Sticker Decor? Not Just for Kids

Remember when stickers were so fascinating to us as little children? Was it the color and texture and the fact that it gave us the ability to have a little design creativity- meaning we could "stick it" wherever we pleased? Remember when we would inevitably "stick it" in the wrong places; mirrors, car windows, car seats, counters, clothes, walls, etc.

As I look back, stickers are often given to little children in happy meals, which to me, is sort of silly since kids have no regard for nice things, making it a constant struggle between parent and child to keep the child from doing what is natural and "sticking it" somewhere. Why do people who give stickers to children want to create chaos I ask?

Alas, a day has come to bring the child out in all of us. Blik, is a company based in Venice, CA which has found a way to create interesting and bold wall art that is impermanent. I spoke about them yesterday, in my posting about Black and White.

"blik is made from an ultra-thin, self-adhesive matte vinyl film. blik Re-Stik™ is made from a slightly thicker, self-adhesive, polypropylene film." I used something similar to this once for two events I designed. This material is great for residential or commercial interior projects (they can even do custom murals.) All you do is pull it off the sheet and "stick it" wherever you like. This is great for renters or even those who want something unique and colorful on the wall but don't want to spend the money on wall paper or a custom hand-painted mural. All of these decals range between $30-$100 (pretty much.)

Here are some of my favorites:

Rococo Pop

Nessa Headboard

Lacy Sunday

Wrought Iron Headboard

Iron Vines

Classic Chair Backs

Fly

Flock

Incredible Circus

The Birth Day

This is a great option for a quick fix to a wall covering dilema, and adds a huge impact. Whether you want to make it more of a POP ART type installation, or infuse it into your classic interior, these decals are a brilliant idea.

Cheers!

The Designista

Amy Hard at Work

I had to take these pictures for a client in Orange County, CA who needs some customization done to our Atlantis fixture. I thought it would be fun to share the kind of things I do for my clients.



Client is worried the draping pieces might be too long. We are showing her what the piece would look like if they were shorter or completely removed.



Cheers!

The Designista

Seeing Your World in Black & White

I love the drama of black and white. I am immediately drawn to anything of this type of color scheme (Black= complete saturation of color, White= absence of color.) I love to wear it! I love fabrics, wall paper, stripes, etc. It creates ultimate drama in interiors and fashion. It can be playful, but most often I think it creates a "sexy" environment.

I think people get nervous to try this scheme for fear it will be too much of a contrast, but I wanted to show some examples of this look. You can go over the top, or understated. Try it in a small space first, if you can't bring yourself to go big with a larger room- i.e. a powder room, a single wall, even a piece of furniture- and I know you'll be impressed with the outcome.

I want a B&W striped powder room or entry so much I can hardly stand it! I love it! This is easy and affordable. This is a fun look, and an example of going over the top, by creating a "Circus" tent in the powder room.

Versace Home in LA. Sophisticated.

An example of creating massive drama in a small space. This is the entry into his apartment. In NY, for many apartments, you only have small spaces to work with. Why not go nuts?

Cythia Rowley's apartment in NYC. Here she has applied a decal to the walls of her shower. This is becoming quite popular for quick, inexpensive, dramatic, and easy for renters. Check out this site that sells these. www.whatisblik.com

This look can be achieved through actual molding or you could even paint it yourself.

Walls painted a glossy black in contrast with white high-relief molding is a wonderful and unexpected color scheme that is perfect for more classic interiors.

Anna Sui's NYC apartment/ Studio. Like her fashion designs, her apartment reflects her patterned and fun style. Here she adds a lot of patterns with touches of color just to bring a little pizzas to the spot. Love the commode turned lavatory!

Adding a black glass to an all white Secretary is a perfect little DIY/ custom feature to bring this scheme into your home.

Don't be afraid to make some risks when it comes to "risky" color schemes and pattern. Black and White works perfectly in modern or traditional interiors, whether you want to do an entire room or just a piece, it creates drama and makes a statement.

Cheers!

The Designista

Long Island R&R

With the start of my new job, it is an understatement to say I have been stressed out. I have been working super long hours each day, which has been one of the reasons I have had less postings. And with that stress, comes a lack of creativity. So.... as you may have noticed, I have been going away each weekend, to basically decompress, as well as ground myself. Now with a little security in my career- had two big sales this week (hip hip hooray!)- I am able to relax, at least mentally.... for a bit. Definitely better design oriented postings coming. Actually got a lot of tips from friends this weekend on what they would like to see me add to the posting mix-up.

This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting my sister in Long Island, where we spent the day going to the marina at Port Washington, ate raw oysters and martini's (one of my favorite things,) drove around all the large estates, toured the Merchant Marine Academy (where Jeannie's Fiance coaches football,) and listened to all our favorite music we grew up on- Violent Femmes, Bon Jovi, Hootie and the Blowfish, Save Farris, and so much more....

A couple of highlights:

Jeannie and I walking the marina after stuffing our faces with Blue Point oysters, a Grey Goose vodka martini, and some fabulous sweet pea ravioli's....MMMMMMM

Tasting the most amazing wine I have ever had. Jeannie bought this bottle on a wine website where she finds expensive wines at discounted prices. She has been saving this, and let me tell you, UNBELIEVABLE! Australian Syrah- the best! I suggest buying this wine for a special occasion. Clarendon Hills

Enjoy your day everyone!

Cheers!

The Designista

Collections- A Must Have

Accessorizing your home is what brings your personality to the space. However, there is a fine line between creating a cohesive space that is polished with bits of your quirkiness and style versus one that is a modge podge of chotchky junk/ trinkets that is reminiscent of a salvation army accessory wall meets great Aunt Margie's living room.

One thing that I feel all interiors need are collections. They can be collections of anything- tea cups, vases, perfume bottles, milk bottles, spoons, rocks, shells, etc. And...they don't have to be expensive. Collect them throughout your life, or set out one weekend to find "your collection." Like the picture of blue candle sticks and vases on a mantle, collections create a repetitive element that bring order in a unique way.

Some of my favorite places to find additions to collections: Ikea, Ross, TJ Maxx, Salvation Army, Target, Tuesday Morning, and don't forget finding pieces throughout your life on all your travels- cities, states, and countries.

Cheers!

The Designista

September 11, 2001- September 11, 2009

The view from my apartment. That is where the WTC Twin Towers once stood. A commemorative memorial that stopped me in my tracks on my way home from work. With the hazy night, the way the light beams shot into the sky and hit the clouds was as if they transcended into heaven- beautiful and surreal.

I have met people since I lived here, and even prior to my move, who were here that horrible day. I know people who have lost loved ones and cannot imagine their pain on this day. I still get emotional even thinking about it, and truthfully, I try not to. With a brother who toured twice in Iraq as a marine, a sister who works daily on the rebuliding of One World Trade Center, another brother at the Naval Academy, as well as knowing many others who work to rebuild our community, the country, and the fight for our freedom, I believe, in fact I have to believe, we have made progress in this fight against hatred.

God bless those no longer with us and the families of those who served our country selflessly- 3,000 people who went to work on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001. And let us not forget all the service men and women who dutifully went abroad, many enlisting after 9-11, to serve and protect our freedom and what we stand for as a country, the United States of America. And to them, I salute you and thank you with all my heart.

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