These Guys Give Me the Blues

The "Dynamic Duo" of William Diamond and Anthony Baratta have certainly carved an impressive niche in the world of the design elite. Publishing over 75 projects over the course of their careers is an outstanding accomplishment. I admire their business sense and ability to market themselves to the uber rich, but I have never been a super huge fan of some of their decor. Many of their projects appeal to me but some are a bit too jarring and kitschy for my personal tastes. But who am I to judge? They are the design superstars not me!


I was looking through their website the other day, trying to decide whether or not I would pluck down some serious bucks for their new book, I was surprised to see that it was exclusively stocked with photos of blue rooms. Traditional blue rooms - modern blue rooms - whimsical blue rooms. Blue, Blue, Blue.


Blue & White - Black & White (love those chairs but I know there's blue in that room somewhere - wait - one of them is wearing a blue shirt, tie & hanky! I knew it!)


Yellow & White - Blue & White again - a ton of Blue Plaid! Love the pastel bedroom- I want that carpet.


Blue & White with super Bright Accents


Light Blue & White - Red, White & Blue (for that crazy Hampton's crowd!)


More Red, White & Blue ( I like the slip covers on the dining chairs)


More Blue & White ( the room at the top left is gorgeous)


Finally! - a wild card - Turquoise Blue & White. ( I dig this whole pad - it's very groovy but fun. I love the hallway with all the drapery)

Now please don't think I am Diamond - Baratta bashing. I'm not. I just don't get it! I feel like I'm missing something that everyone else understands.

Don't their clients get sick of seeing each other's Blue interiors?
Don't the guys get sick of working with Blue?
Is this just a small Blue cross-section of their current work?
Their accolades in HG and other Design mags say that they are geniuses in working in different styles. Is this because they only use Blue?
Even their book cover is Blue?
Does anyone have the book? Are all the photos Blue?

I am sure they have a wealth of current projects that are not blue - I would just like to see them. However, as they are uber famous world renowned designers I am sure they do not need my vote of approval on their blue streak.

Maybe I need to choose a signature color?? What should it be?? Hmmmm? Blue!!!!!!!!

Read More

Hallelujah - It's Finally Here !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah - After months of waiting my book has finally arrived!!!!!!!!!!!


I can't believe how big and heavy it is. Just the shear size of it is impressive, although my already arthritic arm joints are going to have a hard time lugging it around with me. I can't describe how exciting it was to see it as the real thing. When you write a book you spend months and months staring at every detail, drawing, word, etc for months on your computer. You re-write and re-draw and re-do everything ten times over. Your deadline rolls around and you send it all in and cross your fingers that it will turn out OK.




Over the next year you work with your editor and book designer to fine tune everything and hope to God they are listening to what you are saying. After a year with the Publisher your books arrive from the printer in - of course - China and you are blown away that you've created something. Good or bad it's all yours.

Here are a couple of shots of pages. ( Not to brag or anything but it is 584 pages with 3000 illustrations, I'm not a less is more kind a girl. )


Lovely Claudia from The Paris Apartment - an author herself - asked me in an email the other day how I became an "accidental author". I wrote her a response that was way too long explaining how I came to write my book. I thought I would repeat it here in case anyone else was interested in my saga.

Well, long story but here goes...I say I am an accidental author because I never in my wildest dreams had any ambitions to write a book. I was a successful interior designer with my own business and a 3000 sq ft showroom. I had worked very hard over the years ( and spent a small fortune) to build a very large and comprehensive design library which included a huge selection of fabrics and trims. Design libraries take up valuable showroom space and net very little return as I'm sure you know.

To help make my library pay for itself I wanted to hire a few designers just to sell custom window treatments and soft furnishings. The designers I worked with over the years and the ones that I employed never had any skill or talent in window coverings. They do not teach students in design school anything but the bare minimum. I never had a soft treatment design class in school only one class on textiles. It is a passion of mine to bring soft treatment design education to the design education community ( another story altogether)

Anyway I looked for a book to use as a sort of guide for these girls and there was nothing available. All the books on the market are outdated showing treatments that look like they came out of a 1960's trailer. So I thought I would just make my own for my designers to use. As I started putting it together and doing the illustrations I just became hooked. Before I knew it I had drawn over 300 of my own standard designs that I use.

As I got more into it the thought occurred to me that if I had a use for such a book then maybe other designers would as well. So. I decided that if I was going to write this book it would be the most comprehensive book on design principals and application as well as inspiration that had ever been written. I went to Barnes & Noble and every other book store in town to see which publisher had the most books in the home decor section and who produced the highest quality books. I chose Gibbs Smith as my first choice as they seemed to be one of the dominant publishers and I had always admired their books and had them in my own library. I wrote up a proposal, put it in a box that I decoupaged with my illustrations and sent it in convinced that I would never hear from anyone. Three weeks later I got the phone call saying they wanted to pursue a contract.

I began this project on December 12, 2005 and my first copies of my book just arrived last week. So i just under 2 years I have become a published author ( I am told this is very impressive!) . Now going from designer to author is a giant leap and the word author sounds so pretentious. Also it's hard to say you are an author before your book comes out as you have nothing to prove you are an author. Also my books are mostly illustrations so I would better be described as an illustrator but I also wrote the text which I suppose makes me an author ( Insecure? perhaps ) - Do you see the confusion here?

I have since singed up with Gibbs Smith for at least two more volumes in the series. The next is Bedding & Bedroom Furnishings. I am writing it now and it will be available in Sept 09 and the one after that will be Soft Furnishings. I am currently teaching seminars and traveling to pimp the first book. I've closed my design business to work full time on writing.

So, in short ( ha ha) I never envisioned myself as an author but by a happy stroke of luck ( or accident ) I have found what I believe to be my life's true calling. To write books that will educated and inspire designers and homeowners.

Have you fallen asleep yet?

The moral of this story is - Never underestimate what you are capable of and don't be afraid to follow your dreams. They may - after a ton of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment - accidentally come true.

Jackie

Just in case you feel so inclined, you can pre-order my book on amazon.com and it will ship around the second week in October.

Read More

Custom Home Furnishings Conference

If you are a designer or a DIY'er this is a fantastic learning experience. It's a hands on seminar series and trade show sponsored by Draperies & Window Coverings Magazine. It teaches beginning to advances soft treatments design and manufacturing. Visit their website for more info. It is a must attend event for designers who specify draperies, bedding, or upholstery and it is a blast!

Read More

Target - Love it or Hate it ?

I have found that many people, especially designers, have strong feelings about mega retailer Target. They either love it or hate with equal passion. Personally, I am a Pottery Barn hater. I can't really explain why. They have some very cool stuff. I think it comes from years of my clients showing me their Pottery Barn catalog and asking me to copy it. Or it could be that I am envious of their creative director, one of the most stylish and creative women on earth.

For some reason I feel the opposite about Target. I am a Target lover. I even look to Target to follow trends as they seem to really be on top of the market. I love that everything is cheap in price but fairly sturdy and it looks like products that sell for a ton more else ware.

Check out these new Target finds:



Super cool vanity Fedella Mirror in a gunmetal finish. I love the shape of it - very 1940's . The mirrored jewelry box is fabulous. Linen Coasters from Victoria Hagen come in yellow and blue. The black cast iron tea pot has a serious Zen feel.


Table ware seems to be an area where Target really excels. I chose a black and white theme but there were many nicely designed motifs to choose from. Patterns shown above are:
Damask Black Ring Curly Que


Gallerie Collection Glassware


Hampton Forge San Remo Flatware Hampton Forge Mirasol Flatware


Victoria Hagen vases



Cool Rugs and Lamps.


Make sure you check out the entire Victoria Hagen Collection. She has great stuff.

Target.com has a much better selection than at my local Target.

Read More

Homage to Cote de Texas

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Joni of Cote de Texas. Her witty and informative blog posts are always well worth the read. She has a generous spirit and a knack for making all her readers feel as if they have been lifelong friends. After making us all a bit more than nervous during a rare absence last week she has posted pictures of her family room showcasing her new additions - a lovely new sofa and wing back chairs. In her post she writes about a subject that many designers are familiar with. The inability to make design choices for their own homes. Why is it that as professionals or amateurs we can make decisions for our clients or friends with absolute certainty but when it comes to our own design dilemmas we are crippled by indecision and doubt?

While I can empathize with her plight it is clear that she is making all the right decisions so I decided to post about her room as if it were a random space that had caught my eye in a magazine or book. so here goes:


Relaxed Sophistication - Texas Style


They say they do everything big in Texas and while this large family room is no exception it has the feeling of a much more intimate space due to the impeccable space planning. Carefully chosen furnishings are grouped together in cozy settings with larger pieces balanced by smaller more delicate items such as the little leather foot stool and the upholstered ottoman. The rustic coffee table is offset by the graceful silhouettes of the turned leg side tables.




While most of the furniture appears to be antique everything is given a fresh modern feel by the use of stark white linen slipcovers throughout. The sisal rug and and the generous spattering of baskets throughout reinforce the natural feel of the space.


The new sofa and wing back chairs are slip covered in a fresh linen. Typical of Joni's attention to detail she specified them to be sewn with French seams - a truly couture detail that is often overlooked.



That same impeccable attention to detail follows through to the seat cushions on the antique chairs. Notice the wonderful criss crossing of the chair ties down the leg of each chair. These are the types of finishing touches that really make good design stand out.



Throughout the room are hidden treasures ( I snooped in photoshop) and small groupings of collectibles displayed to add to the personal feel of the room. A wonderful family of Staffordshire dogs and a lamp with a great shade covered in an image of an old world map are true to Joni's love of French design.

Joni is obviously very skilled at the art of accessorisation (sp ?). As we all know Joni is a serious book junkie and you can see how cleverly she displays and houses her collection while avoiding the look of clutter or overflow. Books are placed in stacks on top of tables, in baskets , and in a gorgous hand painted container on the floor. She uses her book shelves as a stage to curate her favorite things. I love the paintings on easels and the special items displayed on top of stacks of books ( two of my favorite tricks as well) To me there is nothing more boring that an entire bookcase filled with only books.



I love the Bad President book and the back scratcher on the top of this stack of reading material. (Yes, I am a snoop)


I think that we can all agree that this is a beautifully decorated room that is worthy of a feature in any publication and Joni should be commended for her good taste and attention to detail that sets her apart from other designers.

Read More

I Screen - You Screen

There is something romantic and alluring about a beautiful screen. It conjures up the standard image of a young women behind the screen demurely changing into her dressing gown while the handsome suitor looks on. Just a hint of scandal!

Over the years I have used screens in so many different ways. As headboards - hung on walls - hung as walls - hung from ceilings - hung on ceilings - and even occasionally as a floor screen.

This antique screen from 1st dibbs is a beauty. The colors are so rich and I love the hunting scene.


Undulating wooden tambors create a serpentine in this antique French room divider.


I like to take screens like this one with etched mirror inserts apart and hang them as separate panels on a wall. It saves floor space in a tight room like a dining room and adds drama to the wall.


This hanging arrangement of venetian glass tiles can be just as effective in dividing space or adding decorative impact as any floor screen.


Whats old is new again. I've noticed many screens like this one from the 1950's and 60's being given new life in hip interiors today.



I love this wall panel. It would be great hung from the ceiling or even as a dropped ceiling panel.



This Molo Softwall Textile screen from Velocity is a panel of accordian pleated fabric! It's totally flexible, lightweight, and movable. Imagine what you could do with this!



Another great pick from Velocity is this stacking wooden puzzle screen. So cool! It comes in sections and can be expanded to any length or height. Also available in metal which looks like an Alexander Calder sculpture.

The quatrafoil is always a popular motif. I love this stark white design. Wouldn't it make a great headboard. You can't see it in this picture but it is paned glass.


Connecting doors has always been an old DIY trick for creating screens. Here a pair of fabulous Tony Duquette doors are used to great effect.


Another great design with oriental overtones.


Tord Boontje's wonderful laser cut polyethylene wall hanging / room divider.



A Greek key design from House Eclectic. I could see this one in individual sections as faux shutters on either side of french doors or windows.

Read More

Hello: My Name is Jackie and I am a Trim Slut.

As my close friends will tell you I am a self proclaimed Trim Slut. I love decorative trim in all of it's many shapes and forms and I will use it on just about anything. I've spent the last few weeks researching trim for my new Bedding book and I have noticed a dramatic change in the abundance of modernist designs. The decorative trim industry has been a bit slow to embrace the shift toward transitional and modernist decor but in recent months they seem to have taken on the challenge of designing trims to suit those styles.


Houles, one of the oldest and most revered passementerie makers has been known for their classic French designs and traditional motifs. Their new collections are quite a departure from the norm. They incorporate sleek design with up to date colors to produce stunning results.


Simplicity and basic geometric shapes are used to produce classic silhouettes. As always their quality of workmanship is exemplary.




Another French manufacturer Van Lathem Inc. takes a more playful approach to contemporary design. The use feathers, glass beads, even aluminum tassel fobs to produce products that will blend in with today's designs.



A domestic company that I use often, d'KEi Incorporated , has embraced alternative design to produce a large selection of modern and whimsical elements.


Traditional medallions or buttons are given a fresh new perspective.



Beads, ribbons, crystal, and even knotted macramé cording create unique tassels and tie backs that fit todays design parameters.




Robert Allen has a varied selection of transitional styles. I especially like their flat tapes which are great for use on bedding and pillows.



Using trim when designing for a contemporary or modern environment can be challenging. With the new styles being offered by the trim industry, that job is getting s bit easier.

Read More