Un Riccio x La Bambina

Un Riccio x La Bambina... A Hedgehog x the Baby Girl... Or better, many hedgehogs (i ricci) are awaiting her sweet arrival!  As am I... And this is my "excuse" for taking a slight pause from blogging... From the date of my last blog post, I am quite embarrassed that it has taken me so long to post again.

Nevertheless, here I am (34 weeks pregnant), delighted to share the fun little project of designing a simple baby's room for my parent's house, while incorporating much of the original guest room furniture.  And an item of note is the yellow dresser, which was mine as a little girl growing up; it's been updated a bit with some new glass pulls.

And of course, my passion for little hedgehogs is front and center for the baby room, as I continue to collect them in all types of materials and sizes.  They simply make me smile... And my hope is that my baby girl will smile too as she gazes up from her crib and sees them watching over her.  

Table skirt and throw pillows all Schumacher fabrics.

 Isaac Mizrahi baby strawberry dress... I couldn't resist!

Animals Gli Animali, a shower gift from a dear friend to help baby with her Italian!

Throw pillow fabrics all Schumacher.

An original Erin McIntosh watercolor from Gregg Irby Fine Art.

The designer's own yellow baby dresser with new glass pulls.

Accent lamp from Authentique in Inman Park, Atlanta.

Glass drawer pulls from Anthropologie.

Hand-made wood hedgehog from Pier 1 Imports and hedgehog wrapping paper from The Paper Source.

Small rug mat from Patterson, Flynn & Martin and hedgehog blanket from Lambs & Ivy.

The Paper Source hedgehog wrapping paper in custom frames and mobile by Flensted.

Throw pillows all Schumacher fabrics and orange giclée by Soho Myriad, Atlanta.

Pendant from IKEA and hanging pom-poms from The Land of Nod.

Hanging pom-poms from The Land of Nod.

Il Grandeur of The Gritti

Concierge Lobby

My weekend jaunt to Venice last October sadly did not include a visit to one of the most illustrious palaces of Venice, but then again, it hadn't yet re-opened.  But all the glory has re-opened as The Gritti Palace is anew after a 15-month, $55 million restoration.  Rubelli fabrics clothe the furniture and drape the windows, while original oil paintings from the Italian master, Pietro Longhi adorn the walls.  The Gritti, part of the Luxury Collection Hotel group, is a piece of true Venetian history; it was once the home of the 16th-century doge, Andrea Gritti.  And of course, it has another worldly history as a favorite post for the likes of both Churchill and de Gaulle.  But let's not forget the glitz and glamor that are so in line with the Gritti, as it was once swimming with silver screen greats... Bogart, Bacall, Garbo.  Nevertheless, it is the palace that has stood the test of time and continues to enrapture with its gritty grandeur.      

 

Grand Canal Entrance at Lobby

Hemingway Suite Bedroom

Landmark Grand Canal Room

Venetian Bathroom

Reception Lobby

Santa Maria del Giglio Square Entrance

The Gritti Palace Library

The Coppa Volpi Heritage Suite Bathroom

The Hemingway Presidential Suite

The Peggy Guggenheim Patron Grand Canal Suite

The Peggy Guggenheim Suite Bedroom

The Pisani Palazzo Canal Suite

The Puntadella Dogana Patron Grand Canal Suite

Puntadella Dogana Suite Details

The Redentore Suite Terrace

The Ruskin Patron Grand Canal Suite

The Somerset Maugham Royal Suite

The Gritti Palace

PFM and the Million Dollar Guy & Gal

Mary and I at the PFM showroom with her new collection of abaca rugs.

It's been a rather long pause since my last post and that's due to many changes in life... Relocating back to the U.S. has been a relatively smooth transition, but I can't deny how much I do miss Italy, and Rome in particular... but I look forward to visiting soon!

So, I must "blame" the long pause from blogging on an exciting new venture!  Aside from my own personal residential design projects, I have begun working with Patterson, Flynn & Martin and their gorgeous carpets and rugs.  Located inside ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center), PFM is situated in the same showroom as Schumacher (PFM is a division of F. Schumacher & Co.), yet within its own unique space.  This is where I've been hiding!  

With the ever dashing Martyn Lawrence Bullard.

Last week was a frenzied week here at ADAC, as Design ADAC was in full swing.  In partnership with Veranda magazine, there were numerous speaker events throughout the week, including one in particular, "Building your Brand as an Interior Designer," by the likes of Mary McDonald and Martyn Lawrence Bullard-- two of the star designers from Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators.  Both designers have new collections (fabrics and wallcoverings) with Schumacher, but Mary has also done a gorgeous collection of custom rugs for PFM-- luxurious 100 knot wool and silk Tibetan rugs and stunning, colorful abacas.  

Mary and some of her custom wool/ silk Tibetan hand knotted rugs.

She is a pro at striking a pose!

You never know what people on TV are going to be like (and look like) in person, but I must say... their outrageous on-sreen personalities are much more subdued in reality.  Martyn is playful yet as charming as a prince, while Mary spoke with true intrigue (and laughter) to each person that waited to meet her. 

As backdrop, Mary's Brighton Lane in color Koi, wool and silk rug.

Grazie mille a Martyn & Mary for a million dollar day of fun design!  

Patterson, Flynn & Martin  

ADAC 

Schumacher 

from Light... to White

Valentino Couture Spring 2013

As I look around the city, present day Atlanta, I notice each week how the days are lengthening... Brightening, with pristine skies and wonderful adornment on the trees, small white buds.  I truly look to my exterior surroundings for inspiration in design and now is a time abundant with textiles, hard materials, lighting, relaxed furnishings and ceramics that exude a lightness... They fit within the soft, simplicity of white... The elegance, the forerunner and tastemaker that never goes out of style.

Dogwood bloom, photo by Scott Fillmer

Nashville home designed by McAlpine, Booth & Ferrier Interiors, AD February 2013

Synesthesia Ivory designed by Iris van Herpen for United Nude

Pure White Ceramic Vases from West Elm

Valentino Couture Spring 2013

"Una Lumino" flower sculpture detail designed by Korean artist, Choe U-Ram

"Una Lumino" flower sculpture designed by Korean artist, Choe U-Ram

Lladro flagship building on 57th Street, NYC

Lladro flagship building on 57th Street, NYC

Valentino Couture Spring 2013

Hotel Guest Bathroom at Le Royal Monceau, Paris

Lincoln Large Sugar Pull Up Table from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Jaeger Chandelier from Ironies

Crystallization Bisque designed by Iris van Herpen for United Nude

Valentino Couture Spring 2013

Martini Side Table, White, from West Elm

Ted Abramczyk light from Ralph Pucci

Divine Recline Long Banquette & Coco White Mirror from Ochre

Mineral & Might Dining Table from Anthropologie