Welcoming Ideas

via InteriorConnector

Today, the web is one the most important tools for interior designers as it gives us amazing accessibility to resources and new products from around the world. In my daily browsing, I came across Interior Connector, a phenomenal site where you can find the most unique, brilliant, exciting and of-the-moment collections of furnishings, and more. It is a hub where we can find inspiration, discover the newest undercover sources and get the latest industry news. A cool feature Interior Connector offers is an array of articles by talented designers, trendsetters and tastemakers lending design tips and highlighting the latest trends. One that caught my attention is a piece on foyers and entryways by Robyn and Sara Karp, a mother-daughter design team from New York. Here's what they have to say about this important part of the home:

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Summer Trends

• Written by UK based guest blogger Daniel Nelson, design writer for mydeco.com.

Trends forecasting is a terribly difficult game to play, especially when new products can arrive and steal the show mid-season — all it takes is a well placed Missoni print and the direction can change. Over the past three months we have seen mydeco.com users in the US steer from their usual hiding place creating 'feminine' and 'classic' interiors and moving over to creating modern, contemporary living spaces. So, what does this say about the changes to interior design for 2011?  Who can say? But we do know that as we're well emerged into Summer, our minds head towards clearing space and creating lighter, airier spaces that make us feel calm and peaceful.

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Color Fest

I love traveling. Besides getting away to relax, visit new places and experience other cultures, for me it's a great source of inspiration. One of the things that caught my eye in my recent trip to Isla Mujeres, a little island off the coast of Mexico, is how Mexicans are not afraid of color. To the contrary, they embrace it and make it part of their everyday life. Everywhere I would turn there was an explosion of bright and happy hues of orange, yellow, pinks, blues, greens and so on. Here are some pictures of my island travels to give you a taste of this wonderful color fest. Enjoy!

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Style Without Rules

Interior design has been undergoing a shift. The rules for decor are being replaced by a more personal and practical approach as people are taking decorating into their own hands. Now there is a publication that celebrates this movement and encourages everyone to inject their homes with personal touches and whimsy. Christiane Lemieux, founder and creative director of the recognized Dwell Studio, has published her first book UNDECORATE: The No-Rules Approach to Interior Design. It's a book for modern dwellers who don't have a lot of time or money to spend decorating their nests, and shows how real life and stunning design can coexist in their home. It's all about “mixing fine antiques with your collection of Cher Barbie dolls; leaving temporary party decorations up for years because they just somehow seem right; wedging antique columns into a suburban house, or parking your cars in the living room,” explains Lemieux. Here's a sneak peek at some of the gorgeous photography inside UNDECORATE — which by the way were taken without a stylist. Enjoy!

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Make it Work

As I spend most of my day in front of a computer working on my projects (and my blog), I know how important it is to have a comfortable and pleasant space that inspires me. Home offices have become an integral part of our homes, so we mustn't hide them anymore. We should pay as much attention to them as we do to the rest of our home. Whether it's compact or have a room of its own, your work space needs to reflect your personal style. If you're in the lookout for some inspiration, here are several cool and simple ideas that will spark some motivation to give this often neglected part of your home the TLC it deserves. Happy Friday!!

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Coolness At Work

Skype's spirit of innovation has spread to their new and improved U.S. headquarters in Palo Alto, California — a world-class office designed by architecture and interior design firm Blitz. The über cool 54,000 square feet space is a highly functional yet creative workplace designed to encourage interaction and spontaneity among Skype's 250 employees. A simple palette and restrained use of finishes unifies the open-plan workspace. The unique design of the different areas is meant to motivate people to collaborate, contemplate and concentrate — resulting in a workplace they want to inhabit and enjoy using. This also gives Skype and edge for recruitment and retention. Not a bad place to go to work everyday. Right?

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Weekend Fun

Pssst! I just got the perfect thing for you to make your weekend even more delicious. The Spring issue of Sweet Paul Webazine just came out and it's full of fun and yummy goodies. For the first time, Paul has dedicated the entire issue to kids. From delicious everyday food recipes for the whole family to white-and-gray crafty projects for Easter, your eyes will have a feast with its gorgeous photography. And if you happen to have kids, it's the perfect magazine to share with them as it's filled with witty ideas from cover to cover. Here's a sneak peek of what to expect. Enjoy the eye candy, and have a fantastic and relaxing weekend!

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A Table To Inspire

Image © Gemma Comas

Last week I got a sweet email from one of my readers in search of some inspiration for table settings. She loves to entertain A LOT and is always looking for fresh ideas to style her tables. Luckily, she likes to mix things up - French, modern, floral…..you name it. It's funny she asked me since I also enjoy playing with my table settings. Although I'm more of a white-palette kind of guy, I often find myself advising clients to be adventurous when entertaining. I think it's always fun to have a variety of styles, shapes, colors, textures and heights to play with. Your tables should always reflect your style and it's ideal to start with a theme or inspiration — this will dictate the direction to take and give your table a cohesive look. So I've put together five themes to show you how imaginative you can get when dressing up your tables. Remember, it's always better to start with all your options and then edit down, but the key is to have a ball. So my dear Monica, I hope these vignettes will inspire you to let your creative juices flow. Happy entertaining!

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