California Designer Resources....Big Daddy's Antiques

On my recent trip to California I went on what I call and inspiration treasure hunt.  My first stop was Big Daddy's Antiques in LA. I first heard of it on one of the blogs I follow http://www.velvetandlinen.com/ .  Designer/blogger Brooke Giannetti and her husband Steve were doing a book signing there.  I could see where their Patina Style was right in line with Big Daddy's Antiques. 

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Big Daddy's is a warehouse chock full of treasures.  I would call their look Industrial Chic.  It was fascinating and inspiring.  I loved the collection of stools that must have come from old factories.  The tables had bases that had been industrial equipment with new tops.  The light fixtures were amazing.  They feature the Edison bulb.

Doors were everywhere.  Some were  French doors, with wrought iron, layered with paint and weathered by time.  Others had missing panels. Some were tall and statuesque.  I have seen antique doors used to enhance interiors in so many ways.  Of course just switching out new doors for old ones is a big statement.  Doors make great paneling or screens. You can hang art, mirrors and whatever else you like to hang on them.  Door panels can be fabulouse headboards or table tops or simply hung on the wall as a piece of art.  Just seeing the doors at Big Daddy's makes my head spin with ideas.

Big Daddy's was a bit overwhelming.  There were inspirations and treasures everywhere I looked even outside.  I am wondering where you might go on your treasure hunts.

Lars Bolander book signing with Brooke and Steve Giannetti

Last week I had the good fortune to stop by the Lars Bolander Interior Design Studio on Antiques Row in West Palm Beach Florida to attend a book signing with Steve and Brooke Giannetti for their beautiful book Patina Style. I was eager for my friend and business partner, Ellie Ciamano, to meet Steve and Brooke. I have spoken often of the wonderful look of patina style and this was a great way to show it to her.

I wrote about the book and Patina Style in my last post just after I visited their Brentwood showroom, Giannetti Home. What a coincidence that the Giannetti's would be coming to my stomping grounds so soon!

The Lars Bolander Studio was fabulous. He is a world renown designer. There were so many interesting and inspiring furnishings. I particularly loved the butterfly paintings by his daughter, incredible bleached wood lounge chairs and the large decorative umbrellas that can be used inside or out....wish I had taken a photo!

For photos of Lars Bolander studio and incredible Palm Beach home please visit Brooke Giannetti's blog, http://www.velvetandlinen.com/

Patina Style at Giannetti Home

v> Recently I had the pleasure of meeting with Brooke Giannetti of Gianetti Home and blogger extraordinaire of http://velvetandlinen.com/ I traveled to LA to attend my daughter- in- law- to- be's bridal shower but coincidentally Giannetti Home is right around the corner. So I stopped by to say hello.

I was greeted by the smiling face of Kelly, showroom manager. Even though we had only exchanged one or two emails she welcomed me with great enthusiasm. We had a chance to chat about business, blogging, on- line design services and more. I was thrilled to see all the fabulous antique and custom furnishings that were grouped in creative vignettes about the store. It was so much fun for me to see what Brooke writes about in her blog in person. The Patina Style she describes so often was right there in front of me. For those of you who might like to know exactly what that means please check out the book she and her husband, artist and architect, Steve, wrote called, not coincidentally, Patina Style.

To me "Patina" lends a sense of history and charm to a room that cannot be created with new pieces even if they are artfully distressed. Whether a few antique accessories or a room full of carefully chosen furniture, an interior in this style will never be dated!

The furniture, accessories and lighting that Brooke shows in her store are gathered from all over the world. The more rustic and worn, the more charm. To compliment that look Brooke has designed her own line of uphostery that is simple and elegant, not to mention extremely comfortable. The natural linen and canvas coverings blend seamlessly into the natural textures of the antiques.

Brooke even gave me a list of "must see" showrooms and places to go and I was eager to set out on my explorations the next day. Driving on my own in L A was daunting but I knew it would be worth it, and it certainly was.

I will be posting some of the pictures in my photo journal from my design inspiration adventures so stay tuned.

Use what you've got decorating.... reimagine, refurbish, repurpose!!

So many times we have something old that we love but it has either "seen better days" or just does not work anymore. Maybe the finish, fabric or color is not to your liking. Maybe it does not serve the same purpose as it used to or does not fit in a new space. Or maybe you find something at a tag sale or thrift shop that speaks to you but now that you have it home you can't figure out what to do with it.

So what if your coffee table has seen better days or does not compliment your new design style. Here is an idea to convert an old cocktail table into a cocktail ottoman.
Simply take foam rubber and attach it to the top of your table using a spray adhesive. Cover the foam rubber with a layer of dacron batting and then cover that with fabric. You can wrap the fabric around the edges of the table and staple it to the bottom side of the table top. For added detail you can trim the sides with decorative nailheads or cord or fringe or braid. If you are more ambitious try tufting using decorative tacks or buttons....you may have to drill through the table top and foam and fabric to do this.

You can also just start with a piece of masonite or plywood that is cut to the size and shape of your cocktail table. Cover that in the same way and then attach it to the top of the coffee table.

You can use any kind of fabric, leather or vinyl. An old rug or tapestry would be even more interesting. You have created a comfy place to rest your feet. To use as a coffee table you can use a large tray or mirror on which to place accessories or drinks.

If your table is long and narrow you can use it as a bench in a hall, at a dining table or at the foot of a bed. The possibilities are endless!

What "repurposing" projects have you tackled? How did they come out?

Check out one of my favorite blogs that have all kinds of creative repurposed things, http://www.designsponge.com/ I hope it will inspire you just as it has for me.
The photo of the above table/ottoman is from ACP Home

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Window Treatments....Windows with a challenge

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Architects have a way of designing homes with many styles and shapes of windows. Sometimes they use celestory windows (windows above windows or doors). Sometimes the windows echo the shape of the wall such as a bay window. Sometimes the size and shape of a window itself adds drama and interest such as a Palladian arched window. All this can create a challenge for interior designers. What the heck can we do to "dress" such windows?

Here is one solution for a tall Palladian window in a formal dining room that adds to the elegance and formality. First I hung the panels from the very top. We hung them from medallions but in order to hang them and not see the window in the dip between the medallions, I had an arched cornice made to blend with the wall behind and hung the medallions from the cornice. I trimmed the top with the same accent fabric we used in the living room and the same fringes. By tying the panels back higher up we allowed more view. If you want to minimize the light or view then tie panels back lower on the wall.

Finally for an elegant touch, puddle the panels on the floor. Of course that may not work so well in high traffic areas or with a family with kids and pets. One client said it was her cat's favorite place to take a nap!

Window Treatments.....a team effort

As an interior designer I find that designing custom window treatments is both one of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of my business. Design school does not teach much about the details of designing window treatment. I found seminars and conferences that focused on window treatment were invaluable as well as a good work room and installer. Creating a successful custom window treatment is a careful collaboration. Communication is key.

How do I begin? I use a combination of sketches and photos to help the client visualize how the treatment will look in her home on her windows. We select the fabrics that will compliment her room. Sometimes the type of fabric and price of the fabric can help decide what treatment to choose. For instance, heavier fabrics are better used for certain things like cornices. If price is a consideration, then I find ways to use smaller amounts of it in a creative way.

The next step is careful, very careful measuring. After that I work with closely with my workroom to figure yardage and pricing. Once the proposal is approved then I order the fabrics and trims, write the work orders. I make sure the fabrics are the same as the sample by getting cuttings for approval and attach them to the work order.
What could go wrong? Sometimes the fabric is discontinued, or out of stock. Sometimes it can take weeks. Sometimes it is the fringe that we must wait for and it can tie up production for a long time. Sometimes the fabrics arrive with flaws or get damaged. There can be errors in measuring or estimating the number of yards we need.

So, follow the saying, measure twice and cut once. Check and double check everything and make sure you, your client, your workroom and your installer are all on the same page. Then pray! I always get what I call stage fright before each installation, no matter how simple or how grande.

Window Treatments ...an elegant focal point

A window treatment can enhance a focal point or it can be the focal point. In this room it is both. Window treatments can be formal or informal, tailored and simple or multi-layered and complex. They can help create a certain style or look for your room. They can add color, pattern, elegance and drama. Simply by the design, fabrics and trims you choose you can tie all the elements of your room together. It's magic.
This living room has so many things going for it. It has a high ceiling with a coffered tray that is faux finished to further accent the design. The view to the incredible pool area is the true focal point of the room. The furnishings are beautiful. The old world sofa with ornately carved frame and tapestry of fabrics and trims takes center stage. But without window treatment even all these elements seem to be detached. When we added the swags and jabots with side panels, not only did the room come alive but the view became even more important. The fullness of the fabric in drapery treatment, the attention to detail with the banding and row of double fringe and the puddling of the panels on the floor all work together to make this treatment lucious and elegant.

Completing this installation now sets the stage to add all the important finishing touches like accessories, plants, lighting and art.