The Flavor of Red

I went to a diner the other day and ordered the special of the day which came with dessert, the waitress asked me if I wanted jello or ice cream. Well, that depended on the flavor of the jello I inquired, to which she replied “red”.

red gloss cabinet doors laundry

Red is probably one of the best accent colors around. Cherry red is like a burst of energy in the room, just see how much life the Abstrakt cabinet doors bring into this laundry room.  Fashion Stylist Sandra Pittana keeps it simple but glam with lots of gloss and just the right amount of punch. The red seems to match perfectly with her LG front load washer and dryer! Read more

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What’s in a Name?

bonfire pie

As a child I always wondered just who would be lucky enough to have the job of naming new colors for various products like nail polish, or lipstick, or paint?! That would be the dream job; I imagined a small panel of artists sitting around a large white table conjuring up delicious names that could sway a person like me to purchase “Plump Plum” over “Black Licorice”.  A couple months ago I found an online name-that-color contest and had a blast thinking up different names for new paint colors, and they chose one! So here it is! The tone is from General Paint’s “Down to Earth” line; it is full of rich and natural colors. I called this one “Bonfire Pie”, now excuse me while I cross off one more line on my life-goals list. Next Up: Sky-diving? Um, maybe not.

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Charcoal and Pewter and Gray, Oh my!

Grays are making a big impact! Although subtle and more of a background noise kind of color, grey can be so versatile, and neutral without going to basic beige. I am referring to a warmer grey- a comforting tone, think thick wool mittens, weathered wood plankscashmere in a soft dove gray.  How does this translate to design? Here are some suggestions:

Velvet Headboard in Gray

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Inspirational Decor Colors in Makeup

makeup colours

All girls know how important their shades of makeup are, and what suits one, just won’t work for another; funny how that can be said of decor coloring.  The makeup industry is tied with fashion and home elements respectively and this is true in color trends as well.  So for some fresh design inspiration, take a nod from the companies who keep us looking our best, and focus intently on color. Black Cherry Chutney by OPI is part of their new India inspired line of lacquers, the deep purple would be an amazing accent wall color or splash of color in a room via cushions and grapes,….I mean drapes. Avon’s Glazewear Diamonds Eye Color in Turquoise Dream is a nice note for spring, in a spa like bath with all white everything else, or fun kids’ room color.  Did you know that some stores that sell paint can color-match pretty much anything you have that you’d like to replicate on your walls?

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Style File: Personal Fashion Relating to Interior Design

One of the great freedoms is freedom of expression.  I frequent the online photographic posts of the Sartorialist, he travels around the world posting images of people who through fashion are quite inspirational and unique.  I like to imagine some of his muses in their own homes, I sometimes wonder; how do they accessorize their living space, what are their dinner parties like, is their home a reflection of the person I see before me?  The joy of being an interior designer is not imposing my exact idea of design upon a client but finding their voice and translating that to their home in a pleasing way.  I will be selecting a few of Sart’s around the world personalities and translating their fashion and expressions to interiors. First impressions are lasting- are you wearing your Franco Sartos darlings?

Lady in Red Black Apartment Style File Fashion relating to Design

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How To: Great Rooms

How To: Great Rooms

Ever wonder how to place your furniture when the size of your great room is…well, great?  A backless sofa like the Jackson Studio Sofa or a large chaise can covert seamlessly to service the inner portion of the room, as well as the outer-skirts; this is a benefit especially when you host large gatherings for comfortable conversational groupings.  Tie a color from one end of the room to another (like the coral in this great room) by coordinating or complementing drapery, matting on your artwork, or upholstery; this will visually unite the entire area.  On that note, if you would like to “assign” a portion of the room to a different task, using different colors to designate an office space or reading nook can accomplish just that.

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Painting in Chocolate Tones

chocolate

I am all for chocolate tones, deep and dark like an almost-black espresso, warm and rich like cocoa, or light creamy browns like freshly baked biscotti. Browns are great neutrals and denote stability, reliability, and approachability. It is the color of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic. Perfect Brown Paint Colors for your home: Bittersweet Chocolate #2114-10*, Biscotti #CC-486*, Cedar Key OC-16*, Capilano Bridge #CC-440*.*Colors by Benjamin Moore. My all-time favorite brown color? That would be “Strong Esspresso” by Beautitone Paints.

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Get This Look: Make a Fabulous Entrance

Get This Look: Make a Fabulous Entrance Foyer

Entrance Door: #435 Paintable Door with Wraparound Sidelights and Transom, BC Glass, Patina Caming, All-Panel Door by Jeld-Wen

Marble Tiled Floor: Bianco Carrara 12”x12” and Monterry Black 12” x 12” (installed in diagonal pattern)

Light: Black Clear Crystal Foyer Chandelier (91923), Lamps Plus. 

Armchair in Red by Horchow 

Handle set Lock: Ashton by Baldwin

Artwork: Paris, France –View of the Eiffel Tower (framed), All Posters

Wallpaper: Wilko Linen Stripe Textured White Wallpaper #13954

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My Favorite Designer; Brian Gluckstein

Brian Gluckstein Interior Designer the Gluck

When I was just a student in Interior Design, I started to follow the latest and the greatest interior designers.  I loved seeing their accomplishments and outstanding projects, the same passion I had, but in full circle.  I couldn’t wait to graduate and get going on projects of my own!  After graduation, I came across a genius of a designer upon perusing the 2004 Awards by ARIDO; Brian Gluckstein.  Gluckstein Design Planning Inc. had won an honorable mention for their design in One St. Thomas.

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