Botanical Bliss

If you are even remotely interested in interior design you know that Botanicals are hot right now. I happen to think they're gorgeous and can add an outdoor element to a room without having to deal with messy plants. Oh ya, and *bonus* you don't need a green thumb to keep them around for longer than a week. In my search for botanical prints I came across some beautiful botanical art by English artist Sarah Graham.

This botanical painting, created by Sarah Graham, was featured in House Beautiful magazine as part of a room design by Bunny Williams. I can imagine pairing it with light walls, natural linen, sea grass, and great white accessories. {The wall color shown here is Benjamin Moore's California Breeze}








Chinese Ink


Paradise Flowers


Cardiocrinum Giganteum


Lilies

Coming Soon.....

I wanted to give a sneak peak of my new business card. I'm hoping to have them in print by next week. I have been working with Maureen Cotton who is a graphic designer and photographer. She's been totally great to work with and if you're in the market for some print materials ...check out her webite at maureencotton.com

Make a Minimal Statement....

In designing all types of rooms I love to see a big statement made but with a minimal amount of effort. Once in a while I love a room that's airy and minimal but still has that one piece that really says look at me. For instance, take an understated minimal dining room but add in a really unexpected over-scaled lighting fixture hanging above the table and Voile! the room instantly has a designer look but with a small amount of effort. Another way to accomplish this same idea is with over-scaled artwork or framed mirrors. To keep a minimal room from appearing too bland be sure and incorporate lots of texture into the space. This will keep the room from looking flat and uninteresting but will still keep the space uncluttered. Check out the pictures below for some examples of these design tricks.......

Isla Beach House

On a recent trip up to Gloucester, MA’s Madfish Wharf (the art district) I noticed a small red barn style shop with a bright green sign and some lime green and white chairs sitting out front. I realized this must be the new shop opened by Sigrid Olsen and her husband (I was watching Chronicle a few weeks earlier and saw Sigrid's shop featured). The shop is totally beach inspired and has a shabby but totally colorful vibe to it.



Sigrid is an inspiration to me as a business owner as many of you may know her original Sigrid Olsen store seen in many malls across America is no longer in business. However, undetered by "failure" Sigrid has moved on, taken a fresh look at what is important to her and opened Isla Beach House as her lastest venture.

Here’s a look below at what Sigrid is featuring in her shop……