the light at the end of the tunnel

Many of the loft spaces I have seen here lately are dark corridors. Dark cavernous tunnels leading to the living areas.Think about wall sconces to light the way. Yes that is a pendant at the bottom of this blog. It was recently installed at wayne martin inc. It is from r.jesse and company. I know this blog isn't that deep today. It is a nice sunny day. Enjoy!
take care, john

it's my party! and i'll cry if i want to!

Your guests for the long awaited family reunion are going to be arriving within the next two weeks.The room that you have been working on for months with your decorator is almost complete. There is just one problem. The textile that was chosen for your furniture is just not right.
Your designer seems in awe as to know how to resolve this problem. What seems as if it were a bad upholstery job might be the fabric's fault. the upholster, the decorator, the manufacturers rep have all put in their two cents. you have even called the 1-800 number to the textile company with no result. WHAT DO YOU DO?
It's a problem. I have found problems usually get resolved.
This kind of thing takes time to resolve. if it hasn't been fixed in 6 months, it will take a miracle to get it resolved before the clock runs out. Don't panic. Maybe a fresh pair of eyes can interject some logical answers. Your local rep that works with designers has built a relationship with them and will want to fix this if they can. A knowledgeable textile rep should be able to advice you as to what the problem is.
Hopefully the manufacture can send out fabric to replace it (hopefully without cost to you). IF THEY DISCOVER IT IS NOT THEIR FABRIC. THIS CLAIM WILL HAVE TO BE RESOLVED BETWEEN YOUR DECORATOR AND The UPHOLSTERER.
My advice to you is to continue to plan for your party. These are your friends and family. So your home isn't perfect. The party will be fine. most likely no one will notice the puckering fabric on your sofa. It will be resolved.
1.Choosing the correct textile for the job is very important. some fabrics were not meant to be put on a sofa no matter how much you adore it.
2. choosing quality is important. if there is an added expense, it is better to pay for it that go "CHEAP".

This sounds good but the party is starting.
Hire a knowledgeable designer that is informed about the product that they are selling.
Inquire about references. Know their work.
Never plan your party around your decorating, Something usually goes wrong.
Use some common sense.
take care, john

May: your dreams come true

I realized that I haven't blogged for awhile. I thought I would leave you with some photos that might have inspired you during the month of May. I have included fornasetti, miles redd, todd romano's new york apartment, art deco, crewel and chinioserie ( I hope that I spelled that right)
Tommorrow, I go to have a Cat Scan. I guess they want to find out if their chemotherapy and surgery worked. I hope it did. But I will have an opportunity to find out every three months for the next 5 years. To be quite honest last year was a total nightmare that i am just beginning to wake from. I feel slightly disoreinted from the whole Colon cancer experience. God, I hope I put the same pair of socks on.(just kidding). they are the same.This blog is kind of like one of those dreams. disjointed and surreal.
BUt remember this is an interior design blog. My hope is to inspire you all for greater things with your homes. Adding colour,patttern and a bit of humour in every part of your lives and homes.
This weekend I went to visit a dear friend. Her home, was truly "WiLd" and CRaZy. I loved it so much. She lives with passion about her life and her home. Each item in her vast collection had a story. It was not "decorated" but an awesome collection of a life story. It was quite an experience. I loved meeting her dogs jack, ted and the puppy-doodle spidey-bitie, (not his name, just his actions).
A friend from facebook asked me recently if she should decorate with a theme or a particular colour. I told her to live with what you love. It is the true passion of your home.Themes are odd and trends are next years hand-me-downs.
Let's remember as we live in our homes, live our lifes with zest.
It is time to wake from my nightmare and get back to designing, my true passion.
Gigi have a great rest of the week.
With all of my passion,
love, John

It ain't for sissies anymore

Yesterday, I wore a pale pink shirt, I had gotten so many compliments. So today I was compelled to blog about it. Pink is showing up allover in interiors from Patricia Gray and Martha Stewart to Miles Redd and Jonathan Adler.
David Hicks used it years ago. It definitely makes a statement.Just don't "Think Pink" let's do it with confidence.
Have fun, be bold.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
john

what turns you on?

If you start to study an interior as to why you like it. My first advice is to NOT to pick out the bad points and tell your host. Let's face it, that is just plain rude. You may never get invited back to their home. Interior designer's have a way around it and usually get their client's to get rid of that ugly thing that is offending their creative eye.(but I can't tell you that's the mystique about interior designers)
The photo above is of a living room. It isn't really my style but it is someones home. It is worth exploring to find out what I like about it and why it is good design.
1.it has visual interest.
2.it has lots of natural light.
3.the colour palette is pleasing to the eye.
4.The furniture is proportionate to the room. The casual look of the furniture is very befitting the interior of the room.
5. it isn't a cookie cutter design, It looks unique to the home.The home owner's neighbour most likely don't have a living room that looks the same.
6. it is casual and inviting. Its cottage feel reminds me of something that could be found in a small beach village near the ocean.
7.the accessories on the shelves on either side of the fireplace are well arranged by a designer but it doesn't look like the designer bought a bunch of "stuff" to fill the space.
8. It doesn't look like a designer put their "footprint"in the home.( to all of you interested in sustainability out there, how's that for a green word. I am getting the hang of it :).
9. i love the old ceiling fixture, the designer left the integrity of the home and worked with the elements of it's past.
10. this room feels happy.
It is always important to find the positive in every situation. I have had a lot of life changes in my life lately (i.e. surviving stage 3 colon cancer to name just one, you don't want to know the rest). But i am surviving each of these events. The next time you visit a friend or go to a party. Start to look around and see the beauty in their home. These are good skills to acquire. Take what you like and implement these ideas into your own home. Start thinking about good design. Love the place that you live. Find out what turns you on about design. However, PLEASE Don't waste abunch of money and do it wrong. Hire an interior designer.

take care,
love
john
p.s. sustainability lover's: I am not making in fun of you I am making people aware through my odd sense of humour. Plus I shop at thrift stores, consignment shops and buy antiques which I consider is being very green. Sorry I don't walk to these places. I drive my car. So we all can be "green" in our own way. Did I tell you that the other day I bought a green striped belt at J. Crew. Ha! ha! Ha! I will leave that for another story. :)

Todd Romano, what i like about you.

Todd Alexander Romano's experience as a New York decorator spans over seventeen years and was cultivated during his tenure and early training at the venerable New York firms; Ingrao, Inc., Saunders & Walsh, as well as, Mario Buatta. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Todd studied architecture at the University of Texas in Austin. His firm is starting its ninth year.

Todd is best known for his eclectic and youthful approach to traditional high-end interior design. He likes clean, classic backgrounds, be it either traditional or modern architecture with the use of fresh colors, comfortable seating, good lighting, great artwork and elements that add a touch of whimsy that ultimately reflects the owner’s personality. He adeptly mixes fine antiques, custom upholstery and modern elements to create environments that are above all exciting, appropriate and comfortable. He continues to seek inspiration for his design work during frequent trips to Europe and his voracious appetite for architecture and the decorative arts.

So what do I like about Todd's style. It is clearly very different from the way that I would put together a design project. In that I would mix more modern furniture. It is his use of colour. He has great skill in mixing classical furniture styles with modern colours. I find it very playful. rather quirky.It is just simply fun. It is just simply eclectic and colourful.I think his attention to detail make these rooms very welcoming. I appreciate his use of fine antiques. I hope you take the time to view the details of these rooms. I hope you can appreciate his skill as an interior designer even if this is not your style.I hope to learn from what he has done.
Have a great day, It is beautiful and sunny. The air is sweet with the fragrance of Spring.

take care,
john