Getting Personal

I have always admired homes that are equally as beautiful as they are unique to the homeowner; not only reflecting the latest trends in interior design, but also reflecting the individual style, interests, and personality of those it houses. There is no better way to make a space feel personal than to add a monogram. Once confined strictly to hand towels in the guest bath, monogramming is now a very chic and contemporary way to personalize any accessory in the home. Because of the variety of fonts and appliques, the ever traditional three-letter monogram can be reinvented to fit any style or aesthetic. Whether applied to a pillow, lamp shade, slipcover, or coverlet; a monogram is a timeless addition that can take a space from simply beautiful to distinctly yours.

It is not until you add your own personal touch that a beautiful space truly becomes a home…

This is a must for any home office! The Dabney Lee At Home website allows you to put a personalized monogram on nearly anything. They offer a variety of patterns, colors, and fonts so that you can make your home or office a true reflection of your style and personality.

A bold applique monogram looks particularly beautiful against bright white linens. The Hermes orange, coupled with the white and brown, creates the perfect classic palette for the equally classic and sophisticated three-letter monogram.

This is a great example of how monograms can be applied to nearly every accent piece in your home. The turquoise monogram not only adds a pop of color, but also personalizes the entryway...a beautiful introduction to the home!

Although subtle, the addition of a monogram on the shams immediately makes an otherwise simple and monochromatic space feel chic, sophisticated, and elegant.

Amanda Nesbit features monograms in nearly every room she designs. I like the use of an oversized single initial monogram, and the choice of curly font further emphasizes the bathroom's femininity.

Traditional meets modern in this bedroom with the geometric print headboard and classic white monogrammed pillow shams. Because of the unique design of the monogram, it looks more like an embroidered pattern than initials.

There is something about navy blue decor that seems to always merit a monogram. Although there are a number of different decorative accents in this space, your eye is immediately drawn to the simple monogram pillow at the center of the couch. I like the edgier and more modern take on the three-letter monogram...a contrast to the softer more traditional lattice pillows.

Elle Decor. This equestrian inspired bedroom is a perfect example of the variety of methods of applying a monogram. Rather than choosing an embroidery or applique, the designer went with a more masculine needlepoint pillow with double-wide lettering. The needle-point pillow adds texture and dimension to the bed, and the use of "his" and "her" initials gives a contemporary feel to the classic three-letter monogram.

Monogramed china makes for a beautifully elegant table setting. A single initial seems to be replacing the more traditional use of the couple's full initials.

Traditional Home. This warm palette of copper and coral is enlivened with Leontine’s "Molly" monogram in red linen. Leontine creates the most luxurious custom monogrammed linens http://www.leontinelinens.com.

In this do-it-yourself project, the homeowner painted a monogram on the back of two dining room chairs to create a "host" and "hostess" chair at the head of the table. I love this idea!

The Color Purple

The Westin Paris is one of the most beautifully designed hotels in all of France, representing the perfect balance between Parisian influence and the latest in contemporary design. Given its deep history with the royal families of France, it is no surprise that they would choose a palette of different shades of purple to decorate the rooms and suites. The luxurious purple velvets and silks that adorn the furniture and windows exemplify the refined beauty, elegance, and royalty of the color purple. The variety of different shades of purple gives it a dynamism that makes it suitable for nearly every style or time period. Lilac, Iris, Mauve, Violet, Lavender, and Heather all represent the softer side of purple and create a very refined, delicate and romantic feel, while deep or bright purples such as Aubergine, Grape, Plum, and Eggplant create a bold more dramatic statement. Whether a strong deep hue or a soft creamy tone, purple has proven to outlive all other color trends in fashion, cosmetics, and interior design; impressing designers and royalty alike with its timeless beauty and unmatched elegance.

This is my absolute favorite bedroom! The purple accent pieces add a touch of color to the all-white palette and serve as a beautiful complement to the pink. This is a perfect example of how even minimal amounts of purple can transform a space, adding elegance, sophistication, and a touch of femininity.

This is an ultra chic living room with the silk pillows, velvet couch and glass coffee table. The floor to ceiling silk drapes create a dramatic backdrop and emphasize the tall ceilings and oversized windows.

Elle Decor. This very feminine office space creates a beautiful balance between modern and traditional with the A-frame desk and paneled walls against the zebra print rug and modern desk lamp.

As with fashion, a rich purple looks great with gold accessories. The purple walls in this space are not the focal point, but rather serve as a backdrop to the art galleries that fill the walls. Filling the wall with artwork all the way up to the ceiling makes the space feel taller and gives the artwork a wallpaper-like feeling.

This tufted sleigh bed is absolutely beautiful! There are a lot of different shades of purple in this space, but keeping the fabrics solid, rather than patterned, prevents the color from being overwhelming.

Purple upholstered dining chairs is an easy way to add a touch of color, and I love the look of white dining chairs with a natural wood table. The purple also adds a touch of royalty to the entire dining experience.

Lilac looks beautiful when paired with cream or khaki. I love the combination of different prints and textures in this space...the graphic pillows, striped ottomans, velvet chair, sheepskin rug, and oversized striped walls. The stripes are soft enough that they don't overpower the space and allow you to also focus your attention on the beautiful furnishings.

Ralph Lauren Home Embassy Purple paint. The purple walls are such a deep hue that they serve as almost a black-like backdrop, allowing the all-white chandelier to pop. Using such a dark purple is a brave move, but keeping everything else in the room neutral helps to tone down the intensity of the main color.

Amanda Nesbit. I love the soft lilac against the bright white and black accents. The silk sheets and scalloped shams just add to the room's elegance and femininity. The Delano bedding collection by Matouk is very similar, go to http://www.matouk.com.

It's amazing how such a simple piece of painted plywood can make for a very dramatic piece of artwork. A perfect example of how purple has the power to bring refinement, beauty, and sophistication into any space. I love the white paneled walls and dentil molding.

This space has a very vintage feel to it with the unfinished wood paneled floors, leather armchair, and shabby chic velvet couch. This is a perfect example of how, despite the refined elegance of purple, it is dynamic enough to work with any style or aesthetic.

This room uses such a simple color palette of white and lilac, and yet it is very elegant and sophisticated. The black antique chandelier adds a gothic feel to the otherwise contemporary space.

Molly Sim's dining room is unquestionably chic with the oversized crystal chandelier and addition of high sheen gray walls. Slate gray is a great complementary color to purple, bringing out the bluish tones inherent in purple.

The purple dresser of drawers adds a fun element of surprise as guests enter the home. The space is both traditional and rustic, and yet purple seems to fit perfectly with both styles.

If these spaces don’t inspire you, perhaps you will have to make a trip to Paris and see for yourself…

Westin Paris Hotel, France.

Runway Inspiration

Trends from the Spring 2010 Runway for your wardrobe and your home…

Nature Inspired Floral Prints

Sass and Bide. London Fashion Week Spring 2010.

The oversized leaves on this wallpaper mimic the nature inspired floral print dresses that prove to be the newest trend for spring.

Amparo Blue + Gray 

Tracy Reese. New York Fashion Week Spring 2010.

Mary McDonald.

If Walls Could Talk

Wallpaper has made an impressive comeback over the last few years, and proves to be the latest trend in interior design. Today’s prints are bolder and brighter than ever before, and can be used in a number of different ways to enhance the beauty of a room. With a choice of florals, patterns, stripes, textures, and colors; wallpaper can transform a plain wall into a canvas of creativity and style. Whether used in a small space to add interest, on a single wall to replace art, in a foyer to boldly greet guests, or on a ceiling to create a focal point – wallpaper has the power to redefine the aesthetic of a space and bring an entire room to life.

If walls could talk…I wonder what these rooms would be saying?

This large floral pattern wallpaper adds visual interest to an otherwise plain bedroom, and the large yellow flower in the corner compliments the beautiful yellow and white striped silk drapes. I love when drapes are oversized and puddle at the bottom, making it less formal and drawing your eye from ceiling to floor.

Home and Garden. If you don't have a clearly defined entryway, the addition of wallpaper and a few pieces of furniture can turn a simple hallway into a formal entryway.

Domino Magazine. This bold zebra wallpaper creates a dramatic entrance into the living room. Wallpapering the walls and the ceiling makes an otherwise small narrow space appear larger.

The striped wallpaper in this living room creates a bold statement and gives life to an otherwise neutral color palette. By keeping the rest of the space monochromatic, the wallpaper takes center stage and becomes the clear focal point of the room.

If a pattern is overly busy, you can wallpaper only the upper half of the wall and paint the wainscoting. This helps to prevent the space from being visually overwhelming and allows for the use of a complimentary paint color to enhance the beauty of the wallpaper.

Designer Kelly Wearstler. I usually don't like the walls to match the drapery, but in this space it works beautifully. The white moulding and the white furniture help to break up the pattern and bring out the white grid-like lines in the lattice pattern wallpaper.

I love this entryway! Greeting your guests with a bold wallpaper and bright yellow accents is a great way to introduce them to your style and personality. Using wallpaper in an entryway also allows you to make a big statement in a small space.

I love this room! There is a lot of pattern on the walls and the windows, but the use of different shades of lavender brings the whole space together and prevents the patterns from being overwhelming. I like how the patterns are confined to the edges of the room, allowing the sleigh bed to still serve as the focal point of the room.

Apartment Therapy. The peacock feathers wallpaper in this entryway is amazing. The gold and bronze color scheme make for a very warm welcome to this home.

The metallic gold and teal wallpaper enhances the beauty of the antique velvet chair and serves as a backdrop rather than a focal point. The high sheen wallpaper adds another dimension to the many different textures in this space.

 

Industrial Chic Kitchens

The use of stainless steel in interior design is reminiscent of the industrialism, functionality, and simplicity of the Bauhaus style and the Machine Age. Its durability, low-maintenance, and clean streamlined surface makes it a perfect material for a space devoted to utility. Today, stainless steel has gone beyond its industrial roots and can be found in kitchens of many styles and aesthetics. Whether used in appliances, backsplashes, countertops, or furniture; stainless steel is a mainstay of kitchen design. When stainless steel stands alone there is always the risk of making a space feel somber, cold, and institutional. But the addition of white, particularly white marble, can instantly make a space feel elegant and chic. The juxtaposition of stainless steel and beautiful white carrara marble creates an “industrial chic” space that is equally beautiful as it is functional.

Metal accents, streamlined surfaces, and an all-white palette create a bright, clean, and stylish space that would inspire even the greatest of chefs.

Decor Pad. The stainless steel bar stools, aluminum pendant lights, and wooden ladder make this kitchen distinctly utilitarian and industrial, but the addition of the counter to ceiling white marble backsplash and glass-paned cabinets keeps the space elegant and chic.

This kitchen has every element of a commercial grade kitchen...chef's tap, pot-filler faucet, and oversized hood. I love the juxtaposition of the steel caged bar stools against the luxurious white marble countertops. A perfect example of creating harmony between function and artistry.

I love the combination of textures in this kitchen...the white washed rustic brick, high sheen white lacquer cabinets, unfinished paneled floors, and stainless steel countertops. Placing the cooktop on the island makes it a space for both cooking and gathering.

Living Etc. The exposed ventilation system gives an added touch of industrialism to this space. The separation of the sink, range, and butcher block allows for numerous work spaces within the kitchen.

Designer Mick De Guilio. I usually don't like the clutter created by leaving pots and pans in plain sight, but by keeping the cooking utensils all stainless steel they become accent pieces that are part of the decor. I love the hanging scale on the pot rack, it adds a very authentic feel to the kitchen.

The stainless steel chairs and pendant light creates an almost laboratory-like feel in this kitchen. The white walls and glass cabinets help to soften an otherwise stark industrial space.

House and Home. In this space the stainless steel is not as much an industrial accent, but rather provides a touch of shine to this very elegant chic kitchen. I love the marble island and slate gray upholstered bar stools. Notice how the chandeliers are encased with sheer drum shades...a very unique and beautiful light fixture!

The white on white walls, cabinetry, and countertops create a beautiful monochromatic background that allows the black wolf range and stainless steel accents to take center stage.

Living Etc. I love the contrast of different textures and styles in this kitchen. The modern sleek stainless steel cabinets and chrome office chairs are softened by the textured stone floors, white beamed ceilings, and chic reflective chandelier. A perfect example of how stainless steel can work with any style or aesthetic, whether modern, rustic, traditional, or all of the styles combined.

Decor Pad. This is my absolute favorite kitchen, combining all of my favorite design elements in one space...bamboo chairs, slate gray accents, subway tiles, white carrara marble countertops, neutral upholstery, and high sheen maple wood floors. An absolutely beautiful kitchen that is both elegant and functional.

Portland Monthly. The pendant lights, exposed brass hinges, and wooden lab chairs add just the right amount of industrialism to this bright all-white kitchen.