Archive
for May, 2012
Blogfest 2012: Designer Show House Trends
May 31 2012 ·0I’ve been back from New York City for a week now, but it seems I’m just beginning to process all of the amazing and inspiring things I experienced during Blogfest 2012. First off, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the entire Kravet team for a wonderful event. Beginning with the welcome from Cary Kravet at the opening night reception and throughout the jam-packed agenda of the following two days, this was a truly incredible gathering.
Today I wanted to share some of the trends I noted while touring not one, but two, designer show houses during Blogfest.
On Monday, Margaret Russell hosted the kickoff to Blogfest at the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Designer Show House. This year’s space featured two adjoining penthouse apartments on Manhattan’s West Side. Here, city chic and glamour ruled the day~right up my alley!
As I toured the rooms, the first trend that caught my eye (literally), was the abundance and variety of reflective and metallic surfaces.
This reflective table is a functional piece of contemporary art.
I love this shiny granite surface along with the trough-like sink and sleek faucet.
In the Alexa Hampton designed bedroom the walls were lacquered in Dragon’s Breath by Benjamin Moore.
photo credit: habituallychic.blogspot.com
The use of a reflective, hard surface on the wall, coupled with a silver ceiling, is an unexpected design choice in a bedroom, yet it turned out beautifully.
Even fabrics are part of the reflective trend! Here, metallic textiles cover a sofa and coordinating pillows. 
This intricate metallic wall art adds drama as light plays off its reflective surface.
The other notable trend from the Kips Bay Show House was the creative use of digital imaging.
This digital image of a classic painting was blown up to mural size and fit perfectly into this niche. Surrounded by modern furnishings, it was striking and effective.
image credit: New York Times
Across the room, this is an image the designer captured while in Europe. This touch is at once personal, unique and classic~a winning combination to be sure!
Charlotte Moss and me
Charlotte Moss’ space was entitled Behind the Hedge and was filled with an abundance of creative ideas. My favorite detail in this space was once again the use of digital photography murals. Charlotte explained that this mural was made from photographs she had taken while traveling. Even the blue and white tile “baseboard” is digitally produced–amazing!
Photo source: blog.sheffield.edu
The trend spotting continued on Tuesday as we toured the Elle Decor Modern Concept House. While overall this space wasn’t as appealing to me as the Kips Bay house, I adored the terrace at the Modern Life house. Attention to detail and design and extending the living space of a home to the outdoor space is a trend I very much embrace.
Despite persistent clouds and sprinkles, the terrace was sunny and bright~thanks in part to the dazzling metal circle screen panels. I love this idea and can think of a dozen ways to use it!
Michael Tavano in the space he designed
Designer Michael Tavano used screen material to drape over the sofa area to provide shelter and all of the fabrics are weather and sun resistant–including the animal print!
Another area of the compact terrace that is given depth by the use of the mirror. Using mirrors outside to reflect water views or to expand our spaces is something I’d love to see more of.
Overall I loved touring both of these fabulous show houses. I also love that the trends I highlighted are so versatile and easy to re-create. Incorporating reflective surfaces and metallics instantly provides contrast and brings a modern flair into a space. As for the digital photography murals–my mind is twirling with ideas! I can not wait to use this idea in my own home. I hope that you too can find an inspiring idea to use in your home or outdoor space.
Stay tuned for more inside scoop on my trip to Blogfest coming up soon!
xo,
Pamela
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Pamela's Posh Picks: NYC, Blogfest 2012 edition
May 26 2012 ·0As many of you know, this week I spent four days in New York City at Blogfest 2012. It was truly spectacular in every way! Here are a few of my favorite things, aka Posh Picks, from this week.
The New York City skyline is like no other, too bad I only got a peek of it this trip because of the cloud cover…
Some of my favorite sights came in small sizes~
Then again some were very grand…
Charlotte Moss designed room at Kipps Bay Showhouse
Outstanding Speakers at the Hearst Tower on Day 2 of Blogfest
Jennifer Levene Bruno, Darryl Carter, Dara Caponigro, Tmothy Whealon
Baccarat Chandelier with the signature red crystal, don’t you love the denim shades?
The tour of the Kravet Studio was a definite highlight, here is the desk of a fabric designer with her paint palette (so jealous)…
The store windows in NYC are always over-the-top. Please pass me a spoon (SoHo)…
My favorite store for inspiration and fantasy: ABC Carpet and Home, I heart you!
I love New York!
Beautiful tablescape with red, white, and blue accents…
Much more from Blogfest next week, until then, wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend as we cherish and remember the heroes in our lives.
xo,
Pamela
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Blogfest 2012
May 24 2012 ·0I’ve just returned from an incredible three days in New York City attending Blogfest 2012, what a whirlwind! Lots more photos and inspiration coming soon but for now I wanted to share this photo of me with ALL my favorite things at the Brunschwig & Fils showroom.
This was part of a contest and guess what…I won–a Lauduree gift basket! Thank you so much to the Kravet family and the entire Kravet team for hosting this wonderful event!
xo,
Pamela
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Blogfest Bound!
May 21 2012 ·0I am beyond thrilled to be on my way to New York City to attend Kravet’s Blogfest 2012 this week!
Three full days (and nights) of parties, previews, design celebrities, endless inspiration and meeting fellow interior designers and bloggers~what could be better??
Here’s a quick peek at just a few of the fabulous events on our agenda…
The official kick-off party at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House hosted by Margaret Russell, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest
Touring the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House
Attending the Hard Hat Preview Party at Baccarat
Color Pulse 2013 annual forecast with color expert and trend analyst John Turner from Benjamin Moore
It’s sure to be an incredible trip and I can’t wait to share the highlights when I return!
xo,
Pamela
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Pamela's Posh Picks: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
May 18 2012 ·0Mirrors are a wonderful decorative accessory for so many reasons. Whether for checking your lipstick or adding glamour to an otherwise plain space, mirrors add sparkle and light as they reflect the view, inside or out. Enjoy my Posh Picks for this week, Mirrors.
This gold leaf mirror has a contemporary flair, I love the curve.
Reproduction Gold Leaf Round Mirror
This wonderfully chic mirror has an Arabian Nights vibe with its dark color and attractive curves.
dCOR Design Vishnu Mirror in Black
Why not a pair of mirrors? Hung one above the other, these X accented square mirrors would look great in a small entry or landing.
Worlds Away X Square Silver Leaf Mirror
This updated classic Sunburst mirror would look great in a patio room or screened porch.
Of course mirrors aren’t just for walls…
Mirrored sandals?? Yes, please!
Thakoon Mirror Mosaic Strappy Sandals
Sparkle on, friends!
xo,
Pamela
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How Does Your Garden Grow?
May 16 2012 ·0This is that wonderful time of year when gardens are full of promise and blooms in every color~ and time for my friend Jen and I to take our traditional trip to Russell’s Nursery! Every year we visit and chose from their unique and bountiful selection of perennial plants, annuals and herbs for our borders, pots and trellises.
While Jen ‘tiptoed through the tulips’, I walked among the roses and found some beauties to share with you. Roses have come a long way from the fragile, disease-prone plants of yesteryear. Today there are Knock-Out varieties that bloom all season and colors to match every fabric… take a peek.
Isn’t this a pretty shade of yellow?
This apricot is so soft, it would compliment a deeper orange hue as well.
Love this trendy orange….
These are rainbow sherbet roses~ makes me feel like getting an ice cream cone, how about you?
If you look closely at these roses you can see the double petals–and they are climbers too, love them!
These wooden supports come in all sizes and shapes to aid your roses and other plants
I spotted these chic containers, perfect for a terrace garden
…and these more traditional terra cotta containers for a patio
Time to get back to the flowers. Poppies are one of my favorites in the garden…
When the flowers are closed their little heads droop and they seem so heavy~but then the pod opens and the petals slowly unfurl and unravel like wrinkled tissue paper into beautiful transparent paper-like petals. The centers can be dark and threadlike and dance in the wind. This is a flower with many transformations…just like some of us.
Poppies showing off
Poppies all in a row
Whatever (or wherever) you choose to plant this year, consider a tour of your local nursery to see what is growing and try something new in your garden~ you may just fall in love …
“Mary Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.”
~Traditional Nursery Rhyme
xo,
Pamela
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Treasure Mothers Everywhere
May 13 2012 ·0Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, pictured here with 2 of her 5 daughters, Maura in her lap and me standing:
Cheers to my Emily and Pally for making me a very happy Mother today and always…
I’m sending hugs to all who nurture and care for children in good times and in hard times. So many of my friends and family inspire me, raise me up and serve as role models everyday ~ Happy Mothers Day!
If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
xo,
Pamela
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Pamela's Posh Picks: The Met Gala {Tangerine} Carpet
May 11 2012 ·0This week the Met Ball took place in NYC! Aptly nicknamed the “Oscars of the East Coast”, the Met Ball celebrates the annual opening of the Metropolitan Museum’s fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. This year the red carpet event took on a tangerine hue as many stars donned gowns in the Pantone Color of the Year.
Trends in interiors and fashion often mirror one another and this year’s Met Ball is a perfect example. Here are some of my favorite tangerine gowns from the gala event!
Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Luhuilier
Ginnifer Goodwin looks shapely and delicious as an orange in this silk chiffon cap sleeve gown with an embroidered neckline and draped skirt~love the details!
Eva Mendes in Prada
Eva Mendes in Prada tangerine silk strapless peplum gown with bejeweled bodice is perfect!
Tory Burch
Tory Burch in coral appliqué orchids on white tulle has borrowed a fabric directly from a fabric showroom~ this would look great in a ball gown drape…
Kristen Bell in Tommy Hilfiger
Kristen Bell looks lovely in Tommy Hilfiger’s crinkle silk chiffon gown with a halter neckline. The waist ruching is reminiscent of a drapery style swag valance.
Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney
Kristen Wiig is all decked out in orange lace oh so chic!
Katherine McPhee in Elie Saab
Katherine McPhee is a SMASH in a glittering sparkling orange gown by Elie Saab.
Oh how I heart orange…
xo,
Pamela
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BDC Seminar Series: Passion, Imagination and Design
May 08 2012 ·0Last week Janus et Cie at the Boston Design Center sponsored a wonderful seminar featuring Pamela Jaccarino, Editor-in-Chief of Luxe Interiors + Design magazine. Luxe is the quintessential source for those with a passion for creating beautiful surroundings and living well.
The presentation was entitled Passion, Imagination and Design. During her engaging talk, Pamela highlighted many of the inspirations and influences that are helping to shape creativity and design today. Featuring some of her favorite elite designers and spaces they’ve designed, along with meaningful quotes and background information, she inspired all in attendance.
Here is a snippet of her message and some photos (taken from her power point program, my apologies on the quality). I hope you too glean some ideas from this seminar!
Passion
“If you love what you do the passion and excitement are always there to provide the curiosity and drive necessary to succeed. My work reflects the joy I get out of transforming the wishes of my clients into beautiful spaces.” ~Jamie Drake
I love this quote, especially the universality of the first sentence. As a designer, I also reflect this philosophy in my designs.
This is a Jamie Drake design for a client.
Such a great, eclectic mix of furnishings and the art work, I love the great pops of color as well.
This design is called Purple Zinger–can you see why?
This is an Amy Lau design:
Amy is inspired by nature and abstract art which is reflected in her design work. She was quoted as saying, “I never tried black on the walls ever, this was really forward thinking for me.” The client she was working with insisted that black be used as a backdrop for her colorful furnishings and art–and Amy totally made it work.
I love this quote…
Imagination is the creative process, training the eye to see the very best.
Imagination can be “kick started” by viewing fashion and home magazines, blogs or websites.
I’ve experience this type of inspiration firsthand~ I’ve designed window hardware using a piece of jewelry as my inspiration and a feathered leading edge border on a drapery inspired by an earring. Tip: look at things 3 different ways… and always THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
Passion and Imagination lead to my favorite: DESIGN
This is a workbook of doodles that will transform into a glorious fabric and wallpaper collection. Amazingly, the design all started with a colored pencil in a wire-bound notebook from Staples.
Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield designed this beautiful room for the Greystone Estate Showhouse. This was the front cover of the program~ isn’t it grand?
Their designs are known for Hollywood glamour and the belief that having one foot grounded in the past and one foot to walking towards the future keeps one’s designs planted firmly in the present.
I absolutely adore this next space~
I am ready and waiting to re-create this bedroom for my next client! Who wouldn’t love this ~ step right up!
Do you remember the lobbies in grand hotels that would feature a circular settee in the center of the reception area?
It looks right at home in this space as well. Such an elegant and functional piece of furniture.
At the end of the magnificent presentation, Pamela asked us several thought provoking questions that I now pose to you:
“What is your passion?”
“How will you expand your imagination?
“What drives your passion”
I challenge you to take out your journal (you do have one, right?) and record some thoughts on these questions. Then go back to this page all week and work on completing a plan as it relates to your passion. It will thrill you to explore the possibilities and get you thinking about how to translate your passion into action!
Finally, a photo op with Jennifer Matthews, Vice President, Group Publisher, moi and Pamela Jaccarino, Editor-in-Chief, Luxe Interiors + Design magazine, taken at the post-seminar luncheon at the JANUS et Cie showroom.
“You can’t depend on your eyes, when your imagination is out of focus”
~Mark Twain
xo,
Pamela
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Pamela's Posh Picks: Cinco de Mayo
May 06 2012 ·0Saludos amigos! I hope you are enjoying this Cinco de Mayo weekend! While the origin of the Cinco de Mayo holiday may be an improbable victory by the Mexicans against the invading French army in the city of Pueblo, it has really evolved into a celebration of the Mexican way of life. 
In honor of this fun holiday, this week’s Posh Picks include the great collection of festive Mexican inspired fabrics that the Boston Design Center has put together on their blog: The BDC Goes South of the Border.
I invite you to enjoy a margarita and some chips and guac and go ahead and take a peek!
{image source: totalrecipe.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest}
xo,
Pamela
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PIC + BDC = Stylish Community Service
May 01 2012 ·0It has always been part of my company’s mission statement to donate professional services. Since our founding, we have taken on a variety of different community service projects including stenciling a tired teacher’s lounge in an elementary school, designing two receptions areas in my town’s Community Center and donating artwork to fundraising auctions supporting a plethora of worthy causes. Over the past several years, I have been privileged to be involved with two different organizations that work with Boston Public high school students : Boston Private Industry Council and STEP Inspire. Both of these organizations seek to connect students to careers and workplaces in a variety of industries, offering a glimpse of a bright future.
This past March, Jen Bardsley, Paul Neal and I hosted a group of students from the Boston PIC program at the Boston Design Center. Together we toured several showrooms while the students completed a fun Design Challenge.
To start the day, Julie Rogowski, the VP/General Manager of the BDC, welcomed the students and shared her personal career journey.
Our next stop was the Sherwin Williams Color Studio. Here the the students were divided into 2 teams for the Design Challenge: to create an inspiration board for a first apartment.
Me with Jen, looking a little camera shy
The showroom manager shared a bit about Sherwin-Williams, the different formulas of paint and her education. She then offered them paint chip samples to help get them started with their project design. 
Next, we were on to the Lee Jofa showroom to view and be inspired by fabrics, wall coverings, trims, carpets and furnishings. 
First though, Carol Ann spoke about her various positions before she reached Lee Jofa. The students were impressed with her amazing vocabulary and in turn, Carol Ann stressed the importance of being well spoken. She encouraged our students to read classic literature and watch PBS as excellent ways to build your language and writing skills. Oh, and she also discussed the beauty of fabrics–of course!
Rebecca at the Osborne and Little showroom gave a tour of her area and showed off some unusual wall coverings in faux leather and mock feathers~ all tres chic.
No tour at the BDC would be complete without a stop at Rolf Benz Studio.
Gary demonstrated the unique features of his “magical” furnishings. Naturally everyone wanted a turn to test them out!
My team was finalizing their design palette for an apartment in Jamaica (where one of the girl’s was going to college in the Fall). Don’t you just love the bright colors for a tropical location?
Paul’s team had a more tailored conservative approach, which is respectable and sooo Paul ;-).
I am so proud of the presentation and design my team created. Bravo!
A photo of the entire group: students from PIC, Jen, Paul and me ~ a grand day of volunteerism indeed.
What an honor to spend the day with these wonderful young people! After a day like this I am always left with a fulfilling feeling of optimism about the future.
To quote my daughter’s high school yearbook…
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
~Eleanor Roosevelt
xo
Pamela
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