Hermes Goes to Work

Hermes Goes to Work





This Hermes Desk Set recently caught my eye. The lines are clean and sleek and each piece is emblazoned with the trademark "H". I tend to love almost anything that this company creates, despite the fact that most of it is "untouchable" for me. This is no exception. I recall that the jump drive alone is in the $700 range. Style doesn't always come cheap.... but a girl can dream.

Design trend: Lime Washed Wood

I've noticed more and more lime washed furniture and flooring slipping into interiors these days. It's a very nice alternative to the heaviness of traditional stain as it adds a light, natural finish that exposes the wood grain. I've seen lime washes done many ways... it can be slick and highly polished for a more contemporary look, but the way I prefer a lime finish is with a little bit more patina and a touch of variation. I also think it's important to use it sparingly so that this finishes beauty has a chance to shine.




The bookcase above is from Horchow's new collection made entirely from reclaimed lumber. There are a few pieces in the collection that have the lime-washed look. I particularly liked this one. In the detail shot you can see how the beauty of the natural wood peeks through the wash to add depth and character.




Above: lime-washed flooring.

A few notes, especially if you're thinking of trying it yourself. Liming isn't as easy as it looks. And the type of wood you apply it to makes a big difference in the outcome of the process. Read up or hire a professional.

Milk Moon Kids

Milk Moon Kids



I've been admiring the work of Milk Moon Kids for a while now. Graphic designer Sarah Spring and her sister-in-law Lauren Kitchen, the co-founders of the company, are super style-conscious and create amazing modern prints. While they are intended for kid's rooms, the graphic quality combined with the tuned-in sense of color in each of these prints makes them timeless and very sophisticated. These aren't your normal "I'll just run over to Target and see what they've got" prints. You will want to keep these around for a long, long time.

I can't wait to see what Milk Moon Kids comes up with next. Sarah tells me a new print is on the way soon. I have no doubt that as the collection grows we will continue to find pieces we just can't live without. Find more images and information by clicking here: Milk Moon Kids

The Power of Great Styling





I love this image from a recent issue of Town & Country. I'm forever looking at how objects are displayed and styled, either for the purposes of a photograph, or in real life. Granted, each of these lovey gems costs a pretty penny and I can appreciate them (from afar) no matter what. They would have looked nice on a standard white editorial page, but the simplicity and elegance of the color of the gems juxtaposed with the color in the silk cord and all on that lavender/plum background are a huge hit with me. I think this photograph has great depth and interest and really shows off the incredible beauty of these gems.

The Beauty of Gray

Gray doesn't always have to mean grim. Gray can have the most elegant and subtle effect in a room. Check out the entry hall in designer Ned Marshall's home in New Orleans. The note in Traditional Home says he began with silver radiator paint (love that idea!) and then used a glaze over it to create this amazing effect. You could easily take this in a very traditional direction or a very contemporary direction.

I do think you have to use gray with care and you must have a great sense of color (or hire a professional) to help you use it correctly- especially when using other colors in the mix. I've seen gray used in a light warm tone as the neutral in a nursery- it was amazing. The few selected bright colors popped against the softness of the gray. I wish I had a picture to share with you.... it's in my brain and I'd love to create my own version of this one day.

One of my favorite shades of deep gray is Martha Stewart's "Goose Down". It's very deep and warm- almost a gray-brown. Benjamin Moore's "Iron Mountain" is also great. Which is the right gray? It depends upon the room you're creating and the level of sophistication you're aiming to create. Here are a few more ideas:




I love this masculine bathroom. This photo shows only one portion of the gray built-ins, but they look great against that wool, mens-wear inspired wall. I have to say that I am not a fan of any kind of wall-to-wall in a bathroom though.




Gray walls with white trim always seems to work well. The raised panels and the fireplace mantle in white help to bring some extra life to this deep, almost purple shade of gray.

It's A Dog's Life

If you've ever read my blog before- even just part of an entry- I'd guess that you know how much I love animals. I'm a sucker for dogs of any breed and would adopt 100 of them this minute if I thought I could take proper care of them. As it stands, we have one wild child golden retriever and that is just about all this household can handle. Well, we could probably handle a few more... and he'll get some friends soon. But in the meantime, I have some inanimate friends around the house. As I write this there are two stone lions in the garage waiting for Spring to arrive. I found these fun animal statues/sculptures online. They would add a ton of personality to just about any room.



This "Bull" sculpture is so intriguing to me. He looks like an old man... not so fierce. And I love the character and patina on this piece. Find it on 1st Dibs. I'll be jealous if you buy it!



This little guy is a sad little dog without much of a face. But don't you just love him?


If regal is more your style, try a pair of whippets. These would look great flanking an entry.

Black As An Anchor

I've gone back to this image so many times for several different reasons. I can't remember what appealed to me about it in the first place... because there are so many things. This isn't a black room, by any means, but the brilliant use of a few black pieces really grounds all of the other light celadon and chartruse pieces in the room. Take a good look at the crisp white vases in the black cupboard. The only other color in the cupboard is chartruse. The shelves themselves are very contemporarily styled yet are in a fairly traditional piece of furniture. I love the way the whole look comes together feeling very fresh. I'm not so sure I would love it as much without the touches of black....

A Pair of Chairs

A pair of chairs is a classic design solution. Some of the most beautiful vignettes I have seen and created happen with a pair chairs. Aside from the obvious symmetry of a pair, I like the idea of just two. It seems to inspire conversation and intimacy, especially when the pair (people or chairs) aren't in front of a tv. The next time you're wondering what to do in front of the fireplace or in that empty corner of the room, or even in the entry way....think about a pair of chairs.

In the image at the top, the look is clean and crisp with a contemporary feel. A pair of chairs doesn't always have to be traditional or have a bold print. These are understated and very elegant.

Here are a few more examples of the elegant use of a pair of chairs:


Above: Suzanne Rheinstein makes a comfortable haven in front of the fireplace with these oversize chairs.



Above: Mary McDonald changes it up in this dramatic (and well publicized) entry hall. The bold color is great, and matching the chairs to the wall makes it work. Especially with the also dramatic zebra rug.

Here are a few chairs... food for thought. What would you do?


Pairs of chairs show available on 1st Dibs