Confirmed- HEARTS are a Trend!

Last month I posted about how I expected to see hearts as a theme throughout interior design. Well..... I should get a job as a trend spotter, because I open up Interior Design magazine and see this editorial collection of Red/ Heart furniture! Yay for me!


Cheers!

The Designista

Art Walls- Easy with a Big Impact

My friend just moved into her apartment in the West Village, and finally has some wall space. She asked me to come over and help her with some design ideas for her new home. She has one wall that is quite large, for NY standards, and I kept trying (came over twice) to get her to do a wall filled with art - paintings, photos, posters, etc - which would fill up the space, give some color to the wall, and make a graphic statement. She was apprehensive to do so, until I started picking up the paintings and actually showing her how great it would look!

Trying to convey my idea of creating an "Art Wall" to Isil, my friend who just moved into her apartment in the West Village. What was supposed to be a quite night at home with a glass of wine and a few decorating tips, quickly became a 2am night with a lot of wine and many decorating tips, including moving things, hanging pictures and surfing the web for new and cost-effective lights and accessories!

Sitting in her apartment, thinking about how to hang all of her art, was a creative endeavor, and got me thinking about how most people have no idea what to do with their wall space. As mentioned, one of my favorite type of art displays is creating a wall that is covered in art and frames. It sounds like it would create chaos, but in fact, if done properly it can give order makes a cohesive environment. Now it seems like home.

I like how the frames are equidistant apart.

Framed and unframed thrift store finds- eclectic and romantic

Repetition of one type of art - great if you have a collection. These pieces are hanging on a piece of fabric.

Wall completely filled from top to bottom- I like how it is mostly black and white photos in frames.

You could find frames, and paint them different colors, and you've got your own art installation.

Drew Barrymore's office at Flower Films- Just printed photographs.

If you are artistic, you could make your own collection of art and hang it up. I know someone who framed her children's art. It was so playful!

The multiple frames on this wall look contemporary and orderly, even against the striped walls.

Gwen Stefani's LAMB office- her photographic inspiration wall.

When you hang art, make sure that there are different heights and hang vertical and horizontal frames. It adds dimension.

Notice the frame on the mantle- something unique. An unframed canvas, sitting behind a single frame.

Another photo wall. I like this idea, but make sure all four corners are tacked down, otherwise, with heat and sun, the corners will start to curl up.

Here they have hung art on the wall, as well as a woven piece around the top picture, added a figurine at the top corner, and set a canvas on the floor. A lot of different applications, but it flows well.

I love this advertisement for ROMO. For you DIYers, try this idea. Find some beautiful graphic and textured paper and frame them. You don't have to scour high and low, create your own. This is soooooo me!

Art is an expression of yourself. It is personal and subjective. You can't go wrong!

Cheers!

The Designista

Labor Day NJ Farm Fun = Corn Relish

Hope everyone had a fabulous Labor Day weekend! I went to NJ for one last weekend of fun in the sun before the weather changes. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. So what was originally planned had to be forfeited for more random and spontaneous fun. Stopping at a state monument and hopping over the border into New Hope, PA were among that fun! However, this little event was one of my favorites- stopping at a roadside farm to buy vegetables for a dish I was bringing to a BBQ in the city later on that night.

I love to cook and love fresh and organic produce. I made Nadia stop here for me, as my dish called for fresh corn.

Laughing at a woman who was flabbergasted that I asked if what I was doing was "shucking, right?" She asked, "where you girls from that you don't know this is shucking? Hey Jim, this girl doesn't know what shucking is?" It was pretty funny!

Getting my lesson

Demonstrating how it's done by the real Jersey Girl- Nadia Stylianou

All my fresh produce

(listed and what should have been added)

NJ Sweet corn

Hot Green peppers

Red onion

Grape tomatoes

Limes

Red bell peppers

JALAPENOS

CILANTRO

Salt

Pepper

GARLIC

I had this at Nadia's house and was instantly hooked. I am not one who uses recipes and prefers to make things up as I go. This CORN RELISH is amazing alone, or added as a garnish on a garden salad, on eggs, with warm vegetables, pasta salad..... (I had all of these in the last two days!)

Simply halve the corn, boil for 10 minutes or less, cut the corn off the cob (after running under cold water) and add to a bowl of all the finely chopped ingredients you see above. Add lime, salt, and pepper to taste, and VIOLA! You have got one little fresh dish! The capitalized items are things that should have been added for more flavor!

I love it when I come with a full bowl and leave with a serving or two leftover- My job is done here!!!!!

It's the homemaker and entertainer in me that loves to know that people are happy with the food, the environment, the decorations, the drinks, the music etc. So, I found myself walking around asking my friends what they thought of my dish and how I could make it better. At one point, there were about 6-8 people around the bowl trying to figure out what possibly could have been added to make it even better... and the VERDICT- Cilantro and Jalapenos...... No hurt feelings here, just a little advise for better culinary art!

Cheers!

The Designista

A timeless motif- Bamboo

I absolutely love bamboo pieces- not necessarily raw bamboo, but rather bamboo that is metal, or has been painted in an unexpected fashion. This design motif has been used throughout ages, and always adds a bit of Asian flair and especially elegance. You will see it as furniture, mirrors, dinnerware, accessories, lighting, fabric etc.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Jonathan Adler's Chippendale Arm Chair- Comes in three colors- black, white, and chartreuse green- $595

Golden Bamboo Butler table with removable tray at www.mermaidhut.com- This table is so chic! And for the entertainer in me, I love that it doubles as a tray. This is a great buy at $179. The base folds up for storage purposes when not in use! Perfect!

Crate & Barrel's Kyoto Flatware place setting- Understated and sophisticated..... If I was in the market for place settings, this is what I would buy. $36.95 for a 5-piece set

Lulu DK's Madison Indoor/ Outdoor fabric- This comes in many different colorways. We used this on a project in Beverly Hills draping the interior of a patio area poolside. We used it in the Chocolate. To the trade only- must use a design professional to buy this

Woodson & Rummerfield's Wilshire Regency Mirror- $200!!!!!!! Great buy! This is one of my favorite little design shops in Los Angeles off of LaCienega (where all the super hip and trendy design shops are)

JF Chen Antique Brass Bamboo bench with original leather- Circa 1950's: Found on 1stDibs.com - if you have not been on the 1stdibs website, you MUST TRY IT!!!!!! Many antiques shops list their products on this website- very reputable, and you can find soooooo many interesting, gorgeous, unique, and unbelievable pieces. Some inexpensive, some unbelievably pricey.

Nickel and gold plated serving tray- $430

Nickel and gold plated pie cutter- $132

Gold trimmed round bamboo platter- $210

Gold Trimmed Two-tier bamboo server - $460

Found at Geary's Beverly Hills, these serving accents are divine. If I had my way, I would buy these for brunch with the ladies, on a table scape of antique china from my grandmother, delectable pastries, quiches, mini-sandwiches, champagne cocktails, peonies and roses, and of course, A LOT of LAUGHTER!!!!

Bamboo accents are timeless. Add this to your interiors, and your home will exude elegance.

Cheers!

The Designista

Cheers to a Fabulous Weekend Everyone!

Cheers to you! Just got home from work and ready for a little R&R. Considering the fact that I sign each posting with a "Cheers," you would think I would have more of these up. That being said, I finally decided to start it tonight, and what is the only alcohol in the house- Sierra Nevada? ..... Probably will never see me with this beer again. Be different if it was a Hoegaarden, Grolsch, or Stella. But as you all know, a glass of champagne or ice cold Kettle One martini dry strait up with one olive is my drink of choice!

I have a lot of fun posts planned for next week.

• Trip to Priceton, NJ
• Flower arangements
• Chair Design
• Garden design- My mother's fabulous garden! She has a green thumb I in no way inherited
• Event planning
• My own Mosaic art
• The Designista is finally going to join the FACEBOOK and TWITTER nation!!!!

.....and Much More!

Love you guys and hope you have a fabulous long Labor Day weekend that, for us New Yorkers, marks the end of our summer. But from what everyone tells me, the fall is absolutely gorgeous..... Excited to experience my first real season!

Cheers!

The Designista

Animalistic Behavior

I was recently introduced to someone who is moving into a lovely home in the Northern California Bay Area. He is very excited about his move and has a discerning sense of style and quite aware of the interior world. He and I spoke for a long time about his plans for his home, his design direction, as well as asking advice on certain furniture pieces he was leaning towards. And you know me, anything having to do with design, I am all over it. It was really fun getting to talk about his plans and even found myself thinking of things he could do on my off time, as well as running through sources in my head that he could investigate. I'm so crazy! I'm not even his interior designer! :) It's just so fun to see someone happy in their space!

One thing he mentioned was the use animal print- actual hide fur- that he wanted to put on stools. I love the idea! He was a little apprehensive, but I assured him it is a wonderful idea. Our conversation inspired me to write about this topic. As I browsed through my files, I noticed that many of the interiors featured the use of animal print- stylized or actual hides! It should be used sparingly to add punch, but if executed properly, it really adds impact.

Zebra Hide laid on the ottoman with ties- Like it was an afterthought, not planned. This is one of my favorite entries- I just love the creative draping that makes me feel like I am in a make shift tent of a traveling diplomat in the desert.......

Florida Condominium- This chair covered in black and white zebra hide against the graphic painting almost takes on a sculptural quality itself.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ROOM!!!!!! There is so much going on, yet it still seems understated, but with a dominant undertone. This is a very sophisticated design, with the veneered wooden horizontal and white lacquered paint stripes, but adding the faux fur animal element, gives it an element of casualness and flair.

When it comes to hide, zebra is my favorite. I think it works beautifully on stools, ottomans, and benches.

This is a patchwork pillow of zebra hide... fancy and fun!

I am not sure what type of animal this faux fur is trying to mimic, but I think it adds a lot of glamour to this space.... especially with the high gloss flooring.

Zebra Head pillow (not my favorite type of application because I am not a fan of heads and eyes) but still shows the use well

An exaggerated zebra print on hide pillow- a great addition to an otherwise stark patio

Not hide, but a leopard ice box on the cocktail tray.... That may be the only punch of animal you need!

If you look closely, you can see the pillows on the sofa are a stylized giraffe print with an inset tape trim on a mitered pillow. You don't have to go with hide, to get the same effect.

Zebra Printed Area Rug- this is a more practical application of the print on the floor. When you place an authentic hide on the floor, it starts to wear and look dull and bare. As a woven design, it is much more user friendly- especially with kids and pets.

Silk Velvet Leopard print on the vintage lucite chair. Gives the room character, right?

Here is the hide I was just talking about. I love the look, but you do have to make sure it is in a low-traffic area. FYI- this is printed zebra. If I am not mistaken, I don't believe you can have real zebra imported anymore (not that I would want to.) I am just saying!

Stylized Crocodile inspired fur throw- Sexy!

Personally, this pillow should be bigger, but I don't mind the combination. I actually like it, and I'm not even a leopard fan.

Ahhhhh..... Miles Redd- The King of "You have to have a punch of Animal in every interior." It subtle, but makes a statement. LOVE IT!

So the moral is, don't be afraid to mix patterns, colors, and textures with animal. As you just saw, numerous different type of styles utilized the same element of design, and though it created a different statement for each room, it certainly made an impact, that otherwise would have left the room lacking in thrill.

The Key..... Be Tasteful, and you got it goin' on!

Cheers!

The Designista

Preview: City Guide to Princeton, NJ- Next Week...

Across the street from Princeton University

Hey Everyone! I know I have been completely lagging on my postings, due to starting my new job (thank goodness)................. But I wanted to give you a heads up to a posting I will do on Tuesday next week.

Last weekend, I visited a friend of mine in Princeton, NJ and it was so wonderful- shopping, eating, sightseeing (driving in the car,) and lounging on the beach. This town is so cute and quaint with a lot of great boutiques, antique stores, and restaurants.

So...... I got the idea to do a "Design Guide to Princeton." I am going there again this weekend for Labor Day, and will do a little journalistic investigation and have a fabulous post next week! Really want to start September with a bang! Let's hope the weather is gorgeous and doesn't transition into Fall, as it is starting to get a bit chilly. (Listen to me, I complain when it's raining, hate when it's too hot, nervous summer is over and I'll have to start getting ready for snow... Gosh, NY just can't win with this Cali girl!)

Make it a great day everyone!

Cheers!

The Designista