Items of Interest - Part 4

It's no secret that emerald green was one of the colors of the year.  With fashion, fabrics and design making it a feature, it seems that it really was everywhere (even posted about it here).  So when I came across this table by François Champsaur on one of my searches I thought that it would make a nice end to this week of Items of Interest.  Manufactured by the French master metalworkers Pouenat, the shape, color and changes in plane make this piece fun and functional.  

Pouenat

PS - I am happy to say that I have finally joined the world of Instagram and I am addicted.  For all of you that want to share I can be found at handle @abaraness.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Ed Burtynsky : Water

One of my favourite photographers is Canadian artist Ed Burtynsky.  His work is primarily focussed on the many ways in which humans impact the earth and is always on a monumental scale.  His latest series which is now on exhibition at the Howard Greenberg Gallery here in New York (until November 2nd) is entitled Water and the subject matter is just that.  Our world as we know it would not be possible without water and he has captured some really amazing and artful ways in which we manipulate exploit it.  I love the scale of his subject and how every photo is truly beautiful and ones eyes search for a reference point or some sense of scale to understand the reality of the subject.  It is a truly spectacular talent he has and I recommend andy opportunity you have to see his work.

Photos courtesy of the Howard Greenberg Gallery and Ed Burtynsky

The Detailed and the Modern

I am working on a project in Greenwich which is a traditional stone house, however the clients - a younger couple - have a more simple modern sensibility. I've been looking for concept images with more detailed interiors filled with simple clean furnishings. While the images below aren't really appropriate for this house they are a wonderful mix of ornate architectural details with contemporary furniture and fittings.  Published in Elle Interior Sweden last year, one really does get a sense of how these people live and how a room with striking details and great volumes can really hold it's own with whatever furnishings you see fit.  I just love the green colour of the dining room walls. Happy Tuesday all!

Petra Whips for Elle Interior Sweden

Colours of Spring - Purple

Today is the last installment of my Colours of Spring miniseries, and what a way to end then with the colour of royalty - Purple. As with the Yellow and Green posts (here and here respectively) there is something so cheery and welcoming to the changing of season as purple - think magnolia blossoms and lilacs a plenty.  You don't have to go all out and cover every surface with purple (although this can be quite successful), but as with many colours adding a little bit here and there in an otherwise neutral interior can help freshen up and brighten your space.  I have to say that all these pops of colour and little bits of spring over the past week have made me feel that perhaps I need a little more colour in my life. 

Pinterest

Inspired Design

House and Home

Architectural Digest

Pinterest

Bella Mumma

Colours of Spring - Green

While some of these interiors push the idea of colour in an interior a little further than I like, they all feel very current and springlike. As with my post on Yellow here, whether it is being used as the dominant colour in the interior or as an accent here and there Emerald Green is all the rage this season and I'm on board!  I especially like the contrast with white and back (4th image with the green stair runner) and think that there is something to be said about pairing a bright accent with some neutrals - it not only helps keep things feeling a little calmer, but will act as a good background for this bright and lively accent. Anyone feeling green with envy? 

A Little Dash of Ash

Examiner

Show Home

Las Molinas

Pinterest

Martha Stewart

Colours of Spring - Yellow

For me spring is all about being bright.  The sun is shining more than it has all winter, everyone seems to have a smile on their face as the weather is getting warmer, and we try colours that haven't come out in months.  Well for me the same goes for interiors.  As most of you know I am a designer with modern tendencies and I tend to like simple interiors that generally lean on the more monochromatic side than bright and bubbly. This season however I am loving what pops of yellow seem to be doing to interiors. Whether used as an accent colour on a wall, or a piece of furniture in a corner, yellow not only seems to brighten these interiors, but my day as well.

Douglas Friedman Photography

Tumblr

Ideas to Steal

My Home Ideas

A Part Ca

So Deco

Margas

Colours of Spring

This weekend we really noticed the change in season in New York. I mean I know that we had some warmer weather last week, but with the rain and threat of even snow on Friday, this weekend really felt like we has seen the coldest and things were going to go up from here.  Spring is all about how to be bold with colours in your wardrobe - I mean after spending I don't know how many months wearing black, I love to mix in a pop here and there - and so why not let this trend transcend to your interior?  There are a couple of colours which will be making it big this season and so I'll be featuring these this week, but today I thought I would set the mood with colour in general.  It is always nice to bring a little bit of something to an interior with a pop of this, or some colour blocking there, and so although these bring a little more than a pop, it shows how colour can really set the tone of an interior.

Pinterest

Design Love Fest

Mimi + Meg

Sketch42

Residdence

Flickr

Hallingdal 65

Designed in 1965 by Nanna Ditzel for Kvadrat, Hallingdal 65 fabric has become a staple of the design world. Made of wool and viscose and available in pretty much every colour of the rainbow, this one fabric has taken it's place amongst design icons in a different way - covering them.  In celebration of this fabric stay power within the industry, Kvadrat has decided to showcase it by inviting up-and-coming designers to "see what the fabric can do".  I know that it seems like a strange thing, and many people might not directly know this material, however I think that when it comes to the design world the idea of looking all it's parts - including fabrics - is essential.  Not to mention what a great idea to have all these amazing applications! Click here to see the complete collection as it is creative, inspiring and full of amazing designers.

Simon Hasan - Bench

Jean-Baptiste Fastrez - Hammock

Ministry of Design - Pouf

Small Projects - Chaise Longue

Pauline Deltour - Table with Magazine Rack

All photos courtesy of Kvadrat Hallingdal 65

All Wrapped Up

I am obsessed with paper, paper products and wrapping. I think that the amount of effort one puts into a gift (and yes, the wrapping part counts) says so much about a person and really helps to elevate any gift big or small.  Last year I did a post on wrapping (see Wrap it Up) and had such fun putting it together, that with only a few more days left until Christmas I thought it would be good to do another.

Wishing you all a very happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

A x

I just love the plan white box or papper with a little twine and then the use of paint cards as the notes - so simple and can be used throughout the year, but make the colours more festive (or add a little red way mark) and you are ready for the holidays.

Apartment Therapy

liebesbotschaft

Nothing better than some simple paper and then a really great bow!

Julep

I just love the simplicity of materials for this wrapping but you can really see the effort that has gone into the wrapping.

A Gift Wrapped Life

I drive my husband crazy by keeping interesting papers in the hopes of one day using it as wrapping.  Well this NYC subway map is a great idea and just looks so fun!

The Knot

Finally, I think that the ultimate way to re-use paper is wallpaper as wrapping.  In the design field we always order too much just to be sure we have enough, and some of the colours and patterns (as below) really do make for great gift paper.

The Clever Blog