Two Heads Are Better Than One!

Summer is coming to an end and that means back to school and back to work. Here at the EKB Shop we head back to our design workroom to begin scheming! Refreshed after many lazy summer days we are ready to get back to creating beautiful color stories for our clients.


It's true that you are only as good as those talented individuals you surround yourself with. In my profession creativity is such a collaborative process! My right-hand and fabric guru, Creative Design Director Beth, is an integral part of the EKB design team. She is always fabric scheming and researching innovative and exciting color stories. She's amazing! Like myself, Beth takes many of her design cues from her chic fashion sense!




There is really only one way to describe the pulling together of a showhouse project and that is CRAZY! Deadlines, last-minute changes, and unforeseen mishaps are all part of the job. We need to be ready for anything! My team is just so unbelievable when it comes to multi-tasking and problem solving. Beth is always my oasis of calm in a sea of chaos....I don't know what I would do without her!

And at last, the finished product! I am so proud of my team and all that we accomplished with this beautiful room! I loved using all of those Duralee fabrics and furniture....There was so much great product to choose from and Beth and I had to use our editing-eyes to make this room pure perfection!

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." -Henry Ford

Mirror, Mirror.....Reflections on Design

Great mirrors reflect the soul of the house.....That's why I take careful consideration when selecting a mirror because the placement is so critical. Whether it be bringing the outdoors inside or simply reflecting life within....Mirrors can be functional or fashionable.


Art is given a new perspective through reflection in this mirror. Light was such an important element in my Hamptons Showhouse room....What a fabulous custom mirror....it amplifies and captures that unique light element found only at the East End.


In yet another one of my projects, I choose to incorporate a custom faux-snakeskin mirror as a foil to the hot pink and orange palette used throughout the design scheme.

At first the large scale of this old home was a bit intimidating....However, instead of trying to play down the scale of the soaring space I decided to run with it! By introducing this trio of custom made mirrors the room was instantly pulled together and an intimate feel was created!

And on a much smaller but no less important scale, this convex starburst mirror is the perfect little "jewelry" element for this quaint living space.

How can you have a commercial space like this high-end vintage clothing boutique without mirrors that are equally as fabulous as the items within! I love the flexibility of this floor- standing custom mirror....it can be easily moved when ever things need to be freshened up!

Everyone and everything that shows up in our life is a reflection of something that is happening inside of us. -Alan Cohen

Green With Envy....

I never know when it's going to hit me! Whether I am at the reptile house in the Bronx Zoo or a street corner market in Paris.....I find inspiration in the most unusual places! The serpentine lines of this chair, paired with the fabulous GREEN mix of fabrics, brought a piece of the Bronx and Paris to my showhouse in the Hamptons.








From walking to my office in Manhattan to my shop and studio in Huntington.....GREEN inspirations just keep following me everywhere I go! Even a small element, like these custom cushions on a clients kitchen chairs, makes such a bold impact within the neutral framework.


I loved incorporating theses beautiful natural GREEN touches on my tabletop design for a House & Garden Event. Eco-Chic at its best for sure!

"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."-Shakespeare

The Dog Days of Summer....

Always keep a sense of whimsy in the forefront of your design scheme....There is nothing worse than someone that takes themselves too seriously when putting together a room! This piece does just that! The unexpected round frame and large scale make this puppy come to life. In this vignette, found in my shop, I've incorporated faux-animal print pillows on the accompanying sofa. Although the palette remains neutral an element of fun still shines through loud and clear!




The Zebra print carpet is a great way to transform a traditional landscape into a modern oasis! Its playful edge is just enough to wow people when they walk through the door, but not overwhelm them! I even chose to use it running up my front stairs....It's the first thing you see when you enter my home and it says "welcome!"



My shop stylist Lois recently revamped one of my window stories. I love her use of these versatile Duralee ottomans upholstered in a faux-snakeskin, trimmed out with nickel nail heads. This cohesive look sets the stage for a fabulous vintage glass & Lucite table and the mid-century modern chair, which are all tied together by a fun faux-cowhide rug! I love this look....whimsical, playful, & perfect!

Color Me Happy With Wallpaper!

One of my favorite tricks for brightening up a space is achieved by taking a piece of MDF and covering it with a striking wallpaper. To finish the look, I add molding around the edges to give the wallpaper a framed finish. Many of my clients fall in love with these dramatic and enticing papers but are hesitant to use them on their walls. This is a great way to ease these fun prints into your home without the permanence of actually wallpapering.

Another way to incorporate exciting wallpapers into a space is to pick a focal point to be highlighted. I often find that choosing one wall or designated area for the wallpaper helps it to shine. In the EKB Shop, I emphasized the fireplace with this Designer's Guild floral print which compliments the lavender and purple wall colors. This space now draws your eye immediately, adding interest and depth to the room.


Now, if you are that rare individual who isn't afraid of bold patterns and colors.....completely wallpapering a space can make a small room majorly POP! This is my personal powder room at the Shop and every time I walk in I'm instantly inspired! If you do decide to use artwork in a space like this, it must be graphic and simple. Don't let it fight with the wallpaper for attention!

Everyone always forgets the ceiling....But why not take advantage of this great space and wallpaper it! In my new showhouse, I used a very subdued shade and pattern of wallpaper to further enhance the light airiness of the room. It really added an extra level of completeness to the space....And why should you leave any corner of a room undesigned? Wallpapers have come along way over the years and it's time to start embracing them into our homes and lives!

It's All in the Details!

For me, a trip into my closet to pull together a chic outfit isn't all that different from how I begin designing a room. The color combinations are endless...Couture details are such a critical part of my design aesthetic...No outfit or room is ever completely finished without great accessories, whether it be a statement piece of jewelry or an opulent chandelier. It always surprises me how many possibilities you can derive from mixing fashion and interior design.

When vacationing in Nantucket, I came across the work of Peter Gee, renowned colorist. I was visiting a good friend, Vanessa
Noel, owner of Cafe V and her namesake Hotel, and she had many of his pieces displayed. This particular piece reminded me so much of my 'Day Dream Believer' Showhouse room.

I just love this color combination! These refreshing sorbet-esque splashes layered with this soft neutral ground create a livable and inspiring space! And isn't that what we are all looking for at the end of a tough day? Elements of good design are attainable at any price point...Pick up an issue of Vogue for the fashion inspirations that can carry over into reviving that sanctuary that we all call home!

Summertime and the Livin' is Easy!

Since I've been vacationing here on Nantucket, I am finding it harder and harder to come indoors at the end of a perfect day. There is such a peace and tranquility about lazy summer days, I just never want to give them up! I wanted to create that feeling here in the Florida Keys in this lovely outdoor living space. In a place like Ocean Reef, the lines are blurred between outdoor and indoor living. These homeowners are known to have a party at a moments notice and this space allows them to do just that! Its flexible floor plan is conducive to both intimate gatherings or lavish affairs!

My absolute, favorite room in my home is my sun-porch! Even though we can't use it 12 months a year...it only makes it that much more enjoyable when those beautiful days do start appearing. I incorporated my signature color throughout the cushions and used the same care I would in designing any other room in my house. The sun-porch is a perfect place for morning coffee, an afternoon nap, and or sharing a cocktail with friends in the evening!

Light Up Your Life!!

Here in Nantucket my favorite time of day is just before sunset....It's calming and serene and just magical! It has proved to be my best time for reflecting and organizing my creative thoughts. Part of the reason I love sunset has to do with the lighting and how it affects the play of colors on one another.

I designed the interior for this high-end vintage clothing boutique, but the project just wasn't complete until I added this dramatic, customized chandelier. By introducing this sexy fixture, complimented by the added sheer shade, an element of glamour was established and center stage was created.

All aspects of lighting were taken into consideration while updating this quaint Tudor home. In the dining room both natural and enhanced lighting interplay with one another. The balance between streaming sunshine from the garden beyond and the flattering glow radiating from the chandelier and accent lamp, make this the perfect setting for intimate dinner parties! The reflection of light from both the mirror and the metallic finish on the side-board offer an extension of light and airy perspective into the room.

What's Your Color Story?

The EKB Look.......unexpected color stories that are sophisticated and stylish. I translate traditional and modern styling, with classic and vintage design, and weaving them together creates an intriguing visual story.

I love how this color story incorporates so many natural elements...the sky blues, grass greens, and earthy textures all working in perfect harmony!

Crisp black and whites, striking graphics, always a light-hearted splash of PETA-friendly animal print, and a fashion forward pop of sexy hot pink....are sure to satisfy the tastes of a young, sophisticated family.

This design project has a serious WOW factor, yet remains inviting and easy to come home to! I would like to think that all my projects have that level of depth as well as livability....What good is design if you can't live and grow in it?

Flower Power

For me, inspiration often comes from Mother Nature's unique color stories. She hits me on the way into my shop with gorgeous lavender-mist petunias spilling out of their flower boxes.

I love being surrounded by the soft whimsy of hydrangeas... which are usually scattered throughout my home and the EKB Shop!

And the most exciting part of working with beautiful fabrics, like those from Romo, is that they can be enjoyed all year long! The patterns are intriguing and unexpected because of their magnificent scale and vibrant hues....I'm even incorporating them into my own home to freshen things up.

For my most recent Designer Showhouse, I came up with my color concept from a vintage shirt I basically lived in while studying in Paris. I replicated the image on a canvas and used it as my starting point for all other color selections in the room!