I'm Seeing Things in Black & White

Black and White combinations are still commanding attention across the board in decorative accessories and design. Here are a few of my favorites. They remind me of old book plates printed in Intaglio.
The Washington Printmakers Gallery defines Intaglio as:
"Intaglio (from the Italian world to carve) might be considered the reverse of relief printing. In a relief print, the ink is rolled onto the surface and not into the lines; in an intaglio print, the ink is pushed into the lines and pits and wiped off the surface of the plate. "

Celeb designer and blogger extraordinaire Mark Cutler is expanding his line of "Tableaux Cloths." A collection of crisp corner pleated table linens printed with black and white images of classic furnishings. He will even provide the tables underneath if need be. What a great solution to covering a less than stellar table or just to give the client flexibility and variation in a space. The new line will include lighting and even a tent!!! Oooh La La. Sounds very romantic. I can't wait to see all of the items.



From online retailer UMA these classic glasses come in a set of four. The vintage goblets shown in silhouette are so much fun.


Intricately patterned diner plates from Rossana make a dramatic statement on the table or hanging on a wall. The Rosanna website is one you must check out. Her patterns are to die for and the packaging is almost as beautiful as the dinnerware! I'm tempted to buy something just to get the hat box like containers.



Lisa Bengtsson is a brilliant graphic designer who has a large selection of wallpaper based on her graphic images. I adore this one entitled Familjen - Foto ( I am language illiterate but I assume this means Family Photo - please correct me if I am wrong )


The Acrila Collection from Moco Loco has a real sense of humor. This innovative use of acrylic showcasing images of traditional furniture pieces in Intaglio is truly unique. My favorites are the upholstered chairs and barstools. They also come with brightly colored accents in the upholstery.

Finally from the ultra talented design team of Mathew White and Frank Webb, their Intaglio series of furnishings and accessories is a play on the classics. Intricately detailed prints of classic embellishment and encrustation are adhered to the flat surfaces of these basic pieces creating the illusion of shape and shadow.




This magnificent faux room done entirely in Intaglio is part of an exhibition "Eminent Domain" done by White & Webb for the Rice Gallery In Houston, Texas. Wouldn't you love to have a room like this in your home? I know I would.

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Domino we still love you!

I had no idea the kind of reaction my last post about Domino's online article about Barrie Benson would generate. I truly appreciate everyone's honesty and opennesses in commenting on this subject. It is obviously something that we are all very passionate about and it is a topic worth exploring. While I view my blog as a place where I can express my personal views I do feel an obligation to be responsible, fair and accurate when writing posts.

I originally saw the two photos of the canopied bedroom on the fabulous blog Style Court. Her coverage of the rooms prompted me to look deeper into the subject and post my comments. I then saw the Domino cover featured on another great design blog Habitually Chic . HC is a very talented young designer who has an incredible eye for detail. She has made a comment that I believe in the spirit of fairness should be addressed. She says,

"I have to clarify something for everyone, the photos you posted were from the online pictorial of Barrie Benson's work. They were not included in the magazine. The magazine article was a feature on her own mid-century home that she filled with family furniture and a mix of periods, not all mid-century furniture, which I happen to love. It's the way young people live these days."

The pictures and article including quotes taken from it that I used in my post are featured on Domino's website under the heading "house tour Barrie Benson".

My personal opinion is that it does not matter where or how the pictures and text of the interview are sourced the end result is still the same. I believe that this type of discussion and debate is a healthy and productive means of communication that is beneficial to the industry.

Thanks again to all of you,
Jackie

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Designer Homage or Blatant Rip Off ? - You Decide

I am a firm believer that there are no new ideas in design - only new unique interpretations of past designs colored by our current experiences and exposure. I believe that any talented designer or home decor enthusiast draws from their own personal well of inspiration that they have collected over their lifetime to produce one of a kind interpretations of things they love. That being said, I also think it is acceptable to draw inspiration directly from someone else's work and then mold into your own unique design.


Imagine my horror when reading the online cover story on this months Domino on Barrie Benson. This up and coming designer from North Carolina is featured front and center on the cover and shows a melange of her work inside. She practically boasts about "snaking" designs verbatim from other designers. Benson says, "We snaked the entire look from a house done by Tom Scheerer ...."

Check out the designs below. The first picture is Benson's Room - the second the original room done by very talented designer and "snakee", Tom Sheerer. I ask you to be the judge. Is Benson paying homage to the innovative and well designed room by Scheerer or is she just ripping him off. If I were Scheerer I would be more than a bit peeved to see this less than stellar duplication complete with over sized lampshade minimal wall decor and identical bedding. It seems that all she did was swap the colors of the walls and lampshade.



Below - Another picture from the photo spread in Domino - Look Familiar ??? Why yes, that is Kelly Wearstler's famous plate wall from the Viceroy. Again, as with the other room, we have the swapping of color from dark to light. Does the fact that these are Hermes plates make it good design? They aren't even hung straight.




The article quotes Benson describing the room below as follows:

"Mid-Century furniture in a Mid-Century house is so, well, last century! The mixing styles and using luxurious new fabrics with saturated colors makes it so fresh and new".

What is she talking about? I see a photo of my cousin's paneled basement with the old furniture that grandma was throwing out mixed with a worn out couch found on the street and some yard sale lamps and pillows. Where is the "saturated color"? Take a look at that sad blue velvet bergere and the cheap looking under filled pillows and tell me what's fresh and new.

Below- Find a superbly done room by the afore mention Tom Scheerer with a brilliant mix of period and modern furnishings. Benson should have ripped off - I mean - taken inspiration from this room.


So, as you can tell I have no opinion on this subject. But you decide, Homage - Rip Off - or - Just Bad Design? You be the Judge!


My opinion - Domino should be doing a cover with Tom Scheerer on it. !

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You be the Judge

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Weekend Inspiration - White Trash Wedding

Just felt I had to share.


One more example of American sophistication!

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The Ottoman Empire

No! - Not those Ottomans! The upholstered variety.


I've always had a soft spot in my design heart for ottomans. They are versatile, stylish, and functional. I never knew a room that couldn't use one. Here is a collection of my recent favs.


Bright Red Ruffles from HollyHock. I really like the updated country look of this frilly oval.


A similar oval shape with a sophisticated tailored box pleated ruffle is available from Old Hickory Tannery. Also from Old Hickory Tannery this unique draped ottoman shown below is tufted on the top with a free flowing skirt. It looks like a blanket has been thrown over it. This would be great in a bedroom.


Antique mirror paired with a sleek upholstered top makes for high style in these two fabulous pieces from Amy Howard. I love it when items are offered in multiple shapes and sizes that you can mix and match.

Hate the fabric choices in these pictures but love the exotic shape of these boxy ottomans from Century. I have done this one in white leather with black leather trim and it is stunning.


Barbara Barry uses oriental overtones spice up this piece. I like the angle of the upholstered top and the legs are a show stopper. You can find this beauty at Barbara Barry for Baker.



The cabriole legs and classic nail head detail are offset here by the high, square, lightly tufted, cushion. I just love the lines of this one from Dino Mark Anthony.

Another great find from Dino Mark Anthony is this Quartet of tufted squares. This is such a versatile design and I love the legs.

A trio of traditionally inspired bench ottomans from Oly. Don't you love the reversed cabriole leg at the back and the claw feet?


This zebra covered version also from Oly would surely make a dramatic statement.

I think the design of this oriental is flawless. You can pick it up at Century.



Another Century oval has a lovely banded skirt. This piece could be very soft and mellow as it is shown in this cream linen or you could really spice it up with a more dramatic color contrast.


Two adorable leather drums with nail heads from Old Hickory Tannery.



I like the unique shape of this Burton James ottoman. It looks like a biscotti!
Finally an updated classic with a tall cabriole leg and a nice curve in the frame with a tight cushion from Henredon.

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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!!!!!!!!

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