Farmer's Bounty

Where is this one coming from? Not sure, but perhaps it's the bounty at the Farmer's Market I saw this weekend. Not only is summer here but Spring seems to be happening as well - all at once!

In honor of summer fruits and vegetables here's a dining room. I think it would be the perfect backdrop for a seasonal feast.

Floor:

Swirl by Paul Smith (Nepalese 100 knot) by The Rug Company is an amazing rug. I want one and think it happens to be the perfect start to a room. Check out the The Rug Company's site - they have an uncommon collection of beautiful rugs. Great quality too!

Furniture:

A table from Brooklyn Designer Robert Austin Gonzalez's new collection would be the perfect complement to this rug. (4L36, Oak Legs Hand Rubbed in Danish Oil, Matte Finish)

The Bottega Armchair from Design Within Reach would be a lovely complement to the shapely table and fun rug. It's lines are strong and modern but it won't fight for attention. (Bottega Armchair, H 37" W 23" D 22.75" Seat H 18" Arm H 24.5", Tan Leather)

Above the table hang an architectural chandelier. I think something Italian and Modern would be the perfect fit, such as this Gaetano Sciolari Modernist Chandelier from Vermillion via 1stdibs.

Walls:

Keep the walls & trim white - like Farrow & Ball's All White 2005 & then paint your ceiling in a soft blue like Borrowed Light 235. (use the 'green' Estate Emulsion for ceilings & walls, Full Oil Gloss for woodwork)

Windows:

Depending on window types, simple panels or a relaxed roman shade. There's some nod to classicism in every piece we've selected this far so in keeping with that I love the idea of a modern damask. Bergamo's UCRIA 220787-4 has a 51" repeat. (220787-4, 36% Cotton, 43% Viscose, 21% Polyester)

Wide Open Spaces

Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's Manhattan but I'm craving open spaces - both indoors and out. I think the below selections reflect this feeling. These pieces when together need breathing room. They can't be crammed in a small space - they beg for a large space with soaring ceilings and endless light!

Start with these highly decorative chairs available on Interior Internet. They are so unique and both industrial and feminine at the same time (made of metal) (H: 835mm x W: 600mm, seat height 410mm)

Cover them in a fabric of your choice but it should be neutral and solid - like a cream linen.




Pair the chairs with a wide open, inviting sofa such as this one designed by Antonio Citterio for Flexform. It's so inviting and airy - a perfect complement to the decorative side chairs. (Groundpiece, sizes various)

Same rules in fabric choices for this guy - go with a neutral complementing weight fabric as the side chairs (for instance if you go with linen, stay with a different weight or cotton blend - don't mix wool and linen)

as a coffee table use two tables similar to the ones below - these are great because they have a glass top and open bases which keeps the look on the lighter side (Pair of Vintage Brass End Tables from Woodson & Rummerfield's)

For lighting, use a large floor lamp that functions as overhead light (again, move the heavy stuff away keep it light!) I love the Arco Lamp. It's available through Design Within Reach (Arco Floor Lamp; Measurements H 95" max. Shade Diameter 11.5" Base H 21.5" Base W 9.5")


Flooring
Ideally in this amazing loft space there are gorgeous hardwood floors. Ideally they would be stained a dark walnut color with a soft sheen. The furniture could then float on a simple sisal rug. These are available many places from Stark Carpet (to the trade) to Pottery Barn.


Windows
Simple panels would be best. Go for a dark gray natural fabric and plain blackened iron or bronze hardware with no finials.

everyone should have a studio

As some of my clients would tell you, I'm in a pattern happy place. This inspiration was fed this past weekend on a visit to Chicago. We saw beautiful Matisse paintings at the Art Institute. I always get so lost in his colorful, pattern clad paintings. We also visited Oak Park Village. Though we did not tour any of the Victorian homes I am day dreaming about their interiors! This week's (and inaugural!) post is a studio. It is a space to express and explore creativity. It is fresh but bold and would work for a large or small room...

Walls

I adore this wallcovering from Lee Jofa. The textured grasscloth is covered in a delicate gold painted geometric pattern. (P2007004 416; 27" W; 18" Repeat; 85% Jute, 15%Cotton)

It would be beautifully paired with a boldly colored palette. In this case we are going to use corals, tangerine oranges, and bright magentas, and rich aubergines.

Paint

Paint your base boards, crowns and window trims in a rich semi-gloss color. Farrow & Ball's Brinjal 222 would be perfect. Its strong plum color will offset the textured wallcovering. Use the Oil Full Gloss finish for all woodwork and doors. Matchstick 2013 in the Estate Emulsion Finish is a nice neutral for the ceiling. (Brinjal left, Matchstick right)

Floors

Wood or concrete floors can be painted an unorthodox color - go for a relaxed coral red shade, such as Farrow & Ball's Blazer 212. F&B has a special finish for floors.

Furniture

Normally I'm not a fan of Chair & 1/2's but this one is too fun to overlook! Mitchell Gold Bob Williams has great quality, reasonably priced upholstery. The best part is that their retail locations allow COM (customer's own material). The Jeanie Chair & 1/2 makes a perfect furniture piece for the studio. Its fun shape screams inspiration and it's perfect for daydreaming or working. Pull it off the wall and let it float so you can experience it on all sides. (Jeanie Chair & 1/2, 62" Dia)

Upholster the body in Clarence House's Hoffmann Velvet. The rainbow of colors (marigold, tangerine, persimmon, aubergine and everything in betwee) are a cut velvet texture, adding luxurious texture to the palette. (Clarence House Hoffmann Velvet - Red 34266-2, 51" W, Pile: 100% Silk, Base: 65% Silk, 35% Cotton)

Instead of doing the back pillows in the same fabric as the body, add more fabrics. Have 3 of the pillows covered in Galbraith & Paul's playful Citrus print in the Apricot colorway. Do the other 2 in Castel's electric Constance, color Or. Incorporate as much pop as possible - this piece can take it! (left, Galbraith & Paul Citrus, Apricot, 100% Upholstery Linen, 54" W; right, Castel, Constance, Or, 2276/54, 53% Viscose 47% Cotton, 55" W)

Place this graphic Clover Screen from Wandrlust behind the chair. It's important that this chair not be shoved against a wall, but it needs an anchor. (Antique Screen White Clover Design, SKU Number: 001102, 72.5" x 55.25" x 1.5")

Pair the chair with a table that allows you to work from a comfortable position. A pedestal base dining height table is the perfect thing. This octagonal game table from Mecox Gardens complements the shape of the chair without competing. (Octagonal Leather Game Table, FNT-1903-004, 36" dia 30" H, nail head details)

Group a colorful hand-blown venetian glass floor lamp from Donghia with the chair, screen and table. Shown below in a blue finish - go for the red! (Donghia, Piroetta Alta Lamp Granata finish, 80042-02)
Across the room you need a work space. Instead of a traditional desk go for a counter height table. This is a more productive way to do creative work. If you can find a rustic farm table that is 36-40" high grab it. Alternatively many of the large furniture companies carry these now. For instance, Pottery Barn makes The Bedford Project Table which would work just fine in this room. Be sure to keep this off the wall as well and orient it so that you have the most pleasant view available for working.

Work table lighting should be practical task lamp(s). Design Within Reach has a number of great options, such as the Kelvin Task Lamp. (Kelvin Task Lamp, 6989 W: 7.9" H 50")

For storage a piece like Anthropologie's Bird Cut Armoire adds pattern in a different way. (Anthropologie, Bird Cut Armoire, #56009, 74"H, 42.5"W, 20"D)Drapery
Use GP & J Baker's Mistral fabric for floor length drapery panels or a relaxed roman shade depending on your window style & room function. This wavy stripe has a lovely and colorful painterly quality about it. Ask your seamstress to make ring top panels. (GP&J Baker, Mistral Red, R1383 4, 37% Cotton 51% Linen 12% Nylon, 54" W)

Hang the panels from an earthy drapery rod with decorative finials, such as this one from Fabricant. Specify a 2 or 2.5" Diameter on the rod and a finial to your liking. I would also order this one in a dark brown wood finish, such as dark oak to offset the wallcovering. (Honeycomb, shown in Antique Cream - from l to r T55 Tieback, F55S small finial, F55L larger finial)

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