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

A FRESH, SPRING BEDROOM

With the Spring time weather finally here we wanted to let our readers know how we refresh our bedroom's for the season.  A bedroom should be a place that always makes you feel peaceful, comfortable and happy.  In those terms I would say that Spring is the season that most reflects the feeling of a bedroom.  With beautiful flowers in blooms, sunny long days and gorgeous weather it is the perfect time to make your bedroom feel inviting and warm again after a cold winter.  A few easy ways we perk up our bedroom's for Spring are:

1.  Clean, simple, but colorful bedding 

Your bedding should be everything.  It should be a reflection of your personality whether it be bold, calm, fun.  Whatever the case may be, at the start of Spring you should change it out for something new, something light and something pretty.  I am a huge fan of scalloped anything and bedding is the perfect way to showcase this detail.  The above set is expensive, but if you don't have a tremendous budget and just change out your pillow shams it still makes a huge difference.  Opt for a new set of standard and Euro shams.  For spring always choose white with a border in your favorite color.  Matouk, Frette & Leontine are obvious favorites, but you can browse Etsy for more affordable options.  Monogram them if you feel daring (we always do).  Paired with a less expensive pottery barn, organic white duvet cover (here) it is the perfect update for your bed.

2.  A light weight down duvet & throw

Speaking of duvets - your heavy, winter one should be a goner by now.  We purchase very expensive, quality comforters for clients and master bedrooms, but if your keeping it within a certain budget we love the ikea selection.  They have the perfect, super light weight comforter that we love for a guest room.  Also, for lounging you need the perfect light weight throw for the edge of your bed or draped over a chaise.  Leesa has a gorgeous one (pictured above).  The fabric is so soft and the neutral color goes with everything.  It also has one of my favorite details - stripes!  It is absolutely perfect for Spring.  Also, check out their amazingly comfortable lightweight mattresses.

3.  New bedside table accessories

Your winter months of colds are hopefully finally over so your monogrammed tissue holder and drawer full of cough drops should be put away for next year.  Opt for fun bamboo brass or silver frames and a new small vase filled with tulips.   Who doesn't want to wake up to fresh flowers?  Start your day with something that makes you happy.  Flowers always do it for me.  The above are both Aerin (of course).

4.  Monogrammed PJs

Lastly, I start every spring with a new pair of PJs.  Eberjay has the most comfortable pair and they are totally worth the money.   The color selection this year is perfect for Springtime and I always get them monogrammed at a local shop (because I clearly have a problem haha).

Four simple, easy ways to make your bedroom feel refreshed!
I hope you are enjoying this amazing, sunny day.

xoxo

missy

FRIDAY'S FAVORITES | LUCK OF THE IRISH

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  This holiday has always made me happy because it was a reminder of Spring being right around the corner.  Flowers blooming, longer days, sunshine and more time outside!  It's been a rough winter with a newborn so this year I am counting down the days until I can take long walks with her.   Above are some beautiful, inspirational St. Patty's Day inspired photo's which made me smile.   Below, are our Friday's Favorites featuring some fun green items.  Happy Friday!! It's 5:00 somewhere,  go have a drink :) 

xo

m

1.  Schumacher Panel
2. Parker Thatch Stationary
3.  Oomph Lantern
4.  Stubbs & Wooton Camo Slippers
5. MH Linens Monogrammed Napkins

FRIDAY'S FAVORITES | LEOPARD PRINT FABRICS

If you follow us you know we have a love, almost an obsession with animal print.  We incorporate leopard, tiger, antelope or any other animal print in every project, in almost every rooms!  In our eyes it is basically a neutral.  This Friday's Favorites is all about leopard print.  Above are fun, colorful leopard fabrics.  We chose to showcase blue because it is the most versatile of the color options, but they also come in pinks, greens, yellows, grey, basically any color your heart desires.  All fabric sources are to the trade only so if there are any that you love contact us!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

m

1. Schumacher

2. Clarence House

3. Brunschwig & Fils

4.  Thibaut

5. Brunschwig & Fils

6. Cowtan & Tout

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

FRIDAY'S FAVORITES | ONE KINGS LANE

I have a habit of late night shopping now that I'm sporadically up feeding Georgia.  Lately, a frequent favorite has been One Kings Lane.  As a designer I have access to the best sources at terrific prices, but sometimes I want immediate satisfaction.   One Kings Lane is the perfect spot for that.  They will often times have great linens, already made pillows and terrific artwork.  Above are some recent finds.

1.  Linens | Matouk with a classic knot like pattern.  

2.  Etagere | A detailed piece with beautiful fretwork.  

3.  Pillows | A classic pattern in a pop of color.

4. Lamps | Statement pagoda's for a dining room to add some fun on a more traditional buffet.  

5.  Artwork | A beautiful view of the Louvre through the beautifully lined trees.

Sidenote... I just purchased this piece for our dining room

6.  Mirror | A small starburst who's dimensions are perfect for over your master bed.

WE BID YOU ADIEU

The above are some of my favorite "vignetting" moments at this years Home is Where the Heart is show.  This years show house was wonderful to be a part of.  So many talented and sweet designers who I adored getting to know.  Tomorrow is the last day to check it out so if you live on Long Island and will be in the area, please stop in.  All tickets benefit the American Heart Association.

1. library by us :)

2. sunroom by my amazing friend, Melanie Roy

3. sitting room by Barbara Page

4. little girls room by NoliHahn

5. entry by the ever gracious, Kim Courtney Interiors 

LAST MINUTE HOSTESS GIFTS

This is the first year that I'm actually completely done with Christmas shopping early (slow clap)... but, for all those procrastinators out there I threw together some easy hostess gifts that can be ordered asap in time for christmas at your mother in laws, aunts, sisters, whatever... 
Any hostess (myself included) will be thrilled to get any of the above.  You're welcome...

SERENA & LILLY- modern art beauty.
pricey, but worth it for the right person who will appreciate it.

HOME MADE GINGER JAR/FLOWER COMBO- you're officially in the fam with this gift.
grab one laying around or peruse your local thrift store and throw some gorgeous calalillies inside.  Perfect.

C WONDER- initial soap set
so cute for your mother in law

IOMOI- my favorite thank you cards
for your chic sister in law

DIPTYQUE CANDLE SET- nordstom, bloomies
they all have this and it smells like heaven.