If you are If If you are looking to update your home but are worried the décor you have chosen might clash with your extensive collection of vintage salt and pepper shakers (or whatever collectible you have), here are some great key steps to help you in showcasing your treasures.

Key Step 1: Think Proportion
If you have a small collection, use smaller shelves and displays to showcase your items. The same goes for bigger collections. Always use larger and longer surfaces dedicated to showing off your bigger pieces.

Key Step 2: Use the Right Accent Colors
Be proud of your posters, paintings, and photographs you have collected over the years. Showcase your collections by using neutral accent colors in the background so not to overwhelm or compete with your display. Much better to let the vibrant colors in your pieces reflect the color scheme in your room.

Key Step 3: Focal Points and Themes
Think of your collections as a reflection of who you are, where you have been and where you are going. When decorating a room, display your treasures as the focal point and develop your theme with this in mind. And remember, the more creative you are with your displays and placements, the more your collection will be enjoyed.

The last suggestion I’d like to share with you is to take your time in arranging your collectibles in a pleasing manner where it doesn’t become too cluttered. When choosing your display case or area, be sure to purchase the right one to house everything properly.

A little planning and preparation will have everyone appreciating your treasured collections just as much as you do.

Leslie
Interior designer, published author, speaker…   and lover of collectibles!

Tags: collectibles, collections, decorate, decorating, design, displays
Filed under: Decorating Tips, Notes

The most important thing about color is that it cannot be isolated…Every color is only ever seen in juxtaposition with other ones.

–John Saladino

Pantone Color Palette for Spring 2011

How true this statement is, from architect and interior designer John Saladino, who highlights nuanced and elusive color in his work.  I bring this up because when the 2011 Spring Palette from Pantone was initially revealed, most people (locally, anyway) were a little bit intimidated by its boldness.  And I can understand…  The color of the year is, after all, Honeysuckle Pink.  Really?  No matter how you personally feel about the colors, I guess the question really is, how does this translate into a truly livable space?

John Saladino

Well, let’s take a look at a few interpretations.  Here is pink in Saladino Style.  As the focal point in a sea of neutral color, it looks amazing.  The masculine lines in the furniture balance the femininity of the color.  Also, note the beautiful contrast of the accent pillow in Regatta.  Unexpected, but I love the way that it turned out.

Atlanta-based Suzanne Kasler decorated this room.  Stunning, isn’t it?  Against the dramatic backdrop of Silver Cloud, the pink appears toned down, muted.  In this room, the pink becomes the accent color, rather than the focus.  In playing with this new spring palette, remember that the color combinations create the total look, and that the colors do not make a statement by themselves.

Finally, here is a way to combine the Honeysuckle with some of the other colors in the palette:  Coral Rose, Russet, Beeswax, and possibly a hint of Lavender on the walls.  Pretty, and as you can see, very current and on trend but not totally out there.  So maybe next time we’ll talk about the other colors… Until then, see if you can come up with an amazing color combination and make this color palette your own!

Leslie Sarmiento

interior designer, published author, speaker …and fearless lover of color!

Technorati claim code: TMMUVNK82CFV

Tags: Color Combinations, Color Ideas, Color of the Year, Decorating for Spring, Decorator Colors, Design Ideas, Designer Colors, Designer Rooms, Honeysuckle Pink, Interior Decorator, Interior Design, Pantone Spring Colors, Room Interiors
Filed under: Uncategorized

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

– Charles Dickens

Happy Holidays, everyone!  Since I promised to keep you posted, here is a photo of our Christmas tree, inspired by the tree from my previous post.  I am proud to say I think I achieved the exact look I was going for, and it was so worth staying up and decorating it until three in the morning!

Now that the holidays are almost over, though, I’m feeling a little sad about having to take all the decorations down.  I love the bright, festive colors and all the holiday sparkle that surrounds us this time of year.  Of course, we can’t keep the tree and the Santas and the snowmen up all the time, but in smaller doses, there might be a couple of holiday touches that we can always enjoy.

How about the sparkle and shine in this room?  It doesn’t scream “holiday,” but it has a look that quietly invites us into a somewhat cozy, intimate celebration.  In this room, which is undoubtedly set up for entertaining, I can see pretty little champagne bubbles through crystal clear flutes as toasts are being made in honor of our accomplishments, big or small, throughout the year.

Now this family room is all about the color.  The bright red is perfect for a traditional Christmas motif, but works great for happy, everyday living as well.  It is vibrant and cheerful, and makes us want to take the time to do something fun with those we love.  Family game night, anyone?

I guess it won’t be so bad taking the tree down after all, if I can look forward to making your rooms merry and bright for the rest of the year!  It’s not really about the decorations…  For me, it’s about sharing good times and creating wonderful memories.

SO…may the comfort and joy of the season remain in your home throughout the year…

Leslie

Interior designer, published author, speaker…   and hopeless Christmas Romantic!

Filed under: Uncategorized

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before.  What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store?  What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

– Dr. Seuss

The Grinch Christmas Tree at Universal Studios Hollywood

Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving at our house means putting up the tree.  Despite all the media frenzy about Black Friday “deals,” we try as a family to tune out all the obnoxious retail marketing schemes that have been coming at us since Halloween.  We trash the coupons that come in the mail, we delete all the email alerts from the stores, and we just don’t play that silly game.  Instead, we stay in our jammies all morning and decorate the house for Christmas, a much more meaningful and memorable way of spending our time, I think.

We couldn‘t do it this past Friday because we had company, but that’s ok.  Anyway, I’m still looking for some inspiration – something fabulous and exciting that will get the creative juices flowing.  It all starts with the tree, of course, and while the Grinch’s famous tree is cute and whimsical and fun, I have to admit that for my own Christmas, I like to keep it traditional and elegant, like this photo from bhg.com.

Too stuffy?  Maybe.  I like that the tree is really full, and I love the timeless combination of flowers and birds.  I also love the coppery red accents with a touch of lavender, but I think I need a little more color.  Colored flowers, instead of white, perhaps.

I found this image from Trendy Tree, and I think this is probably a little bit more my style.  I love how the top of the tree is not overly exaggerated, I love the variation in the size, color and texture of the ornamental foliage.  The fabric ribbon is dressy but not super-formal. There’s just enough glitter and gold to make it festive.  I love it – and I’m going to try and pull it off on my own tree!  …Except I’m thinking of toning down the orange and bringing in more of the berry shades to complement what I already have…  Hmmm… Oh, I feel so much better already!

Wish me luck, and I’ll keep you posted,

Leslie.

Interior designer, published author, speaker, and …Black Friday non-shopper!

Filed under: Uncategorized

To be successful, a room must contain the element of contrast – in forms as well as in colors and textures.

–Michael Taylor

Candy Factory Table by Martha Stewart: Sweet, not scary.

Happy Halloween!  In the spirit of the holiday, I found inspiration in all the festive seasonal décor around us.  Not so much in the spooky, ghoulish, side of it, but more in the fun, mischievous, colorful side:  the bright orange pumpkins, the overflowing baskets of candy, the promise of costumed children lighting up the otherwise dark streets.  There is something very alluring and tantalizing about the whole thing, and I wondered, “There must be some way to bring this vibrant palette of color, the dramatic contrast between darkness and light, and a little impish rebelliousness into a classic, sophisticated interior design.”  

Here is a successful interpretation of orange and black by American designer Jeffrey Bilhuber, who is undoubtedly a master of creating traditional interiors with modern sensibilities.  The vivid colors of the season are tempered by the creamy neutrals, and the absence of a bold pattern offers relief from the intense hue on the walls.  He breaks the rules with chairs that don’t match.  Love that.

On the other hand, this photo from Country Living Magazine features big, bold damask patterns in dramatic black and white.  Nothing could be more classic or sophisticated.  While this room is obviously decorated for Halloween, it wouldn’t take much to redesign it for a year-round look.  I would simply remove the gourds and replace them with framed family photos, change out the floral arrangement to go with the season, replace the black candles with a more neutral color, and my little act of mischief?  Paint the walls in a rich, yummy Pumpkin.  Wow, I’m such a rebel…

Until next time,

Leslie

Interior designer, published author, speaker… …and Mommy of Two Little Imps!

Filed under: Uncategorized