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.