About this time last week, I was taking care of last minute details for my Dedicated To Design presentation at the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery in Lafayette, CA. Having had little experience in (or liking for) public speaking, I made sure the talk was both interactive and active. Utilizing items from our home I created 3 very distinct settings: one for the "urban sophisticate", another for the "family focused" and lastly one for the "eternal bohemian". I hung art, placed and stylized textiles, botanicals and decorative objects for at least 45 minutes of design frenzy. My goal was to show the event attendees how to create their own vignettes in order to effectively personalize their spaces. Below is a list of tips I shared with them. Take a look:
Client Update (II): #beaconhillchd
About this time last week I was in Boston working with my #beachonhillchd clients. I shopped and selected rugs, accessories, and even plants, for their newly renovated space. With the addition of the textiles and botanicals the rooms took on a 'homier' look and feel.
Surprisingly, the color orange became the accent color in the main living areas allowing for ottomans and pillows to be interchangeable between the different spaces. In the kitchen we emphasized the cabinetry color, Farrow & Ball's Railings, with a dark rug and oversized vintage botanical prints. Brass hardware and a lighting fixture lent a classic look to this space. For the first time ever, I got to see the Modo Chandelier in its destined spot: smack dab in the middle of my clients' huge living room window. I love it there and I'm happy to say my clients do too. All of the lighting we selected for this Beacon Hill residence is spectacular and there's more to come!
I'll be venturing back in the warmer months to tackle the dinning room area and to add some final details to the living room. Many thanks to AK and BD for allowing me the opportunity to work on your home. It's been,and continues to be, a great experience!
Out And About: Modernaire, Oakland CA
Last week I popped into Modernaire's new location in Oakland. After years in Berkeley, owner Bruce Crawford moved his carefully curated mid-century wares to a large, well lit space on Telegraph Ave. Living in a mid-century home, I'm naturally drawn to stores that represent the era, but what impressed me most about Modernaire was its wide array of accessories. Clocks, lamps, bowls, art and even a free standing fireplace were artfully displayed and available for sale. Any one of the items offered would be perfect for adding detail and personality to a space, mid-century or not. Take a look: 
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A Few Good Pillows & 7 Decorating Tips
Over the weekend I played around with the pillow shams I bought in Cambridge at my favorite rug shop last month. Using inserts I already owned, I stuffed the kilim covers and placed them on our sectional. Our prior pillow collection was a mix of kilim, cotton and shag in light natural tones, but I'm really liking the way the deep pink hues look with the dark brown sofa and the brick wall. The plan is to get a few more to balance out the large seating area and to purchase art for the brick wall. Take a look at our renewed sofa.
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I love mixing things up every once and while around the house. The kids take notice and the space suddenly feels revived. Here's a few more ideas to freshen up your space with little or no money spent.
1. Remove curtains or replace them with a patterned fabric that is appropriate for the season.
2. If space allows, re-arrange your furniture.
3. Add plants or repot the ones you have in coordinating containers for focal interest.
4. Give your sofa or chair a new look by draping a throw on it.
5. Rehang your art or find wall space for pieces you haven't hung yet.
6. Rearrange your coffee table accessories; add books and magazines that you may not have read in while. Keep books open to a page you find inspiring.
7. Let your kids change things around for a day. You'll either be completely mortified or pleasantly intrigued by how they see the space. It's only for a day!
If you recently made some changes around your house, I would love to hear about them.
