New Project, A Global Affair

Good morning,

I want to thank you all for your support, comments and prayers for my brother. I know that they helped. Since I posted about him things have changed in a positive direction and he seems to be doing better and better by the day. I'm praying that this continues and that you will only hear positive things from me in the future.


Today I want to talk about a new and exciting project that I am in the beginning stages of. This project is for a bachelor client of mine who spends a large amount of time traveling, and wants this to be reflected in his home with the exception of the two rooms I am putting together for his adorable little girls. Recently I talked about Design Camp in Atlanta and how exciting that was. There were so many industry "experts" and topics, not to mention a wealth of information on the design industry, trends, and how to propel your business to the next level. One of the upcoming design trends is in fact this "global" or "exotica" approach to interiors which is exactly the feeling that my client wants.

I have an admittedly modern or contemporary approach to my spaces so for me this is something new and different and I'm loving every minute of it. The first thing to understand with this global vibe is what exactly defines it as global in the first place. I think it's important to know that it DOES NOT mean that you simply add a Buddha here, a bird cage there and some suzani print and call it a day. This aesthetic is more the feeling of a well lived in and well traveled home. This is achieved with the juxtaposition of old vs. new, modern vs. antique shiny vs. rustic. The energy in the home should flow well with the balance of the pieces you are adding. Even in my modern spaces, there is a coziness to them that keeps them from being cold. I plan on still including modern pieces, but I'm mixing it up with some unique Indonesian finds from my favorite importers here in Miami which allows them to do the "traveling" for me and gives me the opportunity to pull in those one of a kind elements. The overall feeling in this home will be quite global indeed.

Here are some images to give you a feel for this global approach, or at least how I am interpreting that global approach in to my scheme. 

One thing that I think is very notable with these images is the sense of timelessness to the rooms. They could be taken today or 10 years ago and one wouldn't notice. There is something profound to using ancient and antique pieces in today's rooms with the suggestion of bringing something old to new again which is key to good design.

I look forward to sharing my mood boards with you soon, but if you want to see what pieces I've been sourcing so far for this project feel free to check out my Open Concept board on Pinterest.

In The Blink Of An Eye

Good morning,

I started this blog originally to talk about our home remodel, my interests, DIY projects, my interior design work and as a vehicle to simply get out there what I love about interior design. I don't often go in to too many details about my personal life and try to keep those things separate, but there are simply times when those things are not possible. Today I am going to share with you what has been happening with me and why I've been gone.

A few weeks ago I shared with you my trip to Atlanta for Design Camp and how amazing and inspiring that was for me. I have some new projects that I'm working on and overall things have been very exciting work wise. Last Sunday I received a call from my sister in law that my older brother is on life support. His body was shutting down and had been induced in to a coma. His liver and kidney functions were failing and his pancreas wasn't working. He also has internal bleeding and things weren't looking good for him. When I was in Atlanta I went to dinner with my brother. We talked about some of his major health problems, but he was so sweet and optimistic about himself and life. He had some goals and some revelations and was looking forward to his future. It was a beautiful dinner, and I left it loving and missing my brother and grateful to have reconnected. With us living far apart and life getting too hectic, it's easy to not talk often. How could things go so wrong so fast?

The next few days things were a tail spin. I received a call that we needed to get out to Atlanta NOW and that he wasn't expected to live through the night. I called my mom and family and we all got there as soon as we could to see my big brother AND to essentially say our good byes.The good news of my story is that he is still with us and he did make it through the night, but the bad news is that he's not in the clear and it is possible that this sad fact may not change or that this could happen again in the future. I can't tell you how seeing someone who you love in this condition hurts so deep down inside.

I can't tell you what will happen with my brother, and have given it to God because ultimately it is in his hands. I can tell you that I am hopeful and the Drs seem to be more hopeful and surprised that things are doing so much better. I am now back home and getting updates by the phone, waiting to hear that there is an end in site to this tragedy. I have nothing to do but get back to life, work, and my beautiful loving little family. So you will see posts again, and you will see more of my work and interests again but they may be a bit sparse for now.

Today what I will leave you with is this. Do not put off tomorrow what you can do today. In essence what I am saying is that it shouldn't be in our last hours or minutes to tell the people you know and care about how much you love them. Tell them often without the assumption that they may already know. Just as it is not worth letting petty differences keep you apart. Life is precious and fleeting and it is a gift that we should not take lightly. I lost my father to cancer a bit more than a year ago, and now I am in this situation with my brother with so many uncertainties. I have to hold on to my faith that there is something beautiful waiting for us on the other side, and I have to keep my faith that my brother will pull through this and that miracles can and do happen. I hope my story is inspiring for you.
                                                                                                                     

          "We must be ever thankful for small miracles, and ever hopeful for receiving greater ones."
                                    Elmer A. Shultz submitted by Carol A. Shultz

The DIY Files

Good morning,

I am admittedly a sucker for a bargain. I WILL be found at the sale rack, and sometimes have to ask myself  "would you still want this if it wasn't on sale?" You can take the girl out of Utah, but you can't take the Utah out of the girl! Don't get me wrong, I splurge on quality and where I have to, but I think the best approach is to splurge on the quality items and spend where you have to and save on the rest. Mixing high with low is an art in and of itself and can give your home character and charm, not to mention some great stories to share with your visiting guests.

I am starting a new feature on The Cuban In My Coffee called The DIY Files, which I will save in the DIY tab located in the header of my blog so that you can go back and access them down the road. I will give credit where credit is due, and if I've tried the project myself I will give you the good the bad and the ugly on "how to".

Here are some of the upcoming features in The DIY Files:

DIY Agate Trash Bin

DIY African Ju Ju Hat

DIY Brush Stroke Lamp

 

DIY Chalk Board 

 

DIY Malachite Box 

 

DIY Black And Gold Framed Picture Wall, Image Etsy

 

 DIY Ring Pulls On Mirrored MALM

DIY Mongolian Lamb Stool

 

DIY Chalk Board Wine Glasses

DIY Floating Cabinets

These are just a few of the precious tutorials that I will be sharing with you in the upcoming weeks with details to follow, and I'm looking for more. I can't wait to see what you've come up with in your own homes so share the love and send your projects my way!

If you have a great DIY project that you want to share email me here , or simply leave me a comment with a link to your project. You could be featured on The Cuban In My Coffee, and I would love to see what you've got~

Would You Do Bold Pattern?

Good morning!

This past week I had the fantastic opportunity to spend a few days in Atlanta to attend Design Camp in Atlanta, GA. In case you haven't heard about Design Camp yet, it is a great opportunity to meet and greet top professionals, experts and interior designers, and gain invaluable advice as well as information about what's coming next in interior design. The event is hosted by celebrity designers Lorri Dennis and Kelly Ellis who make you feel like an old friend. I had a blast, and am thankful for the opportunity to have met so many wonderful people. I plan to share some of the love with you readers as we go along.

Today I am talking about pattern. I am admittedly a sucker for monochromatic rooms, which is made pretty clear throughout my designs. It is in fact a bit of a push for me to go over the top with color. Something that we will start seeing more of  in coming design trends is pattern play in rooms. These rooms expertly mix funky prints with colors and textures giving you a visually interesting room. It is a bit of a throw back vibe and an ode to the days of Warhol and all things psychedelic, and when done right these rooms are so inspirational that even a girl like me can't help but to love them. 

To do pattern play well, I suggest having something that can ground your different colors and prints such as a pillow, rug or chair and it is nice to thrown in a few neutrals just so that things don't get too out of hand. Here is a board I created to show you how you can bring pattern in to your own spaces.

Sources: Rug : Art : End Tables : Love Seat : Coffee Table : Table Lamps : Accent Chair : Ottoman : Floral Pillow : Chevron Pillow : Hanging Lamp

Notice how with a few varying prints and colors that play off each other this room works? I could see this working with even see more pattern through a wall paper, more pillows and window treatments, but regardless it's an idea that I'm loving. 

Here are some other examples of pattern play in decor. 

This trend also translates well in to fashion as seen in this outfit by Olivia Palermo with these the floral pants and contrasting animal printed heels. Though these two couldn't be more different, they work flawlessly together.

 

For me this style is a definite must and I'm sure you will see some of this coming in to my spaces. 

What do you think? Are you liking the mixed patterns at play in this funky style, or do you prefer calm monochromatic spaces?