Archive
for July, 2011
Friends, Gardens and Outdoor Living Spaces
Jul 25 2011 ·0Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
~Marcel Proust
I am fortunate to know several talented gardeners whom I call dear friends. As the summer season has progressed, I’ve paid visits to three wonderful local gardens. Today I’d like to share just a peek into each unique space.
My friend Ginny‘s yard is filled with beautiful, abundant, colorful garden beds. One of my favorite elements in her yard is this stunning mosaic bench.
I love the curved lines of the mosaic design which echo the curved lines in the garden beds
Handmade by Ginny and tucked into the corner of one of her backyard gardens, this bench is not only an unexpected design element but also a practical spot to take a break from the work of weeding. 
I love how the colors in the bench perfectly echo the flowers, including these irises, in the garden.
Just lovely.
At my friend Jen‘s home, an eclectic border garden greets you as you approach the entrance.
Great mix of traditional and modern materials
I love the mix of plant material and elements in this garden, especially the lantern which adds a touch of contemporary art to the space. There’s more drama in this terrace area.
The elephant ear plant is so stunning!
The elephant ear in the window box combined with the surprising addition of an adjacent lemon tree, provides a mix of foliage that both adorns and enlivens this petite space.
There are so many inviting features in my friend Debbie‘s garden that it’s hard to pick a favorite. One of the most dramatic elements is this beautiful pond that Debbie and her husband constructed.
A spectacular collaboration!
The nearby bench provides a perfect spot to cool off, sip iced tea and share a secret with a friend. 
This patio is one of the first spaces you see as you enter the yard and you can’t help but be drawn in by this delightful space.
More color echoes: repetition of the green in the cushion, the ferns and the planter foliage
The wire love seat beckons you to sit and enjoy the view, including several interesting items such as sculpture, an ornate iron trellis and across the patio, another water feature: a small copper fountain.
Really, is there any more delightful way to spend a summer afternoon than in the garden of a friend?
xo,
Pamela
Posh Partners: Colony Rug
Jul 19 2011 ·0“Always do more than is required of you.”
~George Patton
As a designer, it is my job to envision a space as it could be. Executing that vision requires the assistance of trusted and skilled partners. Today I’d like to highlight one of my favorite vendors, the wonderful people at Colony Rug.
Living room by Pamela Copeman Design Group, floor covering by Colony Rug
Colony is a family business with a history of outstanding service. While they sell rugs, they are truly in the business of building relationships. In fact, my relationship with Colony Rug goes back nearly 20 years! Colony is the place for all types of carpet from premier wools to imported rugs with contemporary patterns to commercial carpet and spectacular one-of-a-kind floor coverings. Their workmanship is second to none. Colony creates carpet with perfect, nearly undetectable seams and unique, cut and sewn to fit shapes.
Fabulous installation with meticulous curved detail
Positively incredible!
For a recent project, the crew from Colony was charged with installing a large carpet in a relatively small area. As usual, they worked with both precision and consideration.
Carefully repositioning the drapes during installation
In addition to the space constraints, this space also houses a baby grand piano. With the utmost care, the Colony crew lifted and repositioned the piano, placing it down on the new carpet perfectly.
When working with Colony, Page and the crew aren’t satisfied until the customer is delighted and has had a superior experience. One of the best examples I can give of Colony’s impeccable service occurred when a large quantity of black paint was spilled on a newly installed Colony carpet at one of my design projects. You can only imagine my horror! One call to Colony was all it took to remedy the situation. Within hours they were on-site working their magic. When they were finished, perfection once again!
Another fabulous carpet and installation by Colony Rug
Excellent selection, expert craftsmanship and unparalleled customer service are all part of what make Colony Rug in Hanover one of my favorite Posh Partners!
xo,
Pamela
Artist Spotlight: Kelley MacDonald
Jul 13 2011 ·2“A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, and inspires.”
Hedy Lamar
Artist Kelley MacDonald in her Rhode Island studio
Today I’d like to introduce you to a wonderful artist and friend, Kelley MacDonald. Kelley paints in what she describes as a contemporary realist style. Kelley is well known for her “Dailies”: small, daily paintings focusing on a variety of subjects from donuts to landscapes. Kelley was in fact just named as the newest member of the DailyPainters.comgroup, an artistic goal for her and a true and deserved honor!
One of Kelley's 'Peppermints' daily paintings
Recently I made a trip to Rhode Island to visit Kelley. Whenever I am invited to Kelley’s studio I know I’m in for a treat. The walk up the well worn, creaking stairs to her space fills my soul with anticipation. In the style of Monet, all four studio walls are covered from floor to ceiling with paintings. Dailies, sunsets, figures and birds are on display along with several of Kelley’s beribboned award-winning paintings.
Some of Kelley's work displayed on ledges in her studio
As a painter, I am always hopeful that some of Kelley’s immense creativity will come to me through osmosis during one of these visits. I am newly inspired after each visit with Kelley and invariably I paint the next day with freer strokes of my brush and joy in my heart.
One of Kelley's spectacular sunset paintings
Kelley’s work reflects the heart and soul of a truly good person. In each painting, she sweeps her canvas with love and positive energy. I am proud to own several of Kelley’s paintings. Her sunset and daily paintings hanging in my home not only bring vitality and happiness to my space, but also keep me company and remind me of my dear friend, Kelley.
xo,
Pamela
Garden Update
Jul 10 2011 ·0“Earth laughs in flowers.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Not only the Earth, but also containers filled with Earth! The sun has been shining and there’s been a transformation taking place on my deck. Before I show you what it looks like now, how about a little reminder of what the terrace looked like just 6 short weeks ago…
late May
Now, with a little sunshine, water, and a lot of hard work…
The terrace, in bloom!
Oh my, how the plants have grown!
Now that the terrace is in tip-top shape, the parties have started. Good friends are the best decoration for any space!
We christened the deck with a Sunset Supper gathering
Just as it’s important to coordinate interior and exterior spaces, coordinating your dress with your space is also a key design principle!
Mother Nature was kind enough to echo the terrace hues with a spectacular sunset
In addition to color coordination, there are other important design principles at work in this terrace space.
Incorporating personal, sculptural elements adds depth to the space. Lanterns, both paper and solar powered, add texture, visual interest and a whimsical flair.
When selected carefully, silk foliage adds another layer of interest and versatility to an outdoor space. Outfitted with white lights for evening ambiance, this 9 1/2 foot ficus tree is from Beacon Hill Showroom.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour of my Terrace Garden–and I hope your outdoor space is bringing you just as much happiness this summer season!
xo,
Pamela
Posh Palettes Presentation Panel: Fiery Sunset
Jul 03 2011 ·0“The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color.”
~Hans Hoffman
Today I’d like to introduce the Posh Palettes Presentation Panel. Every design project that I undertake begins with an inspiration board. After an initial meeting with the client, I set about pulling together fabric, wallpaper, trims and other objects that will set the mood for the space. Just as importantly, my goal is for the Presentation Panel to evoke an emotional response from the client. Each board is reflective not only of my vision for the design of the space, but of the personality of the people who will be living in that space.
Fiery Sunset inspiration board
I put together this Presentation Panel for the living room of a waterside condo. The orange and poppy colors are pulled directly from nature and the stunning sunsets that are visible from several rooms in the home. The woman who lives here is an artist, loves travel and the beach and has a flair for glamour. As a designer, it is my job to integrate all of these elements into the space and it begins with the inspiration board.
While all elements on a board won't make it into the final design, they contribute to the mood of the space
The vibrant sunset colors are luxurious but not fluorescent. The fabrics are tactile and lush despite being used in a contemporary design.
Textures abound on this Presentation Panel
In the before shot of the living room, you can see that the space lacks definition. 
To address this problem, we created two partial walls that serve to define the room while still leaving it open to the rest of the space.
This 'after' shot shows the addition of carpet and the partial wall
Trim detail from the Presentation Panel on a pillow in the final design
The orange and poppy colors are juicy, vibrant colors, that provide punch in the space. These “pop” colors are set against a neutral, sand colored background. The net result is to ground the space visually with the sand colored sofa and carpet. This strategy also makes it far more practical should the homeowner wish to change the room in the future. Swapping out pillows and accent pieces? Easy, breezy. Re-upholstering a sofa? Much more involved–though I’d be more than happy to oblige!
The neutral background sets off a striking side chair
Finally, in this shot we can see a glimpse of the outdoor space that is visible from the living room. The colors of the blooms outdoors have been carefully coordinated with the design inside the home. Carrying the orange and poppy scheme beyond the room and into the adjoining outdoor space creates a seamless and beautiful transition. A perfect illustration that even what’s outside your windows counts in interior design.
Hope you’ve enjoyed this peek at a Posh Palette Presentation Panel!
xo,
Pamela