VIOLET REVISITED

I wish I had a picture of my bedroom as a child.  It was a Mario Buatta-esque full canopy bed in purple chintz with matching chaise, framed by purple painted walls.  Denise even had a matching dress made for my favorite doll which sat on my perfectly purple, mini french desk chair.  It was a bedroom fit for a little princess and I was obsessed with it.  As an adult I never thought of incorporating this color into our work until recently.  Inspired by a few new clients we started envisioning a way to create sophisticated, feminine flair that wasn't pink.  Now we have two beautiful, chic rooms in this palette that we cannot wait to share.  Paired with gray or a lime green, it is an absolutely beautiful color.   Here are a few ways to incorporate this color in a minimal, subtle way..

Paint your walls!

This bathroom in one of Aerin Lauder's homes is absolutely beautiful.  The lavender walls are almost white - the paint is muted down to the perfect shade.    Paired with dull brass fixtures and a classic venetian mirror, this bath is simply elegant.  Paint is easy and inexpensive to change, especially in a smaller space.  This is the perfect, non comital way to add a pop of color in your home. 

On your windows!

How fun is the above dining room?   The lavender panels are an amazing accent paired with traditional gracie wallpaper.  Using a color like purple on your windows adds a punch of unexpected color.

Accessorize!

Lacquered boxes or porcelain is an easy way to add an on trend color to any room in your home.  Spice up your bedside or living room end tables with a pop of purple.  

As an accent fabric!

We love an ikat... especially a colorful one.  If you don't see yourself fully upholstering a chair in a colorful fabric, throw pillows are an easy way to add color.  The above living room by Ashely Whitaker is a great example of such.

xo

Missy

CLIENT INSPIRATION | GUEST BATH DETAILS

For a meeting next week we have been trying to find inspiration for a more formal guest bath.  The vibe is a classic, traditional, yet chic look.  Our usual wallpaper look has been replaced with decorative, painted, maybe lacquered molding.  We are thinking about picture molding, maybe french inspired for the main guest bath on the first floor.  The formality and beauty of it will meld perfectly with the ornate limestone entry.  To pull this off you really need to work with a master carpenter.  Molding this detailed will look cheap and cheesy unless done perfectly.  The color is TBD, but I love the look of the above blues and grey.  Dove white is classic and warm, but paired with a Sherle Wagner sink (similar to the second photo above, but more ornate) we are thinking that a bold color pop is needed.  

For the second guest bath on the first floor we are also going with molding rather than wallpaper, but a more modern version.  The floor to ceiling square wainscoting above is perfect.  I really love the look of this second bathroom.  Each square has a little more detail and the added framework around the window and mirror is gorgeous.  Paired with the antique silver accents it is a timeless, but modern look.

Follow us on instagram at missy_minicucci & therinfretgroup for updated pictures of each projects.  The above will be hash tagged #kingspointproject and we will post photo's of each bathroom and their progress in the next few weeks.

xx

m&d

VALENTINES DAY | RED REDEFINED

Today has always been synonymous with the color red.  Traditionally, we never jump to this color when looking for inspiration.  However, our minds have been changed with the below beauty.  Here are a few chic ways to use red. 

On your walls!

Using it as a wall lacquer in a dining room is unexpected.  Especially when paired with traditional pieces and simple ivory window treatments.  Red wallpaper is a classic and looks amazing in Mark Sike's dining space at Kips Bay.  Similarly, a red dot wallpaper perks up this adorable children's bathroom.

As accessories!

Monograms are a must of course!  Why not make a statement with yours by doing it in the color red.  How amazing are the above towels in a bathroom by Ashley Whitaker?  A classic asian inspired red lantern turns an ordinary entry into a conversation piece.  Lanterns are always a great way to add color to any space.  Keeping on the same page with lighting... why not use red lamp shades?  The bare bulb look of the past few years is over and custom lampshades are making a come back.  Red is such a fun color to use to perk up your lifeless chandelier.

As furniture!

A skirted table is a great way to add color and warmth to a space.  Christopher Maya does so above using a beautiful red fabric paired with a light blue tape.  A red upholstered sofa looks amazing in a NYC apartment.   Lastly, lacquered cabinetry in red really define the above space.  How amazing does that detail make this dining room look?!

We hope this makes you re-think red!  

Happy Valentines Day!

xoxo

m&d

PANTONE | GREEN WITH ENVY

Denise & I were recently asked to take part in an article entitled "Go Green" for the Long Island Magazine, Pulse.  When interviewed the editor had asked us the following questions and our answers are very typical of our preppy chic aesthetic.

How would you personally use "Greenery" in a room?

We use large palm trees in Chippendale planters for almost every project.  Other ways we use the color green are as animal print throw pillows, a fun wallpaper for a guest bath, or as a lacquer on your bamboo dining chairs. Light green is also the perfect color for a painted entry floor!

What colors would you pair it with?

We pair green with neutral upholstery fabrics and a staple of ours is use it with a 
light pink or a navy accent.

What does this color make you think of?

It makes us think about spring and the beauty of nature. 

It is a happy color that brings a fresh feeling to any room.

Can you think of a specific item in the shade that you love?

We love the classic Brunschwig & Fils, Les Touche Fabric in the perfect shade of green

1.  Pinterest
2. Shelly Johnston 
3.  Unknown

THE MINI'S | GUEST BATH REMODEL

We have lived in our house now for a little over a year and are finally ready to dive into the bathroom re-models.  Our first one will be a smaller guest bath on the first floor.  I want to do a clean, elegant, but also colorful space.  In my opinion, wallpaper is a must in a small guest bath.  It is a space where you can have a little fun!  Which inspiration above is your favorite?

BATHROOM INSPIRATION

This week my main focus is to shop wallpapers for a client's mudroom bathroom.  We want something not too serious like a stripe or a fun chinoiserie print.  The client is traditional, but will let us take the lead when it comes to color and really trusts us which is amazing.  Here are a few pictures I have up on my inspiration board.  Let me know which is your fav.  Have a great week!

 Don't love the color palette, but I love the ginger jar wallpaper.

Love the paper, ginger jar & monogramming

Just adorable.

Sophisticated and fun.