Sunday Obsession...

 

Remember Carrie Bradshaw's Upper East Side apartment? Well, somehow, it became my Sunday obsession. From the floorplan to the ultimate makeover (as seen in the movie), it's been about the fictional writer's fictional four-story walk-up all day. Since Carrie's pre-makeover apartment furnishings were mostly mix and match thrift store finds, I recreated the movie makeover for all you chicas who have Blahnik taste on a freelance writer's budget, like Carrie:) So here we go!

 

Behr Paint in Babbling Brook



 

Glass Exquisite Table Lamps






 






Mirrored Accent Table





 

Lilac Duvet Set

 Swoop Upholstered Accent Chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura Hill Jungle Art Pillow

 

 

Traks Square Decorative Pillow




And here are some BONUS pieces JUST FOR FUN...

 

 

 

 

 

 



Love Affair!



Lavender... I remember the very first time I met Lavender. I have no idea why the experience of discovering this color is such a vivid memory for me. It was my 6th birthday and my mother ordered my birthday cake from the bakery. When she opened the box, it was the prettiest purple I had never seen! I asked her, "What color is that?" , and she replied, "Lavender."
 

In hindsight and even now, I can see why I was so enamoured with it. It's pretty, it's mysterious, it's stunning, and it's unique. Every time I see lavender I re-live that experience all over again! And there you have it, my love affair with lavender.
 

As for the picture up there, it just makes me happy. The color is part of the reason, but the interpretation of it makes it that much better. The Shoes? Christian Louboutin Greissimo. The treats? Scrumptious Cake (Courtesy of: Life as a Wife and Twice the Spice - Recipe). The room? No idea who designed it, but let's recreate the look!

 

Victoria Sleigh Bed from Z Gallerie




 



Chenille Throw from Target

Vintage Purple Puff Pillow from Amazon.com

Threshold Velvet Decorative Pillow from Target. You can add inexpensive
organza ribbon to the edges to achieve that romantic detail as pictured in the original.





 

Michelle White Table Lamp from Lamps Plus



Wooster Table from Zara Home





 

Alice wallpaper from Home Wallpaper Shop

*This piece is a reproduction of an original by artist C. Jere., so it has a higher price point. This is available at Jonathan Adler.



Total Recall

When it comes to design, there is nothing I love more than walking through and experiencing a space with a concept. Don't get me wrong, it's nice if the space is simply well done but there is something about discovering the intent behind various design choices that is so exciting. The key to carrying a concept through spaces is the "tie-in." For instance, when the outside surroundings are tied into the architecture and then carried through the interiors and ultimately down to the decoration. What do I mean? Well, I can show you better than I can tell you. Now the following photos are not from the same project. However, I did enjoy these projects separately and they reminded me of each other, which led me to thinking about concepts and so on. So here it goes.

 

CONCEPT= COMMUNITY USING THE SYMBOLISM OF A QUILT

 

MURAL WITH PATCHWORK CONFIGURATION. EVOCATIVE OF A QUILT.
This mural by Bay Area artist Barry McGee cloaks the facade of the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn. It's vibrant, it's graphic, it's refreshing (to say the least).

 


COLORS AND GRAPHIC PATTERN FOLLOWED THROUGH TO INTERIOR (PS: I LOVE THAT THE ACTUAL COMFORTER ISN'T A QUILT BUT DEFINITELY REMINISCENT OF ONE. AND GREAT THAT THE RUG IS LIKE PATCHWORK. BOTH ELEMENTS DRAW ON THE QUILT CONCEPT WITHOUT BEING TOO LITERAL).

This space was designed by ColorTHEORY in Boston for their Bay Village Project. The room is fun, colorful, and clever; especially that bookshelf.

 

 

THE QUILT CONCEPT CAN BE SEEN HERE IN A MUCH MORE ABSTRACT INTERPRETATION...THE MIXING AND MATCHING OF THE CHAIRS!  (NOTE: IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO REINTERPRET THE CONCEPT SO IT REMAINS INTERESTING AND UNEXPECTED) ColorTHEORY, Bay Village project. Organization can be fun! Playtime is over and everything has its place (a parent's dream). And I totally dig the chalkboard paint...AND nice touch framing it with an outline.

 

 

(**Please note: As stated previously, the mural by Barry McGee and the ColorTHEORY projects are not related and do not exist in the same structure. The comparison was strictly for the purpose of this article. So don't go spreading any rumors! LOL**)

 

 

 

 

We aren't always afforded the opportunity to develop a concept that can be implemented from scratch, but even if you are working with existing architecture, you can let it inform you as to how to approach your interior. If the architecture is leaving much to be desired you can just as easily develop a concept to carry through your interior spaces. However, regardless of how cool or unique a concept may seem, the most important factor is that in some way shape or form it is a reflection of you, your personality, or some other aspect of your life. Otherwise, over time it won't resonate with you and you'll end up living in a really cool art installation. No bueno! Be clever, be true, be  you, always.

 

 

 

 

 

Content: Design Concept, Conceptual Design, Barry McGee, ColorTheory Boston, Mural, Quilt