CLUES FROM THE CLOSET

When its time to decorate take a clue from your closet - the dresses, blouses, skirts and pants fabrics, the shoe colors and the textures may help you negotiate your choices for a lively environment.  Ask yourself, what colors do I consistently reach for when getting dressed? Do I like dark tones or bright colors? Do I like textures or flat weaves? Do I like clothes with sheen or do I like matt finishes?  By walking through your closet you could be inspired to create the perfect room to live in.

ETHNIC AND ANIMAL PRINTS

Fashion and interiors are each influenced by the other.  So for interiors in 2012 I am taking clues from fashion and at the top of my trend list are ethnic and animal prints.  Translated, they will work well in a city sophisticate home or a ranch in Wyoming.  They’ll work as sofas and chairs or even drapery.  If you’re not afraid to wear them you won’t be afraid to live with them.

Photo: Bazaar Magazine Jan 2012 - Dress and necklace by Donna Karan

 This beautiful room from Martyn Lawrence Bullard could have been inspired by the dress and beaded necklace above.  Bullard’s unique emphasis on handcrafted textiles and accesories bring a delightful and timeless twist to his interiors.

Photo from Web Site Martyn Lawrence Bullard

PASTELS

Another important trend for 2012 will be pastels.  From NY to LA pastels will make you confident to work the room.  The soft colors will take your home from frumpy to feminine – from lackluster to perfect.

Photo from Bazaar Magazine Jan 2012 – Dolce Gabbana, Ralph Lauren and Chanel 

Pastel’s from Nancy Corzine are the epitamy of chic. 

Photo from Nanacy Corzine Glamour at Home

CAMEL & TAUPES

Camel, taupe and grey combinations will also be popular for 2012.  Pants and shawls, purses, boots, and coats will all figure prominently in the lineup. Rooms with camel sofas, gray chairs and champagne drapes have the potential to be breathtaking, fresh and exciting. 

Photo: Bazaar Magazine Jan 2012

This room keeps beige and tone on tone colors exciting with the addition of patterns.

Photo from Veranda Magazine

Taupy brown is great when paired with beige and patterns

Photo from Veranda Magazine

 COLOR                            

Photo from In Style Magazine Jan 2012

In 2012 color is still important – blue, red and especially yellow.   Use it in your dress, in your paintings and as pillows to POP a room.  I love this entry with the yellow bench pad.  Its so HAPPY.  Happy 2012!!!

 Photo from Veranda Magazine 2012

If you’d like help creating the “Home of Your Dreams” contact us at 303-355-3604  G Marie Interiors  gwenmarie2@cs.com

Though everyone is all about red right now, I think I’m going to stick with gray.  Even though I’m a Denver Interior Designer gray is my “Go To” neutral color all year long.  Its not as cold as you’d think.

 For the Holiday’s gray with a touch of red brings out the hospitality in a room. In this dining room that evokes the interiors of Elsie de Wolfe, silver leaf paper, gray silk window treatments, and painted Chippendale-style chairs combine in a setting that is layered in elegance.  Anchored with gray its the perfect room for a holiday meal that will inspire your guests and family.

 Photo from Southern Accents on Color

Gray is that chameleon color that many other colors look great next to and any style can be designed around.  Whether its used in a modern decor with a hint of gray on a sofa or in transitional textural appointments like gray painted fireplaces, I think of this color as an elixir.  Add a big burst of color to gray accents and a room becomes a shrine to good taste and relaxed harmony.  Denver Interiors look great in theses colors.

 Photo from Veranda Magazine

  The famous Decorator Barbara Barry uses gray in her home in Los Angeles and it is ultimately sophisticated. Gray, like a tailored suit, takes away all sharp edges, all harsh glares, and appears infinitely livable.  Here the gray knocks your socks off.

Photo from Elle Decor

Gray is steady, resigned, stable, dignified, cool and safe. In this room its deliberate.

Photo from Veranda

Gray can be quiet and calming with infinite dimension and versatility.  

Gray can be feminine of masculine and either gender could live in a gray inspired room.  Gray plays many roles.

 Image from kidllc.com

 Grey is useful in covering up a room’s sins.  Paint those speckle textured white walls or old cabinets gray and they take on a whole new life. With the current emphasis on natural materials – on walls and floors, coiunter and tabletops – it seems only natural that gray would find its way into today’s interiors – especially kitchens.  I love these dark gray painted cabinets – so cool and classy. 

Photo from Elle Decor

 Gray is a statement – in this wallpaper its OVER THE TOP perfect.

 If you would like inspiration for the home of your dreams please contact me at 303-355-3604. 

With Denver’s G Marie Interiors  your dreams can come true.  Gwen Smith Ehrlich

“INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS”

Everyday can be a special occasion when you create table settings dressed up with place mats, napkins, foliage, found objects and collections.  Here are some of my favorites.

This place setting has international flavor.  Most of the tableware was designed exclusively for the Modernature collection http://www.modenature.com/ from Henri Becq in Paris. The clean lines of the silver pitcher and dishes are gorgeous.

Photo:  from the book Bachelor Style

With morning dining often being a quick eat and run, a breakfast setting will make everyone  notice somethings up and maybe slow down.  Set the table for breakfast and start the day off  right.  This table scape features a hand-screened printed runner from Williams-Sonoma.  http://www.williams-sonoma.com/   To me it speaks of lazy morning dining with family all around soaking up the happiness.

Here is a place setting by Juliska  http://www.juliska.com/  Use it to set up a summer dinner on the patio or a fireside dinner in the winter.  I am all over bamboo for year round dining. 

For some glamorous dining here is an exciting use of pinks, greens and golds on a mirrored table.  The vintage backdrop is pretty.  The glasses are from Horchow.  http://www.horchow.com/products/wine-glasses.jsp

Some of my favorite table settings are designed by Carolyn Roehme.  She has a panache about table setings that is incredible.  This place setting uses autumnal colors against a classic blue and white theme. The green dishes and deer horn candlesticks transform the setting.

Summer is almost over but there is still time to indulge in this table setting of natural beachy elements.  Ocean blue and green with light woods and pristine white juxtaposed with driftwood, ceramics and linen create an ideal setting.

Another great summer look is this coral inspired setting.  The dinnerware is like jewelry, designer inspired with elements of charm.  So chic – a - boo.

 Dream Big or Go Home. If you want to go full force formal this table setting will knock your guests socks of f.    I love the crystal shimmering in candle light and the wonderful red boquet.  It reaks of romance.  And who is that guy in the portrait?  Someone infamous or dyabollical?  Only the host  knows.  And you’ll only find out if you’re invited to dine.

Here is a setting all of us can recreate with little trouble.  Its down to earth easy.  White plates on top of black chargers, interesting glasses and a centerpiece of limes for color.  YOU CAN DO THIS.   Invite the family over and see what happens.  People love to be surounded by simple creative energy.

“INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS”

Here is a wallpaper that is OVER THE TOP – available at Town in the Denver Design Center.  Its watercolor inspired theme is intoxicating.  It would be great in a restaurant or on one wall of  my party room.  Can’t you just imagine it?

Wallpaper by Fromental is my new favorite discovery.   The wallpaper is custom designed in England to fit your wall space, sent to China to be  hand painted, returned to England for inspection and then sent to you.  Around the world design that is so worth it at about $216 a square yard if its painted.  It can also be enhanced with embroidery for about $440 a square yard.

The Fromental dining room panels below are so expressive and exciting.

Here is a bathroom papered in the Pop-pop flowers pattern by Fromental.  Zingy isn’t it?  You  can  choose from several color schemes. This paper can also be painted or embroidered.

Wallpaper that pops is novel.  I can imagine this paper on the kitchen walls of a bungalow.  What FUN!! What POP!!!!

Photo from Veranda April 2011

Look at this paper  installed in the St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London. It would be gorgeous in a powder room.   Are you brave enough?  Are you bold enough?  Come on be gutsy and put it in your powder room.  Show off.

Photo from Elle Decor

This wallpaper is awesome.  Its fresh and over the top FUN!!

Is this wallpaper simply beautiful or what?  Its by de Gournay.   Whether you prefer a newly decorated look or the aged look, the company will oblige. They will age any of its hand-painted silk wall coverings.

Here is a project where I used grass cloth in a powder room.  It really WORKS for a clean finished look.

Another garden inspired paper I could easily live with.

This papered dining room wall was shown in House Beautiful in 2005.  Its so today.

I love this Pied-a-Terre’s wallpaper.  It just envelopes the room in sophistication.

NOW – GO BIG OR GO HOME

The Russian dancer Nureyev was a moving force who  owned houses in Monaco, New York, Virginia, London, St Barts, an island called Li Galli off the Amalfi Coast and in Paris.  The wallpaper in Nureyev’s  Paris home is so spirited its like tigers roaring.  Actually you can hear his designer roaring.  The wall coverings are leather.  Imagine that.

Photos from Elle Decor feature Nureyev at home.

Flashy digs for a flashy dancer.

“INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS”

STICKS

and  STONES

BECOME FLOORS

Many of today’s homes are carpeted, but I think wood and  stone floors have proven their infamy in many decors.  A wide plank wood or a natural stone floor that encompasses a homes entire living area offers an exciting approach to flooring.  Each board of a wood floor tells a story of beautiful summers and long cold winters.  Each slab of stone tells the story of unmovable resilience.   Their sustainable use has become a great pride for environmentalists and designers.   Today we know the importance of using felled trees and quarried stone in prudent and ecological manners and each provides the perfect source material for future human endeavors.

MANUFACTURED WOOD  FLOORING

Kährs has been manufacturing quality wood in Sweden since 1857.  They invented engineered hardwood floors and are Europe’s most popular hardwood brand,  guaranteed for life.  Whichever Kährs floor you choose you’ll own a floor created by nature and crafted using the very best technology, with total respect for the environment.  A Kährs floors will live up to all of your expectations.

Cherry Genua floor

Kährs demands suppliers to guarantee the origin of wood and sustainable and responsible forestry is the basis of their operation. In view of this, they have stopped marketing threatened wood species until there are processes and documentation that offer guarantees that the rainforest timber is derived from controlled sources.

Kährs  sustainable timber comes in natural colors that won’t walk or scratch off.  The wood can be used in about any room in the house except a full bath.  Their engineered hardwood  can be installed over sub-floors and existing floors.  They can even be installed over radiant heat systems.  For the health conscious family,  Kährs floors contain few chemical compounds and virtually no chemical emissions.

TRIVENETA PARCHETTI -  ITALIAN FLOORING PRODUCTS

The New York Design Festival offers exhibitions, educational programming and special events to celebrate New York City and its role as the leader in the fields of art, architecture and design.  A few years ago I discovered the  Design Festival’s  Pier 94 and an Italian floor company called Triveneta Parchetti.   Since 1980, Triveneta Parchetti’s wood floors have been manufactured entirely in Italy with modern electronic equipment that ensures perfection in detail.

With Triveneta Parchetti floors you can enjoy the pleasure of living with environmentally friendly and hand crafted wood flooring finished with natural materials such as oils, resins and waxes of vegetable or animal origin.  There are no petroleum, formaldehyde or pentachlorophenol products in the flooring.  Triveneta Parchetti floors are designed to improve the quality of life in your home.

Ri Struuat Turan Do Collection in brushed and aged larch

The Triveneta Parchetti Collection  features a parquet floor called Pavimento that is stupendous.  The parquet looks great in a wine cellar or on kitchen floors.

The Parquet floor

Triveneta Parchetti’s  Shabby Colors Collection includes wonderful colors – Verde (Green), Beige, Celeste (Blue),Rosa (Pink), an Blanco (white).

Verde, Beige, Blue, Rosa

Blanco

Beautiful Blanco Floors by Triveneta Parchetti

STONE FOR ALL

My favorite flooring product is natural stone and especially travertine.

Travertine has been used for thousands of years in homes and buildings. The Romans built the Colosseum with travertine.  Since it was less rare than marble, it made a perfect alternative in areas where marble was less appropriate.  Look what they created.

The Colosseum

TUMBLED OR POLISHED

Polished travertine is slippery when wet so using a textured brushed or tumbled travertine is best in high traffic areas.  The polished or honed travertine can be used on walls or counters.  For high-traffic areas, some experts suggest using travertine mosaic flooring because the smaller size of the stones can help prevent cracking as occasionally seen in larger tiles. In general, the travertine flooring tiles sold to customers have a Measurement of Hardness (MOH) rating of about three or four, which is comparable to marble.

Tumbled Travertine

Travertine stone flooring that has been polished and sealed can help contribute to the air quality of your home as it does not absorb odors, chemicals, or gases.  Dirt stays on the surface of the sealed stone, rather than being ground in, and can easily be removed.

Tumbled travertine on a kitchen floor

Below is a photo of my Denver basement where  I installed travertine in a Versailles pattern.  Its been amazing.  Its actually cool in the summer and room temperature in the winter.  The upkeep is minimal, taking only a damp mopping on occasion.

Tumbled Travertine on a basement floor

So next time you need a floor product, think about wood and or stone.  They can absolutely be combined for a great  interior floor.

“Inspiration for the Home of Your Dreams”

Gardens surround farmhouses, estates and chateaus around the world.  They create landscapes for our most renown artists to paint and are a source of nourishment. There is no better time than spring to prepare the garden, the outdoor interiors of our lives.   The blooms that will fill our beds to overflowing and the shrubs and trees that create  boundaries of endless beauty are as much to be swooned over as our interior rooms and with the troublesome economic conditions and increased interest in organic and sustainable living, many people are turning to vegetable gardening.

One lovely garden I want to share with you is on Fisher Island where my brother in law enlisted the help of a former model and niece of ex-Attorney General Janet Reno,  to create a sizable vegetable plot.  The Miami garden was begun back in December 2010 and took a lot of preparation as you can see by all the work going on in these photos.  Denver would never be so lush.

The results are spectacular and once a week, the island chef  Stephane  Caporal selects items from the garden to prepare special menus for gourmet night.  The residents love the idea of organic and the tomatoes, lettuce and herbs are well served.

The garden is behind a berm of tall grass to protect it from the brisk ocean breezes that can occur on the island.  Here is a photo of John and Hunter Reno in the garden.  Look at the lush abundance.

John Ehrlich and Hunter Reno (the gardener) – the Miami Herald

In  Miami the growing season is slowing down when our growing season in the Rocky Mountains is just beginning (April).  Some herbs will remain in the Florida beds until June and then the soil will be allowed to rest until fall.  The process is a real testament to mans ability to tame the earth and grow rich abundance and nourishment in a variety of conditions.

Look at these lovely veggies that have come out of the garden.  Just think what we could grow for our own families with just a bit of determination and effort.

Basil I think

THE POTAGER

Now, a twist on the typical garden.  Plant a potager (pronounced poe tah zhai in French), a traditional kitchen garden in which vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown together to enhance the beauty of your landscape .  The goal is to make the function of providing food aesthetically pleasing and its more popular than the traditional rows or blocks.   The French are masters at getting the most out of their potagers and virtually every French yard has a spotless vegetable garden.  Often, it occupies most of a small yard and is planted tightly.  Here is the beautiful Le Potager du Chateau de Bosmelet.  Look how the rows of lettuce compliment the swirling yellow flowers.

Photo  – Le Potager du Chateau de Bosmelet from LArelier Vert Everything French Gardening

The unique garden below is the rainbow vegetable garden, (le potager “Arc en Ciel”).  It has quadrants arranged classically by color: sapphire blue, amber (yellows through orange), garnet red, and ivory white.

A wealth of flowers and vegetables mingle superbly in this potager.  Cornflowers, nicotiana, red orach gone to resplendent fuschia as it turns to seed, cleomes, amaranths, cockscombs, and nasturtiums number among the annuals.  The mixed borders are filled with  shrubs, perennials and colorful foliage.  One entire wide row is devoted to a staked riot of dahlias that grow lustily to 5 or 6 feet tall.

GARDEN LOCATION

When choosing the location for your garden, keep in mind that most vegetables and herbs need as much sun as possible to do their best.  Good drainage is also a must, so avoid low-lying areas where water collects.  Another consideration is the distance from your garden to the kitchen.  If you are a spontaneous cook, you may want to have your herbs and veggies right outside the kitchen door within easy picking distance. If proximity isn’t a major concern, decide where you will spend the most time and site it for maximum viewing.  Do you spend a lot of time relaxing on your deck or patio or would you rather see your garden framed by the picture window in your favorite room?
When you’ve chosen the best site, prepare the area just as you would for a new perennial bed.  You will need some stakes and string to lay out your chosen design. To form a rectangle, position the stakes at the four corners, with the string running between them. Triangles may be marked off on the diagonal, and diamonds created by positioning a center stake midway between each corner stake. To create a circle, measure a length of string equivalent to the radius of the finished bed and attach the string to a stake anchored at the circle’s center. With the end of the string in your hand, walk the circle’s circumference, etching its outside edge as you go.

Once you have the “bones” of the garden–it is time to plant your family’s favorite herbs, fruits and vegetables.  For season-long color, add bright edible flowers in groups in the front and around the border as edging plants.

Edible flowers that grow in Colorado include:

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) perennial, Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) annual,  Daylily(Hemerocallis spp.) perennial,
English Daisy (Bellis perennis) annual/biennial, Geranium, scented (Pelargonium spp.) annual, Gladiola (Gladious spp.) annual, Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) biennial, Johnny-Jump-Up (Viola tricolor) annual, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) perennial reliably hardy only to Zone 5, Lemon Marigold (Tagetes tenufolia ‘Lemon Gem’) annual, Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.) annual, Pansy (Viola x wittrockiana) hardy annual, Petunia (Petunia x hybrida) annual, Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) hardy annual, Rose (Rosa spp.) perennial, Sunflower (Helianthus annua) annual, Violet (Viola cornuta) perennial

GARDEN INSPIRATION

Here is a beautiful garden of the Chateau du Grand Jardn, Joinville, Haute-Marne that displays not only  practical implementation but a love for nature and the land.  Its a large space but we lowly beginners can copy the elements and do smaller versions of it.  Maybe an evergreen surounded by lavendar and some essential herbs.

Château du Grand Jardin, Joinville, Haute-Marne  Photo from Everything French Gardening

Using this inspiration I am starting a VERY small kitchen garden in the bricked planter area on my patio.  As you can see by the photo below there are a few succulents, an evergreen tree and some honeysuckle vines already in play.  Its a small area I’ve add some lavender,  English daisies,  basil, peppers, squash and some strawberries in the wall container.  Everything might overgrow but I’m willing to take my chances.  The Budha is my outdoor accessory.  I will train the  ivy plants to flow over the edges of the brick walls in splendor.   I’ll keep you posted as to how this turns out.   DON’T YOU JUST LOVE SPRING.

My Denver Potager

“Inspiration for the Home of Your Dreams”

Books support the interests of people to pursue learning and are a tell tell sign as to whats important to them.  Whenever I find myself in a home that has no books I wonder what the inhabitants are interested in, what makes them tick, what they find amusing in life, how they get outside their heads.   So when the idea came up of blogging about bookshelves I found it the perfect opportunity to tune into peoples ability to display books with other objects and express themselves.

Books make the woman or man – as the case may be – they add personality PLUS

BOOKSHELVES ANYWHERE

Bookshelves can be placed anywhere, in the living room or family room,kitchen or dining room.The bookshelves I designed for my Denver dining room incorporate objects and books of various subjects.  Everything from medical text books to Stieg Larsen’s, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.  The books are interspersed with artwork,  sculptures and even a crystal collection that makes the room glow.  I have also added mirrors and floral arrangements.  All of these elements eliminate monotony.

Proper lighting with halogen lights, usually to spot the top of the bookshelves, can make the bookshelves design more elegant.  Bookshelves can be made in various forms and materials including wood and MDF (which can be easily painted and in any color you can think of to match other elements in the room), glass, stainless steel, or wrought iron.  Bookshelves  can be designed around doorways and TVs and can have their rear walls painted or papered different colors.  There are so many options.

Book shelves in a room make a  grand impact.

Bookshelves used as room dividers are better than walls.  They keep the rooms open and airy.

Bookshelves arranged around the TV take the attention off the TV – making it blend into the space more.  Built around a fireplace bookshelves seem to set the atmosphere for spontaneous interaction.

Bookshelves over a doorway create charisma and bring a bit of whimsy to the room.

Color in the bookcase adds dimension.

THE MODERN BOOKCASE

Today there are some amazing bookshelves that fit perfectly in the contemporary house.  Italian manufacturers Doimo have launched their collection of contemporary bookcases that are suitable for any modern dwelling.  Doimo design offers a wide range of products that are rich in identity with  world renowned Italian style.  Doimo products are a perfect synthesis of functionality, technology and design.

BOOKSHELVES AS THE FOCUS OF THE ROOM

Bookshelves can effectively become the focus of a room.  Focus on designating areas, staying organized and choosing a theme that suits you for best results.  The room can be centered around the books and objects much like you would center them around a fireplace.   Arrange seating areas where people can talk and sit comfortably.  Put tables next to chairs so a drink can be placed while reading one of the books from the shelf.

Nature is the greatest inspiration for creating awesome furniture.  In spite of the unusual shape of this bookshelf  its still practical and useful and a focal point in the room.

Bookshelf as focus of the room.

OPTION – THE STAND ALONE UNIT

A stand alone bookshelf unit can be used as a room devide or as an anchor on either side of a window.  So many designs are available for today’s practical interiors.  Here are a few I found on the internet.  They will not only store your books but will give your interiors architectural details without having the potentially higher cost of built-ins.

This shelf from Baker is phenomenal.  Not only does it have shelves for books but it also has an enclosed storage compartment.  It would be gorgeous on either side of a fireplace.

This traditional shelving unit is form Willshire.  It would be beautiful in a bedroom or even in a family room.

The crate shelves mounted on a wall in a kids bedroom create the perfect space for storing books and other items like trophies and stuffed animals.

I’m convinced that books can be incorporated into any interior.  Bookshelves are a design element that will add value to your home or office.

INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS”

Blue is the least “gender specific” color, having equal appeal to both men and women.   Just a plain blue and white color combination conjures up images of  white capped waters or a sky full of  complicated clouds.  You can add colors like reed yellow, root black, tree limb burnt umber, sienna sand and leafy green next to blue to make an exciting palette.   Adding the other colors creates an  earthly influence of  bounty.

PUTTING COLORS TOGETHER

Start your blue and white interior with  a creative and inspiring seascape or landscape.  Last week in Marina Del Rey I looked out across the marina and saw this boat sailing along – it is going to be the key inspiration for my next blue room.  I’ll use dark and light blues, some hints of yellow and then maybe a green, yellow, white and blue patterned rug.  As a guest room it could be spectacular.

In this interior the blue, black and white are tempered by the natural colors of the accessories.  The cloud white walls, the reed yellow basket,  the sienna sand colored ottomans, a dollop of  purple blue in the hydrangeas and the leafy green all make this natural palette as breathtaking as the Marina Del Rey.

Photo – Cover Veranda 2011

Three weeks ago in the Basque Del Apache (Woods of the Apache) bird sanctuary near Albuquerque, New Mexico,  I took this photo.  The blue next to the gold, browns and reds would be a nice color combination in a family room.

This beautiful room reminds me of the Basque Del Apache – on a bright sunny day.   The crystal chandelier is like  clouds floating over the landscape in the New Mexico sky.  The blue and white porcelain lend an air of sincerity to the space.

ACCESSORIES IN BLUE & WHITE

Every time I look at the blue and white porcelain collection in my Denver guest room I am enamored at the history and the beauty behind these pieces of transparent earthenware Delft, Chinoiserie, and junk from the unassuming Pottery Barn.  They work together because they all compliment each others line, form and beauty.   They are brilliant.

INTERNATIONAL APPEAL

Below  is a room where the blue and white theme is not only romantic, but it conjures up images of far away places.  Its very international with the tin and wood bed from Mexico, the toile de Jouy lamp shades, the French Louis XV chair, the cotton ticking on the lounge chair and the carpet that was inspired by Delft tiles.  The patterns, stripes, florals and solids all reflect a profound love of color.

Vincent Wolf’s blue room was inspired by this wall he saw while driving through a small town in Ethiopia. The band of white on the walls sets off the blue while the verticals and horizontal stripes create a powerful graphic image that is iconic in today’s modern interiors.

Photo by Vincent Wolf

The use of blue and white in the room takes various shades of blue and white and combines them in such a sophisticated pallet it is hard to dismiss its validity.  The use of white in the lamps, the white marble containers and the white Noguchi table are a brilliant accentuation to this up to date look.

Photo from book Vincent Wolf A Global Vision of Design

A TWIST TO BLUE & WHITE – SUBMERGE IT IN YELLOW LIKE MONET

Here is a twist on the blue and white theme.   Monet was inspired when he created this classic dining room at his house in Giverny.  Years ago when I visited the house I was impressed with the simple sophistication of the blue and white enveloped in overflowing yellow.  The color schemes subtle blend of blues and whites with Japanese-inspired decorations and Meissen and Sevres ware make the interior a success.

Photo from the book Monet’s House

“Often when people decorate with the blue-and-white look it fails, because it’s just blue and white. It’s like dressing all in black. It works if there’s black patent with black silk with black wool…the subtle variations,”  says JAMES RADIN, interior designer.  The subtle variations you use with blue and white include earthy colors,  dashes of surprising texture and the natural elements that compliment it.

Mr. Radin helped the production design team with Diane Keaton’s house in Something’s Gotta Give.”

Room below also designed by James Radin

SIMPLIFY

Here blue is inserted inside an old cabinet and it looks beautiful – just enough to give the room sparkle.

TAKING BLUE AND WHITE OUTSIDE

• Looking for summer decorating ideas? Nothing says summer bliss like a Hamptons inspired luncheon (or dinner). Pair classic white ceramic dishes with blue table settings for a clean and sophisticate look. Add a touch of yellow to complete your classic look. If you want something a bit more contemporary, pair stark white tableware with rich, cobalt blue pieces
• Blue & white textiles (pillows, accent rugs, window treatments) look gorgeous against warm, neutral furniture like wicker seating and honey woods
• Do not be conformed to the traditional navy and white palette. Though we think this pairing is fabulous, you can use a variety of blue hues against white (or off white colors like cream). If you would like a more mod space, use vibrant blues against whites

Taking blue and white outside is romantic and nobody has done a better job than Carolyn Roehm who designed this outdoor dining table.  The hydrangeas make the atmosphere organic.  The patterned pots on the striped table cloth makes the atmosphere vibrant.

Here is another photo I  like for inspiration.  I’m drawn to the crisp whites next to the different hues of blue with a dash of green and a tiny bit of yellow.  How nice is that?

Photo from the book “Seaside Interiors”

“INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS”

OSCAR GOLD is everywhere in interior design – wallpaper, finishes, pillows, lamps, picture frames, tables, bottles, chandeliers, bowls, fabrics, statues and chairs.  Its the bomb when it comes to adding a rich statement to any decor and manufacturers throughout the industry are making it easy to bring this touch of opulence to the home.  Gold is timeless, adventurous and priceless.   Once you find a piece, you’ll love how it becomes the stunning piece that enlivens your space.

Everything Gold is New Again

ENTRIES are a fabulous place to start incorporating gold in your interior.  As the first thing people see when they step into your world they’ll be thinking CLASS ACT !

GOLD TIP   – If you don’t have real gold, you can use gold spray paint to fake it. Some higher-end spray-paint products do a great job of duplicating the look of gold. You can look at home improvement websites for techniques to make fake gold look aged. It might not pass the close-up test, but for random decorative elements in your home it will work great.

Above is a room with chairs that have been sanded and painted gold.  Look at the impact.

GOLD PAINT is also good for a large-scale impact on the walls.  Paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore has issued its 2009 Color Pulse forecast with three gold tones making the grade. True metallic gold offers a glittery sheen, while shades such as “old gold” and “Glen Ridge gold” bring rich autumnal hues. The maker’s Studio Finishes Latex Metallic Glaze can also add a golden sheen to any paint color you choose. The acrylic-based glaze is easy to apply, the company says, and resists spattering during application. Drying quickly to a glimmering translucent metallic luster, the semigloss glaze is available in gold, silver, bronze, copper, white, or pearlescent tint base.

GOLD WALLPAPER is the perfect enhancement.  This one is from Vahallan Papers.  Its called El Dorado from the Black Reserve series. What a zinger – its got so much personality it will stop guests in their tracks.  This photo is a little pale.  The actual color is very vibrant.

GOLD in BATHROOMS is a major opportunity to impose gold with impunity.  Custom hardware manufacturer Ferse offers its Ribbon faucet  featuring carved and sculpted handles.  The design is dramatic without going overboard. A modern matte gold will keep it subtle and stylish. This finish is not to be confused with brass, which I have in my Denver home.  Its just doesn’t compare to this beautiful finish.

For BATHROOM TILES nothing beats Ann Sacks Davlin collection.  It is inspired by the ancient mosaics of Ravenna and San Marcos and is produced with the finest quality European gold leaf fused between two pieces of handcrafted glass.  Not inexpensive but what BANG like this would be?  This installation is fabulous.

GOLD TABLES like this one in a Nancy Corzine interior creates a lovely focal point.   This room was in the August 2007 Veranda, from a Veranda showhouse in Florida.  The gold floor lamps, picture frames and gold rug are also marvelous.

Photography by Tria Giovan.

GOLD BOTTLES can be used quite effectively on a table or in a bookshelf as an item of interest.  These are  available through Kravet, Denver, CO.

GOLD SEASHELL – a “must have” option to place on a coffee table – sold at Lee Jofa in Denver

GOLD in PAINTINGS – According the artist Ira Yeager painting is his life (life blood and life force).  To put his paintings in an interior would do nothing less than add life.  Yaeger’s work can be seen in Egg & Dart, Denver, CO.

Broom Vendor, 1795

GOLD CHANDELIERS really glamorize dining rooms, living rooms and hallways.   Venetian chandeliers of gold glass from Murano, Italy, are top quality and unsurpassed on the market.   I visited the Seguso family foundry on the island of Murano in 2005 and found it not only creatively ingenious but inspiring.  This particular chandelier is Murano inspired.

GOLD BOWLS can feature interesting cutouts and shapes that add pizzaz.  This one could be placed on a coffee table by itself as an outstanding performer.

GOLD FABRICS like this one by Chrisopher Hyland  is very pricey at about $545 a yard with a two yard minimum.  If you use it on a bench or ottoman you take your room to another level.  It could  win an Oscar for best supporting actor.  Fabric available through Moda Antica, Denver, CO.

GOLD STATUARY is a popular way to decorate with gold.  Place a solid gold statue on a fireplace mantel, a coffee table or a visible side table.   If you’re lucky enough to have an OSCAR – definitely use him to decorate.

“The last time there was a naked man covered in gold paint in my house, it was me” said Banksy the graffiti artist.

“INSPIRATION FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS”

Floral arrangements can be fun and exciting and are every bit a unique work of art as a painting.  This month I’ll explore designer Christian Tortu’s Paris creations and “The Twisted Tulip” in Denver for floral inspiration.  Then we’ll explore  silk plants to recreate floral designs that will last and enhance your interior designs.

CHRISTIAN TORTU

Sensational Bouquets is a must read

During a trip to Paris with my husband I discovered Christian Tortu while walking near the Carrefour de l’Odéon.  We came across his atelier with its impressive array of stems and flowers.   Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote “Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.”  Tortu gives us  proof of this.  “He’s the Yves Saint Laurent of flowers,” said an avid follower.   He has caught the eye of Catherine Deneuve and other fashionistas with his iconoclastic arrangements that are awe-inspiring.   He claims that all flowers are created equal and that you can see beauty in everything if you just take the time to really look.

Tortu’s bouquets are masterful creations

Beautiful and exciting

A hotel project in France.

THE PROCESS

When asked how exactly he proceeds when putting together a large bouquet, Tortu states, “Before you start, you must do two things: Consider the setting, which determines the dimensions, then select the color scheme. After that, every bouquet is a different story. It’s quite amazing really. You can start as usual with, say, greenery and branches, and then plan to add the flowers, which you can leave long or cut medium length or shorter. That’s what gives the bouquet its personality. But at the last minute, you might think, “Oh, this huge bouquet is kinda boring, I want to give it more punch,” so you lift the whole thing out of its container and cut the stems really short—suddenly something very formal becomes witty. Basically, everything happens as you go, with each step determining the next. For example, you decide at some point whether or not you are going to keep the leaves on a stem. That decision will change everything, given that it will create either full or empty spaces. And every flower can lead you in a different direction: You pick each one up and examine it individually; if it looks especially good you put it somewhere where it can show off; if not, you tuck it in somewhere else. It’s a bit like cooking—you improvise according to the quality of what you have on hand. If you buy a kilo of tomatoes but only a couple are ripe enough to use, you have to adapt your recipe accordingly. The biggest mistake people make when arranging flowers is that they are too timid, so they end up with bouquets that are conventional, tepid, unimaginative.”

Nothing is unimaginative here.  This arrangement definitely packs a WOW factor.

THE TWISTED TULIP

The Twisted Tulip, which is in my North Cherry Creek neighborhood is one of the best floral shops around. 5280 magazine named it “the place Denver loves to shop” and Colorado Homes and Lifestyles Magazine honored them with “Best Florist.” According to designers Fawn and Karen, the Twisted Tulip works with Denver decorators and home owners to compliment their interior schemes.  Their service is for people with discerning taste.   “Anyone can buy a bunch of flowers at Whole Foods and stick them in a vase, we create flowers that make a statement and have a WOW factor,” said Karen.  Photos provided by the Twisted Tulip blog site   thetwistedtulip.blogspot.com

The Twisted Tulip Store

The Twisted Tulip also offers a unique selection of quality gifts and décor items. Its lovely Denver shop boasts of  hand-selected products. A wide variety of plants is also available, as are custom gift / gourmet baskets made to order.

Tropical flowers are shipped to them direct from Hawaii.

Flowers are the perfect gift because they add an emotional twist to a decor.   I ordered this superb arrangement as a holiday gift. Don’t you love it?

Flowers add a bold dimension to any interior, any room, anytime.

When used as accessories, floral arrangements create a statement that is hard to surpass.

ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS

A house full of beautiful blooms can lift the spirits and compliment any decor.  Silk or artificial flowers are a perfect way to get the beauty that will last.

There are many silk flower designers in Denver but few can style arrangements that don’t look like the ones your grandmother used to have in her guest bedroom. You know, the kind that would make Martha Stewart blush.  The fact is there are silk floral businesses that can create vibrant arrangements that are NOT made of plastic looking stems and branches. They use exciting textures, colors, shapes and flowers that are so perfect you won’t be able to tell them apart from the real deal.

Artificial flowers and plants leave a lasting impression in the minds of people who visit a space. With blooms and greenery you can bring any kind of climate or environment that is desired into your home or office.

Here is a beautiful topiary tree that can be used inside or outside and needs little upkeep. Look how lifelike it is. When it gets dusty just hose it down.

SO — reasons to go SILK

1 – Long term savings over real flowers – they never die or drop petals.

2 – No insects – real plants get insects that take up homes in watery environments.

3 – No allergic reactions.

4 – They’ll never outgrow the pot you put them in.

5 – Pets aren’t attracted to them.

6 – No need for harmful pesticides if used outdoors.

7 – Look real in photos and can even be sprayed to smell good.