Monday, April 28, 2008

Interior Sun Protection



Here in Marin, summer is making it's debut and it's a great time to think about window coverings that will protect your furnishings, rugs and other interior items. There are a lot of options for sun protection including solar shades, cellular shades, drapes, blinds and shutters. The price for quality window coverings is small compared to loosing thousands in furniture, art and accessories to sun fading and drying.

For the month of May, you can save 30% on solar shades,cellulars and blinds, including all Hunter Douglas products, and 20% on composite or wood interior shutters. jill.clarkson@comcast.net


Monday, April 21, 2008

Purple in the Kitchen



I wanted to add these pics to the Decorating With Purple files for added inspiration for those of you flirting wth purple. Purple in the kitchen in not common place but I do like the above sleek and modern kitchen with it's ever so pale purple walls. (via HGTV) Below purple hits the cabinets in high gloss. (via google images)


And last is a fun and creative kitchen in purple, blues and greens. Via MirrorMirror

Friday, April 18, 2008



I'll be hanging out with my little biker dude. ; )

Sunday, April 06, 2008

2nd Place: Red




Red came in 2nd place via the poll recently held here. Red is a fun color to work with and I certainly can understand how some may be reluctant to paint walls red for fear of it being overpowering or too loud. Above (top) is Benjamin Moore's Red Oxide, picture via Apartment Therapy. What a great looking room. The walls have such a nice warm glow yet the color does not overwhelm or overpower everything else in the room. 2nd from the top is Farrow and Ball's Blazer red. The walls aren't too loud as the navy area rug tones down the red and makes the room feel more grounded. Below is Benjamin Moore's Spring Tulip, a pink red. The color is much more pronounced and becomes the main feature of the room. It's a matter of personal taste.


Below are some nice reds from Benjamin Moore's Aura line, a low VOC paint.

I love the Pomegranite and the Caliente is nice too. There are several neutrals shown that would work well as companion colors. Using a muted or dulled red will prevent your walls from being too loud. First decide whether you prefer a yellow based red or a blue based red. The yellow based reds are warmer and some are shown on the top row below. Blue based reds are shown on the bottom row below.

If you've been wanting a red room or just a red accent wall then you should give it a try. Red walls envelop a room, making it feel cozy and intimate. A dining room is a great place to try red and subdued reds also work well in living areas. You should start with a duller red and go brighter or more saturated if you feel like it. It's easier to add color than to cover it up. Reserve your judgment of the red until you bring your furniture and accessories back into the room as those other items will make a big difference.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Inspiration Found


I was inspired by a post on Anna Spiro's lovely blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things where she shared images of a note card given to her by a close friend for her 30th Birthday. It reads, "She designed a life she loved" ~ so simple, so sweet. I just loved that and since I have an embroidery machine I whipped up a few hats with the quote on the front. I think they look sweet. I'll be giving a few away to my fellow classmates in my Architecture class at the end of the semester. I think they're going to love them.

Thanks to Anna! And her friend! I'm saving some hats for you both and will send them right away!
; ) It may take a few weeks via pony express to get to you in Australia but they will get there!!

Small, heartfelt gestures, like the note card, can go a long way. ; )

If you haven't visited Anna's Design Blog yet, then you really should check her out! ; )

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Fascinating Bioscleave House



Sometimes there are some real surprises waiting for me in my inbox. This morning, from ASID's Design Daily, was an article about a most interesting and unique architectural project that I want to share with you. This house is sure to raise many eyebrows, turn many heads and has already been creating a huge buzz in East Hampton, New York. Artists Arakawa and wife Madelin Gins designed the Bioscleave house (Life Extending Villa) to defy mortality and extend the human lifespan. The house is full of surprises with eneven and shifting floors, outlets, windows and other items are placed in unexpected locations all designed to challenge the inhabitant(s) and make him/her stop and think in ways they haven't thought before. The idea is that these sorts of challenges stimulate the immune system and thus extend the lifespan. Read all about this fascinating project and this interesting husband and wife design team, via the New York Times, right here.