ArchivesJune, 2012

28Jun

If you look closely, you will find all sorts of treasures in tiny stores all around town, wherever you live. The stores may not be fancy, but if vintage is what you want, don’t judge a book by it’s cover—go on in and hunt. Perfect example (sorry, John!) is Darby Road, in Waltham, MA. At first glance, you may pass it by. But inside, it’s information overload and when you meet John, that is, if he takes a liking to you—-he may take you to his warehouse where there are rooms and rooms of treasures. I am stopping by for some clients, but, in true fashion, I hopped on the website, and plan to look at a few things for moi…

Here’s what i am curious about: My new friend, Steve, should take a peek at these for his house in Cambrige.  He “says” he wants more mid century, and if I had room, I’d snag them and recover these babies:

Right up my alley, I plan to see them ALL:

Love this bamboo style chest, for a hall, guest bedroom, or wherever:

The white faux-Bertoia numbers would funk up a roof deck or eclectic patio:

I am a sucker for altar tables, so versatile, and this one has a nice patina:

Mom, this dog won’t chew up your Guiseppe Zanotti sandals as well as the bulk of your shoe wardrobe, your clothing, your entire house, and it doesn’t appear to bark.  Consider a swap with John:

Dog

28Jun

Where in the world is this picture from? I received an email this week about a potential new project in this location, somewhere I have never been, and somewhere I would LOVE to go. Doug has actually traveled there, but no one else I know has. The notion of designing a vacation home for a client here is tremendously exciting. And it just may happen…

The question is: Can you guess where it is? Answer at the end of today…

Can you guess?

25Jun

When we moved into this house my older daughter was 8, and being in Boston caused some sort of preppy inclination syndrome–hence the pink and green bedroom. I knew I wanted to go in the vintage direction.  The beds are vintage, the dresser, the light and even the fabric on the windows, which I still adore. So much so that I saved the out-of-production Brunschwig et Fils Roman Shades and stuck them in the basement. The wallpaper is also a throwback—a Sister Parish design from mid century. The room had a fresh, young and decidedly East Coast feel, and at the time, I was thrilled. Then, Anna turned 13.

She moved into a spare bedroom with it’s own bath (THANK GOD), and I let her design the room with me with her current style in mind.  (Will that be gone in 7 months, I HOPE not?!) Anyway, my younger daughter, now 11, moved on up from her teeny bedroom into this one, and we made some adjustments for her age and to showcase her own personality. I call her “sunshine”; she is the happiest child I know, and WILD, too.

I removed pink and added orange, yellow, dabs of magenta and zebra on the floor—just to throw it off. Ellie demanded a touch of pink, hence the desk chair cushion in Brunschwig pink and orange geometric print. Yes, I am aware that it does not match, just in case you were wondering.  I am good with that.

The drapes are a crisp white cotton with yellow double banding tape.  And I added bamboo blinds underneath for texture.  I purposely left the Sister Parish paper intact and chose textiles that were vintage-inspired, but a bit less preppy and babyish—a little Paule Marot, a little Lily Pulitzer, a little Lulu DK, some solids.  Again, I chose things that went with green, but weren’t themselves green. I replaced the light with the one from her former room—a vintage gilded tole that she had become attached to— and to compensate, I stuck 2 tiny sunbursts over her bed.

Lastly, I invested in some funky artwork—an large abstract print, a graphics print hung purposely low, and other odds and ends.  It still has the same vibe, but a tiny bit less preppy, a bit more regency, and certainly wild. So, the question is, which do you like better?

21Jun

It’s Sunday, my day to chillax, clean, drive kids around, and surf the internet for things I want but will never buy. There is a plethora of good stuff today, so I thought I would share, for those of you who are trigger-ready. My design ideas go with each picture—what I would do with them if I could. So, let me live vicariously—send me a note if you buy one of these and show me how it ends up!

Happy Shopping.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE these. I would use them in a living room, juxtaposed with traditional furnishings like a couch and coffee table, and I might upholster them in something like this:

Love the shape of this, on any coffee table:

These are fabulous; in fact, I want one pair. So whoever buys these, paws off one pair for me! Perfect “filler” in a hall, living room, guest room. Loving the cane and bamboo plus Frenchy shape:

Rescuing a dog is a noble act. He belongs in your entry or living room:

I am suggesting a client buy these and we will make glass tops for them:

I spoke to soon, I WILL make an inquiry about this for my family room. I am re-jigging a few small things (surprised?):

19Jun

I wrote a post about this concept in design a few weeks ago, I remember. But this time, it’s not about design…

I haven’t been blogging as much lately. Maybe you have noticed. I have been busy with project work, new clients and my kids have needed me. Today my youngest turned 11, and I took the day off and made a surprise party for her. I didn’t answer my phone, and I only emailed once. (Well, if I’m being honest….) I spent the day with five Fifth graders who screamed with glee, we ran around to a bunch of crazy places on a surprise “mystery tour” that I composed, and I was present. I didn’t worry if people were reading the blog, didn’t worry about deadlines or paying vendors, checking on statuses, finding a new web designer, or where the next project was going to come from. I didn’t worry. Life was simple today. And I was happy.

XO
Katie

Image by Kiwi Morado