Family Photos?…..Dear PJ

Today’s post launches a new category on the PepperJack blog, ‘Dear PJ’.  This will join the regular categories like  ’Did you Know?’, ‘Inspiration’ and the others.

Like many designers, I’m greeted with repeat questions and design dilemmas as I work with different clients. ‘What do I do with this large built-in?’,  ’What do I do with these tired oak cabinets?’, and ‘How do I keep my grandmother’s chair and update my home at the same time?’ are just a few of these.

‘Can you help me hang my family photos?‘ is the common question I’ll use to launch ‘Dear PJ’.  We all have cherished family pictures – baby, school shots, reunion pics, glamour shots, wedding photos — so many wedding baby photos!  Oh yes, and the Christmas card photos we hired that professional to shoot.  There is a temptation to create a visual shrine to ourselves with all of these.

Look familiar?

And it seems like we are gathering more and more family pictures because they are so easy to come by with our fancy digital cameras, smart phones and photo editing software.

Hmmmmm.  I still think this is not ideal, a no-no.  Yes, the children are lovely and lively, but ……..

I helped prepare for a holiday home tour recently.  The generous owners had yet to hang their art, would I help?  Of course!  On my scouting visit I found not art but a large collection of family portraits stacked against the wall — many of them very large, 24″x36″, 36″x36″ and larger.  All of babies, toddlers, then of school age children, individual shots, full family shots, school shots, sport shots, birthday party shots….you get the idea.

I asked to see their favorite paintings or artwork so I could create a wall vignette to complement the beautiful architecture and furnishings, no luck.  Their art was their family photos. A week later with another client, the same thing — all wedding and baby pictures.  Lovely and cherished to be sure, but difficult to create the ‘House Beautiful’ or ‘Traditional Home’ interior feeling these homeowners desired.

There are interesting and artful ways to hang our family memories and legacies, and some not so great ways.  To be sure there is never a right way or wrong way, but when my clients pay for my ask my professional opinion, here is what I tell them:  we love our children and our spouses dearly, and we see them everyday, do we really need huge 2′x3′ portraits, even 8″x10″, of them all over family room walls to remind us what they look like?  I want the rooms to inspire, to comfort, to transport.  I prefer large canvases of fine art and artifacts on the walls.  Family pictures are tucked in among books or keepsakes, flowers and a lovely lamp on a console or side table.

Adorable children, but not a big fan of decorating with glamor shots. Maybe in a Hollywood studio!

Here we go. Let our loved ones shine brightly as they meander along their day and throughout a space that is compelling, thoughtful and motivating.

This is perfection. Where are the cherished photos? Displayed very well in private and personal spaces no doubt.

Compelling artwork is displayed in the open spaces with personal images in intimate avenues.

This hallway invites pause, reflection and memories.

My clients may still insist on having family shots be the focus of their walls so I work hard to create artful interest with the display. (And still insist on fine art focal pieces in the major spaces.)

A side accent wall with carefully framed and arranged pictures can work well.

I think this works well too.  The display is the art, not the individual images.

A large board for pasting pics and a collage of daily life captured. Again, an artful display in an inspirational setting.

I’ll sign off with this family room image I captured from House Beautiful.

The space is inviting, comfortable and dressed in a way that shares a sense of the inhabitants.  I’m guessing they are interesting people and I’d love to be invited over for coffee.  This environment inspires me, it must inspire them as well.
- Laura

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for online or in person advice.
(916) 834-9751

Have a question for ‘Dear PJ’? Email me – Laura@PepperJackInteriors.com

The Fainting Couch…Did You Know?

The Meridienne, classic for French lounging

The chaise lounge or  ”fainting couch” is a piece of furniture that meets us somewhere between a bed and a chair. It is a luxurious piece that has its roots with the ancient Egyptians and Greeks.  The well healed ruling classes spent large chunks of time lounging, eating and drinking, more eating and drinking, and then even some more.  We’ve all seen the many images of these folks and their gods laying on one.

Daybeds became popular among the French aristocracy in the 19th century. Like the ruling class of centuries before this cultured class spent a good deal of their day lounging, reading, more lounging. The two most well-known daybed styles were the Récamier and the Méridienne. The Récamier had two raised ends and was named after the French Society Hostess, Madame Récamier, and for the portrait that was painted of her on the chaise. The Méridienne was raised on one side with a slight back and one armrest along the same side and named for the area of the house, the meridian, where the sun would be in the middle of the day. Perfect for cat napping.

Portrait of Madame Récamier by Jacques-Louis David

These couches continued in popularity during the Victorian era where they evolved into the “fainting couch”.  This was an era with corsets so tight as to bring on a fainting spell. (Or perhaps a reprieve from dull conversation?)  “Fainting rooms” were not uncommon and were complete with fainting couches and low lighting to assist in recovery. 

In the 1960′s and 70′s there was a great modernization of the chaise lounge. Designers eliminated the arm rest and created a streamlined look with a weaved back.  The popularity and affordability of home swimming pools brought these chaises to the forefront once again.

The modern chaise lounge is very sleek without rococo adornments and fabrics. It takes the place of oversized chairs and allows the space to have more seating in an economical way. The colors are neutral to allow for interchangeability with the rest of the room design. Some have the round curves of the old-fashioned chaise while keeping with the modern use of materials such as metal legs.

The use of materials like leather adds an edge.

I love pairing a classic chaise frame with a contemporary plush fabric.  The result is classic, clean and so very fresh and contemporary.  Modern luxury.

There is something so lovely about this piece of furniture.   Would you use this classic piece in your house?

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for online or in person advice.
(916) 834-9751

Tile Trends…Inspiration

Good Morning Dear Readers!

I was browsing news this morning and came across this informative article on tile trends.  Featured are large ceramic planks which mimic wood — a favorite of mine for some time and which I’ve used in a variety of projects.

I employed 6″x36″ ceramic planks with a wood-grain feel in this bath remodel in Granite Bay, CA.  Perfect for the shower walls!

Top Tile Trends From the Coverings 2013 Show — the Wood Look

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-Laura
Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for advice online or in person.
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Color on Deck…Inspiration

Being an interior designer, I love color. It has the ability to take a design from good to fabulous.  I am always looking at ways to create color combinations in new and exciting ways and because I work closely with many vendors – especially the fabric vendors – I do get a sense of color directions coming down the line. As you have read in my previous post on the color of the year, Emerald, I advise incorporating the trendy colors very carefully, sometimes even avoiding them all together.

I came across an online resource called Color Forecast. It is a website that does up to the minute color forecasting from street shots of stylish people in Paris, Milan and Antwerp.   These are forecasts that look at what colors are going to be popular in fashion, graphic and interior design.  The color forecasting industry is very active and quite important to manufacturers who must commit to colors far in advance, from months to even years.

While looking for inspiration on upcoming trend colors, I decided to throw my hat in the ring and guess some trending colors. The first color I thought might be coming to the spotlight is a Mykonos blue. The colors I’ve seen trending are subtler and more subdued than previous jewel-toned or neon trend colors hitting us now. This shade of blue is bright but not overpowering. It also goes wonderfully with white, which adds a clean and fresh look to any room.

Another color that I think we’ll be seeing more of is Samba Red. It’s almost a berry red with a little dash of purple tones. This color works great to add warm tones to a room and to give an autumn feeling without depending on usual fall colors.

The last color that I’m expecting to see is called Linden Green. It’s an interesting color because it’s almost has a sand look to it with a hint of green. The great thing about this color is it’s multiplicity. It’s kind of like camouflage, in which it compliments what’s around it with it’s many underlying color tones.

What colors do you expect to see?  Happy Friday -

Emerald Green…Did You Know?

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for advice online or in person.
(916) 834-9751

Scalamandre…Did You Know?

Long time readers of my blog will know that I fell in love with all things Scalamandre years ago. Scalamandre creates luxurious and rich textiles, furnishings and wall coverings. So I was tickled when I came upon a tiny article in this month’s Traditional Home announcing Scalamandre’s collaboration with Lennox dishware to create a line of textile-inspired tableware.

Scalamandre’s graphic and bold Zebra print that has for years graced the walls of the restaurant, Gino’s Pizza, in New York, is now translated into fine china.

The same pattern etched onto barware is somehow reads slightly more fun and fanciful!

A classic design of Scalamandre wallpaper, Toile Tale, graces this china tea set. An elegant place setting for any Sunday brunch.A change of pace, but still classic Scalamandre.

Even the advertisements are little pieces of art!

My previous Scalamandre post…..

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for advice online or in person.
(916) 834-9751

Mix it Up…Inspiration

Moroccan lighting is a highlight of this lovely English office by David Easton.

I love exploration and travel and I have been lucky enough to experience many places, both in and outside the country.

Spanish inspired furniture, Asian artwork, French armchair, Acoma Pueblo pottery.  Perfect. 

I’m not different from others who travel and bring back little treasures and newer understandings and appreciations.  I always hope to see a mix of furnishings and artwork in my client’s homes that reflect their take aways from adventures past or passions current. When I don’t see this mix, I gently suggest adding some visual texture as part of the design process — why not a Navajo rug in the media room? — and cross my fingers that I’m successful.  I’m not talking about ‘theme’ interiors, like an entire home devoted to a stylized Country French, or even a room fully adorned with Moroccan tiles, furnishings, and textiles.  I’m referring to an artful blend of regional and international styles and experiences.

Imported handmade Moroccan tiles in a Davis, CA pool house.

I imported hand-made Moroccan tiles for this very special project.  The home was anything but Moroccan with a mix of textures, motifs and takeaways from the homeowners world-wide travels, experiences and interests.

Early American (English inspired) secretary is a focal point of this contemporary California home.

French Toile on the windows, an Asian garden bench and Old World classic marble on the floor. A Barry Dixon jewel box!

Asian, English, Persian and a bit of Mid-Century Modern in another Barry Dixon interior. 

Barry Dixon is one of my favorite interior designers.  He is a southern gentleman who hails from Virginia by way of a childhood spent in far away lands like India, French Polynesia and South Africa.  His work reflects his well-traveled life and an artist’s eye in blending the colors, textures and motifs from across the globe.

I had the pleasure of meeting David a few years ago in San Francisco where he was launching his fabric line for Fabricut and promoting his new book.  He is, as expected, charming!

Barry Dixon again.  Classic, Contemporary and a bit of Asian and Morocco artfully blended.

These rooms inspire and push me to travel more, to learn and read more, to see more movies and to continue cultivating thoughtful and artfully blended interiors for myself and my clients.

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for advice online or in person.
(916) 834-9751

Removable Wallpaper…Did You Know?

You’ve heard me go on and on about wallpaper this past year. It adds a great sense of depth and richness to a room that paint sometimes just can’t accomplish. For those of you DIYers eager to jump in and try something simple on your own I have found a solution that is easy and inexpensive to try.  Removable wallpaper!

Wall decals are known for being kind of tacky and don’t adhere very well to the wall. But lucky for us, the last couple of years have brought better quality wallpaper with more amazing patterns and colors. This is a great way to spice up a design in between larger remodels. I have done some research and there are some great blogs out there that discuss their experiences with it such as the Oh Happy Day blog. Their experience was extremely helpful and all-encompassing when researching removable wallpaper.

One of favorite uses for removable wallpaper is using it for a statement wall. It’s great to use in a neutral room to spice up the space. This wallpaper adds a lot to this black and white room. It takes bland to chic.

I love how they used the removable wallpaper to add a small touch of color and Mediterranean feel to these stairs. It’s an easy fix to a small area where there’s not a lot of room for any larger decorations. The blue and white colors work really well with the rustic wood of the staircase.

The last way I like using this wallpaper is by creating large framed wall pieces. If you love art but are unable to purchase any large pieces for your home, this is a great solution.  Pick a wallpaper that has a more distinct feel and use moldings or empty pre-made frames and place it around the wallpaper to that size, then voila! You have personalized art for your home at a fraction of the price.

You can find great removable wallpaper from the company Tempaper. They have a large variety of designs from basic chevron design to an intricate baroque feel. There are some more art inspired designs from the company, Murals Your Way. They also do customizable designs, where you can upload photos or even your own wallpaper designs to have something one of kind in your home! And of course at Etsy, they have tons of artists created designs to choose from.

With all of these great companies out there, the hardest part of the process might be choosing one design.  The great thing is you can change it as often as you’re willing to install it. Let me know what your removable wallpaper experience has been like and what designs are inspiring you.

My other wallpaper posts:  Wallpaper Everywhere, More Wallpaper, Still Loving Wallpaper

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for advice online or in person.
(916) 834-9751

Emerald Green…Did You Know?

Did you know emerald green is the color of the year?  What does that mean?  Do I rush out and put emerald green in all my client’s projects?  Nope.  I’ll add a punch of color to your decor like you do to your wardrobe, by using trend colors sparingly and interchangeably. When we decorate in all ‘en vogue’ colors or styles, then we fall prey to expensive long-term commitments that may be out of fashion in a blink.  I prefer to use a subtle hand with trends be they colors, tile styles, even wood finishes. I’ll add them carefully among classic pieces, just like with a clothing wardrobe.

Throw pillows are best friends for many reasons.  Emerald green today, bright blue tomorrow – easy!

The use of the green on the stairs is a big commitment unless your favorite color is emerald green and it is an accent color throughout your home. I do like the lamp in the corner!

I love Mary McDonald’s style, and her room from last season’s Million Dollar Decorators is on my inspiration board.  This fashion forward decor makes sense as it is the sitting area of a clothing boutique in New York city.

Too many greens here!  A less risky way to use this color is to pair it with a strong color such as purple or orange for a complementary tone. Although always in moderation!

This feels just right to me and I can see pulling this together for one of my current projects. It is a nice addition of color with the curtains and luxurious green velvet on the chair.  I wonder what the next color of the year will be?  I’m going to guess purple and this guess will be explained in a future post, so stay tuned.  Whatever the color,  ask yourself if you are still going to love it dressing your sofa in two years?  If you are trend conscious then add the color carefully into your home.  If you don’t know how to handle it or want an expert’s opinion, call me for advice!

-Laura

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for advice online or in person.
(916) 834-9751

Fine Art….Inspiration

 

eclectic kids design by other metro interior designer Caitlin Wilson

We would all  love to have priceless art in our homes. Me? An N.C. Wyeth or Mark Rothko above my fireplace. I often use these fine art pieces as inspiration when putting together a concept for a room. Even if I’m not able to own a masterpiece, I can pay homage to its beauty in design concepts. The feelings conveyed in paintings can be translated into interiors and furnishings.

Andrew Wyeth “Christina’s World”

When I think of natural landscapes conveyed most truthfully, I think of the artist Andrew Wyeth. He is known for his realistic landscapes and portraits with neutral color palettes: dusty browns, subtle greens and all kinds of white. Wyeth is known for a regional style reflecting his hometown of Chads Ford, Pennsylvania and summer home in Cushing, Maine.

When I imagine a room that would belong in a Wyeth painting, I envision a simple room; neutral colors with not much decoration, sparse and empty of clutter. Everything about his paintings represents a raw sensibility so I would use pieces that are unvarnished or worn by the elements. I would accessorize with natural pieces that I would possibly pick up out of a field or off a beach–lots of wood furniture, exposed stone or brick.

This chandelier by Sandy Chapman of Circa Lighting instantly evokes an Andrew Wyeth.

French artist Paul Cézanne motivates me toward an entirely different interior. His works convey  life and movement with intense, visible brush strokes and vivid color. Cézanne is known for his Impressionist pieces which was a huge departure for artists at the time when previously the most revered artwork conveyed intense realism – tiny invisible brush strokes, tight lines and photographic-like representations.

Paul Cezanne “The Basket of Apples”

A see a room influenced by Cézanne that includes bright colors, warm features and a lived-in feeling. The room’s foundation would include simple pieces, such as bench seating and a table along with a cabinet to display everyday kitchen ware — items which the family uses on a daily basis, not decorative.

Pulling the Cézanne inspired room together are bright pops of color. The heritage of the pieces and the bright colors are what makes the room feel airy and comfy, very expressive and personal.  Just like a Cézanne painting.  This room above is one I created for an editorial piece in Style magazine last February.

Piet Mondrian “Composition 10″

When I want modern inspiration, Mondrian comes to mind. Piet Mondrian took the idea of Cubism to an entirely different level by getting rid of form and context and bringing shapes to the forefront. His grid-like pieces took all former of ideas painting and threw them out the door. He stuck with primary colors and flat shapes, but with visible brush stokes the result is anything but two-dimensional.

Of course when putting together a modern space, I look at clean lines and shapes that are distinct. But I don’t want them to be flat, I want to still bring life into the room by using warm primary colors–they help to bring dimension to the room without distracting from the furniture. The pieces that I choose have to be the star of the room because the rest of the design is clean and compact. The room can be modern without being cold. This is still a room you are going to live in, not just look at, and by adding a few purposeful decorations such pillows and table top pieces, the whole idea of warm modernity comes together.

I’d love to use this modern chair from Boliere. Waiting for the perfect project!

And finally, my friend and Sacramento artist, William Ishmael. (Recently named Artist of the Year by the Sacramento Arts and Business Council.)  He works with mixed media and local organic materials and his themes are infused with a strong earthy, spiritual feeling.

William Ishmael “Everyone Has A Cross to Bear”

Ishmael’s pieces are diverse and I see them enhancing many different interiors. 

For instance, this vignette by UK designer Andrew Martin (that is wallpaper on those walls!). An Ishmael piece would fit perfectly among the masculine colors and fun pieces here.

William’s paintings also evoke the lovely, tailored images and Western interiors curated by Ralph Lauren. The two artists’ sensibilities are very complimentary. I can see “Everyone Has a Cross to Bear” in this lovely Ralph room!

-Laura

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for advice online or in person.
(916) 834-9751

Nail Polish…Inspiration

Adele with some fabulous nails.

Fashion – clothing, nails, makeup, music, interior design.  We’ve all noticed how fashionable nail polish is right now, especially greys, mauves and lavenders.  (I’m sporting a cabernet purple color on mine right now!)  While red will always be the classic,  neutral colors are all the rage. These colors seem to be a push against all the neon colors that have been trendy the last couple of years.

The great thing about these colors is that they are enduring and non-threatening. The neutrality of these colors allow you to introduce them into everyday design without having to cause complete upheaval in your aesthetic. When you paint your nails these colors, you add a touch of class and sophistication to your look. Same thing with your home.

Mauve

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Mysterious purplish grey.

Grey/Mauve

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This rich gray/mauve intersection color lends itself for a great template color.

The bright lavender color allows for an airy pop of color without being too intense.

Lavender

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This is bright without being overwhelming.

And last, but not least, is the gray shade that stands out on his own while still working with other colors around it.

Grey

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The epitome of neutral.

-Laura

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for online or in person advice.
(916) 834-9751

Fancy Living…Did You Know?

Hope your weekends were relaxing dear readers!  Some fun food for thought for your week.

Our homes are in a way, a template for our aspirations. In our homes, we project ideas of what we hope and wish our lives to be. Our choices also reflect trends in our society and culture that take effect in our everyday life. I was recently asked about the trend of craft aesthetics, such as chicken coops and beehives. At the time, I couldn’t comment off the cuff because I hadn’t thought much about it.

Contemporary kitchen with rustic finishes.

So I started noticing and thinking more on this trend. I live in a fairly rural area and am a granddaughter of a rancher. I know that people outfit their homes in this way for utility rather than fashion (although there is some fashion to it as well!).  So I’m guessing this trend is mostly an urban movement — infusing modern, urban homes in busy and impersonal settings with a homestead aesthetic. Perhaps this outside look of rusticity is a way for us to imagine a simpler life and less complicated surroundings.

A lamp that has an agricultural edge.

We see this trend emerging among all areas of interior furnishings. Especially where the focus is on “craft” like fixtures, such as rugged and worn pieces of furniture or sculptures that have a patina to their surface. Using faux finishes and distressed cabinetry to recreate provincial living in our kitchens is a trend that doesn’t seem to be going away.

A rustic wood table with a mix of modern chairs.

PB Teen in Roseville, CA. Outfitted with reclaimed wood from Auburn, CA. Rustic and cozy.

Using decor as a way to attain the sublime in our everyday life is nothing new. One of the most extravagant personas in history, Marie Antoinette, created an entire rural village where she could escape. When the wigs and finery became too much for her, she would escape to “Hameau d la Reine”, or the Queen’s Hamlet.

Antoinette’s farm

Antoinette’s rural paradise had over ten buildings that included a functioning farm that produced milk and cheese for the queen, as well as a mill, boudoir and a small lighthouse. Every detail was complete, down to her own Sèvres porcelain milk pails (which someone else filled for her, naturally).

The back of the watermill cottage

Intellectual leaders of the time were speaking and writing about the natural view of living where the “model farms” were the ideal. They believed that the future of France was in the country production of goods. These views were extremely fashionable at the time among the aristocracy, of which Antoinette was the center.

Like Antoinette, we are filling out the corners of our homes in a way that idealizes simple life. But this outside “simplicity” can have it’s price. In a recent Wall Street Journal article called “Backyard Farming Gets Fancy”,  lifestyle editor Anne Marie Chaker looks at people who seek this aesthetic and the cost it can accrue.  I think you’ll like this read!

One very regal chicken coop.

While establishing this aesthetic, we are looking for the memories of their parents and grandparents through this kind of living. We see this as a way to go back our roots, and access the life that past generations had in their everyday. In order to forge this connection, we are buying items that reflect this way of living. “Perfectly imperfect” is the look that is valued over all other characters in searching for these items.

Signing off with a tongue-in-cheek visual. Couldn’t resist!

 

-Laura

Inspiration is at the heart of my luxury design services. What’s inspiring you?   
Make your home or business interior the best it can be and contact me for online or in person advice.
(916) 834-9751