Mad for Mad Men

Another fabulous Mad Men episode last night! Almost as enjoyable as watching the program for me is reading the blogs the morning after which analyze each and every storyline, character and setting. So, here I am, jumping on the blogging bandwagon and posting about one of today's most popular TV shows. What I really love to do is watch each show twice - once for the character and story development and another just to study the sets. The painstaking detail and the historically accurate precision that has gone into creating the sets and props are, in themselves, the stuff of ...

Fashionistas Take Note

When it comes to fashion, Boston has never had the reputation for being up with the trends. However, just like Boston's design renaissance that I wrote about in an earlier post (see Design Boston), the fashion scene in the Hub is also heating up. As a result, sources have been popping up to keep us all informed about what's new and exciting. The popular blog, New Brahmin, is one place to go to seek out fashion, style and shopping news in the Boston area. New Brahmin's founder, Liana Peterson, feels that Boston has some great fashion stories to tell. Her mission is ...

Editorial Shuffle

For all of us who love reading national shelter magazines, the past several years have brought about many changes. The sluggish economy, among other factors, has resulted in the demise of many magazines including House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, Domino and O at Home. As a result, there has been a tremendous shuffle amongst magazine editors. It all started when the venerable publishing house Conde Nast announced some major changes to their editorial staffs in April. Conde Nast named Stephen Drucker as editor-in-chief of Town&Country; Newell Turner as editor-in-chief of House Beautiful; and Dara Caponigro as editor-in-chief of Veranda. Mr. Drucker ...

Black Crocodile

I love the new Motivo line from CaesarStone. Made from embossed quartz, it is nonporous and easy to care for (like all of CaesarStone's products). In addition to countertops, it can be used in a variety of ways including wall treatments and custom furniture applications. I am particularly drawn to the Crocodile pattern which is absolutely stunning and quite dramatic. I could easily picture it in a sophisticated urban condo or in a contemporary suburban home. Don't you think the black crocodile recalls glamorous handbags and men's accessories? Crocodile Bag by Botega Venetta Shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo Black Crocodile Motivo from CaesarStone

Pool Anyone?

Over the years, many of my clients have expressed a desire to add a pool table to their recreation room. Pool (or pocket billiards) is a game with a long history, and it has become quite popular as a family activity or to play with guests. When one thinks of pool table design, one generally thinks of a traditional style table, many of which are very beautiful. Yet, when installing a table in a more contemporary setting, it is more challenging to find a pool table that blends well with this aesthetic. A great source that I recently came across ...

A Hollywood Gem

Posted on September 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Megan Mullally is best know as the zany Karen Walker on the hit comedy Will & Grace. On the show, Mullally is the assistant for Grace’s interior design business. Although her character’s TV design career was a bust, Mullally has quite an eye for good design in real life. She collaborated on her Hollywood home’s renovation and design with interior designer Ames Ingham. Together they created a home that manages to be cozy, glamorous and full of personality.

Ingham and Mullally first established a background of white walls and ebony floors. This provided a base for an eclectic mix of furnishings and bright bursts of color. The effect is a home that feels current and comfortable.

Here are a few of my favorite spaces:

Photo credit Elle Decor

Photo credit Elle Decor

Photo credit Elle Decor

Photo credit Elle Decor

Photo credit Elle Decor

Mad for Mad Men

Posted on September 6, 2010 · 1 Comment

Another fabulous Mad Men episode last night! Almost as enjoyable as watching the program for me is reading the blogs the morning after which analyze each and every storyline, character and setting. So, here I am, jumping on the blogging bandwagon and posting about one of today’s most popular TV shows. What I really love to do is watch each show twice – once for the character and story development and another just to study the sets. The painstaking detail and the historically accurate precision that has gone into creating the sets and props are, in themselves, the stuff of a college level course! The show is like a living time capsule from the 1960’s.

Here are just a sampling of the sets that exemplify the time period:

The Draper's Living Room

Don and Betty's (ex)Bedroom - traditional glamour

Roger's office - very chic

Classic mid century furniture styles

Would you like to add some Mad Men glamour to your home? Knoll continues to produce furniture from that era. Here are some examples:

Knoll's Eero Saarinen Table

Knoll's Tulip Chair

Knoll's Splay Leg Table and Tray

Master Bathroom Extreme Makeover

Posted on September 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment

As part of a whole house project this past year, I totally redesigned the master bathroom. My clients craved an open, relaxing spa-like retreat. Their original master bathroom – a confined space that was divided into three separate rooms – failed to satisfy their needs. The final design boasts an open concept floor plan that transforms the space into a large, functional retreat that is flooded with natural daylight. A custom, two sided stainless steel mirror suspended from the ceiling with flanking pendants over a large his/her vanity in the middle of the room serves as the bathroom’s centerpiece. Other highlights of the room are intricate mosaics, floor to ceiling limestone tile, a corner soaking tub, a large shower with all of the amenities, a separate dressing vanity and other areas of functional storage. All of these elements were woven together to provide the clients with a high-end spa experience that they can enjoy in the comfort of their own home. This “extreme makeover” is featured in the latest issue of New England Home magazine (September/October 2010).