My Latest Purchase, Awards and Tags

I bought this beautiful mirror in an online auction from Housing Works in NYC. It measures about 4ft x 2ft . It is currently on the landing between the first and second floors. I like the idea of a mirror against that wall and I love large leaning mirrors but if I leave it here it would have to be hung. I have not yet decided where it will go.

I apologize for not posting since early last week and for not having visited any blogs either. Allergy season has hit a lot more people this spring although it could be a lot worse for me - I am currently on medication to completely obliviate this problem over the next few years - my nights have not been the best. Also, my 10-year-old has had been home sick with very high fevers so there has been little time for much else.

I am taking this opportunity to acknowledge and respond to the awards and tags I have received over the past several weeks, although I have been tagged a few times before and received the award not so long ago.

Thank you to Lisa Mende from Lisa Mende Design and Erin from Out on a Limb for the Leibster Award.

 

A few weeks ago I was tagged by Sundeep from the Designwali and also by Debra from Acquired Objects. I thought the questions were something fun to answer.

 

Sundeep's Questions;

1. Currently on your ipod list?

A diverse list - to name a few artists, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz, Michael Jackson, Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder, Queen, Michael Bublé.

2. Last concert you went to?

James Taylor and Carole King at Madison Square Garden.

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3. Favorite room in your house?

Currently my dining room because of the work I have done on the walls and how the room is slowly evolving.

 

4. Favorite school subject ever (any education level)?

Buying and Merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

5. What is your bedroom color scheme (i.e. walls and bedding)?

Butte Rock by Benjamin Moore on the walls. This is from 2005.

Similar colored bedding. This room needs work.

6. Favorite home shopping store/website?

I could not pick one - Etsy, ZGallerie, West Elm, Ebay - depending on what I am looking for.

 

 

7. Last purchase for your home?

The mirror above, from Housing Works.

8. Where is your laundry hamper located?

Each of us has a hamper in our closets and clothes are transferred to the larger hampers in the laundry room.

9. Fess up, where is your junk drawer?

It is in the kitchen but it does get cleaned out every couple of months - it holds a box of pens and pencils, a coupon holder and a folder with menus and other bits and bobs.

10. What is currently sitting on your bedroom nightstand?

Besides a lamp, hand cream and face cream, an ipad, my iphone, an alarm clock, a couple of cards from my kids, a thermometer, an inhaler.

11. Which one do you prefer more, abstract or realist art?

I have always enjoyed realist art but have recently been drawn to abstract works as I see them add something appealing to eclectic decor and that extra pop of color where needed.

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Debra's Questions:

1. What's your personal style when it comes to design?

Most definitely eclectic with a relaxed global vibe and fun use of color. This stems from having lived in different countries and seen my parents incorporate inherited pieces, custom pieces, antiques purchased in the UK and India, items from their years in Nigeria and so on. It is an evolved look which I love.

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2. What is your one must-have item for a room?

One is most concerned about furniture in any space. The balance to have is soft furnishings - curtains, pillows, a rug. Also something on the walls - artwork, a mirror.

3. Who is your favorite designer?
There are so many. I particularly enjoy those designers who mix things up in terms of styles  - of late, I have been excited to see the overall design choices made by Kishani Perera

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and have been a fan of Martyn Lawrence-Bullard for a while.

4. What is your favorite room to decorate?

The family room because it can be the most challenging as well as the most rewarding. It is a room for a number of members in a family - adults and children - for a number of activites with designated areas for these activities - entertainment, relaxation, playing. Storage and seating need to be ample.

5. What's your biggest pet peeve in design?

Too much of matching in furniture and accessories in any space. Also clearance when creating a space - there should be room to move around comfortably, open drawers and cabinet doors, sufficient space around a dining table for chairs - something easily overlooked.

6. What is your favorite piece of furniture?

I have inherited the first piano I played on when I was about three years old. It belonged to my grandfather and it was then given to my father who has given it to me. It is not a piano any longer ....more to be shared on that in time!

7. Are you in your dream home and if not, what is your dream home like?

I am not in my dream home. I would love a home with a lot of windows and by some type of body of water. This water slide home in the Maldives would do!

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Or something on land like this..relaxing, serene...

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..and a great place to entertain a large family and friends.

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8. If you could only have two rooms in your home which would they be?

Does a great room count? I could easily sleep on a comfortable couch, there would be a space to cook and entertain. The second room would be a bathroom.

9. Why did you start blogging?

I wanted to set up a website but it was recommended I start a blog. I had no idea what that was or how much work it involved.

10. Do you have any hidden talents we don't know about?

I can play the piano although I have forgotten how to read music. I could play some tunes from memory but nothing too complicated.

11. Do you have a pet and if so tell us about the other person who shares your home?

No pets.

I shall be back blogging on a regular schedule within a few days and will be sure to visit you all.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

Guest Post On Inspired Spring

Today, I will be contributing to an 'Inspired Spring' series over at the fabulous Inspired MStevens.

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Maureen is a props and set stylist whose blog has some of the most gorgeous pictures laden with inspiration.

Please do stop by and let us know what inspires you this spring.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

Old Artwork, New Dining Room Wall

As I put my dining room pieces back in place I have been taking a look at the artwork I have in the house and what I had in the dining room before it was repainted. Does it still work?

This piece - pastels on canvas - was picked up at a fundraising art auction held at the kids' nursery school many years ago. I loved the marketplace stall as subject. The vibrant colors as well as the texture drew me to the piece immediately although I had found the frame heavy at the time.

This is the only picture I have of the artwork in the dining room before - you can catch a glimpse of some of the previous green paint color to the right. This is when it was taken down from the wall. There is a dusting of antiqued gold paint over the predominantly black frame.

And now, I am trying it on the new walls. The frame blends in and the colors pop!

Remember the inspiration picture I came across after I had started work on the dining room? This was part of the post on the Goldeneye Resort in Jamaica.

And coincidentally, again, back in November I had participated in a mood board party over at Pewter + Sage and the inspiration had been dinnerware with which one had to create a dining room board.

Here is the board I had created. For further details about the items go here.

I seem to be subconsciously drawn to the combination of these colors in a space - burnt orange, gold, shades of aqua, smoky grey. Modern. Global. Vibrant. Calming. All at the same time.

And back to the current artwork. It has some of the blues - a touch of cobalt and some aqua in the background - and shades of orange and gold and some dark grey, and of course, there is the touch of gold on the frame which is apparent on the right-hand side as light shines on it from the living room.

This picture appeals to me in this spot. The eye is drawn to the artwork without taking away from the stencil. And the frame does not bother me.

What do you think? Do you see what I see?

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

Spring Into Action - Week 3 - My Desk Reveal

Today is the third and final week of the Spring Into Action project party and I get to share my desk area, as complete as it is thus far.

My goal was to get it organized and to lighten and brighten it. I was so excited with my various finds while also using what I already owned. Here is a glimpse.

 

These were the pieces I decided to incorporate. The clipboard being the piece with all the color inspiration I thought I would use.

 

Some more pictures of the space.

Before..

(Warning - you will see wires below the desk. I did not attempt to hide them for the purpose of taking pictures this time. We have been having some internet/phone issues so these have been left accessible for the time being).

After...

 

The details...

Nailhead trim strip on Premier Prints Traditions in Natural/Sweet Potato fabric (from fabric.com) along entire back panel.

 

File pockets by Martha Stewart from Staples...for household and work papers on the left,

 

 

and for the kids' school paperwork on the right. I also found a smaller pocket for the school directory so that it is accessible and there is a home for it.

 

Accessories which are functional and add color and/or pattern...

The gift store clipboard.

 

Vintage Etsy toast rack now a letter holder.

 

 

Flower vase from Goodwill now a pencil holder.

 

 

Floral bowl from Goodwill used to hold Post-Its.

 

 

I added some white mini roses in a silver jug from an old tea set I own.

 

Glass heart-shaped paperweight, one of a set of 3 from One Kings Lane bought a while ago.

 

 

In the hutch above the desk, decorating and design books, organized by color, and a basket to hold incoming mail. I used sample fabric I had on hand - which coincidentally coordinates with the colors being used in the space - as a backdrop for labels.

 

Filing cabinet and hutch on the side of the desk holds cards in a basket and magazine holders for subscriptions and catalogs. A bill sorter and a decorative plate made for me for Mother's Day a few years ago.

 

 

Vintage Hollywood Regency waste bin from Etsy below desk.

 

 

 

 

I hope you like this space as much as I am loving it. My desk is more certainly organized and so much more cheerful now. On a different day I will share the rest of the space - behind the doors of the hutch and the drawers below the desk.

If you would like to read the two previous posts on this party click on the links below;

Spring Into Action Project Party - My Desk

Spring Into Action - My Desk - Week 2

My work for this room is not complete. I have yet to share the other side of the study with you. It is another project and has a very special piece of furniture. Another time.

Do stop by these other lovely blogs to check in on their reveals for this fun Spring Into Action party.

1. Suzy – Saved by Suzy

2. Tiffany– Living Savvy

3. Kerry– Design du Monde

4. Laurie– Traditional& Modern Design

5. Cathy– Room Rx

6. Carrie– Hazardous Design

7. Sam– The Junk House

8. Becca – From Gardners Two Bergers

9. Jean– Flower Hill Design

10. Nancy– Powell Brower Home

11. Linda - My Crafty Home Life

Thank you, Linda, for coming up with the idea to motivate each other through these past few weeks. It might have taken me longer.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

Architectural Art Glass To Suit Any Decor

Have you ever considered incorporating architectural decorative glass in your decor? Glass that has been creatively etched, stained, frosted or carved to suit your style of decor?  

Today I am happy to welcome Shahab Shokouhi of Dulles Glass and Mirror with a fascinating guest post on glass art.

Read on...

Once again, here is the link to the source for all images above, Sans Soucie Art Glass and  they can also be contacted for details and pricing on their products.

Other links,

 Dulles Glass and Mirror

Dulles Glass - tempered glass

Dulles Glass - glass table tops

Dulles Glass - vanity mirrors

Thank you, Shahab, for sharing with us some very interesting art glass options.

If you require any help with Interior Decorating please click on the tab at the top of my page marked 'Services' or click here for further details.

I would love for you to leave a comment. Thank you for stopping by; please do check back often.

Lisa

Please Note: I have not been compensated in any way for this post.