Charish Style Challenge: Balance is Key

Hi friends!  Ever heard of the company Chairish?  They are an online store that sells vintage furniture, decor, jewelry and other accessories.  I came across their website a while back and found myself sucked into the virtual vortex of beautiful objects.  So when they contacted me about participating in their "Style Challenge" I was absolutely up for the game!

I love mixing furnishings of different styles and time periods. And Chairish is the perfect source to create an eclectic curated look.  I put together a style board for a Cool Eclectic Blue Bedroom.  All the items I've selected are from the Chairish website except the Anthropology bedding, and West Elm curtains. The key to combining all the beautiful unique pieces you might find at Chairish is balance...

(1) Corbeille Cane Bed, (2) Labyrinth Embroidered Duvet, (3) Claude Medallion Flocked Curtains, (4) Spanish Revival Gothic Double Pendant, (5) Teal & Green Pottery Vase, (6) Danish Teak Nightstands, (6) Persian Overdyed Rug, (8) Rocking Chaise Lounge, (9) Vintage Blue & White Garden Stool, (10) Brass Giraffes, (11) Vintage French Glass Box, (12) Bamboo Campaign Chest, (13) Gilt Wood Mirror, (14) Regina Andrew Aqua Lamp

This design was inspired by the beautiful blue Persian Overdyed Rug. I just love the texture and intensity of it, while still feeling tranquil and calm.  To tone down and balance the intensity, I brought in some more traditional pieces in lighter colors, like the Corbeille Cane Bed and the Faux Bamboo Campaign Chest.  Next I mixed in a more contemporary mid-century modern Adrian Pearshall Rocking Chaise Lounge.  To balance that out, the Danish Teak Nightstands which would be located across the room are also a mid-century style and have similar wood tone to the rocker's legs. then I found a Spanish Revival Gothic Double Pendant that I absolutely love and had to use. Something about a draping chain pendant gets me every time.  Even though it is a completely different style from anything else, by balancing it with other gold items, like the Gilt Wood Mirror, it doesn't seem out of place. The curve of the top of the mirror even echos the line of the headboard! The remaining accessories carry the colors of the rug throughout the design.

So remember balance and don't be afraid to mix that awesome mid-century chair you found with an ornate table!

The Design Water's Warm

Long time no see blogland.  Lets just jump right back in the water here...

I've been busily working away at a local residential design firm and just a few weeks ago we made a trip to Las Vegas for a plethora of industry events: the Las Vegas Market #LVMKT, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the NAHB International Builders Show (IBS), and the International Surfaces Event (TISE).  Between all of those events and the rich interiors of Vegas hotels, I've been saturated like a sponge with design ideas and inspiration.  So I thought I'd share a little sprinkle of what I saw with ya'll!

Saw some cool buggie art...

Rad furniture...

And lots of amazing lighting...

Residential Design Project Inspiration

So I've been pinning away and getting inspired for my residential project for school.  I'm going for a traditional look that incorporates articulated architectural detailing, classic finishes

We're supposed to have one inspiration photo for our process board which will be due in the next couple weeks. I'm not sure how I'll narrow it down, but I though I'd share with you guys my inspiration.  And feel free to check out more on my Pinterest board.

Enjoy!

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Elle Decor

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House Beautiful

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Handsome Elegance {Residential Lighting Project}

Remember all that lighting stuff I was talking about a few weeks ago?  Well all that research and obsessing was part of my crazy process to develop a design for my lighting class. Although the class is about lighting and not all the other details of design, we had to come up with a style for our space in order to pick coordinating light fixtures.  And, of course, my obsessive mind takes things a bit overboard and has much much more figured out than just a style and light fixtures.  I began collecting inspiration photos on Pinterest like a mad woman and came up with a glamorous, yet masculine theme, which I have called...

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My fictional client is a wealthy gentleman who has a mixture of vintage family heirloom furniture as well as some modern pieces that he'd like to display in a space that similarly mixes traditional and modern elements to create a luxurious, masculine space with a touch of feminine glamour.  To that end, I've designed custom built in cabinetry throughout the space, a coffered ceiling in the living/dining area, and detailed tray ceilings in the entry, kitchen, and bedroom.  Here are the electrical and lighting plans that show the layout of the space, furniture, lighting and ceiling design...

And below are elevations of the custom built-in units and kitchen that I designed. This is my first experience doing elevations and details and I don't really have much knowledge of how ceilings are built, but my teacher thought I had previous experience so I guess they're pretty legit (in the slang sense of the word).  Too legit, too legit to quit! Haha...

All the cabinetry is shaker style to bring in a little modern simplicity, but is finished with crown moulding and high baseboards for a more traditional look.  A mix of rich materials from marble, to wood, to copper, stainless steel and brass create interest and a feeling of extravagance.  And my lighting selection below continues the mix of metals, of modern and traditional, of masculinity and femininity for an overall design that is handsome and elegant.

Crystal Bulbs // Dining Room Sconce // Bar Pendant // Powder Room Sconce

Master Bath Sconce // Kitchen Pendant // Bedside Table Lamp // Bedroom Chandelier

What da ya think?  I'm pretty happy with the way everything turned out and wish this was a really project that I could see realized, but I suppose I'll get that experience in the future (not for this exact space of course).  We presented our designs in class last night and everyone had really nice designs with different styles. Our teacher was so impressed, she took every student's board for the "hall of fame," which never happens, especially with a teacher who's pretty critical!  Next we'll be working the lighting/ceiling design of a commercial space.

In the mean time, I do have something special coming up... something I've been telling you I'd show you for quite a while. I finally took photos of my mom's TV room!  I'll be posting them on Monday, so come back and check it out!

Let There Be Light!

If you follow me on Pinterest you've probably noticed I've been pinning lights and ceiling images like crazy.  That's because I'm in a lighting class right now. I've been meaning to write a post about some of the stuff I've learned but haven't had the time. For now, here are some awesome light fixtures I love...

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And some more...

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Sophistocated Striped Bathrooms

Hey all you renters out there. Today I'm wondering... what would you do if your apartment was your own? Would you paint a wall navy blue? Gut your kitchen? Mount your TV to the wall?

I'd love to do a number of things like this, but the first thing that comes to mind that I would change if my place was my own: I'd paint stripes in one of my bathrooms. Can you tell by my background that I'm loving stripes right now?  I always love them actually... they're classic and add interest to a space without being too busy. Their consistent rhythm can create a sense of calm while increased contrast can produce a more up-beat and fun intensity in a space.  I think they'd be just darling in a powder room or bathroom. (In my case there is no "powder room" in my apartment.)

If I was creating my striped bathroom, it would be a simple painting project due to my budget constraints (probably a sky blue and crisp white combo), but you could also create an awesome striped look with wallpaper or tile. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of work for something I'll have to paint over soon enough.  So instead I'll just dream of stripes and share some examples of what I'm talking about.  Love me some stripes!

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This last one I took with my iPhone in the beautiful Ann Sacks showroom at the Laguna Design Center. Fun right?  Are you loving stripes as much as I am?  What would you love to change about your rental if you could? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Marker Rendering and Wood-lookin' Tile

My apologies for the lack of blog posts recently.  Homework has been totally kicking my blogger butt. Architectural Drafting and Marker Rendering are quite the time consumers.  But check out the chairs I rendered!

On another note... I actually have been fulfilling one of my new year resolutions! Yep, for real, I haven't forgotten about them yet. I went to an ASID trade show last week and guess what!... I won a Macy's gift card from Arizona Tile.  Yay!  Isn't it pretty?!

It even kinda matches my nail polish. Seems like it was just waiting to be in my fingers!  But anyway... here's a snap shot of this awesome tile they had in their showroom that looks like wood.  I'm totally loving it right now. 

I think it would look great in a commercial application.  In my opinion, it doesn't quite have the warmth of actual wood, so I'm not sure I'd want it in a residence. (That's not to say I'd rule it out completely.)  But it would be fab in a restaurant or an office... even on a deck!  It requires little maintenance and has more than 40% recycled conntent.  My dentist's new office actually has something like it that looks really snazzy.  Here's a great photo from their website

Purdy right?  Well I hope ya'll are having a good week. Over and out!