Even with another hurricane looming around the corner, I woke up singing "Shiny Happy People". I can't get it out of my head today, so I thought some of you might need a shiny, happy moment for yourselves:)
Blackberry Inspired
My sister-in-law Leslie works for Blackberry Farm, a luxury resort in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Last time I was there we toured some of the resort properties and I found the FarmHouse to be insanely cool. One of my favorite things about it was how they used painted pine instead of traditional drywall throughout the interior of the house. This is an alternative for drywall that really adds some amazing character.
Here is a shot of the Master Suite on the first floor of the Farmhouse. You can get a good look at the various widths of pine (which they painted dark brown). Simple and so clean.
They even used one width of pine on the ceiling throughout the whole house (6" planks)
Another good shot of the random plank widths of 4", 6", 8" and 10". I love how they use a 6" horizontal piece to break up the verticals in a chair rail layout.
They even used one width of pine on the ceiling throughout the whole house (6" planks)
Another good shot of the random plank widths of 4", 6", 8" and 10". I love how they use a 6" horizontal piece to break up the verticals in a chair rail layout.
Gorgeous Grisaille!
(down east dilettante) Grisaille painting and wall papers have always been a love of mine. Grisaille (pronounced "griz eye") is the french word for shades of grey. This monochromatic technique was done both because artists could travel and do the work with out supplies, and the Grisaille painting could be a sample and/or under painting over which pigments could be applied.
Linda Coulter, a wonderful painter explains in her website: This concept was developed many centuries ago when pigments were very scarce. The Old Masters had only a handful of pigments to accomplish their beautiful results so they had to push each individual pigment to its fullest capacity to be able to achieve the luminosity in their art work that made them famous. In those days when pigments were extremely expensive, and it was also a way to save money. A sister to Grisaille is the less known Brunaille - which is in shades of brown. Below are some of my favorite examples.
The first is Martha Stewart's entry hall in her Turkey Hill House. This large mural stopped me in my tracks the first time I saw it . Lovely!
Here a common suburban two story entry turns extraordinary with this hand painted design.
(down east dilettante)
(down east dilettante)This historic house turned museum is in Portsmouth, NH. The Moffat-Ladd house mural is likely Dufour wall paper from early 1900's, which depicts the Bay of Naples. To learn more about this wonderful house click here.
(architect design)Here antique wall paper panels found at the Louvre are stunning. Read more about them on Architect Design here.
(Cote de Texas via Edie van Breems) One of my favorite images is from Cote de Texas via Edie van Breems of Libby Holsten's home click here. The curves of Mora clock wonderfully compliment the mural behind it.
I love the room above, though not traditionally Grisaille or Brunaille, the addition of the shades of green and the side panel painting make for a gorgeous wall.
I adore this 18 century hand blocked Grisaille wall paper from Wendy Lewis at the Textile Trunk. You may not be aware of this, but Wendy also has a gorgeous selection of rare antique wallpapers.
This particular piece took my breath away! It is just stunning in shades of cream and gray. I envision it framed in my Living room or Dining room like a rare work of art, or perhaps I could cover a screen with it. Oh the possibilities! 
Though Wendy does not always list every gorgeous paper she has (her wallpapers move fast and are in great demand by her interior designer buyers) send her an email and she will let you know what treasures she has recently found. Click here to contact Wendy.
If you do decide to buy this let me know how you use it. But if its sold by the time you read this, you may end up seeing it in one of my clients homes or even in my own house because I just can't stop thinking about it!!
It's All About the Kids...
It is isn't it?
I mean, that could be said with a smile or a scowl, depending on the day, the mood or the moment.
And I have experienced the gamut in just the short week since summer break started.
I have discovered that working from home, surrounded by kids and the noises of summer, is REALLY hard. That I may have to shift my thinking and my schedule: working only at night, after everyone is in bed. Because writing creative thoughts for two magazines, while fielding endless questions, supervising swimming, and running a taxi service and an ice-cream stand really doesn't mesh.
Not that I'm complaining (well, maybe a little...). Because if anyone writes me and tries to tell me that there aren't growing pains associated with having the kids home for summer, well, they are too organized or saintly to be my pal. Just being honest...
And because the internet can be a very bad influence on me (for example, I cleaned my oven the other day just because a Facebook friend said she was cleaning hers), I decided to take inspiration from the lovable Meg (who has really set the bar on being a fun mother, hasn't she?) and made this with my girlie:
(and yes, there is a spelling error: Sunday should read Sundae)
Only you just know that making this list is going to come back and bite me...
As in, "Mummy, we need to do something on the list, so let's have a water balloon fight and make a campfire to make spider hotdogs, K?"
And I will grimace while entertaining thoughts of using that list to start the campfire...
And then, magically, I will get in a groove and loosen up and things will get done and I will reap the reward of all that late night working: sleeping in!
Because that's a summer activity, right?
Must go add it to "The List!"
(Sophie's class picnic...we can scratch that off The List, too!)
Client Project: Sneakity Peek
I've been remiss about getting "afters" of my finished projects for clients. It's on my list of things to do and so this week, since I'll be wrapping up a client's living & dining rooms, I'll be sure to get photos. Here's a shot I took today of the pen shell coffee table in the living room:
I'm slightly obsessed.
Wedding Rings For Wedding Sets
Stylish ring features fancy design center. Ring is crafted of gleaming 14-karat yellow and white gold. Two-tone ring features polished yellow gold and satin white gold.
Wedding Rings For Wedding Sets
DIY Tables by Goncalo Campos
I love the genius of product design. The series of tables designed by Goncalo Campos, are made only using two basic materials, fabric and wood, the most commonly used materials in most households They are designed to be assembled with no glues or external fixtures, other than fabric, using a simple construction technique - they look primitive but at the same time very elegant. I can see the possibilities using beautiful woods, such as ebony, walnut, or perhaps fumed wood, and coordinating the fabric to match the colors and mood of your room. They would make wonderful conversation pieces for a wedding, or summer lawn party.
Images Courtesy of Gonçalo Campos. Goncalo Campos is a Portuguese designer, born in 1986. Graduated in product design in 2008, after which joined Fabrica team, for a year and created a series of of tables which were featured in the exhibition Mais que Partes (More Than Parts), shown in the Fabrica features shop in Lisbon.
Fumed wood veneers – White Ebony
Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Design firm in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™
Silver toned metal shingles
.The roof on the left are embossed tin shingles where the manufacturing finish failed to contain the rust after just a few years.
The treatment for this situation for those owners who desire a bright shiny silver apperance is a combination of several products of Andek Corp.
Furniture IS Lifestyle - DEDON LAUNCHES “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
DEDON LAUNCHES “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
I love the new lifestyle advertising campaign that the Dutch company Dedon, a manufacturer of outdoor furnishings, has launched. You may have seen the ads for this Dedon campaign in some of the recent Design magazines - Dedon is selling their furniture as lifestyle. DEDON takes its collaboration with legendary American fashion photographer Bruce Weber to a next level with the publication of a new book Coming Home, a sumptuously produced, limited edition book. Building on themes that Weber developed for the current DEDON advertising campaign, Coming Home is an exploration into the meaning of home and the feelings we hold for it. Personal, poetic and eclectic, the book weaves together exclusive imagery by Bruce Weber with artwork and illustrations specially commissioned by the photographer. Watch the Dedon movie in large format here, or on YouTube here. The music and imagery are spectacular. The movie starts with a quote from the movie Out of Africa - the words of Denys Finch Hatton, played by Robert Redford: “I don’t want to live someone else’s idea of how to live.”
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
A multilevel treehouse, a cast and crew of 60 people with legendary fashion photographer Bruce Weber keeping it all together.
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER
When I first saw the Dedon ad campaign, by Bruce Webber I was mesmerized by it. Some people I have talked to just don’t get it.
After all Bruce Webber was the photographer for the controversial ad campaign for Calvin Klein in the 90’s, and
Webber also photographed a shirtless Chris Isaak in bed for a fashion spread in Rolling Stone.
Dedon says about Coming Home “…….it is an exploration into the meaning of home and the feelings we hold for it.”
I say that ‘Furniture IS Lifestyle’ and has as much of a message to say about how we live as Fashion does!
What do you think about ‘Lifestyle Advertising?’ Leave your comment here.
DEDON “COMING HOME”, A LIMITED-EDITION BOOK BY BRUCE WEBER Architectural Digest Spain - May 2010
Postscript: These are scans from a Spanish magazine that my friend and fellow blogger Ivan Meade sent to me after I published this article.
Patricia Gray Inc is an award winning Interior Designer firm in Vancouver, Canada who blogs about WHAT'S HOT in the world of Interior Design.
2010 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™
Judge A Book By Its Cover
I love receiving my weekly Houzz updates, because they are a little treat waiting for me in my email. This weekend I especially loved the photos of a little house with a modern soul. If I were walking down the street and came across this place, I would wish that I could run inside. Funny enough, I have seen the inside because it is the home of Morgan of The Brick House. (Some time ago I mentioned this blog here).
The Brick House is all about modern design on a budget, which is an idea that is close to my heart. It frustrates me that we tend to associate modern with large expense! Don't get me wrong I love reading Dwell or Architectural Digest as much as the next person, but that isn't really practical for most of us, right? Fortunately, Morgan doesn't let a small budget hold her back and I LOVE this amazing detail on the front of the house. I have to confess that I'm including this photo in hopes that it might inspire all you modern lovers who think your house could never express your ideas. Just think a little out of the box...ha, ha!
Wow! Check out the before pic. 
The backyard is fantastic!
Finally, I couldn't resist this photo because the simplicity of it is so wonderful. I envy Morgan's ability to live with very few items. I try to do this myself but often fail:( Having so many blank spaces allow your mind to wander and reflect. (Said the hard-core introvert!).
Just a Cabin in Idaho
Chicken Point Hayden, IdahoThis caught my eye not just because of the name Chicken Point Cabin or out of control 30 foot window-wall but just the simplicity of the design elements. When I think of a cabin, I envision a low maintenance, rustic type structure. They did exactly just that with these 3 low maintenance materials, concrete block, plywood and steel. This article in Residential Architect magazine talks a little bit more about the architects ideas behind the design.
If you follow this link to the architects site you can also play some videos and see exactly how this window wall works.
Fox News.com
Today on Fox News' imagazine, I was featured in an article about decorating for young families and also in another little slideshow/ article with photos & tips. I was interviewed by Brooke Eaton of Fox News and she's a very sweet, savvy writer and can't thank her enough for the article. I was a bit nervous to be interviewed, but it was a lot of fun and Brooke made me feel instantly at ease.
The focus of the article was on decorating for young families, particularly those with kids. As you know, I haven't given up the fight for a pretty house even though I have two little boys. (Although at times it feels like a losing battle ;) It's funny to see yourself quoted in an article and I had to laugh out loud when one of my quotes when asked about design tips for parents with young children was, "It's your life, not your kids'." hahahah oh boy... But as harsh as that may sound, (as far as decorating / designing in concerned ;) I believe it 100%. Design a house that still feels adult/ beautiful by keeping kids' toys to a minimum and providing attractive, accessible storage for them. Kids' toys can be in every room of the house without taking over. A running joke in the family is that one of the first things you say to your newborn baby when he arrives is "welcome to our world."
BUT- All joking aside, we love our little dudes- we just think they should keep their primary-colored toys hidden ;) ;)
To read both articles go:
1) here (decorating for young families) and
2) here (for the Pure Style Home article/ slideshow.)
The focus of the article was on decorating for young families, particularly those with kids. As you know, I haven't given up the fight for a pretty house even though I have two little boys. (Although at times it feels like a losing battle ;) It's funny to see yourself quoted in an article and I had to laugh out loud when one of my quotes when asked about design tips for parents with young children was, "It's your life, not your kids'." hahahah oh boy... But as harsh as that may sound, (as far as decorating / designing in concerned ;) I believe it 100%. Design a house that still feels adult/ beautiful by keeping kids' toys to a minimum and providing attractive, accessible storage for them. Kids' toys can be in every room of the house without taking over. A running joke in the family is that one of the first things you say to your newborn baby when he arrives is "welcome to our world."
BUT- All joking aside, we love our little dudes- we just think they should keep their primary-colored toys hidden ;) ;)
To read both articles go:
1) here (decorating for young families) and
2) here (for the Pure Style Home article/ slideshow.)
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