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Archive for September, 2009

Rooms from the Runway: Bold Peach + Red

I love when designers aren’t afraid to take risks… especially liveable risks. The second I saw this peach and red ensemble from the 3.1 Philip Lim Spring 2010 collection, I knew I had to pair it with one of my favorite rooms captured by the talented Paul Costello. What do you think? Could you live in either one of these designs? I know I could!

rooms from the runway philliplim paulcostelloFor most, both the ensemble and the room would be a bit much. Over the top. Intense. Saturated. But for the brave souls willing to give in to a dose of color, I think this combo of a peach and red is just genius. Imagine how the room would look with white paint. Or the ensemble with a white dress? It changes the tone completely. The peach makes these designs warmer, and actually neutralizes the red a bit, making it easier to take in.  The only difference here is that Lim’s designs tend to be very uncluttered, while this space has layers and layers of accessories – but that’s a decision best left to personal style. Which do you prefer? While I’ll shy away from patent leather in red, I do love the dress… and just about everything about the room.

Book Review: Jacques Grange Interiors

6a0111683c7ee2970c0120a5c7d92c970c-320wiWhen it comes to beautiful books on interior design, especially monographs, we count on Rizzoli to get our fix. They seem to consistently publish high-quality, dense, picture heavy volumes on all our favorites. Our latest obsession: Jacques Grange Interiors by Pierre Passebon.

The book is singularly focused on legendary French decorator Jacques Grange’s design portfolio from the past four decades. Each page showcases full color photographs of the spaces he’s designed over the years, including Yves Saint Laurent, Princess Caroline of Monaco, and Valentino. It’s so much fun to get lost in each page, studying every little detail in the various rooms. His style is so unique, combing neoclassical, traditional inclinations with the unexpected and, often times, avant-garde. The book also features many close up shots, which reveals his talent for tablescapes, and his ability to capture the essence of his client’s personal taste.

Suffice it to say, it’s a book worth investing in that promises to provide endless inspiration for years to come.  It can be purchased here from Rizzoli, or on Amazon.

In the meantime, we’ve given you a preview of some of our favorite pages and spreads. Enjoy!

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NYC’s Storefront Presents The BLDGBLOG Book Event

Storefront for Art and Architecture, the New York City nonprofit organization founded in 1982, is committed to helping progress pioneering thinking in architecture, art and design through their acclaimed exhibition program. With exhibitions, artist talks, film screenings, conferences, and publications, the organization initiates conversation “across geographic, ideological and disciplinary boundaries.” Because of its location in the Chinatown/Little Italy/Soho area of New York City, three considerably different cultural neighborhoods, Storefront has been known to attract a diverse audience.

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This Saturday, September 26, the public forum for emerging voices is inviting readers, artists, thinkers, builders, visionaries and the like to The BLDGBLOG Book Launch. Author Geoff Manaugh of The BLDGBLOG Book (Chronicle Books; Paperback; On-sale now) has been a voice in speculation about architecture, landscape, and the built environment since 2004. Enhanced by stunning images, The BLDGBLOG Book cultivates Manaugh’s distinct vision, offering an inspirational and entertaining idea-filled guide to the future of architecture.

It’s a free and open to the public day-long event of presentations covering architectural conjecture, urban speculation, and landscape futures, by many of the writers, thinkers, and practitioners whose work is featured in The BLDGBLOG Book at Storefront for Art and Architecture.

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For more information on Storefront for Art and Architecture and this event, please visit Storefrontnews.org.

To purchase or read more about The BLDGBLOG Book, visit the Chronicle Books site.

Photos of Storefront for Art and Architecture by Rasmus Norlander found on Storefrontnews.org.

Posted by Nicole Bruce

Rooms from the Runway: A Little Wild

Today’s room happens to be one of my favorite fresh little corners, and the ensemble from one of my favorite designers, Chriz Benz, who is known for his amazing use of color in his collections. What draws me in to both of these photos is bold use of a little leopard print and black with such a bright color and white space. So effective and so glamorous…

roomsfromtherunway-chris-benzNaturally, a room with too much yellow and leopard print could easily go overboard, so an exact interpretation of this ensemble could be a bit much. But, a little touch of leopard in the pillow, and a few gold and yellow accents on a mostly white palette makes it work perfectly, while the warm neutral walls and floor keep it from being too cold. A perfect Room from the Runway translation.

Architecture and the City Festival Continues in San Francisco

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The sixth annual Architecture and the City Festival is continuing into its last couple weeks in San Francisco. Presented by the American Institute of Architects San Francisco Chapter and the Center for Architecture + Design, it is the nation’s largest architectural festival showcasing tours, films, exhibitions, lectures and more.

Once again, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officially proclaimed September “Architecture and the City month.” Architecture and the City offers an incomparable opportunity to experience San Francisco, whether you are looking to become involved with the local architecture and design community or simply want to learn more about the city in which you live.

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(Pictured above: Boor Bridges Architecture’s adapted Ames Cottage via SFgate.com)

This year’s festival promises many new and exciting ways to engage in conversation about the city of San Francisco.  The festival theme “Everyday, Design” celebrates the countless ingenious and unexpected ways design impacts our daily lives, revealing the unseen hand of the designer in everything from civic and institutional works to landscaping and residential design. Programs promise to explore the distinct ways architects and designers thoughtfully impact our communities and reflect ever-important issues of sustainability.

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(Pictured above: John Maniscalco Cole Street Residence via Remodelista.com)

For the second year in a row, Architecture and the City will also offer architectural programming for the whole family, tours that explore the evolving San Francisco neighborhoods and dining by design, a rare opportunity to enjoy local culinary arts with the architects and chefs who make it possible. Throughout the festival, participants will also have the opportunity to discover the best in residential architecture; watch films that examine the work of Los Angeles modernist architect Gregory Ain, as well as the incredible life and career of architectural photographer Julius Shulman; partake in architectural runs and bicycle rides; and enjoy lectures by designers such as Piero Lissoni, among others.

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(Pictured above: Architecture Bike Tours – Mission History Ride participants cruise by Mission Dolores in San Francisco via SFgate.com)

Information on the film series, exhibitions, lectures, family programs, and special events can be found here. Additionally, you can register for events through their site.

Posted by Nicole Bruce

UPCOMING EVENT: Loft Tour 2009

main-imageFor the second year in a row, we’re happy to announce a media partnership with the Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association’s annual Loft Tour on September 26th & 27th. Eight Atlanta lofts will be on display, chosen by a panel of judges from both in and outside the neighborhood.

The selection committee is made up of HGTV’s John Gidding, LoftLife’s very own Rhonda Goodman, Project Runway designer Mychael Knight, Kate Abney from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle, as well as Citysearch’s Atlanta Editor Jonathan Baker.  Tickets are good for both days of the event, and can be purchased for either $10 in advance here, or $15 on the days of.  Don’t forget: there’s only ten days left to buy tickets!

Attendees will be able to pick up our most recent issue, which features the future of the loft.  Additional details can be found on via Castleberry Hill Neighborhood Association.  We look forward to seeing you there!

A Loft Divided (room dividers part 2)

I recently moved into my very first loft in sunny Decatur, GA. It is a great size with wonderful wooded views and NO WALLS. I set out to find a room divider that was pleasing to the eye but didn’t break the bank. Most of what I found was either tacky asian-inspired screens or beautiful (but wildly expensive) solutions.

Here is a list of my findings for the budget concious design lover:

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Designers Eye Wall Room Divider is a portable, flexible, sound-absorbant, felted-wool screen. They come in two heights (57 and 69 inches) and can join together magnetically so one can create the desired length. In five fun colors, they start at just $550.

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The Parametre by 3form comes in three pattern options (Quad, Hexa and Mega) and is an architectural divider that creates a division without totally blocking the view. Great for places with a lot of light; the easy-to-install Parametre comes in eight modern colors and four different sizes.

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For something more classic (and eco-friendly), check out the Bamboo Screen from Gaiam for $299. This rollable and elegant screen (8 ft x 6 ft) is large enough to make a true dividing wall and a customizable curvy shape.

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Pattern master Inhabit creates graphic slats that can be either hung directly on the wall or create soft-barriers in large spaces. Choose from 40 different designs and two different sizes to suit your needs. There are even sets of three small slats that hang to create one larger, dramatic piece. Starting at $119.00 each, they would serve as both a divider and a burst of color and art in your space.

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The Mio Nomad System is by far my favorite. Made from recycled, double-wall cardboard, it is a modular system that can be assembled into sculptural screens. Each set is priced at an affordable $56 and can create a 4.5 ft x 4.5 ft structure in one of nine fun colors.

Happy dividing!

Rooms from the Runway: Seasons Change

I don’t know about you, but when the weather starts to change, so does my decorating style, and that goes for the sources of inspiration as well. Right now I’m in the process of redecorating my bedroom, and the fact that we’re heading into fall has definitely influenced the design! But, it’s important when we’re seeking out or translating inspiration not to get caught up in the seasonal details…

rooms-from-the-runway-aquascutum-and-kate-spadeTo show you exactly what I mean, I’ve taken this Fall runway look from Aquascutum and translated into a room that would be a more predictable match- Kate Spade’s beautiful bedroom whose color palette of neutrals with a pop of yellow and rich green is one of my favorites. (Love the wall treatment. Love that chair. Love the drama a bit of black adds to the space.) The textures, colors and fabrics in the room definitely have more of a layered fall feel to them… but just because our inspiration is all bundled up, doesn’t mean that the room has to be…

rooms-from-the-runway-aquascutumWe can take the exact same palette and turn it into a simple beach house room, and it translates just as well. So, when looking at your inspirations, don’t throw out an idea just because the season doesn’t suit your style – dissect the entire look, figure out what it is you really love, and you can apply it any space!

Trend Alert: Chalkboards

With fall approaching and the start of the new school year, we’re finding that many are treating a certain classroom staple as unconventional home decor. It seems chalkboards aren’t reserved just for schools anymore. Blame it on the inner kid in us, but we love these chalkboard walls, doors, furniture and even lamps! We think you’ll find yourself wanting a corner or whole wall for doodling too.

An entryway is a perfect place for a chalkboard wall. Notes, appointments, and shopping lists can be checked on the way out the door.

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(Pictured above: Country Living via PoppyTalk. Photo credit: Keith Scott Morton)

Instead of writing grocery and ingredient lists, you could keep the menu for dinner or a wine list on your kitchen chalkboard.

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(Pictured above: Melanie Acevedo via DesiretoInspire.net)

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(Pictured above: Alan Higgs Architects via DesiretoInspire.net)

Or consider a giant chalkboard as a work of modern art in the making (remade every time your friends come over for a visit).

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(Pictured above: Bruno Helbling via DesiretoInspire.net)

For a different look in your home office space, try painting or bordering a wall with chalkboard paint. You can write important notes, scheduled meetings, and motivational quotes right on the wall in front of you.

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(Pictured above: Wish via DesiretoInspire.net)

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(Pictured above: Bo Bedre via DesiretoInspire.net)

For a less permanent and space consuming way to get the look, you can turn any wall into an instant chalkboard for jotting down ideas with Chalkboard Wall Schtickers, which are easy to clean, removable and reusable. For the kitchen, this could also be a brilliant way to keep a kid entertained while you’re cooking!

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(Pictured above: Schtickers via Decor8blog.com)

You can also find adhesive chalkboard vinyl wall decals made by Modern Dose. Such an adorable idea for a kid’s room!

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(Pictured above: “Hootie” by Modern Dose)

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(Pictured above: “Invasion” by Modern Dose)

UK store No. Eight is featuring this blackboard cabinet in its collection, but you could easily transform the idea onto cabinets or other furniture in your own home, such as this endearing piece in a kid’s room.

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(Pictured above: 123 Cabinet by No Eight)

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(Pictured above: Living Etc. via DesiretoInspire.net)

Handmade by St. Louis artist and designer John Beck, these lighting fixtures are the perfect canvas for any youngster’s musings, and they’re made of 95% recycled steel. Since they come in three different sizes, you can choose exactly the right one for your child’s room, kitchen or living room. We can’t think of a better place to write or draw something glowingly lighthearted and have it really shine.

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(Pictured above: John Beck Writeable Chalkboard Pendant Lamp via Inhabitat)

Country Living has suggestions for making your own blackboards out of items you already have handy around the house. Check out their fun project ideas. Or Make Magazine will show you how to create this blackboard globe. For those of us who can’t make a big commitment to the blackboard trend, Canadian House and Home suggests creating these DIY placecards.

Rocky Bella has even turned an old mirror into an inspirational chalkboard shelf.

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(Pictured above: Rocky Bella)

Posted by Nicole Bruce

Rooms from the Runway: Masculine Modern

After last week’s shamelessly feminine room, I had to balance things out with a space that seemed a bit more appealing to both sexes, at the very least. With grey acting as ‘the new black’ in fashion and interior design, it’s no surprise that it’s become a very popular decorating color, and one that both men and women can agree on.  As for me, I prefer my grey with a little warmth to it, which is why I’m loving this match up…

rooms-from-the-runway-carlos-miele-sherill-canetFrom Carlos Miele’s fall 09 collection we have a bit of ‘tough’ femininity showing through in this pairing of rich, silky teal blue with a warm grey (albeit ruffled) leather jacket. And from designer Sherrill Canet, we have a transitional dining room that takes these exact colors and turns them into a space that reflects the same sophistication and bit of edge. While my own designer instincts would have led me to select a rich neutral tone for the walls in this room, I have to say that the white is a braver choice–it allows the shape of the dining chairs to truly pop, and emphasizes the artwork as well. Both of these styles are keeping things simple, but luxe, which is what truly makes them work.

Bova Furniture