Very Stylish 2011 At-a-Glance Calendars–Download Free

Still haven’t found the perfect at-a-glance calendar for 2011? Check out these Fresh & fun calendars by Red Stamp. With five fabulous designs to pick from, you are sure to find one that works for your kitchen, office or bulletin board. Simply print out the calendar on a standard 8 1/2 x 11” paper. I also love the idea of framing it!

Best of all… Red Stamp is letting us download them for free! Just go here. Thanks Red Stamp!

#1 {the Preppy Chevron in navy + coral} is my fav. What’s yours?

Friday Find: Chic Lacquer Desk Set

Now that you have organized the desk drawer, how about the desk’s surface? A desk set can be a great solution to help tame office supplies and paper clutter on the desk top. Today’s Friday Find is the modern, high-gloss lacquer desk set from West Elm. Isn't it chic?

The office set includes a magazine holder, trinket tray, paper tray, pencil cup and desk tray. Available in sleek white or vibrant peridot, items can be individually purchased to mix & match or coordinate with what you already own. It’s an easy way to update your desk's look with a touch of glam! 

Happy Friday and Happy Organizing!

Design Blogger Series: What Would You Do?

After a fun and well received first Design Blogger Series: What Would You Do? , today I have invited four more fabulous interior design bloggers to participate in the second version.  Laura Casey of Laura Casey Interiors, Emily A. Clark,  Janell Beals of Isabella and Max Rooms, and Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8 were each asked to design a look around the White Lacquer  Desk from Pieces by incorporating four or so  home décor items of their choosing. This chic  desk features X base legs, lucite pulls and two drawers for great storage was simply a starting point as each designer created a unique vignette giving us a glimpse into their personal style.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based designer, Laura Casey of Laura Casey Interiors chose to use the desk as a vanity for a sophisticated and classic dressing area off of a master bedroom. Laura said, “It's just the spot where a woman would want to get ready in the morning.” As a backdrop Laura covers the walls in Bamboo Flower wallpaper by Colefax & Fowler. A fresh Matisse Armchair by Bungalow 5 is selected for the vanity; The leaf patterned back is a beautiful compliment to the Chinoiserie wallpaper. Laura places a glamorous  round crushed Kabibi shell mirror from Made Goods with a soft ruffle over vanity.  The Crackled Fishtail Vase Lamp by Vaughan add just the right pop of color and additional task lighting to the space. An elegant Waterford crystal ring holder and perfume bottle are the perfect finishing pieces.

Emily A. Clark {with a blog under the same name} is also based in Charlotte, North Carolina. When she first saw this desk, she immediately envisioned her dream office--a really glam design studio in the big city. Emily paired the desk with modern pieces that are both sophisticated and feminine.  “I love a bold, graphic rug {Moresque Coral} and would soften it a bit by using an updated damask fabric in black {Calico Corners}, white and gray for ceiling-to-floor curtain panels” she explained.  Emily selected a really sleek Colin Cowie chair in a shantung fabric and top off the look with a sparkly drum pendant found at Lamps Plus.

Portland, Oregon-based designer, Janell Beals from Isabella and Max Rooms created an office using bold patterns and a bit of bright color. She started with a  strong graphic wallpaper, Leaves in Graphite by Schumacher because it’s traditional, yet modern. “Its gray and white color palette grounds the space.” said Janell. A Hot Pink Versa Rug by Madeline Weinrib brings in another bold pattern to the space and works because the scale is larger than the print on the wallpaper. The Nickel Plated Urn Lamp is classic, providing wonderful task and ambient lighting, while the black wrap chair from West Elm brings in a strong accent. Finally, Janell adds a fun punch of color with an orange lacquer tray by Jonathan Adler.

Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8, based in Southern California created a Chinoiserie chic office with the white lacquer desk. To Megan the desk is utilitarian, retro glam and therefore she selected a feminine backdrop - hand painted Chinoiserie wallpaper by Gracie Studio. “ I've been dying to use the Gracie wallpaper for awhile, and I love the way those organic lines look juxtaposed to the angular lines of the desk” said Megan. She repeated the juxtaposition in the lines of the faux bamboo regency mirror {eBay find} and the Frances Elkins Loop Chair from Todd Merrill Antiques.  The fabulous Antelope Ax  Carpet from Stark was selected because Megan said, “it’s a bit more subtle than the leopard.” The Chris Spitzmiller lamps add the perfect punch of color to the overall scheme.

Did you notice all designers used strong graphic wallpaper or rugs? The four chairs selected are wonderfully different too and seem to set the tone of each vignette. What elements do you like?

Thanks again to the four fabulous designers who participated today!

Home Office with White Lacquer Desk and Sunburst Clock

Okay, I am a little late to Kate of Centsational Girl's Where do you Blog Party? This is an older post, but shows my home office where I blog most days and where I purchased some of the pieces. 

It all started with this beautiful home office design by New York's Amanda Nisbet. The desk, the chair, the mirror layered bulletin board - I loved it all. First, I was on the hunt for just the right desk.

I found one that I liked and within budget at ZGallery - the white lacquer Jett Desk. As much as I loved the glass top in Nisbet's design, it just didn't have the storage needed and wouldn't hide computer electrical cords.
 

To keep the project within budget, I decided to make my own bulletin board from a large stretched canvas I picked up 40% off at Michaels. After gluing a series of cork squares to the canvas (also at Michaels), I wrapped it in solid Navy fabric that was staple-gunned to the back. Nickel nail head - 100s - were hand placed around the bulletin board to mimic a frame. It was a lot of work, but the result was worth it.

Then I was on the lookout for a sunburst mirror and was narrowing down my options when to my surprise I won a sunburst clock from Daily Decorator. Perfect!

Here is my home office today. I am loving my new desk and bulletin board. They look great with the new wall color - Benjamin Moore's November Rain. 

For additional seating, I added a bamboo and cane sofa with moss velvet cushions from McGuire. The gorgeous throw pillow in turquoise and chartreuse is from Anthropologie.

Now I am keeping my eyes out for a new task lamp for my desk - but don't tell my husband! Do you have any ideas?

 

A Tour of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's Penthouse - What a View

Talk about a room with a view. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's 20th-story penthouse condominium in the city's Russian Hill neighborhood has priceless views - Coit Tower, downtown, City Hall, the Bay Bridge and the crown jewel, the Golden Gate Bridge. Newsom hired San Francisco-based designer Michael Agins of Agins & Associates to transform and update the 1,800 square-foot, one bedroom and two bath 1930s Spanish Revival high-rise penthouse.

Here in the living room, Agins arranges the furniture to emphasis the room's fireplace and mantel focal point by centering the Holly Hunt sofa directly across and lining armchairs on either side. This creates a cozy and inviting place for the mayor and his new wife, Jennifer Siebel to converse with guests. Not wanting to detract from the period architecture and breathtaking views, the elegant arched windows are kept bare. The asymmetrical decor on the fireplace mantel is beautifully done. It would have been a great example in my recent article, Tips on Decorating the Fireplace Mantel.

The living room is anchored by a chocolate, cream and gold Moorish-inspired area rug by Oscar de la Renta. The rug's gold accents are beautifully picked up by the stunning mustard Portuguese armchairs from Heather & Company Antiques.

The small galley kitchen was opened up and modernized to accommodate large parties. Here is a view of the bar topped with Calcutta marble - it contrasts nicely with the rich brown walls and cabinetry. Agins brilliantly has the custom shelving behind the bar mimic the arched windows in the living room. The shelves are backed with mirrors - love this look!

In the media room just off the living and dining areas, Agins creates a dramatic statement with white leather lounge chairs from Minotti and sweet Twig table from House 849. Aren't those lounge chairs fabulous!

Here is a view of the media room from the living area. The dark chocolate-colored velvet Holly Hunt sofa and ottoman melt into the walls painted in Pratt & Lambert's dark brown. The color scheme really allows the urban art to pop.

The warm and elegant master bedroom is gorgeous in a dark green color scheme. The area rug by Kelly Wearstler and the headboard with nailhead are my favorite elements in the space.

On the wall opposite the bed, Agins hangs a collection of mirrors that reflect city views. A cozy wing chair with nailhead detail by Victoria Hagan is placed in the corner next to a window. The tree stump side table brings organic elements to the space.

With the mayor's wife in mind, a lighter color palette of gray was selected for the library. The lush velvet Holly Hunt sofa is beautifully framed by the floor length draperies in wool. The orange accents - throw pillow and books - are fabulous too!

But, now I am curious because the Newsoms just had a baby girl - Montana Tessa Siebel Newsom on September 18, 2009 - and where is she going to sleep? Do you think they converted the library to a nursery? In any case, she will have a fabulous view. And congratulations are in order to the new parents!

UPDATE: The penthouse was sold earlier this year for a reported $2,935,000. Read it here.

*images from Luxe Magazine

Designing My Office - Desk Selected

It all started with this gorgeous office by New York-based designer Amanda Nisbet and the Highbridge Desk by Ralph Lauren Home. I love this desk, but it would look too cluttered with my computer monitor, keyboard and all those cords visible underneath.

Then I saw this desk in a bedroom designed by Jamie Drake. The chic white desk with lucite base was a winner! Now, where to find it for less?

Drake's inspirational desk drew me to this sleek lucite desk at Pieces. That darn price-tag!

The polished nickel base caught my eye on this sleek Mason Wood Top Desk by Williams-Sonoma Home. Yet, the pricetag was still not in my budget.

Then I found this white lacquer Jett Desk at ZGallery. It's clean lines, nickel plated pulls and functional angled shelf was just what I was looking for to dress up my home office. The price was reasonable too - $449. I am looking forward to its arrival.

Now I am searching for a nickel starburst mirror like the one in the office designed by Amanda Nisbet. If you have a favorite, please let me know!

*images from Amanda Nisbet, decorati, ZGallery, Williams-Sonoma Home, Pieces

The King of Color - Jamie Drake NY Upper East Side Design

New York-based designer, Jamie Drake has been creating high-end interiors since his firm, Drake Design Associates launched in 1978. His A-list clients include Madonna and NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg. Drake is the king of color.

Drake's designs are world renowned for use of sophisticated color schemes and eclectic furnishings. To achieve harmony and balance in a room, he uses at least three colors.

Here's a tour of a luxurious skyrise home in New York on the Upper East Side designed by Drake. The living room and adjoining dining room's vivid color palette of orange, hot pink and blues is stunning.

The multi-color animal print rug grounds the room and pulls the color scheme together brilliantly. I love those throw pillow - orange & hot pink - yum!

Wow, orange walls. Orange is a "hot" color and promotes energy in a room. You typically see orange or red & yellow combinations in fast food restaurants because they want high turn-over rates and it encourages patrons to dine quickly. Here Drake boldly paints the dining room walls a bright orange. He adds blue and white to bring balance and promote a calming feeling.

An office fit for a queen. The color purple is associated with royalty. This intriguing color is the combination of opposites hot red and cool blue. In this room, Drake adds splashes of warm coral, neutral white and playful gold to the myriad of purples for a more feminine appeal. And my heart is racing - that glamorous white lacquer and lucite desk is a dream!

Drake uses a tetrad complementary color scheme - four colors that are equidistant on the color wheel - in this very playful child's room. This design is stylish and above all highly functional. Storage above and below the bed. I love it!!! The rainbow of colors painted in back of the shelves and in the "number" throw pillows are the best.

*images from Drake Design Associates

Home Office by Amanda Nisbet

I need to design a new home office and this one by Amanda Nisbet is gorgeous. I love the color scheme and fun modern elements. The Highbridge Desk by Ralph Lauren Home is stunning, but it lacks storage and I would be concerned about it getting too cluttered with all my lovely computer equipment. Soooo - I think I'll keep on looking for more inspiration.

Sources:
Desk ("Highbridge Desk'' #RF PRC810): Ralph Lauren Home.
Table lamp ("Terri Cone Medium Table Lamp'' in Crystal #TOB3053CG-NP): Circa Lighting.
Gold slinky on desk: Blue Tree NYC.
Silver sunburst mirror: John Koch Antiques.
Magnifier: Roost, trade only.
Bulletin board in nickel frame: Skyframe Inc.
Navy fabric on bulletin board ("Topaz''/Navy): Fabricut.
Chair (vintage): Amanda Nisbet Design.
Chair fabric ("Calypso''/Chartreuse): S. Harris.
Rug ("Nona Abaca Rug'' in color S2): The Natural Carpet Co.

*images from Amanda Nisbet