Project Sneak Peek, The Man Room Baby!

Helloooooo there,

So it's a bit here and there with the posting lately and all I can say is I'm sorry. I can't begin to tell you how busy I've been. I LITERALLY dream of a week on an island preferably with not many people on it (if any) in a home with open shutters and drapes of white slightly blowing in the wind while I look out over sunny blue skies and beautiful crystal waters.......Is it just me?!

On to my project. The happenings of lately are construction and demo of interior walls, adjustments to the doors and iron work, kitchen cabinets and bathrooms finalized, lighting schemes and design happening, paint, paint, and more paint, the newly added modern stair case of iron and glass coming soon. Hmmm, did I miss anything other than my mind? Needless to say, it's a biggie.

Today I'll share with you what a bachelor does with his formal living room. He makes it a man room, complete with amazing desks, cabinets, a bar cart (of coarse) and seating to have cocktails in at the day's end.

Here's where I'm at so far.

**You'll note the lighting is option B from the dining room scheme. I loved it so much that I found another place for it;)

The whole concept if you remember in this home is a global vibe with modern touches. Some of the elements here have a bit of a lived in feel such as the amazing weathered desk and the copper punched pendant lights.

I'm then adding some modern touches with things like the white leather and chrome desk chair,

and an industrial vibe with the stainless steel kitchen cart turned bar

which might I add is a bit of a deal with it's modest price of only $179.

And, how could any room by me be without some touch or nod to mid century style? Barcelona chairs anyone?!!!

The room is then being finished off with walls and ceilings done in the perfect shade of "greige". Mmmm. This is an example of how different styles, textures, elements and colors can be so different but also be compatible at the same time.

What do you think? Could you see yourself with a nice glass of wine, or perhaps for you men out there a glass of scotch with the Sky Fall theme song playing in the background?

This Or That, Dining Room Lighting

Good morning,

I have been working extensively on creating a space for my client that reflects his global and masculine tastes while still working in some chic modern and mid century pieces.

Every now and then I will come across a room that has the ability to use 2 of some item, in this case lighting and I have to narrow it down and choose one. The lucky part is that it is so much easier to do this for someone else than it is in my own home. In this case, my client likes both, I like both, and yet I have to chose just one :/

Here are 2 different schemes for my client's dining room with the 2 different choices for lighting.

Option A: Copper Punched Pendant Lights

In this first room I have these AMAZING copper hole punched pendant lights which I would hang 3 down the center of the tray ceiling. They are quite stunning and have that feeling of something unique and one of a kind which I love! At 16" around, they are definitely going to make a statement especially when paired with the imported teak dining table that's trestled on top of the most amazing chrome support legs. This room is a good example of having something very rustic and raw and mixing it with modern chairs and these industrial wine racks. The lightness of the art, the chairs and the curtains make this room work especially when mixed with the dark pendant lights and the wine racks. It's a good blend of light vs dark and rustic vs polished. 

Option B: Clear Globe Pendant Fixtures

In this second option I am simply changing the lighting fixture to a linear fixture that has 5 clear glass pendants that you can stagger in height. I would hang 2 of them as shown so that they cascade down the center of the table providing ample light. When put on a dimmer I could see the magic of such a simple lighting option which reminds me of how simple white candle light twinkles and the affect that has on the mood of a room and then of coarse the memories made in that room. This option also works because it is neutral and takes up little visual space. It is the more modern option of the two.

 

 Lighting, Option A                                                                      Lighting, Option B

So that's where I'm at on the dining room. Two seemingly perfect spaces, but with differing options for lighting. What do you think?! Be my pretend client for the day and share your thoughts on the lighting options for this global dining room.

P.S. Happy Monday!

Project Sneak Peek: Inspiration Boards

Good morning,

I've been working for a while now on my Global Affair project that I posted about last week. It is such a treat to work on something a bit different for me and therefor becomes refreshing creatively speaking. I'm going to start sharing with you some of the mood boards as I go along while things are still in the construction phases just to give you a glimpse at what's to come....i.e. exciting stuff!

Here is a look at the newly defined foyer.

Similar Chair here

Console table Silvano Console Table  

                                                           Similar mirror found here

                                                      Wood accent bowl found here

The main inspiration for this home is global and minimal with modern touches, and it definitely has a masculine lived in feel to it. Here are some ideas for more foyers with a global feel to them.

Sometimes good design requires restraint which means you have to pull in the reigns for it to be successful.  I am making a statement with simple accessories and statement pieces such as the extra long console table and the amazing high back Chinese antique chair. This particular chair is over 150 years old from China. I absolutely love it and was beyond  thrilled to discover that my client LOVES it just as much!  This is more a piece of art and not a part of today's mass produced Chinese goods. Global design should have these details. Don't you just love a good story being told through some unique item? It doesn't matter if it is told through art, a unique piece of furniture or some vintage score having unique pieces in your home with give it character and life. Don't be afraid of thrift stores, or Indonesian importers. Seek them out and find your own treasures that will take your home to the next level, now that's what I'm talkin about!