Pantone Color of the Year 2011!

Pantone announced the 'it' color for the up coming year.  The grand prize winner is.....

HONEYSUCKLE!! 

"While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life."

-Pantone

Let's look at some examples of how to use this bright cheery color in interiors, shall we?

{via Drake Design Associates}

The first interior I thought of was Jamie Drake's bedroom for Kips Bay 2007.  Jamie is the king of color and I remember him mentioning how much he ADORES pink in a seminar I attended while in college.  And I just ADORE Jamie's bold style!

{via Drake Design Associates}

"Pink is a seasonless color for me.  Are the cheeks of angels appealing only in the summer? 

Adding cerise pillows and accessories to a beige room or coral lamps to a gray space creates

 instant dazzle.  And lamp shades lined in pink will make everyone in proximity look like

they've just returned from the best vacation ever."

-Jamie Drake

{via Suzanne Kasler}

Recently, I've been noticing Suzanne Kasler using shades of pink in her interiors, like this funky teen's room.  (I read that the teen requested a hammock, so Suzanne custom made this hammock as a guest bed.  How fun would sleepovers for this lucky girl?)

{via Suzanne Kasler}

{via Suzanne Kasler}

{via Suzanne Kasler}

Sometimes pink can be just the right amount of 'punch' you need in a space like the above Suzanne Kasler entryway and book shelf.   If you want to add a dash of pink without committing to a pink wall or piece of furniture, books are the perfect answer!  Here are a few of my favorite pink books:

{In The Pink, Wacky Chicks, Fashion, Shocking}

"Pink can say a lot.  I like to pair hot pink with cinnamon brown; it becomes seductive. 

Bright pink mixed with oranges and purples is always a fun match."

 - Eve Robinson

So what do you think?  Is the color of the year spot-on chic or is it Pepto-Bismal dismal?





Globe Pendants

Do you know how hard it is to find unique lighting these days?  You typically have either traditional chandeliers, drum pendants, or small glass cafe pendants.  Now these all come in a plethora of different styles and colors, but sometimes you just need a little unexpected funk.  That's why I was so excited when I came across these little beauties the other day while doing some research for a client's home.  It's like a glass covered light bulb went on over my head!  Take a look at these glass globe pendants:

{via West Elm}

{via Dianne Ross Interiors}

Isn't the above effect just magical?  I think it's the perfect touch of whimsy to the polished and serene scene below.  Just lovely.

{via West Elm}

{via West Elm}

 Such a great idea to cluster several globes together for a funky faux chandelier!

{via West Elm}

 These globes are beautiful in a group or by themselves.  Gotta love that.

{via West Elm}

 Another option is to use chandelier versions of the pendants.  It's an easy way to add the impact of multiples with only one installation.

{via West Elm}

{via CB2}

{via CB2}

{via CB2}

And if you can't get enough of these glass baubles, check out CB2's blog to make this diy Christmas wreath!

Lonny Dec 2010

The new edition of Lonny is up and running!  From the new J.Crew Men's store in Manhattan, to Miles Redd and Albert Hadley, you do not want to miss this issue. 

The main idea I took away from this issue, is designers sure do love their books!  It reminded me of what Jonathan Adler said in his book, Happy Chic Accessorizing, "Pile books everywhere.  Let everyone know how smart you are."

 Check out the new Lonny Magazine here and let me know what you think about it!

{images via Lonny Magazine Dec 2010}

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Hermes Birkin

I have had this image on file for quite awhile now and every time I see it I fall in love all over again.  From the hint of a leopard pencil skirt, the gold chain bracelets, the gold nail polish, let alone the fabulous Birkin bag, I'm enamored with it all!  Sigh... how I adore Birkins.  I was tempted to ask my husband for a Birkin instead of a wedding ring, but once I tried on a few diamond rings I was hooked.  But a Birkin was a close second.  Let's see if we can't turn this into a room, shall we?

via weheartit

Nothing in the inspiration outfit really 'matches' but what makes it work is the play on different tones and shades of camel. I would wear this as my work uniform if I could, so let's make our room home office.  I would paint the room a shade of camel (I have to say camel because I can't bring myself to say... *cough* beige.) and install leopard print broadloom in a pattern similar to this one from Horchow.  The subtle leopard adds a hit of panache without being over-the-top.  I would then float a gorgeous Hollywood Regency style desk (Barbara Barry) in the center of the room and pair it with a Palladian chair in a caramel finish (Baker).  This is the chair equivalent of a Birkin bag.  Just like the bag, you can pair a Palladian chair with anything and it automatically adds a little je ne sais quoi and will never date.  Absolutely gorgeous.

 

Behind the desk, I would make a focal wall with a console chest (Hickory Chair) in the center, for office supplies, files, etc.  Above the chest I would add a over-sized mirror (Baker) and flank the chest/mirror combo with antiqued brass etageres, similar to the one above, by Phoebe Howard.  Fill the desk with accessories like a brass magnifying glass (Arteriors), cream leather storage boxes (Barbara Barry for Global Views), and add a cashmere throw or two (William Sonoma Home, I can't work unless I'm wrapped up in a blanket).  Top the room off with a mid-century inspired chandelier (Arteriors), and you have a polished home office!  Best part?  All of the elements in this room could be used in other areas of your home.  Move the mirror to the fireplace mantel, the etageres to the living room, or the desk to the master suite to use as a vanity!  It's always smart to think where else you could use an item down the road when you want to relocate or just switch things up a bit.

Oscar De La Renta Pre-Fall 2011

When I get the opportunity to walk the red carpet (that is, if interior designers ever get the social status of movie stars) I will only wear Oscar de la Renta.  He is the king of lady-like glamour, but it's always updated for the modern sophisticate.  Oscar released his Pre-Fall 2011 line this week and, like always, he did not disappoint!  Here are a few of my favorites and don't be surprised if one or two of these looks transform themselves into beautiful interiors soon!

"We're dealing with sophisticated customers. What's most important to these women is individuality. I have to create things she'll want to wear, no matter who she is."

-Oscar de la Renta

"I like light, color, luminosity. I like things full of color and vibrant."  -Oscar de la Renta

 

Adore...

{images via FGR and OscarPRGirl}

Room Crush: Christina Hendrick's Kitchen

I knew I liked this girl.  Not only is Christina one of the most beautiful people to ever walk the Earth and plays the amazing Joan on Mad Men, she also has amazing taste in interiors.  Check out this TO DIE FOR kitchen featured in In Style (well, her family recipes were featured, but I just can't get over the those lacquered cabinets).

{via In Style}

{via In Style}

Here's a few products to help you get Christina's chic look:

Cherise Pendant via Arteriors

Le Creuset 7.25 QT via Bloomingdales

Vintage Tulip Goblets via Etsy

Extension Dining Table via Crate and Barrell

Louis XIV Baroque Leather Side Chair via Restoration Hardware

And The Chandelier of Choice Is....

A few days ago I posted this room inspired by an editorial image from Elle France.

I asked you, my readers, to help me with the lighting by giving you three fixture options to choose from.  I'm glad to announce we have a winner!  To my happy surprise the winning fixture was......

Option #3, Restoration Hardware's Foucault's Iron Orb Chandelier!!!

This piece was inspired by a nineteenth century physicist, Leon Foucault, and his gyroscope.  Makes you want to watch The Big Bang Theory, right?

 I say I was happily surprised because I thought most people would go for the more traditional fixtures.  Option #2 was close to being the winner...

...but then my fabulous sister made the comment that it looks like a naked lady oil lamp my chic Grandmother use to own...

Sadly, this lamp has a special place in my heart, though this may be one item from the 70's we shouldn't try to resurrect.  After a little research, I found out these lamps were popular in the 70's, along with disco and fondue.  Needless to say, this reference may have killed #2's chance of being the winner.

Thanks again for your participation!  I may have to take poles more often!

See the orginial post and comments here.