Clean Slate: Office Edition

Work is busy enough, who needs a cluttered and distracting space.  I am really into clean white lacquer furniture paired with chrome accessories.  Practical because they are easy to keep clean with wipeable surfaces.  It provides a clean, organized canvas on which to stack your piles and throw your coat. 

I also like the idea of mixing in some whimsical, yet work appropriate items that add some texture and personality.  What about that knotty piece of drift wood you brought back from last summers Nantucket venture up on a shelf ?

Driftwood candleabra from Elle Decor

Think about occasional pieces, like the Ghost chair, which go away when you aren't using them, yet make a chic statement and are very useful when you do need them. I would recommend going with the arm chair because it is much more comfortable and substantial than the side chair.



A cushion can help make these chairs a bit more comfy and when only using a seat cushion it doesnt sacrifice much of the look.  It can be a great way to add a pop of color (in this case they kept it neutral) peeking out from below the table.  The Saarinen tables lines work so well paired with these chairs, that table is just SO versatile!



Love the subtlety of these.  I also like the juxtaposition of the lucite and the rustic wood table.



Typically seen in the dining room arena or as a side chair to a console, I like the idea of bringing the Ghost Chair into the office!

If you think about it most people spend more time (awake) at the office than they do in their own homes.  Isn't it important to make that space beautiful ,and be a space you look forward to spending time in? An organized and comfortable office makes me productive.  Don't underestimate how much your surroundings can affect you.   Make your surroundings beautiful!

Have a wonderful weekend!

C (&M)



RED, Right, Return

View onto Union Square

This time of year we see a lot of red because of the holidays and this weekend, during a trip to Manhattan, I became particularly inspired.  Red was all over the the place this weekend as the Santacon phenomenon took hold of East, West and Greenwich Villages and spilled out onto the streets.  What is Santacon you ask?  Tens of thousands of people dressed up as Santa moving from bar to bar in hoards.  As I strolled along with my husband and several friends there was no place to get a cocktail or bite to eat without being bumped into by a hundreds of Santas.  You think this would have dissuaded me from the color red...but not quite.

From Elle Decor

I love the walls of this Manhattan living room painted in Benjamin Moore’s Million Dollar Red.  It's orange undertones make it less in your face and give a this room, at the residence of Estée Lauder executive, John Demsey, a sophistocated look.  I love it paired with the black and white photographs to really make it pop.




“A great way of experimenting with any new color is to introduce it in a small way: a bright-red cushion or lamp shade, red trim or piping on a throw. A glossy red satin or velvet will have much more impact than a matte cotton muslin.” —Tricia Guild, Elle Decor






I couldn't resist but snap a photo of my old red brick apartment building, One Astor Place.

Coincidentally enough, I realized that even I added a bit of red by donning my favorite red dress (and grandmother's vintage leopard fur coat) to help celebrate a friend's birthday in Manhattan.  I must admit I love the way wearing red makes me feel and although I tend to keep it a little more subtle in my interiors, I think it sets a wonderful aura for a room.  I tend to keep it out of dining rooms because in my mind that has been very overdone.  I like to put it in a living room or den.

Hope you are all enjoying this holiday season!

C(&M)

Palettes of the Season


I look to fashion and beauty for emerging color trends when it comes to designing interiors.  Interior design tends to lag a bit behind fashion when it comes to color trends.  One of my best friends works in the make up I like to look at make-up palettes for color inspiration as well.  I love that colors, especially during this holiday season, tend to be richer and a bit more bold.  Jewel tones are always so rich and striking.  Here are the hues I am feeling right now...



 




Love this rich peacock colored palette (Crystal Eye Palette by Bobbi Brown)







 

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Love the deep plums with a dramatic black set off against a neutral grey (Bobbi Brown)

Enjoy this holiday season full of color and fun!

C(&M)

NYCraving

Although I am not one of those people who could live in Manhattan for more than a year, albeit being one fabulous year, I still get a hankering to visit that fantastic city every few months.  I go to visit friends, for the energy of the city, and of course for the interior design resources that simply cannot be found anywhere in such a small radius anywhere in the U.S. 

An upcoming trip to visit the city and check out the holiday lights and frolick about the city lead me to thinking about all of my favorite resources that I want to check out while I am there.  So I thought I would share...

Carlos De La Puente Antiques was one of my favorite places to shop for antique mirrors and lighting.  Specifically they carry a wonderful selection of Murano glass chandeliers and lamps, fantastic Spanish and Italian gilt wood and gilt metal mirrors and chandeliers.  They have 2 locations, one on 59th St and the other on 60th.  Staff is always extremely helpful and friendly. 

Tribeca is a great neighborhood for finding some unique pieces and a great place to find some of these is at the Antiqueria Tribeca on Duane Street.

For a great selection of antiques in close proximity to Manhattan at much lower prices, check out The Antique and Artisan Center.  It is a quick 40 minute drive or 30-45minute train ride on the Metro North line to Stamford.  Also available online at 1st Dibs.

The Silver Peacock located on Park Avenue is a store I have not yet visited, but I have heard and read a great deal about this store.   It is owned by my former boss while I worked in New York City, interior designer, Jennifer Flanders.  It is atop my list of places to visit on this upcoming trip to Manhattan.

I look forward to sharing more resources and photos from my upcoming festive trip to New York soon on my blog.

 More soon!

C (&M)

Masculine Inspiration

I received an email from my husband this morning entitled "Blog Inspiration" and decided that he deserves a little space on my blog, afterall he puts the M in C&M Designs...

M: "I know a good inspiration - write about Harvard-Yale and the colors associated with H and Y and how people can incorporate their favorite teams in their "man rooms" to make the husbands happy, WITHOUT sacrificing true interior style. Or if you don't want to go that far, just talk about using crimson and white and blues in your color schemes. I LOVE YOU!"

Looks like I have a budding designer on my hands... well, maybe not but he brings up a good point.  That is that there is a balance of designing a house to please all members of a household.  My husband likes to have quite a bit of say when it comes to decorating our home, especially when it comes to what goes up on the walls.  To compromise, I have "given" him our bottom floor, which he affectionately refers to as the man cave.  I still maintain a certain degree of veto power of what gets put up here (afterall, I am a designer), but this is where all of those things that I do not really want displayed anywhere else to go.  It works as a good compromise for both of us.  The man cave, man room, man lair, etc, have become popular lately and I find more and more of my friends and clients have spaces relegated for this very purpose.  I think it is important for everyone in a household to be able to design a space if they want to, so they have a place that they can call their own within the home.  Lesson I have learned: Any house we buy must have a small space for my husband to be able to showcase his interior decoration style/create a man room..preferably in the basement.

I have had several clients who are bachelors and I always enjoy these projects as a departure from my typical interior design projects.  I have walked into some bachelor pads and the entire place is just one big man room.  My goal in these situations is not to hide the personality of the man who lives there but rather to refine the look and make it look more sophisticated.  Clearly, this is why he is hiring me, anyway.  Any things that give off a dorm room feel have to go, but other items can transformed by being framed and hung in a grouping on the wall.  For example old family photos (I'm talking grandparents era, black and whites) can be very cool hung up with a framed old map or other items picked up from travels, etc.  I also think that the  built-in library feel look can be very sophistocated and masculine and Mid-Century Modern pieces work wonderfully with their sleek profiles.

First and foremost when working with a client is making sure we can share a vision that I will then design and execute.  I like to push my clients a bit by showing them ideas, through inspiration photos, that they would not usually think of.  I then show them how we can incorporate some elements into their space to meld with their personality to create their own amazing style and home.

My brother-in-law kicking for the Crimson!

Just to clairify, M mentions Harvard and Yale in his inspiration email because we are heading to watch his brother play for Harvard in what they call "The Game."  (Good luck this weekend, D!)  No doubt, he will soon be adding some Harvard paraphernalia to the man room soon.  I will be sure to post photos... maybe I can take that Crimson felt banner and have it professionally framed and matted to don the man cave walls... ;)

For more info about C&M Designs interior design services, contact colleen@candmdesignsllc.com

C (&M)

I Like...

THINGS I LIKE... random things, classic things, kitchy things, insightful things, things that bring back fond memories, things I have always liked, brand new things and so on...

I use the things that I like to inspire the interiors I design. 



 

Slightly obsessed with shades of GREY especially when it comes to wall color.  Inspiration: my cat, Joey who we adopted as a kitten (from a great foster organization in Virginia, called Homeward Trails, his foster family even has a BLOG of all the kittens they foster).



 “People think you’re limited when a space is small, but I think the key is seeing everything as somewhat in flux, never standing still, always shifting, realigning. In a lot of ways, it’s like a garden.”—Landscape architect Mario Nivera (Elle Decor)



European GARDENS... I have gotten quite a bit of inspiration from these whimsical, delicate, lush, untamed yet sculptural niches.  This one happens to be in the South Kensington neighborhood of London where my best friend (pictured) resides and has hosted me at some of THE most amazing and lengthy lunches of all time.

 



 I love the cozy custom feel of BUILT-INS, BANQUETTES and BREAKFAST NOOKS

I adore APOTHOCARY INSPIRED kitchens and bathrooms becuse they are clean and industrial but have that vintage warmth that some ultra modern or industrial spaces lack. 

Stunning SUNNY DAYS right before the sun starts to set, giving off ethereal light that can make most anything look gorgeous. 

“Rooms are albums that provoke memories. What you decorate with should remind you of a street you wandered down or an experience that made you happy.”—Designer Amy Hase

 Paris in the summertime and red wine on the Seine because it reminds me of a fabulous holiday I spent there with my husband.

STRIPES!  Whether it be a great cabana stripe on an outdoor chaise, a subtle cashmere stripe on a study chaise, or a classic boatneck tee, they are and always will be classic.

The SAARINEN table, a Mid-Century Modern classic that can be used in a plethora of spaces and always look sleek and cool.

Vintage/antique BIRDCAGES. Although these have been slightly overdone in the design world as of late, they are an item that I have loved since I was a child and I will always have at least one in my house (even if it is just on a necklace in my jewelry box).



There are so many more things that I could list here but I will just have to continue it in a future blog.  Until next time...

C (&M)

Christmas Music Already?

Living further down south than I have in quite some time, I find my holiday spirit kicks in a bit later than it used to when I resided in the Boston area.  Today, however I had some work to do for clients and then some projects to get done around the house and set my Pandora to a holiday station, with my inspiration artist being holiday-themed Mariah Carey.  I laughed aloud when 'This Gift,' sung by 98 Degrees came on.  Crazily enough this got me thinking about how to decorate my own home and several client's homes for the holidays...

I often find holiday decorations to be dated, over-the-top/tacky, or non-existent.  Don't get me wrong though, I really like a little holiday spirit in a home.  I think holiday decorations add warmth and festivity and provide a chance to freshen up a room that looks the same for the other 48 weeks of the year.  I say, take advantage of this time to have some fun, afterall, you only have to love it for a month or so! 

Let's start with outdoor decor.  Here especially, I find it is to be all or nothing.  I envision either lots of tacky decorations or just a sad front step with barren trees and a few stray unraked leaves from the fall.  My advice for decorating, if it blows up, resides in a snow globe, has it's own Christmas special on tv, is plastic, or flashes, bring it to your local Salvation Army to donate. 

Fun to laugh at on a holiday lights tour with the fam, but not even one of these items is okay for your own yard.

In my opinion, white lights are the ONLY way to go.  I learned this from my mother at an early age.  I have expanded my horizons slightly and think a single color strand of lights in a funky shade (like turquoise) can be fun on a faux white tree in a mod NYC loft, but my days of living in an overpriced, yet amazing Manhattan spot are over...but I digress.  I think simple yet sophistocated is the way to go inside and outside when decorating for holidays.  You want to compliment, not overpower the beauty of your home with it's existing furnishings and accessories. 

A tasteful display that makes natural materials festive with ribbon.  Simple and pretty. From Paris in New York

 I am a big fan of utilizing natural materials such as fresh boughs of greenery (particularly juniper because of the greenish blue berries, but beware because it is toxic to pets) and bare branches to decorate a doorway, entry hall, fireplace mantle or dining room table.  Adding a touch of fabric or ribbon is all these pieces need.  Stay away from fake greens and anything plastic.  Adding a couple special tin or glass ornaments can be a nice touch.... Speaking of ornaments for a mere $20k you can purchase a couple larger than life gilded ornaments to really make a statement in your neighborhood, on sale now at One Kings Lane (but seriously this is a great site to join, it's like Gilt Groupe/ Haute Look for designer home stuff). 

"If your idea of holiday finery is more Rockafeller Center than inflatable reindeer, why not go for the gold?" 

 Just remember once New Years Day rolls around please, for everyone's sake, take down the decorations.  Year round holiday decorations are NOT okay and you don't want your neighbors giving you dirty looks.

Until Next Time,
C (&M)

Playing with Paint

I have developed a real love for high gloss paint over the years.  When considering finishes many people get caught up in the traditional rules that flat finishes are for ceilings, eggshell for walls, and semi-gloss for trim and bathroom walls.  I like mixing up these rules and I especially enjoy throwing high gloss in the mix.  I find paint, although one of the easiest things to change, is often something that people are most afraid to experiment with.  I try to ease my clients fears about paint and show them how thinking outside of the painting "rules" box can be very rewarding.

High gloss can heighen the formality of a dining room, while adding depth and richness of the color of the paint on the walls.  A high gloss finish can also add an unexpected and funky twist to a living room by adding it only to the ceiling.  Despite the neutral colors used, the reflective properties of this lacquered white ceiling add interest and height to this room in the Kips Bay Design House in Manhattan.  I think that the high gloss ceiling absolutely makes this room and creates a beautiful setting.  I can only imagine how gorgeous this looks at night with the light reflecting from the chandelier off the ceiling.


A room in the Kips Bay Design House in Manhattan, as seen in Elle Decor

 The one thing you MUST be aware of before applying high gloss or lacquer paint is that this type of paint will expose every nick, crack, or bump in a wall or ceiling.  Make sure the surface has been properly prepped or else be prepared to embrace a less than perfect looking surface.  I had a client whose dining room walls in their 100+ year old townhouse were not in perfect shape but they quite liked the aged look that the high gloss brought out on their walls.  A Farrow + Ball high gloss paint in the color, Pelt (a deep, rich aubergine color) was selected for the walls and it looks stunning. 

Metallics are another type of paint I love playing with on ceilings.  It is such a fun way to add color depth to a room and make it playful while staying sophistocated.  If you are hesitant to play with paint finishes in your own home, my suggestion would be to start small.  A powder room is a great place for a fun wall finish or ceiling.  I think of the powder room as a little jewelry box in a home and this is a great place to be daring.  Try it out! 

C (&M)

Conquering a Blank Wall

This evening I decided to tackle a project that has long been on my home's to-do list: creating a striking grouping of various framed items to hang on our large living room wall.  When we first bought and moved into our house my darling husband and I had a bit of a "discussion" about what got put up on the walls.  He becomes very attached to pretty much everything he/we have ever owned and I am more of a, donate and move on girl, when something really does not fit anymore.  After I shot down his idea to hang all of our college and grad school diplomas in the living room, I decided it was better to leave the wall pretty much blank for a while until I had the time to embark on the project of my vision for our large wall (and until we found a place for those diplomas...in a dark corner of the basement and his office). 

Tonight I have decided to attack this wall because I feel the creative juices flowing!  I am planning on putting up a compilation of framed items of various sizes and made with assorted media.  I love to display things(especially on the walls) that evoke fond memories for those who live a home.  I also think it is important to put up pieces that are interesting/ and beautiful for those who visit a home and maybe spark a discussion...thus the term "conversation piece."  I say that but mean that but I think it is important for a room to have a flow and feel like everything just clicks in place, not having just one item steal the show. 

So far here is what I am thinking about including in my collection of items:

A photo I snapped on our summer holiday to VilleFranche-sur-Mer


Blown up photographs of scenery, one will most definitely be this beach scene from our trip to the South of France this summer.  I adore the vibrant pops of color (also looks very cool in sepia) This scene just looks so vintage to me.  It could also be because it reminds me of these postcards and photo of my grandmother on a beach in the 60's.  These are the some of the things that I treasure and love to display (I have this displayed in my dressing room).

A photo and postcards my grandparents sent to my mother from a vacation in 1967



I also want to include a couple paintings (Pop Art) that I am currently working on painting now.  I will be sure to put up photos of these when I finish them!



A Brunschwig & Fils fabric



Finally, I am framing some fabrics and wallpapers that I happen to come across and really love.  I just had to have this (sort of headless) peacock, it's funky and colors are amazing!  I loved the way the piece of fabric fell in this frame, it made it more interesting, not having one full bird.  Now I just need to iron it :)





I will post photos of the finished project SOON!  Off to work on it...



Good night!



C (&M)

















Beginnings...

I started my career in interior design while still finishing my undergraduate degree at Duke University.  I made the trek down Tobacco Road into rival territory at a high end design firm in Chapel Hill.  After my new colleagues got the Duke/Dook jokes out of the way, I quickly found myself captivated by this world of interior design.  Although the southern style of decorating at this firm was not what I was used to (born and raised in New England), I was fascinated by the process and at the time, particularly taken with the extensive fabric library (I just can't resist beautiful fabrics to this day).  Being located so far away from any major city with a design center, it was a necessity to have a plethora of fabrics, lighting books, carpets, etc. on hand and I took full advantage of perusing these resources. 

Fast forward one year to my first job out of college at a high end design firm in New York City...  I remember visiting the D&D building on my first day of work and immediately realized that I just stepped into the big leagues and it was exciting!  The pace of my first day in NYC seemed to me to be about as fast as I had EVER moved in NC (and I ran track in college...).  Just like running though, I realized that I was hooked!  I dove in head first and learned the city like the back of my hand.  I knew, based on the time of day, when it was most efficient to take a cab, when to take the subway, every subway line and which trains ran express, within weeks of my arrival.  I spent no more than 10 hours total, in an office during that first year.  My time was spent running uptown to Park Avenue for site meetings with clients, downtown to my favorite little shops in Tribeca and Soho, over to the west side to check in on the upholstery work ALL while wearing stiletto heels.  That city wore me out but I loved (with some marked exceptions) every minute.  I owe a great thanks to Jennifer Flanders for being a mentor to me during my time in New York, while I worked for her.  I learned a great deal and had every resource at my fingertips living and working in Manhattan. 

After working in two locales that I consider to be nearly polar opposites, I now work in the DC area, which I find to fall somewhere in the middle.  We have a design center, many stores and great vendors but of course it still cannot even come close to the resources in NYC (luckily that is only a 2.5hr Acela train ride away).  There is a great community of designers here and I enjoy taking part in events that bring lots of talented designers together.  Below is a photo with several other designers and vendors at the Washington Design Center Design House Opening Gala (I am the second from the right).  I now operate my business, C&M Designs, out of Alexandria, VA and am excited to further build and grow my business here. 

This is just my first post of many to come so I figured it best to start with this little intro.  More Interior Style commentary and musings to come so keep checking back!

C (&M)