Saturday, October 25, 2014

Showcase- Interior Designer: Jamie Drake  


This week on my blog I'm showcasing a interior designer that I admire, Jamie Drake. You will often see he's work in design magazines, which is how I originality discovered him.

Introduction: 

Drake is known to infuse traditional spaces with contemporary elements, creating engaging spaces; he stated, "there is little that doesn't inspire me." He is blessed for creating modern spaces yet inviting by using bold colors and decor. Drake designs commercial and residential spaces as well as furniture, rugs, fabrics, appliances and art. 

Bio: 
- Jamie Drake is a New York based designer who believes that the best decor expresses personality and place. 

- He designed some of the countries most luxury spaces such as: Gracie Mansion for Michael Bloombery, Madonna's LA home and  New York City Hall. 

-Jamie Drake has mastermind:
  • Rug collection for Roubini and Safavieh
  • Furniture line for Lewis Mittman 
  • Bath room fixers for THG 
  • Fabrics for Schumacher
  • Sinks for Elkay 
  • Bath accessories for Labrazel
  • Light Fixtures for Boyd Lighting 
  • Furniture line for Theodore Alexander 

-Drake has received honors including: 

  • 2013 Fashion Group International Night of Stars Award for Interior Design
  • 2013 Decoration & Design Buildings Stars of Design Award 
  • 2003 Triple Crown: Interior Design Magazine, Interior Designer Hall of Fame 
Photos of his work: 




http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/interior-designers/famous-interior-decorators#slide-4

Friday, October 24, 2014

• Inspiration •


Today's blog post is going to be more visual than "reading material". Eclectic design is all about grabbing inspiration from different styles, time periods and cultures. My first step when hunting for inspiration is Pinterest. Pinterest is a website used as a visual discovery tool. It is a great source for any future project ideas or an inspirational pursuit.  Next stop for inspiration, magazines. I typically look through any design magazines I have laying around at home. They are a great source to find a variety of styles and ideas for future eclectic projects. Design magazines often showcase interior designers and architects representing their style.  This is a great way to discover new designers. 

My favorite magazines include:
-      -Dwell
-      -Architecture Digest
-      -Interior Design

My last source of inspiration is exploring spaces. You can take ideas for your designs from your everyday life. The commercial and residential spaces you see every day can be a great source. You can first hand see what works and doesn't work. I personally love to visit and stay in luxury and boutique hotels to indulge in the culture and design of the spaces. 

I also like to explore spaces such as:
-museums 
-retail stores 
-restaurants
-furniture and decor stores/boutiques 

Below are some images from Pinterest that represent eclectic style: 








Thursday, October 23, 2014

New Bedroom- Transformation

  • Spring 2014Eclectic Style •


This past Spring I acquired myself a new bedroom, on our first floor. My first bedroom was on the top floor, smaller square footage, smaller closet and no bathroom. The new space was a blank canvas; dry walled and primed. Let's blast to this past spring and overview my bedroom transformation. 

Step 1: Creating the color palette 


The walls were white and the floor is tiled; sparkly grey, large rectangular tiles. I wanted the walls and furnishings to consist of a neutral palette; white. I would add color and texture through decor. 



* These images display bedrooms using a white palette. They used a variety of white's too add depth and interest to different aspects of the space. I used these images as initial inspiration though had aspiration to add color in the decor. *


All these images were sourced from: http://designkastle.com/2012/12/white-color-scheme-modern-contemporary-bedroom-designs/


Step 2: What I need/Want for the space 

My new room shape represents a cube. The space is large, with plenty of natural light provided by the single long rectangular window. Two of the four walls has a sill to add visual depth to the space. First, I created a list; what I needed in my bedroom and what I wanted. 

What I needed:
1. Bed 
2. Wardrobe 
3. Chest of drawers 
4. Side table x 2 
5. Floor Lamp

What I wanted: 
- Wall decor 
- Hanging fixtures 
- End of bed bench 
- Extra chest of drawers 
- Vanity 

Step 3: Planning the Space 


• Inspiration •
I wanted the focal point of my bedroom to be my bed. The rest of the furnishings would be sensibly placed around it. 

http://www.interiorexteriorideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/window-focal-point.jpg

I should first mention that the wardrobe had an automatic placing, the same wall as my door. This wall has a section that is 5 inches deeper than the rest. That section of the wall was ideal to place a ceiling to floor wardrobe with considerable depth to it. When walking through my bedroom door, the first wall you see is where the bed is placed; the back wall to the right of my wardrobe. The bed frame is placed in the center of the wall and is accompanied by side tables on either side. The side of the bed I favor is where I placed a floor lamp, for optimal reading light. 

I hope that any women can agree with me that no storage is enough. The solution to neatly store my ridiculous amount of clothing was to have a wardrobe and two dressers. The largest dresser would be placed on the opposite wall of my bed, centered to the bed. The smaller dresser was placed on the left side of my bed next to the side table. 

Step 4: Sourcing the furniture 

Now that I have planned the space, it was time for shopping, something that everyone 
(or just me?) looks forward to. It was time to do some exploring to find what fit the spot for each individual piece. Below is a list; what furnishings I bought and where I got it: 

     1. Bed frame: Ikea  + DIY Headboard 


      http://www.houzz.com/photos/256528/HEIMDAL-Bed-frame-modern-beds

2. Large Dresser: Ikea 



    3. Side Tables: Pier 1
      http://www.polyvore.com/pier_imports_hayworth_table_silver/thing?id=66596767

     4. Wardrobe: Ikea 
(this style, but all white) 
      http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S09029240/

    5. Smaller dresser: DIY Project 
     
    6. Floor Lamp: Ikea
    http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/00190830/

    7.White Vanity: InForm (vintage, can't remember designer name) 

The decor and final finishings were bought overtime from selected stores such as Anthropology, Kate Spade, Winners, Homesense, Antique Shops, Local Boutiques and Target. 

Here are some images of the finished project: 



Vintage Dresser- DIY Project 

Kate Spade- hanging tissue balls
Large Ikea dresser complemented with a variety of decor pieces. 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Welcome • Introduction to Eclectic style

                                                  

                                                   Welcome

                            • What is eclectic style? Let me introduction to you what eclectic looks like in the interiors. •

Eclectic: deriving ideas and style from a broad and diverse range of sources 




Eclectic style is brought together by color, furniture, fabric and finishes. The trick to pull off the style is to find common ground in each individual aspect and have confidence with your design choices. You can find common ground with scale, composition, proportion, texture and color. 

Characteristics of Eclectic Style can include: 
  1. unique art and furnishings 
  2. historical contrast 
  3. cohesiveness through pattern,shape,texture, furnishings and color 
  4. old with the new 

<http://loniemae.blogspot.com/2012/03/eclectic-home.html>


The tips and tricks to create a stunning eclectic space:

Color: The trick is to keep the palette neutral. It creates a blank canvas to further complement the furnishings.

Fabrics:  Choose fabrics with neutral backgrounds to be cohesive with the color palette. The foreground is where you can add color,texture and pattern.

Furniture: The details of the furniture should tie in with the rest of the room, background palette, details and texture. 

Finishes (Decor): The ideal time to add unique art and contrasting historical pieces. Decor is your opportunity not to follow rules, but to add pieces that create a unique "eclectic'" space. 


 * Remember that eclectic style does not have "rules". Create a space that complements your eye of design. * 


That's it for now! Until next time...