Archive for the 'ABCD Design Inspiration' Category

Mar 4th 2010 ABCD {inspired by} The Douglas House

Since I don’t have a lot of time to write today, I thought I’d simply share tidbit of design history that has inspired me since a young age. When I was a girl, we rented a little cabin a half a mile up the road from what we called “The White House.” Little did we know that it was The Douglas House, designed by Richard Meier & Partners Architects, LLP.
The Douglas House was built in 1973, and to me, it looks just as relevant and modern as the day it was built. I am incredibly drawn to architecture and interiors that you can’t pin-point in history. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for this building …it reminds me of my childhood – we’d walk up the beach just to stand out front and look up at it… it’s my idea of heaven on earth.

{Images via Richard Meier & Partners Architects, LLP and Tevami}

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Mar 2nd 2010 Notes for the design file: Dark Dining Room

Back in September, (in yet another Notes for the design file post) I wrote about the pairing of ultra-light, white rooms with very dark rooms that have white upholstery. I toyed with the thought of private rooms being dark and public rooms being light and while the photo above is the exact opposite, I think it is a great example of how to play dark and light decor off of one another.

There are so many reasons I love this dark dining room. Let’s count the ways:

1) In most cases, I prefer horizontal surfaces in a room to read as the same tone. They have achieved the look here with the floor and tabletop. Speaking of which, this rustic dining table instantly makes this dining room feel comfortable. It’s not so precious that it couldn’t be used for each and every meal. Remember my mantra: “Life is short, eat off the good china.” I will never understand the theory behind dedicating entire rooms to only special occasions.

2) Adding to the easy-going vibe of this dining room are the belgian linen slip-covered dining chairs with matching back pillows. I like the fact that the shape of the dining chairs is quite modern, masculine and clean-lined. The slipcovers soften up the hard lines and speak to the rustic dining table. The fabric color brings in the light feel of the white kitchen on the opposite side of the open doorway.

3) This room gets instant credibility in my book because the sideboard and wood table do not match. (In wood-tone, era, or style.) I think it is visually more interesting to cobble together pieces that speak to one another or allow the other piece to stand out. Take note: The sideboard has captivating lines, but it’s dark, rich color makes it recede into the background. This allows for the creamy dining chairs to frame the dining table who takes the center stage.

4) In the last three years, Mr. D and I have spent a lot of time in Litchfield County, Connecticutaka iron ore country. This may be why I am completely drawn to the simplistic nature of these black iron light fixtures. They don’t compete with the space, they’re just totally simple and utilitarian.

5) Did you notice that the glass front kitchen cabinet panes mimic the glass window panes? I love, love L-O-V-E that repetition of a simple detail. We did a similar treatment in our last apartment on the black mirrored wall – I used the same proportion as the windows in the loft.

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Jan 29th 2010 Matt Armendariz {swoon-worthy food photography}



This is the kind of work that makes me want to open up my camera bag and get a lesson (or 10!) at the New York Institute of Photography. From the looks of his blog it seems Matt has given food photography lessons of his own ~ I’d be over the moon to be one of his students! Pop by and check out more of this unbelievably gorgeous food photography on Matt’s blog called Matt Bites and at his website Matt Armendariz.com. I think you’ll find it inspiring too!

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Jan 27th 2010 kitchen inspiration {great source: decor*pad}

Last weekend, some of my interior design friends on Twitter were having a conversation about their favorite paint colors. Julie Browning Bova suggested I check out decor*pad for inspiration. Obviously, I was distracted from my color search by kitchens. Gorgeous kitchens! Don’t get me wrong, you’ll have to do some sifting through images as there are a lot of *ugly* ones, (this is a result of the fact they let absolutely anyone upload pictures) but I just thought you should know there are some diamonds hidden amongst the rough. Have fun searching decor*pad!

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Jan 20th 2010 Happiness Resolution {update!}

A few weeks ago, I asked the question: Am I happy? And then I proceeded to admit the fact that while my passion is knitting that I have not held needles in over a year. Whaaaat? A few days later, I saw the opportunity to force the knotty-knitting issue. My sweet blog-come-to-real-life-friend Lydia (aka The Clueless Crafter) puffed out her chest and announced on her blog that she’d been knitting.
So last evening we got together at Purl, Soho. I got her outfitted in a new pair of bamboo needles and she selected two balls of yarn. (I see two color knitting in her future!) I too broke down and stocked up on the most lovely Manos wool/silk blend. (I’m ambitious, I purchased enough to knit a sweater!) I bought a pair of jumper needles and another copy of my very favorite knitting pattern book, Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns. While I helped The Clueless Crafter learn a slip knot, how to cast-on and knit ~ she helped me get back into the knitting-mode again.


Not only is Lydia a talented student, but she is also a very entertaining and wonderful writer. She was recently published on Etsy’s blog, wrote a post that explores the etymology of design and in yet another post, she reminded us of the original “Hostess with the Mostess” Elsa Maxwell. Pop by and check out The Clueless Crafter -or- do what I do and follow @cluelesscrafter on Twitter! You won’t be sorry.

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