Tiny Tables, Big Style

I hope everyone is doing okay in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy!? We were very lucky here on Cape Cod, didn't even lose power, though many others did. My thoughts go out to all those in the more affected areas in New York, New Jersey and all along the coast!

I wanted to share a post I just did for New England Home magazine's blog. I wrote about my love of tiny tables: they are not only beautiful but also very handy!

Read the rest of the article here. And below are some lovely little tables that I've been noticing recently:

Dunes & Duchess' Drinks Top Tables

Van Collier Ginkie Martini Table

Accordian Side Table from Urban Outfitters

Silver Waves Martini table from Zinc Door

Manhattan Martini Table from Stanley Signatures

Parisian Side Table from RH Baby & Child

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My advice when courting media coverage

Read the rest of the article here.


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IFDA New England Designer's Showcase 2012 Winners

As I posted yesterday, IFDA New England just announced the winner's of this year's Designer Showcase & Recognition Awards and my bachelor pad project was selected as the winner in the Living Spaces category. This is a semi-annual design competition where submissions are adjudicated via a blind judging process overseen by Design New England magazine who are media sponsors of the competition. All the winners will be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine.

Winner -  Kitchen or Bath:  Michael Kim Associates, Architecture.

Winner: Bedroom - Kathie Chrisicos Interiors

Winner: Specialty Spaces (showhouses, vignettes, etc): Jacqueline Becker Fine Arts

Winner: Community Service - Donna Venegas - Venegas and Company. Donna's company provided (pro-bono) the kitchen for a home that serves children and families going through medical crises.

Winner: Living Space - Linda Merrill

Congrats to all my fellow winners!

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My Award Winning Design!

 Above, L-R: Donna Vanegas, Rob Henry, Kathie Chrisicos, Linda Merrill, Michael Kim, Jacqueline Becker and Gail Ravgiala

I'm thrilled and honored to share that last evening, I won the IFDA New England Designer 2012 Showcase Award for Best Living Space! My award winning design was a crisp and clean penthouse condo that overlooked the Charles River on Beacon Street in Boston. A huge thanks to Design New England magazine who was media sponsor for this event and who, under the guidance of editor-in-chief Gail Ravgiala, convened a panel of esteemed judges to adjudicate the over 50 submissions across 5 categories: Living Space, Bedroom, Kitchen/Bath, Specialty Space, and Community Service award.

Winners this evening: Kathie Chrisicos, Bedroom; Michael Kim, Kitchen; Jacqueline Becker, Specialty Space; and Donna Vanegas, Community Service Award. All the entries were fantastic! 

Here is my award winning space! 

Here was my written submission:

Project Name: Back Bay Bachelor Penthouse
Category: Living Space

"This Back Bay Penthouse was a gut rehab project for a single man. The 800 sq. ft. condo consisted of one bedroom, a small closed-off kitchen, several closets and a living room overlooking the Charles River. The space had not been updated in many years. The homeowner wished to open up several walls to create a single airy large living space incorporating the kitchen and creating a small dining area where there once was an oversize closet. By opening the walls and kitchen to the living room, the small space immediately felt much larger than its square footage suggested and drew all attention to the spectacular view of the Charles River.

While the client’s personal style calls for simple lines, plain surfaces and contemporary furnishings we wanted to retain as much of the original material as possible to remain true to the history of neighborhood. This included retaining as much original flooring as possible and replicating the existing molding. There  were many issues with the local zoning board and condo association throughout the process on what could be done and not done both inside and out which turned this into a much more complicated project than originally intended. The outcome was a comfortable and modern space that was very functional and served all the needs of the client. "

ETA: Here is the judges statement regarding my winning space, plus the "before" pictures:

Living space

By enclosing the radiators, the designer created window seats and transformed a dated bank of windows into the highlight of the room. The white woodwork and soft color of the walls and furnishings give the room a fresh appeal. Trimming the dropped ceiling with moulding is a smart way of defining the new kitchen, where dark cabinetry offers a contrast that draws the eye.

I'll be sharing all the award winning spaces as soon as they are available!

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Tile of Spain: Designs With Designs

By ::Surroundings:: Guest Blogger Lori Dolnick

According to Tile expert, Ryan Fasan the tile industry - especially the Tile of Spain manufacturers - are in a renaissance period. Spanish technology is driving innovation from every facet. For instance, ink jet printing is providing limitless opportunity for design customization and to reinvent organic themes such as wood and marble. Thin tile offers large wall and floor formats and new dimensional shapes. Eco-friendly advances include recycled tile, tile that absorbs pollution or tile that provides an energy efficient surface that’s warm to the touch.

Last week's two hour event was packed with information not only from the manufacturers themselves – but also award winning architecture from Spanish architect Ángela García de Paredes – Principal, Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos, Madrid, Spain that demonstrated how material and nature are important design considerations. Dr. Martin Bechthold – Professor of Architectural Technology/ Group Head, Graduate School of Design, Harvard University shed light on integrating robotic technology into fabrication and construction processes, developing advanced material systems and understanding problems of lifecycle design. Andie Day, local designer/blogger moderated a lively design forum where architects and designers could ask the speakers specific questions regarding their projects. The well-attended CEU event was sponsored by the Tile of Spain and held in the new BSA (Boston Society of Architects) Space in Boston.

To experience the entire evening in about 2 minutes, watch this fun video recap:


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Seen at Ellis Boston Antiques Show - this weekend!

I always love attending the Ellis Boston Antiques show, going on this weekend, and this year feels like the best yet. There are 40 dealers and galleries participating in this year's show. The furniture, art and jewelry (oh, the jewelry!) were inspiring. I didn't take photos of jewelry - too heart breaking to have to walk away from some of those sparklers!

Here is some of what caught my eye. The show is going on through Sunday, so if you're in the area and love antiques, or want to learn more, it's worth the trip. They also have seminars throughout the weekend as well. 

I loved everything at Margaret Doyle's stand which included an eclectic mix of traditional antiques to industrial age pieces - very steampunk.

Marcoz Antiques - very traditional; very, very beautiful. European and Scandinavian antiques.

Loved this quartet of Swedish mirrored sconces from Alexander Westerhoff Antiques.

Loved this small marquetry box from Essex Antiquarians. The tumbling block quilt pattern rendered in different woods - gorgeous.

My friends Diana and Scott Cooper of Trianon Antiques made their first appearance at the show - and produced a gorgeous stand featuring some of the best of their French antiques.

How gorgeous is this lapis lazuli pot??

 

Love this view of one of Trianon's gorgeous crystal chandeliers (I used one from their gallery in this project)

These pieces from John Sidelli Fine Art in Maine are right up my New England design aesthetic alley.

How gorgeous is this harvest table, circa 1850?

And finally, this Ralph Cahoon "Man With Telescope" wood carving, known to be one of only two in existence, from Roberto Freitas American Antiques.  Love, love this piece.

There are various talks going on through the weekend. Yesterday, I attended an excellent panel discussion on Decorating with Antiques sponsored by New England Home magazine and moderated by Editor-in-Chief Kyle Hoepner. Speakers includes Phillip Jude Miller, America Dural; Charles Spada, Charles Spada Interiors; and Sally Wilson, ASID, Wilson Kelsey Design.

I tweeted through the discussion some of my favorite quotes and concepts from these wonderful designers:

Still time to get to the show, info here.

Have a great weekend! I'll be dreaming of all the beautiful jewelry I couldn't afford!

If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please email me. Thanks! Subscribe to ::Surroundings::