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Dream Outdoor Space + MDD

Monday, June 27th, 2011

I was asked by the folks at Bravo’s new hit show Million Dollar Decorators to create a dream outdoor space based on this inspiration image- a city roof deck perfect for lounging and dining. The timing is perfect since it’s finally outdoor weather here in the Northeast! Now, they said I could make it any shape, size, etc. so my layout is based on something similar tot his but with a more rectangular shape….

I immediately knew I wanted something modern but with a hint of tradition, black and white with a bold dash of color. As most of you know, I’m very inspired by Mary McDOnald’s style and I think this space kind of reflects her glamour with my own personal love of laid back living. So here’s the board I came up with….

And here’s my concept for a layout- dedicated spaces for lounging, sunbathing and dining- what more could you want in a roof deck (well, in previews for this week’s episode, I know Martyn thinks a pool would make it “delicious”!)

Here are the sources and notes for the board above!
1. Hedges planted atop side walls.
2. Back pillows of banquette in white Sunbrella fabric trimmed in Kravet Coral outdoor
fabric.
3. Banquette seat cushions in Perennials Big Stripe in Black Tie.
4. Wally Wall via Design Within Reach.
5. Planter via Design Within Reach.
6. Custom designed banquette by Erin Gates Designs.
7. Banquette pillows in Trina Turk Fronds Outdoor fabric through F. Schumacher.
8. Dining Chairs by Obrien Ironworks.
9. String lights (woven into trellis above dining table) via Restoration Hardware.
10. Lanterns above dining table via Tazi Designs.
11. Fire table via Restoration Hardware.
12. Stone greyhounds via Restoration Hardware.
13. Dining Table via Restoration Hardware.
14. Chaises via Janus et Cie.
15. Garden stool via Mecox Gardens.
16. Chaise lumbar pillows in Perennials City Kitty.
17. Chaise in coral Kravet outdoor fabric piped in black Kravet outdoor fabric.
18. Retractable awning above banquette.
19. Outdoor rug via Home Decorators Collection.

Posted in crazy awesome, design tips, furniture, my tv addiction, outdoor, plants | 33 Comments »

Million Dollar Decorators: The Drinking Game

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

While at first I was simply horrified by Million Dollar Decorators, each week I am enjoying it more and more. And the people that irked me the most (Mary and Ross) and currently my favorites! Such is the story of my hypocritical life. So I was thinking, it is the PERFECT show to create a good ol’ fashioned drinking game around! So here we go, break out the pinot grigio and let’s try this next week, shall we?

You must take a drink when….

-Martyn name drops or says the word “delicious”.

- Kathryn mentions her boobs -two sips if she mentions their size (the DOUBLE D’s people!)

- Mary ignores her client’s budgets completely.

-Nathan comes on screen for 2.5 seconds and is adorable and then DISAPPEARS FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW.

-Ross puts his hands through his hair.

-Deondra/Diondra Demetra/ Dimitra come on the screen (two sips if you cannot correctly identify if it’s #1 or #2).

-Jeffrey acts in such a way (extreme mini sink, $8k bathtub in a gym locker room) that makes you wonder how he got this big.

-Jacqueline appears on screen.

-Martyn sucks in his cheeks.

Wait, if we do this we’ll all be completely plastered halfway through the show! Ehhhhh, c’est la vie!

Posted in my tv addiction | 45 Comments »

Concealing the Evil Neccessity

Monday, June 20th, 2011

I love my TV. I mean, I hate my actual TV, but I watch a decent amount of it. A source of education, comfort and entertainment I will never be one who claims watching TV is terrible for you. It can be if you rot your brain on reality TV non-stop but sometimes after a bad day there is nothing more soothing than popping in a DVD (Twilight-ahem) and having a glass of wine curled up on the sofa. But unfortunately, TVs aren’t that attractive. And placing them in a room can be a source of stress (men have very strong opinions about this I’ve found- groundbreaking, I know) but I hate when it’s the absolute focal point. In our last home I refused to put the TV over the fireplace and have it be the first thing you see when entering the house so we had it on this other wall where we’d both get neck cramps from having to position ourselves such a way as to both see the TV. So now in our new place it’s over the stupid fireplace. Once we figure out our permanent (or more permanent) residence I’ll amend this. I the meantime, here are some ideas on how to work with a TV in a room….

Hanging a TV on a dark wallpaper or wall color like this Osbourne & Little paper below totally camouflages the TV! Love it!

Another option is to EMBRACE the TV and funkify the wall it’s on as to make it feel purposeful like this chevron paint job below!

A much more expensive option is to create a wall of built ins, which ALWAYS look good (and typically up the value of your home). Adding doors onto the TV portion really conceals it, but can be a pain. I love the look below from Lonny- the black accents in the room compliment the black TV frame.

A clever idea is to hang the TV within a gallery wall! GENIUS!

Brooklyn Limestone hung a grid to frame the TV evenly.

A way to curate a collection including a TV without hanging anything on the wall- paired with a large canvas and other object the TV kind of blends right in.

A clever little idea is to buy a picture frame and hang it around your TV- affordable and witty it gives your TV a little more panache.

You can check out a site like Frame My TV to have a custom frame (lots of finish and style choices) made for your TV- more expensive but it makes it look like a painting (you can have still images of artwork shown while it’s “off” or even have a mirror front put on)!

Having a good looking TV certainly helps. Samsung’s 7000 series TV’s are virtually frame less and have a chic little x base stand if you don’t plan on wall mounting…and look how skinny! It’s like the third Olsen twin! Too bad it’s FREAKIN’ expensive.