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Posts Tagged ‘interior design profession’

habitat Post-and-Beam-Waterfront-Home

What makes the Post and Beam homes so alluring? Is it the massive strength of the post and beam frame and the enduring stability of the homes, or is it the unmatched calm and comfort of the homes  style, in stark contrast to life itself? These beautiful post and beam designs are made to have engineering strengths that allow for long, unobstructed spans, open floor plans, and walls of glass. The result is a signature: a mix of casual elegance and livability that never goes out of style.

habitat Post-and-Beam-Waterfront-Home 1

There is a network of Post and Beam Designers (also known as Timber Frame Homes)  nationwide and internationally, do your research. Post and Beam homes are a legacy that can be passed down for generations, those who inhabit it can enjoy these benefits for decades… or even centuries.

Habitat comtemporary Post and Beam

Habitat post and beam interior by hearthstone

Post and beam homes are true works of art. And just like art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, whether your contemporary, traditional, classic or rustic, the timeless beauty and ambiance of a Post and Beam home results in a warm and inviting space in which to live. .

Habitat post and beam interior kitchen

Stay tuned.. Spring is in the air.. what will we discover on our adventures in Styleland….?

XOXO

M

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If you really want something special and unique in your home than decorative painting is the way to go. In many Designer showhouses you’ll find the work of talented artists that use decorative painting techniques.

The origin of decorative paint is unknown, it has been seen as far back as cave paintings. The greatest influence has been the early Christian or church art, frescoes that were first found in roman catacombs. Folk art then started and decorative painting began to have a revival in the 1940’s and 50’s. It has also been popular in countries like Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, has a rich history of painted interiors and furniture. In England and France, the country tradition was less strong but, it is from here that some of the finest works in the classical tradition emerged.. Chinoiserie lacquer work, gilding, hand painting and faux finishes on walls and furniture all carried out in grand country houses and châteaux.

Chinoiserie

Here is a step by step process of a Grand Damask Pattern I did in a clients 2 story foyer.

This space originally started with a Waverly Wall Paper that was a colorful paisley pattern with blues, greens, pinks, and yellows. Quite bold and the home owner loved it for many years but remodeling her kitchen and updating the family room off the foyer, called for something more elegant with a transitional twist.

We decided to do a Stencil with a metallic layered damask and this was the start of our adventure:

Upper Foyer Landing, first layer BM af-305 Ylang Ylang

Supplies needed for this finish are:

Base Coat: Ben Moore Ylang Ylang AF-305

Ben Moore Metropolitan AF-690

Ben Moore Cotswald AF-150

Premixed Joint Compound

Modern Masters Metallic Paint: Silver (add an 10% Extender)

Lamp Black Acrylic

Faux Effects Aquacreme/Mastercreme

Faux Creme Colors Van Dyke Brown and Dark Brown

Tools: Japanese Trowel, Stencil brushes (large), chip brush and spray bottle

  1. Create 2 separate mixes of 1 to 1 ratio of paint and premixed joint compound using Ben Moore Aura Cotswald AF-150 and Metropolitian AF-690.
  2. Trowel Paint colors Randomly, with a vertical pattern, don’t overload your trowel with mixture.

Step 3: Joint compound mixed with Aura Cotswald AF150 and Metropolitan AF690 Second Layer

3.   Trowel second layer, using both colors again and working wet on wet. Use a spray bottle of water to spray surface, then apply causing mixture to drip lightly. Let dry.

4.  Stencil Grand Damask Motif randomly over the surface first with Modern Masters Silver.

Production Stencil, 2nd floor foyer, modern masters Silver metallic

5. Stencil additional Grand Damask motifs with Lamp Black, adding silver again over black here and there.

Adding Lamp Black with touch of silver, over Stairway, Whew!!

6. Thin the Metropolitan Joint Compound mixture 1 to 1 with water, using a chip brush apply this in  vertical drips from the top of the wall. Do this by loading the brush well and pressing it hard onto the surface to release the paint mixture. Allow to dry.

7. Mix Aquacreme glaze at a rate of 1 cup Aquacreme to 2 teaspoons each Vandyke and dark brown creme colors. Thin this with 1 to 1 water and apply in drips from top of wall to bottom with a large chip brush. Allow to dry slightly and spray with water, using the chip brush and additional glaze on spray water here and there to keep glaze open and make it drip more.

The glaze and van dyke brown mixed with dark brown push the stencil back and create a great strie on the walls giving an aged look to the walls.

The finished Foyer was Spectacular!! It had an aged appearance with a modern feel. Loved the look, and transformation! Just another adventure in Styleland, hope you enjoyed this one!

Stay tuned as always,

XOXO

M

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Design legend Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolf was an american actress and interior decorator, in 1913 she wrote an influential book “The House in Good Taste”according to some the interior design profession was invented by Elsie de Wolfe. Among her clients were, Anne Vanderbilt, Anne Morgan, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor to name few. Though dead for half a century, Elsie de Wolfe remains an  icon to this day, revered as America’s first decorator. The key elements of her  style are as fresh as ever, and the aura of celebrity she brought to her  profession has been passed on from one to another of her successors.

Read more: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/legends/archive/dewolfe_article_012000

Bunny Williams

This is dedicated to the Great Ladies of decorating. Two years ago I had the great privilege of hearing Bunny Williams speak at the D&D building in New York City. It was Market Week, October 6, 2010. My friend Mary Korzinski (another incredible Design Diva) and I took the ride down to spend a couple of days scoping out what was new on the design scene. Up on the fifteenth floor in the Vaughn Lighting hear Bunny . Her book Bunny’s Scrapbook for Living was on sale and being signed.

We enjoyed the event, I have always admired her, she truly is one of the current pioneers of the Interior Design world.

Dorothy Draper

A quote from the late Dorothy Draper “It is just as disastrous to have the wrong accessories in your room as it is to wear sport shoes with an evening dress.” her designs were filled with upper crust refinement. She was truly and iconic designer.

Dorothy Draper was to decorating,” says interior designer Carleton Varney, “what  Chanel was to fashion. The woman was a genius; there’d be no professional  decorating business without her.
Read more: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/legends/archive/draper_article_052006#ixzz1pepInrvZ

Eleanor Brown

Design legend Eleanor Brown, the founder of McMillen Inc.

Eleanor's Oval Dining Room

The famed New York design firm that was established in 1924 and is still in business today. Brown achieved recognition by designing the most prestigious homes in the country. She operated out of her townhouse at 148 East 55th Street in New York City, selling 18th century furniture sent to her from Europe by William Odom, who was then the head of the Paris Atelier of the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts.

Forever in Vogue is the neoclassical oval diningroom that brightens Eleanor’s Manhattan apartment.

I would like to just mention a few other pioneers that have made our industry what it is today, Ruby Ross Wood (Atlanta’s Swan House), Madeleine Castaing, Sister Parish, Rose Cumming, Marian Hall and Nancy Lancaster. I know, I know there are so many others worth mentioning!!!
I am so grateful to all these great women who have inspired the interior design world and given me an insider’s  perspective. As we continue to navigate thru these economic dog days, relaxing moments for me are created in the interiors of homes we continue to create!! As always stay tuned……
XOXO
M

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