Reconnecting with Connecticut

Well it has been an unexpectedly busy summer both at MWDA and in my personal life and I am sorry that I have been so absent. I do however have some really fun stuff coming up which will make for some good posts, especially since I dislike Summer and use that as my time of hibernation. One thing coming up sooner rather than later is a end of summer trip for my husband and I. We are going up to Connecticut which should be really interesting, that is where he was born and for his birthday we are going to check out where he spent his early years. I have not spent much time up that way but I would love suggestions from anyone on places to go and things to do! So if you have any experience with the Connecticut coast line let me know, I would love to check out the places you love!

My husband Sandy in Kindergarten. Too adorable!

Ms. Field's, not the cookie lady

Let me take a moment to talk about Patricia Field. I hope to dear baby Jesus that you know who she is. If you don't, slap yourself. She is the genius behind all of the costuming for Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada, Ugly Betty, and several others. She has an amazing store in NYC (shocking) and travels all over styling her clients. My husband just brought the biggest Greek pop singer to town for a concert, she is basically Cher/Madonna/Kylie all rolled into one. Pat is a friend of hers, like forever friends and so she came to the show.

Yes. Patricia Field was in Atlanta. I talked to her. I danced with her. She slapped my ass. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture with her, but my super smart and stylish friend Chris did. Notice the one earring--neon green feather, very current.




I guess I sort of got a picture because we were on stage together, with Anna (in the red) who was wearing my hat made by A Modern Day Flapper which you can get here at her Etsy Shop, which I totally bought to step up my outfit because I knew Patricia was coming--there is no shame in that my yummies.

After meeting her I had to seek out all the information I could about her. She's 1/2 Greek and 1/2 Armenian and grew up in Astoria. She's insanely brilliant, obviously too cool for school, and ridiculously nice. Like I said, store in NYC or ONLINE! Here are some of the things I heart from her online situation.

Who doesn't love a sequin?

All my client's want this phone. Mark won't let them have it.

Patricia Field for Keith Haring

What?

Who hasn't watched Breakfast at Tiffany's and said they wanted that eye mask?


That's right. Patricia rocks and I really hope to see her again, I have a new goal of getting her take on interior design...yes it's a long term goal.

Liberated

I have heard about the fabulous world that lies within Liberty of London. The fabrics, the wallcoverings, the china, the pillows, the accessories, the rugs, blah blah blah. But when I saw it for myself it was an entirely different and amazing experience. Design porn for me and Yummies like you--I was so overloaded by the loveliness of it all that I had to take several deep breaths on each floor to keep myself pulled together.

The breathtaking Tudor revival building was opened in the 1920's while Liberty of London was already well known for their fabrics (both used for furnishings and fashion) the store became the quintessential emporium for current home furnishings and accessories. According to Arthur Liberty, he wanted the patron to fee as if they were in their own home while shopping. I wish that was my home!

I came across the building by accident but recognized it immediately, I was so excited!

4th Floor Fabrics!


Oooooooooooooo!

Wall of Pillow Happiness

Love.

Ah-mazing.

These guys were tucked behind the stairs, just hanging out.

Had to resist buying this entire table.

and this one...

Sad this is blurry, but they had such lovely rugs and those poufs piled up in the back were awesome. I could have taken one home for 400 pounds.

The display of black chiffon globes willed with fabric flowers cascading from the ceiling was just beautiful. I wanted to be inside one and just people watch.

Breaking Knoll News

Hot off the presses aka Facebook: I don't know what the deal is with this, where to get it, how to get it, or anything about it, but I know it exists. I will find out how to get it and it will be on my hands IMMEDIATELY! Yes, I am more excited about it then the Knoll Book, or their super fab/lux Mohair Prima. And now back to your less exciting nail polish.

Lux Finale

Here are the final photos of my beloved Lux Studio. It is a bright and happy place that smells amazing every time I walk in (sometimes I sneak over there and just lay in one of their shampoo bowls and answer emails, it's so relaxing!) I hope you have enjoyed witnessing the transformation!













photos by the lovely and talented Sarah Dorio!

Bowling for Boobs 2010

Last night was the 3rd Annual Bowling for Boobs produced by the fabulous ladies (and gentlemen) at Illuminations and myself. This year was a complete success and a total sell out for the first time! We had 64 teams, 8 incredible sponsors and 32 fabulous donors. Unofficially (because we are still counting) we have raised $17,000 for Susan G. Komen! This is the most we have ever raised in a single event, which brings our total for the past three years to over $45,000! THAT'S RIGHT!!! I cannot express how proud I am of our Atlanta design family, this event has grown to be such a success in such a short period of time and that is all thanks to the support we are given by our fellow designers, reps, vendors, friends, and family. This all started because Elaine and I wanted to do something to stomp out this disease that has affected both of us personally and every year we get a little bit closer thanks to the overwhelming support we have received by this community.

First off, a HUGE thank you to our 64 teams who made this year the most successful and fabulous event we have ever had!

Thank you again to our incredible Sponsors, who make it possible for us to donate 100% of the money raised to Susan G. Komen.

Interior Design Magazine
Illuminations
Athens Pizza
Fontana Arte
Leucos
Murphy's
Mohawk


Thank you to our amazing donors who pulled out all the stops making this the most successful raffle we have ever had!

Knoll
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Tecnosedia
Yoma Textiles
Bradley Hughes
Map Contract
Lux Studio
Cook's Warehouse
R Hughes
Artemide
Flos
Modern Fan
Sutdio Italia
Murphy's
Tech Lighting
Athens Pizza
Fontana Arte
Dex Studios
Corpor Environments
Switch
KitchenAid
Pedini of Atlanta
Segis
Environs
Closet Factory
Touch of Color
Jack's Leather
Park Tavern
Coke Cola
LightBlocks
Hottie Hawgs
Bocado
Design Within Reach
Bjork Antikt



Finally, thank you to my friend Jeff at Impact Design Works for donating this time and incredible talent and creating our invitation and all of our signage.

Good Drapes

Designers love drapery and let me explain why. We are aware that it can possibly be the most expensive and time consuming part of your project, but what they add to a space it worth the wait. I don't care if you get off the shelf panels (which I have done--no shame in that--Restoration Hardware & Pottery Barn seem to have the best options) with simple in-stock hardware, just get them. I personally prefer a layer of sheers as well, they let in the softest and most ethereal, filtered light. Drapery is not just there to look pretty and block out the sun when you are getting your beauty rest, the does have a specific application from a design theory perspective. Imagine your room of furniture, almost everything, with a few exceptions (floor lamps, armoire, etc.) is about the same height. I would estimate that about 80% of your furniture does not exceed 48" in height--and that's where drapery comes in. What about the other 4' feet of space until you hit the ceiling? (assuming we are talking about 8' foot ceilings) If you a look around, you will see that most of your furniture is right around the same height, think about that in terms of planes. One plane is your floor, the second most obvious is your ceiling, the third (and less obvious) is the top of the majority of your furniture. So what unites these planes? DRAPERY!!! They add a vertical element that unifies a space, something that passes through each layer of your room and pulls it all together. That is why, from a design theory standpoint, they are important. SO GO AND GET SOME!


These were custom made, perfect installation. This is what I use for all drapery vendors as an example of the look I am constantly trying to achieve. Not too much puddle at the bottom, just a nice clean break with a crisp pleat at the top and simple hardware.



Again, custom made, but here in this photo you can see exactly the type of "unification" I am talking about.





Same project, more examples.







The above three images are all from a townhouse model. We used all off the shelf drapery here--I believe it was from Pottery Barn. So you can see, even store bought drapes do their job.

5 Things I heart

I realized it has been a while since I did this segment...too long in fact. I decided to get a little more specific and highlight different stores and vendors with things I heart from them specifically. Today I have been working on our design for the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Christmas House and trolling John Salibello Antiques while trying not to die from all the fabulous. Here are 5 things I just cannot get over--believe me it was a struggle to only select 5, check out their website and see for yourself!


Four Tier Etagere made of Faux Antlers. I LOVE this 1960's piece, it's so chic.



Pair of White Lacquered Wood Armchairs with Flower Back detail. Who wouldn't want these?


Pair of Lacquered Wood and Rope "Harp" Chairs. Circa 1970. There are no words.


Stone Inlay Tusk Console Table. I probably shouldn't love it because some poor elephant lost it's tusks, but I prefer to imagine it dying of natural causes.



Pair of Gilded & Patinated Brutalist Steel Spike Wall Sconces. These are 37" long. They killed me.

Adventures in Bathroom Photography

A few times Mark has worked with developers to help enhance their building plans and this bathroom is the result of one of those designs. It turned out lovely and so we photographed it, the adventure begins. Produced by me, photographed by Sarah Dorio, and styled by the fabulous boys from Waterworks! All of these items are for sale through Waterworks and if you can't make it in to a location you can check out their online store, they have an incredible accessories collection with insanely soft and fluffy towels! My favorite are the designer toothbrushes, no joke!