So I HAD to pick her as a pretend client (because can you think of a cooler client then TS?) Especially with the whole Kansas City “move” with Travis… the girl needs to put her stamp on his house. I have a feeling from his outfits his taste in interiors is probably suspect. And what better way than with a music lounge/bar/den??? I wanted this to feel rich, cozy, sexy and inviting, so I used lots of texture with tones of burnt red/gold (a nod to ol’ #87), and some rich olive green (being its her favorite color). And I sprinkled in some fun bits like the snake mirror, a photograph of the Rhode Island coast (where she has her infamous beach house), a mod cat bed of course, and lots of antique pieces (apparently up her alley?). The furniture has to be pretty solid to hold up all Travis’s football player friends, so I balanced that with this insanely gorgeous floral Iksel paper as the backdrop. Although through peeks into Taylor’s homes over the years she has been shown to be a little more “shabby chic”, I think this look is for a more grown up Taylor. More refined and confident.

How did I do? Should Taylor hire me? :)

SOURCES: sectional // faux fur throw // chairs // wallpaper // rug // coffee table // side tables // mantel // painting // mirror // piano // bar // bar stools // antique x benches // cat bed // photograph // lamp // chandelier // record player // faux orchid // tiger pillow //

This type of post got me thinking about posting some designs we’ve done over the years that did not make the cut, for various reasons. I think it could be interesting to share those and talk about what we loved about them and why they weren’t chosen by the clients. Yes?

It comes as NO surprise that today’s Pretend Client is Beth Dutton from Yellowstone. As you may have seen on my IG, I just started watching the series (started season 2). And while I am perhaps the last person on earth to do so, I must insist you allow me to be late to this party and parlay my very complicated love for the character Beth Dutton into a room design. Based on some things my employees have hinted at about future seasons, it seems Beth needs an office design that is more “her” than what she is given.  So I took her modern day edge, mixed it with some traditional western materials and gave it a go.  An office that is both moody and sleek, complete with built in bar and all the accessories for her “coping mechanism” habits :)

Up next, a Yellowstone influenced Fashion Friday eprhaps??? LOL.

Click images for links except where noted:

Not clickable:

Grasscloth Wallpaper

Horsebit Cabinet Hardware

While trying to think of a blog topic today, some of the girls in the office were discussing the new HBO Max show Julia – and that, combined with own kitchen renovation, led me to think, why not make Julia my next “Pretend Client” and design an updated kitchen for her? I figured maybe Julia would be down with an induction range since it’s not only greener but also more responsive than gas (so I’m told). Also – spoiler alert – this is the exact range I’m using in my renovation, already on order- EEEEKKKK.  Secondly, I’ve been loving the resurgence of checkerboard ceramic tile backsplashes, and it just so happens my old pal and former studio-mate Jill Rosenwald just launched a collection featuring just that with AKDO! We’re going to do this pattern shown in our office kitchen here in Wellesley too. So lots of overlap here :)

I tried to pull some of the colors from Julia’s original Cambridge kitchen, as well as features like using a dining table instead of an island and using a tiny fleur de lis wallpaper in her pantry that mimics the pattern shown on the original copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

Click images for links (fabric and photo linked above in description)

The palette kind of reminded me of this Jasper fabric I almost used in Emma’s nursery that I’ve been obsessed with – but is a unique color combination. I thought, perfect time to do another installment of “Pretend Client”- this time a woman in her 40’s who wants a sanctuary of her own to read, watch TV, just be ALONE (sound familiar or enticing to anyone??) :)

So I decided to design a room around the yellow/blue/brown palette. And now I want it for myself, thank you very much. Click Images for links:

*Wall color is Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue.

When you’re a designer, you don’t always get to use the crazy, fun fabrics and wallpapers that come through the office.  Clients, for the most part, tend to get a little nervous about making big statements or using colors outside their comfort zone (blue, blue and more blue- hahaha!) The one space my clients sometimes go bold is the powder room. But would any go THIS bold? I’ve loved this crazy Pierre Frey paper in this mustard/blue/red/pink/plum colorway for a long time, and the other day I pulled it out and thought I’d put a scheme together – another “Pretend Client” situation, if you will. We decided in the office that this client would probably be a VERY faaaaaaaancy lady with a brownstone in NYC – maybe a little preppy but sassy, in her 50’s, living alone for the first time in a long time and ready to make her space her own!

The ceiling would be painted F&B’s Cook’s Blue, with complementing hand towels and other accents. I’d break up the crazy busy paper with a large abstract, minimalist piece of art and install a modern vanity with brass legs. A little hint of raffia/rattan doesn’t hurt either…. :)

Click images for links:

Anyways, a fun exercise for me- and perhaps gets you thinking about making bolder choices in your own home!

1. Patterned mirrors//2. Ceiling light // 3. Wall color- F&B Lulworth Blue  // 4. Nightstands // 5. Tufted bed// 6. Bedside lamps // 7. Art // 8. Bedding // 9. Pillows // 10. Lumbar pillow // 11. Lampshade // 12. Lamp // 13. Reeded dresser (check out the detail!) // 14. Rug

This color palette reminds me to tell you, I will be shooting and sharing Emma’s nursery soon – I’m just waiting on one last piece of art! As soon as that’s here I’ll get it done!