~Merry Christmas~

~Merry Christmas from my home to yours!~

Finally Fall

Hello everyone. Yes, I am still around. All I can say is it has been a very interesting last couple of months and I found myself not really feeling inspired to blog - frankly quite uninspired, hence the hiatus. Now, with fall fast approaching I'm feeling like it's time to get back in the blogging swing of things. I hope you all are doing smashing and are enjoying all of the nice cool fall weather. So here's to fall, blogging and being able to layer clothes!

Thoughts on Blogging

Its safe to say I could easily join these three today. Its Wednesday and it already feels like a full week. Yesterday, I was reading through a couple of blogs quickly and I happened on a post by Tommy of Specs Appeal and it really made me think. He was questioning why one blogs.

This is a question I have asked myself on a few occasions. For me, I always come back to inspiration and the idea that your able to express that inspiration in a medium with like minded people. Also, the fact that someone actually reads and comments is always a huge boost. My blog is small in comparison to many others and really my process of posting is a bit organic. I'm not at the place to take on advertisers or be offered anything of that nature, but I do see many blogs doing that as of late. I have to say in some cases it seems to change the blog and the personal feel is lost a bit for me, but I can see where in some cases it allows small business a means to advertise in a cost effective manner. I think it's all in the delivery and the way they are presented on the blog.

Plus, another reason I blog is it seems guy bloggers are few and far between and represent a different view in the blogosphere which I think is a nice addition. All in all my point is that my blog is just a small space that allows me to express whatever inspiration I come across on a day to day basis. Whether it be work related or something I've seen or read, it allows me a space to share in hopes that it might interest you the reader. I'm curious to know why you blog?

Hello bloggers, it's been a while.... my apologies. Summer seems to be in full motion and it's hard to believe that we are almost halfway through July. I hope all of you are having a great one! I have been quite busy on projects and all things work related. I squeezed in a vacation to CA and find myself still trying to play catch up. I have so many blogs to catch up on and hope to get back on the blogging train. On another note, have you guys been watching Million Dollar Decoraters? I have to say that with each passing episode they have become better and better. I really hate to see the season come to a close. I have become quite addicted and find myself watching the same episodes over and over....Thank you Bravo.... or should I say Your Welcome Bravo?

Drapery Drama

Just wanted to post a picture of my latest project that I completed. Everything turned out nicely but I must say the drapes are the stand out feature. I knew I had to bring some major drama to those windows, so with the addition of the light fixture and installing the draperies things became very dramatic.....just what I wanted!

Million Dollar Kathryn

Next up on Bravo's "Million Dollar Decorators" is none other than Kathryn Ireland. Kathryn really has one of the most comfortable aesthetics of the designers on the show. Her genius is the fact it seems as if a designer was never there.

I love her use of textures and layers, both keys in making a space feel warm and lived in. I think her style could be summed up as "bohemian chic". She's worked with numerous celebrities so it should be interesting what she brings to the show.

Below is a picture I found of Andy Cohen partying with some of the cast of "Million Dollar Decorators" along with "Real Housewife" Cindy Barshop. I'm a huge WWHL fan so I hope he brings the decorators on his show....I'm sure it would be good TV!

Million Dollar JAM

Today I'm showing the work of Jeffery Allan Marks. He will be featured on Bravo's new upcoming show "Million Dollar Decorators". I have to admit that I was not familiar with his work up to this point, but once I did some research I quickly realized I had seen his work in Elle Decor last year.

Everything came back to me very quickly once I saw the photos and I was able to put a designer with the images. I remember thinking that the hanging boat in the first photo was genius!

Jeffery's style is very relaxed and definitely a space one could live in and add to. His design perspective is what I would describe as a very relaxed, casual elegance. He has also done some beautiful commercial work as well.

I have a feeling that he will make for some good TV...

Million Dollar Mary

Over the next week I'm going to profile the designers of the upcoming Bravo show "Million Dollar Decorators". I can't express how excited I am for this show. I have said for some time now that there needed to be a reality show about this business because it would make great TV.

Today I have posted some work of Mary McDonald. She really is a phenomenal decorator in the sense she knows scale and color and how to combine the two. Scale is so important and being able to determine what a space needs is a key factor to any great space. Her bold use of color to accentuate the space is pure perfection.

Personally, I love Mary's draperies in all of her rooms. She combines multiple colors and layers to really add that unexpected punch all while making them seem completely effortless. She is an amazing decorator and I am so excited to get to see a glimpse into her process and business. I think she is going to be one of my faves...

What's not to love?

I love this space done by designer Todd Romano because:

I love me a velvet sofa.

I love me some lacquered walls.....and

I always love me a zebra rug.

So, whats not to love?

Being with Bunny

I had the most amazing opportunity this past weekend meet and speak with the legend....Bunny Williams. She was giving a lecture on her design business and how she sees design progressing in the future. Her stories were so refreshing, she was completely candid about her business and her design perspective.

She has a way of making you feel like your just at her house sharing a cup of coffee chatting. It was a complete honor just to hear lecture much less to speak with her. Her insight and knowledge about the design process is so impressive. She has the ability to de-construct a room unlike anyone I have ever seen. It was a wonderful experience to say the least.

Oh, and she shared one of the most candid stories of Sister Parrish I had ever heard....we were all rolling out of our seats in laughter!

Ratings Gold

I had no clue about this until I was reading this months Elle Decor and saw the full page ad and was thrilled! This is going to be good tv! I'm very curious to see how they balance the clients and thier one-on-one relationship with the cameras rolling. Anytime you have clients with money thats good tv. I hear that they have pushed the air date up till late May. So we will have to wait and see, but what a great group of designers. Have any of you heard about this?

On another note I have been absent for some time. This year has been super busy and alot of great things have happened in the last couple months both personally and professionaly. So thats my recap and I'm back on the blogging roll.

A Pair of Spades

Its no secret that I consider Kate & Andy Spade to be complete geniuses at everything they do. So it's no surprise that their home is the absolute epitome of eclectic, livable, elegance at its best. Their approach to design in general is inspiring to say the least....I hope these images bring you inspirational warmth, on what for me, is a snowy, snowy day.