Showing posts with label virtual show house. Show all posts
Showing posts with label virtual show house. Show all posts

Friday, December 14, 2012

All art is copying

"All art is copying" is an alleged quote by Picasso and we all know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

painting by Sally Kelly
I was so flattered to see my friend, Sally Kelly's interpretation of my art. I love dreamy swirls.

It dawned on me that I had been doing my own copying although I prefer to call "inspired work". :)

"In the future" by Kerry Steele
This new painting of mine was part of taking a break from a rather large commission. It was inspired by this Wolf Kahn painting on Day 1 of my Virtual Show House

Wolf Kahn

Loi Thai conceived the brilliant design and I was in love with all of it but the quick tidy brushstrokes of the painting stuck with me and it is a technique that I like to use.

"Boxwood Garden" by Kerry Steele
I think I'll keep it up.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Virtual Show House-Day 5 Kids' rooms

Day 5 is here and it is a double-decker design by Nancy and Bethany of Powell Brower Home. I asked if they would do a  kid's room and  they gave me two!

 Thanks  to our friend Kerry of Design du Monde for having us design a room in her Virtual Showhouse!  We are so happy to be a part of your series, and have enjoyed planning a children's room for this home.



Designing childrens rooms can be so much fun.  I love an element of whimsy injected and to personalize the space with the hobbies of the inhabitant.  In our own home Bethany had horse show ribbons surrounding the perimeter of her walls.  I painted clouds on the ceiling and a big sun on another wall; my son always had tents, forts, and even hung a hammock in his Tahitian-themed room when he was a pre-teen. ( He thought he would sleep in it, but he wasn't "gumby".)

Here are some inspiration rooms for wonderful children's rooms.  This first one would look beautiful in the home styled by Loi, of Tone on Tone, whose entry was the first room in  this series.





Now this is ambitious. I guess the child would have to be old enough to not try to ride the ferris wheel!


Tents are very popular with kids:


I think a child of any age would love this iconic bubble chair hanging in their room!


I came across these darling DIY drawer handles made from plastic toys:



When I started seriously eboarding a child's room  I used this inexpensive indoor/outdoor rug as a starting point for the design. Then it turned into a teen's room:


Let's see what Bethany has in mind...

Hi there, Bethany here!  I decided to do a nursery, since I just yearn to do one for real!  Don't get any ideas, I don't have baby fever, I just think it would be super fun to do.  And since we have no budget, I went a bit wild.  Like, 'Out of Africa' wild.



First, my own personal bedroom has a dark ceiling which is totally condusive to slumber.  I thought it would also be perfect in a baby's room since the goal is sleeeeeepy time.  I did a deep forest green on the ceiling, something like Deep Pool by Ralph Lauren.

I love the recent trend of large art in a nursery.  I'd add a travel poster from the motherland to add a sense of adventure.

A zebra cowhide rug adds another layer.  While many would think it wasn't practical, I'm here to tell you that these things are virtually indestructible.  Mine has withstood a ton of wear, specifically puppy training.  It's a wipe-with-soap-and-water kinda easy to clean, which could be perfect for baby messes.

A unique crib is a thing of beauty.  I especially loved this burl number from 1st dibs eons ago.  I also love those white campaign ones and old iron cribs (but ouch, can you imagine gumming on that thing?)

A tent to play in and a sideboard-turned-changing station tops off this room.

Thanks so much for letting us play, Kerry!
We had a blast.
Nancy and Bethany

1/2/3/4/5/6

I want to press the rewind button and be a kid in one of those rooms. Don't you?
I am sure you thought that Day 5 was the last but but I have added a Day 6 tomorrow with my own kitchen design. Please make sure to stop by for the last room in my Virtual Show House and each of these talented contributors.
Loi Thai of Tone on Tone
 Beth of Chinoiserie Chic
Lindsay of Sadie and Stella
Stefan of Architect Design
 Nancy and Bethany of Powell-Brower Home

also in case you missed them...
Day 1 Entry by Loi Thai
Day 2 Living room by Beth Connolly
Day 3 Dining room by Lindsay Dress
Day 4 Master bedroom by Stefan Hurray

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Virtual Show House Day 3- dining room

 Welcome to day 3 of the Virtual Show House. I asked Lindsay of Sadie and Stella to do the dining room because she recently did her own dining room and knocked it outta the park. As far as I am concerned she is batting 1000. Check it out.

 I have to tell you, I adore a good virtual showhouse. Why you ask? Probably because budgets are unlimited and your imagination can run wild. If you read my blog, Sadie + Stella, you know that my style and aesthetic is unconventional and definitely eclectic. Full of major color, pattern mixing and unapologetic style. Well folks, when I first saw the gorgeous showhouse that Kerry presented to me, my first thought for a dining room was monochromatic. Lawd. What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants. Here is my inspiration for this bright and airy dining space. 
{inspired design}
You want to see what my space would look like? Here it be. Neutral color family and all. Lots of layering and pattern mixing. 
Thank you so much for peeking into my virtual dining room in our virtual showhouse. I will say, this room is not toddler, sticky hand friendly. Come and visit me over on the blog for more and more and more. Loves! XOXO

 What did I tell you!? Awesome right? Come back tomorrow to what Stefan has in store and take a trip to the blogs of all of my very talented participants.


Loi Thai of Tone on Tone
 Beth of Chinoiserie Chic
Lindsay of Sadie and Stella
Stefan of Architect Design
 Nancy and Bethany of Powell-Brower Home

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Virtual Show House Day 2- Living room

Today I have Beth of Chinoiserie Chic creating the Show House living room. Her style is a mix of the totally accessible and one-of-a kind high end pieces with a healthy dose of pink, blue and white and of course plenty of Chinoiserie.

The living room has high ceilings and ebonized hardwood floors. I have painted it a very soft blue. The many windows are dressed in off-white linen curtains banded in navy Greek key. The sofa is Aidan at Crate and Barrel. In lieu of a cocktail table, I have used a massive vintage Fornasetti leopard ottoman. The large piece of art is Feathers by Paule Marrot framed in acrylic. The red Japanned secretary is antique. The server is gilded faux bamboo by Baker. The pair of vintage ebonized slipper chairs have cushions of pale pink silk. A pair of oversized antique blue and white ginger jars flank the fireplace. The living room reflects the house itself - classic but with some fun and whimsy, and of course, I have added Chinoiserie.



Thank you Beth!
Come back tomorrow for a fabulous dining room and visit all of the participants.

Loi Thai of Tone on Tone
 Beth of Chinoiserie Chic
Lindsay of Sadie and Stella
Stefan of Architect Design
 Nancy and Bethany of Powell-Brower Home

Monday, December 3, 2012

Virtual Show House-Day 1- Entryhall

Hello my friends. We are kicking off the Virtual Show House with entry hall of our house designed by the King of understated elegance, Loi Thai of Tone on Tone. Let me tell you, this does not disappoint!
I hope you find these rooms as inspiring as I do.


 Hi everyone! This is Loi from Tone on Tone. I’m excited and honored to be participating in Kerry’s virtual show house.

When Kerry asked if I had a room preference, I said yes: foyer, please! Why? It may not be the largest or showiest room of the house, but it's the room that sets the tone and makes that first impression. A thoughtfully designed foyer can be stylish and timeless, gracious while functional and, warm yet uncluttered.

For this house, I designed a layout and chose pieces that would not overwhelm the narrow center hall. I wanted the foyer to make a statement but not compete with the adjoining living and dining rooms. The foyer is, after all, a transitional space physically and visually.

My inspiration was this abstract oil on canvas painting from Wolf Kahn. Kerry did say no limit on budget :)
Next is this antique English Gothic style narrow console table from Tone on Tone, perfect for a long and narrow entry hall. The Lucille table lamp from Circa Lighting has enough texture to stand up to the painting but does not compete. A white lacquer tray from West Elm is great for keys and daily mail.
A gracious foyer should offer a mirror and some form of seating. I chose the shapely Stella mirror from Hickory Chair---a nice contrast from all the rectangles. Two Courbe stools, upholstered in lavender linen with nailheads, from Ballard offer flexible seating. Plus, the stools can slide under the console table during high traffic events.
 And here is my rendering of the foyer. A classic center hall with a staircase and coat closet located in the back
A neutral and lavender palette. The walls could be painted in either a warm or cool gray. Perhaps Benjamin Moore's Horizon OC-53 or Classic Gray OC-23. The trim would be the same color, except a bit lighter (25%) and in a satin impervo finish.
 A long sisal runner in tones of grays and browns (as opposed to golds) would complement this palette.
Above: I love the design of this contemporary Lucille lamp from Circa...so much movement.
 A handsome Winslow square lantern from Vaughan finishes the space.

I hope you've enjoyed my design for this foyer. Many thanks to Kerry for having me here. I look forward to seeing all the other designs of this virtual show house.
Cheers,
Loi


Join us for the rest of the tour!
Lindsay of Sadie and Stella
Stefan of Architect Design
 Nancy and Bethany of Powell-Brower Home

Friday, November 30, 2012

Virtual Show House starts Monday





I am so excited to start this blogger guest post series called "Virtual Show House". It is exactly what it sounds like. Designers from 5 of my favorite design blogs that are Virginia or D.C. based will be designing virtual rooms in the house above. 
Come back on Monday to see Loi Thai of Tone on Tone's entryway design and the rest of the week for
Lindsay of Sadie and Stella
Stefan of Architect Design
 Nancy and Bethany of Powell-Brower Home