BKLYN Design Show

People always wonder what the differences in the boroughs of NYC are. Well, while I'm not too familiar with Staten Island, The Bronx, or Queens (just yet)... I do know Brooklyn & Manhattan!

Manhattan has a certain energy to it filled with bright lights, tourists, and chic new restaurants to explore every day; Brooklyn caters to uniquely creative people not wanting to walk in others footsteps. The other day, while walking around Brooklyn, I discovered a design event showcasing all of my fellow artsy brooklynites May 7-9.

Stay tuned for a later post showing pictures directly from the design event as well as my top likes and dislikes from the show!

Reclaimed - IN with the old, OUT with the new

The new craze is all about sustainable products and green design. I have to admit, I wasn't crazy about the initial items that first made their way to the public; there are only so many products you can make out of bamboo. But I have to say, I've been converted to a believer that the green movement isn't just a phase... it's here for the long run.

Committing to green design doesn't have to be a change in lifestyle. Don't think that being environmentally conscious means you have to start drinking vegan soy smoothies and wearing organic socks. You don't even have to LIKE the environment! Now days, there are so many gorgeous reclaimed items to decorate your house with you won't be sacrificing design style. Check out some great new items that are both environmentally friendly as well as fabulous.

Who says your chairs have to match. Try spicing up a dining room table by replacing the perfectly matching chairs with a set of reclaimed teak ones by West End.

To be sustainable, decor doesn't need to be new products from sustainable materials. Try going to antique stores and refurbishing a vintage lamp for a unique look.

Large prints are a new craze for wall covering. To add more texture, Philip Jeffries has a unique line of textured wall covering. Some materials they use include are mica chip, grass cloth, paper cloth, raffia, silk, and metallic papers.

Another company creates wall covering made of truly recycled items. NEWSPAPERS! Weitzner did a great job coming up with a truly unique wall covering that adds texture and a great focal point.

If I haven't sold you on reclaimed items, maybe this will last item will.... A giant teak fork and knife to accompany your kitchen decor!

Architectural Digest Home Show 2010 - Great Finds

Design events and shows are always a welcome break to meet new people and check out the latest creations. While I could do without the $5 bottles of water and throngs of people, the culinary demonstrations, free wine, and handouts are more than enough of a reason to attend! The Architectural Digest Home Show held this past weekend is one of the best of the year – and as always, proved to be a day of great new finds.

Here are a few of my FAVORITE new items:

Not only were no animals hurt in the making of this lighting fixture, but the clean contemporary white lacquer and rustic origin give this chandelier a unique eclectic look. By Roll and Hill.

A remake of an original created by Tucker Robbins, these are fabulous, solid wood accent chairs that would be great as an accent to a brightly patterned throw.

One of the newest trends I've been seeing around are enclosed chandeliers. This chandelier by John Pomp studios, however, is the first glass enclosed chandelier I've seen of this magnitude in a residential setting. How fabulous would this be in a loft?!

Above are artistic steel accent tables by John Beck Paper & Steel. They can be made with any number of your choosing. Such a clever idea to be used in a cluster.

This is a beautiful infinity edge console with rough edges by Tucker Robbins which is stunning.

Walking around DUMBO in Brooklyn, I saw a fabulous industrial lighting fixture and my heart skipped a beat. 22 CC Industrial furnishings specialize in industrial items such as this cage floor lamp which ranks as one of my top finds this show!

Another great lighting fixture by Roll & Hill with a unique rendition of the antler chandelier!

I happened to come upon the John Pomp Studio at the show – hard to miss actually, since the booth was able to hold this massive table. The uncut edges give what would be an otherwise streamlined table an organic look. The table top is available in a few different materials. Can you say ‘Hamptons eat in kitchen?’

Here is another mixed chandelier with industrial old fashion lighting by Zia Priven. The metal can be made with any finish (brass, copper, oil rubbed, satin nickel, etc.). While I love the fake candle chandelier from Restoration Hardware, this is far more authentic!

And finally... I couldn't resist. They have dominos too!

See something that peaks your interest? Shoot me a note for some great related items at erin@emc2interiors.com.

Architectural Digest Home Show - NYC 2010

On this gorgeous 70 degree spring day, I will not be exploring new shops around New York City as much as I would like. However with Spring comes new designs and styles, therefore I am excited to be posting throughout this weekend showing you all new, up in coming designs showcased at the Architectural Digest Home Show!! Stay tuned for pictures from the show and top things I LOVE and of course.... HATE!

EMC2 Project Spotlight: Monet Water Lily Theme Nursery

Despite the record amounts of snow, it’s already March and spring is coming fast. And with spring comes baby season. Therefore, I thought I’d showcase one of my most recent nursery designs.

The mom-to-be of a little girl loved colorful impressionist art and specifically the Monet Water Lily paintings. I used this as the basis to style the room.

We assembled a Monet painting into a variety of vintage style frames, to create an accent wall over the glider. I am a firm believer in nursery furniture that can be used post-baby. This glider would fit well as accent chair in an office or living room.

 

We also chose furniture that will be able to grow with the child. The changing table can become a double dresser, and the crib can be transitioned into a toddler bed, followed by a double bed with the addition of rails. Art work was selected with transition in mind. The style can adjust to be less youthful overtime. This makes a nursery far more economical given the potentially large initial investment.

 

Nestled under a tree, the crib is centered in the room. EMC2 Interiors custom designed and hand painted this whimsical tree, creating a calming focal point for the room.

Birds, Birds, Birds

I love the winter, but after all this snow and cold, I’m getting pretty excited for the spring. A recent scan through facebook confirms that most of you are too.

In anticipation of afternoon park rendezvous, farmer’s market trips, and storing winter clothes far, far away, it’s never to early to start thinking about fun spring designs! I'm a big sucker for incorporating furniture and accessories that are nature themed. One of my new favorite designs is the use of birds. Check out some of the fun and funky items I've come across!

The use of industrial wire with the brightly colored ceramic birds is fantastic! To top it off, I'd add a vintage style light bulb with exposed metal (below).

Combining both texture and nature, these wooden napkin rings from Z-Gallerie are sure to be a conversation starter at any dinner party.

Add a Scandinavian approach by incorporating a wooden mobile like this one from Anthropologie - your living room or kid’s room will have a fun, almost whimsical feel.

 

The bright spring colors for this dishcloth would be perfect in a vintage kitchen mixing the old with the new.

I love incorporating abstract art into all styles. Especially if you're spending a good chunk of change, you are going to want your visitors to notice your design style!

I wish I saw these when I was writing my "Destination Organization" post! I love finding funky new folders, and while these don't include the same witty comments, they are gorgeous!

Sneak a Peak: Bedroom Design Case Study

My fiance and I recently moved into a new apartment that was able to hold more than a just a bed and a small dresser, a rarity for the younger New York crowd. With this newfound space, I was able to design my ideal bedroom from the ground up.  

I start with a big caution. It’s all too easy to go out to a Raymour & Flannigan or Rooms-to-Go and buy a complete set of furniture. The commercials make it look so nice and easy – and it is. But it’s also exceptionally boring and, for most of you, you’ll be sick of it pretty quickly. With a little effort (or a professional designer like yours truly), you can make a bedroom you’ll be excited to sleep in!

Now let’s get to the design. With a real space (at 15 ft x 12 ft, it's actually big enough to be entitled the word MASTER). The bed of course is the center piece, but you can actually still choose what the focus is. A quality headboard is a must. I wanted to create an upholstered headboard with brushed nickel nail heads to give a tailored look while keeping a cozy feel.

The next necessary item is a dresser. I went for a classic, solid wood double dresser. The thing I particularly loved about this dresser was the masculine patina finish on the handles. The legs were inset which added to the unique look of the room.

Lighting is another critical element sometimes overlooked in the average bedroom. Pictured above is the gorgeous, smoke blue Murano glass lamp. It's difficult to find a masculine chandelier, but this might fit the bill as both! Along with some reading lamps, we have our lighting needs well covered.

If you have the room as we did, I absolutely love the metal legs and nail heads on this chaise lounge from Shine by Sho!

All wool handknotted Makhmal rug from ABC Carpet to tie the room together.

In our last apartment, our bed touched 3 out of 4 walls in the room – it was quite literally a bed-room. I have been dreaming of nightstands for a while now, so I chose antiqued mirror drawer chests to straddle the bed.

So what do you think? Send me some comments on my ideas for our new master bedroom and I promise to share the final results! Stay tuned for an up in coming post showcasing possible accessories too!