A MODERN APARTMENT

We love that people come to us for all style profiles - we currently have projects that reflect traditional, transitional & modern design.  One fun project we are working on is for a couple transitioning from a larger home on Long Island to a new, smaller apartment.  They are now closer to the action in New York City and they want the style of the apartment to reflect their more modern lifestyle.  They are ditching all of their family home's traditional furniture and are now going for a more clean look with pops of colors.  Here are some of our ideas so far.

Option 1:

This Milo Baughman-esque sofa is a cool take on a classic piece.  The brass legs are expected on a chair, but interesting and different on a sofa.  We would pair it with a pop of color on velvet accent chairs and a statement light fixture.  Lucite pieces are perfect for a small apartment because their transparency give the allusion of space.   I love this look personally because it is modern without feeling cold.

Option 2:

The client likes a yellowish / mustard accent color which we don't use often because like orange, yellow is not one of our favorites to work with.  This option gives hints of yellow without it overwhelming the palette.  Grey's work well with a modern space and different shades of it also create warmth here.  This console is great for an apartment because it is small and thin.  We would probably add a banana plant in the corner of this option.  Also, maybe a pair of upholstered x-benches in a small scale yellow pattern if the client wants more yellow involved.  

Rugs and paint color are tbd on both.
We'll keep you updated on this project on instagram with the hashtag #avalonGNproject

--xo--
M&D

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

HUMOR IN DESIGN

It's a gloomy, 18 degrees out, we have a million deadlines and my little munchkin is sick.  To say I am stressed out is an understatement.  However, there was a glimpse of something today that definitely brought a smile to my face.  We are re-vamping our website and while looking through old client photo's this afternoon I found the first photo... the pineapple photo.  Denise and I create each job with the motto "don't take yourself too seriously".  Every home is personal and we always try to add humor where you least expect it.  In a New Canaan, CT job these adorable, preppy chic pineapple lamps perfectly perched on their lucite pedestal did the trick.   Whether it be through accessories, unexpected fabric choices, artwork or just a certain color on the wall... humor is a simple way to add personality to any room.  Below it are some other design moments that definitely make me happy.  I hope they do the same for you. 

1.  Our room in a New Canaan, CT job

2.  Sarah Bartholemew | Miles Redd

3.  Mark Sikes

FRIDAY FAVORITES | A NEW CLIENT

We have an adorable, young new client in Manhattan who we are so excited to start working on.    They love our favorite palette of neutrals, navy's and whites and are going to pop it with a little green or pink as well.  Here is our starting off point.  Traditional, yet clean and modern perfect for a newly married couple trying to blend their styles.  We will post progress photo's in a few weeks.

A MODERN MIX

Happy New Year! 

We are so excited to start work on a slew of projects in the new year, all of which are completely unique with each clients aesthetic being totally different.  

The first project we are working on is a modern, loft style apartment in Gramercy Park for a young couple.  We love clean lines mixed with tradition for this apartment with a few pops of color and/or print.  Above is some of our inspiration so far.

1.  Robert Brown ID

2. Carrier & Company

3. Allen Kirsch & Associates

4. Amy Berry Design

MANY THANKS

 

We love the two color schemes above for a gorgeous Thanksgiving celebration!

We have so much to be thankful for this year... 

Our loving family, our amazing clients, new houses, new babies, a long and loving marriage anniversary, the list is endless.  We wish you all a wonderful thanksgiving filled with a beautiful table, delicious food, loving friends, family & some potent cocktails.  

Words to live by:

Be Kind

Be Thoughtful

Be Genuine

but most of all

Be Thankful.

1.  Green Scheme - Degorney Paper

2.  Neutral Palette - The Rinfret Group

xx

D & M

A SOUTHAMPTON GEM

I was lucky enough to visit an amazing, historic home in Southampton this weekend that Denise helped decorate this past summer in conjunction with RK Development (the best builders in Southampton).  I hadn't seen the house since the beginning of the project and really didn't know much about the house until today.   After learning the property was called, "Mocomanto", I knew there had to be some interesting stories involved with a name like that, but didn't expect what I found out.  

Mocomanto is located on Lake Agawan which is a picturesque spot that couldn't be more perfect.  It is a historic home built in 1882 with original Tiffany & Co. windows in it's understated foyer.  It's original inhabitants, The Bettses owned a public bathing club which eventually became the very private  Southampton Bathing Corp.  Another owner, Sydney B. Woods, was the youngest player to win Wimbelton at 19!  There are many stories about this classic house, but my favorite has to do with the owner Mr. Tufu who was said to be dating Lee Radziwill.  He made a name for himself in Southampton when after a fight with Ms. Radziwill he put a dead shark in her swimming pool.  She retaliated by driving his porch into Mocomanto's pool!!  I mean, I don't know about you, but Lee Radziwill is one of my idols.  Her style, grace and whole persona is something I always looked up to.  Hearing that she was part of the homes history was very cool for me and Denise. What a story!  

The new owner is equally as cool and the house really epitomizes that.  His motorcycle is always parked out front, multiple surf boards line the pool house and a personalized corn hole game and fully stocked bar is always on hand.  The house is closed for the season, but we are sure many fun times will be had from here on out.  Hopefully without any more shark incidents.