interior design ideas

Hollywood Regency Style

Hollywood regency, hollywood modern, hollywood retro--these are all the terms that describe the hottest trend in home decorating today. Made popular by Kelly Wearstler of Viceroy, Maison 140 (Palm Spring, Santa Monica) fame, this style involves a lot of mirror, a lot of lacquer, and splashes of bold color. It also makes good use of bold graphics and Asian accessories.

Here are a few items that contribute to this glamorous look:

This mirror was featured in Elle Decor a few issues back.

We love this armoire. It is in black with mirror. In our showroom we show it with a yellow pair of tassels. Awesome!

We also like this bedside table:

And this hallway chest too (it comes in red and black leather).

If you would like to check out the style, a good book to check out is Kelly Wearstler's Modern Glamour, the Art of Unexpected Style She has done an amazing job in this genre Her web site shows her awesome projects.

The Purity of White

We love an all-white decor. It's refreshing, modern and pure. When we do design jobs for our clients, we like using all white furnishings and juxtapose it with black/white photographs and beautiful plants & flowers. The results are often stunning.

Here are a few favorites to help you accomplish that look.

White Slip Cover Sofa $2000

What goes with it:

White Slip Cover Chair $1400"

White Tulip $350

As far as maintenance goes, it is true that white gets dirty quickly and is not ideal if you have kids. By choosing the right material such as cotton slip covers that can be washed easily, this look can be easily maintained.

The Little Black Book of Design

$ 1.99

Across the realms of multimedia production, information design, web development, and usability, certain truisms are apparent. Like an Art of War for design, this slim volume contains guidance, inspiration, and reassurance for all those who labor with the user in mind. If you work on the web, in print, or in film or video, this book can help. If you know someone working on the creative arena, this makes a great gift. Funny, too.

Look for fresh aphorisms on our Facebook page.

We have searched the web to find the best prices available. Click Here to find out where to get the best deal on The Little Black Book of Design

Buy Now

Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities

$ 22.35

There are a lot of books out there that show collections of logos. But David Airey’s “Logo Design Love” is something different: it’s a guide for designers (and clients) who want to understand what this mysterious business is all about. Written in reader-friendly, concise language, with a minimum of designer jargon, Airey gives a surprisingly clear explanation of the process, using a wide assortment of real-life examples to support his points. Anyone involved in creating visual identities

We have searched the web to find the best prices available. Click Here to find out where to get the best deal on Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities

Buy Now

Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated: 125 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach through Design

$ 18.32

Whether a marketing campaign or a museum exhibit, a video game or a complex control system, the design we see is the culmination of many concepts and practices brought together from a variety of disciplines. Because no one can be an expert on everything, designers have always had to scramble to find the information and know-how required to make a design work—until now.Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated is a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia of design. Richly illus

We have searched the web to find the best prices available. Click Here to find out where to get the best deal on Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated: 125 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach through Design

Buy Now

sunny champagne

I just love these images for sale at the Etsy shop, Sunny Champagne...check them out!

Mona Lisa

Just finished a custom order, a necklace and earring set featuring the Mona Lisa. It was so much fun to create, and fortunately, she loves it. Click on the image for more views. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Country Living: Little House on the Lake

Our clients’ terrific 500 square foot cottage is featured in September 2012 issue of Country Living magazine!

Bonin Architects cottage featured in Country Living September 2012

Sheri and Gerry Weber describe how their remodeled cottage went from old and outdated to clean and contemporary with a plan that included opening up the space, recycling as much material as possible, and making the most of limited storage.

Architect Jeremy Bonin presented a green design that tore down the dropped ceiling and eliminated all of the wood paneling. The Webers reaction was perfect: “Without the ceiling, it was like, “Wow!”, explains Sheri. “We capitalized on all the extra height by putting in a sleeping loft.” Working closely throughout the project, Bonin Architects and the Webers succeeded in making this cottage one of the nicest – and greenest – cabins on the lake!

Be sure to read the full article on this award-winning remodeled cottage online or get your copy at your local newsstand!

my new website!

Thanks to the supremely talented Catherine at Avalon Rose Design, I have a gorgeous new website! I have admired her work for a long time, and finally took the plunge. I'm so happy with the results! I have brand new jewelry designs with a darker aesthetic coming this fall, and this new template will complement them so well.

What do you all think? Click on the image below to view...

my world

Living in central New Hampshire has its perks: mountains, lakes, fall foliage, wildlife everywhere, quiet living (though the winters could be shorter!). The ocean and Boston (where I grew up) are an easy day trip. It's a special place.

Today I wanted to share with you some random photos I've taken over the years...they are all within 20 minutes or less of my home.

What do you love about your little piece of the world?

Lake Massasecum...I love this spot

Lake Massasecum

my bee balm did really well that year! that's the kitchen of my little cottage in the background :)

sunset from atop Mt. Kearsarge - my favorite local hike

Lake Sunapee

New London

Newbury Harbor - Lake Sunapee

around the corner from my house is this beautiful stream...

houses on my street during an especially snowy winter....

I love the star window (see it?) in the peak of my neighbor's house!

outdoor fire pits

Few things are more magical or relaxing than an outdoor fire. I've been wanting a fire pit for a long time, and found some really cool ones at this online store. Below are a few favorites...

Dreamhouse Designer

Recently, I was contacted by Jesyca Durchin of Dreamhouse Designer to participate as a guest judge in an interior design contest - it was a lot of fun! Using my blog as inspiration, approximately 100 designers digitally created gypsy-style rooms. There were so many great entries, and I had the difficult task of choosing the top five. Here are my picks below (in no particular order). Visit this link to read my comments on the rooms. Do you have a favorite?

you can fly...

My favorite parts of ballet class were adagio and jumping (grand allegro especially)...on good days, I felt as if I could sprout wings and fly...such a rush!

Summer Sale!

The summer sale on my website is currently active ~ save 20% on all necklaces now through Saturday, August 4th. Mention that you follow my blog in the comments section at checkout and receive a free gift! Click on the image below to be taken to the link. Thank you!

Lime Sorbet Margaritas

I love this clever recipe for margaritas courtesy of Real Simple. No blender mess!

Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 10m| Total Time: 10m

Ingredients

1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
1/4 cup sugar
2 pints lime sorbet
1/2 cup tequila

Directions

Rub the lime wedges around the rims of 8 stemmed glasses. Place the sugar on a small plate. Turn each glass upside down and dip the rims in the sugar to coat.
Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass and pour 1 tablespoon of tequila over the top of each. Serve with a spoon.

Enchanted Doll ~ Marina Bychkova

I was so impressed with these beautiful dolls that I had to share them with you. Created by Marina Bychkova, the exquisite detail and magic she infuses into each creation is extraordinary. Visit the website here.