Thursday, September 30, 2010

Modern Landscape Inspired Rug

Today I learned about Florian Pucher's Land Carpet from November's Lifestyleect. The hand-tufted 100 percent New Zealand wool rugs are unique, modern and chic. I could see these rugs making an impact in a children's playroom; it almost resembles a jigsaw puzzle! It could also look quite nice in a billiard room - colorful and fun!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

1160 Hair - Wild And Whimsical Salon


1160 Hair in Bay Harbor Islands is truly a magical, lively salon with wild wallcoverings and funky furniture. Designed by talented interior designer Myron Wolman, the space is built beyond your wildest imagination!

The manicure room is Japanese infused with lotus wallcoverings, bubble gum pink baroque chairs and lacquered manicure tables. It is a vision from Barbie's Dreamhouse.


The Moroccan inspired pedicure room features an oversized black leather sofa, red walls and a fun leopard ceiling. 


In the outdoor themed shampoo room, the sinks sits on green Astroturf and vines cover the walls. The room features a fireplace, green grass and a giant red moose.


Faux fruit dangles from the hallway ceiling, and scratch and sniff wallpaper fills the transitional space.


1160 Hair is not only beautiful, but it has over-the-top services including lavish coffee and chocolate pedicures, marvelous minx manicures, and organic facials to name a few. The salon treats you with a glass of bubbly while you get all dolled up - Check out 1160 Hair!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Celebrity Closets

Celebrity closets are outrageous! The celebrity shrines are filled with designer shoes, handbags and couture gowns. Here are some of my favorites: 


Olivia Palermo's 63-square-foot walk-in-closet features a large scale zebra-print rug. Palermo's mother Lyn Hutchings of interior design firm Hutchings-Lyle helped Olivia design her gorgeous apartment. 


Tamara Mellon, founder of Jimmy Choo, shelters her 400 pairs of shoes in multiple closets. Mellon arranges her shoes by color and type. 


Designer Nanette Lepore's dressing room features an Art Deco rug, tufted velvet ottoman, mirrored chest and glass chandelier. She has her very own section dedicated to her own designs. 



Jenna Lyons, creative director of J Crew, displays her shoe collection. Lyons converted a bedroom into her very own closet.


Nikki Hilton's two walk-in-closets feature loads of couture pieces.


Mariah Carey's 12,000 square-foot walk-in-closet contains more than 1,000 pairs of shoes. 


Kimora's closet has more than 500 pairs of jeans and 35 custom-made Hermes Birkin Bags. 


Welcome to Fergieland! Need I say more?

Monday, September 27, 2010

Alphabet Pillow Fun


Elsie Dodds is a home decor label that has adorable alphabet cushions for children. The cushions are a great way for children to learn through association! Each pattern features images that begin with the same letter on the front of the cushion. The M pillow has an image of a Moose, Motorcycle, Monkey, Music, Mug and More. A has an Airplane, Anchor, Alligator and Ambulance. 

(Airplane, Anchor, Alligator, Ambulance, Apple)

(Clock, Camel, Car, Cat, Cow, Crown)

(Dog, Dice, Dolphin, Deer, Dragon)

(Ski, Spoon, Sun, Strawberry, Spider)

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Inspiring Miami Architecture

Miami is a home for innovation and brilliance in architecture. 


Miami Beach contains the largest concentration of 1930's Art Deco architecture in the world. The Colony Hotel is an iconic Moderne Style Art Deco structure, and I find it to be extremely captivating, utilizing all design principles and elements. Modern transportation and industrial design had an enormous impact on construction during the 1930’s to 1940’s. The streamlined character of airplanes, trains or boats inspired design compositions. Its vertical component represents a mast of a boat. Nautical themes show this form to be true to Miami. 



Miami Modernist Architecture, also known as MiMo, is a style of architecture that originated in Miami from the 1950's and 1960's. Prime examples include the Fontainebleau Hotel and Eden Roc by architect Morris Lapidus. 

The Bicardi Building built in 1963 in Wynwood is my favorite example of MiMo architecture. The tower is built of reinforced concrete with two huge ceramic tile murals applied to the structure. It is done in traditional Spanish colors of blue and white.

(The Bacardi tower next to its smaller building represents scale, the building appears taller and larger when measured against the smaller surroundings.)

Villa Regina is a colorful high-rise apartment building in Miami painted by artist Yaacov Agam. He was hired to make it look like one of his 3D paintings. 

(The exterior has a rainbow of colored paint applied to its exterior which catches the eye). 

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, designed by distinguished architect Cesar Pelli, occupies 570,000 square feet and takes up two sides of Biscayne Boulevard, connected by a bridge. I drive by this beautiful landmark every day! I took this photograph on my way to class - isn't it a beauty!

(The building has horizontal and diagonal lines which give a feeling of repose and movement. The vertical lines add height to the architectural structure)

Some other photographs I took of inspiring Miami architecture:

(The building shows a transitional rhythm where curved lines carry the eye easily over the wave-like architectural element)

(The circular atrium to the sky is the dominant area in the exterior of the Miami 500 Brickell residence)

Saturday, September 25, 2010

John Robshaw's Opium, Garland, Aerial and Whisk

John Robshaw Textiles' new pillow designs in cotton linen are blue and beautiful. The patterns include Opium, Garland, Aerial and Whisk. 

John Robshaw studied traditional block printing in China at Pratt, and after visiting India he fell in love with the fabric making traditions of the local artisans - the way in which they dye, print, weave, and stitch textiles. 


Robshaw's signature Indian infused patterns and colors have a unique Asian flair. Here are his newest designs:





Friday, September 24, 2010

CASA de LUXE

Clothing designer Naja Nunthe of Danish fashion brand Munthe + Simonsen launched a home collection 2010 for Rikki Tikki Company!

(The bamboo gives the space a zen feel. The organic shape chair works well against the texture of the branches). 

Thursday, September 23, 2010

TMC Imprinted


TMC Furniture introduces a new technological innovation: The Screen Imprinted Seating Collection. Edgy and awesome, screen prints are applied to the curved wood surface of the chairs! So cool. 



The Artist Series has designs by artist David Dodde. Dodde uses metallics and bold graphic images to make the chairs pop. Show stopper! 


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I love Rue!



Finally! Rue has arrived! The online interior design and lifestyle magazine launched last week, and it is better than ever. The issue has interviews, ideas and inspiration. It is an amazing publication! Check it out!



(The bedroom above is BEYOND)