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Showing posts with label Design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Design. Show all posts

flash back...


I spent the better part of the day on Tuesday looking for inspiration to get my point across.   Often times it is the picture that inspires me when I design but sometimes I search for the perfect photo to convey what I am trying to do.  This week it was difficult!!  I did however find A LOT of inspiration in an archived issue of Lonny Magazine from a while back.. These are just a few of my favorites- there  are definitely more in this issue.  I wish each and every magazine came with so much wonderful inspiration to it!





all images via Lonny

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the beauty of purple...



This post is for my Grandma whom we lost a few weeks ago. 
She was a lover of purple... her clothes were almost always purple, her bedroom and bath had purple everywhere, purple carpet and lilac bedding and accessories.  I am sure she would have loved this!  She was a strong amazing woman who made strong amazing daughters and grand daughters and she will be missed very very much.  xo











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Finding inspiration at the LA mart... January



I truly enjoy going to market, no matter where you go it is very inspirational.  There are so many talented creative minds that work on the showrooms it is really a treat to see most of the time.  This past weekend we visited the LA Mart for the show and found some great new pieces and some really great displays.  


Two's and Tozai never disappoint!  This book display was amazing!






The Walls in this room were painted gold and were super cool.




Love the paper runner- great idea!


I think I need this even if I have no place for it, so sculptural and cool!



Our best seller the star pendant with mirror.. love!




This is my favorite chandelier and I have been desperately trying to find a special place for something like this.. I know that one day it will happen.

I am off to Las Vegas for the furniture show there today, wish me luck!



images by christina fluegge for greige


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Nathan Turner's American Style Book {a giveaway}

 

I was so excited to have  a chance to offer one of my lovely readers a copy of Nathan Turner's first book.  We also had an opportunity to ask a few questions about Nathan's design methods and inspirations, I hope you enjoy our little interview and a minute to leave a comment for your chance to win!

1.        What is your design philosophy?

The most important thing is living well with comfort and style.  So all of my designs need to not only look great, but be livable as well.

2.       What inspires you and drives your passion for design?

I’m constantly being inspired.  There’s inspiration all around us, you just have to be open to it.  I derive the most inspiration from travel.

3.       What jumpstarts each of your designs (color, fabric, furniture, etc.)?

I can be totally inspired by the architecture of a project & design comes of that. Or I can start with a color, or a single fabric & the whole room gets built around it.  It really just depends on the project.

4.       What do you hope people take away from reading your book?

I hope it inspires people to decorate, entertain, & have fun with design.  To realize that there really aren’t any rules to do things that make you feel good.  Hopefully they take away some ideas and inspiration as well.

5.       You dedicated this book to the woman in your life, how did they inspire you to seek a career in design?

They inadvertently inspired me to seek a career in design.   Both my grandmothers and my mother, although different, embodied the one thing that makes a great hostess, they had great style.  They knew how to graciously entertain and make people comfortable.  They make people want to come into their home for parties and dinner.  I watched that growing up & it was engrained in me.  I learned a lot from watching them.

6.      Your book is full of helpful tips for living well, what is your best tip for making a space come together completely (that finishing touch)?

The finishing touches are the most important thing.  It’s that last layer or two that people often forget or sadly they have depleted their budget.  It’s those finishing touches I call the “jewelry” of the project.  It’s the lamps, the table top accessories, & pillows…they should be personal and should reflect the person who bought them or who lives in the house.  It’s always those little things that make a room.

7.       What was the biggest challenge in writing this book?

Time.  I have so many different things going on from decorating, television, my store, & product line.  The book is very personal so I had to be 100% involved.  That’s the only way I wanted to do it.  So, the biggest challenge was setting aside a chunk of time aside every week to finish it.

8.       What inspired you to write a book, and one centered on casual living and entertaining?

I really wanted to do a book that embodied everything that I do including decorating, food, entertaining.  I wanted it to be more lifestyle than a decorator’s monograph.  When I met with Abrams they understood that immediately & they were the ones to push me to make it personal & to share my own life experience as well as my work.  I’m happy they did, because it literally feels likes a scrapbook of the last ten years of my life.
 










For a chance to win a copy of Nathan's book please leave a comment below telling us about your inspirations, for an additional chances to win you can tweet (easy to tweet just hit retweet at the bottom of the post), follow us here on the blog or on twitter or blog about our giveaway.  The winner will be chosen at random on January 28th, 2013.  
 
Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

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Designers at home: Francine Gardner of Interieurs


This is our first of hopefully many in the series: Designers at Home!  I am very excited to welcome Francine Gardner of Interieurs!   Francine is an amazing designer and has traveled the world in search of inspiration.  I am absolutely in love with her home, it is so personal and beautiful beyond words.  Francine was nice enough to answer a few questions for us about her life, her business and her design presence below.  I hope you enjoy a glimpse into her life and take time to discover her shop in New York the next time you are there, I know I will.



 




.        What are the three major differences when designing for yourself, as opposed to designing for your clients?

Budget! When designing for myself, I often need to compromise on the level of contractor, finishes etc..I do not plan or follow the process as I would for a client. I buy what I love regardless of the period, the importance of a piece of artwork for instance. My personal space is to be lived in, with the constant influx of friends, my son's friends, pets, kids… When I design for a client, I start with floor plans, look at the light, the flow and am extremely focused. Once a presentation is approved, I start the installation process and shopping process. I practically custom design everything for my clients, from kitchen to bathrooms,  cabinetry, interior architecture, pool etc… Then I go shopping for the unique pieces that will give the house its personality, always keeping in mind the client's lifestyle and budget.
 
2.       As designers, we tend to love many different styles and items.  How did you select the style for your home and why?

My current home evolved over the years. We bought it sight unseen as it was love at first sight, a stone stable and carriage house that reminded me of the houses of Gascony in France. It is filled with heirloom furniture mixed with modern pieces from my Showroom. From my travel, I have brought back textiles, art, objects, furniture which are part of the home. Books are present in every room, stacked or on bookshelves. My style is eclectic with a soul…if that makes sense.

3.    How would you describe the style in each of your homes?

The common denominator in all the homes I have designed is unique, eclectic. From Beach houses to ski houses, contemporary loft, apartment, country houses….the style is clean, uncluttered, with meaningful furniture. Attention is given to the surfaces: walls, floors, ceiling and each home is unique in itself but represent the life of their owners.

4.     Your homes tend to be very neutral, is there a reason behind this?

My clients live very busy lives, often managing multi homes. My goal is to provide a sanctuary where they can be themselves, at peace, I bring calmness to their lives and can only do so by keeping a neutral palette. The color come from the spines of books, artwork, flowers, objects…

5.      What is your staple piece that you incorporate into each of your designs and feel is necessary to a complete and finished product? (mirror, chair, art, etc.)

I would say our lighting is always unique and often custom made. All our project have at least one light by Jose Esteves, either from our Interieurs collection, or custom designed.

6.     What is your favorite room in your house and why?

My library…this is where I deep into my world of books and leave everything behind.

7.    What is your secret to creating an elegant space synonymous with comfort?

Proportions, textures, quality of the furnishings and a good floorplan.


Thank you again to Francine for taking the time to participate! 

all images via Francine Gardner


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