Thursday, April 30, 2009

The Cool Room

I'm feeling inspired by an Australian furniture store called "The Cool Room".
This is a guy after my own heart. He started collecting quirky and unique
objects since childhood and now shares them with the world.

This reminds me of being a kid and begging my mom to buy vintage jewelry and 1950's dinette sets.
Not that she usually listened to me, except for the jewelry. I collected vintage earrings, rings, and
necklaces that I would wear while still in elementary school. The funny thing is, to this day;
my jewelry is collected in the exact same manner!

15 Top Posts on Color Trends

Hover mouse over picture to see title.
Click on picture to go to post.

Turquoise Aquamarine Farrow & Ball Launch 18 New Colors Beige IS Magic

The Color Purple The Best Yellows Think Pink

Color of the Year - Mimosa Blue the new Black The Color Orange

Turquoise Bliss Back to Black White Bedrooms

Beautiful Brown Benjamin Moore Virtual Fan Deck Green Chic






Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Inside Grey Gardens

I know Grey Gardens is all over blog land,
but I had to join in.




The dilapidated mansion was sold in 1979 after the death of Big Edie Beale.
Before setting out to renovate the house, the new owner took the time to document what was
left behind. The New York Times is showing this collection of photos to the public for the first time.
They are not just a look into a homes interior but into the minds of its former owners.

Interview on All The Best

The following is an interview posted today on me by Ronda Carman on her fabulous Blog: All The Best Profile: Patricia Gray by Ronda Carman

I adore the words of Jan de Luz, "Style…isn’t something that you apply like hand cream. It comes from within, as an emanation from your own being.” Vancouver based interior designer Patricia Gray is the perfect case in point. For those of us who follow her blog, we are well versed in Patricia’s inimitable style. Her designs are both studied and precise, while being completely livable and inviting. It is one of the main reasons Patricia never fails to excite and inspire. As I have alluded to numerous times, my design tastes run the spectrum. Patricia’s timeless and classic designs, with an undeniable modern edge, are the perfect prescription for my neuroses. Patricia received her training at the Parson's School of Design in Paris. She is a member of the Inter-Society Color Council of New York, the National Council for Interior Design, the Interior Designers of Canada and a certified Feng-Shui practitioner. Patricia's portfolio includes feature projects throughout the US and Canada, as well as in Japan, Singapore and Africa. A few notable design clients include John Travolta and Rob Feenie.



How would you describe your design style?
I like furniture to have good lines, rooms to have good ‘bones',
juxtaposition of good antiques and artwork with modern design.

What inspires your creativity and designs? Travel, being around young people, the ocean and the desert.

What is your most prized possession? I don’t know if you could call her a ‘possession” but my 4 ½ pound Yorkshire Terrier, Nicole.



What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
My cup of coffee in the morning.

Who are your style icons?
Interior Designers: Michael Taylor, Andree Putman, Antonio Citterio Fashion: Coco Chanel, Dianna Vreeland

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
The great Albert Hadley.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Travel. The best holiday I ever gave myself was a cruise from Rio to Barcelona.
10 days at sea crossing the Atlantic. It was the most relaxing time I have ever had. Nowhere to go, nothing to do….eat, sleep, eat some more.




What is your idea of earthly happiness? Clients that allow me be creative.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
My Mother for nurturing my creativity in childhood. My Father for teaching me good values: integrity, self reliance, and perseverance.

Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day? The dowager Queen Noor of Jordan. I have admired her for years from a TV interview with Larry King. Her style and humanitarianism left an indelible impression on me. However she would like to spend it!!

Profile by Ronda Carman
To see this interview in full visit All The Best and please leave a comment for Ronda.
Thank-you Ronda!!!
Photos by Roger Brooks

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

Many Thanks!

Over the last couple of weeks the photos of my most recent house stalking excursion,
have traveled around the web. I wanted to say a quick thanks to those of you who
posted my photos and a quick hello to all the new bloggers I've met.
I love finding so many new blogs, including several of which are from Houston!
P.S. I thought I would share one more little treat from this amazing house!

Friday, April 24, 2009

What I Saw Today: Consignment Store Shopping.

I actually saw this yesterday, but didn't get it posted on time.
Anyway, I was making my regular trip to the Guild Shop and saw a lot of great pieces.
First, I found a couple pairs of shoes that I fell in love with! Unfortunately, no matter
how much I tried, they were both the wrong size:(


These were calling me from across the room! I know what some of you are thinking,
but I did NOT buy more chairs. Honest! Anyway, Mark would kill me if I brought
more chairs home.



These may be the coolest find of all! Vintage dental cabinets. Dental or Dentists'? Not sure.
Aren't they are amazing?! I have to say, I have rarely seen pieces like these.
Except they ranged from $700.00 to $900.00. That was a little rich for me.
So, I didn't buy anything but I did enjoy seeing all these little treasures.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Be Faithful to Your Own Taste.....Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

I thought the above quote by Billy Baldwin was very fitting to describe the exclusive outdoor furniture collection which was originally created by Walter Lamb for Brown Jordan in the mid-1940s. Just after World War II, the furniture designer Walter Lamb, began experimenting with bronze and copper tubing salvaged from sunken naval ships at Pearl Harbor and constructing prototypes incorporating canvas and yacht roping. The result was a collection defined by it's sculptural curves, sturdy construction and superb comfort. Today, Walter Lamb's furniture is still as timeless as ever and is still handcrafted to Lamb’s rigorous specifications by Brown Jordan. For modern use Brown Jordan has replaced the bronze pipe with weatherproof brass, which over time will develop a rich patina. Vintage pieces of Lamb's are now selling at starting prices of $5,000.00. Which goes to prove that nothing that is well designed and well crafted is 'ever out of style'.

Walter Lamb Brown Jordan

Walter Lamb Brown Jordan


Walter Lamb Brown Jordan Walter Lamb Brown Jordan

Left: Vintage 1940's Walter Lamb Brown Jordan Rocking chaise in bronze, canvas and yacht roping.
Right: Vintage 1940's Walter Lamb Brown Jordan Bronze chaise rewebbed in cotton yacht cord.

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

minimalistic furniture - minimalistic interior

minimalistic furniture

minimalistic interior

minimalistic furniture

Tessa wrote us with a design dilemma hoping we could offer some help: “I am writing to you now with a problem of my own. We live in a beautiful 19th century mansion in Washington, DC. It is gorgeous and wonderful, but we rent it and are not allowed to paint any of the rooms. I am about to move into a different bedroom that is gorgeous, but painted one of my least favorite colors- burgundy.

minimalistic Bedroom

I hate burgundy! I tend to lean toward super bright hues (oranges, yellows, apple greens, etc.) when I decorate, and I am wondering (and hoping) that you guys might have some suggestions of what could possibly look good with this awful dark mess. Anything I have tried makes the room look like either a men’s smoking lounge or a cheesy Victorian salon. I haven’t seen you post many pics of burgundy rooms, so I thought you might have some cool ones hiding somewhere. Please help me out.”

Получерminimalistic bedroom

It’s cool, it’s chic, it’s artsy and classic. In fact, decades after the “minimal look” first appeared on the design scene, it continues to be a favorite among designers, architects and homeowners. Minimal furniture (and the fewest number of knick-knacks possible) can do exactly the opposite of what you might imagine. Instead of drab and sad, a minimal space can look high-impact and dramatic. Architectural details and features suddenly pop out.

home interior

Light shines through. Somehow, an uncluttered space suggests abundance and affluence (or at least good taste) rather than paucity or scarcity. A minimal home is like a woman who resists slathering on makeup. She knows that no matter how beautiful she is, too much make-up will only call attention to the make-up, not her beauty.

minimalistic bedroomminimalistic bedroom

Many of us already know this instinctively, and that’s what keeps minimalism so popular through the decades. But some of us who have accepted the philosophy of minimalism are grappling with a different question: how can we achieve a minimal look that still works for daily life? Can minimal be clean and chic, but cozy and comfortable too?


1. Choose furnishings with the utmost care. If you’re going for minimal, every piece of furniture you own has to be functional, comfortable AND beautiful. You can’t waste space with a chair that is comfortable and ugly, or with a sofa that is beautiful but uncomfortable. Every stick of furniture in your home must fulfill the twin requirements of function and beauty.

teen room minimalistic bedroom  interiorteen room minimalistic bedroom interior

2. Don’t abandon decorative touches. Yes, a woman may wear minimal make-up but she’s usually doing herself no favors if she wears none at all. Small, carefully selected decorative touches can have a special impact in a minimalist space. A single painting, a dramatic houseplant, an interesting pendant lamp, a beautiful rug, can warm up a home without seeming overdone or cluttered.

minimalistic bedroom interior

3. Make use of built-ins. You love minimalism but you have plenty of books. How do you handle them? The secret: incorporate plenty of built-ins that can stand in for furniture. So if you have books, opt for built-in book shelves. If you love television but you don’t want a lot of audio-video equipment cluttering your home, think about a built-in projector. Built-ins can include dining nooks, window seats, built-in couches and chairs, and storage units. In the room above, built-in shelves provide a space for books without interfering with the pared down look of the room.

4. Go multi-functional. Everything in your home needs to do double-duty. A coffee table needs to function not just as a place to set a coffee mug, but as a storage unit for books, magazines or toys. A couch needs to function as seating, but also possibly as a bed for guests. Chairs should be light and mobile enough to function as seating for long conversations, or as theatre seating for television viewing. If furniture can’t serve more than one purpose, it shouldn’t be in your home.

5. Pay special attention to materials. It’s hard to fudge mistakes in minimal homes. For instance, we’ve heard of homes with beautiful concrete floors that can’t be cleaned without getting stained. That’s not functional or beautiful. So when you choose flooring, countertops and fixtures, make sure you choose resistant, hard-wearing materials that can stand daily wear and tear, because after all, not much can be swept under the rug in a minimal home.

6. Relax the rules, just a bit. Let’s say you’re afraid that a minimalist home will feel bleak and colorless. Well, feel free to break a few rules! Introduce colorful ethnic rugs in your space, or a fluffy flokati pillow. In the kitchen below, a few measured decorative touches — like throw pillows and house plants — counterpoint the crisp modern laminate cabinets. A few unexpected twists will make your decor feel fresh.

Florida Bedroom Interior Designersbedroom interior source: http://www.jdesigngroup.com/

7. Tweak your home as time goes on. You may start off with a completely minimalist home, and find that over time, more treasured objects make their way into your space. Or you may start off with a cluttered home, and slowly eliminate unnecessary objects. Whatever tack you take, maintaining a home that really works is always a process calling for constant reevaluation: is an object worthy of bringing into your home? Will it serve a purpose? Is it beautiful enough? Is it comfortable enough? If you think carefully as you furnish a minimalist home you will find its possible to make a simple interior lively, eclectic and comfortable, too.

Blend of Style- Home interiors

Home interiors Home interior

As an interor designer and artist Gary Decker creates a unique blend of style. Gary Decker adopts a professional approach in all his home interor design assignments and that involves his clear understanding of the expectations of each of his clients.

Home interior

Luxury Home

Once Decker gets a clear vision of what his client needs, he provides them with various design and decor options. Gary Decker’s ideas are unimaginable and he specializes in providing interior designs suited to the different situations and varying budgets of the customer.

master bedroom5 Modern Master Bedroom Ideas with Pictures

Luxury Home interiors

master bedroom Modern Master Bedroom Ideas with PicturesLuxury Home interior
picture source: freshome.com

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

April Showers Bring May Flowers.



It seems like we haven't had much of a Spring time around here.
In this part of the world we're used to feeling Spring by late February:)
Oh well, I'll take it whenever I can get it. These pretty photos put me
in the mood even more!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Michael Taylor Interior Design

Patricia Gray Michael Taylor Interior Design

I recently received Michael Taylor's new book, Michael Taylor Interior Design. As most of you who read my Blog know, I was greatly influenced my Michael in my formative years in Design School. Not much has been published on his work outside of a few articles in Architectural Digest, so this has been a highly awaited book for me. Michael Taylor was dubbed the "James Dean of Interior Design" by Diana Vreeland and "the best decorator in the United States " by society and fashion photographer Cecil Beaton. Michael Taylor revolutionized interior design in the 1970's and 1980's with the "California Look". Taylor brought the outdoors inside with neutral palettes, natural light, large-scale furniture, and organic elements, especially stone, slate, wicker, and plants. His interiors expressed his love and appreciation of California and the outdoors. They were casual, comfortable, uncomplicated, and free of clutter. So much of what he created, we now take for granted, but he started it all.

Michael Taylor Interior Design

Taylor believed that nature was man's best friend. His first shop was located in San Francisco and a notable neighbour on the same 500 block of Sutter Street was Williams-Sonoma (circa 1956). Taylor was particularly taken with the imported oyster baskets that were originally used to transport oysters from the coast of France to Paris. Their heavy natural weave appealed to Taylor. They had a profound effect on him. He began to use them as vessels for towering plants and trees - fishtail palms, ficus, and Zimmer linden - creating a look that became fundamental to his interiors. He believed that plants prevent "a room from feeling over-decorated", "soften the light" and "help a room breathe and feel alive" and thus initiated "the plant in a basket craze" with these baskets that he purchased from his neighbour - Williams-Sonoma back in 1956.

Michael Taylor Interior Design

Above: The San Francisco penthouse Taylor designed for Al Wilsey and Pat Montondon, circa early 1980s. Michael Taylor Designs archives

Taylor was a proponent of white walls and ceilings. His interiors glowed with a specially formulated "Michael Taylor White". (Never pure white "Michael Taylor White" was a mixture of warm colors with a beige tone.) Although Taylor's rooms were known for their neutral palette, he always "advocated a strong secondary color and repetitive use of printed fabrics for a 'certain purity' and bold unified effect." He also clarified that "There is a tremendous amount of color in my rooms, but there are not many colors." In his formative years of his career he came to idolize the renowned decorator Francis Elkins (1888-1953), who has been quoted as being "one of the guiding forces in the whole development of what is the American style today". Taylor saw himself as Elkin's greatest disciple, and he believed completely in her genius. Michael Taylor died at the young age of 59 at the prime of his career. His work and the "California Look" that he invented continue to influence interior design today. The forward in this book is written by his good friend Rose Tarlow, herself a Design Icon in her own lifetime.

Francis Elkins Michael Taylors MentorRose Tarlow The Private House

Michael Taylor was known for his extravagant shopping marathons which are legendary. When Taylor entered a shop, he always paused at its threshold and scanned the entire showroom. He had the reputation of being able to home in quickly and precisely on the finest pieces of inventory. He "never forgot beautiful things. He constantly absorbed everything he saw and banked it as a source of reference." He imparted his depth of sensitivity to his clients, and made them aware that "it's got to sing and talk back to you, and be A plus, plus if it crosses the threshold" of your house. At Taylor's death in 1987 he had amassed an enormous trove of beautiful objects. Their was an auction of 1355 lots, including his clothes, books and orchids. The following is the official auction catalogue with several color photographs of the furniture and objects in their rooms and in place in the garden with a nice foreword by Paige Rense, Editor-in-Chief of Architectural Digest. I got my copy from the Bill Hall at High Valley Books.

The Estate of Michael Taylor

Interesting Statistic: House and Garden magazine devoted a record eighteen covers and more than one hundred articles to his work over a period of thirty years.

Previous posts on Michael Taylor: Michael Taylor - Good Design is Timeless David Ward Artist for Michael Taylor
Top photo Patricia Gray

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog