Grey, the new neutral

As I was sitting on the beach over the weekend, I was in awe of how nature is such an inspirations in design. 

The color palette around me was amazing.  Sea weeds had washed up on the beach and in late afternoon light was bouncing everywhere. 

The Dijon color of the seaweed against the gray beach with blues and greens reflecting from the water were just beautiful.   There were splashes of white as the water rippled in.  The white was subtle yet striking.

GREY is the new neutral
I wanted to share with you how adding a touch of a color to a neutral pallette can liven up a space and turn a room into a beautiful and fun place.  Grey is not limited, it can read contemporary or transitional.  It's all how you pull it together.

 

Jennifer Brouwer 

In the photo below Jennifer Brouwer did a beautiful job in this living spaces combining different shades of grey in solids and textures and adding that POP of sunshine.  As on the beach, you see the touches of white in the wooden blinds, the lamp shades, vases and base boards that all play their part in bringing the room together. 

Martha O'hara

Why this room works:

Again, we see a beautiful example of how that pop of sunshine whether it be Dijon, yellow or mustard combined with the neutral greys and the balance of white complement each other.  The dark woods of the floor and furniture set the stage and allow light to dance around the room.  I think Martha did a beautiful job in this room and I especially like the unexpected red chair by the piano.

As I stood up to take pictures, I could not help but realize how even my fuchsia beach chair just POPED against the grays and mustard's. 

Niki Papadopoulos

When I came across Niki's photo, I thought VOILA how cool!
I love the way the Fuschia accents on the back of the book shelf and the club chairs add so much fun to a room.

Add color to your life, it's a sure way to put a smile on your face.

Share some of your thoughts or pictures of a grey and a pop of color with me, I'd like to smile

Create Wall Chic with Art Galleries

One of the hottest trends in home decor is creating spectacular walls with an      Art Gallery picture arrangements.

 If your wondering how designers do it.  I'm going to share a few tips to help you create Wall Chic!

Planning is key!
Don't start hammering right away or you'll have too many holes and an uneven, imbalanced display of art.  Find the right size wall for the right pieces.  Measure it out so you know the amount of space you are working with.  Remember, AVOID direct sunlight.

Personalize your home by showcasing the things you love

Begin by selecting the pictures, art or mementos you would like to group together.  Create a story or grouping of pictures and artwork that share something in common.  Grouping collections of photos and art tend to add interest.  It's all about BALANCE not just the SIZE of the artwork

Arrange   Arrange all of your pieces on the floor
You want to create balance as well as a story.  Lay them out on the floor  placing the largest piece in the center as the focal point and work out.  The center piece should be hung  60-65" off the floor to the center of the artwork.  Other pieces will hang lower and higher depending on the look you want.   It is really helpful to make a note of the distance between each picture and that should not exceed 5".  If your hanging pieces over furniture, leave at least 8" between the bottom of the frame and your furniture

Now, take a step back and admire!

*The arrangement should read as one piece,  something like putting a jigsaw puzzle together

Here are a few of my favorites,

 what I love about them and why they work

I started with Pinterest  http://pinterest.com/rosadest/great-wall-ideas/# and had to stop before I got a little carried away.

I love this wall color, it adds drama and really lets the black and white photographs POP.

Great Walls on Pinterest

This black and white wall gallery by Charlotte Moss shows great balance of frame sizes

 

If you love symmetry, this arrangement is for you.  By placing the largest piece in the center and the botanicals symmetrically placed on either side create a wonderful story on this Southern Accents wall.

This stairway gallery reflects the homeowners taste in art and personality

 

This photograph from Southern Accents is the quintessential balance of color and symmetry

 

 

The photograph below shows a unique way to create a wall gallery using a rod and hanging the paintings, black & whites and pencil drawings from either small chains or coils as you see in museums

 

Blogfest 2012

Blogfest 2012 has started with a bang. An exhilarating yet exhausting day.
Our day began with a preview party to the Kip's Bay decorator show house www.kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org/visit. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious interior design show houses.
From Kips Bay we went to the Savant Experience center, designed by Thomas and featuring Apple based control and automation technology. Sorry to say my phone/camera died after Kips Bay so I don't have any photos of this incredibly techno cool place. See it on line http://www.savantsystems.com/nyc_experience_center.aspx
Oh the night is still young, from there to an exclusive after party at the Savoir showroom where I was so ready to just lay down and crash for the night. www.savoirbeds.com/. I just wish I could have laid down on one of their wonderful beds
So from the city that never sleeps, good night.

A Star Studded Week

Wow, what an awesome week for a designer in High Point. I've been going to HP twice a year now for 12 years and never have I been so privileged to meet some of the top designers in the US.


Alexa Hampton

My day began by  meeting Alexa Hampton, who was just a delight.  She has a way of making people feel very comfortable, just like her designs.

Alexa Hampton

Alexa has a line of furniture for Hickory Chair Furniture based on reinterpreted historical pieces and known for  making classic designs comfortable.

Photograph by Rosa Dest Interiors with her line of furniture

Susan Hable

Read more about Susan Hable and Hable Construction

Susan,  is the first textile designer that Hickory Chair Furniture has ever used to develop  a line for them. 

 

Her textile design firm offers clean, simple silk screening and domestic manufacturing.

 

This was one of my favorites of her fabric combinations, I love the use of textures combining cut velvets and silks.  The paintings are original water colors by Susan.

Suzanne Kasler

I've had the pleasure of meeting Suzanne twice and although she may never remember me, I will never forget her.  I first met her at the Brunschwig showroom in Charlotte, NC where she was debuting her fabric line for Lee Jofa and then last week at Hickory Chair.  She is charming and so enthused about her lines of fabric and furniture.

 

I took this photograph at the Hickory Chair showroom,where you can see her beautiful line of furniture and fabrics.  Suzanne mixes both antique and modern pieces to create a timeless environment.

Thomas O'Brien 

Merging traditional with modern, Thomas O'Brien uses  textures and colors not prints to merge cool and warm creating an evolving feeling.  He likes his rooms to "Not look decorated", "love it and let it be" is what he feels a home should be.

Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair

Barclay Butera

Barclay Butera, "Furniture does not make a home, Life does"

 

 

 

 

 

I love his quote, it resonates in my practice of design.  "Design is the way you present your lifestyle to the world".

I feel like I hit the jackpot last week at High Point, not only getting to meet these fabulous designers but also learning about their lines, their inspirations and what drives them.

A big thank you to Laura Holland of  Hickory Chair for taking time during market to reacquaint me with your company and beautiful furniture.

 

Spring in the Carolinas

                             

              Spring in the Carolina's

 You could say I've been on spring break or a bloggers vacation, or simply been   to  busy to blog.  All of the above are true, so I'll ease into blogging by sharing the beauty of spring in the Carolina's.

Spring came early to Charlotte and with a big welcome.  I look so forward to spring despite the pollen that comes with it; the air is fresh, the colors are lovely and Charlotte looks spectacular!
There's  nothing more beautiful to me  than to look outside my windows and see the beauty of nature.  This Varnadoe pink Azalea has moved with me from two different locations.  It is the one plant in my garden I get the most excited to see bloom.

 

Varnadoe pink Azalea

The roses are in their glory!  I could not do it alone and if it weren't for Robert from The Perfect Rose, I would not enjoy the bounty of roses that bloom from March through November in my garden.

As an interior designer, I find it imperative to have the exterior of the home enhance the interiors.  Remember, it is the exterior we see first.   The colors seen through your windows should complement the colors inside your home.

  Charleston Home & Garden Tour

  Charleston, SC was in it's glory during the Charleston Home & Garden tour in March.  Make plans to attend next years garden tours.  You will be very happy you did.

 

     

These are just a few shots I took of the beautiful gardens

 

Serene backyard path

 

Repetition of plants unifies the garden; in home interiors, we use the repetition of color to bring unity. 

Vertical hanging garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charleston version of an English garden

Guilty Pleasure

               

   

Don't you wish you could indulge yourself in just one guilty pleasure?

                 On a recent visit to Ferguson's in Charlotte, NC; I came across this exquisite sink

 

Made by Linkasink, this work of art is encrusted in pearls, rhinestones and unique  pieces  of costume jewelry artfully placed together.

To complement or complete the sinks Linkasinks offers decorative drain covers as well.  They are so unique and fun, can you believe they're completely functional and fit any standard drain opening!

I think the drain cover is spectacular but I would hate to drop my contact in it for fear of it ripping.

Linkasink drains

 It's amazing the amount of detail that goes into the creation of each sink.

Each sink is unique, made by craftsmen from around the world they come in a wide range of materials, styles and colors.  These sinks will surely express your personality.

love this oval vessel sink from their Onyx and Travertine collection.  It would be gorgeous in a powder room or master bath.

Linksinks

I was so enthralled by the sinks that I had to share this beautiful resource.

Here's to OOOHHHing and AAAHHHing over gorgeous sinks Linkasinks

What is happening in Kitchens for 2012?

    

                      Always the heart of the home!

 

Regardless of the decade, the kitchen has always been the heart of the home.  In the 1950's function was the primary concern to a well done kitchen.

Painted cabinets, Formica countertops, and brightly colored appliances placed in a Galley or U-shape, described the kitchen of the 1950's.  While doing some research for this blog post I found the neatest timeline of kitchens from the 1950's through the 90"s I'd love to share, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. http://www.calfinder.com/blog/kitchen-remodel/kitchens-through-the-ages/

What is happening in kitchens for 2012?
I recently attended a work shop at my local Sub-Zero Wolf showroom were we discussed the trends
for 2012.

The driving force in kitchens is lifestyle, how people chose to live in their spaces.

From Traditional kitchens

 

Kitchens by Rosa Dest Interiors

To more Contemporary Kitchens

Modern Kitchen Design Ideas

The trend is to make your kitchen all about YOU ! 
Have you ever noticed that everyone always seems to congregrate in the kitchen, it is the hub of the home.  Kitchens have become "kitchen-centric" spaces, meaning a more lifestyle inclusive kitchen and serving as the family's hub for leisure, work, and entertaining and of course the utilitarian roles.
Kitchens are being incorporated into the architecture of the house creating seamless rooms.  No longer just a work space now a living space

Courtesy of Sub-Zero

 I love the look of this kitchen, it feels inviting and comfortable.  Not just the place were you eat dinner but certainly a place to entertain and  hang out.

With the awareness of "Green" in our lives we are seeing a trend to focus on healthy living and wellness. We are seeing more and more use of raw, organic and natural materials in our kitchens.  There is less fuss and more attention to making a statement with design and creating a timeless kitchen. 

Courtesy of Sub-Zero

 The veining in this wood counter top and the raw edge finish give warmth to the contemporary setting.


Technology is certainly playing a big part in all of our lives and in our homes.  We are seeing touchless appliances, plugless counter top appliances and integrating ovens, cook tops and sinks only seen when in they are in use.

There is so much to think about, so if your thinking of renovating or updating your kitchen call a professional to help you get the kitchen of your dreams.  It's an investment in the end result