Mirror, Mirror
I absolutely love introducing mirror, especially antiqued, into the kitchen. Beautiful as a backsplash, it adds depths to a space and is also practical since it’s easy to clean.
Dramatic and glamorous as a backsplash and countertop!
[especially when paired with black lacquer cabinetry a la Miles Redd]
Adds depth to a small space.
Fresh and charming – also love the double height glass cabinets here.
Chic and elegant inserted into panels of cabinet doors in this beautiful kitchen. I adore this kitchen and actually have this image filed away as inspiration for my own one day….it has many of my favorites elements including:
crisp white cabinetry of which I don’t think I would ever tire. carrera marble countertops and full height backsplash. three different types of cabinetry hardware – bin pulls and rectangular pulls in polished nickel and I believe I spy crystal pulls up top! wide plank wood flooring. wide stainless steel hood with display shelf above [notice only two items are carefully placed like sculpture and this is not full of stuff!] the only things missing are some great pendant lights or chandeliers [I’m obviously not a serious chef because I’d probably swap out the hanging pot rack for the lighting!]
Images: Southern Living, Miles Redd via HGTV, Miles Redd via NY Social Diary, Domino, Decorati.
My Youngest Client [a little girl’s room]
Finally, after a long break from blogging, I’m back! Sorry for the long lapse but I’ve been so busy with some exciting projects and traveling A LOT between NYC + Boston which I will tell more about on upcoming posts. For this post, however, I thought it would be fun to share some details of a current project: the bedroom design for my youngest and dearest client, Lily [my niece], age: 2 yrs 3 months. Lily is ready for her first ‘big girl’ room including a twin bed! She is vacating her baby nursery to free it up for her new soon-to-be baby sister [due: july 2010. name: TBD]. Below are the Design Boards.
[click images to enlarge]
The concept was really one of color that was inspired by the headboard fabric and combines varying values of lilacs and blue. It was important for the room to feel childlike and whimsical, yet chic and feminine. And really important to the client’s mom [my sister] that the room be able to grow with Lily and take her into at least her early teens with minor modifications. Here are the items on the boards – going clockwise from top left corner:
Design Board #1:
1. The bed will be a custom upholstered daybed designed by MANDARINA STUDIO done in the inspiration fabric, a colorful print that includes giraffes called Echino by Etsuko Furuya.
2. The next four fabrics are for the duvet and banding on window treatments, bolster pillows, chair upholstery and pillows. All fabrics by Schumacher [one of my favorites].
3. Chest of drawers from Bungalow 5, the light blue is so pretty and a little more fun and unexpected than white.
4. Window treatments will be custom drapery panels done in a simple white cotton with a decorative banding on the leading edge and bottom of panel in the same fabric as the duvet cover. The panels will have pinch pleats and hung with rings on a drapery rod [either a white painted wood or satin nickel]. Underneath will be flat roman shades in the same fabrics with decorative banding.
5. Bedside tables from Arteriors Home [another favorite, they have great lighting too].
6. The sheeting will be crisp white cotton percale with either blue or lilac embroidery.
Design Board #2:
7. Lamps by Christopher Spitzmiller. May change the shades to white drum style and customize it with a grosgrain ribbon trim.
8. Dandelion Pendant light by Moooi because I like to throw in something to set things off a bit – and it’s important to expose my niece to contemporary design. Plus, it is absolutely dazzling when lit!
9. Eiffel Bookcase from Argington has a clean design and tons of concealed storage. A very functional and attractive piece – my sister loved this.
10. Moroccan poofs in lilac – I’ve used these before and kids love them. Also great for extra seating or footstools for adults. Add nice pops of color.
11. I scored a chair similar to this style at a local antiques shop and having it reupholstered in the Popover fabric by Schumacher.
12. Area rug is Madeline Weinrib’s Ikat with Boarder.
Still working on the artwork but will post when it’s finished.
Home Design Tips {7 Do’s and Don’ts}
As an interior designer, I am often asked for design tips so I have put together this list to address some of the most common mistakes that people make in their home. Are you guilty of any of these?
Point 1:
- Don’t use furniture that is too large for the space. This will make the room feel cramped and smaller.
- Do use furniture that is appropriately scaled for the space. This not only makes a space feel larger but enhances it and is also more attractive.
Point 2:
- Don’t use only one type of lighting.
- Do provide flexibility. Use a variety of lighting types including table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces, chandeliers, pendants, etc. Install a dimmer on each.
Point 3:
- Don’t buy all furniture from one catalog or chain store. It is not only boring and unimaginative but significantly increases the likelihood that your family room will look identical to your neighbor’s. In addition, avoid purchasing “sets” of furniture. Using a bedroom set or living room set is a tired and dated approach to furnishing a home.
- Do mix pieces of different styles, periods and/or price points. Create a customized and unique home.
Point 4:
- Don’t install granite countertops in the kitchen. Sorry, I know many of you have this and that’s part of the problem – it’s everywhere! It is a fine choice but predictable and not the only option. (I am not suggesting to tear out your newly installed granite counters but for those planning a remodel, please see the next bullet point).
- Do consider alternatives before going straight for granite. Some other materials include recycled glass, soapstone and marble (yes, marble. I know that you’ve heard it stains so please read this.)
Point 5:
- Don’t forget the foyer. First impression.
- Do make it special and memorable.
Point 6:
- Don’t place the flat screen TV in the living room. If you must, don’t showcase it as though it is artwork.
- Do highlight other features of the living room. A focal point could be a fireplace, art piece or cozy conversation area created with a furniture arrangement. Consider concealing the TV in custom cabinetry, furniture or recessed in the wall behind a painting. Pay attention to scale and proportion and be careful not to purchase a giant media center that will dominate the space.
Point 7:
- Don’t buy cheaply made furniture items that you will toss in a year or two. This produces a huge amount of waste and negatively impacts the environment.
- Do invest in quality vs. quantity. If budget is a concern, shop vintage and antique stores. This is not only a cost-effective and easy way to be “green”, but a great way to create a personalized interior that won’t look like your neighbor’s.
I love comments and questions, so please feel free to leave them here or contact me directly through my website MANDARINASTUDIO.
Before + After: Brightwaters Residence + Color Tip!
I haven’t yet posted this project on my website, MANDARINA STUDIO, but thought I’d share “Before” and “After” shots here as well as a brief description of this recently completed residence on Long Island. (Be sure to read my tip about color at the end of this post).
For this project, the goal was to create a formal living room that is elegant yet comfortable for the family of four. The client is a fashionable young couple with two small children so it was important to incorporate fabrics that are chic yet durable and cleanable. The design and color concept was inspired by both the clients’ love of the sea and the homes proximity to Long Island’s Great South Bay. Employing an analogous color scheme (colors that are adjacent on the color wheel) composed of pale blues paired with lavender in accents such as the pillows, Moroccan poofs, rug and decorative objects, the effect is harmonious and sophisticated.
Living Room_Before
Living Room_After
DESIGN TIP: If you have just moved into a new home or are interested in redesigning your existing home and are stumped about color, I recommend finding an inspiration. There are endless sources of color inspiration and here are my top 3 recommendations:
1. ART: whether you own it or it hangs in a museum, whether it be a painting or a textile, look to art for inspiration on color. Artists are often color masters and combine colors in unique and/or beautiful ways. Let them guide you.
2. NATURE: whether it be the Fall in New England, the Mediterranean seas or the desert landscape, look outside and be inspired by the colors of nature. This does not necessarily mean to literally translate a beach theme with a nautical feel. For example, while the project shown here was inspired by the sea, it does not feel “beachy” or “nautical”, instead it feels elegant and sophisticated.
3. YOUR WARDROBE: look inside your closet, what colors do you wear and buy most often? How do these colors make you feel? The colors you wear most frequently are the colors you love – think about how they make you feel and what you like about them. Consider incorporating these colors into your home.
Of course, if you still need help, you can always contact me : )
Interior Design: MANDARINA STUDIO
“After” Photography: Tim Williams
TIPS: Hiring an Interior Designer
Private Residence, Cambridge | Designer: MANDARINA STUDIO | Photography: Ben Gebo
If you or someone you know is looking for an interior designer for their home or office, check out my article on Style Apple for tips. Hope it’s helpful!
Before + After: Manhattan Loft Bathroom
Inspiration
Manhattan Loft Kitchen: Before + After
I’m so excited to share one of my recently completed projects, the kitchen of a Manhattan Loft Apartment. I designed the entire residence and still need to have professional photography done for the MANDARINA STUDIO website but thought I’d post this snapshot in the meantime to show a ‘Before’ & ‘After’. Some background about the project: The client is a young single entrepreneur who leads a busy professional and social life; he often works from home and entertains there as well. The apartment is a duplex with the bedroom and terrace upstairs, but the main living area is an open plan loft style space. Since the kitchen is open to the dining and living areas, the concept was to create a seamless, clean aesthetic that is contemporary, stylish with a bit of whimsy and fun!
Kitchen: Before
Obviously, the before photo illustrates the many problems of the original kitchen, namely the country cabinetry, fascia that shields awkward spot lights (I still don’t understand this design), vinyl tile flooring and the disjointed overall appearance by the combination of stainless steel appliances with the white cabinets; the space is just too small for this to be successful. Given that this is a small kitchen (typical in Manhattan), my goal was to limit the amount of materials and ensure that they compliment the finishes in the adjacent living and dining areas.
Kitchen: After
The idea was simple: dark cabinets on the bottom to coordinate with some dark finish furniture in the adjacent rooms and light on top for a fresh, light look. The wood base cabinets are actually a very dark gray while the top cabinets are a combination of white finish wood and back painted glass. It is not evident in the photo but all of the wood cabinets have a beautiful horizontal texture finish that is quite unique and more interesting than the standard. The combination of built-in appliances, wood panels on the face of appliances and elimination of cabinetry hardware creates a very streamlined, clean aesthetic which is further accomplished with the white Caesarstone countertops. The peninsula bar was added for extra storage and to provide a serving space for entertaining. The vinyl tile was replaced with wood that continues from the rest of the space. Lastly, the glass backsplash done in green adds a bit of fun! Would love to hear your thoughts.
Home Decor Boutique: Sheherazade
Sheherazade - Store Interior showing the fantastic collection of lighting, pottery, mirrors, decorative objects, pillows and small scaled furniture pieces that are available.
One of my all time favorite trips was to Marrakesh – the architecture is amazing and shopping in the souks is pleasantly overwhelming. There are so many beautifully handcrafted objects including slippers, leather goods, hand painted pottery and tea glasses, embroidered fabrics and clothing, hand woven rugs and metal lanterns. A finely curated selection of these types of items can be found at Sheherazade a home decor store in Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood. The owner, Rachid Ouassil partners with local artisans from Morocco, Turkey, Egypt and other Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries to create exclusive pieces that are showcased at Sheherazade.
Jewel toned ottoman and Moroccan slippers, or babouche, which make a wonderful decorative accessory or hostess gift.
On my recent trip to New York, I finally had the chance to stop by the store and check out the extensive collection of Moroccan and Middle Eastern home furnishings and accessories. I also had the pleasure of a personal tour by the charming owner, Rachid, who is current on design trends, very helpful and willing to go the extra mile for his customers. They also do custom work and may also source special requests, such as architectural elements like the Moroccan doors I asked about.
Sheherazade
Some of my favorite items included the throw pillows in silk ikat and suzani fabrics, the leather poufs in an array of colors, metal lanterns and a beautiful carved wood daybed. The store is absolutely enchanting and a great resource whether you are trying to create an entire Moroccan inspired interior or just looking for a few unique pieces. You can shop on their website here but I strongly suggest a trip to store if possible.
Sheherazade
Ice Stone Detail
Clients often ask about alternatives to the ubiquitous granite countertop material and one option is to use a recycled glass product. Typically made of recycled glass and cement, glass slab countertops are attractive, available in many colorways and have a much fresher look than granite in my opinion. They are also a sustainable material. A common misconception is to believe that granite and other stones are ‘green’ because they are natural materials but almost 60% of all granite is shipped internationally at a tremendous energy cost and much of it imported from developing nations where it is quarried under unacceptable worker and environmental protection standards. And when one considers the depletion of this natural resource, it hardly seems ‘green’.
Several companies manufacture a recycled glass product, with the most well-known being Icestone in Brooklyn, NY, Vetrazzo in Richmond, California and EnviroGLAS in Plano, Texas. All contribute toward LEED credits and Ice Stone has gone a step further by achieving the Cradle to Cradle certification which means that an independent third-party firm has evaluated IceStone surfaces for its human health, environmental health, lifecycle attributes, social responsibility, renewable energy and water stewardship characteristics against stringent criteria and has certified it as a Gold level ecologically intelligent product.
The properties of each recycled glass product vary slightly depending on manufacturer but, in general, the surfaces are comparable in strength, scratch resistance, thermal resistance, durability, and care and maintenance to granite. They can be used in many applications in addition to countertops including backsplashes, bathroom vanities, table tops, bar tops, interior walls, and commercial flooring applications, shower and bathtub surrounds and kitchen sinks. They can be mounted vertically or horizontally.
A downside of recycled glass is that it may be cost prohibitive and more expensive than granite. Prices vary according to color, manufacturer, project scope and location.
Below are some detail and installation photos taken from the manufacturers websites. Have you had an experience using recycled glass or another sustainable coutertop material? Please share!
Ice Stone - Select Colorways
Vetrazzo - Glass House
Vetrazzo - Floating Blue
Vetrazzo - Hollywood Sage
Vetrazzo - Margarita Flint
Vetrazzo - Martini Flint
Vetrazzo - Cobalt Skyy Blue
EnviroGLAS - Vanity
MANDARINA STUDIO 