East Coast to West Coast - Design Talk at High Point

"East Coast to West Coast Design via High Point Market"

From NY to LA, America's top Designers, Bloggers, & Editors discuss their latest projects, inspiration & what's hot in their part of the world today. That is what this fabulous group of design savvy woman (and I :-) will be sharing during our talk in the middle of the hustle and bustle of High Point Market this Saturday.

Are you headed to High Point? It is 6 days of EXTREME design scouting..buying..and sourcing for the world's leading interior designers, retailers, and editors and bloggers. It is a city. It is impossible to see it all, and I have had the privilege to attend as both a designer and speaker on many occasions and still get those nervous butterflies each time as I prepare to go. It is the anticipation of knowing that I will indeed be unable to see it all but oh boy am I going to try!!

So who are these women that will be sharing their experience of the design industry as seen from across the country?





Robin Baron, is the interior designer and lifestyle expert behind  www.SimplifyingFabulous.com Blog, and is the President of ASID NY Metro Chapter. 

With a wide range of experience in design, while appearing on HGTV and the like, I first met Robin when we were both V&M Insiders right at the very beginning of this blog!

and Robin was also a designer for the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island (although not the same year as I) but her room was pretty fabulous!

Robin Baron for Ronald McDonald House of Long Island

Jeanne Chung is an interior designer based in Pasadena, California and the founder/editor of www.CozyStylishChic.com design blog. She's known for her classic yet fresh and modern design aesthetic and is one of this market's Style Spotters! Her life in various countries, her experience in Fashion for nearly 20 years spending much of that time in Bali. 

Hand Rendering - Jeanne Chung

With both fashion and design degrees, Jeanne shares her multifaceted style with her design clients through some pretty fabulous hand renderings and now able to find her at her new shop in Old Town Pasadena! make sure to visit.

Paloma Contreras of www.LaDolceVitablog.com is an interior decorator, & award winning blogger based in Houston, Texas, with a modern take on traditional style. 

From the widely popular La Dolce Vita blog, that Paloma started in 2007 through to her most recently opening her own design firm, she has counted on numerous successes such as being named as House Beautiful's New Wave Designer. 

Paloma Contreras Design

Last but not least, I will be on this panel sharing all the fun I have had learning about design on both coasts of the US.

Well hopefully you all read my blog (because here you are!) and know that I am also an Editor @ Large for California Home + Design magazine focusing on Southern California..

But did you also know that I too have had a design business since 1999?? And that the business has had offices in Portugal .. New York.. and now based in Newport Beach.

Well, it is true.
I have been blessed to work on both commercial design such as spas and hotels..

Mehditash Design: 2014 (john Gruen)

Mehditash Design: 2014 (John Gruen)

as well as residential design with now a stronger emphasis on designing homes in California.
So if you are reading this and have a home in California, reach out today and let's make some design magic happen together!

and a huge thanks and shout out of congratulations goes to the ANTIQUES & DESIGN CENTER and Amanda Kinney as they celebrate their 5th year.

A must visit stop on anyone's tour of High Point market. It is home to a wide variety of vintage

Tuesdays on the Boulevard
Antique & Design Center

and antique sources

Nancy Price Home - Antique & Design Center

that allow every designer to create those unique and one of kind schemes that our clients desire.



So join us and make sure to follow along on my Instagram account #decaporterfinds as I share all the goodies I spot during market.

Saturday, October 17  --  1:30pm - at the Antique & Design center

"East Coast to West Coast Design via High Point Market"

Home Theaters - Examples in Design

Furniture layout and design planning today for us designers is all about taking into consideration the way we live and how we all have evolved as a culture. Part of our daily challenges is helping our clients bring together both AWESOME design and style (of course!) but also function, which is something I refer to plenty on my design posts.

The thrill of tailoring each and every room, not only bedroom, to my clients desires and needs is what makes our job exciting. No two days will ever be alike.

So what is the best use of our space? Do we adhere to the traditional separated dining room and living rooms areas, with all their formality while they remain unused throughout most of the year but are what our real estate agents expect from us?
Or, do we break free from those restraints and use each and every inch of our homes the way we live, with open kitchen/dining/living floor plan combinations and spacious family and TV - Home Theater Rooms?

These are only but a few examples of some of the Media - Home Theater rooms that have been filling my inspiration boards as I help my clients create their dream family room..
Which is your favorite?


Traditional Media Room by Chantilly Home Media Design & Installation Encore Custom Audio Video

Contemporary Media Room by Freeland Kitchen & Bath Designers Designtech Custom Interiors

Contemporary Media Room by Costa Mesa Architects & Designers Brandon Architects, Inc.

Contemporary Media Room by Bethesda Architects & Designers SBK Partnership, LLC - ARCHITECTURE

Contemporary Media Room by Montclair Architects & Designers Maxey Hayse Design Studios, Inc

Traditional Media Room by San Francisco Architects & Designers Sutro Architects

Traditional Media Room by Naples Architects & Designers Stofft Cooney Architects

Mediterranean Media Room by Solon Design-Build Firms Palmieri Builders

Contemporary Media Room by Newport Beach General Contractors Prestige Builders

Contemporary Media Room by Bellevue Architects & Designers Gelotte Hommas Architecture

Traditional Media Room by Raleigh Interior Designers & Decorators Steiner Design Interiors

Eclectic Media Room by Denver Home Media Design & Installation Colorado Media Systems

Media Room by Toronto Home Media Design & Installation Intainium Home Cinemas

Contemporary Media Room by Des Plaines Schools and Organizations National Association of the Remodeling Industry

Modern Media Room by El Segundo Architects & Designers Rockefeller Partners Architects

Modern Media Room by El Segundo Architects & Designers Rockefeller Partners Architects

Contemporary Media Room by Milwaukee Architects & Designers Deep River Partners

Modern Basement

Traditional Basement by Harrisburg Interior Designers & Decorators Custer Design Group

Contemporary Media Room by Victoria Photographers Joshua Lawrence Studios INC

Contemporary Media Room by Bethesda Home Media Design & Installation Bethesda Systems

Contemporary Media Room by Atlanta Kitchen & Bath Fixtures Insidesign

Contemporary Media Room by Bethesda Architects & Designers SBK Partnership, LLC - ARCHITECTURE

Asian Media Room by Kamuela Interior Designers & Decorators Willman Interiors / Gina Willman, ASID

Contemporary Media Room by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Clark Gaynor Interiors

Contemporary Media Room

Modern Media Room by New Canaan General Contractors Jablonski Associates

Traditional Media Room by Salt Lake City Interior Designers & Decorators Harman Wilde

Traditional Basement by Duluth Design-Build Firms John Willis Homes

Contemporary Spaces by Costa Mesa Architects & Designers Brandon Architects, Inc.

Contemporary Media Room by Scottsdale Architects & Designers Swaback Partners, pllc

Contemporary Media Room by Los Angeles Home Media Design & Installation Bliss Home Theaters & Automation, Inc

Contemporary Media Room by San Diego Interior Designers & Decorators Blackbird Interiors

Contemporary Media Room by London Architects & Designers Hill Mitchell Berry Architects

Rustic Kids by Breckenridge Architects & Designers Gunson Custom Mountain Architects

Vote Dec-a-Porter - Homies on Apartment Therapy

Have you heard about Apartment Therapy??

Each year they curate a selection of blogs within different categories, and this year Dec-a-Porter has made the list for Best Home Design & Inspiration blog!

Love this blog?

Please share the love by voting here!

and now make sure to tell your friends, and ask them to tell their friends, and 

.. well, you get the idea! 

THANK YOU!

A Storybook Christmas Story - Bartow Pell Mansion

As many of you may remember, in May of this year, several of us bloggers banned together to help a local historical home win a fantastic grant to help restore their gardens...
Bartow Pell Mansion in the Bronx,  is one of the few remaining hidden jewels in this area and they are getting ready to spread the holiday cheer as they do every year.

What's different this year?


Lynn Byrne and the team from Bartow Pell have invited me, Tamara of Nest by Tamara Blog, Bryant Keller, among others, to decorate gorgeous 8 foot Christmas trees with a Storybook theme based on favorite children’s stories.



Fresh off the heals of my trip to London for BlogTour, how could I not choose a childhood favorite: "Paddington and the Christmas Surprise Storybook by Michael Bond" as the story to illustrate my Holiday decorations? It is the story of a lovable bear found in Paddginton Station in the heart of London and taken in by the Brown family, and all the mischief that he gets into with the children Jonathan and Judy. Simply could not resist! 

Paddington Bear knows just what he wants for Christmas and is anxious to make sure Santa Claus knows too. A trip to Santa’s grotto at the department store is his perfect chance to make his wishes known – but not everything goes quite according to plan!

Once, my room was chosen, I had the added surprise of learning that Santa himself will be visiting all the children in my room and making sure they get their special gift on his shopping list, while they take a picture.

So of course, the instant theme was an English inspired, plaid / tartan themed color to fit in beautifully with the classical design of the room.

Curious? Here are a few of my inspiration pictures from Pinterest that kick started the design.

Come back tomorrow, to see the big reveal and final results of the Paddington Bear Christmas tree.


Want to know more? There are events scheduled throughout the month of December with the Gala on December 1st to open the event as well as raise funds for this wonderful organization and all that it does to help the community.


HOLIDAY 2012 EVENTS

1. Holiday Luncheon - Friday, November 30, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Booksigning and demo by paper artist Pamela Dalton, New York Times award-winning children’s book illustrator. Call 718.885.1461 for details
2. Annual Holiday Family Day - Saturday, December 1, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Holiday spirit abounds during this fun-filled day. Children will delight in a shadow puppet show, A Year with the Bartow Family, by French artist Caroline Borderies.

Professional photographs with Santa (additional fee) DECEMBER 1, holiday shopping, caroling, and more. Puppet shows at 10:15 and 12:15; puppet making with Caroline at 11:15. Other holiday crafts and photos with Santa on-going. Space is limited, registration required. Cost $20 children one year and up; member children $15 (adults and children under one year free)

1. Holiday Evening Celebration - Saturday, December 1, 7–10 p.m. Support the museum while enjoying cocktails and holiday fare, caroling, and more! 
2. First Friday! with the Metropolitones - Friday, December 7, 5:30–8:30 p.m. Experience the magic of the mansion decked out for the holidays and delight in the festive, fun sound of the a cappella Metropolitones. Do a little holiday shopping and enjoy refreshments. The free Bronx Seaside Trolley makes a continuous loop from the #6 Pelham Bay Park subway station to BPMM to City Island. Registration requested. Cost $10 adults; $8 seniors & students; members free 
3. Bronx Arts Ensemble Holiday Concert - Saturday, December 15, 1 and 3 p.m. The Bronx Arts Ensemble and Singers present a wonderful holiday concert with music for St. Nicholas. Concert is free, but space is limited and tickets are required. Call Bronx Arts Ensemble at 718.601.7399 for tickets. The museum will not be open for tours on Saturday.
4. Holiday Candlelight Tours and Victorian Carolers Saturday, December 15, 6–8 p.m. Experience the mansion by candlelight with costumed docents highlighting 19th-century holiday traditions. Victorian carolers add to the festive atmosphere while you enjoy light holiday fare and wassail in the Orangerie. Christmas trees throughout the house evoke beloved characters in children’s books. Reservations required. Cost $12 adults, $8 seniors& students 
5. Bronx Arts Ensemble Holiday Concert Sunday, December 16, 1 and 3 p.m. The Bronx Arts Ensemble and Singers present a wonderful holiday concert with music for St. Nicholas. Concert is free, but space is limited and tickets are required. Call Bronx Arts Ensemble at 718.601.7399 for tickets. The museum will not be open for tours on Sunday.

THE TREES

1. Merry Christmas, Curious George Storybook by H.A. Rey; Tree design by Bartow-Pell docents Linda Sacewicz and Christine Williams
2. Eloise at Christmastime Storybook by Kay Thompson, tree decorator; City Island artist Anoosh Donahue
3. Paddington and the Christmas Surprise Storybook by Michael Bond; Tree design by interior designer Jennifer Mehditash
4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Storybook by Dr. Seuss; Tree design by New York artist Mary Rumser
5. The Velveteen Rabbit Storybook by Margery Williams; Tree design by interior designer Tamara Matthews Stephenson
6. Babar and Father Christmas Storybook by Jean de Brunhoff; Tree design by City Island artists Mary Colby and Marguerite Chadwick-Juner
7. Christmas Eve Blizzard Storybook by Andrea Vlakhis; Tree design by artist and Wave Hill Family Art project manager Ilse Murdock
8. Raggedy Andy Stories Storybook by Johnny Gruelle; Tree design by interior designer Bryant Keller

For more: visit Bartow Pell or call: 718.885.1461 for details