Getting to know Jonathan Adler

I love the special events at DCOTA (Design Center of the Americas).  This week was Winter Market.  The keynote panel consisted of design entrepreneurs
 Jonathan Adler,  Eric Cohler and Laura Kirar.  The moderator, Joy Longhino of  Modern Luxury Media and Miami Magazine, created an interesting and lively dialogue with her engaging questions.

 I have recently become a fan of tastemaker Jonathan Adler so being able to spend a few hours getting to know him was  a special treat.

 

He began by saying he is just a potter at heart.  Some of you may recognize his iconic Muse vase above.  But now he has lines of furniture, bedding, lighting, tableware, art and fabrics which are shown in Kravet showrooms across the country.  There are 15 Jonathan Adler stores that are filled with bright  spirited home furnishings.

Jonathan has a colorful approach to design. His patterns can be bold, geometic and modern.  They have also been described as energetic and up beat.
What do you think?  I would call his style, happy.

Jonathan's creative process involves tuning out noise, distractions, people etc so he can go within and listen to his own heart.  He says he needs to think impractically.  His creativity is sparked by seeing something that is just a bit wrong or twisted or, as he called it, "mental".  That is what he is drawn to for inspiration.

How does Jonathan view social media?  He does understand the need to be accessible and to put ideas "out there" but feels it is a weird messed up model of being in the real world.  Sometimes people tend to get lost in the immediacy of it instead of connecting in a more genuine way.  All of the panelists were grateful that they had "20 or 30 somethings" who could handle it all for them.

Another interesting comment Jonathan made was why he thinks he became so successful as an entrepreneur.  Although he should have gone out of business several times he had no recourse but to try again because he described himself as basically unemployable!  I find that so interesting to hear him say that,  a true testament to picking yourself up and starting over to follow your passion.

His new book Jonathan Adler, 100 Ways to Happy Chic Your Life, is brimming with inspiration, stories, tips, great advice and insights.  You can find it on www.amazon.com

What is his favorite client/project? His own house on Shelter Island is his delight.  What does he want most for his clients?  He wants them to be comfortable in their own home, just as he is in his.

Thanks Jonathan!  I loved getting to know him and can't wait to explore his website and showroom in Miami.   Can you see using punches of Jonathan's designs in your decorating? Do his furnishings inspire you to add new twists to your own home?
I would love to know what you think.  email me at pictureprettyint@aol.com
Or post a comment below.

DCOTA Hosts Palm Beach Designer Celery Kemble

The Design Center of the Americas, or as we call it, DCOTA,  has several wonderful design events throughout the year.  This year at the Fall Market, they hosted a panel highlighted by well known interior designer Celery Kemble.

More decorating with wallpaper

Here are a few spaces where I have used wallpaper for my design projects.

This paper has fibers that softly coat the paper giving a cloud like effect.  This room is going to be a retreat for our client to come  to meditate, read and relax.  This wallpaper creates just the perfect setting.

This elegant master bath is in an ocean front condo.  We wanted to give a nod to the beach without being obvious.  This wallpaper has stripes in a texture that not only has a feeling of waves but is also done in a grainy texture like sand.  The soft seaglass color is another tie in to the ocean just beyond the door.

I have posted this before but this gives me another opportunity  to show the drama of a wallpaper with a dark back ground.  This is a powderroom with no windows.  Does it make it dark? Yes, but because the rest of the room is white and we have lots of lighting that does not create a problem.  I love how the wallpaper highlights the orchid painted on the sink.  The bamboo waterfall faucet and custom Asian lattic vanity all work together beautifully. 
Not shown in this photo is the mini patterned wallpaper on the ceiling! Ceilings are the forgotten wall.  Wallpaper on ceiling is fabulous.  It think it might be another posting!

We wanted a little bit of an old world feeling in this tiny powder room so we chose this paper that looks just like a tapestry. It was amazing to see it in such a small space. It totally transformed the room.

This wallpaper inspired a whole bathroom.  We found glass vessel sinks painted with goldfish, bamboo accent tile,  green faux grasscloth wallpaper for the ceiling and much more.

 

The inspiration for this bathroom was the red bowl that has a leopard on it (which is not visible because of the reflection).  The wallpaper has a leopard stripe running through it surrounded by red flowers.  Again, a dark background and this time with a dark vanity but still it does not close the room in.  It is very dramatic.

 

How do you feel about using wallpaper with a dark background in a small space?

Decorating with wallpaper

I love wallpaper.  It can be a focal point.  It can accentuate a design motif. It can warm up a space. It can add drama. It can disguise flaws. It can be more that you could ever imagine.

Here is just one example I saw today at DBG, a design showroom in Jupiter, Florida. This paper is from the new collection by Thibaut.  It comes in several colorways.  I have always loved grasscloth and printed grasscloth is even more lovely.  The grasscloth adds the dimension of texture.  It instantly adds another layer and another element.

How do you like it? Where would you use it? 

The palm trees are in gold metalic. The grasscloth is a deep taupe.  This was on the wall as you enter the showroom and stopped me in my tracks.  I can't wait to find a place to decorate with this paper!

I hope to share more wallpaper designs and discoveries in the future.
 How do you like to decorate with wallpaper?

Trellis patterns pop up on ceramic tile

Recently I have been pinning (on Pinterest that is) about Treilage which to me means patterns like those found on a trellis.  But these days those patterns can be in many designs.  So I was fascinated when I saw Treilage in a new place....on tile!

I just love these ceramic tiles with the geometric patterns.  They come in several beautiful colors.  What a fabulous way to add another dimension to a tile wall.

Combining a rich color, reflective surface, and an intricate pattern, this tile really
makes a bold statement.

Having recently begun research on a new bathroom project I have visited several tile showrooms.  The new products I have been discovering are incredible. 
I will be posting soon on some of the other wonderful new look of tile.  What is your favorite way to use this delightful pattern I call Treilage?

Trellis, Ivy and Candlelight, a Delightful Privacy Screen

I have been thinking of creative ways to screen an exterior unsightly view.  There are many ways to accomplish this but some would block the light and close in the space.

The other day I came upon such a beautiful solution.  I just had to take a picture.

It may be hard to see but there is a trellis of sorts that hold candles and the vines in the planter climb the trellis.  I saw this at night and the candles gave such a soft glow to the seating area below.  The ivy screened the street and gave privacy to the space as well.

I am going to be on the hunt for more creative ways to deal with unappealing views.

I would love to hear how you may have dealt with similar situations.

Please post your comment below, email me or post a comment on Facebook.

Creating a focal point ....with Sunburst Mirrors

I am in the process of collecting sunburst mirrors for my new decorating project at home, a wall of sunburst mirrors.  My inspiration came from a wall I saw at Fig, a restaurant in Santa Monica. (See an earlier post.)   I see the finished result in my mind but it will be a work in process for a while and I don't want to have a wall incomplete so I have a plan.

Part of the fun of doing a project like this is The Hunt.  My idea is to scout local antique shops and consignment and thrift stores and begin collecting.  My criteria
l. I must love it.
2. It must be appropriate to my theme.
3. It would be nice if were under $100.

So far I am doing well.  I did actually buy 2 on line from Joss and Main and
 One Kings Lane, but I was able to stay in my price range.  I also found a great little mirror at a consignment shop and snagged it for $10!

Here is my dilema.  I have hung each of these in various rooms as a temporary home until I acquire enough to make my statement wall in my living room but my fear is that I will be so attached to seeing them in their current place that I will miss them terribly when I relocate them to the living room.  Oh dear!  Of course it did occur to me that I will then simply need to find more sunburst mirrors.  I guess there are worse problems to have, right?

Anyone have an idea of where to find a great sunburst mirror at a great price?