Shell Chandeliers

I'm kind of into custom shell chandeliers this week. And good, elegant shell chandeliers are really hard to find.

There are lots of cheap Florida-looking shell light fixtures all over the place.  But to find an unusual, sophisticated and elegant fixture takes time or requires custom designs. You have to have exquisite shells and you have to have a clean design that will show them off. Glam rock or beach cool can both be achieved with shells.  But if you are not careful you can also create tacky Key West quite easily.

Shells have been used for centuries in everything from jewelry to dishes.  I find it a lovely material to mix in because it creates a new texture in a room. So have fun with them and create a fresh vibe.

Teal Color Boards

It's such a beautiful day!

I looked out the window when I woke up and saw the teal colors in the ocean. So naturally... today I  was inspired to work in natural ocean colors.  The light foam colors as the waves crash and the color of the water as it approaches the sand are my favorites. They are blends of blues and greens that create a serene peaceful feel.

I am designing a home in Baker's Bay Bahamas and I think these bright teal colors will look great in one of my guest bedrooms. Adding a bit of glass, wicker and antique hardware to the mix so it all looks found and unique. Just yummy.

What do you think of color boards?

Color Insecurity Day

I am preparing color boards for a new project today and I just can't seem to pull it together as securely as I usually do. I can't quite make up my mind and I keep moving fabric samples around. Nothing feels "ah ha! perfect".  Is it too pale?  Is it too feminine?  Is it special enough?  

Yes - it happens to all of us (even me).  Color block!  We all have moments of color selection insecurity, and I am having one today.  Haven't you ever had a day you can't quite figure what to wear?  It's the same feeling.   The green shirt? Or the blue shirts?

What do you think of my selections so far?  Keep it? Or ditch it?

Dennis Wentworth Porter

Fab artist Dennis Wentworth Porter is on my mind today.

I have known Dennis for over 12 years and I have commissioned and used his artwork in many of my client's homes.  The bright colors, the soft brushstrokes, the lively subject matters make his paintings truly beautiful. They add a serene feeling to any room. He combines traditional scenes with contemporary colors to create lush artwork that speaks to most people. 

Dennis has been painting for over 35 years and he currently lives half of the year in Cabo,Mexico and half of the year in Oregon. 

http://www.denniswentworthporter.net

The Bean is a model

My French Bulldog "The Bean"  has decided he is a model!  

I recently had a photo shoot at my house for my upcoming book "The Well Traveled Home" and The Bean loved the photographer and loved being in front of the camera so much, that he interjected himself into every shot he could. He managed to pose and sit still in so many photos that he actually made it into the book.

Frankly - he is so handsome, modeling suits him.

My little Bean....

www.amazon.com/Well-Traveled-Home

Maine Cottages

There is nothing more American than a Maine cottage in the summer. Enjoy!

Corners

So many people's idea of decorating a corner is to just put a plant there.

Almost every room has a corner and they are great little spaces to create intimate, interesting spaces in a room.  You can do so many creative things if you just look at the space and envision what could happen in that corner.  A reading chair and a lamp are always great option, as well as a stand with art.  If the corner is large enough you can even build in small corner seating arrangement.

I'm not sure I believe in Feng Shui, but the ancient Chinese claim corners are the storage energy space of your home. They say the far right corners are the love space and the far left corner is the wealth space. So if you are single and broke you may want to look at your corners carefully!

Just don't leave your corners blank and forget about them.  Corners need your attention too.

The Ciclotte

Leave it to the Italians to come up with a newly reinvented, very sculptural stationary bike. Rethinking traditional cycling aesthetics, the Milanese designer Luca Schieppati has come up with a bike that combines aesthetics and function. His design looks like a large sleek monocycle.

It's crazy expensive, but it screams to be seen.  This pretty machine will show off your modern design style and is surely is not the ugly piece of gym equipment you hide in the basement. Available colors: carbon black, silver or purple.

Getting in shape never looked so cool.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Ciclotte

Blue Colorboard

I'm having fun in the design studio today.  Working on some blue color boards and throwing some fabrics and tile together. Lot's of texture, lots of bright fun splashes. Mixing in some custom colored diamond shaped Moroccan inspired tile and looking for the right wood tone to go with it all.

It feels eclectic.  It feels bright.  It feels like it will be a good space.

I love design!

Houston Shopping

I lived in Houston many moons ago and I forgot about all of the great furniture shopping in town.

I was back visiting a week ago and I took some time out to go down to the Museum District Antique showrooms.  And I found all kinds of great finds. Beautiful washed wood tables, lounge chairs, and accessories. Incredible European country antiques and lots of one of a kind iron architectural salvage pieces. I ended up buying an antique chandelier and a dinning table.  A very "Varanda" elegant, distressed wood feeling that has such southern charm.   Not budget shopping - but so worth it.

So don't give up on Houston.  If you know where to go, it's a gem.

www.graydoorantiques.com

www.chateaudomingue