Eye Candy: Sink Perfection

Renée Finberg recently posted on Madeline Stuart Interiors and she aptly named it In the Category of Perfection. Here's the first image - doesn't get better than this. For more of her post head here - it's all gorgeous.

A Ha!

During Blogfest, House Beautiful's panel discussion centered around "Aha!" moments in design. They encouraged us to think about our own "Aha" moment and blog about it.

I think my major "Aha" moment in designing my own home is when I took the plunge and painted my dining room cobalt blue. I had been thinking that I needed a rich but bright color to set off my white pagoda mirror and abstract art, and finally summoned the courage to do it last year . . .

I couldn't love it more, and it makes me happy every day when I walk through my front door. My "Aha" moment was realizing it's sometimes the small things like a paint color that can make all the difference in a space. 

What has been your "a-ha" moment in design?

Blogfest Recap

As I mentioned in my last post, I ventured off to NYC last Monday to participate in Blogfest 2012. Sponsored by Kravet, one of the oldest and most venerable fabric houses in the country, the event brought over 160 interior design bloggers together and immersed us in the world of interior design as only New York can. It truly was a whirlwind experience beginning with a tour through the Kips Bay Show House . . .

Who wouldn't love a gigantic brass giraffe on their dining room wall?

A little Corbusier in the living room inspired by and dedicated to Albert Hadley's memory.

A snippet of the beautiful kitchen. Loved the brass hardware.

The oversize mural was quite eye-catching.

Loved this enveloping and beautiful bedroom by Alexa Hampton.

This room was one of my favorites but I was so busy gawking this is the only photo I took. Sidenote: my dad has a very similar shield. May have to steal it one day.

Oversize photography trend is going strong, and I'm glad.

On Tuesday, we had the honor of visiting publishing legend Hearst's headquarters for breakfast and  talks by the editors of Veranda and House Beautiful and panels with some established interior designers (Daryl Carter and Timothy Whealon) and some up-and-comers (including Jon Call - loved him). I ate it all up. Including the pastries.

That's Newell Turner, Editor-in-Chief of HB, seated on the left and Mr. Call on the right - too adorable.

Next, we hit up Elle Decor's Modern Life Concept House which was nice but it was so tight in there with over 160 people, I didn't get many good photos. Here are some I did snap . . .

Need an agate tray in my life.

And a tiger-striped velvet bolster. This was on the patio, by the way.

Make a wish.

The brass sea urchin wall compliments of Pieces.

Dark grasscloth + super cool lamp = good

Katie Leede discussing her yummy macaroon-colored room.

We spent the rest of the day at the New York D&D Building which was sensory overload for a fabric-loving girl like myself. 

That's Alexa Hampton on the left speaking with Ann Maine, the Editor of Traditional Home. Alexa was hysterical.

And finally, on Wednesday (the final day) we got the pleasure of touring Kravet's workroom/headquarters aka where the magic happens. Kravet owns Lee Jofa and more recently acquired Brunschwig & Fils. They let us peek behind the curtain, so to speak, and see what it takes to come up with these gorgeous designs, get them produced and into the showrooms. Quite the task. Fascinating, truly. It is a labor of love and they are masters at it. Here are some snippets of fabric heaven:

Whew! And that's not even all of it, but just some of the highlights. I had to leave early on Wednesday so I missed a couple of the afternoon events unfortunately. Along with all the visual stimulation and design information overload, the icing on the cake was getting to meet some fabulous ladies who I've long admired including Danika from Gorgeous Shiny Thingshttp://gorgeousshinythings.blogspot.com/ and her O'verlays business partner, Cheryle.

Sorry for the poor quality. Danika and I right before I left on Wednesday.

And some new blog friends from D.C. like Daniela from Aesthetic Oiseau and Barbara Franceski (whose townhome was featured in last month's Traditional Home, by the way). These ladies could not have been friendlier . . . loved hanging out with them! So many great people, so little time to chat.

Barb and I with Cheryle peeking in.

A huge thanks to the Kravet family and company (one in the same, as they are a family-owned business) for hosting such an amazing event. I had a wonderful time and am still recovering, but it was totally worth the exhaustion.

Photo Murals - Raji Radhakrishnan's Debut at Kips Bay

DC Designer Raji Radhakrishan's debut at the Kips Bay Show House has been greeted with well-deserved accolades - it's a sophisticated and elegant space. Along with the incredible pearl-like Venetian wall finish and the artful selection of accessories, there are two prominently featured wall murals. The first is a photograph Raji took herself of a painting by Pierre-Paul Prud’hon, which currently hangs at The Met. Isn't that an amazing and creative idea to photograph a favorite work of art hanging in a museum?! (Image above by Trevor Tondro of The New York Times)
(Image above by Marco Ricco)
The second mural, a photograph also by Raji of the King’s Chapel in Versailles, is centered over a fireplace mantel originally designed by Sir John Soane. To see more of Raji's room you can go to my full post on Washingtonian Open House Blog here.

Designer Richard Mervis' Home

The apartment of interior designer Richard Mervis and his partner Jeffrey Rosen was first featured in New York Social Diary back in March. Maybe you've seen it? It's serene and gorgeous. Hope you enjoy. (Photography by Jeffrey Hirsch. All images here.)

Eye Candy: John Matthew Moore

Artist and designer Matthew Moore saw an earlier post I did about a danish modern bureau with gray lacquered drawers. He emailed me to let me know it gave him an idea for a replacment for this chest which he has been wanting to move to his kitchen. He had painted this vintage piece black and finished it with gilt - gorgeous! Can only imagine how great it will look in the kitchen.
Matthew's other plans: "the Milo Baughman chairs (which look much larger in this photo) are going up to the bedroom at the foot of the bed with upholstered mid century chairs in blue are taking their place. The columns to the right were found at a consignment store. They are being cut down a foot and turned into wall mounted lamps for each side of the painting which is Danish. The walls are actually more of a blue-grey-green, Farrow and Ball Powder Blue. The entrance off of the living room is in the same Farrow and Ball Hardwick White that I have in my show house space. I'm pulling in the greys into this room and doing a similar chest is the perfect solution."
Matthew's plans are a great reminder to keep switching things up for a fresh look.

This was the inspiration post from a few weeks ago. (by designer Matt Murphy, from Katiedid here.

Blogfest Bound

If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's because I don't usually reference things in the future (I'm a bit superstitious although I pretend not to be). But, the time has come and on Monday, I'll be rising before the sun and flying off to NYC for a little event called Blogfest. Sponsored by Kravet/Lee Jofa/Brunschwig and Fils, Blogfest will include an amazing design-filled whirlwind tour of major design venues and publications for interior design bloggers. In short, it is my heaven.

Trying to get ready to leave my family for three days at the end of the school year is a bit, okay a lot, chaotic thus my inexcusable lack of blogging. I'm not sure if I'll be able to blog while in New York but I will try and do a little tweeting (although I'm admittedly horrible at it) and possibly use Instagram (which I'm a bit better about). Excited does not even begin to describe how I'm feeling (and maybe just a little nervous). My main concern is wardrobe as we'll be on the go from morning till night. I believe I have more angst about what to wear on this trip than I did my entire high school career - oh how I miss uniforms.

I will of course be back with a full report but will be signing off for now. So until then, I leave you with a little find from my early morning shopping excursion.  

I love the shape and detail on this mirror even if I'm not thrilled with the green color. I'm not sure if I'll be keeping it or using it in a client project, but I just couldn't pass it up.

Have a great weekend!

 

My Son Won the Congressional Art Competiton!

Photograph by Ryan Carroll ©

Last night my son won the Congressional Art Competition for the 8th Congressional District represented by Congressman Jim Moran. Ryan was very excited and we're so happy for him!
The event was held at Arlington's new Artisphere and they did a wonderful job. All the entries will be on display through June 17th and then Ryan's photograph will be displayed for one year at the Capitol.

Thanks for indulging this happy mom with this post. Hope you have a great weekend. Michele

Narrow Kitchen Islands

On Mother's Day I received a camera and as soon as I solve my computer problem I'll be able to post an update on my kitchen. If you could see a pic you'd notice that my kitchen, even with the basement staircase removed, is still too narrow for the round kitchen table I had in the space since Thanksgiving.

Right now the placeholder, my grandmother's drop-leaf shaker table, is the perfect size only when the leaves are down - 2o"W x 42"L. This renders it pretty much useless as a sit-down table but it's great for food prep except that it's table height!

So, now I am on the hunt for a very narrow kitchen island. Here are just a few inspiration pics. My preference is for one that looks like the one above but with a stone top and open for storage as opposed to the cupboard style of the last one. (Above by Ili Nilsson, Atlanta Homes Magazine)

Lea Michelle's new kitchen (before buying the house) via Elements of Style.

Designer Megan Perry Yorgancioglu via Mix and Chic.

Abandoned Blogs

Paris 1998, photo by Michele Ginnerty

Abandoned Blogs - those that end with no goodbye.

Have you ever come across a wonderful blog, usually starting somewhere in the "middle", only to find the last post was many months or even years ago? Lately I've been stumbling across a number of them.

What I find interesting and intriguing is that many times there's no goodbye post. Occasionally you'll find earlier posts that foreshadow the possibility of an end, but not always. As someone who likes closure, I'm curious as to what motivates a blogger not to return for one last post...

Last Call

Last call - the DC Design House closes this Sunday May 13th. This beautiful room wrapped in a warm gray (*think it's Farrow & Ball Hardwick White) was designed by Annette Hannon. Originally an interior room with little architectural presence, Annette added in coffered ceilings and moldings above the fireplace mantel to take the eye up. Although these ceilings are just a bit over 8 ft, they feel much higher. A hand-painted screen rests on the sofa console and provides an intimate environment around the fireplace seating. (Photograph above by Robert Radifera)
Beautiful drapes with trim edging the top.

One of my favorite features was the closet converted for bar use. Annette designed the custom wood work detailing on the doors. Wish I had a pic of the interior as it was papered in Farrow & Ball Lotus Leaf! (Photograph above by Angie Seckinger)
Moving past the expected intaglio, Annette framed a series of stamps. Great DIY idea!