Fleur de Passion

 

Eau de Fleur de la Passion – for Her, A cloud of precious flowers, amber-scented and woody- top notes of Mimosa and Orange Blossom. This fragrance has center notes of Tuberose, Cyclamen and Jasmine and base notes of Vetiver, Ambergris and White Musk. Delicious!

 

I love this fragrance as it is so feminine.  On cold bitter days like today it transports me to another time.  I feel as if I am walking in a flower garden on the first, warm spring day, my long, sheer skirt swirling around my sun-warmed skin…

Spring The Four Seasons

Spring The Four Seasons

The EAUX de PLAISIR are Eaux de Cologne obtained by mixing high quality essential oils with the care, passion and experience acquired over two centuries devoted to creating perfumes.

 

They are contained in precious bottles and elegant boxes with old-fashioned designs.   Fragrances can change moods, uplift spirits and make you feel romantic.

 

After all, Coco Chanel is said to have quipped, “A woman should wear perfume wherever she wants to be kissed.”

Reuse, Renew, Recycle….

Those three words are my sister-inlaw Kathy Stein’s favorite mantra!  She is fabulous at repairing and repainting, washing take out containers, and bravely composting the most disgusting things.  We proudly call her the Dumpster Diva.

Kathy and I at The Blue Martini in Boca Raton

After spending a week end at her house I come back to my humble abode all inspired.  I run around unplugging everything… as Kathy brags about an electric bill under $200 in the heat of her Florida home.  I turn off every light, shut down the computers and yell at my boys for touching the thermostat.  My bill still never seems to dip below $500, but I am confident that we are doing our best to head in the green direction.

I knew after studying Feng Shui,  I needed a new piece of furniture for my entry.  But how could I justify one more piece as my house is over packed with stuff as it is.

So I took the advice I constantly tell my clients and “shopped in my own home”.  Look at what I found hidden in the corner of my sitting room.  Housing old costume jewelry and workout wear it was just what I was looking for.

With two different red paints, two Benjamin Moore Metallic Glazes and some new hardware…

 

Layers of glaze

Crystal and Antique Gold Hardware

Thank you Kathy… I can’t wait to search for more undiscovered treasures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My new treasure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Lovin’

…more than half through summer…back to school things already in the stores…fall items being introduced… shall we hang onto a few more summer loves?

 

America – the Beautiful!

Link

Happy Fourth of July!  This is a holiday that makes us reflect on the blessings that have made America a unique and beautiful country with opportunity to change and grow our lives.

Yes our country has seen tough times in recent years and we often worry about changes in America and times ahead.  But the facts are that we have always had stresses of a war or economic upheavals, uncertainties and politics we simply don’t comprehend.  Balancing out these negatives are the opportunities we are afforded – the rights to choose our lives, get education, build a business, build a family and worship in whatever way we want.

via Country Living Magazine

Enjoy your holiday and take a little time to see the things in your community that can inspire beauty in your life!

Clutter, Clutter, Clutter!

Everyone is talking about clutter…”clear your clutter, clear your mind”…

 

Coming home to a messy house, stacks of mail and dishes the kids left in the sink,  after an exhausting day at work can cause one to go straight for a glass of wine and put off cleaning up until tomorrow.

Hence the brilliance of this label

But what if you could come home to an environment that feels safe, supportive and inspiring?

Imagine a place of peace, a place to recharge, a place to dream?

via

 

This is the goal of Feng Shui.

 

I think sometimes we feel we don’t have enough time or money to change the place we live.  But often, small inexpensive changes can generate moving results.

 

Start by just doing a little something everyday.  Start throwing away or giving away:

 

via

    Anything you don’t use

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Anything that is broken

Anything that you just don’t like

 

 

 

Give yourself permission to toss unfinished projects, things that bring back unhappy memories and things you don’t use regularly…. like that exercise thing in the corner of your bedroom – all of these just bring bad feelings of guilt and  drain us of our positive energy.

 

The space you open up in your atmosphere, creates internal space for new prospects and people to come into your life.

 

 

Creating environments where every possession brings us joy-  Tracy

 

 

sheknows.com, polyvore.com, booksdofurnisharoom.typepad.com

Design For Destiny

Today, in our western world Feng Shui is not about hanging crystals and Chinese symbols, but rather it is meant to connect your inner and outer worlds.  Everything in our environment is alive.

Your energy or Chi expands and contracts depending on how you feel in your surroundings. When your Chi inflates you feel happy, joyful and loving.  When you feel like this you naturally attract people and opportunities to you like a magnet.

Our aspiration with Feng Shui  is to help you create an atmosphere at home and at work that will make you feel secure, stable and inspired.

 

 

 

 

These simple adjustments will produce powerful results that will affect every area of your life.  Let’s design for your destiny- Tracy

What is Feng Shui?

Feng shui – pronounced fung-shway is a Chinese system using the geomantic compass to employ the laws of both Heaven (Chinese astronomy) and Earth to help one improve life by receiving positive qi also known as life force or energy flow.

 

The term feng shui literally translates as “wind-water”.  This is a practice has been studied and used for thousands of years.

Feng shui is based on the idea that everything in your outer surroundings affects the course of your life through your inner thoughts and feelings thereby, creating your destiny.  It is used to position your environment and create positive energy that will serve you in all facets of your life.

 

Our environments can empower us-  Tracy                       

 

 

What’s New In Contemporary Decor

With the growth leaps in technology, interior design will be incorporating new ways of living beyond what to do with that black flat screen over the fireplace.  Savant showrooms in New York City has layered Apple ingenuity with Lutron electronics in amazing ways both for commercial applications and home ambiance and entertainment.

Swimming fish on screen in your coffee table anyone?

Set the screen themes for your next party in a home entertainment center

The ultimate in "man tools" - it controls ambient wall lights, ceiling lights, all screens, music, .......

From Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House - lots of "organic gilt"

More gilt at Kips Bay Show House

Another touch of Midas in the Missoni Bedroom by Coffinier Ku

Luxe outdoor living at the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House - with a little gilt

Abundant shots of full on color also seen at the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House

Another feature that showed up in both Kips Bay Show House and Elle Decor’s was large scale wall art that was more for the room’s sake as for art’s sake.

Loved the lamp covered in oyster shells also -

Art becomes a window into another world

A wall filled with texture, light and metallic

This architectural view becomes part of the fireplace and makes you look twice if you are looking at a mirror's reflection of a space behind you or through a window

Exciting and new concepts for stimulating the creativity in home design!

 

Designers and Design Ideas

New York City always has plenty to fuel the imagination of an interior designer, whether it be people, places or events.  Last week was especially exciting for us as designers.  Attending the Blogfest 2012 hosted by Kravet Fabric,  we were treated to a tour of the Kips Bay Design Show House, The  Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House and hearing from top tier designers and magazine editors.  We were transported to the D&D building to the Kravet, Brunschwig & Fils, and Baccarat Showrooms.  Also included was the Savant showroom with its latest out of this world Apple based electronics in a space designed by Thom Filicia, a party at Savoir Beds, a tour of Kravet’s studio and a talk at the Museum of the City of New York by Benjamin Moore.  The following is some more highlights  of the Kips Bay Show House…

The hallway leading to a living room designed by Charlotte Moss

The picture that inspired the Charlotte Moss living room, "Behind the Hedge"

The Charlotte Moss living room with its "Behind the Hedge" theme

An owl on a bookcase in front of the topiary wall which included a mirror in the center

A chair and menswear style plaid drape with silk borders by Thom Filicia with sketches by Albert Hadley on the wall

Walls and ceilings were especially intriguing with their highly lacquered or metal leaf finishes as in this room by Lynne Scalo Design. Also note the art piece done with mechanically brushing aluminum

The nursery by Zoya B featured a tufted crib and rose motif bedding

The walls in the nursery were hand painted by Gabriel Blanco. Each floral center was accented by a jewel.

 

The walls by Brush Tile in this kids room are texturally soft, colorful and designed acoustically to absorb sound by Laura Bohn Design Associates.

The opposite side of the kid's bedroom with paper mache animal heads, blackboard and sheer metallic drapery

The Master Bedroom and Bath featured Missoni Home by Stark fabrics used in the bedding and draperies

Alexa Hampton created a bedroom with a contrasting masculine/feminine appeal. The sumptuous bedding and canopy and floral fragrance was balanced with an ebonized desk and Chinese black lacquer and gilt screen.

The underside of the Hampton canopy

The opposite wall of the Hampton bedroom

A wall conducive to family activities was created by Andrew Tedesco Studios with chalkboard paint and fine florals and calligraphy

James Rixner designed a kitchen with an accompanying lounge area. A small shelf instead of a simple tile backsplash ran the perimeter of the counters providing extra display space

The lounge space in the Rixner kitchen bathed in magical colors and wrapped with views of patio and citiscapes.

Next up we’ll show highlights of the Designer discussion panels and the Elle Decor Show House.

 

 

 

Update Your Decor for a New Year

We’re about to go into that season of blah.  No more rush of the holidays, no major celebrations – except for Valentine’s Day. How can we put a little oomph into our homes and enjoy this time of year when there are no tropical cruises coming your way?

Our Merben mohair throw has felted wool and velvet embellishments.

 

Create a haven of “cozy” with warm textural pillows in sweater knits, mohair, fur or hides.  Keep chic but comforting throws nearby to cuddle under.  Try a hide or shag throw rug to anchor your island of “warm” and pamper your feet.

Make your fireplace a focal point at this time of year if you have one.  Group seasonal accessories on the mantle – glowing candles in mercury glass, or pinecone candles.  Use silver sparkly florals for a wintery arrangement.  Prop or hang a mirror to catch the glowing reflection.

An Aquiesse Winter Pine candle enhances the warmth of a fireplace with its scent of a woodsy forest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch the glow of candles flickering with our many faceted mirror

A large ottoman with a tray to house more glimmering candles or just a stack of your favorite books next to an easy chair or couch will give your island of “warm” all you need to celebrate this quiet time of year.  Need an excuse for a rich cup of cocoa with marshmallows?  Then you have to love our felted wool snowflake coasters.

This season of quiet can be a gift of time to organize, dream, wish.  Gather your goals, gather you ideas, make plans for your next projects.  Call us if you would like to see some of the new fabrics, colors and ideas on the horizon.  We’ll share that cup of cocoa and help you make plans for your home.