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!