September, 2008 - Browsing by month

The artisans of Hancock and Moore use only the finest Grade A woods for unrivaled quality and detail. Using a 21-step process, each piece is hand sanded more than seven times until almost silky to the touch. Clients select from over 50 finishes or request a customized finish. Whether you prefer a wood finish as sleek and reflective as glass, or a time-worn antique, the options are endless with a signature piece by Hancock & Moore. This is furniture that remains beautiful for generations and bears the skilled touch of master craftsmen. Hancock and Moore is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

Tags: artisan, chair, Furniture, quality
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After seeing the bold colors of red and gold during the Olympics, more of the same continued at Fashion Week. No surprise to see the 2009 color trends reflect the synergy of commerce and culture. The bold and saturated hues remind us of summer and beaches while connecting us to influences and themes of other places such as Russia, East Asia and Latin America. As Thomas Friedman expresses, the world is flat.

Interpreted for your home, orange becomes an appealing color for interiors but is not crayon orange but toned down with a touch of yellow and called ‘tiger-eye’. Likewise red receives a hint of orange and becomes tropical and lush. In a room setting this ‘Moorish’ red is enhanced by complements of tangy lemon accents.

From Project Runway to Fashion Week, vivid blues and purples are combined with neutrals. Blue promotes optimism and it’s grounded with nature’s neutrals; think natural fiber, wool, and wood. This combination of fresh blues with gorgeous gray grounds the palette and promotes stability – a perfect combination for a master bedroom suite.

The Green movement is mainstream so certainly green is a star whether on the runway or in the home. Spring inspired daffodil yellow pairs with a muddier gold green and adds freshness to the interior. An old friend, olive green, becomes a sophisticated companion. One color that combines with all of the above colors is slate grey providing a visual ‘weight’ to the overall color scheme.

Finally, I believe color is LOCAL. Explore your locality, see how the colors are nuanced at your local markets and store display windows. Spin the color wheel with local hues for a timely update.

Tags: color, decorating, fashion, home, interior, paint, remodel, Seattle, style
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 2 Comments »

With the hassles of flying and cost of travel overseas rethinking ‘HOME’ and how we live in our home takes on new meaning. Over the past months whether it’s the price of a gallon of gas, dining out, movies, the economic message is stay home. And why not? As one considers this option, an investigation of our surroundings is an opportunity to examine the condition of our comfort zone and what improvements are possibilities.

As a designer, I commit to the motto that you should ‘come home to a place you love’. Do you? What alterations, tweaks so to speak, make that phrase come alive for you? Would new wall color inspire you?

How about fresh accessories like accent pillows, a lamp, a new chair or sofa, an area rug?

Or you could indulge yourself with a kitchen remodel intending to gather friends and family at the table for memorable meals and conversation. A very personal luxury inspiration like a spa like bathroom makeover diminishes all that stress from your workday.

As we enter the indoor months the chance to entertain around sporting events or movies makes that large flat screen very appealing. Watch your favorite teams with friends and swap stories in the comfort of your home. Compare outcomes of favorite reality television programs over snacks or watch the movies you love or missed at the theater in the comfort of your home.

A few months ago, Stephen Drucker, editor of House Beautiful, penned a great post. It captured the importance of your home. “I can’t mention the economy anymore. It’s in the news, it’s at the gas pump, it’s in the air every day. To everyone who hesitates that decorating is a luxury at this unsettled moment, I’d like to say that I think home is more important than ever, not a last priority in your budget, but a first. Now is the time to set a beautiful table and invite friends for dinner, rather than go to a restaurant. Now is the time to get a deal on that big TV and create your own home theatre, rather than go out to movies. Now is the time to paint a room a pretty color, or buy some pillows for your sofa, or dress up your bed in new sheets. And now is definitely the time to renovate a kitchen or bath, or even add a room, as contractors become less busy and more eager to please. Home isn’t a luxury; the money you spend, you’ll enjoy every day. “

Tags: entertain, investment, redecorate, remodel
Posted in Ideas and Inspirations | 4 Comments »