Current Inspiration: Sawyer Berson

The July issue of Architectural Digest featured a stunning project that I has really inspired me.  The architecture, interiors, and landscape of this Southampton home were all designed by one single Manhattan firm called Sawyer Berson.  Being unfamiliar with their work, I did a little digging (since I wanted to see more).  Well, the portfolio of this multi-talented group does not disappoint... in fact, it's completely breath taking.  I love their fresh perspective on timeless design-- this group mixes classic architecture with comfortable, livable, and modern interiors to create what I call PERFECTION.  Really.  Go look at their portfolio here.  And then spend the next hour of your day pinning inspiration images to your Pinterest board.  :)

While the Southampton home in this month's AD is phenomenal (it is), I think that my favorite Sawyer Berson project lies in Wainscott.  Take at look at this beauty...

Stunning beach property with a dream driveway of pea gravel, surrounded by greenery.

 Love this contrast between the crisp white paneled walls and dark flooring.

 This entry is so gorgeous.  I love how edited it is...  while so many people would add an area rug, they let the simplicity of the table and hardwood work on it's own.  And instead, your eyes are drawn the to that beautiful fireplace.

 Note: the mix of textures in the room is flawless-- woven rug, hide on the ottoman, bright white linens, sheer drapery, glass...  Also, THE VIEW.

 Note: tongue and groove ceilings, AMAZING hardwood flooring, glass cabinet doors, dutch door...

 DREAMY

And, the most fabulous part of this property... 

This backyard cannot be improved.  It's completely perfect.  From the crisp hedges to the bright white umbrellas,the gorgeous decking and THAT VIEW.   This is the stuff beach house dreams are made of.

The Sawyer Berson portfolio is so worth a look-- lots of incredible inspiration there.  Enjoy!

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Mary McDonald Wallpaper (Chinois Palais & Park Avanue Python)

Mary McDonald's fabric and trim collection for Schumacher is so beautiful, it will make your eyes pop out of your head.  :)  But now, that collection is even BETTER because two of her most popular prints-- Chinois Palais and Park Avenue Python--are now available in wallpaper panels.  Hooray!!! 

For me, it doesn't get any better than this green colorway...

The "blush" version is equally stunning.  Just gorgeous.

And, one of my absolute favorites-- the Park Avenue Python-- is now a wallpaper.  I love this...

I have samples shipping to my office as we speak.  Very excited to use them in upcoming projects.


As a refresher, here are some of my favorite images from the Mary McDonald collection.  The appliques and trims are seriously in a class of their own (if you ask me).  Bravo, Miss Mary.

  

 

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Grey is the New Black

The throw pillows we carry at High Street Market are completely custom made.  So, when these pleated beauties came back from our fabricator last week, I screamed a little in excitement.  :)  They're gorgeous.  Available in either grey or charcoal, our new Pleated Pillow is a wool/poly blend (with down insert included) and features the most fantastically tailored pleats.  The two shades of grey are really good (think prep school uniform or men's suiting), and the colors complement just about every color scheme.  I absolutely love the subtle texture these pillows bring to a room. The pleats are so classic, this pillow goes in modern spaces just as easily as it highlights traditional interiors.  LOVE this new addition to the store.

 

just a little close up shot (love that detail!)

We currently have two sizes in stock: a 15" x 20" lumbar, and the classic throw 19" x 19".  

( available HERE )

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Current Inspiration: Buttoned Up Bohemian

There are some designers that do bohemian style really well.  And while I love that relaxed, chilled-out, hippie vibe (dude, I'm from California) my version of bohemian design is a bit more "buttoned up".  And, I think the unexpected mix of boho and super traditional is where it's at.  :)  Think fancy, glossy, traditional furniture and tailored upholstery mixed with eclectic textiles and natural elements like horn, seagrass and animal hide.  The combo tends to feel relaxing, unpretentious, and a little easy-breezy (as any bohemian vibe should), but the unexpected element of "fancy" makes the space feel a little more polished.

I just finished a project for a local Philadelphia client, and the vibe was very much "buttoned up bohemian".  So, these are some of the inspiration images that are covering my desk this week.  I love how these rooms seem to tell a story.  Such an interesting mix...

 Nathan Turner

 Betsy Burnham

Betsy Burnham

 

Nathan Turner

Kristen Panitch

 Kristen Panitch

 Kristen Panitch

Kristen Panitch

 

Thom Felicia

 

Thom Felicia

 

Peter Dunham

Thom Felicia

I think the trick to achieving this look is by combining textures and finishes, adding layers of pattern, and unexpected shots of color.  Here is a modified version of that design board from my recent presentation (with a few links down below)...

master bedroom - 

modern brass lamp / bone tray / mirror (similar) / sconces / side table / bed / bedding / Moroccan side table / zebra pillow / bench / floor lamp / vintage rug (similar)

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The Easiest Flower Arrangement Ever (with our Orb Flower Frog)

We have a new product in the store.  It's this fabulous Ceramic Orb Flower Frog (it comes in matte black or matte white).  We added this piece to our product line a few months ago, and just before the Easter holiday our shipment arrived.  I was pretty excited.  :)  Since we were hosting Easter this year, I decided to use a couple (in the white colorway) as Easter centerpieces.  Let me say-- I love this thing.  Talk about an easy arrangement!!  It's terrific.  Here's how easy it is to use...

 

My Easter table was mostly set.  I played around with this centerpiece arrangement-- one orb? two? or three orbs, down the center of the table?? In the end, I decided that two felt like a nice balance for a table of six people.

I purchased a bunch of different flowers (including peonies, alstroemeria, and hypericum-- all from my local grocery store), and filled the bowl base with fresh water.

 

 starting with the peonies...

 

...and finishing with the alstroemeria and pink hypericum.  I tried to balance everything out, placing different stems all around the orb.  I didn't feel the need to fill every hole with a stem-- I like seeing some of the open holes peek through. 

Done!

I love these orbs and will be using them quite often for future arrangements.  So easy.  Wouldn't these make the most terrific Mother's Day gifts?  I think so.  I really love the matte white, but we also have them in matte black (which feels a little more modern, in my opinion). 

our Ceramic Orb Flower Frog in the black colorway

I love any excuse to go crazy buying fresh flowers.  And, Easter Sunday was a really good excuse.  :)

I bought 50 pink tulips (couldn't resist that color!), and made two large arrangements for our dining room credenza...

I used our Blue & White Ginger Jars as vases.  Love this combo of blue & white with the bright pink blossoms.  And, tulips last forever (as I type this post -- one week after Easter -- these tulips are still gorgeous).  Money well spent, if you ask me.  ;)

We also took our little bunny to his first Easter mass...

and, he didn't make a sound.  :)

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

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Spring In My Step

Now that I live on the east coast, one of the things I love most is experiencing SEASONS.  And, even though I really dislike the frigid, paralyzing chill of winter (this winter was particularly horrendous, am I right?), I am reminded that without winter we would not have spring.  And spring is the most delightful of seasons.  With spring, we only have the summer and fall to look forward to!  Such a happy time.  And the east coast "spring fever" is contagious-- everyone is smiling when the temperatures soar above 60 degrees, bulbs start popping out of the ground and the sun is shining.  I'm serious, everywhere you go, people are happier and nicer to each other ("Hello, how are you?" "Oh, let me get that door for you!" "Have a great day! The sun is shining!").  Even the most grouchy east coaster turn into the sweetest person in the springtime.  It's my favorite time of year!  :)

daffodils in my kitchen ($2.00 a bunch, thank you)

evening walks in the park with Dave and William look like this

The garden outside our High Street Market office door-- soon, there will be tulips everywhere!  The best!

This is our first spring with a little baby in the house.  So, that is different.  Everything is a bit more exciting.  William is growing so fast, I wish I could freeze time.  Here he is at a recent doctors appointment, looking svelte on the exam table...

weighing in at almost 20 pounds, this kid.

And, with the warmer temperatures, I am feeling more inspired to get working in the yard again.  I recently purchased this landscaping book (mostly because the cover is stunning, but the content of the book is also excellent)...

Take a look at the inside...

Our backyard is mostly a disaster.  So, we have our work cut out for us.  This book will provide lots of inspiration, I think.  :)

Happy Spring, everyone!

xx

Kelly

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Client Project Sneak Peek

Today, I thought I would share a little sneak peek/"before & after" of one of my Philadelphia design projects.  I've been working with this family for a couple of years now, slowly transforming individual rooms in their home.  I truly LOVE working with them-- they have great taste.  And, seeing the spaces transform has been such a delight.  A few weeks ago, I snapped a couple of Instagram pictures with my phone (follow me @kellyrobson).  When I got back to my office, I pulled up the "before" shots, and thought the comparison was sort of fun.  :)  Here's a little sneak peek...

This hallway was completely transformed with the addition of wainscoting, new baseboards, and crown moulding.  A fresh coat of white paint brightened everything up, and by painting the coat closet doors a glossy black, we created a dramatic focal point.  The lantern is available through High Street Market- click here.

 This dining room is one of my favorite rooms.  Again, trim changes EVERYTHING.  We wallpapered the upper walls with a tailored grasscloth, added wall sconces for additional lighting, and painted the ceiling a pale shade of blue/grey (Farrow & Ball "Skylight").  My client says that the blue/grey color changes with the sunlight throughout the day-- how lovely is that?!

This year, we continue to move forward with the interior design of this gorgeous home (next up, a completely redesigned mudroom, as well as a new master bedroom).  I'm excited to share the transformation as we go.  But, by focusing on the architectural details (like wainscoting trim, crown moulding ,etc) you frame everything else in the space more beautifully.  And, it's amazing what a simple can of paint can do!

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