Interview with New York Interior Designer Sara Gilbane

Earlier this year, the seasoned, Traditional Home and youngster, Lonny collaborated to create a new digital shelter magazine, TRADhome. In it’s debut issue, TRADhome names 20 New Traditional Designers to Watch. On the coveted list is New York-base interior designer, Sara Gilbane. She is known for her classic modern-traditional style and artfully combining low-key and elegant pieces. Sara’s interiors are chic, yet grounded in practicality.
 

Simplified Bee: When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer? 

Sara Gilbane: After my first day of work at Kemble Interiors. I was thrilled to be working with Celerie Kemble and Christina Murphy and once I dove into those fabrics I never looked back!

SB: How would you describe your personal style? 

SG: I come from a traditional background and love bold color and pattern mixed with neutrals. My style has a bit of an eclectic loved feel with a sense of calm.

SB: Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project? 

SG: Architects Peter Pennoyer or Gil Schafer. 

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

SG: Benjamin Moore Linen White, Dove White, and Super White are always used on my moldings. Farrow and Ball Skylight is another favorite- a pale grey blue that makes you feel like you have been enveloped in a cloud.

SB: Which of today’s interior design trends are here to stay and which ones will we see fade away?

SG: Ikat, zebra, sisal, jewel tones, reclaimed wood, and bold color are all trending but they are classics and will never go away. Perhaps neon is one trend we will (gladly) see go.

SB: Where do you recommend clients splurge versus save? 

SG: Splurge on drapes, wallpaper, and a custom sofa ( you will LIVE on this for 20 years and it will be amazingly comfortable). Save on cocktail table, side tables, lamps. With this splurge/ save combo the splurge items are so unique people assume the rest of your pieces are special. Then again.... if you fall in love with something, buy it. Since you love it you will always find a way of working it into your next home.

SB: I love the timelessness of the nursery you designed that was featured in TRADhome. Tell us about your favorite design elements in the space. 

SG: We used a classic wool rug with a timeless geometric pattern in charcoal grey, celadon green, and slate blue to hide stains. The room had a tremendously high ceiling so we added silver star wallpaper on the ceiling and a custom painted pale blue and white circus tent stripe on the walls to add a sense of whimsy to the room. The deep mulberry colored rocking chair is one of my favorite pieces. It is so comfortable and the shape makes it perfect for a growing child ( not stuck in a nursery forever).

SB: You are embracing social media and write a blog {Travel for Design}, are on Facebook and can be found tweeting {http://twitter.com/sgilbane}. Do you prefer one over the other? What is your advice to other interior designers who are timid about trying social media marketing outlets? 

SG: I love the blog though I do not have nearly enough time to update it as much as I would like to. I need to be better with tweeting! I would advise other designers not to be timid. I was not sure anyone would read our blog and we have over 6,000 hits a day! Go forth and blog, tweet, and tumble!

SB: Fill in the blank. No room is complete without… 

SG: Art.

SB: What’s next for Sara Gilbane Interiors? 

SG: I would love to design a range of fabrics and wallpapers for one of the fabric houses. I am fabric obsessed!

*images via Sara Gilbane Interiors and TRADhome

Annette Tatum’s New Little House Collection– Bohemian Inspired

Today I am thrilled to announce a new Simplified Bee sponsor, Annette Tatum’s Little House. Over fifteen years ago, Annette introduced her first collection of bedding with the goal of helping people create outstanding interiors inspired by their own personal layers. Little House was developed with the same philosophy of layering styles, but for baby and children’s rooms. The collection makes it easy create a one of a kind room by mixing and matching your favorite colors and patterns.

Annette also has some great advice for selecting bedding for a nursery or child's room:

“When choosing bedding for your nursery or child I always advise to stay with themes and colors that will grow with your child. Heavily themed rooms tend to be dated more quickly and end up having to be re-done instead of added to. Think down the road and leave room for your child's room to grow, and match your child's personality and creative spirit. Purchase your furniture in neutral colors that fit any age. Add color in textiles that you can change easily as your child's ideas and tastes change. Nothing too fussy. A well-lived in room is a sign of a happy child is my motto.”

For more of Annette’s ideas for blending fashion, lifestyle and personality into your home décor take a look at her book, The Well-Dressed Home.

Little House recently released a beautiful, new line that I am excited to debut today. I asked Annette what she finds most exciting about the new collection,

“I am a bohemian at heart, so this collection was so fun designing. Lots of color and almost anything goes. I love that a more adult theme is now available for the nursery. Ikats. Suzanis are a welcome addition to the traditional ensembles we see for children. The great part is that the colors are even more vibrant because they are for the child and therefore more playful and adventurous.”

INTRODUCING THE NEW LITTLE HOUSE COLLECTION BY ANNETTE TATUM. 

BOHEMIAN INSPIRATION.

 

Available Now at ANNETTETATUM.COM

Like a boisterous caravan of color this new collection of prints from little house by Annette Tatum dishes up a colorful plate of possibilities for your child's room or nursery.

{Inspiration Photography by Karyn Millet and Product Photography by Bret Gum}

Mix and match for baby and child to create a sensory sensation of sunny jewel tones and bohemian motifs. Ikat patterns dance with chevron stripes.  Mosaic tile like prints combine with suzani ensembles for a distinctive gypsy feel.  Travel through exotic color and bring the boho spirit into your child's world.

NEW LITTLE HOUSE CRIB SETS:

SUZANI ORANGE Three-Piece Crib Set

IKAT PINK Three-Piece Crib Set

IKAT LAVENDER Three-Piece Crib Set

IKAT TEAL Crib Set & CLOVER TEAL Crib Sheets

SUZANI TEAL Three-Piece Crib Set

LITTLE HOUSE BOHEMIAN-INSPIRED CHILD BEDDING (in all the same fabulous patterns) COMING SOON!

In addition to her Child & Nursery collections, Annette Tatum also offers a home decor collection. * AnnetteTatum.com

Interview at It’s So Fabulous! Blog & Gorgeous Children’s Rooms

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of attending a Design Blogger Conference in Los Angeles. There I met some of the most amazing and talented interior designers and bloggers. One such designer and blogger I had the pleasure of meeting was Kimberly Grigg of Knotting Hill Interior Design and “It’s So Fabulous!” blog. Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kimberly is gracious, friendly and has a great eye for design. Here are just a few images of beautiful children’s and nursery rooms she has designed:

As a little girl, I would dream of having a canopy bed or playroom for my dolls like the ones Kimberly designed!


Today, Kimberly is interviewing me on her blog. She asked me some fun questions about myself and I have included one of the images from the interview below.

Hope you have the chance to check out the interview and visit Kimberly's fabulous blog!

Momeni Lil Mo Kids Rugs–On Sale at OKL

Known for their exquisite handmade Persian carpets, Momeni also offers a whimsical children’s rug line named Lil Mo  that I am sure you will adore. A friend who purchased one for her baby boy’s nursery recently introduced me to the darling collection. The playful characters and muted color scheme was important, but she was most impressed with the softness of the hand-hooked pure cotton and texture of the cut-loop construction.

I too am impressed by the quality and variety of styles and colors… perfect for all types of nursery and children’s rooms. 

And if you have been searching for an area rug for your child’s room, you are in luck because Lil Mo rugs are now on sale at One Kings Lane. Hurry – the sales end April 1st at 11am EST.

Elephant Theme Baby Nursery Design Inspiration

More elephant love! Recently a darling elephant themed birthday party was featured on Simplified Bee. Today the majestic animal has inspired this baby nursery room design. In a palette of soft blues, green and brown, some may say this nursery is all boy, but I’d say it would be fun for a girl too.

1. Noe Crib by PetitNest, 2. Blue Moroccan Hexagon Pendant by Charn & Company at Rosenberry Rooms, 3. Dylan Crib Bedding Set by Serena & Lily at Polka Dot Peacock, 4. Rikshaw Design Elephant Pillow Bombay – Polka Dot Peacock, 5. Eric Carle Baby Elephant Nightlight, 6. Encased Elephant Hook – Anthropologie, 7. Leather Pouf at Calypso St. Barth, 8. Perrin Dresser by PetitNest, 9. Swivel Glider - Restoration Hardware Baby & Child

Babar would be so proud don't you think?

Friday Find: Cute Mobiles for the Baby’s Nursery

New year, new baby? With several recent requests for design tips on decorating nursery rooms, today’s Friday Find is dedicated to cute mobiles. In addition to offering a baby some visual entertainment, the mobile can help pull a theme or color scheme together. With so many adorable options today, I couldn’t pick just one, so here is a sampling of mobiles that caught my eye:

Above: 1.Crawling Critter Mobile 2. Handmade Eli Elephant Nursery Mobile  3. Kushies Zolo Mobilo 4. In the Jungle Mobile

Above: 1.Flights of Fancy Mobile with Peanut 2. DwellStudio Sparrow Mobile 3. 5 Little Birds Told Me {custom} 4. Jolie Petite Chose Bird Cage Mobile

Above: 1. Around the World Mobile 2. Regatta Mobile with 5 Sailboats 3. DwellStudio Transportation Mobile 4. Balsa Wood Hanging Planes

Once you have selected the perfect mobile for your nursery, make sure you know how to hang it safely so that it won’t harm the baby. Go here to learn how.

Happy Friday!

Tips on Decorating a Child’s Bedroom & Polka Dot Peacock

{image via Massucco Warner Miller}

Will you be redesigning or decorating a child’s bedroom soon? The designing process can get a little overwhelming, but having a plan will save you time and money. More importantly the end result will be a space you and your child will love.

Today I am sharing tips on how to decorate a child’s bedroom at Polka Dot Peacock. It covers the process step by step including advice on color, lighting, furniture selection and of course storage. Here is tip number one:

Ask Your Child

When designing a bedroom for your child, it’s important to get his/her opinion first. Here are a few questions parents should ask their child before starting the decorating:

1. Describe your dream bedroom.
2. What do you like about your current bedroom?
3. would you change about your current bedroom?
4. What are you favorite colors? 

Of course, not all of their ideas may be practical or fit in the budget, but this exercise helps make the child feel involved in the process. From their answers you will be able to pick up on colors and themes (i.e. trucks, butterflies, dinosaurs} that will help inspire the room’s look and feel.

For all the tips and the full article, go here.

Polka Dot Peacock is a premier online baby and children's store that offers just about everything you need to beautifully furnish & decorate your baby's nursery or child's room. It has been a great resource for me and I am proud to have them as a sponsor of Simplified Bee.

With fresh and stylish brands like Serena & Lily {bedding in image above}, DwellStudio, Oilo, Annette Tatum and Rikshaw Design, Polka Dot Peacock should be your first stop when shopping for your children's room! Check out just some of the fantastic items in the store currently:

{Small Lighting Sample at Polka Dot Peacock}

{Little House by Annette Tatum - Pinwheel Blue Crib Bedding Set}

{Petit Collage Poster My Favorite Things- Boy}

{Serena & Lily Rug}

{DwellStudio Storage Bins - Owls}

{Oopsy Daisy Sweet Yellow Whale Wall Art}

{Bratt Decor Antique White Iron Crib}

{Oopsy Daisy Personalized Princess Wall Art}

What fun, don't you think? It almost makes me want to have another baby.

Do you have a great tip for decorating a baby's nursery or child's room? Please share with us!