STYLEBEAT'S MOOD BOARD SHOWS HOW TO PLAY UP A ROOM'S NATURAL LIGHT WITH HUNTER DOUGLAS

Photo courtesy of Town and Country and Hunter Douglas

When the marketing team over at Town and Country Magazine asked me to participate in a collaboration with Hunter Douglas, I jumped at the chance.  I created a Mood Board for the March issue, where I chose their new tailored Vignette Roman shades to play up a room's natural light. From there, I built a room around 5 key elements I think are essential to making a room great.

I share some tips on how to get started with the design process:

- Consider your lifestyle and how you will use the room

- Chart the scale and proportion of furniture so it fits the space

- Determine which colors you like, and then use them in pillows, rugs, and lamp shades
I had a lot of fun including traditional pieces with staying power and those that best reflect what is most exciting about design today. Considering room use, scale, proportion, functionality, pattern, color, texture, surface finishes and the way you live are just the beginning!

To get more ideas, check out  The new Art of Window Dressing ipad app at Hunter Douglas or iTunes and follow me on Pinterest. Thank you T and C!

Photo courtesy of Hunter Douglas
Hunter Douglas Vignette® Modern Roman Shades lend a tailored sophistication.
I chose to start with Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades because of their clean lines.

Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Think in terms of the space you have to work with, then aim to create harmony with scale and proportion.
When thinking about the right furniture for a space, consider the function of the room. A sofa is a major decision as well as purchase, so choose wisely. I chose Century Furniture's Carter Skirted Sofa for it's traditional lines, comfortable seat cushions and tailored arm.

Photo courtesy of Lee Jofa
Tip Stylebeat Suggests Determine which colors you like, and then use them in pillows, rugs, and lamp shades to tie it together.
Blue is one of the best loved hues. It reminds us of the water and the sky, so that might be why. Lee Jofa's Groundworks Bengal Bazaar by Kelly Wearstler in teal has a varied contrasting pattern like those you might find in an antique document fabric, giving it some soul.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Jofa
Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Test colors by daylight and lamp- light to ensure you like how they look throughout the day. This can ensure you are liking the overall effect.
Coordinating fabrics work if they have texture and pattern and can relate to one another. Lee Jofa's Groundworks Fuji Moderne in teal with a zigzag texture keeps things interesting.

 

Photo courtesy of Stark Carpet 

Stark Carpet's cotton Dhurrie with a soft blue ground and loose geometric diamond pattern added a soft textural element with color and visual interest. Every surface deserves consideration and attention.

Photo courtesy of Baker

I love this cocktail table's strong silhouette, dramatic ebony color and total functionality. Designed by Jacques Garcia for Baker the Saint - Tropez Cocktail Table is modern and cool but mixes with any style.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler

Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Reflective surfaces maximize the glamour quotient. 

I can't get enough brass these days. Jonathan Adler's Ulu Convex Table with highly detailed brass looks vintage. It's substantial and delicate looking and adds pattern and lightness beside a sofa. 

Photo courtesy of Visual Comfort

Tip Stylebeat Suggests: A strategic mix of reading and ambient light sacrifices neither form nor function.

Proper lighting is so important. It changes the mood of a room in an instant. Visual Comfort's functional Paolo Swing Arm Lamp by Thomas O'Brien at Circa Lighting moves for from side to side providing targeted light where needed. The brass finish provides a warm glow.

If you want to partner on something, let me know!

VISIT STATELY HOMES BY THE SEA SHOWHOUSE IN NEW JERSEY

designed by Anderson Campanella Architects of Rumson, NJ.


New Jersey often gets a bad rap. It is not all Soprano-land; there are beautiful areas.
Rumson is one of the areas that is worth the trip, especially to see the latest showhouse, Stately Homes by the Sea. The 1915 brick house was built to resemble an English country estate by McKim Mead and White alum Harrie T. Lindeberg. The house across the street, also owned by the same family was used for the first Stately Homes showhouse and the owners decided to share their home again. Renovation work was done with them in mind, as they move in after the showhouse closes. New construction and a pool, pool house, potting shed were added in under 8 months. Proceeds go to The Visiting Nurses Association of Central New Jersey, and the show runs from April 28- May 31st. The honorary design chair this year is Charlotte Moss.

Los Angeles- based, Jersey raised Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat of Lucas Studio do a lot of work in New Jersey and decorated a living room and nursery in the home. In addition to interior design, Joe and his partner have recently opened Harbinger, an antique - filled home store in the ever charming Almont Yard, located next door to their West Hollywood office.
The photography was done by New Jersey resident, the talented John Bessler.


Lucas Studio got an area that was new construction. They worked with the homeowners on the scheme, creating elegant, comfortable areas with plenty of cozy seating. Jonas Upholstery did all the upholstery and window treatments, and a majority of the fabric is from Cowtan and Tout. Custom cabinetry and built in bookshelves make for a cozy library meets living room. Filled with soft colors and easy shapes, this is a room that is hard to leave.




Farrow and Ball Octagon Yellow brightens the walls. In keeping with the location, nautical antique brass and cargo lights from Ann Morris Antiques were chosen to illuminate the space.



Another angle gives a better view of the pendant lights.



A game table with Jonas's Brighton dining chairs and an antique writing table from Ann Morris make good use of the area and it's charming eave ceilings. Kate Duffy Barnard of Katie Did in Redbank, NJ filled metal urns with sublime flowering Cherry branches and moss, adding a stunning display set against a natural jute wall covering from Philip Jeffries.



The home is close to the water, so a shell and sea fan add to the nautical appeal.



A window seat with a garden stool makes for a nice reading area. Most of the fabrics in the nook are from Cowtan and Tout.



A sofa is upholstered in a family friendly stain - resistant cotton velvet from Pindler and Pindler and a jute bullion fringe that adds a dressy touch.



An enveloping wing chair with a fun printed pillow is another nice perch. The wool rug is Stark's (sadly) discontinued Bilhuber Basics. Specially made automatic blackout roman shades are ideal for movie watching.


THE NURSERY


The framed alphabet on the wall, crib and rocking horse give away the fact that this room is a nursery. This means the room can transition easily to a bedroom with twin beds as the little one grows. Lucas Studio created a space that feels city and country. Bed hanging fabrics from Brian Ferrick's brand new Ferrick Mason collection complement the adorable puzzle piece valance. Martyn Lawrence Bullard's new fabrics are at the windows and on the glider, lending a sunny feel to the space. Lacquer side tables are from Mecox Gardens and bright yellow Christopher Spitzmiller handmade lamps bring sophistication.



A detail of the daybed pillows show a blend of pattern and color--just what a newbie needs to be happy.



Another view. The bird print comes from Mecox Gardens.



A sleek changing table and trunk from new resource Kalon Studios are offset by Starburst Mirrors from Mecox-- an "adult" touch.



Kalon Studio's geometric patterned bamboo crib with some charming Sferra bedding and sheep pillow add some sweetness.



An Urban Electric Company Anson pendant light with metal scroll work add a touch of whimsy. The piece is available in any Benjamin Moore color, and here it is painted a sunny yellow. Framed Alphabet prints available through Harbinger set the tone.



A closet filled with drawers means a place for everything. Linda Laymon of All Dolled Up styled the nursery to the hilt with baby clothes and cutie pie things. The fun little papier mache animals around the room are from Stray Dog Designs.



The Ann Morris Antique dollhouse provides a smile and a bit of history. This baby might end up an architect with such good proportions in it's midst!

STYLEBEAT DESIGN DEAL OF THE WEEK: STARK SALE

What: The Stark Warehouse sale is back in NYC
Where: Metropolitan Pavillion. Visit 125 West 18th Street
When: March 25-27 from 10am-9pm March 28 from 10am-8pm and March 29 from 10am till 6pm
Why: There will be great deals on Pratesi bedding, Watkins, Fonthill and Old World Weavers fabrics, wallpapers and Stark rugs