Requiem Reading...Inspiring Libraries

One of my favorite rooms to design is the library, with its interesting challenge to display or hide books (who would want to do that?) in an ever inventive way while speaking to the soul of the client, isn't that what books do? Here are a few of the images I have collected over time of rooms that speak to me in one way or another...and a couple I have designed as well.

FORMAL

My own design above, for Dallas builder Sharif Munir for the 2010 model showhome at 5107 Kelsey Rd. The home is Mediterranean with with some formal Palm Beach details thrown throughout, including the X floor pattern dotted with inserts of marble and plaster relief ceiling design.

Another design by Dallas Design Group, Interiors for builder Sharif Munir,

4834 S. Lindhurst

And one more by the aforementioned builder for a client based project in the Preston Hollow area of Dallas in a mix of Regency and Palladian style architectural elements




MODERNE


This is by far one of my favorite libraries with it's unexpected pop of sunny yellow, designed by the iconic Kelly Wearstler, this is one library that I don't think you'll be "hushed!!" in





And another personal favorite above, I like how the antiqued mirror breaks up the mass display of books and also how neutral the space is, save for the art and accent pieces.

Photo Credits:

Sharif Munir

Metropolitan Home

Elle Decor

Architectual Digest

House Beautiful

RSVP for Kravet Social Media Tour!

Dallas Designer Michelle Nussbaumer

I have been knee deep in design work and related events for the past few weeks (no complaints!) and realized my stack of design magazines was reaching over 2' - while I work as a full time interior designer and part time interior design blogger but usually find myself doing something with that combo to relax, which means diving in head first to a great shelter magazine or new design book. I came across the column in Veranda magazine "Defining Design" where four interior designers are asked four questions and Dallas' own Michelle Nussbaumer was featured where she dished about the new direction of design and architecture and even who she looks up to in the design world.


While maintaining these past few crazy weeks I was not able to attend Michelle's event hosted at her showroom in the design district, Ceylon et Cie where "All The Best" blogger Ronda Carman and Sferra Linens joined forces to launch the new linen line for Sferra, however one of my other favorite bloggers Rebecca Sherman of Houses, Gardens, People did and posted wonderful photos on her site...check it out!

Photos: Veranda Magazine

Join Dwell with Dignity for Official "Housewarming" Party

A year has passed since Dwell With Dignity did their very first install for a mother and daughter. Looking back and seeing how far Dwell With Dignity has come, it’s time to celebrate this past year’s achievements in style. On Friday, May 21 from 6-8pm, Dwell With Dignity will host a heartfelt, housewarming party welcoming friends, family and volunteers into their new home and office space.

The party has already gained recognition and people are jumping in to help; Ketel One will be mixing up cocktails, Walker & Co. Imports from Abroad will provide lounge furniture, Wisteria will donate tote bags, Jacob Wise from the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band will perform, Richard Bettinger will showcase his fine art photography throughout the house and guests don’t miss out on Dwell With Dignity’s donated craft studio form The Container Store. On another note, guests should get excited--Randal Weeks of Aidan Gray donated his chairs for the event’s silent auction. Chair designs will feature Samantha Reitmeyer of Swoon the Studio, Christopher Ridolfi of William-Christoper Design and John Tutolo of Haven. Guests are encouraged to bring a housewarming gift from Target’s Club Wedd Registry. Gift cards and monetary donations are also acceptable. All gifts will be used for Dwell With Dignity’s future installations.

WHO: Dwell With Dignity, Volunteers, Friends, Dallas’ design community
WHAT: Celebrate Dwell with Dignity’s One Year Anniversary in their new home!
WHEN: Friday, May 21, 2010 6-8pm
WHERE: Dwell With Dignity House ( 3112 Hood St., Dallas, TX 75219)
WHY: To thank our volunteer and supporters in the community
VISIT: http://www.blogger.com/www.dwellwithdignity.org; visit http://www.target.com/registry/wedding/portal
for housewarming gifts. Name: Dwell W. Dignity

dallasDECORUM Join's Kravet's Social Media Tour

I am beyond excited and flattered that I have been choosen as one of 3 panelists to sit for Kravet's Social Media Tour that will be treking through Dallas on Wednesday June 2 - so designers, save the date and prepare to prepare your business for tips and tricks and the overall benefits of using social media to your advantage. The tour began in Washington DC then went on to Kravet's headquarters in Bethpage, New York and will have stops along the way in Chicago, Houston and other major cities.

If you are asking what social media is - you are already somewhat aware of it by reading this blog and the chances are you are on a social media site such as facebook or linkedIN, the point of the tour is it to harness the power of these inexpensive avenues of, drumroll...advertising is what it boils down to, and who isn't excited about "free" advertising?! I will be posting up an invite with a link to RSVP to the event. If you would like to RSVP before the post is up, you can email me directly and I will be sure Kravet saves a spot for you. And oh ya, it is free! Can't wait to see you there!

I am also excited to announce that Kravet has chosen me as one of their 10 young, up and coming designers to a by invitation only event at Hotel ZaZa hosted by Steve Nobel, who is at the forefront of business & marketing advice for interior designers, and is the author of Aiming at Affluence: How 2 Market + Manage Interior Design. I can't wait hear what he has to say and start putting it to use in my own career.

Kravet - Inspired.talk

I wanted to give a big shout out to Kravet for posting a link to dallasDECORUM on their ever popular blog Inspired.talk! This is a great source for working interior designers as it hits on all of the professional and business aspects that many blogs fall short on, while getting some of the best advice from the company that continues steady growth each year, now offering up products that range from lighting, rugs, and furnshings. One of my favorite features is Steve Nobel's column where he discusses everything from marketing to that oh so difficult pricing question. You can check it out here...

And stay tuned as dallasDECORUM will be announcing some even more exciting news in the next week regarding Kravet and dallasDECORUM!

Weekend Projects - What I've Been Doing to My OWN House

I am super excited to rush home tonight to see my wood floors that are going to be installed while I am at work...I have had carpet in my living room for 3 years and hated every second of it! The bedrooms will still have carpet for now while the rest of the house has tile. Carpet to me should be left for places like bedrooms, media rooms (for acoustics) and possibly playrooms where the kiddos love to roll around in the fluffiness of the accumulation of 5 million dust mites. Ugh...but really, if you can do wood everywhere, do it!

I selected a medium to dark tone with a wider width board being over 5". The company also sells the wood in wider widths, even up to 8" in the bamboo. I personally really like bamboo flooring - it is modern, inexpensive and green as bamboo is a sustainable material and has an exponential growth rate. It is also not limited to light tones people normally correlate to bamboo materials, but is also available in medium to espresso finishes. I purchased my flooring online via Simple Floors, a great selection with even better prices and uber friendly employees.

So now I am faced with making yet another decision, a rug for this room. As a designer, maybe my fellow designers go through this as well, I can NOT make a decision for myself! Actually, that is not entirely true, if I had an unlimited budget I could make decisions all day long, to the dismay of my bank account! It is a daunting task to find something I can spend a reasonable amount of money on, that is not from Crate & Barrel or some other big box retailer that Sue and Mary don't already have in their house. That is why I am a big fan of estate sales, antique malls, and just random shops that have one a kind pieces. Here are a few selections that I have made for my home thus far...and some rug options I have below. Let me know which one is your favorite!

BREAKFAST/DINING ROOM

This is a recent purchase I made, a pendant light fixture via Uttermost. I liked how it is modern yet still a little funky and different

While purusing a favorite delivery company's consignment store, PDS Consignments, I found a marble topped table similiar to the Ereo Sarrinen Tulip Table. While the base is different (so not a true one) it did have the beautiful veined top and it was $150 for a 50"! This is probably one of my favorite pieces in the house. I had glass, then wood and both are impossible to keep clean and damage fee - this is so easy to clean and resists scratching and denting.

MY OFFICE

(MY OLD DINING ROOM SPACE)

I have converted my dining room into my office so my 6 year old could take over the extra bedroom and have her own playroom where I can just close the door when a tornadoe goes through it! And during big holidays it is not hard to simply turn the table around and make it a dining room again. This is my inspiration shot, a Kelly Wearstler design, I want to incorporate this feel into the room, mixing different styles and periods but in a way that everything works well together. I am also planning on papering one wall...again I haven't decided on the exact one, but have narrowed it down from over 20 (I am being serious, unfortunately).

Here's what was left...

Schumacher "Birches" (on foil)

Schumacher "Fireworks"

Let me know your thoughts!


LIVING/FAMILY ROOM

Okay, above my living room currently has the walls painted almost this exact color,and the trim being about the same as well. My home is on the soft modern side but with random funkinesss thrown in, like a huge black and white macro shot of a dandelion, with orchids and books everywhere, things like that. The wood floors will be the medium to dark and here are my rug selections below...if I could run over to Edward Fields and have Debbie make me up a custom beaut I would, but dropping $15G's isn't an option :0

I am leaning towards the beige or the tan - I want the rug to be lighter than the floors...this is my favorite

Clean, modern, and simple

I love the patterns of the rugs below but they are too dark , if anyone knows of lighter versions that are similiar let me know.

It's Friday - And Time for Pool Season!

With the weather inching over 90 degrees these past few days here in Texas, most of us are ready to break out the bathing suits and take a dip in the crystal clear water of a swimming pool. I am starting my weekend early so here are a few images to help you escape for a few minutes on this beautiful Friday!

Sting and Heidi's infinity pool...I would be so water logged as I would never leave this spot!

Photo Credit:

Elle Decor

Decor Pad

House Beautiful

Arteriors Home Present The Laura Kirar Collection

During this past market in High Point, North Carolina, Arteriors Home unveiled their latest collection that collaborates with interior designer Laura Kirar. This trend of licensing continues to gain momentum where designers are not merely relying on client based design fees and commissions, but outsourcing their talents much like a celebrity or sport athlete endorsement, without the paparazzi! I can't really imagine a hoard of reporters tracking a designer down to hear what the latest color trend is, but they are definitely a source of inspiration for others.

Laura Kirar is a Miami and New York based designer, the founder and creative director of TRU Design and brings to the Arteriors Home collection a mix of metals, finishes, and organic shapes that are represented in lighting, accessories, and wall decor. A sampling of the 90-piece collection below. I am loving the Seed and Leave chandelier as well as the metal lotus flower. Enjoy!