Bundle Up Your Table

Does anyone else feel like September never happened?  It seems like I went to bed after a long summer day and woke up in chilly October.  I absolutely love the Fall but am overwhelmed by the busy....Work gets so crazy, kids are back in school, and the Holiday's are looming!  

Part of the stress & excitement of the Holiday's is the anticipation of entertaining family and friends, which for me is always centered around the Dining Room Table.   

I am a big proponent of keeping the dining table set year-round.  I really love using the dining room as a second family room - An inviting place that isn't reserved for Holiday's but supports everyday life.  Something I started doing to my table that my clients have commented on is placing actual table lamps and stacks of books on the dining room table.  This anchors the table giving it some additional mood and task lighting.  I love this look because it feels very library-esque. 

Seating is so important for those long family dinners.  The use of these Queen Anne Arm Chairs at the head of the table give the table a very cozy and comfortable feel.

I am crazy about Banquets!  I have one at my kitchen table and I'm always intrigued when I see them in dining room settings. 

Size doesn't matter!  I love these two intimate dining tables.  Kelly Wearstlers beautiful blue tablecloth dresses this tiny table up instantly & John Saladino's clean crisp tablescape paired with those lust-worthy lilac slipcovered chairs is so elegant & effortless.   

This table is my inspiration for this Holiday season.  I love using unpredictable color stories and making them feel just as Holiday-like as those traditional ones.  This gold, orange, and blue does just that!  Don't be afraid to experiment and play around with your favorite color combinations. 

Layering, Layering, Layering!  Layering is definitely the key to a cozy Fall Holiday table.  In addition to lamps on the table I started using scarves as table runners and thin throw blankets to add extra texture and interest.  Touches of Fall foliage and other outdoor elements give any table that bundled up feeling that the season just exudes.  My advice for this years Holiday Table is to experiment with items and fabrics you have at home that mean something to you.....I think you might surprise yourself at what actually ends up sticking!

"If you walk into a room and it does not move you, then the room is a failure." John Saladino

Inspirations to FALL over....

I've been on a bit of inspiration overload.  The Internet is such a powerful tool and can really elevate your creative notions into realistic and obtainable dreams. Between client color stories, completing my fabric collection, and being a wife & mother, I've needed all the help I can get on harnessing my creative brainpower.

This is one of my favorite color stories.  Those side tables are clever and I love the leaning black mirrors.

 

I love the royal blue cabinetry in this beautiful kitchen.  Makes me want to play with more unexpected color combo's....

I love this elegant approach at creating the perfect partner's desk.  So lovely!

Who said you can't make your own Chanel.....Now that's creative!

I've been laboring over finding the perfect chairs, barstools, banquets....Oh my!  Must have these barstools and the green accent cushions are a great color pop and something I would definitely use myself. 

The serene palette with that gorgeous dusty gray banquette paired with the signature Romo wallpaper makes eating at this table first class all the way.

I recently made some big changes at my shop, transitioning from a retail store to strictly a design firm.  In doing so I recognized the necessity to keep my team inspired by there surroundings.  This was one of my favorite inspiration images.....Stay tuned for the finished product!

“If you only do what you know you can do- you never do very much.” - Tom Krause

Color Me Happy......

Say No to Neutrals:


Ribbon Revival:


Paper Play:

"People need dreams, there's as much nourishment in them as food." - Dorothy Gilman

Dream, Inspire, Create.....

I recently had the pleasure of working with the Fox News iMag Team on Home segments for their terrific Lifestyle iMag.  I was lucky enough to share some of my favorite tips for redesigning and inspiring everyday areas.....

Table:

Thank you Noelle & Brooke and the rest of the crew for all your help....Please enjoy and let me know if you have any tips you'd like to share with me!

"To do more for the world than the world does for you - that is success."

Henry Ford

Covered From Every Angle

Part of designing is not being afraid to take chances and training your mind to think outside of the norm.  Playing around and testing the boundaries are all part of the creative process, and for me the most exciting experience.  One of the hottest trends this year is the use of asymmetrical angles and unusual shapes. 

 

 

 Cut-outs, Curves, and Angles with Vengence - Fashion is exploding with these bold interpretations, which are overflowing the runways.  The creation of these new & interesting lines - through fashion, hairstyles, architecture - are really pushing the envelop creatively.  Now I'm bursting to try these concepts out in my own designs and projects....

Often times when designing a space, we tend to let the walls dictate how we layout or arrange our furniture and accessories.  Personally I'm tired of feeling constricted and prohibited by walls.....I find the most interest and intrigue in the unusual and unexpected, but also functional and visually appealing....Talk about a tricky combination, but once the recipe is in place the end result is always delicious.     

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for." - Georgia O'Keeffe

Escape to Nantucket

Summer has arrived!  The time of year when I escape with my family to Nantucket for the Fourth of July (my favorite holiday) On this Island 30 miles out at sea I get to recharge my life with inspiration and spend time with my Husband and kids.  As an Interior Designer, mother, business owner, and individual I devour these moments where I can get back to basics no makeup and barefeet.......sketching, painting, taking a bike ride, or just putting up my feet while enjoying the sun with sunscreen of course!

Here are some of my favorite things to do while in Nantucket!  Let's begin the tour with taking a stroll down Main Street.  First stop is Erica Wilson.  She offers this charming pendant......available in a handful of colors.  Next, stop at Nantucket Looms......always inspirational.  They have over 50 artist working in different mediums of paint, sculpture, jewelry........all great finds.  Plus have unique novelty gifts......throws, scarves, sweater, baby blankets.....tons to check out!

 Another shop on the main beaten path is Vis-a-Vis...great for jewelry, accessories, and one of a kind shoes and dresses....  

Right off Main Street you'll find two inspirational  shops.... Current Vintage a cool wine and clothing shop, located on Easy Street and Eye of the Needle full of great clothing of hot colors and hip looks located on Federal street next to the Boarding house  a great place for dinners and late night cocktails...they have a great DJ...

After the shopping in town you can build up an appetite walking around town.... here are some of the eateries I enjoy.  The Club Car.....great for a cocktail and some munchies.  For dinner it's 21 Federal. ( always best to make a reservation)  After a great meal......stroll through town grab a ice cream cone at the pharmacy and stroll on the docks to enjoy the moonlight over the town and water......so peaceful....

One of my favorite beaches is Nobaside....great sand bar this year!  Or take the kids for a great scenic and relaxing bike ride at Jetty Beach stay for sunset and eat there too....

As you know I am always looking for my color inspirations....this time of year the window boxes, gardens and the abundance of hydrangeas are everywhere....They come in so many colors........different shades of Blue, white, and pink..... but my favorite are the voilet blue!

These last shots I took after dinner at the beach.....counting the days until I have to leave. 




I must say that I am always excited to get back to my studio after a vacation, especially after I just redesigned my studio space before I left!






 I'll have to catch you up with the new look in a upcoming post.....I will leave you with this quote.





"The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results" by Tony Robbins.

Come out to Support a Great Cause and get Inspired to Spruce up your Home!

FAMILY SERVICES LEAGUE'S SAMMIS FAMILY HOUSE TOUR 2010 PRESENTS

Interior Designer, EILEEN KATHRYN BOYD'S, Huntington Home

Please join us in touring Long Island's most magnificent North Shore Homes:

Wednesday, May 26,2010.

Tour: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Early reservations are recommended.  Tickets are $55.00 in advance and $60.00 the day of the event.  Lunch is being offered at the Thatched Cottage in Centerport for $25.00.  For additional information about the Sammis Family House Tour or Family Service League, please call Jennie Sandler at 631-427-3700, ext. 255.  Tickets can also be purchased on the website at www.fsl-li.org.

Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other.  It is the place of confidence...... It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any sensation of awkwardness and without any dread of ridicule.  ~Frederick W. Robertson 

Highlights of my High Point Market Travels

After attending the grand High Point Market event I'm full of ideas.....it's always great to come back with a burst of new ideas and inspirations.  Some of the highlights I want to share with you are Duralee's audacious and show stopping showroom.....take a look at these great pictures.....bold colors, big patterns, great accessories, and furniture...overall a well rounded space to showcase their products.  

As you enter Duralee's showroom....you couldn't help but have your jaw drop with this stunning Peacock fabric from Thomas Paul Print 2 collection...I love the simplicity of the San Paulo armless sofa....it commanded attention with the stripe fabric that was added ...what a great concept!  This years: Turquoise color was prominent throughout their set-up.  It's always refreshing to see vibrant and lively colors that are captured from nature and interpreted for in home use.  

Key pieces here are the Hemingway wing chairs, the Charleston and London Sofa, the Oliver Bench...

and of course can't forget the Pavilion fabric in Thomas Paul Print 2 Collection...  

Manhattan Arm and side chair, the Soho console with high shelf, with the Eastside Tufted Ottoman, and the fabric is part of the Highland Court Hollywood Collection Film Noir

Twin beds....they are everywhere.... love the size and shape of the Regency Headboards, the Park Avenue wood frame ottomans, the Soho Night Stand with shelf and the large scale floral print fabric in Thomas Paul Print 2 Collection in the Seaglass colorway.   

Looking for a great nautical or sea life print... look no further than Thomas Paul Print 2

Collection.  The Westside Dining Table and the Soho console table are also showcased in this room.

I hope you can take inspiration from these images...bring in a color, pattern, and style into your space.  All of the featured fabrics are from the talented Thomas Paul and are exclusively through Duralee.... Lets not forget the finishing touches from Arteriors....the accessories company that pulls it all together.

I'm off to my next project.....a House Tour.... I'll keep you posted with all the details!

"Happiness....it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort".  Vincent Van Gogh

Spring into Earth Day with the Best of Eco-Finds

Spring is officially here!  With Earth Day around the corner I thought it would be fun to explore some Earth Friendly products that I can't live without.  The interior designer in me is always looking for new and innovative products that can inspire my projects & get my clients excited.  
Fashion continues to evolve my design eye day after day.  I'm always left thoroughly inspired by the amazing Stella McCartney.  I'm in love with her spring collection and how she has incorporated bold patterns and colors....And the cherry on top is her whimsical play on Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland
.
Every great outfit deserves a show-stopping accessory to make a statement. I am always on the hunt for stylish accessories to finish off a fabulous look.  This year's color: Turquoise!  My must have accent piece for my overflowing jewelry collection is this Jose & Maria's Multi-Strand Turquoise piece from Neiman Marcus.  Look great and forget the guilt...Turquoise stones are natural and precious & dying to be worn!

What a great season to spruce up your style and add a little Green into your home.  Just like in fashion you always want to start with a foundation and add to that.....We all know that Paint is the most accessible and inexpensive way of changing the backdrop of your space, but have you tried the Aura Collection from Benjamin Moore? It is a great example of an Eco-Friendly product that gives you unimaginable color selection plus the bonus of low VOCs. 

 Fabrics are another great way of expressing personal style & exude those fashion forward trends that add an instant burst of drama into a space.  I am a huge supporter of products & individuals that convey style while remaining environmentally friendly all at the same time...If you haven't seen Clodagh's GLOBAL PASSAGE for Duralee, check it out! 
1st Dibs, as we all know & love, is such an amazing resource when trying to locate those unforgettable vintage pieces.  What a way to re-claim and re-discover those lost treasures.   

Getting ready to go to  High Point Market in North Carolina to work with Duralee & Arteriors....Many exciting projects on the horizon.  Can't wait to share all my finds....

“We want to maintain the quality of the earth for our current future generations, and it depends on us.” - Ben Bishop

Everything Old is New Again

It’s a New Year and time for a new outlook on your old surroundings. We all have those staple pieces in our homes that we can’t live without, but they seem so tiresome….Here are some of my helpful tips for re-inventing the ordinary.

TRANSFORM YOUR HOME:

 BORING BOOKSHELVES? Tip: Spice them up by taking some foam core and cut so it fits snug to the back of your bookshelf. Then using some spray-mount and a fabric or wallpaper of your choice, simply stick and push to the back of the shelf. Simple, Chic, & Removable!

 LEFT OVER WALLPAPER? Tip: Change the appearance of several surfaces, coffee table, side table, etc. by taking left-over wallpaper from the bookshelves and cutting it to size to fit the top. Then place glass over top to finish. (Wallpaper can also make a nice runner on your dining table too) Instantly Refreshed!

 TIRED OF AN EVERYDAY CONSOLE TABLE? Tip: Cover the top in faux leather and line the perimeter of the piece with nail-heads. Now you have a custom table without paying that custom price.


 DULL CHAIRS? Tip: Don’t spend hundreds to re-upholster or refinish….Buy a can of high-gloss spray paint in a bold color and spray the frame of an old chair, leaving the neutral fabric. Now you have a chair that’s become a true statement piece, and don’t be afraid to use a bright orange or hot pink….The color will excite you & energize the space!


 RIBBON TO THE RESCUE! Tip: A Color Story can be expressed by the addition of some grosgrain ribbon to a simple lamp shade. As a matter of fact, Ribbon can transform more than your lamp shades…An ordinary bench can be lined with ribbon and nail-heads, add dimension to a room by lining the perimeter, chair backs, drapery edges & more!

Here's a couple Tips you didn't get to see....
 EXPENSIVE ART….YIKES! Tip: Make your own! Eileen often buys stacks of construction paper and emulates the work of famous colorists by strategically placing easy designs in like frames. So interesting, memorable, & cheap!


 NOT-SO-SPECIAL DESK? Tip: Find a funky fabric, something inspiring that you love and have a slip-cover made to fit over your desk. Depending on your fabric choice this can be done under $200. Ex. Marimekko has great fabrics at very affordable price points. Your desk is sure to be the only one of its kind!


These tips are sure to transform your home from drab & ordinary to fab & extraordinary. As evidence by the LX.TV segment above. I have often said it doesn't have to be expensive to look chic. Great design is everywhere; it's just a matter of training your eye to find it. And a little point in the right direction never hurts!  Thank you again to NBC and the OpenHouse Team: Marni, Adam, & James....Love working with you & I can't wait for the next project!

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo Da Vinci