Tag Archives: jeffrey bilhuber

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

Continue reading →

Autumn Hues- Beige

Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

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

Continue reading →

Autumn Hues – Brown

Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

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

Continue reading →

Autumn Hues – Purple

Antiques Art Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

Purple- eggplant, aubergine, plum, lavender, lilac, violet, mauve, lilac, mulberry, orchid, grape, amethyst, twilight. Purple represents royalty, creativity, romance, power, nobility, luxury, ambition, and sophistication. Dark purples lend a warm, sexy, quiet feeling to a room while light purples add a touch of romanticism. I love pairing deep aubergines with crisp apple greens, oranges, and silver or brass. While light purple leads me to blue and white china, grays, yellows, and mirrored furniture.

This room is so warm and feminine with soft lavender/ mauve walls, silk drapes, and french chairs.

A living room by Kelly Wearstler showcases a lavender geometric print rug with a deeper purple sofa and yellow and gold accents.

A room designer by Windsor Smith pairs up both light and dark purple with chocolate brown, crisp white, and pale teal.

Katie Ridder punches up the lilac walls with green, ivory, and bright orange.

David Kaihoi wraps his dining room/ living room entirely in purple.  The red chair and tiger print throw pillows mix it up a bit.

Amanda Nisbet takes the plunge into purple with a deeply tufted headboard set against a deep aubergine wall with hints of pink and chocolate brown.

Aerin Lauder’s dining room as featured in Elle Decor.  I love the deep dark plum walls and trim with the soft grayish plum zebra print table skirt.  The pale wood chairs work beautifully in the room.

Touches of purple:

Keeping the rest of the room neutral lets the focus fall on the table skirt of Janet De Botton’s library.

A tufted chair by Jeffrey Bilhuber upholstered in Malabar’s Carom

Two chairs upholstered in Madeline Weinrib’s purple luce silk ikat bring this living room to life.

Purple paint:

1. Benjamin Moore Grape Hyacinth

2.  Pratt and Lambert Autumn Crocus

3. Benjamin Moore Galaxy- deep dark purple

4.  Benjamin Moore Caponata

5.  Farrow and Ball Brinjal- I have used this many times and it is beautiful…especially in a high gloss finish

Purple Wallcoverings:

1. Osborne and Little Bedlam W5557/01

2.  Osborne and Little Maharani W6022-01

3.  Katie Ridder Attendants in purple

4. Fromental hand painted and embroidered chinoiserie in lavender

Purple Fabrics:

1.  Katie Ridder Moonflower in purple

2.  Peter Dunham Pasha- KT03

3. Amanda Nisbet Fabric on linen Francesca in grape fizz

4. Osborne and Little Papini F5851-03

5.  Carolina Irving Andaluz in Viola

6.  Martyn Lawrence-Bullard Sultan’s Suzani on linen in lavender

7. Edelman Leather Royal Suede in dusty rose

8. Scalamandre Rio 26676-007

Purple Accessories:

Using the painting breakfast by Pierre Bonnard as a jumping off point I selected the above accessories.

1. Pierre bed linens by Julia B.

http://www.juliab.com/product-details.aspx?id=11

2. Pierre Bonnard Breakfast circe 1930’s

3. Purple samarkand area rug by Doris Leslie Blaue through 1st dibs

http://dorisleslieblaullc.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_item_detail.php?id=331849

4. Tub chair by Peter Dunham Hollywood at Home

http://hollywoodathome.com/products/view/Tub+Chair

5. Vanderhurd rug pattern dew drops in amethyst

http://www.vanderhurd.com/abstract.php?t=abstract&p=0&id=46

6.  Set of 4 shagreen coasters in faux shagreen color amethyst through Sara Gilbane Interiors

7. Silk ikat throw pillow in purple luce through madeline weinrib

http://madelineweinrib.com/mw/ikat/Luce-Purple.html

8. Pair of antique suzani throw pillows through 1st dibs

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=440687

xo,

S

Continue reading →

Autumn Hues- Blue

Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

Blue- sapphire, azure, aqua, teal, turquoise, sky, ocean, blueberry, chinese blue, baby blue, Lanvin blue, cobalt, haze, royal blue, Mediterranean blue, slate, denim, navy, marine, sea foam, robins egg, Tiffany blue.

Blue is contemplative, meditative, and depending on the shade can be energizing (deep blues) or relaxing and light ( pale blues). It conjures thoughts of water and sky. I often paint ceilings in the palest blue to raise the height of the room. Whether you go with a textured grasscloth on your walls, several slick shiny coats of paint, or just blue accessories it is hard to go wrong with this color.

Light Blue:

Cristina Cuomo’s house by Emma Pilkington features a study with pale blue walls ( and a fab etching by Cy Twombly)

Getting deeper….

This soft blue bedroom has a cool, feminine, eclectic feel.

A beautiful country house decorated by Miles Redd stays true to form with blue on blue stripe wallpaper in the hallway.  Hallways are important spaces through out a home and a great chance to try a wallpaper.

High gloss slate blue walls in a room decorated by Steven Gambrel look like water.  This is the perfect backdrop for all the dark wood furniture and brass fixtures.

Cadet blue walls look warm and inviting with saffron yellow drapes, a pickled/ bleached floor, and tortoise shell moldings. Delicious!

Deep Dark Blues:

This room, recently featured in House Beautiful, is grounded by the deep blue grasscloth on the walls.  I love the texture and color.

This blue is amazing! It seems to glow.  Anytime blue and red are together they make they other color feel richer. Room by Christopher Maya.

In a room by Ashley Whittaker we have a deep blue wall and bookshelves paired with pale orange and a rusty red. I love blue in a library.  It is totally enveloping.

This small galley kitchen is handsome in lacquered navy.

Another blue library featured in the recent Elle Decor ( Patricia Lansing’s) is fabulous.  The navy lacquered walls seem to recede and make the room bigger ( dark colors do this!) while the white sofa and blue and white zebra linen upholstered chair pop out at you.  I love this room!

Paint colors:

1.  Farrow and Ball Chinese Blue

2. Benjamin Moore Paddington Blue

3. Sherwin Williams Verditer Blue

4.  Dunn Edwards After The Storm

5.  Benjamin Moore Patriot Blue

6. Pratt and Lambert Blueberry Myrtille

All colors shown in House beautiful

Wall coverings:

1.  Phillip Jeffries Juicy Jute in Tantalizing Teal

2. Neisha Crossland through Stark Berry Flower in Marrakesh Blue

3.  Farrow and Ball Ringwold Paper BP1650

4.  Manuel Canovas through Cowtan and Tout trellis

Fabrics:

1. Gracieux through John Rosselli Serrano in Cobalt on Oph

2.  Chapas Textiles Safari in Sapphire Ochre

3. Robert Kime Palmette Blue- embroidery

4. Lisa Fine through John Rosselli Rambagh reverse in indigo

5. Celerie for F. Schumacher Bleeker in Twilight 23969260

6.  Celerie for F. Schumacher 711897

7.  Osborne and Little Papini F5851-04

8.  Chapas Textiles Vienna in Deep teal

9. Edelman Leather Shagreen City Lights in Blue Streak

Accessories:

1. William Sonoma Home bed linens with classic greek key embroidery in blue

http://www.wshome.com/products/p4000/index.cfm?pkey=csheets%2Dbed%2Dsheet%2Dsets

2.  Holland and Sherry custom embroidered pillow Java EMB 717

3. Blue and white ceramic lamp by Bunny Williams through Mecox Gardens

http://www.mecoxgardens.com/pageItemDetail.asp?RECORDID=12027

4. Peacock Rug by Matthew Williamson through The Rug Company

http://www.therugcompany.info/designer-collection/matthew-williamson/peacock-dark.htm

5.  Small agate napkin rings through Vivre.com

http://www.vivre.com/product/agate_napkin_rings_set_of_2

6. Daphne Blue Hollywood Regency chair through Madeline Weinrib

http://madelineweinrib.com/mw/furniture/HollywoodRegency-BlueDaphne.htm

7. Fez indigo dhurrie through Vanderhurd

http://www.vanderhurd.com/silk.php?t=silk&p=0&id=135

8. Matignon arm chair through TK Collections

http://www.tkcollections.com/bistrochairs_tables/armchairs/matignon/

9. Clinton Sofa in navy velvet through Jayson Home and Garden

http://www.jaysonhomeandgarden.com/product.php?productid=5947

xo,

S

Continue reading →

Autumn Hues- Green

Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Shopping No Comments

Green- moss, lichen, verdigris, acid, grass, malachite, lime, olive, pea, apple, asparagus, emerald, jade, sea green, mint, forest, aquamarine, chartreuse, kelly green, sage, and viridian.  Green is restorative, restful color with the same calming attributes as blue. It signifies growth, health, and environment.  Both pale greens and deep rich jewel tone greens feel like Autumn to me, so I picked a few rooms in both palettes.

Pale soft autumn greens:

The above room is wallpapered in de Gournay. I love the pale moss green background.

The pale apple green walls above brings a calming grounding effect to the bold ikat chairs and bright pink carpet.

This is a beautiful soft mossy colonial green that is quite serious.  The moldings are painted the same color for a soothing seemless effect.

Bold jewel-tone autumn greens:

The deep hunter green walls in the Oscar de la Renta showcase room at Lee Jofa are a sharp and arresting background for the bright yellows, blacks, reds, and tans used throughout.   The black mirror keeps the room feeling modern.

Deep apple green walls work well with the wood daybed and bookshelves. The orangey red throw pillows and little brass tables give this guest bedroom a clean masculine vibe.

Room above by Schuyler Samperton

Room above by Todd Romano

Both rooms above pair deep olivey green walls with orangey red ( this reads cozy NOT Christmas!) and zebra rugs for an unexpected pattern.

Jeffrey Bilhuber puts deep green velvet on the walls and sofa.  This room is perfect for a fall afternoon.  The brass lamps and blue and white china are beautiful. The pale blue pillow and animal print pillow throw in a bit of the unexpected to keep the room for getting too matchy-matchy.

Tory Burch’s apartment also showcases green velvet on the walls.  In one shot you see blue and white vases that sing off of the green velvet walls.  In the second image you see through to her orange lacquer dining room.  Very sharp if you ask me!

Nervous to go for the all green room? Just add a few pops of green for an effect that is just as lovely.

A sophisticated library with malachite objects strewn over the desk and side tables.

Amanda Nisbet has fun in a children’s room with clover shaped green headboards, monogrammed bed covers, green piping around the roman shade, and a green polka-dot lamp shade.

Green paint colors ( as seen in House Beautiful)

1. Benjamin Moore aganthus green

2. Farrow and Ball Verd de Terre

3. Pratt and Lambert 22-20 Clover

4. Benjamin Moore Lafayette Green

Green wall coverings:

1. Farrow and Ball Ringwold BP1638

2. Lee Jofa stillwater peacock feathers #5003950.  These are actual feathers backed with paper for wallpapering. I am dying to do the walls of a study in this with teal lacquer bookshelves.

3. Farrow and Ball Lotus Papers BP 2045

Green fabrics:

1. Peter Fasano Brompton in Sage

2. F. Schumacher #63036

3. F. Schumacher #173631

4. Brunschwig Dzhambul 71099-435

5. F. Schumacher 2643763

6. Kravet #9307-123

7. F. Schumacher #54955

8. Peter Fasano Jaipur in Ocean/ Olive

Green accessories:

1. Leontine Linens Rebecca bath towels

2. Venetian sofa by Oscar de la Renta through Century Furniture – 60_22_727

3. Madeline Weinrib Mu pillow in celery

http://madelineweinrib.com/mw/ikat/Mu-Celery.html

4. Stripe Moquette celadon rug by Vanderhurd

http://www.vanderhurd.com/stripes.php?t=stripes&p=0&id=115

5. Tufted leather corrigan chair through Anthropologie

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=&id=66411&catId=HOME-FURNITURE-CHAIRS&pushId=HOME-FURNITURE-CHAIRS&popId=HOME-FURNITURE&sortProperties=&navCount=130&navAction=middle&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=bpp&isSubcategory=&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=

6. Hand embroidered pillow from Holland and Sherry- Athena EMB686

7. Renee Green Lamp through Tonic Home:

http://www.tonichome.com/catalog.php?item=1196

8. Boxed nailhead coasters in faux alligator through Sara Gilbane Interiors

xo,

S

Continue reading →

Autumn Hues – Yellow

Antiques Art Books Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design Real Estate Shopping No Comments

Yellow- Saffron, butter, dandelion, daffodil, gold, corn, buttercup, sunshine, canary, citrine, grapefruit, maize, taxi cab. Yellow conjurs up a positive sunny feeling.  I have come to love yellow more and more and tend to mix traditional with modern for a youthful feel.  As I stated in a previous post regarding yellow two of the most celebrated rooms in 20th century interior design had bold lacquered yellow walls: Nancy Lancaster’s legendary London sitting room/office (shown below) and Babe and Bill Paley’s Fifth Avenue drawing room, decorated by Albert Hadley and Sister Parish. Let’s dive into some fabulously chic autumn yellow rooms.

The traditional approach:

We will start of with Nancy Lancaster’s famed yellow drawing room above.  This room was done by John Fowler in 1957 and would be just as stunning if done today.  Fowler applied numerous layers of glaze over a butter yellow paint.

Andrew Virtue drew his inspiration from Nancy Lancaster’s yellow room and created his own writing room ( on a smaller scale) at the Greystone Estate show house. This deep vibrant yellow works so well with burnt crsipy browns, greens, and plums.

A sitting room designed by yours truly.  When the sun sets in the afternoon the pale gold walls glisten ( custom paint color by Rollinson Hues).  A soft pale yellow is a great neutral backdrop for most colors.  We wanted to enhance the sunset so the reds, corals, pinks, oranges, and golds were introduced. The simple sisal rug keeps the room grounded and approachable while the scattered throw rugs add warmth underfoot.

One of my favorite rooms in a house by Architect Gil Schafer.  They used a slightly bolder yellow than I did and kept the furniture simply upholstered.  The antiques steal the show ( all brown wood always looks great against yellow). Beautiful! On a side note, Veranda and their new editor in chief Dara Caponigro selected and recently announced the winners of their second annual Art of Design Awards. Honoring design industry trailblazers whose work is both “innovative and timeless”. Gil Schafer won the award in the architecture category. Congrats!

The bedroom above by Jeffrey Bilhuber introduces a strong yellow as drapes for the bed.  How lovely to be cocooned in a yellow tent! I love the pale lilac paired with it.

Christopher Spitzmiller’s apartment is shown above as seen in Elle Decor. Yellows, browns, and teal blues keep the room fresh and modern.

One final Bilhuber creation.  The slightly more modern tufting on the chairs (loosely tufted rather than deep) and the yellow sign in this room off of the dark wood walls.

The modern approach:

Tone on tone yellows paired with black and white by Jamie Drake make for an exciting bedroom. I love that the base of this bed is upholstered in zebra. Very chic.

Kelly Wearstler created this yellow and black library for the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica.  Again we see tone on tone yellow paired with black, white, and mirror.  The bookshelves turned on diagonal and books stacked in opposite directions adds whimsy and a focal point when you walk into the room.

Another room done by your truly.  We needed to bring some life to this manhattan loft space.  With pale seafoam on the walls and grey suede sofa we brought in a strong yellow Oushak carpet and pops of yellow ( throw pillows and accessories) for life.

This room could be filed under pink, red, or orange.  I love the high gloss pink fireplace and I die over the silk ikat upholstered walls.  The yellow linen roman shades with crisp brown ribbon tape inset keep the room feeling clean rather than chaotic.

Yellow paint picks:

1. Donald Kaufman Collection #30

2. Ralph Lauren Goldfinch

3. Benjamin Moore Showtime

4. Farrow and Ball Babouche

Traditional yellow wallcovering picks:

1. Farrow and Ball BP 1928

2. Farrow and Ball BP 1632

3. Farrow and Ball BP 572

Traditional yellow fabrics:

1. Lee Jofa Oak Leaves in yellow BFC 3514-14

2. F. Schumacher Seneca Cotton Stripe 62982

3. Lee Jofa Hisari ikat in plum 2008136_909

4. Quadrille Simba beige on gold

Traditional yellow accessories:

1. Antique spool stool with Robert Kime fabric through John Rosselli Antiques

2. Antique Samarkand rug through Doris Leslie Blau

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=448340

3. Christopher Spitzmiller Happy lamps in Butter with 23k gold water gilt base

http://christopherspitzmiller.com/lampdetail.asp?LAMPID=112

4. William Sonoma Home cashmere yellow throw in lemon drop

http://www.wshome.com/products/p126/index.cfm?pkey=ccashmere%2Dfaux%2Dfur%2Dthrow

5. Sharyn Blond table linens in Jardin pattern

http://sharynblondlinens.com/hand_table.html#2

6. Bee Line Home throw pillows through John Rosselli Antiques NYC

Modern yellow wallcovering picks:

1. China Seas Balinese Batik in inca/ gold

2. F. Schumacher Imperial Trellis in citrine

3. Manuel Canovas Trellis in citrine

4. Cole and Son palm leaves in yellow

Modern yellow fabric picks:

1. Lee Jofa Tulip in white/ yellow GWF-2622-140

2. F. Schumacher Katsugi in gold and mushroom 2620934

3. Lee Jofa Facet in Saffrom SC10049-1612

4. Ruby Green Mary in yellow

5. Ruby Green Marilyn

Modern yellow accessories picks:

1. Lippa armchair in yellow through Tonic Home:

http://www.tonichome.com/catalog.php?item=1511

2. Yellow geometric pillow through Pieces Inc.

http://piecesinc.com/yellow-geometric-pillow

3. Pink Jacket on Yellow 50″ x 50″ gloss on aluminum by Natasha Law through Voltz Clarke Gallery

http://voltzclarke.com/law/1.html

4. Yellow garden stool through Tonic Home

http://www.tonichome.com/catalog.php?item=1419

5. Jonathan Adler Carnaby Lamp:

http://www.jonathanadler.com/Carnaby-Hollywood-Lamp/?cat=0&initial=

6. West Elm Parsons desk in tumeric:

http://www.westelm.com/products/parsons-desk-with-drawers-f099/?pkey=e%7Cyellow%7C9%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C6&sku=1653740&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Common%20Top%20Wide%20Rule%20What’s%20New

7. Yellow vases set of 6

http://www.mermaidhut.com/Prod-18-1-2604-30/Yellow_Vases_Assorted_Set_of_Six.htm

8. The Rug Company Sellarsbrook rug by Suzanne Sharpe ( The Rug Company also won in it’s category for the Second Annual Art of Design Awards by Veranda.

http://www.therugcompany.info/contemporary-collection/suzanne-sharp/sellarsbrook-yellow.htm

9. Vanderhurd Kafir throw pillow colorway 4

http://www.vanderhurd.com/hand_crafted.php?t=cushions&p=1&id=358

xo,

S

Continue reading →

These are a few of my favorite things- House Beautiful June 2010

Antiques Books Fabric Homes Inspiration Interior Design No Comments

I loved the June 2010 House Beautiful. Below are my two favorite homes and a page with great valance examples.

Relaxed beach house designed by James Howard

The shape of the bottom of the roman shade is great. A fabric roman shade is a great way to warm up an otherwise sterile kitchen and the shape at the bottom follows the pattern – showing you put some thought into the details.

I am a huge fan of tortoise shell blinds – a chic way to add privacy to a room while letting in sunlight. The wicker sofa and club chair are in two different stains. A white painted bobble chair and two different side tables added to the mix show how a room can feel pulled together without being matchy-matchy. The pair of glass lamps unifies the space. The green and white stripe on the sofa and club chair are a great summery touch.

The above image is a close up of the wave molding and the upholstered linen walls in the dining room. I adore upholstered walls and done in this neutral linen adds texture and softness to a room without feeling fussy.

To create symmetry in the room they made an arched bookshelf to mirror the arch of the door. Thus creating a space where two side chairs feel comfortable. Again we see the white painted bobble chair and a pretty rope backed Orkney chair. The walls are painted in a pale but strong blue.

I have always loved Oscar de la Renta’s 4 poster bed with the crenallated canopy. The canopy adds a sense of whimsy and security when you are snuggled up for the night. The bench has a fun base shape and the soft blue gray walls create a tranquil yet happy guest bedroom. I love the turquoise gourd lamp from Mrs. Howard- what a great pop of color.

The page above included a variety of valance styles. All beautiful and with distinctively different feels.

Another favorite was the Historic New York House With Color by Jeffrey Bilhuber.

I love Jeffrey Bilhuber’s designs so I was thrilled to see his Locust Valley, New York country home “Hay Fever” that dates back to 1668. I think he definitely succeeded in keeping the “soul” in this house. Nothing feels precious but the colors are magical- just what you want in a summer home.

The black painted pine floor ( look at those floor boards!) lets the sisal carpet and soft blues and yellows float off the floor. You can paint a floor black and still have a light airy feeling room. I love how he threw in a punch of purple on the sofa. The above room was originally an entrance hall but he made it much more welcoming by adding the large round table, a sofa, and chairs.

The library floor is painted a lacquered green ( an idea borrowed from Monticello). The baby blue fabric on the chairs and the red lamp shades makes for an interesting room. The acid green walls in the next room pack a happy summer punch.

Finally the shot of the acid green room (Benjamin Moore’s chic lime) in all of it’s splendor. The large sisal ( from Beauvais) dresses down the more formal valances and fun chinoiserie fabric. Notice all the different shaped chairs ( most of which are slip covered). Red and white ticking stripe, wicker, soft blue, varying lamp heights, mirrored door surrounds ( a nod to Nancy Lancaster) , and texture make this room memorable. The room is exciting yet comfortable mixing humble and high.
xo,
S

Continue reading →

The Dark Side

Homes Inspiration Interior Design No Comments

Whether it is a large room or a small forgotten hallway or bathroom, I love a dark room in a house. People are often afraid to go dark but once we have pushed them to the other side they never regret it. A dark room becomes the most intimate room in the house. I have “gone dark” in libraries, dining rooms, bedrooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, and hallways. In dining rooms, I prefer to go dark with a high gloss paint so at night when an overhead chandelier is dimmed and candles are lit the entire room twinkles. Libraries, where people mostly sit at night is another good spot for deep dark paint, a dark lustrous fabric, or wood paneling. With dark walls and well placed lights it feels a natural spot to sit with your glass of wine and a book. On a hot summer day a dark room feels cool and welcoming, while in the middle of winter it becomes the coziest room in the house. The two mistakes people often make are not adding enough lighting sources ( sconces, table lamps, floor lamps – all at different heights to cast a glow) and forgetting to bring in color to balance and offset the dark walls. Since walls are the majority of your room you need to bring in lighter colors to make it work. Personal favorites for high gloss walls are chocolate brown, eggplant, charcoal, and navy blue.

Ruthie Sommers- Charcoal grey grasscloth and scarlet shade- sexy.

Another room by Ruthie Sommers- A deep greeny black on bead board. This room has large windows so it can take a flat paint.

Jeffrey Bilhuber – deep aubergine high gloss walls in a dining room. At night when candles are lit this will become an intimate room where you will love to gather at the end of the day.

Mario Buatta – lovely dark lacquered walls set off by lots of yellow

Jansen kicks up the drama with a fretwork pattern in glossy white on top of a glossy black wall.

Tom Scheerer’s take on dark walls in a dining room with crisp white trim

Markham Roberts- offsets the dark walls with drapes with an ivory background, a beautiful soft brown antique desk, pops of pale blue, and tan.

Tory Burch’s apartment with upholstered walls in deep green velvet- texture, color, and the velvet reflects light. Delicious.

Sister parish- Timeless

Feminine but so chic

Markam Roberts – nautical, crsip, and ever so handsome

xo,

S

Continue reading →

What’s In My Bookshelf

Antiques Art Books Fashion Interior Design Travel No Comments

ThiThis post should be called “what isn’t in my bookshelf”. I am a collector of books, therefore our bookshelves are overflowing with every type of book. Aside from my collection of magazines ( every issue of House Beautiful, Elle Decore, House and Garden, Domino, World of Interiors, and Veranda), fiction and non-fictions books, and clients folders, I have a huge collection of books that I reach for when I need inspiration. The topics range from textiles, to architectural styles, to fashion, to artists, to table settings, to hotels, to interiors, etc. You never know what might move you. Each client requires a fresh eye and a different style.

xo,

S

Continue reading →