“And may I have the envelope please…”
February 24, 2012
I am a sucker for a good awards show. I suppose it all started when I attended the Daytime Emmy Awards Show in LA in the late 90′s. {All fashion disaster photos have been destroyed to protect the innocent!} It was there that I watched star after star win an award and sat at a table with interesting Hollywood celebrities, pretty exciting for an NC gal. At the much later Hollywood After Party, I spotted giggly girl Kelly Ripa and her then new hubby Mark Consuelos making out in the corner ~ completely oblivious to the wonderful world of fame and fortune surrounding them. I was mesmerized.
I have to admit, I was thrilled to learn that the very same night I’ll be arriving in LA for the Bloggers Conference, the Oscar’s will be in full swing not to far from my hotel! In the spirit of good design I thought I would share some of the best sets from this years Oscar top contenders.
The Artist (Weinstein Company)
Production Design: Laurence Bennett
Set Decoration: Robert Gould
Production Design: Stuart Craig
Set Decoration: Stephenie McMillan
xo Christi
Note: As noted above, all images came from the Architectural Digest website, to see many more images visit their website here and the Oscar’s page here.
Room Rave ~ The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
February 21, 2012
Last week took me yet again to Las Vegas on business. The trip included two highlights: a stay at the new hotel The Cosmopolitan and Elton John, live(!)
The hotel – one of Las Vegas’ newest additions – is a chic designed, urban eclectic mix of retail, restaurants and room designs. The exterior was tough to get a good photo of so I searched online to find these for you:
The interior public spaces of the hotel were so interesting and varied that they are worth a blog dedicated to just them so stay tuned ~ my next trip back I’ll take the time to get photos of the public (very interesting) spaces!
Today I’ll focus on my room on the 25th floor.
The bed wall:
The desk wall:
The desk:
The nightstand and room control (that nifty thing that looks like a phone):
The closet (I know – interesting, right?)
Well fooled you! Slide the door to the left and now you have the entrance to the bathroom!
The inside of that closet was pretty fun too! Orange coat hangers and “face” wallpaper:
The peek-a-boo shower. This is the view from the bedroom looking into the bath/shower area:
Drop the shades down and you get the peek-a-boo affect (rather than the full show)!
Twist the cord then you can’t see a thing:
The beds had a great looking navy blue blanket that gave off an equestrian vibe:
The bathroom was nice and streamlined. One of my favorite pluming lines – Kalista – was used throughout:
The wallpaper from a distance appeared to be this great bold black and white graphic:
But up close the pattern was actually quite provocative:
It kind of reminded me of the old Charlie’s Angels logo!
Or the ever-famous James Bond movies:
Great goodies from spa company C.O. Bigelow lined the shower shelves:
The well-placed trunk is just inside the front door – a perfect place for luggage!
And last was my incredible view – overlooking the Strip, Paris and the Bellagio Fountains!
Like I mentioned, my other highlight was attending a live performance by Elton John, Million Dollar Piano!
Happy Traveling everyone!
xo Christi
Note: I was so busy while there that I was only able to photograph my room at night!
Photo credits: 1. AskMen 2. GetARoom 3-15, 18-20 by me, 16 FarrahFawcettBarbie.com, 17. UniveralExports and 21. Million Dollar Piano Facebook Page.
February 20, 2012 ~ President’s Day
February 20, 2012
As we remember two of our nation’s greatest Presidents today, we thought we would share some patriotic images with you.
{Image source unknown, found on Pinterest}
{Between Naps on the Front Porch}
{Nest Egg}
{Tiny White Daisies}
Happy President’s Day everyone!
xo Christi
Pantone Color Trend Report
February 17, 2012
Pantone Color Institute has announced their color trend report for Fall/Winter 2012 and it’s pretty exciting!
Overall the announcement includes lots of great neutrals however they are accentuated with pops of bold and fun colors. Leatrice Eiseman (Executive Directore of Pantone) says this about the announcement: “By playing to consumers’ practical side with versatile neutrals, and boosting their confidence with bold, spirited hues, this skillfully balanced palette has something for everyone.”
This announcement is geared toward fashion and you are sure to see it popping up in stores everywhere. We all know fashion influences home design so I encourage you to get a headstart on what you will see popping up in home decor later next year.
So what’s on tap for this fall? Here is a list of the selected colors, their designers and rooms featuring these great fall colors.
{see our Kate Spade post here}
{Pinterest}
{decorpad}
{Live, Breathe Decor}
{LaChanga}
{Metropolitan Home}
There are many other great colors so to learn more check out Pantone Color Institute.
xo Christi
Black Windows and Doors
February 15, 2012
Searching through my style files today I realize I have an obsession with black painted trim on windows and doors.
{Interiors Magazine}
{Houzz.com}
{House of Turquoise}
{Pinterest – original source unknown}
{Roman and Williams}
{by our very own Anne Barnhardt, Barbour Spangle Design}
xo
Christi
To see more…
Trend Spotter: Kate Spade’s Spring Campaign
February 14, 2012
What better day to talk about Kate Spade’s new Spring Campaign then Valentine’s Day! It’s full of black, white and HOT PINK paired with Florence Broadhurst’s famous Japanese Floral!! Kate Spade is known all over the world for her classic, bold and colorful designs. She is one of those designers that I LOVE pretty much everything that she designs but will probably never splurge on any of them. A girl can dream, right?? Her latest collection has hit a soft spot in my heart with it’s bold mix of large floral patterns, black, white and hot pink!!
Here’s a few photos of the collection:
images via kate spade
Here are a few beautifully designed rooms with the crisp color combo:
images can be found and researched via my Pinterest board: Home Base
Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a very happy PINK filled Valentine’s Day!!!
xo-
Brianne
Keep Posted…We Are Only Gonna Get Better!
February 13, 2012
To serve you, our faithful readers, better – I have something very exciting to share!
I’ll be attending the Design Bloggers Conference the end of this month in Los Angeles. The Design Bloggers Conference is the only conference specifically focused on the interests of bloggers on interior design. Design celebrities including MARTYN LAWRENCE-BULLARD, BUNNY WILLIAMS, RONDA CARMAN, CASSANDRA LAVALLE, TOBI FAIRLEY and many others will be there to teach, interact and share.
I can’t wait!
xo Christi
Behind the Scenes of Set Design
February 11, 2012
For those of you who read our blog regularly enough, you probably remember my brother “Uncle Matt” makes movies. He is a behind the scenes kind of guy. I started my carreer behind the scenes too, set design that is. That’s why I remain fascinated by photo, tv and film sets.
I spent some time this morning gathering some of my favorite behind-the-scene- shots. I found Elle Decor to have a wealth of images featuring some of the mega-hits in Hollywood. See if you can guess what movie or tv show some of these famous sets are from!
You can get a table like this – a Saarinen classic Tulip dining table made by Knoll – through Hive Modern for $1807
For an Indian inspired mirror like the one Julia Roberts is looking into take a look at our friends at Serena and Lily for a great option.
This kitchen set is the center of a lot of action in the movie it’s home to. To recreate the look of the marble top island look no further than Crate & Barrel at their French Kitchen Island.
The movie filmed here chilled me to my bones. It’s black and white tone is a chilling backdrop to the story line. The black and white abstract art really anchors the room. This piece by Leftbank Art is 54″ square and can be purchased through us for $325.
This “love to hate her” film had many scenes filmed within the walls of this office. To find an option to a great desk like her check out CB2′s Tesso Desk for $329
Artwork found throughout the set of this very funny movie is by artist Kenton Nelson (look in the background at the foyer). You can learn more about Kenton’s work here.
The sofa in this fashion-diva living room is by Mantauk Sofa and the fun floral pillow is by The Rug Company.
This image {from Apartment Therapy} is the bedroom setting to an eternal love story. To get a desk chair like Edwin’s try a Walnut Eames DCW desk chair available through ALL MODERN.
Lighting this great is all you need in a room and Lindsey Adelman is the resource to find it.
This is the set that I watch most every morning learning the events of the day. The backdrop to the sofa area could also serve as a great room divider. 3Form offers ready made solutions in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
So, how did you do? Take a peek at the movie and tv names to see if you guessed right!
1. Mad Men
2. Eat, Pray, Love
3. It’s Complicated
4. Sleeping With The Enemy
5. Devil Wears Prada
6. Something’s Gotta Give
7. Sex & The City 2
8. New Moon
9. Sex & The City 2
10. The Today Show
As you can see, our favorite on screen world can certainly influence your real world! If you find that a movie or tv show really inspires you – do some research and find out what items are in those spaces. That information may very well help you put together the room – or home – of your dreams!
Have a great weekend,
xo Christi
Carpet Tiles
February 10, 2012
If you are looking for a little inspiration for a quick project this weekend check out the new carpet tiles from FLOR. We routinely use carpet tiles for a variety of reasons: flexibility, easy installation, they hold up to families (and pets), and they have a great GREEN story – they are made from renewable or recycled products and they can be recycled after use with their Return & Recycle program. It’s a win-win for everyone!
One of my favorite designs is called HEY JACK for it’s Brit reference. I can’t wait to find a spot for this fun colorful rug!
Next is Mod Cow:
And it’s counterpart Mod Zebra:
This one is clever – an aerial view of a neighborhood. The name? Be My Neighbor!
For those that love photography, Off The Grid might be your cup of tea. Inspired by photographer Francois Robert.
IKAT patterns have been very popular for some time now. Sophistikat is Flor’s answer to getting IKAT design on your floor!
With the flexibility of FLOR tiles and patterns you can create, the options really are limitless.
Go ahead and play around with all the options – get your creative juice on!
Have a great weekend everyone,
xo Christi
Wednesday Wisdom ~ Tween Bedroom Walls
February 8, 2012
This week’s question is:
My “tween” daughter HAD to have a black and white polka dot comforter…along with one blue wall with 3 white walls. I need some ideas on what we can hang on the walls…they are so bare right now! Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Tween’s are always a tough call: they are ready for a more grown up room, one that reflects their personality and new found freedoms. Yet often they are involved in the decorating process and have been known to make less-than-desirable decisions. Even when they do a fantastic job with their selections there is often something that leaves a parent scratching their heads.
In the case of our readers note above, it sounds like all in all this Tween did a great job with her selections, we just need to help Mom figure out what to do with the walls. In the end this decision boils down to personal taste and budgets however we have come up with a variety of ideas to get this Tween Mom started.
Try a wall of black and white photo frames with a large initial incorporated into the mix.
Wall graphics are a fun and inexpensive way to really add some punch to your Tween’s walls. These are available from PB Teen:
These are available from WallWords.com
Another great site is Wall2Wall Stickers. They have a great variety of inexpensive peel and stick decals.
Try spelling out her name in wire or wood wall letters painted black like the ones shown below from PB Teen. You can also find wall letters at craft stores such as AC Moore, Michaels and Hobby Lobby.
Inspirational artwork that has a good message for your tween to wake up to each morning is always a good choice.
Colorful art that ties your room colors into the walls is a great choice too!
Good luck with the final phase of your Tween room!
xo Christi
Do you have a decorating dilemma that you could use some help with? Email us your question (cb@barbourspangle.com) or post it on our FaceBook site.
