A New Pet For Me

On my most recent trip to Kuhl Linscomb, I fell in love with this guy. I think I could give him a great home:) Go to Moooi's site to see him.

Friday Favorite: Knoll For Kids

Ooh, I'm so excited about this! Modern design for kids from Knoll. I say down with plastic cartoon character furniture! Great design can be very fun and functional for the little ones too. Just don't leave magic markers around...if you know what I mean;-)

A Little Confession

From Domino and Sarahleeab

Those of you who read regularly know how I love to go on and on about simplicity and minimalism. Well, all that is true; but I do have a confession to make. I love, LOVE paisley patterns! Yeah! I mean paisley is about as opposite from minimalism as one can get, right? Just the word brings up images of stuffy British libraries or something. I know, but I still love it. The intricate patterns and color combinations have always intrigued me. They are sort of an optical illusion. Some of you are probably skeptical, so I found a few examples of modern ways to use such a traditional pattern. With large scale and modern colors, these paisleys are anything but stuffy:)

From Becky Barreto

Don't you just love this chair? I mean no one can object to paisley, when its coming from Anthropologie! This is just so yummy!

Local Event: Harbenger Duo @ DWR

Attention!
Houston readers don't miss Harbenger Duo's furniture line at Design Within Reach, tonight.
I'm so excited to see this cool line and to meet Audrey!
P.S. if you're there stop me and say hi:)

The Ultimate Flou Beds

This is my idea of the perfect bed.

The frame of the mattress is on a suspension system that lifts easily -- just hit the release button and it pops up with a light tug-- very ingeniously designed. The frame is separate from the head-board. Also, the enclosed space stays clean, unlike underneath a bed. Made in Italy by Flou

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.

Billy Baldwin's Slipper Chair

Probably no other piece has stood the test of time more than Billy Baldwin's classic and iconic Slipper Chair.  He was said to have designed it according to Mitchell Owen's article in the New York Times , for Pauline de Rothschild's  5' 9" lanky frame in mind thus making it easier for her to strike a pose and extend her long legs, and it also happens to be a a chair that men feel comfortable sitting in - which is not a small feat.

Billy Baldwin's most famous piece his slipper chair is show in some photos below.

Bill Baldwin Slipper Chair / House Beautiful November 1999

Slipper Chair Home and Design Winter 2002

Slipper Chairs House Beautiful October 1995

Slipper Chairs close-up detail

Slipper Chairs Veranda June 2002

Slipper Chair Elle Decor May 2001

Slipper chair in Billy Baldwin's apartment via Peak of Chic

Large Slipper chair & Dining Room Slipper Chair by Ventry

You can read more about Billy Baldwin.  His book is being reissued on Amazon February 2009 and is available for pre-order.

Patricia Gray writes about emerging trends, her inspirations, and "What's HOT" in the world of Design, as well as sneak peaks of her work.. 
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Yes, Please!

I would love to have some of these furniture pieces! The amazing texture is achieved by painting directly onto the fabric. It is made by an artist and furniture designer named Draga Obradovic.

Found via Labour of Heart.

Phillipe Starck's Robinwood Deluxe Collection.

I dropped by the Houston Decorative Center the other day, and this furniture collection really caught my eye. Its actually outdoor furniture, that is to die for! I love its ingenious combination of teak and aluminum.

Ottomans, Benches, Foot Stools, Hassocks

Ottomans have become a favourite of mine to use in family/media rooms and dens. I like using them for several reasons. First and foremost they serve as the indispensable coffee table. I like to make mine with tight tops and rather flat as opposed to padded with a pillow effect. This way you can set things on top of them without worrying about them toppling over. Secondly you can comfortably set your feet on them and be in a semi-reclining position to watch TV, read or maybe even fall asleep. Thirdly I can have them made any size to fit the requirements of the room. This is a real benefit because large coffee tables are hard to find and are more costly than having an ottoman custom designed for the space. In the space below the ottoman is made out of deep chocolate brown faux Ostrich. This family has two young daughters and they use the ottoman to color on and do their craft projects and have snacks. Spills can be wiped up easily, and the deep brown faux ostrich adds and a nice textural interest and makes a dramatic center focal point for the room.

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Roger Brooks

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Roger Brooks
These ottomans (in the same house as the photo above) go against my tight top rule, but who couldn't resist sitting down in this den and putting your feet up on a down filled leather pillow top ottoman.

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Roger Brooks

This ottoman is large by ottoman standards 5 feet by 3 1/2 feet. It is covered in Holly Hunt, Hair on Hide Leather, in a creamy butterscotch color. It was made long so 3 people sitting on the sofa could all put their feet up on it, and I made it deep enough to that there was still room at the back for the inevitable books, magazines, remote controls and trays for snacks and drinks. It also doubles as extra seating for parties. What coffee table has that much versatility?

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Gary Beale
The Ottoman in this penthouse I had made in charcoal gray Beacon Hill "Pashmina". It is soft and luxurious like a Cashmere blanket and makes a nice warming contrast to the leather sofa. It sits on top of the same color of Belgium wool area carpet. Facing the sofa is the view with the TV hung and framed between the windows. Where else do you put the TV in a room that is all windows & view.

Patricia Gray Inc. Photo Gary Beale

Below are some more designs for ottomans, benches, foot stools, and hassocks that I like.

Madeline Stuart Greek Key Ottoman Tangier Hassock by Michael Berman

Stressing!

Hey everyone! I've been having a lot of technical difficulties w/ my internet, so I haven't posted all the things I wanted. I'm feeling a little frustrated. I would love to be here.

Dallas Trip Part 2: Shopping in Flip-Flops.

Okay, I'm finally back with the second post. Brace yourselves, because I have a crazy amount of pictures. I planned this trip in more detail than normal, but when I arrived; everything fell apart. We checked in to our hotel Fri. afternoon and were hanging out, when I realized that I forgot to pack ANY shoes! The only shoes I had were the ones on my feet...red flip-flops. What a disaster! I mean, my pedicure didn't even look good w/ red. (The next day, I realized I forgot to pack Liam's shirts too. Until I bought him some more, he walked around in his pajama shirt). Despite, my lack of proper footwear, I decided to stick with my shopping plans.
First, I stopped at Grange Hall.
I can honestly say, that I was excited to go and I wasn't disappointed. This is a must see for anyone visiting Dallas.

The showroom has amazing lighting, and very unique merchandise. I've never seen anything quite like it. I was sucked in by the mysterious and moody feel.

Mecox Gardens.
I could just move right in to this showroom. Everything is perfect.

The Gypsy Wagon
This is a fun place for accessories with Texas flair.

Directly next door to the Gypsy Wagon, is one of my favorite new finds. Again and Again Consignment Furniture, is a vintage lover's dream. Besides being filled with all kinds of mid-century treats, they can customize every piece to your liking.

This lively green painting, was one of my favorite pieces. I had one of those funny flashback moments when I saw it. I think I've seen one like it sometime in my life, but I'm not sure.

Sometime ago Joni wrote a post about shopping at Tory Burch. I've never been there, so it was on my to-do list. But, like a lot of my trip; things didn't work out. I got there about 45 minutes too late! Nooo! I stood outside peering in through the windows; it was so sad. Here is a tip for anyone visiting Dallas, don't show up after 6:00 p.m. or on Sundays. You will be very disappointed. In my defense, I get to see all the shops because my trip was also a mini family reunion. I think I was trying to fit in a few too many things. Overall, my family and I had a great time.