"SF Decorator Showcase, Michael Burg . . . "

Michael Burg

Greetings,

Quite often when I visit a decorator showcase, I'm always so excited to get to the top floor. When I was part of the showcase house for the first time (good Lord, almost 15 years ago), we were up there. And I loved it. Often the top floor rooms in these grand old homes were designed to only be used as servants quarters - and so they tend to be small, low-ceilinged spaces, with oddly shaped and/or placed windows, or - in other words - the perfect test of a designer's skills.

So, up the stairs to the top floor I go - because with this myriad of challenges - the resulting designs are quite often some of the most creative spaces in the house. And this year, local designer Michael Burg was clearly up to the task. When offered the small, low ceilinged, dark room - with the tiny french doors and even tinier balcony - he simply stepped back, closed his eyes and saw . . .

A retreat inspired by a marvelous, chic European hotel room . . .

the perfect place to retire after a busy day in a new, mysterious city.

Complete with antique secretary for correspondence.

And cutting-edge, modern electronics . . .

A custom-designed tufted leather daybed.

And antique mortician's chest used as a side table.

(and how much do you LOVE the little corner sink. When Michael began to work on the space, the first question asked of him was, "we assume you'd like us to remove that tired, dirty old sink?" "Don't you dare!" he replied. "It's going to be perfect."

The dark tone-on-tone wall coverings (intricately covering every surface - including the multi-faceted ceiling) give the space even more drama and provide the perfect backdrop for the chic, well-edited furnishings.

And what hotel room would be complete without a collection of toiletries and libations in an antique brass vitrine mounted right above that marvelous corner sink!

getting ready to dive into bed myself,

tartanscot

for more information on the SF Decorator Showcase, click here.

Celebrating Arbor Day, Giveaway Winner and Hugging Trees...

Happy Arbor Day! Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April and encourages tree planting and care. To celebrate here are some tips, facts and ways to help or our beloved trees.

Take care of your trees by pruning them. It is important to prune both ornamental and shade trees for our safety, the tree's health and of course to keep it beautiful. Pruning is also used to stimulate fruit production and increase the value of timber. For more tips on how and when to prune trees, please visit the National Forest Service.

Plant a tree. I didn't know this, but if a tree is planted correctly, it will grow twice as fast and live at least twice as long as one that is incorrectly planted. Go to ArborDay.org to find out how to plant a containerized tree the right way.

Teach our youth about the importance of trees. ArborDay.org has fun & educational online games for children to learn such things as how seeds take root, the anatomy of a tree and the life of the forest. Teachers and parents also have access to volunteer opportunities, school curriculum and other educational resources that get kids excited about learning and caring for trees.

On another earth-friendly note, the winner of the waste-free lunch Food Kozy from Kids Konserve is Lauren. She was lucky comment #6. Congrats!

It is not too late to receive the 15% discount off all products at Kids Konserve - please use coupon code: "earth15" at checkout (expires 5.8.10). And many thanks to Kids Konserve for sponsoring such a wonderful giveaway and for helping keep our planet healthy.

Happy Arbor Day! Now go hug a tree...

*image source.

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Lacquered Walls: A Maximalist's Dream

Christina Murphy

Now that I've blogged for a while, I've started to see trends emerge in my tastes and interests that I don't think I would've noticed without the virtual paper trail. One of the biggest things that I've come to realize about myself is that I tend towards maximalism -- not just in design, but in life. I'm a big believer that bigger is often better, just as more is often more. I've long been a fan of lacquered furniture and accessories. The glossy, almost liquid-like sheen is such a wonderful counterpoint to wood, fabric and other earthier elements. It's also supremely glamorous, and I can't help but love a little bit of sparkle and sheen in just about any room.

So why not take this love of lacquer, that I can only assume many of my fellow design enthusiasts share as the trend seems to show no sign of slowing down, and take it one step further? Let's maximize it and lacquer the walls. Sure, a true lacquer finish on your walls is time and labor-intensive -- and expensive. But the look can be approximated with high gloss paint (though to get a truly smooth finish you'd be best advised to skim coat your walls first unless they're already in pristine condition). High gloss or lacquered walls are particularly appealing in darker, more intense colors, like this gorgeous cobalt blue, which is incredibly striking against the black and white fireplace.

Miles Redd

If there is a true king of lacquer (do you think he'd mind if I dubbed him the "King of Shellac"?), then it has to be Miles Redd, the designer whose maximalist take on traditional decor has been incredibly influential in the resurgence of high style, color and Chinoiserie in interior design. And I think this hallway is a tremendous example of that. All the individual elements of this entry are incredibly traditional, from the black and white marble floors, to the blue and white porcelain to the intricate moldings and yet it feels so modern because the volume on everything is turned way up. The bold blue lacquered walls pop against the graphic floor and the hits of red in the lampshades and door (oh that door!) are such a strong, primary contrast to the blue.

Miles Redd

This room is a quieter, softer version of Miles' style, but it illustrates how you don't need a really bold color to make lacquered walls feel like a statement. This medium blue-gray, taken all the way up to the ceiling, creates an underwater, lagoon-like effect in this salon, while the larger white double sofa floats softly in the center of the room, like a cloud. Miles' signature zebra rugs, however, keep this room from putting you to sleep.

Miles Redd

Another great living room from Miles. The sophisticated, rich color of Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue is really at its best in a high gloss. Where the light hits it, the color reads as a peacock blue, while in shadow the gray undertones give it a quieter elegance.

Nick Olsen

Decorator Nick Olsen has a very similar decorating style to his mentor Miles Redd, but with a bit of English granny thrown in for good measure. In the most recent issue of Lonny, Nick talks about wanting his small one-bedroom Nolita apartment to feel like an Opium den. Well, mission accomplished. The red glossy walls, black chintz sofa and bold painted floors are a wonderfully modern spin on a 19th century London opium den.

Melissa Rufty of MMR Interiors via Matters of Style

In my opinion, eclecticism (of the type heralded and popularized by domino) is just another type of maximalism, and this room does it beautifully. I adore all the colors, patterns and layers; it feels curated more than decorated.

Canadian House & Home, January 2010

When this house was featured in Canadian House & Home back in January, I had mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, it was colorful, original and had some very fun elements (like that wallpapered ceiling) on the other hand, it would date quickly and had a few tacky moments. But ultimately, I appreciate the risk taking of shellacking your walls in orange and papering your ceiling in metallic paper. It's bold and not to everyone's taste, but it's fun and I always respect a sense of humor in design.

Steven Gambrel

"But Averill," you say, "maximalism just isn't my speed. Can lacquered walls work in a more minimalist interior?" The answer is an resounding "yes!". In fact, just follow Steven Gambrel's lead (never a bad idea) and incorporate lacquered walls into quieter, more masculine interiors for an unexpected bit of shine and glamour.

Steven Gambrel

This kelly green feels like an unexpected choice for a hallway, but it's such a great contrast to the otherwise neutral palette and traditional architecture. It also creates a certain moodiness that Gambrel so often displays in his work that I find very appealing.

Steven Gambrel

I love a dark, cozy den and you can't get cozier than this one. The goldenrod colored ceiling is a great touch here. It's both dark and warm enough to keep the black walls from feeling too stark and it ties in beautifully with the carpet and leather sofa. While I like the chalkiness of a matte black wall (especially if you're using an off-black or deep charcoal instead of a true black), I really do love a glossy, true black wall. The sheen reflects so light while the dark walls recede into the background. It's a wonderful way to make a room feel larger and cozier at the same time.

Katie Ridder

Studies seem to be the frequent beneficiaries of lacquered walls. Perhaps it's because they're often smaller, less frequently used rooms that can handle the high sheen and bold color. This coral color is such an unusual choice for a study, but in high gloss it reads as more sophisticated than beachy. I particularly love how Katie picks up on the color in the suzani print throw pillows, which ties the white couch in with the chairs and walls.

Elle Decor

I love the raisin-colored walls in this study. It's the perfect backdrop for the salon-style art hanging and looks wonderfully fresh with the black and gold writing desk and the animal print fabrics.

Amanda Nisbet

I love the contrast of the shiny walls with the velvet upholstery. Textural juxtapositions are a great way to create interest without making bold color or pattern statements. The acrylic coffee table brings in the smooth, polished finish on the walls into the furniture grouping and helps tie everything together.

Rob Southern

While this Houston entryway (featured last year in House Beautiful) looks like it has black lacquered walls, it's actually a glossy vinyl wallpaper (Phillip Jeffries' "lacquered walls" wallcovering in eyeliner), which is a quicker (and cheaper) solution to a true lacquer finish. According to the designer, it's also more kid-friendly.

And finally, another photograph that I wish I could credit to the talented designer but can't (anyone? Bueller?..Bueller?). You don't frequently see white lacquered walls (furniture and accessories, yes, but not walls) but I think they really work well here in this more modern interior. And I absolutely love the finish allows the light from the wall sconces to positively glow. The touches of turquoise in the cushions on the dining chairs (which are a beautiful shape in their own right) and in the equine statue on the coffee table add a hit of fun and color to the otherwise neutral and more grown-up space.

"SF Decorator Showcase, Suzanne Tucker . . . "

Suzanne Tucker

Greetings,

I'll warn you right here and now - if you're a local and don't want to see any 'spoilers' from the San Francisco Decorator Showcase - you might want to look cautiously here at "Tartanscot" for the next several days.

I was delighted to receive an invitation to preview the house earlier in the week (on a stormy, wet San Francisco morning) - and was equally delighted to see - just upon entering the classically beautiful home - the beaming face of Suzanne Tucker (and her marvelous staff) putting the finishing touches on her lovely room. The dreary, damp day simply melted away -

So, without further ado - take a deep breath - prepare yourself - and take a step into 'The Dining Room" -

How marvelous! Suzanne said that she wanted the space to be more useful in the modern home than simply a room for entertaining or dining. Her aim was to create something much more - she wanted to see "a space for morning coffee nestled in the bay window, a quiet retreat with a book and a pot of tea as the westerly sun pours in; an inviting room for family gatherings or an elegant dinner party conducive to lingering."

I personally love seeing the balance between cool charcoals and silvers against

the warmth of beautiful woods and rich yellows. The comfort of the wool Khotan rug grounding the room. The jolt of amethyst stemware and hurricanes providing the perfect colour bringing everything together. And the windows framed with Suzanne's new line of textiles - in a custom colour (to be introduced this Fall) fitting the room flawlessly.

The table setting.

"The table is skirted with a soft linen floral, topped by

a pale textural matelassé and set with layers of

silver, china, candles, objets, and flowers."

I also loved the use of these comfortable armchairs at each table setting. So beautiful! - especially with the custom embroidered backs. The perfect place to linger in conversation after a long, delicious meal -

Stay tuned,

tartanscot

for more information (regarding hours, tickets, and location) for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase, click here.

Blogging Vacay

Taking the week off - be back Monday with fresh Goods!

Shop Like a Design Blogger: Pink Wallpaper

This week I'm thrilled to have Shannon from Pink Wallpaper guest blogging. Shannon's blog was one of the first design blogs that I started reading. She consistently delivers with some of the most beautiful, most inspiring (and under-the-radar) images in the design blogosphere. In addition to being a designer, Shannon is also currently running a successful e-business reselling some of her incredible collection of fabrics, wallpapers and even accessories over at The Designer's Attic. I love checking out her offerings on a daily basis. Last fall I purchased a gorgeous greek key floor lamp from Shannon that now sits in my living room (see HERE) and I'm still in love with it. And, on an unrelated note, be sure to head over to Sogni e Sorrisi today where I'll be guest blogging about my all-time favorite travel destination (do you think you can guess where that is?).

thanks so much averill for asking me to be a part of your fun series! i have loved reading them! so you want to know how i shop...well, to be frank, it's not all that glamorous ...i actually prefer to shop in places most people wouldn't think twice about. my take on design is that anyone can achieve a beautiful space no matter what your budget constraints maybe. you just have to know how to shop and how to spot "the find". and this is something i have a huge passion for...

1. habitat for humanity: i frequent these kind of donation places...you will be shocked at what turns up here. i bought an Oly DR table for my house for nothing close to what it retails for. i've found a glass front sub zero, viking stoves, hickory chair furniture, chesterfield sofas, thomas o'brien light fixtures...the list goes on and on.

2. craigslist: think of the items that you would like to add to your house and type them in weekly. my dream desk came from craigslist. i have wanted a chrome sawhorse desk for years and out of nowhere one appeared on it...and better yet it was vintage and pennies compared to the price it was going for on 1st dibs.

3. goodwill: this is where you are going to find the deals...but like everything else, you have to frequent it and you have to look past the junk that surrounds it. i found my vintage rattan swing here for $3.00...a dirty, plastic kitchen was lying on top of it!

4. thrift stores/ yard sales: where you will score killer deals on accessories for your home. i love finding odd ball objects and adding them in bookshelves or vignettes around the house. also, artwork...here's a chance to create a fabulous gallery wall w/ unknown oil paintings that go for $5-$10.

5. antique stores: love antique shopping...prefer it over going into a new store any day of the week. my tip is stay away from antique stores in tourist areas...find ones on the outskirts of the city or in a small town you are passing through. you can find great deals on DR chair sets, vintage lights, lucite (hello my love), transferware, old bottles, etc. vintage finds make your house unique.

6. everyone has said it, but i'll second it- tj maxx, homegoods, tues. mornings: high end bedding is busting out of the seams at these places- peacock alley, designer's guild, ralph lauren...all of my sheets come from here. also great place for pairs of lamps, storage baskets for kid's toys, and books (i find tons of decorating books here).

7. local monogramming store: i'm southern and i monogram all of my bed shams. i do it BIG and make sure to use a unique monogram (stay away from generic ones and think outside the box). i like mixing color combos- chocolate brown looks killer w/any accent color....

8. anthropologie: love their hardware (great for bathroom cabinets), the accessories rock, their crewel rugs (i use the small ones in my kitchens and bathrooms), and the sale bins....i can always score something here!

9. urban electric: a to-the-trade company but if i am going to splurge, i want their lighting. local craftsmen from charleston make these killer lights. you will find anything from traditional gas lanterns to super chic lighting designed by your favorite "it" designer. and they will paint your light any BM color you would like!! if you haven't checked them out, you should.

10. to-the-trade fabrics and wallpaper: i cannot get enough of these (maybe that's why i started this). add a pop in small doses w/ pillows, on the backs of DR chairs, make roman shades, recover a X stool...wallpaper a powder room or the back of a bookcase. this gives the illusion of a high end space but doesn't hurt the wallet near as bad. my favorites are quadrille/ china seas, raoul textiles, lulu dk, cole & son, and schumacher.

so there you have it...if you want to read the post that changed the way i design, it was this from style court on ruthie sommers. from that day on, it was no longer about high end design for me, it was about being true to myself and showing how i can truly achieve great design no matter what price tag is placed in front of me.

Next Week's Guest Blogger: Marija from Holding Court.

Mobile Phones World

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"Coming Attractions . . . "

Greetings all,

The big design news around here is the opening of the San Francisco Decorator Showcase this weekend. You can get all of the details on the space and a listing of all of our local talent (I have SO many great friends designing rooms this year!) taking part here - and a great interview with Brian Dittmar on The Style Saloniste is just the thing to whet your appetite.

Also for your reading pleasure - a fun new interview with yours truly at Style at Home.

Off to the office,

tartanscot