Being here in the Caribbean I really enjoy seeing some of local flora and fauna that we just don't get in the Midwest. I hope to make it to the Queen Elizabeth Botanical Gardens located in the central part of the island of Grand Cayman. I visited twice last year and really enjoyed it. It is also home to the Cayman Blue Iguana conservation center. These Iguanas are native only to Cayman and have had dwindling numbers for decades but are successfully being bred and reintroduced at the Garden. Iguanas of all sizes and colors roam, or rather swarm, Grand Cayman. They vary in size from just inches to a few feet. Always fun to see. They remind me of the French Majolica called Palissy after Bernard Palissy. He was a pioneer in glazed pottery in France in the 16Th century eventually becoming the court potter to Catherine de Medici, the mother of three French kings. He, unfortunately, died impoverished and in prison for not renouncing Protestantism and returning to Catholicism. But back to Iguanas and Bernard. Palissy did a form of glazed pottery that featured natural pond creatures he would observe in the wild. Snakes, lizards, snails, frogs, all manner of natural pond life. He did them in high relief decoration and very natural colors. His style was revived in the 19Th century when Majolica, a similar type of pottery, became very fashionable. The studio of Palissy still exists today. 19Th century Palissy items are quite popular in the last fifteen years or so and they are a favorite of mine to add to a room for interest. This piece I am showing is one I just found from a gallery in New York that often has very interesting majolica and Palissy. This square jardiniere features walls that resemble fencing and then river rocks with fish at the base. I am sending this one to a clients lake home in Michigan. It will be perfect in the breakfast room for holding dinner napkins and such. I love these sorts of quirky antiques to really add some style and history to a room and now the homeowner has a great story to share with her guests! Enjoy! If you are interested in more about some great Palissy items contact me at my website, www.sdesigngroup.com

I can't believe it has been over two months since I last posted here! Busy fall, some new projects getting started, finalizing a large project out of town, family time. Anyway, I am heading out of town this weds. to finish the install of the big project, I can;t wait to post some pictures and let everyone see what I have been working on.
I received a welcome phone call the other day from a client I worked with over 10 years ago when they moved from Memphis to St. Louis. We took a lot of the furniture from that house, recovered a few pieces, added some antiques and made a new home for them. I really enjoyed working with them, they let me stretch them to some new things like wallpapering the ceiling in the family room, painting the crown molding in the foyer a gorgeous faux tortoiseshell finish, ect. Her husband was a vary adventurous soul and laid a new marble and granite floor in the foyer himself!
Anyway, they just sold that home and are moving to a glamorous new townhouse! And I get the privilege of assisting them moving the furniture to the new house and creating an updated look. I'll keep you all posted to the progress. Here a few pics of the house just sold and I will share some pics of the new as it comes together.
Check back in about two weeks for pics from out of town!

Wow! I can't belive how this summer has flown by! Here it is September 13th and I haven't posted since August. I've been busy with work and some travels. I was in San Diego last week visiting friends and helping a client do some rearranging in her beach condo. This is a condo I helped her decorate a couple of years ago when she bought it using some very beachy, blue and cream furniture for a light, airy feel. This year, she has made some changes and has decided to bring some of her favorite furniture and artwork form her main residence and spend more time at the beach. So..... change of direction. Everything worked out very well just by re purposing some of the pieces we bought for the condo, moving things around form room to room and then changing a paint color. I love it even more now! I unfortunately forgot to take my camera so pics will have to wait until next visit.

This weekend is the annual St. Louis Art Fair in downtown Clayton. This is always a favorite of mine, I look forward to it all year. I have purchased many wonderful pieces over the years and love to recall the visits with artists when I look around my home. This year there was a new glass artist I hadn't previously seen. He was at the Fair last year but I was not in town. Thomas Maras is a very talented glass blower who works fearlessly in bold color. His pieces have amazing organic shapes that still have a bold, graphic quality I love. I purchased a vase from his Horizon Street series. I am just crazy about this piece! It is starting on a bookshelf in the living room but will probably move around before finding the perfect home. Check out his work at www.marasglass.com. I highly recommend this artist if you are looking for a piece to add some punch to your home.

I also really enjoyed seeing some new paintings by Gary Stretar. His canvases are quite large and have a vast, serene feeling that instantly made me feel calm. His brushwork on the sky is amazing. I am posting a lake scape painting of his. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a comprehensive website but you can find some of his pieces and more info by Googling him. Enjoy!

I've had some people ask me about the room photograph on my title page. This is a perfect example of quick, simple changes making a big impact! This living room is in a condo in Clayton and belongs to a young, professional bachelor who owned the condo, the off white sofa and chair and not much else! While he was traveling one month I was asked to come in and give a quick "spruce". I started by adding a classic - the Noguchi coffee table! This is a never-go-wrong piece of furniture I love. Designed by artist Isamu Noguchi in 1947 this table endures as an amazing piece of sculpture as well as a table. I used this table in one of my very first jobs after design school and apprenticeships in 1988 in a home in Glen Ellyn, IL. I remember I paired it with an off-white wool damask sofa and an antique Italian painted console with a marble top! Eclectic from the beginning!

After adding the table I moved on to the sleek leather chaise for more seating and an open feel, the Phillipe Stark Louis Ghost chair in black and simple wood and metal tables. I had the VERY unattractive light the builder had installed in the middle of the room taken out and moved the electrical box over the end table and added, yes, you guessed it, another classic! A George Nelson Bubble lamp. Iconic and functional!

To add some character and history to the room, I found the large antique map of St. Louis on a closet and framed it. The two antique Italian prints were purchased by the young man on a trip so I paired them with two black and white photographs by re known St. Louis artist Ken Konchel. I love his work and have a lot of it in my home and office. The juxtaposition of the antique prints and the modern photography adds a lot of personality and brings some of the owner's history into the room. A room can be designed and decorated by me but it needs to BELONG to the resident!

I finished off the room with kilim rug throw pillows, again, for texture and history and some simple shaped accessories.

I love this room! I really feel it has a simple, clean look with a distinct personality that reflects the homeowner. Last time I checked, he is happy as well!

By the way, please check out Ken's amazing work at www.kenkonchelphoto.com! He is a St. Louis art star!

More of Jill's work! I've never wanted a piece of fruit more!

A couple of years ago I saw a show at a now defunct gallery here in St. Louis that I feel in love with. The artist Jill Hackney was showing her large paintings of lemons, figs and other fruits and vegetables. I know that may not sound exciting but believe me, Jill's paintings are unlike any others! She has a wonderful, soft style of painting that is both calming and powerful at the same time. The scale of her work is the key for me. A lone pear or two lemons done 3' X 6' takes on a whole new dimension. Then she started doing a series of paintings she called her "Echo Paintings" which are influenced by her growing up in southern Louisiana and the beautiful water-filled landscape there. The lushly layer colors and textures are gorgeous! She paints on raw wood panels, incorporating the texture of the wood into her linear brush strokes. The effect is light filled and dream like. These photos show the progression of a recent commissioned work for a project in Orlando, Florida. It is such a rare treat to see the artistic process at work. I always marvel at such talent! It is my goal to someday, hopefully soon, have one of her pieces gracing my living room! Check her out at www.jillhackney.com. Locally, she is represented by The Duane Reed Gallery in the Central West End. Jill, thanks for the lovely images and keep on creating, it is a gift!

I wanted to give a blogger "shout out" to Missouri glass artist Sam Stang. His work is amazing, I have several of his pieces in my home collection and have placed his work in clients homes as well. I was looking at some glass by other artists this morning and can't find anything I like as well. If you have never seen his work check out his website, www.samstang.com or better yet, make a trip to his studio in Augusta, MO. Of course, it is summer so he isn't working blowing hot glass now but this fall, give him a call and go see some great art! Don't be surprised if you come home with a new addition to your own collection, I always do!! Enjoy these pics I took at this studio this spring.

It is a lovely, hot & humid Saturday morning in the Caribbean and it is my last morning here on this trip. Good progress made on the project here, meetings with the builder, painters and artist. I'm counting down the weeks until installation in October. The highlight of this trip was meeting again with the artist Hannah Cook who lives here on the island. She is a very talented painter and mosaic artist who's work graces many fine homes and businesses here and elsewhere. She is creating a fantastic trompe loeil mural for the foyer barrel vault ceiling. I'm not often a big fan of the "fool the eye" painting but Hannah understands that the key to this style is subtlety and finesse. The piece she is doing here is based on a sketch I did, shown here, creating the effect of a glass ceiling with the blue Caribbean sky and some native foliage peeking about the corners. She will be doing the structural members in an antique bronze finish with touches of patina and then accenting the center portion to look like old leaded glass. I know it will be beautiful and provide a splendid, open air feel to the foyer but not detract from the gorgeous Murano chandelier or custom designed console in the room. All the parts will come together to make a beautiful whole! That is the goal of every project, thinking through the details so that they support one another, not compete and make a cluttered mess. I'm off to my last two meetings today and then home in the morning!

I was in the Miami Airport today on my way south to the islands when I was struck by the unusual artwork in the D concourse. I've been through this airport several times before but must have been concentrating on getting to my flight. Or people watching, I love to do that in airports! Anyway, I had noticed the gorgeous light terrazo floors throughout with the bronze inlays featuring various flora and seashells embedded in it. Very pretty, very striking. However, they also have these very large installations of mounted fish and sea life done in circles and spirals on the upper walls. Very large and dimensional. I must say, even though I know (assume?) they are not real it still struck me as odd and slightly macabre. I certainly appreciate the fantastic colors and shapes that they have and love to look at them but this over the top multiple setting using these creatures as a geometric decorating motif just seems weird. I do not enjoy it. I would love to hear your thoughts on these pictures. Leave a comment! Enjoy your week!

Hey everyone! I've been negligent at posting lately, lots on my plate. I'm off to the hot and humid Caribbean in the morning to check progress on a client project. Main goal, confirm the paint color selections. This may sound a little extreme, flying to the island just to select colors of paint but it is amazing what a difference the reflected sunlight and water does to the color versus the Midwest sunshine. Colors take on a totally different quality and intensity down there. So, on a plane. loaded with paint swatches and fabric swatches, ready to work. I'm sure I'll have some great things and pictures to post when I return next week! This is a photo taken earlier this year of the beach in front of the project. Not a bad place to work! I am very grateful for my job and the opportunities it provides.

This is a fantastic old home in the historic Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis. I've always been intriqued by the house, such a strong, bold form. Usually I like houses with a cleaner, more federal style facade but this has something special. I think it could really be a smashing facade with a few simple changes. Currently, the bulk is overwhelming with very little detail for relief. I would add some white painted American Gothic Revival style railings to the two side protrusions and then again over the second floor balcony. Painting the entire house a rich cream color instead of the pinkish washed out brick would give it presence as well. All too often I run across people who can't see possibilities in a home but that's ok, that's my job! Remember, there are many more ways to add charm and style to a facade than just adding shutters or windowboxes. Sometimes the architecture needs some boost. By the way, this home is on the market, anyone up for the challenge, call me!

I've spent some time today reviewing some kitchen details for a project in the Caribbean I've been working on for the last couple of years. I get to fly down in a few weeks to check in with the contractor and meet with the painters and other workers for finishing up in time for my client to move in in October. These out of the country projects really pose some unique challenges and the Caribbean is even more challenging! First, work goes soooo very slowly! This will be my fourth trip down since construction started and every time is a new adventure in what has not translated in e-mails! In planning this residence we made the decision to purchase everything for the condo here and then ship it all down at once. This makes moving in much easier since you have it all in and done rather that spend valuable vacation time scouring the limited local resources for the things you need but it also adds a challenge in that everything has to be carefully planned, recorded and packed very carefully. Lots and lots of details!! Here are three pictures of the kitchen in progress the last three trips, April '08, Oct '08, April '09. It's fun to watch it come together albeit slowly! I chose a dark cabinet with a more traditional door for the two large islands. this gives them a more furniture look and really grounds the large space. The perimeter cabinets are a simpler light painted door style to keep the boundaries open and light. All of the tops are a beautiful granite called Green Tea. Very light, soft green color that pulls in the outdoors. this granite also has a small, tight grain that works well for such a large space with lots of tops. The focus in this condo isn't fancy granites with lots of splash or overdone cabinets but rather an amazing collection of furniture and artwork we have assembled. the long wall opposite this kitchen will have a custom low cabinet in a crackled aqua over brown paint finish with an eye-poppoing orange interior surrounded by 8 large watercolors from England of exotic bird eggs in mirrored frames,two custom floor lamps in polished nickel with coral reef bases and two ottomans in a great orange and white trellis printed linen. As I said, I assembled quite an eclectic and dynamic collection for the place! Can't wait until October!

Wow! I just found this gorgeous French Louis XIV country buffet from a dealer I buy from in Chicago. It's a walnut cabinet with a marble top circa 1750. Beautiful! I could see this in a breakfast room or casual family room. I love antiques as well as contemporary furniture but my favorite is a blend of the two! The juxtapositiion of the old and new creates a lot of interest in a room and can reflect a persons love of many things. One of my favorite spots at home is a 1940's George Nelson rosewood chest that I display some of my antique crystal and sterling silver inkwells and a peice of stunning glass by Missouri artist Sam Stang. Hanging over this group is a collection of nude sketches from the 1930's, 50's, 70's and 1890's. Quite a blend!

Summertime and the living is easy! I love that Gershwin song! I also love a screen porch. There is nothing like the nice summer air, sounds from the garden, the smell of grass and no bugs! I recently was asked to give a long-time clients porch a quick "spruce". We had recovered her vintage wicker furniture and gave it a fresh coat of black paint a couple of years ago. In preparing for her daughters at home wedding I also hung a few new things on the walls and just cleaned the space up. I found a couple of furniture pieces in the basement and had them painted green and handpainted details added including a portrait of her beloved Golden Retriever sitting by the pool! But this year she asked me to go a step further and make it as cozy, warm and inviting as I had made the interior of her home.
I started by painting the ceiling a sunny yellow with a glossy finish. This allowed the light to reflect a warmer tone instead of the cooler tone reflected of the blue slate tile floor. Next I added an outdoor sisal like rug, some red cache pots, a red magazine metal rack, a new black urn planter and some woven wicker baskets for storage. I then found some great nature prints to hang on the wall reflecting the clients love of nature, bugs, ect. This grouping over the painted chest really makes a bold statement and gives presence. Finally, white sheer panels trimmed in black cording add a nice romantic feel and soften the room.
When the client returned form her trip she quickly let me know how much she loves the finished project. And her husband has been using th porch every morning for reading after a dip in the pool. I really love it when people enjoy the work I do for them and then use it everyday. Great rooms are for living in, not just to show off.

I'm dreaming of redoing our dining room so I can use this hanging shade fixture over the table. I love it! Clarence House makes a great red faux crocodile vinyl I would use for the shade liner. Too cool for school!

Wow, I love hanging pictures for clients! Photos of family and friends can bring so much personality to your home but there is danger in the waters! Too many pics hanging in the wrong place or awkward places or groupings can go awry! I recently had some fun with a young couple here in STL hanging LOTS of photos in the entry hall. And I didn't stop there! I carried the items up the stairs all the way to the third floor.
First, I started by creating a dynamic, contemporary space in a very traditional home by lacquering the wall below the existing chair rail a deep blue by Ralph Lauren called "Cafe on the Riviera". I love this color! It's a deep navy blue but with lots of green undertone giving it a rich, deep water color. Fantastic! Then, above the chair rail I specified wide horizontal stripes of black and white in a flat finish. this really draws your eye around the room and up the stairs, lots of movement! I had the photo arrangement in mind for all of this.
So, I laid out all of the photos and frames the client had, along with some empty ones she purchased for future pics, on the living room floor. My goal was to create a meandering line of family history that goes up the wall and around to the third floor. I didn't try for a chronological order but rather just started picking up pieces by size and varying this all the way up. The really important thing was to keep a small gap between the frames and always make sure each one overlapped a stripe. This way it all interacts. What starts out seeming very random without a lot thought actually is very planned. I was very pleased.... WHEN I WAS FINISHED WITH ALL THOSE NAILS AND HOOKS IN PLASTER!

I am very happy to report the clients love their hall display! The whole family enjoys looking at their history and remembering the fun. I enjoy the success of a job well thought out and well done.

I was watching a show on HGTV featuring first time home buyers this evening. A cute young couple in Lansing, Michigan were looking for their first home and viewed three options. To my delight, they chose the one I chose for them. A 50's tri-level ranch, ONE OWNER(!), all original kitchens and baths. Yes, it was hideous to the eye, bad wallpaper, bad carpet, worse draperies!! BUT.... fantastic space and light. And the one owner made everything in clean, pristine condition. So they would be able to move in, start with some cosmetic changes they could tackle themselves and work through the bigger changes as time goes by.
Doug and I were watching this show together and, of course, had different opinions of what the couple would and should do. As a designer, I am really able to look past the obvious stuff that hits people right in the face and see the space and possibilities. I always recommend to people that when shopping for a home, hire a designer to go look with you. For a few hours time you can get a completely different perspective that will help you make a major decision. Why short change yourself from the beginning?
I love to look at homes and see what can be, not what is!

Have a greaat evening! I'm posting a couple of photos we took at the Missouri Botanical garden last week, enjoy!

Welcome all!

I have decided to create this blog as a way to share my thoughts, insights, experiences and general rants about the interior design biz! Stay posted and I'll promise entertaining and informative posts, photos of my work and the work of other designers. Check back soon!