Let’s Discuss: Patterned Cement Tile

February 10, 2015in bathrooms, kitchens, lustworthy 58 comments

I’ve noticed a lot of kitchens and baths lately boldly employing patterned tile floors, walls and backsplashes. These tiles, mostly examples of Moroccan cement tile, are both contemporary and vintage and when mixed with modern cabinetry and details, can result in a truly showstopping look. But I have to wonder, will this look be timeless? Is it a risk worth taking in main space like a kitchen? Lets take a look at some examples and talk it through.

This room just uses the patterned tile behind the range, which I love in combination with he rustic beams, brick and the sleek counter and cabinetry.

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On My Radar: New Finds from Target & West Elm

September 30, 2013in cheap decor, crazy awesome, furniture, lighting, lustworthy 25 comments

These days there is no excuse for bad decor since there is SO MUCH good design going on at retail stores all over. Here are my current faves from two I shop at constantly: Target and West Elm.

I have loved every collection that Nate Berkus has released with Target thus far, but this one may take the cake! Done almost entirely in my favorite palette of black, gold, wood and white I am ALL OVER these great finds.

I’m thinking these brass and stone modern lamps would look awesome in our new office. And this pillow is all sorts of hot stuff.

LOVE this gold framed accent table, it look a hell of a lot more expensive then it is. For more of a natural look try this woven stool.

A super hip two tone mirror and gold accent piece perfect for dressing up a bookshelf or console table.

A pair of folding metal campaign stools are great for the end of a bed or under a console table, and this gold candelabra would make a great centerpiece on a dining table in lieu of flowers.

These faux marble trays and this faux bone inlay frame are fabulous accents for any space.

And while we’re talking about Target, check out these other insanely great items from their Threshold line. High style at a low price. For example, a brass and wood bar cart for under $130 and a leather strap mirror for under $25.

Totally crazy about these two side tables- both the brass and wood and brass wire.

How about this sleek wood octagon mirror and gold based gourd lamp??

And now onto West Elm, which is KILLING it right now too with their new releases! I mean, I can;t tell you how many time I sat up and yelled “SO GOOD!” while perusing the site.

First and foremost, these nailhead pieces, side table and dresser- DYYYYIIINNNNG.

I was SO pumped to see they partnered with Boston based furniture maker Richard Watson to make an affordable version of his INCREDIBLE highboy (right) which I have been lusting after since seeing it at the gorgeous Beacon Hill shop Good. Someday I will have one.

A great daybed perfect for a space that serves double duty, like an office/guest room and a bar that look like perhaps it was vintage.

AWESOME capiz shell fixtures that would look amazing above this wood dining table.

LOVE the mid-century collection- especially the new black and brass pieces like the desk and dresser.

LOVE this brass and black floor lamp, may have to get for my house. Also these simple stripe throws are great.

Everyone needs a furry throw for fall and winter- faux fur or mongolian lamb adds great texture to your decor (and my dogs are obsessed with snuggling on mine).

How sculptural and cool is this towel rack???? And these toasters with wood panels???

Totally getting this gold rimmed jewelry box for my new dresser, absolutely gorgeous way to display your trinkets. For a bit of bling elsewhere, his gilded pillow will do.

You all know I can’t say no to a good stripe- these wool pillows and bedding (not new, but rather re-released) are so awesome.

Love the gold bottom weekender with stripes (kind of made for me) and this little anchor oven mit!!!!

Designing Women: Celerie & Aerin’s New Collections

July 15, 2013in furniture, lighting, lustworthy 15 comments

As a designer I can’t help think about someday doing my own line of products- furniture, fabric, rug and home accessories. Many, many designers before me have done this very successfully and they only keep coming- here are two more new releases I’m loving:

Aerin Lauder’s line for Visual Comfort (can be purchased through Circa Lighting for those not in the trade):

I am completely obsessed with every variation of this fixture- it’s very reminiscent of the much, much pricier Serge Mouille lights and I love the brass accents! Perfect for my living room in black!

Love the white one for beside a bed!

This blue number would be amazing in a modern beach house!

Superstar interior designer Celerie Kemble also released a line of furnishings with Henredon furniture and I’m loving the vintage inspired look to some of the pieces!

Team EGD’s Summer Picks!

July 10, 2013in furniture, gifts, lighting, lustworthy, my office, online shopping 20 comments

My company may be called Erin Gates Design, but it’s certainly isn’t a one woman show. I have two awesome ladies helping me out- my right hand woman Lindsey, whose been with me over three years and does anything and everything (I like to refer to her as “the unicorn” because she can do billing and design a room with equal skill, which is rare). And recently we welcomed Allison to the team to assist with lots of stuff as well as helping get this books done. She is also a blogger, so pop on over to her site too!

Both these ladies have great taste and so I wanted to start sharing what is on THEIR wishlists these days! I pretty much also want everything they do, so it goes to show our team is on the same wavelength!

top // pillows // lamp // ring // painting // barstool // dress // coral dresser // salad servers // desk (only $119!)

Music (Civil Wars, Lumineers, Vampire Weekend) // Maison Gray print // towel // sunglasses // top // weekender // dress // drink jars // sunscreen // book

Design Crush: Jeanette Whitson and Hague Blue!

May 28, 2013in colors, crazy awesome, design crush, fabrics, lustworthy, paint 30 comments

I kind of flipped when I saw the cover of the new House Beautiful. And the editors clearly felt the way I do about this room since they made it a fold out cover to show the entire space! The designer is self-taught Jeannette Whitson of Garden Variety Design. It’s a beautiful home with lots of traditional details that somehow feel fresh and new.

This kitchen is amazing- and making me think I should have painted the frame of my window the same color as my lower cabinets!

Where to start here? The light? The banister? The windows? The ceiling?

Best. Butlers Pantry. EVERRRRRR. Do you even SEE that sink? And while taxidermy is not everyone’s jam, I love that it’s the mascot for her shop Garden Variety Design (you can shop yourself on 1st Dibs!)

I have a soapstone sink JUST LIKE THIS in my basement waiting to be used in this way…..

Shall we venture outdoors? Yes, lets.

OK, back to the blue room of my dreams….ridonculous. And the second I saw it I knew it was Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue because it’s my favorite paint color ever. It looks lighter in this photo than it really is, but it’s the most perfect navy with a dash of peacock blue ever created. It’s so amazing it serves almost as a neutral backdrop to tones like orange, violet, tan leather, yellow….. you name it.

On top of the amazing paint job she used two of my all time favorite fabrics-Peter Dunham’s Ikat Stripe and Michael Smith/ Jasper’s Indian Flower. I seriously bow down to this room.

Initially I thought it was so out there to do a sofa in the same navy as the walls but then I quickly found a few other images where designers had done the same thing!

And a few more images of Hague Blue (mostly high gloss) in use proving that it’s the most magical of colors!

I used it in an small Beacon Hill home office paired with Osborne & Little’s Coronata Star on the ceiling….

I painted Andrew’s office similar shade and we love it- it’s a tiny space (as is the space above) and the dark color makes the walls recess instead of close in on you- so consider a dark shade like this in any of your small spaces!