zolden and Alexis Traina in the first issue…sounds promising.
Sounds promising…
Visit their site and subscribe: http://www.highglossmagazine.com/
xo,
S
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
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
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
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
Sorry to have been M.I.A….
I am back, just in time for the Holiday Season. If you are in need of some last minute wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape look no further. Sundance Catalog has everything you need:
Grosgrain ribbons- check.
Velvet ribbons- check.
Plaid ribbon- check.
Bakers cord for that home made look- check.
Eco wrapping paper in fabulous colors and patterns- check.
Sundance Catalog: http://www.sundancecatalog.com/category/home+decor+catalog/wrap+it+up.do?nType=2
xo,
S
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
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