Dash of Modern, Pinch of Traditional Interior Design

This sweet modern nursery room was featured in a previous Simplified Bee blog post focused on Girly, Girl Bay Nursery Room Designs. I recently came across the article in Style at Home which featured images of the rest of this Vancouver Arts and Crafts style home and wanted to share them with you.

To help decorated the home, the owners turned to designer, Peter Wilds from boutique, The Cross. His task was to artfully blend the couple’s modern taste with the home’s classic look. A neutral white & gray color palette with blue accents is carried throughout the central living spaces. In the family room which is open to the kitchen, the walls and trim are washed in white.  A tobacco leather sofa is paired with the Oly Studio Pico Cocktail table. This round table has a beautiful scalloped shell top and industrial iron base. The spectacled cow hide rug provides wonderful texture and contrast.

Here in the all white kitchen you can get a good sense of how dark the wood flooring is. The classic white kitchen cabinets are paired with white ceramic subway and carrera marble. I love the white wooden stools with gray cushions selected for the kitchen island.

In the dining room, a midcentury style Saarinen table is paired with traditional ballroom-style chairs. Painting the chairs a gray-turquoise is a wonderful way to carry the color palette throughout the space. The full length mirror and crystal chandelier add playful touches of glam to the room.

In the living room, the furniture arrangement emphasizes on the room’s focal point, the traditional fireplace and the painting by Douglas Walker. Again, cool whites and grays are mixed with bright pops of blue. The clear, modern coffee table helps keep the space light and airy.

Across from the sofa in the living sits a pair of white upholstered armchairs with contrasting nailhead trim. They flank an Oly Studio Pipa side table in pierced resin. The side table’s squiggly pattern is repeated in the Elisabeth bedside table also by Oly that features a beautiful woven pattern over an antiqued mirror. The same side table and silver lamp is placed on the other side of the fireplace for symmetry.

In the bedroom, the cool color palette continues, however the cool blue accent color is replaced with warm and rustic reds. Centered above the bed is a modern, white flower mirror. You can find one similar here. Large ikat pillows are a perfect finishing touch on the bed.

Is this modern classic home fit your personal style?

*all photography by Janis Nicolay via Style at Home

Traditional Home + LONNY = TRAD home

What do you get when you mix a dash of Lonny with a pinch of Traditional Home? The answer is a ground-breaking digital magazine called trad home co-created by the editors of Lonny and Traditional Home. The new magazine's theme, “Young Traditional” was announced and celebrated last Tuesday evening at a dinner event for digital media editors and designers in New York City.

{image source: The Editor at Large}

It was Traditional Home Publisher, Beth Brenner who approached Lonny Editor-in-Chief, Michelle Adams {both worked at Domino together} about her concept of the magazines collaborating. The project is referred to as the “love child” between the two magazines and will leverage the established Traditional Home brand while attracting Lonny's youthful, style-savvy readers.

The first issue of trad home will released April 12th on lonnymag.com. In it’s debut, the magazine will feature it’s 20 "new traditional" designers to watch for 2011. Here's a sampling of swoon-worthy interiors from a few designers on the hottest list around:

Amanda Maison and Joelen Ballard of Domicile Interior Design

Sasha Adler and Lauren Gold of Nate Berkus Associates

Heidi Bonesteel, Michele Trout and Jill Hall of Bonesteel Trout Hall

Sara Gilbane of Sara Gilbane Interiors

Erika Powell of Urban Grace Interiors

Kim Winkler of Westbrook Interiors

Nina Freudenberger of Haus Interior

Ryan Korban of Ryan Korban Interior Design

Robert Passal of Robert Passal Interior and Architectural Design

Nicki Clendening and Callie Jenschke of Scout Designs

Other very talented interior designers rounding out the list include: Suysel dePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick; Tom Delavan of Tom Delavan Interior Design; Jamie Herzlinger of Jamie Herzlinger Interiors; Ron Marvin of Ron Marvin Design; Megan Rice Yager of Megan Yager Design; Jayne and Joan Michaels of 2Michaels; Amy D. Morris of Amy D. Morris Interiors; Lisa Sternfeld of Studio LSID; and Patrik Lönn of Patrick Lönn Design.

I can hardly wait to see what trad home has in store for us!

Interview with Interior Designer Bunny Williams

New York-based design icon and tastemaker, Bunny Williams has been creating elegant, timeless and inviting rooms for more than 40 years. Before launching her own firm, she spent the first twenty-two years of her career with the legendary decorating firm, Parish-Hadley Associates. In addition to being an award-winning designer, she’s also an accomplished author, speaker and businesswoman. In October 2010, Bunny debuted her furniture line, Beeline Home II by Bunny Williams, at the High Point Market and received The Best of Market Award, which recognizes the showroom that best exemplifies design excellence. In addition,  Bunny recently released her latest book, “Scrapbook for Living.”

Simplified Bee: Your designs are timeless, inviting and fit each client precisely. When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?

Bunny Williams: I grew up in a wonderful house in Charlottesville, VA with a family who loved beautiful things and who loved to entertain. I had a little playhouse surrounded by a garden with wicker furniture and a small table with a miniature tea set. I loved giving tea parties for my dolls and rearranging the furniture. I learned early on how to create a comfortable welcoming house. I truly think becoming a designer was in my DNA. Later on when I moved to New York I was taught by the best, Mrs. Henry (Sister) Parish and Albert Hadley whose firm I worked at for many years. I opened my own firm in 1988 and have enjoyed working with many wonderful clients all of whom have helped me grow and expand my horizons as a designer.

SB: How would you describe your personal style?

BW: My personal style is all about making my houses comfortable and inviting for my family and friends, and of course, my dogs. I adore all kinds of furniture, love combining antiques and new pieces, and am always moving things around. I am a shopper and a collector. I love to be surrounded by books, have lots of comfortable chairs and good lights for reading. I get a kick out of putting something inexpensive and stylish next to a fine antique. It is the mix of periods, styles, and pedigrees that excites me.

SB: You have said that every design decision you make is based on a fundamental principle: “Knowing what you value is essential.” Throughout your career, has there been a common theme with what you and your clients value?

BW: It is true that I make design decisions based on the fundamental principle: “Knowing what you value is essential”. That underlying theme helps me understand each of my clients and is also important to me in designing my own homes. It is essentially getting to the core of how they live and how they want to live in the spaces I am designing for them. I would say the most common theme amongst all my clients is to have a home and surroundings that are comfortable, flexible and that suits today’s fast paced lifestyle. We all live much more casually today and people want a place to relax, enjoy a wonderful dinner, appreciate the outdoors, welcome family and friends, and feel at ease. In addition, they want the best quality their dollars can afford.

SB: Do you have “go to” paint colors? If so, which ones?

BW: My go to paint colors right now are all from Farrow & Ball. The quality of the paint is superb and the well edited color palette provides the perfect background for furniture and art.

My favorites are: Orangery, Blue Ground, with White Tie for trim. I also love Book Red.

SB: In March of 2009, you launched your first collection of furniture and accessories, Beeline Home. The collection is magnificent. The Eglomise Coffee Table and the Eclipse Chair are my favorites. What are your favorite pieces? Do you have any new pieces you can share with us?

BW: In my first BeeLine Home collection, I particularly love the Nailhead sofa. It has a high back the perfect seat depth, a charming scalloped apron, and nailhead trim which defines the silhouette of the piece.

In Collection II which we just introduced at the High Point furniture market a few weeks ago, I adore the Harvest table which has an unusual wrought iron base and is available with a cerused oak or honed marble top. It is very versatile and could be used as a center table in a foyer, a library table, or even as a dining table.

SB: In addition to designing, you have authored several books including An Affair with a House, On Garden Style and most recently Point of View. Was one easier to write than the others?

BW: Having written four books which is truly a labor of love and takes amazing discipline, I must say that the easiest one to write was “An Affair with a House”. Since the subject is my own house in Falls Village, CT which I bought and restored over many years and is where I escape to relax and work in my garden, the book felt natural and the words just flowed. My fourth book “Scrapbook for Living” published by Stewart, Tabori and Chang, with beautiful photographs by Amy Archer was also fun to write. It is filled with tips and things I have learned about creating a wonderful home that is well organized, personal and has soul.

SB: It seems you are embracing social media. You are on Facebook, tweet and write a blog {Bunny’s Buzz}. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets?

BW: I think Social Media is definitely the way to connect with people today. I still love a hand written note and a telephone call, but the new ways to communicate are fast and fun. I just got an iPad and I am addicted! Stay tuned for our new website bunnywilliams.com. All of my enterprises will be there: my interior design projects, Bunny Williams Inc., BeeLine Home, and my shops Treillage. We will be able to link to other sites, show beautiful photographs, and Bunny’s Buzz will have the capability to show videos and give great tips and information.

SB: What is your favorite room in your house and why?

BW: My favorite room in my house is the Conservatory in the barn right next to the main house in Connecticut. It is a room filled with plants that during the day is one of my favorite places to read or visit with a friend as it gets beautiful light pouring through the hand blown glass windows. In the evening it becomes a candlelit dining room and is just magical.

*all images from Bunny Williams and used with permission

ELLE DECOR Showhouse San Francisco: Living Room Design by Gary Spain

{image via Katiedid}

Don’t delay! This weekend is the last to visit ELLE DECOR’s first-ever Designer Showhouse in San Francisco. The stately 5,000 square-foot Mediterranean style home in the heart of the historic St. Francis Wood neighborhood was taken down to the studs and beautifully renovated. The interior was transformed by eleven of the San Francisco’s most talented interior designers – all of which were handpicked by ELLE DECOR. 

Today I will be showing images of the living room created by interior designer, Gary Spain. Gary’s vast portfolio speaks for itself. His use of color, texture and edgy artwork are well noted. However, in the ELLE DECOR Design Showhouse, Gary keeps the living room’s color palette neutral and muted, but stays true to form with bold artwork and brilliant mix of textures.

The tufted linen sofa by Restoration Hardware is gracious and inviting. On the sofa, Gary mixes a pair of oversized white French linen pillows from Erin Martin with a plaid pillow from ABC Carpet and Home.

For the coffee table, Gary selected a pair of distressed ionic capital coffee tables from Restoration Hardware. This reproduction was derived from one of the three orders of classical Greek architectural dating to the 5th century BC. 

Under a window sits a vintage Indian trunk found at 1st Dibs. The studded detailing is spectacular and I love the contrast with the soft floor length drapes.

Dark wooden blinds by Hunter Douglas shade a large window directly behind a small seating area. To define the space, a round pendant hangs by Circa Lighting hangs just above and echos the round side table. Perfect spot for a card game or cup of tea.

The custom display cabinetry is painted a dramatic black and features eclectic artwork and treasures. An African carved stool adds another chic edgy vibe to the space.

Photography by Santa Barbara’s Brian Hodges is hung above a marble and steel console table from Lost Antiques in Dallas, TX. At first glance, I didn’t appreciate Hodges’ large photo of this New Guinea tribe, but now find it’s raw nature beautiful. 

Just in case you missed it, here are tours of the ELLE DECOR Showhouse’s Teen Girl’s Bedroom by Grant Gibson and Master Bedroom and Bath by Jay Jeffers.

What do you like most about Gary Spain’s living room design?

 

* all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee unless stated.

A Sneak Peek at ELLE DECOR’s San Francisco Designer Showhouse

We have all be anticipating it and the time has come. For the next three weekends, a stately 5,000 square-foot mansion at 300 St. Francis Boulevard will be San Francisco’s most stylish address as ELLE DECOR unveils its first-ever Designer Showhouse.

{image via ELLE DECOR}

For months, the Mediterranean style home in the heart of the historic St. Francis Wood neighborhood was taken down to the studs and renovated. In addition, the interior was transformed by eleven of the San Francisco’s most talented interior designers – all of which were handpicked by ELLE DECOR. The impressive line-up of sought-after tastemakers includes Grant Gibson, Suzanne Tucker and Jay Jeffers. 

{Living Room by Gary Spain}

{Breakfast Area by Palmer Weiss}

{Kitchen by Palmer Weiss}

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to tour the five bedroom, six bath home as designers inside and out were putting on the finishing touches. And to put it simply, it’s spectacular. Unlike typical designer showhouses, this one has a cohesive design style and color palette. Neutral grays and beiges are infused with occasional bursts of cool blues, bright greens and muted reds. The design flows brilliantly from room to room – and that was not by chance. It took an extensive amount of behind the scenes planning and several face-to-face meetings with the designers to have it come off without a glitch.

{Dining Room by Steven Volpe}

{Master Bedroom by Jay Jeffers – Jeffers Design Group}

{Master Bath by Jay Jeffers – Jeffers Design Group}

On hand to talk about the Showhouse and process was ELLE DECOR's new editor-in-chief, Michael Boodro. He said they were thrilled to have the worldly city of San Francisco as the backdrop of the first-ever ELLE DECOR Designer Showhouse.  Boodro said the designers were given a fictional family who enjoys visits from their young granddaughters, entertaining family and friends and traveling all over the world. The Showhouse is certainly a wonderful reflection of this active, chic family.

{Children’s Bedroom by Grant Gibson}

{Bedroom by Suzanne Tucker}

“I hope the Showhouse inspires and shows what designers can really do.” says Boodro. He adds, “Hiring a skilled designer will save homeowners money in the long run.”

{Media and family room by Erin Martin}

{Foyer by Kendall Wilkinson}

{Library by Will Wick}

Next week, I will go into more detail regarding the design of the rooms. If you are in the San Francisco area in the near future, be sure to visit this inspirational house. You will not leave disappointed. Here are the event details:

WHEN:  Saturdays & Sundays, November 5 -21, 2010 from 10:00am – 4:00pm
WHERE:  St. Francis Wood Mansion, 300 St. Francis Blvd., San Francisco, CA 
TICKETS:  Open to the public, tickets are $30 per person if purchased before November 12th or $35 at the door. Group Rates are also available. For tickets and more information please visit www.jlsf.org. All proceeds from the ELLE DECOR Showhouse will benefit The Junior League of San Francisco.

*all photos by Cristin Priest for Simplified Bee

And just in case you missed it, here are tours of the ELLE DECOR Showhouse’s Living Room by Gary Spain,  Teen Girl’s Bedroom by Grant Gibson, Guest Bedroom Retreat by Suzanne Tucker  and Master Bedroom and Bath by Jay Jeffers.