Okay, this has nothing to do with design but these are just sooooo awesome. I saw them in the September Vogue, and well they are in “Lisa Blue.” People are talking and blogging about them all over.
YSL Palais Pump
Photo: The Shoe Goddess
Who says a closet can’t look good? This could be sculpture or art… Hmmm, new shoes or recover a chair?
Trays, trays and more trays. They have been the “it” item for designers like throws used to be. Fortunately trays are useful rather than just fluff. They come in every price range and are a must for today’s home.
Here is a totally chic tray found online at the Finnish Design Shop. Love, love the shape and color options. Useful or decorative, you choose how to use it.
How about galvanized? Inexpensive and hardy. These come in all shapes and sizes. Of course you can personalize for the decor or moment, just add color… placemats do the trick.
Or the fabulouly creative Annie Modica trays… available online in different shapes and sizes for any decor.
There are always the old standbys: woven or wood available of course from Crate & Barrel.
Trays are available for any home decor. What started as a trend is now a staple. Check out this 2004 installation of a custom leather ottoman with trays from Holly Hunt.
Ottoman from Holly Hunt
Many people have a particular aversion to wallcovering in a bathroom based on flashbacks of wallpaper peeling off the walls or those hideous designs our parents imposed on us from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Nothing say’s “style-less” more than dated wallpaper. (I won’t add to the detrimental effect by posting any horrific photos.) It seems countless people have wallpaper avoidance issues which given today’s options and technological advancements are entirely unwarranted.
Wallcovering by Maharam
Notice how the color changes from wall to wall, not an option with paint. This solid color vinyl has life and movement.
Bathrooms, not powder rooms are humid environments. Excess humidity causes mold and bacteria growth, neither are items we want in our homes. Ideally any bathroom with a shower or bath has an exhaust fan to remove humidity though humidity can still be an issue. This is why a commercial quality vinyl or TPO wallcovering is the perfect solution for a residential bathroom.
Wallcovering or Wallpaper. Wallcovering is the current term to define the reality of options beyond paper. Wallpaper is still available and much of it is way better than choices from twenty or more years ago. Some of today’s wallcovering options are:
Boogie Woogie - reprinted with permission of Wolf-Gordon
Wallcovering vs. Paint. Yes, there are mildew resistant paints made specifically for bathrooms and this can be a viable option, if you are in a time or $$ crunch and only care that it looks good for a short period. I prefer the superior cleanability, scrubability and the constant like-new appearance of a moisture resistant (vinyl or TPO) commercial wallcovering.
Maharam Coil (flat pattern) and Indent (physical texture)
Peel Avoidance. There isn’t a better way to title it. Today’s wallcovering adhesives are tough. They are applied, not part of the “paper”. If installed properly, the wallcovering will stay on the wall and look as fabulous in five years as it did on day one. The other bonus of current wallcovering adhesives is they can help provide a mildew and mold barrier.
Wolf-Gordon Boogie Woogie in orange with other finish selections
Cleanability. If you happen to get mold or mildew on your bathroom walls it requires bleach and other harsh solvents to remove, along with some significant elbow grease. This isn’t always an option with a painted wall. Many commercial wallcoverings are specifically made to stand up to scrubbing and harsh chemicals like bleach. People suggest just clean and repaint, but I find this cumbersome. In my experience I can’t not confirm these mildew resistant bathroom paints really do the trick over the long haul. I’ve had to repaint, to me this is a failure.
Cost. Material to material of course paint is cheaper. However, it doesn’t have to cost a lot more. Paint does not last as long as wallcovering. Paint is not impact resistant like a vinyl or TPO wallcovering. Quality wallcovering stays looking wonderful for a lot longer than paint.
Maharam Prism in three colors
Prisim with other finish samples
Wolf-Gordon Flexuous with colored onyx tile
Editorial note: Commercial wallcovering is neither ugly, generic or expensive. It is significantly thicker and more durable than typical residential vinyl wallcovering available in any hardware store. Cost per square foot is often much less expensive than general wallcovering. Commercial wallcovering is 54” wide and sold by the yard (keeps waste down too). Residential wallcovering is often 21”- 27” wide and sold by the roll. People who hate seams LOVE commercial wallcovering. Commercial wallcovering is best installed by a professional installer, though I have successfully installed it myself…use an installer. Commercial wallcovering may have the added benefit of anti-microbial and anti-bacterial qualities built into the product. There are numerous companies which offer commercial wallcovering but my current favorites are Maharam and Wolf-Gordon.
Gut it!
Fall seems to be a popular time for interior design projects especially if you are planning a holiday get together. Selecting a contractor can be problematic if you are not prepared. Word of mouth helps but everyone has a different idea of a good job or good value. So how do you compare contractors? The best way is to prepare a written scope of work aka: bid package.
Two rooms are now one.
Giving one bid package to the different contractors under consideration helps to insure you’ll get fair bids. Writing down the details helps you as the homeowner organize your concepts. Too often people present just an idea verbally. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation or for the conversation to change each time you present it to a new contractor which makes it hard to compare bids.
Giving every contractor the same bid package assures you the contractors are bidding on the same scope of work. Good contractors appreciate this. It makes bidding the job much easier. Contractors like clients who make decisions and know what they want.
Request contractors bids/estimates in writing as well so you can compare. Run fast and far from a contractor who balks at giving a detailed written estimate. Most contractors are professionals and are happy to provide this.
Kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects have the most details. But as super important rooms (and expensive) these are where you really need to nail down the specific details. Specifying white subway tile is not enough. List what/who’s white subway tile you have selected. There is difference in sheen, thickness, texture and size. Generalizing will only lead to unhappiness.
Once you’ve given your two or three contractors your bid package and evaluated their written estimates, go with your gut. A fancy portfolio or website is meaningless if the person makes your skin crawl. Can you talk to the person? Do they understand you? Is the conversation easy? Many home remodeing projects are pleasant and there are a number of fantastic professional contractors. The best contractors are those who listen first and then provide options. Good contractors are helpful, but don’t try and take the place of an architect or designer.
Great communication makes for a fabulous project. You can set the tone with the scope of work.
End result.
Pebble Beach 17 Mile Drive
Why no posting for a few days? I was on a non-interior design holiday. Actually it is summer and to be outside from morning to night is nothing to complain about. However, the 50-60 degree weather in California, though a nice change, felt a bit cold.
Nice "beach house" over looking Pebble Beach.
Test drives, auctions, car shows, car memorabilia, celebrities, motor racing, almost everything automobile was packed into six days in Carmel, Monterey and Pebble Beach, California. Just driving down the road was a car show. The annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was the proverbial cherry on top of a very rich and fattening daily indulgence of car events which made up the hot fudge sundae. Hannah Elliot of Forbes has some cute posts of the weekly highlights if you want the juicy details.
Test laps for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
I did manage to take hundreds of pictures which will take me a month to title and catalogue (in January). Those heavy auction catalogues we lugged back will come in handy. Actually I love reading the individual stories about the cars.
Honestly I really do attend these things for the love of four wheel art. Those old Packards, Duesenbergs, Rolls, Bentleys, and more from the 20′s – 40′s give me chills when I see and get to examine the meticulous detail of the exterior and interior design. Especially the work of Jaques Saoutchik. Love it, love it, love it. Book matched veneers, woven silk hand holds (from Scalamandre), Lalique mascots (hood ornaments), real gold interior hardware, upholstered walls, sumptuous seating, custom lacquered panels attributed the Art Deco artist Jean Dunard… uh, yeah this all relates to design. Let’s call it “idea central.” After all I did sketch some furniture and molding details for later use.
Here are a few things I found inspiring.
1949 Delahaye 175S - Saoutchik designed
Alfa Romeo Bertone concept car
Hood ornament detail
Jean Dunand panel on 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom ll Cabriolet De Ville
Real woven leather seating... in a convertible.
1929 Rolls Royce Phantom ll Torpedo Tourer built for an Indian Maharajah
Lalique rooster car mascot.
1937 Bugatti 575 Atlantic, simply stunning.
What a cute little Ferrari, and its not red.
Vintage racing Alfa Romeo
Who is that?
Can't forget the seals in Monterey Bay
Of course I had the most fabulously fashionable military inspired jacket on… underneath the raincoat – but still cold. Many women opted for the last-minute flat comfortable shoe for the soft wet grass. Thank you to LV for comfort and dry feet! Can you believe there is a joke(?) in Carmel about needing a permit for heels?
How did I get in this shot?
Oh, and a piece of trivia for all those Antiques Roadshow fans: guess which stars of the show are also Concours judges? Hint: Judges must really know their antiques in duplicate.
Interior Design Factory, Ltd.