February 7, 2016

Dreaming of Spring - Fade to Blue

I don't know if it's the break in the El Niño rain or the glorious sunshine we're experiencing this weekend in San Francisco, but I'm dreaming of Spring. Nothing says Spring to me like a faded blue - from robin's egg to Marie Antoinette-worthy blue. These ethereal blues are singing to me right now, and I feel like cocooning myself in their soft chalkiness until Spring actually arrives. You won't find any moody blues here!

A blue ceiling brings life to this otherwise monochromatic room.  {via MyDomaine} — A blue ceiling brings life to this otherwise monochromatic room. {via MyDomaine}

This is Spring - Marie Antoinette blue, delicate lacework and baby flowers. {via Haute Design}

Modern blue tile reminiscent of a Moroccan riad brings a youthful providence to this room. {via Apartment Therapy}

Blue freshens-up this antique armoire.  {via Haute Design} — Blue freshens-up this antique armoire. {via Haute Design}

Saturated in blue and grounded in gold - what's not to love? {via Elle Decor}

Dreamy blue drapes paired with antique French chairs, set against a Chinoiserie wall - add a tray of macaroons and this is my decor dream sequence. {via Haute Design}

An inviting blue entrance - love that milky glass modern chandelier. {via Atlanta Homes}

These blue mid-century chairs breathe life into this antique white space. {via Happy Interior}

I love the muted Asian screens against the blue sofa. {via Veranda}

How could you not feel happy walking through this blue threshold? {via House of Turquoise}

These blue chairs contrasted against the dark brown wall are like Spring emerging from Winter...oh, and those books in the fireplace, pure genius. {via Jonathan Adler}

November 23, 2015

Interior Therapy with Ken Fulk

by Brandi Brown in Interiors

I'm already feeling the stress of the holiday season. With a jam packed work schedule, I realized today that I have only six days (3 weekends) to get my holiday spirit together - shopping, baking and decorating (oh, and of course some- many, cocktail parties)! In stressful times like these, I need a big dose of interior design therapy with my favorite bon vivant designer, Ken Fulk. It's no secret that I have a serious design crush on Fulk - He's a style maestro of bespoke and high gloss glamour with a trademark flair for taxidermy. Here's to feeling Merry with interior therapy featuring some of my favorite Ken Fulk interiors.

I love the juxtaposition of the worn antique trunk against the mid-century modern chairs, but the gilded religious bookshelf is the ultimate statement piece.

Who knew mint green could be an AMAZING interior color!

This bold wallpaper would transform any space into pure chic.

Forget the walls and focus on the ceiling.

Crushed green velvet normally wouldn't sound so nice but, in Fulk's hands, gorgeous!

No space is too small for large scale drama.

Ceiling to floor gallery wall and muted organic tones.

I never tire of artwork above a bath tub.

A vintage retail display houses Fulk's shoes at his home in San Francisco.

Vintage collars are artfully displayed next to stacks of vintage luggage.

Morocco meets minimalism in this serene living room.

I love the unexpected cow hide on the head chair.

Layers of patterns are surprisingly in harmony with the bold blue lacquered walls.

Bespoke luxury - stacked trunks and stacked books.

The sink makes this basic farmhouse kitchen swoon-worthy.

After seeing this, I'm convinced that every bathroom should have a chair in it!

I love the contrast of the eye popping tapestry against the moody brick walls.

Monogrammed garment bags keep orderly fashion of Fulk's clothing.

I usually don't like themed rooms, but there's something I can't resist about this room.

This glamorous space would surely lift your spirits during the holidays.

Black and white still reign as king of simple-chic luxury.

{Images via Ken Fulk Design}

October 21, 2015

Parisian by Design

by Brandi Brown in Interiors

Being fresh back from Paris, where I saw so many beautiful things, I am currently inspired by the Parisian's seemingly effortless decor style - the curated undecorated look. I spent several days scouring the puce, brocantes and iconic design stores brimming throughout the Parisian streets, in hopes of finding objets d'art that would replicate Paris's iconic beauty at home. And, another several days wondering in and out of the most fashionable hotels and couture shops for design inspiration. Every where I looked, the Parisian design sensibility was awe inspiring - emulating their fashion sense, Parisian decor balances the perfect mix of old and new in an artfully curated way that appears effortless. Here are some design tips worth stealing from the Parisians to make your home look like the coup d'etat of the bohemian, curated, layered chicness that, well, defines Paris style.

L'Art of Mix-n-Match. The Parisians have perfected the art of mixing flea market finds and different styles and periods. It is common to see a modern Philippe Starck Ghost Chair juxtaposed against an antique French farm table, or a Louis XV inlaid bureau topped with a contemporary sculpture. Period pieces of all sorts are welcome in a single room, creating a "collected over time" look.

Vintage Curiosities. Paris is famous for its many brocantes. I always plan my Parisian trip around puce market days (generally Saturday and Sunday), ensuring that I have at least two days to scout my favorite puce in Paris, Porte de Vanve. The idea of unveiling a 19th Century gilded mirror at the puce for the price of a cheap lunch (say $25) makes me giddy like a five year old on Christmas morning. Parisians frequent these brocantes in search of unique vintage accessories and curiosities that make their homes distinct and unreplicable.

French Gilt. Modern Parisian interiors are not generally flashy, but they do have a bit of worn sparkle in the form of a gilded picture frame, gilded mirror or gilded side board. Gilt is used sparingly but it is an essential piece of the Parisian decor puzzle. It pairs well against white washed walls and pops against modern saturated colors. The goal is not bright yellow gold, but a faded warm gilded piece that looks like it's been around since Marie Antoinette.

White Washed. Paris homes tend to be dark (unless they occupy the top floor and are drenched with sunlight), so it's no surprise that most Parisians prefer to keep their walls white washed. No doubt the period architectural details and moldings of the typical Parisian home help to prevent the white from washing out the character of the space. But, don't fret if you have a modern space void of architectural details, keep the walls white and add pops of character with dramatic drapes, colorful rugs and graphic art, or perhaps an accent wall.

Antique Rugs. Parisian spaces tend to be grounded by at least one large antique rug, or layered with smaller antique rugs. The rugs still allow the lovely wood flooring to peak out from beneath but add texture, warmth and color (as well as muffle the echoing sound of high heels walking on the wooden floor). A patterned or saturated colorful rug will pop against those white washed walls, in perfect harmony.

Dramatic Drapes. Ceiling to floor drapes, generously puddling on the floor, add a Parisian punch to any space. As an added bonus, they also visually enhance the height of any room. Silk, linen or velvet drapes will do, just don't forget the hardware to loosely pull the drapes back from the window.

Chandeliers Galore. Parisians love chandeliers, whether they be opulent crystal and gilt like those in Versailles or modern over sized geometrical shapes (like paper lanterns found at Ikea). It doesn't matter, just hang something grande! This may be one of the easiest ways to add that je ne sais quoi to a room.

Fresh Flowers. Flower markets are abound in Paris, allowing Parisians to easily pick-up seasonal bouquets to bring the colors and scents of the season into their home. Bouquets are artfully displayed in antique apothecary jars, chinoiserie jars or modern sculptural ceramics. Fresh flowers brighten any space with an organic element.

October 8, 2015

Trunk Love

by Brandi Brown in Interiors

As I pack for Paris, I'm dreaming of a time when steamer trunks were the luggage of choice. If I had it my way, I would be packing my gear in a Goyard trunk (impractical, yes, but also glamorous!). As a self-confessed addict of vintage trunks, I count at least 5 in my humble home at any given moment. I think they are the most versatile of decor pieces, and they bring a sense of historic luxe and a hint of a life well traveled to even the most modern of spaces.

I love them with worn beat-up leather, humped backs, deco travel stickers, lined with Louis Vuitton's trademarked canvas, campaign-style metallic, and raw wood - they are all tres chic. They are seeped in history, and that just may be the prime attraction for me.

Design Notes

Serving both form and function - a vintage trunk makes an artful heirloom side table or footlocker, with storage to boot. It's no wonder Restoration Hardware set about mass producing the lovely campaign style chest.
I prefer to leave my trunks in their original fashionable worn state, but if the boho look is not for you, with a little polish most vintage trunks can be brought back to a shiny state of being.
For a matching monotone look, paint your trunk in a white or grey chalk paint.
An antique Goyard or Louis Vuitton trunk is the ultimate find. Auction houses and high-end antique stores are the best source.
Musty smell? Keep lavender in the trunk (along with your linens) to combat both smell and moths.

September 30, 2015

Small Spaces: Designing a Home Office Nook

by Brandi Brown in Interiors

Whether you use it once a month to pay bills or every day to blog, your home office needs to be inspiring and efficient. Finding a nook within a small home to create an efficient yet inspiring home office can be a challenge but also a necessity of small house living. We re-imagined a small "dead" space (too small for cabinets but too big to be wasted) in our kitchen into a chic and compact home office that is grounded in a calm greige color scheme (which makes me feel organized no matter how disorganized I am), full of re-purposed objets d'art from travels and architectural artifacts that inspire me, and maximized on efficiency with a bookshelf and inventive storage solutions.

Architectural pediments salvaged from a dumpster (which means free!) frame a custom bookcase, and artfully define the space. Grey graphic contact paper scored from TJ Maxx for $4 lines the back of the bookcase and provides a dramatic (and easily removable) contrasting backdrop. An antique French bistro table provides a compact work surface with chipped enamel character, evidencing its former social use. Sitting at my "desk", I can imagine all of the wonderful meals and conversations that took place over the bistro table and, for me, this is the ultimate inspiration.

Re-purposing discarded objects provides visually pleasing utilitarian office storage solutions in our petite office - an old glove form corrals post-it notes, a vintage trophy picked up in Ojai holds paint brushes, and an antique leather binocular case from Paris offers scissors and rulers. Laduree boxes add pastel energy to the otherwise grey monotone space and hold paper clips, cords and ink cartridges. As for the unsightly necessity of a modern printer, I tucked it away into a seagrass Pottery Barn Beachcomber Lidded Basket. Not only is the basket an aesthetically pleasing solution but it offers a rough texture to the space that is the yin to the grey sheepskin's soft yang.

A Kartell-style Louis Ghost Chair (found on sale at HomeGoods for $80) adds the functional necessity of a chair without adding too much visual weight to the compact space. Harry Bertoia wire chairs would be another great option to keep the airy feeling.

Bookshelf layered with travel mementos turned storage

An old sculptural glove form offers fun post-its

Design is never finished, and our home office is no exception...I'm on the hunt for a modern airy chandelier (like this one) to create unobstructed visual interest...

Design Notes

Create a space that inspires you. For me, that means being surrounded by calm colors and mementos from travel (and, well, anything French is my muse). For others, that could be something totally bright and boho, or modern and crisp.
Location and Light. Consider traffic flow and natural light exposure. Tucked in a corner of our kitchen that is flooded with light from two large picture windows, my cozy home office provides me with the space and quietness from the house traffic that I desperately need to withstand distractions. Do you work best in a quiet moody space or a lively bright space?
Accessibility of Storage. Keep the daily items within easy reach. Nothing is more inefficient than constantly searching for a pen and paper or the electrical cord that you need for your tablet, camera, printer, etc.
Form Need Not be Over Function. Home office décor should complement the adjacent rooms of your home, rather than being a soulless white box of desk and storage. For example, my home office echoes the colors of the kitchen cabinets and seamlessly bleeds into the adjoining kitchen. Creative accessories (such as vintage trophies for a pencil holder and Laduree boxes for small storage solutions) and artistic pieces (which could be your kids' framed artwork, a modern graphic or a classic painting) enhance the comfy feeling of an office. If you have the space, a settee or love-seat are ideal. The more comfortable you are in the space, the more likely you are to use it.
Master Modern Technology. Beautifying the necessities of a computer and printer may be impossible, but you can hide the unsightly device or cords. Make sure to store the equipment near an outlet for easy access. Hide the device in a basket or the cord with a fabric cord cover (such as Pottery Barn's Basic Cord Cover), and contain cords with velcro ties (found at almost all hardware stores).

Images by Brooklyn Boheme.