Archives for January 2013

Crosby Street Hotel – New York City

January 14, 2013

While visiting New York city this past fall, we met a friend in SoHo at the Crosby Street Hotel before heading to dinner. The hotel is nestled on a cobblestone street in the heart of SoHo. (SoHo is a district in the city where its name is given for it refers to the area of town south of Houston Street).

Entering the charming and whimsical lobby, I believe I actually sighed out loud. I felt as if I was in designer heaven. There is a designer heaven, right?

Crosby Street Hotel

To the right of the lobby is the drawing room. Cozy sofas and chairs fill the room which offers a quiet and private setting for guests to relax.

Crosby Street Hotel - Drawing Room

The main bar area is to the left of the lobby and is even more welcoming than I could imagine. At night, the celadon green walls and jewel toned fabrics feel warm and inviting. Telephones arranged on the wall added that fun and creative character to the space.

The Firmdale Hotels owns seven other hotels all in London, England. The hotel group is owned by Tim and Kit Kemp. Kit is the design genius behind this fabulous hotel. All of the hotels are designed differently which reflect her unique personal style. The Crosby Street Hotel opened in 2009 and features 86 rooms, bar and restaurant, private meeting spaces and terrace. The 11-story brownstone has floor to ceiling windows throughout and is a LEED certified property.

The designer’s taste level is impeccable and is evident in all aspects of the hotel. Meeting areas are spacious and offer an intriguing sense of style and whimsy.

images via Crosby Street Hotel

Filed Under: Hotel Design, Travel Tagged With: ,

The Power of Paint: Painted Floors

January 13, 2013

Painted floors have been around for centuries and have made their way back into this decade. They are showing up in all shapes and forms ranging from solid colors to chevron patterns and almost any pattern in between. This task may sound daunting therefore I recommend a professional to help with this project.

The pattern you choose can vary depending on the room and the adjoining areas. This dining area is probably one of my most favorite applications. The pattern is perfect in scale and proportion for this room. The black and white color combination is timeless.

Interior Walls Designs - Painted Floors

source: unknown

Interior Walls Designs - Painted Floors

image via Rough Luxe

The pattern can be subtle and understated as in this grey and white combination. Simple yet stylish, its color combination sets the tone for the space.

Painted Floors - Interior Walls Designs

source via pinterest

Stripe patterns are probably the easiest to achieve should you decide to take on this task yourself. The painted floor becomes another element in the room adding pattern and color.

Painted Floors - Interior Walls Designs

Two different shades of blue were used on this floor. The alternating stripes are outlined with a thin stripe of white which give the floor more interest. The added element of the compass painted at the base of the spiral staircase is totally genius.

Interior Walls Designs - Painted Floors

image via Coastal Living – Color It Coastal

Filed Under: Floors Tagged With:

Wall Treatments – Decorative Moulding & Trim

January 12, 2013

Wall treatments come in many different forms and fashions. There are many ways to bring a room to life; painting a room is by far the easiest. But taking this one step further, the outcome can totally transform a space.

Most wall treatments can be easily achieved with common 2″ x 4 ” boards and decorative trim pieces that can be purchased at your local hardware store. A skilled carpenter can easily apply these boards in any arrangement or design that best suits the wall. The walls are then painted with a semi-gloss or high gloss paint to complete the look.

image via Sheridan Road Magazine. Darcy Bonner & Associates – Design

Decorative Trim and Moulding

source – unknown

Ship lap is a term used to describe wooden boards or siding that is rabbeted so that one board overlaps the other. In the living area of this home, designer S.R. Gambrel used this technique for the walls and ceiling and then softened them by applying a glaze.

Decorative Molding and Paneling

image via Southern Living Magazine

The design or pattern that you create can define the space. Art or mirrors can then be arranged on the wall in a symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement. Painting the walls a vibrant, lush color even adds more drama to the wall.

Decorative Molding - Interior Walls Designs

source: unknown

Ever wonder how to treat a stairwell or large foyer? One might think that loading the walls with art or accessories is the only way to decorate that space. Using decorative moulding in a space can really add the punch that is much needed. Drywall that was once simple and plain now sets the stage for a room that has more dimension and character.

Decorative Moulding and Paneling - Interior Walls Designs

Interior Designer: Victoria Hagan

Filed Under: Wall Treatments Tagged With: ,

Celebrity Homes: Adam Levine

January 11, 2013

As a designer, it interests me to no end the homes of celebrities and how they are designed and appointed. The Hollywood Hills home of Adam Levine, lead singer for Maroon 5, was featured in Architectural Digest in 2012. Before reviewing the article, I have to admit, I conjured up images of matching black leather sofas and chairs on top of worn carpet and beige walls. Well, was I pleasantly mistaken!

Who knew Adam Levine had such impeccable taste when it comes to design? It is quite evident that he takes ownership of all of these design decisions starting with the rosewood paneling and concrete floors in the living area. The rich, amethyst-colored Chesterfield sofa that rests on the 1920’s Persian rug is perfectly juxtaposed with a Mies van der Rohe leather chaise. Overlooking the canyon of Hollywood Hills, the house boasts a tennis court, pool and guest house.

Adam Levine's Living Area

Adam Levine's View from Living Area

Levine transformed the 1940’s dwelling from a four-bedroom to a one-bedroom home. In the bedroom, steel grey walls and ceiling set the backdrop for the antique trunks that are scattered throughout the room and along side the bed which sits on a cowhide rug.

Adam Levine - Bedroom

The dining area off the kitchen highlights the mid-century cabinet with streamlined leather chairs surrounding the table. Overall, the house is impeccable and reflective of Levine’s discerning taste.

Adam Levine - Living Area and Dining AreaImages via Architectural Digest – Photography by Roger Davies – Styled by Carlos Mota

Filed Under: Adam Levine, Celebrity Homes

Off the Wall: Schumacher Wallpaper

January 7, 2013

Celerie Kemble, acclaimed interior designer, introduced her new line of wallcoverings and fabrics exclusively for Schumacher.  These wallcoverings have caught my eye not only for the stylized designs on sisal ground, but for the scale and colors of these patterns. This pattern is even more beautiful in person for the pictures do not do it justice.

Feather Bloom Wallcovering - Schumacher

The Feather Bloom pattern, shown here in the Atlanta showroom at ADAC, the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, is by far one of my favorite wallcoverings to date. Available in four colors, this pattern with its over-scaled petals in the emerald colorway is truly brilliant. It also come in a beautiful blue color that is indeed a true winner.

F Schumacher - Wallcovering

image via Schumacher

FSchumacher Wallcovering

The Ripple wallcovering ( shown above right ) has a play on the ever-popular zebra stripe. It also is printed on a sisal ground paper. The fact that it runs in a horizontal direction makes me want it even more. This pattern is available in three more colors.

F Schumacher Wallcoverig

The ancanthus stripe paper forms a stripe pattern on a sisal paper. Available in five colors, the turmeric colorway is featured in the Schumacher showroom in Atlanta.

Schumacher Wallcovering - Acanthus Stripe

Filed Under: Schumacher - Celerie Kemble, Wallpaper Tagged With: ,