Luxe Wall Coverings by de Gournay

After seeing the stunning applications of de Gournay wallcoverings by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, I had to do a bit more investigating. I'm obsessed with chinoiserie, and this hand-painted wallpaper is some of the most beautiful I've seen.

This type of a wall treatment adds something to a space that no art could possibly offer. It makes a room memorable in ways no framed photo possibly could. The walls themselves become the focal point of the room.

See all that de Gournay has to offer at degournay.com.

Midas Touch

Elle Decor has a nice feature on the return of gold in interior design. Did it ever really go away? Ask mainstream retailers and they'll tell you firmly yes. But good designers know a touch of gold offers timeless glamour and an undeniable richness to a space.

Notable experts who weighed in on the gilded issue included Suzanne Kasler, Robert Couturier, William Sofield and Kelly Wearstler. Kelly offered a (surprising) bit of cautionary advice by stating that "a little goes a long way."

That said, we think it's fun (and often delivers undeniably gorgeous results) when you go a little King Midas. After all, you only live one golden, glorious life. Make it shine a little!

Fit For a King

Under the expert care of celebrity interior designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne give their home a shot (or two or three) of brightly colored life. According to the designer himself, Sharon is a girl that knows exactly what she wants. But I suspect it is Martyn who always gets his way with his boyish charm. The results in the photos above speak for themselves.

The dining room? I love the gold highlights on the Louis XVI chairs. The 19th century French chandelier is a work of art unto itself. While simple, it is a dining are quite fitting for this royal couple.

That glamorous bedroom? I'm guessing Ozzy heard "mirrored canopy" and caved. Interestingly the canopy itself has an upholstered inside yet boasts a glamorous mirrored exterior frame. Very chic indeed. The lavender hue throughout the room initially threw me, but the hand painted de Gournay wallpaper (a recurring feature in the house) and Frette linens quieted any concerns I might have had. After all, all colors look the same in the dark under luxurious bedding.

The home is over the top, gorgeous and quite the spectacle. Exactly the kind of environment you expect a king of rock 'n roll to come home to. Head over to AD to see the rest of the tour.

Show Your Wild Side

Some of the absolute best creations come when you abandon your inhibitions and design fearlessly. Case in point? This custom cocktail ottoman that reveals a hint of a wild streak without ever losing its cool. This Louis XVI fluted leg beauty measures a brazen 40" x 72" rather than the typical 48" x 48" square. Adding even further customization is the zebra-striped COM fabric that we can't stop pawing over. Gor-geous. Did you notice how perfectly the length works with the repeat on the fabric? Perfection.

We're proud to say this beautiful ottoman was created for Schmidlapp Designs, a mother/daughter-owned interior design firm in Charleston, South Carolina. This duo obviously shares a passion for the fabulous and an eye for detail. Lovely work, Jessica and Judy. We love it!

Kidding Around

Nurseries and children's rooms... it's enough to make most interior designers run for the hills. Me? I love them. I love designing them, I love imagining ways to adorn them and I love shopping for them. Rather than focus on the restraints (essential safety & functionality requirements) I focus on myriad possibilities. These are rooms where you can (and should) let your imagination run wild.

A vintage French chandelier? Absolutely. It's hanging from the ceiling, far from curious hands. Designer furnishings? You bet... they are the only pieces that can withstand the kind of use they will experience. Pretty fabrics? I certainly hope so... this room should be an extension of your home and a place that inspires young (and young at heart) minds to dream bigger dreams.

My advice? In terms of the nursery it's go big or go home. As little ones grow you'll quickly find that those investment pieces paid off. They still look great and can either continue to be used in your child's room or be shifted to another part of the home. I have a gorgeous mirrored chest in my daughter's room that doubles as an incredibly pretty changing table. As she grows I can either continue using it as her dresser or steal it for use myself (which is at high risk of occurring as I love it so!)

Upholstered headboards are another obvious choice. Perfect from toddler age on up, I love the versatility they offer. Imagine a beautiful headboard upholstered in durable (read: impossible to stain) Sunbrella velvet. All the luxe, none of the risk. It's a no brainer. Use pretty fabrics for Roman shades, throw pillows and a comfortable chair and you have a room that marries form and function beautifully.

Featured: 30-38 Twin Headboard, pink cotton basketweave, yellow & green geometric fabric, Pink & green floral fabric, Vintage French crystal chandelier

Wish You Were Here...

One of the reasons I took on the challenge of blogging for Pearson was my fascination with their creative director's amazing role with the company. She travels the world in search of talented artisans, inspiring patterns and skilled craftsmen. Jennifer McConnell is, by all accounts, at least one step ahead of domestic trends because she is indeed a professional coolfinder.

What does this mean for you and I? Through an ongoing series of interviews, posts and virtual adventures you and I will discover what it's like to see the world through her eyes. What did she do in Istanbul? Where did she stay? What did it smell like? How was the coffee - and did you bring any home for us? What about the Philippines? Tell me all about the cuisine, the marvelous sights and anything you brought back.

This is an opportunity for me to indulge in my deep passion for interiors, luxury goods and world travel all at once. How blessed am I? Best of all, it is a gift I am honored to be able to share with all of you. Through her stories we will circumnavigate the globe and learn about art and design around the world.

Stay tuned for the first of many, many posts where we begin to dive into the exciting journey that is Jennifer's daily life. No passport required!

Bridging the Gap

Furnishings I love have long fallen into the category flatly labeled as "transitional." It's the type of unassuming name you half expect to see replaced by something more permanent and dynamic. It seems the name - and the stylish pieces with in the category - are here to stay. Phoenix Home & Garden recently ran a lovely feature on the current love affair designers are having with the timeless looks these transitional pieces lend to spaces.

We love that they featured the straightforward sophistication a few of our favorite pieces. Here's what they had to say:

"New Attitude: A softly curved back and classic waterfall skirt define Pearson’s contoured petite slipper chair. The bookcases, also from Pearson, feature doors embellished with a quatrefoil design."

Side note: the ivory fabric those chairs are upholstered in is some of the most supple velvet I've ever found. It is woven in Belgium exclusively for Pearson and offers a very unique cut face that, combined with smartly placed shading offers a surprisingly realistic blossom and leaf pattern.

Featured: glass-front cabinet, petite slipper chairs in upholstered in fabric 6536-92, églomisé accent table, Greek Key accent table

Shine On

Nothing beats a little shimmer to brighten a room (or an outfit). From fashion runway to showroom floor we seem obsessed with metallics. And rightly so. The right touch of shine brightens more than just your room, it lifts your mood.

I'm all in favor of accenting a room in a metallic wallpaper or adding a shimmering accent table. Here are a quick list of tips from Jennifer McConnell (VP of design for Pearson) and Gina Shaw (VP of product development at York Wallcoverings) for giving your next project that wondrous glow:

1. Create a grand entrance with metallics in an entryway.
2. Use metallic wallpapers to complement bronze decorative hardware or stainless steel finishes in kitchen appliances.
3. Silver works best with cool, calming colors like spa blue, celadon, ivory, and misty gray.
4. Use gold with bold colors such as peacock, teal, berry and rich grass green.
5. Bronze pairs well with red, orange and aubergine tones.
6. Metallic finishes can make petite furnishings look larger and more important.

So go ahead, add a little bling to your room today. My pick? This bossy guerdion table with its lustrous silver-leaf finish. See the rest of the story "Make fashion's metallic trend shine in your home" featured on the NJ.com blog.

Featured: Carlyle Penthouse @ Houzz, Guerdion Table via Pearson Furniture and Anna French Wallpaper via Thibaut

Trusting Your Instincts

It's been a long, hot, busy week. I've done a lot, learned a lot and thought too much. This morning brought great clarity. Shut out the rest of the noise and trust your instincts. Here are a few primal favorites to help you connect with your inner animal.

Featured: Meri Drum Chandelier via Oly Studio, Dyptique Musc Candle, Velvet Tiger Skin & Chocolate Cheetah Chenille via Pearson textiles.

Apple of my Eye

If you're looking to punch up a space with an intense color, crisp apple green delivers an undeniably fresh energy. Think: classic chairs wrapped in fresh a geometric cotton print or a traditional bench in an unquestionably juicy shade of green.

Shown: 1. Apple green & Chocolate geometric fabric, 2. Armless bench with turned legs, 3. Hand Embroidered pillows.

Color Story

It's always fun to see your name in glossy print letters, especially when it is beautifully styled. St. Louis Homes + Lifestyles magazine is a gorgeous publication that never disappoints. They featured one of our favorite medallion jacquard fabrics (offered by illustrious St. Louis interiors firm Frank Patton Design) in a recent feature titled Absolutely Aqua. The purpose of the feature? Infusing your home with the unmistakable vibe of summer:

"Bring the lighthearted, breezy mood indoors with splashes of turquoise, teal or aqua blue. These marine-minded paints, fabrics and wallcoverings will refresh your spaces and shower them in seaside style."

As a recent transplant from the area, SLHL is a magazine I sorely miss receiving in the email. It is gorgeously produced and is always a bit ahead of the curve on design without ever seeming trendy. A must-read for homeowners and designers alike. Fortunately I can still enjoy the online version of the issues and their blog.