inspired by turning LEAVES

I cannot help but notice the trees shifting in color.  The colors are changing from green to the most vibrant red, orange and yellow.  These harvest colors are intwined in the typical color story we think of for autumn.  However, I have been most intrigued by the in-between phase of these colors: green, yellow and orange.  It is a bit odd, but there is something atypical that I have grown fond of  during my drive to work last week.

Hood River, Oregon: Traveling Mom

I took a closer look at this trio, and realized they create an analogous color scheme.  This means they are three colors adjacent on the wheel: orange, yellow, green.  Mother Nature really knows what she's doing- Imagine that!

Toad Fool

So, here is my Mismatch Map to help you create a living room inspired by this leaf-turning color story:

My design begins with the sofa pillows (3).  Solid green velvet and a large-scaled yellow ikat pillows started things off with a punch of color.  The black and white geometric was the perfect modern touch  for some contrast.  Next I selected a light grey sofa (2) to be the perfect neutral backdrop for the pillows.  Are you trying to get cozy in that oversized Tulip Chair (8)?  I was a Home Stylist at West Elm Chicago a few years ago, and knew that was going to be the perfect chair- no search necessary! The orangey, cognac color leather has so much warmth to balance out the cool tone sofa.

Time for a coffee table....  My first thought was a raw edge design, then a marble top round, but in the end I loved the natural wood tones of this carved table (6).  To balance, I wanted something crisp and white for the end table, and this papier-mache table (7) fit the bill to a T.   Then I started my search for a rug to pull the design altogether.  My luck was fading quickly for a green rug, and I felt that yellow or orange would disguise the beautiful wood work of the coffee table.  I'm so happy with the hand-drawn design of this rug (5).  It feels modern and ethnic at the same time, and really lets everything else in the room shine.  

Just a few last details...I was hoping for patterned drapery, but it felt too busy.   A pair of linen drapery panels (4) on an iron rod soften and frame the window nicely.  The industrial style of the adjustable floor lamp (1) ties in with the drapery rod, and reminds me of the lines in the rug.  And there you have it!

The warm golden tones are repeated three times in this design: pillow, coffee table and chair.  White and natural linen keep the room feeling light and bright for a modern twist on this season.  The balance of warm and cool tones give this MISMATCH autumn room longevity all year long.  

   

SOURCES

I kept my sources easy for this living room.  You can find all of these furnishings at West Elm and Pottery Barn.  

1. Chelsea Sectional Floor Lamp

2. Heath Sofa

3. Washed Velvet Lumbar Pillow, Yara Ikat Pillow, Dearsley Embroidered Pillow

4. Belgian Flax Linen Drape

5. Torres Wool Kilim 

6. Carved Wood Coffee Table

7. Papier-Mache Drum Side Table

8. Tulip Leather Chair

inspired by a BOLD RUG

Happy Monday everyone!  If you're off to a slow start this week, I hope this will put some PREP in your step- intrigued?

About a week ago I was invited by Chairish.com to participate in a design challenge for their website featuring their latest rug collection.  If you are not familiar with Chairish like me, they seem to be an upscale version of Craigslist geared towards designers and design enthusiasts who value quality furniture and accent pieces.  The company was created out of a need to sell perfectly good condition home furnishings when you are relocating or even changing styles.  You can easily list your items on a professional website.  Their 'About' section explains it best, "Our shop exclusively features curator-approved treasures in a full-service and trustworthy environment."  I'm also very impressed with their item descriptions and search categories from a multitude of design styles, color, and price.  

This online event is to show readers how to go bold with their rug selection.  It's so easy to stay safe and neutral, but Chairish would like to show their shoppers how to go from light to BRIGHT.  I was sent a folder with 10 options, but they have many more rugs to choose from.  There were modern graphic patterns, beautiful eastern rugs, and bright multi-colored rugs.  The graphic patterns were great, but weren't challenging me.  I was leaning towards a teal patchwork turkish rug, but then I decided to go green!

This Grass Green Arbash Turkish Rug is stunning.  Don't be so quick to dismiss it as just another green rug.  I was pulled in to the depth of its color from bright grass green to the dark jungle greens.  The striation in the weave, and random highs and lows have so much energy and visual interest.  This traditional wool rug, and others like it, are now considered old fashioned in Turkey.  Today, Turkish dealers are saving these rugs from the 1960s-80s, and over-dyeing them with modern and vibrant colors to save them from collecting dust in the back of bazaars.  How fantastic!

As the name implies, I immediately envision bright green grass when I look at this rug.  I think of golf greens and polo fields with fresh cut grass.  These sports have a sophisticated culture, and preppy reputation.  Pink and green is an iconic preppy color combo, so that's how I decided on my colors for this bright design.  I think of women dressed to the nines in beautiful florals, sipping their tea while viewing the game.  Kate Spade has great style to modernize traditional colors and patterns for today's woman.  Being outdoors, natural elements bring warmth and rustic charm of the nearby horse stables.

Welcome to my preppy bedroom inspired by this grass green rug.  With a green rug on the floor, I wanted to splash the wall with pink.  Both pinks colors are toned down with a bit of grey for sophistication, but the stripes are modern and graphic.  To balance all of this color, I brought in this beautiful four poster bed in white.  Not only does it add some country charm, it's a landing place for the eye to rest in this bold design.  Next I was searching for a chandelier to hang over the bed, but decided I'd rather have two pendants to hang from above.  These beehive pendants in jute are the perfect neutral accent with some texture.  The balance of the lights allows me to offset one night table and a chair around the bed.  Let's talk about this chair!  Believe it or not, I was planning to use a sleek, mid-century leather and chrome chair, but then I found this beautiful cabbage rose bouquet print.  I love the traditional tufting and it reminds me of Dorothy Draper in the 1940s.  To complement this, I slipped in some mid-century style with this walnut night table.  Crisp white, embroidered pillows with a pop of a berry pink velvet are just the perfect touch for the bedding.  

In an eclectic design it's important to use repetition for cohesion.  Green, pink, and white are each repeated 3 times through my design.  For example grass green is featured in the rug and repeated in the chair and the purse by the leather pouf.  

I envision this eclectic and bold bedroom as a guest room at home, or at a charming bed & breakfast.  I definitely took this eclectic bedroom from white to bright, don't you think?  As you see, this whole room was inspired by a rug, which is often one of the last accents added to a design.  I hope when you are ready to re-decorate at home, you will take a second thought about what goes below your toes.  Even if you're not ready for pink walls, you can still go BOLD with your rug. 

So, would you take a holiday and stay in this 'missmatch' Bright & Preppy Bedroom?

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SOURCES

Chairsih: Rug, Bed, White pillows, Pink pillow, Pendants, Chair, Night table, Pouf, Clutch, Sunglasses, Mirror

my birthday ROOM

It feels so good to design for my blog again~

I know it's been a while since my last collection, but life got a bit busy between moving across the country and the holidays....But enough with excuses, let's get to it!

I hope you had a chance to see my last post about my colorstrology Pantone color for my birthday Toasted Nut 13-1627. (If not you should click HERE to get caught up). This room collection is inspired by the eye shadow kit by stila at Sephora.

I was inspired by the presentation layout that David Bromstad uses on his HGTV show Color Splash: Miami.  Above you see the room in it's almost bare state.  I've started with coffee bean stained wood floors and a light mocha wall color.

Toasted Nut is the inspiration for my parlor, so I started with this handsome leather sofa in a warm reddish brown.  And doesn't it look nice and comfy to sink into?  Then I wanted to bring in a piece with a round shape, and found this contemporary swivel chair in a medium grey to bring in another neutral, and let the sofa be the focal point.  The final piece of furniture is this raw edge coffee table.  It adds an industrial feel with it's steel U-shape legs.  

Let's layer in some softness with pillows and a rug.  I added two great textural pillows to the sofa to repeat the color of the swivel chair.  I selected a light colored two-tone rug, and repeated that cream color in the beautiful felt pillow on the chair.  I'm in love with this pillow....Make sure you notice all of the pillows are neutral, but are all a different texture: felt flowers, lamb's hair, to a chunky bubble knit.  These textures add visual interest in place of graphic patterns.

Lastly I added the accent pieces that really bring personality to this design.  I started with the artwork, and originally had a modern painting in mind.  But, as you see, I went a completely different direction when I found these beautifully carved plaques.  The rococo motifs bring a classical aesthetic to this design.  I wanted to bring in some reflective surfaces to this cozy design, and found this amazing palladian mirror.  In fact, it's so large that it reminds me of a window bouncing light around the room.  Of course we need some ambient light, and this pair of glamour, deco-inspired floor lamps balance this asymmetrical design, and are the perfect metallic touch- every room needs a touch of bling!

I love how this parlor came together, and it was a total surprise.  I really wasn't sure which way this Toasted Nut palette was going to take me in, but the principles of design led me through the process. The leather sofa is the feature, and the rest of this eclectic design is all about texture, and repetition of color.  A leather sofa paired with a cotton chair, a semi- shag rug in two-tones, a variety of textured pillows, metallic floor lamps to steel legs on the coffee table.  This play of textures and neutral colors make for a very sophisticated room that still feels livable.

Would you take a moment to welcome your guests in this 'missmatch' Toasted Nut Parlor?  

(PS....I also think this design would be perfect in a hair salon waiting room with it's feminine touch)

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SOURCES

Leather sofa: West Elm
Swivel chair: West Elm
Coffee Table: Ethan Allen
Rug: Pottery Barn
Flower pillow: Target
Lamb pillow: West Elm
Bubble pillow: West Elm
Wall Art: Restoration Hardware
Mirror: Restoration Hardware
Floor lamp: Ethan Allen

library.....CHECK!

Summertime is the perfect season to go on a picnic.  Last weekend I went to a concert in the park with my husband and a friend.  We did not have our own checker print picnic blanket, but I did see them laid out around the Pritzker Pavillion lawn.  So I thought I would do a series of collections inspired by the all American check pattern.


When I think of checks I think of the Ralph Lauren look.  I think of horses racing fast at the race tracks.  I think of confidence and stability.  I think of a cozy space with a good reading chair.  I think of a place for in-depth conversation, and where the men retreat to for after-dinner drinks.  I see an old set of encyclopedia, and a collection of books collected through the years.

                           

                                         
It only makes sense then that I design a home library.  Ironically, my first selection wasn't a checker print- weird, right?  I wanted to start with the largest piece of furniture in the room, which would be the bookcase.  To keep the room from feeling too traditional I decided on a mid-century style bookcase.  The warm wood tones really welcome you into the space, and the slender profile is not over bearing in a small room.  I also like that it has open and closed storage so you can highlight your favorite books and collectibles.  Next I looked for an area rug for the reading nook to feel cozy on your feet.  I found this traditional oriental rug from... you guessed it- Ralph Lauren Home. The blues and reds have the Americana appeal, plus it pulls in the warm tones of the bookcase.









After the rug, I also found the perfect artwork to be featured on the wall.  I'm by no means an animal lover, but this horse print has an essence of strength, independence, and ambition which I'm really attracted to.  The black and white is also classic.  Finally it was time for my checker print.  Initially I was planning to feature that in my drapery, but instead decided to upholster a chair in it.  I think it's the perfect dose of checks that keep the room feeling more contemporary.  And of course the room needed a handsome leather chair- it just feels right!  I chose a solid copper pillow to break up some of the pattern, and used a blue pillow to tie into the leather chair.  I also brought in a round ottoman to repeat the circle stitched in the pillow and the medallions in the rug.  Now we have repetition of the wood tones and the color blue, as well as circles, to bring this collection together.  I added an industrial floor lamp, and simple linen draperies to finish off the room.  The linen draperies repeat the ottoman fabric, and also brighten up the space.

I really love how this 'missmatch' library came together.  Can you cozy up with your favorite book in this Handsome Checker Collection?

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SOURCES

Shirts - Ralph Lauren

Bookcase -  West Elm

Rug - Ralph Lauren Home

Horse print - Pottery Barn

Checker chair - Ethan Allen

Leather chair - Ethan Allen

Copper pillow - Crate&Barrel

Blue pillow - Target

Round ottoman - All Modern

Floor lamp - West Elm

Drapery - Restoration Hardware

marie antoinette's NIGHT OUT

So, last week I was able to show you some spaces with the Louis XVI chair that I found through Pinterest.  Couldn't you just spend your whole day pinning? (that's right- we're all guilty of "just one more pin...") Tonight I wanted to show you my take on a mix of the French Neoclassical style.  As usual, my collection morphed during my project- but that's what is so great about the creative process.  My intent was to design a breakfast nook with Marie Antoinette pastel blue, and ground it with a bit of army green and grey, and then pop in some teal.  It was going to be a nod towards Marie Antoinette's love for the garden and a more simple country life.  However- I took it in a total 180!

Welcome to my cocktail lounge...lets' start with the horizontal stripe wall covering.  These stripes automatically bring a bold, graphic statement to the space.    (This is actually what my duvet looks like).  It makes for a great backdrop because it's eye-catching, but not distracting.  Stripes were another popular fabric print, but in a vertical orientation.  I wanted to create some depth, and found this charcoal grey settee with tufting.  The nailhead detail on the wings add a bit of glamor, and the straight silhouette is a modern twist.  Settees gained popularity during this time, so I had to use one here.  Next, you need a place to set your cocktail, and these mirrored end tables are the perfect spot.  The bevels of the mirror remind me of fluting, and a balustrade around the table top.  These end tables will also add some sparkle to the space, and bounce light around in the dimly lit lounge.  It's not exactly Marie Antoinette blue- but it's inspired by her infamous color.  This teal, wood tray adds a pop of color, and I even like the white accessory paired with it.    It's good to repeat a theme three times in a space, so that's what I have done here.  The teal rose artwork on canvas is so seductive, and is a modern interpretation of a traditional floral bouquet. (Plus, it hints at the queen's love affair).  The third piece is this great string-wrapped pendant.  It adds more texture to the space, and is a bit unexpected.  Lastly, I layered in some more lighting.  This mid-century sconce is so handsome.  The black shade relates to the legs on the settee, and mixing metallics is a final touch of luxe.  

This Saturday night, put on your best pair of heels and go out for a cocktail with your ladies at my 'missmatch' French Neoclassical Lounge Collection.

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SOURCES

Stripe wall covering - Spoonflower

Settee - Overstock

End tables - POPSUGAR

Tray - Etsy

Artwork - Pics & Photos

Pendant - POLYVORE

Sconce - POLYVORE

chicago to NEW YORK

 Last week I had the chance to be a tourist in my own city.  My mom came to visit from California before we all flew to New York for my brother's graduation.  I made it, literally at the last minute, for The Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise.  The cruise was about 90 min, and took us up and down the Chicago River.  I actually went on this tour several years ago when I was visiting for a best friend's wedding, but it felt different this time touring it as my own city.

Second time around, I was really mesmerized by the bridges and the view of buildings from the bottom up.  Many bridges were raised up for boats to pass through.  This happens every season, but it still a sight to see!  I love the industrial look of these bridges, and there is a unique beauty to them.  They are strong and confident, yet modest blending into our busy lives each day.

              

               

I've been downtown many times and walk among the tall sky scrapers, but I've never had the chance to admire them.  Sitting on the boat in the river, I had a chance to look at them with a new perspective.  There is a lot of beauty in lines and geometry in a tall building that I don't think the average person sees. Here are some perspectives that caught my eye.

In New York I visited the Susan B. Anthony House and the George Eastman House.  The Eastman House was a great place to photograph.  Mr. Eastman completed his house in 1905 in the Colonial Revival style.  Beautiful columns, gilding, and furniture continue to adorn the home today.

  

      

I know I went a bit picture crazy, but I couldn't help it.  So, now let's get down to business! I've created a dining room that mixes downtown Chicago with upstate New York.  I love the tall, glass buildings and metal structures of Chicago- it's like a tall glass of water.  And I love the traditional moldings and stately shapes of upstate New York- they just take you to another world back when...See my comparison below~

                                                                                                                            

           

The elephant hanging at the Eastman House is hard to miss- so that was the inspiration for this dining room.  First I found a 1900s style elephant with an umbrella, but it just wasn't working.  Once I changed elephant patterns, it all came together.  This elephant fabric by Spoonflower is a mix, in and of itself, which I love.  The oval staircase inspired my dining table selection by Barbara Barry for Baker.  I decided to use modern chrome -framed chairs to mix it up a bit.  They balance the substantial design of the dining table.  The red cushion on the Bertoia side chair and the teal fabric on the Pony side chair also pull the colors from the inspiration fabric.  Next I found this great pendant over the dining table. It's transitional style and colors works great in this space.  I wanted to mix metals in this space as well, so then I found this gold branch sconce by Circa Lighting.  It reminds of me of iron grills and greenery through the Eastman House.  Next I chose some drink ware by CB2, because they remind me of the tall skyscrapers downtown.  I love the circle pattern in the ceiling molding at the Eastman House, and this mirrored buffet is such a perfect tribute to it, and it's bring a bit more glamour into the space.  Curves are the real leading lady in this design from the glassware to the buffet, and from the pendant to the dining table.

These items may seem a bit 'missmatch,' but they work together through repetition of shape, color, wood tone, and metal finishes.  So, please, come dine with me in my Downtown Meets Upstate Collection!





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SOURCES:

Photography of Chicago and New York (by me)

Downtown Meets Upstate Collection:

(First line, left to right)
- Elephant fabric - Spoonflower
- Pendant - Euro Style Lighting
- Sconce - Circa Lighting
- Beer glass - CB2
- Champagne flute - CB2

(Second line, left to right)
- Chair - Knoll
- Dining table - Cabana Home
- Chair - CB2
- Buffet - Ethan Allen

inspiration at NeoCon

Last week I attended NeoCon at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.  It is the North America's largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors.  As a member of ASID, I attended four seminars throughout the day.   I learned about multifamily housing, the science of color in the workplace, how to photograph architecture at the workplace, and retail branding.  

         

Between seminars,I had time to walk up down, and ride the elevator up and down, and see the latest and greatest innovations.  As I was heading to the elevator for lunch, I passed the display by 3form.  I remember using products from 3form when I was in design school.  They make resin panels that can be used for a variety of installations: wall panels, dividers, sculpture, lighting and shelving.  There product is unique in many ways, but I love how they integrate recycled and natural products  into the resin.  Now they have a new line of Pressed Glass products, which you see here.  It is a laminated architectural glass.

        

 

This juicy orange glass panel inspired me to design a kitchen this week.  I would love to see this kite design as a featured back splash- it is so whimsical.  I don't want any elements to distract from the backsplash, so I would pair it with traditional and clean-lined Shaker cabinet fronts in crisp white.  Another favorite product I learned about in design school are quartz countertops by Caesarstone.  It is a composite quartz that is pretty much indestructible, and it's so modern and beautiful!  This tone is a nice neutral to top off all the white cabinetry.  Now, I need something to ground the space, and I just love these country, and traditional styled oiled bronze knobs and faucet.  They are so classic, and will complement our existing finishes perfectly.  I was going back and forth on my pendent selection, but I decided on this woven drum pendant.  I like the chrome finish, and the style is very transitional.  Accessories in a kitchen should be functional or edible, so I finished the design with an  Analon bronze pot (I actually own this collection) and an industrial wire bowl with oranges, of course! Using different shades of a color also adds interest to this basic color palette: different shades of orange of bronze.

So, who would like a glass of fresh-squeezed juice from my 'missmatch'  Glass Panel Collection?

just one, PLEASE

Today I was browsing on HouseBeautiful.com, and I was inspired by a beautifully designed, monochromatic apartment, by T. Keller Donovan. (see below)  This is a great example of using a strong color that encapsulates the whole space.  I also like the more traditional aspect of repeating the same fabric pattern through a room: on the sofa, on the chairs, and the window treatments.

This notion of repeating a fabric multiple times through a room can feel heavy depending on the composition of the rest of the room, as well as the fabric selection itself.  This room inspired me to make my Monochromatic Collection.

First I planned to use royal blue, then teal, then a grey-teal, and nothing was catching my eye.  Then I thought- Green!  I see grass along the sidewalk at my apartment, and I see grass along the bike path on Lake Shore Drive, and it's so lush.  It's been so long since I've seen bright green grass after this never-ending winter.  I ended up selecting this leafy green color, a bit acidy, but it makes a statement. This will be my "Just One" color.

So, as I've told you my fabric was the inspiration for this room.  I also chose an organic pattern, but instead of a solid I chose a stripe to mix it up a bit.  I would use the leaf pattern on the sofa and the drapery, and I would use the stripe on the chairs.  The clean lines on the sofa compliment the busy pattern, and the dark finish on the legs relate to the cut-out back chairs.  This Ankara chair reminds me of a updated perspective of a chinese chippendale chair back.  I brought in this beautiful, silver leafed armoire by Nancy Corzine.  It's a touch of metallic, and it's the perfect blend of modern and traditional with moldings and a geometric pattern in the mirror.  Next I wanted modern lighting, and found this great tripod floor lamp.  Then I dipped the other way and wanted something intricate for wall art, and this frame (yes- it's from IKEA) worked seamlessly with my leafy fabric pattern.  Last of all, I needed a place to set a drink or showcase some accessories.  My first thought was to use an upholstered ottoman, but ended up using this marble top coffee table.  It may seem like a lot of legs in the space, but I like how the white and medium wood tone mirror the floor lamp.  

Quite a 'missmatch' of pieces that I think really work well together in my Monochromatic Collection.

(images: linked within text)

one print does ALL OF THIS

I've been spending a lot of time on Pinterest these last few weeks.  Two weeks ago I had some time to work on some other boards that were not design related.  I decided to create a board called "in my CLOSET."  What I noticed while looking at all of the fashion images were lots of collection of pieces to make an outfit, but no person.  I personally love those collections because a face isn't associated with it, and I can better picture myself in the clothes.  So, why not create a room design the same way?

I was inspired by the print, Minted for west elm, Dirty Chevron.  I love the chevron pattern with pops of color throughout.  I'm drawn to the pinks, light blue, and yellow- craving some real spring sunshine here in Chicago.

The chevron print was the inspiration for this collection.

First I brought in this traditional, tufted chair in a neutral, and balanced that with a modern arched floor lamp in black.  I was looking for something in bronze, but instead came across this beautiful deco-inspired mirror.  Next I wanted something with a lighter weight, and found this great industrial table with a combo of metal and wood.  The bold yellow and blue rug relates to the graphic quality of the print, and the circle shape of the mirror.  This sweet pink and white stripe lumbar adds a little shabby chic, and this funky square bowl in hot pink is a surprise.  Lastly, the bicycle bookends add a bit of humor to the design- a little smile.

My Chevron Print collection is a cohesive in its color palette, and has a great collected look- which I love!

Which 'missmatch' piece inspires you?  Share it with me below~




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