DesignShuffle.com, a social networking website for design professionals, contacted me last week because they wanted to publish my work on their website for their 20,000+ followers/fans to see!

The post was featured just the other day…Please check it out here!

I hope you enjoy…Thank you, DesignShuffle!

It feels as though it hasn’t stopped raining here in Washington, DC for weeks, and everyone is ready to be outside! I recently got to do some gardening at my own home, but the weather has prevented us from some good entertaining outdoors, which got me thinking…

There are certain elements that have been dramatically improved not only in terms of durability and indestructibility, but aesthetically as well…Pillows, for instance…Outdoor fabrics now show more pattern, texture, and variety of color than they ever have before…so much so that I say “Why don’t you consider them for your indoor spaces?”

Clients are constantly looking for ways in which they can make their spaces more indestructible…child proof or suitable for regular entertaining! I particularly love these Cote d’Azur pillow covers from Restoration Hardware…These outdoor fabrics are impervious to stains and fading, and can be cleaned so easily if necessary…With RH’s variety of sophisticated color options, sizes, and patterns, I say consider bringing the outdoors in!

Beautiful selection, Restoration Hardware…I love the affordable options you have provided for clients!

Before having dinner last night, I decided to sit out on my back porch and go through the most recent issue of House Beautiful (May 2011).  Not only did the issue reveal some lovely spaces and refreshing product, but my attention was immediately grabbed by the opening letter.

Newell Turner, House Beautiful’s Editor-In-Chief, couldn’t have said what he wanted to say any better…In addressing the purpose of their magazine and the power of good design, Newell said:

“For the past five years, we’ve made House Beautiful a Q&A magazine for a reason:  to get right to the topic (decorating) in the words of the artist (the designer).  They’re the masters, and they’re always generous in sharing their visions and ideas with us–even revealing some of their secrets.”

It was a rewarding reminder, as a designer, that we do what we do because we’re good at what we do (or at least we hope!), and that we’re respected professionally for the difference we can make in people’s lives and homes.

Thank you, Newell…your letter is so appreciated!

A friend of mine, Giacomo, recently purchased his first home here in Washington, DC.  Being a wonderfully “ambitious homeowner” as many of us can be, Giac decided to renovate his Guest Bedroom himself!

The challenge for Giac wasn’t the actual work itself, but that HGTV wanted to film the work for an upcoming episode of Renovation Realities…and so they asked that he complete the project in just five days!

When HGTV arrived, Giac and his handy assistant, Yale, got right to work…The five days of do-it-yourself labor included the following:

Day 1:  Giac and Yale removed all of the insulation from the attic…They wanted the room to have more of a “light and airy” feel so they then removed the Guest Bedroom ceiling in order to convert the attic space to more of a loft space throughout…The rest of the day required cleanup of the demolition work.

Day 2:  Baffles and insulation were installed between the roof beams of the exposed roof…then the new ceiling was sheetrocked.

Day 3:  Electrical work tackled and a hole was cut to install a skylight in the “attic’s” ceiling, along with the skylight’s install!

Day 4:  The next task was to combine the original ceiling beams and reuse the dried pine from the attic to finish the wood moulding/siding at the level of the beams.

Day 5:  Completion of sheetrock and painting of the entire interior space…

Obviously, I work with contractors all the time to take on renovations for clients, but I personally don’t know how to do any of this work myself…so I was hugely impressed with this grand undertaking…especially in such a short period of time!

Giac sent me pictures of the completed space several days ago…I wanted to share the finished product with you…I’m really impressed with what he and Yale accomplished with this “gutsy renovation!”

I absolutely love the paint color selected with its olive and muddy undertones…The exposed beams and brick give the Guest Bedroom wonderful textural elements, and really add to the architectural feel of the home…and, of course, it should go without saying that I love the black doors with white trim…a classic punch that always gives more visual interest to a space!

Excellent job, Giacomo and Yale…I’m very impressed and thrilled to be able to share the “Before & Afters” with everyone!

Photo Credit:  Christopher Baker

Whenever we have guests staying with us, I always try to make the Guest Bedroom feel special…fresh flowers on the bedside table, maybe a candle, even fresh towels on a shelf for their visit.

Well, I surely have been outdone…and I have to say I’m quite impressed!  In my search for today’s blog photo, I came across this image from House Beautiful…Senga Mortimer, HB’s Editor-At-Large, shares some of her ideas as to what to leave on the Guest Bedside Table…I love what she had to say:

“Everything should be not only pretty, but useful. A pincushion. A magnifying glass. A stash box. But no clutter.”

“Don’t overwhelm the table with a giant bouquet. Two buds are enough.”

“Keep the latest magazines in drawers — but keep one drawer empty.”

I would say this guest is getting the royal treatment!  I absolutely love these ideas and recommendations, Selena…this is a thoughtful and elegant way to bring good design to others!

Check out these gorgeous 19th Century Indian Garden Gates!  Wouldn’t these make a fantastic headboard?  The possibilities of what you could pair them with or “begin layering them with to tell your story” are endless…

I love the detail in the finials, the iron dividing rods, and the overall texture and patina that these gates have…This interjection into one’s home / space could be the beautiful beginning to a blank canvas!

As always, I challenge you to think outside the box…Using something in an unexpected or new way is always a good thing!

In the most recent issue of Traditional Home (April 2011), a Master Bedroom that I designed for a Sweepstakes winner is revealed!  I’m absolutely thrilled with the spread and overall layout / presentation of my recommendations!  While the Before photos are not included, I can tell you that the transformation is quite dramatic…

An Online Virtual Tour of the Master Bedroom and Master Bath will be available on Traditional Home’s website in late March…Trad. Home recorded my voice on Friday to include my selections and recommendations for Mr. and Mrs. Reckner’s home…You will find the Online Tour to be much more extensive, detailed, and informative…so stay tuned!

Thank you, Traditional Home…As always, it’s an honor to work with and be featured by you!

While researching accessories for a client’s bathroom, I came across this adorable ring dish!  Dinner party plans this weekend?  This dish would make a fantastic host or hostess gift…

The Fledgling Nest Ring Bowl from Anthropologie is packed with pluses…It has texture, it has a brass finish yet reads like an antique with tons of patina, and its delicate scale of 4.5″ is perfect…Should you be concerned that it wouldn’t be appropriate for a man?  Fear no more…This small bowl could hold rings, cuff links, or even collar stays!

This bowl would make an excellent addition to any tablescape…Don’t forget to layer those canvases with well thought out accessories!

Happy Friday!

I typically find with clients and friends that when they’re looking for a piece of furniture to function in a particular way that they usually only look in certain areas based on the piece’s description.  For instance, a “nightstand” would be the only option for a nightstand, a buffet would be the only option for dining room storage, or a media center would be the only consideration to house a television and the necessary components.  This does not have to be the case, and I challenge you to think a little more outside the box when making the perfect selection for your home.

I have implemented many design schemes where a television is hidden…I have also implemented many design schemes where the television is exposed…Having the television exposed isn’t necessarily ideal to me,  but it’s also more important to me to create an environment that is livable and useable for a client…so it all depends on the client’s needs, interests, and lifestyle.  I find that the advantage to a hidden television is that the space can take on many more uses…It allows for more versatility and more functionality…Therefore, the television doesn’t become the focal point of the space…Rather, it’s an additional element that can be exercised, if desired.

Selecting a piece of furniture that’s to function as a media center shouldn’t be limited to those pieces that are described in that way.  An armoire, for instance, that has the necessary dimensions to house a particular television is more than capable of operating as a media center…All that’s required is the drilling of holes in order to allow cord control / access!

In my opinion, this armoire from Restoration Hardware is quite a steal!  The French Arch Pediment Armoire is currently reduced from $1995 to $995…On top, it has one fixed shelf and two removable shelves…The bottom section would be perfect for storing components…Its classic in design, practical in that it’s a reproduction with the appearance of an antique, and strong in scale.

Don’t limit yourself to obvious descriptions…There are endless options out there that are sure to meet your design needs and give your space the unique character and personality that you’re looking to achieve!