DESIGN FIND: STUDYING A PERFECT PIECE OF FURNITURE!

Dering Hall - Montresor Desk - $13,923 (From designer Jiun Ho a desk with sandblasted walnut trim and cinnamon metal trim.)(above)

I think this desk is quite posh.  Very stylish for a well appointed home office or study. Something both modern and traditional about it.  A well designed piece of furniture...with sleek elegant lines and just the right amount of detail. I would pair it with a traditional Louis XVI side chair, a wonderful vintage brass Stiffel lamp with a dark shade, some lacquer desk accessories and a little vase of white peonies...work space perfection I believe.  A brilliant piece from San Francisco designer Jiun Ho (I had the pleasure of meeting Jiun last year at some showhouse event)!

A must have...realize also must have $13K as well...some day!

What do you think of this desk?  What does your ideal home office work area looking like?

Happy Tuesday!

xo
Coco

Read More »

Add Comment

AN design find, desk, desks, home office

THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR - THE STUDY OF A SITTING ROOM WITH UPHOLSTERED WALLS - PART 3!

All photos in this post by Coco of Nbaynadamas

Hi there! Hope you are still enjoying your long weekend!

As I mentioned on a few days ago, last week I went to the Veranda Magazine sponsored gala opening of the House of Windsor - a showcase house conceived by mega interior designer and style maven Windsor Smith.   Windsor designed the home from the ground up and then she and a handful of her posh designer friends decorated the home.  I must say the party and the preview of the home were quite spectacular!

The house is an 8,000 square foot equestrian estate complete with a barn. Generally the design throughout this show house exudes modern elegance.

Then there is this home office/study/sitting room. I'm a believer that every home must have a room that makes some sort of bold statement...that is a little off the beaten path...with whimsy and daring playing key roles in the design. This home office/sitting room is just that room in the House of Windsor.

This room is off of one of the bedrooms.  So I would have to assume it is not a hard core home office but rather a sitting room/study/home office.  A place where a lady might do a little reading, writing of letters, relaxing and literally staring at the walls! Decorated by Los Angeles interior designer Peter Dunham, the home office makes a hugely bold statement with its animal print upholstered walls. Wow! My favorite part of the room is the lacquer green writing desk. Quite amazing.

Animal print walls (in Peter Dunham's own Gattapardo linen fabric) and a lacquered green desk...doesn't seem like they would necessarily work together in concept...but they do.

Don't know if I would have the courage to put this print on my walls...but I've got to say, I applaud anyone who would have the chutzpah (spelled wrong or right?) to do it. I was charmed by this home office. Something warm, sexy, interesting and very unique about the decor...made me feel like I had left Los Angeles and was in another country or in a city apartment.

Take a look!

What do you think of this sitting room and study?  Would you be daring enough to cover your walls in an animal print fabric?  What is the most bold space in your home?  I am curious to know!

So Windsor Smith's House of Windsor is open until July 17th.  I highly suggest that if you are in Los Angeles, you buy a ticket and take a look.  You will not be disappointed.

Happy Sunday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  While most people are enjoying the sun and relaxing today...I'm working!   Less than two weeks until I go to Atlanta to show the Nbaynadamas collection (a link to the new catalog) there at the Christian Mosso Associates showroom...and about 6 weeks until the New York Gift Fair where I'll show as well.  New fantastic cotton knit throws are in the works and some new cotton pillows (hopefully) are too.  I had to send almost all of my samples to Atlanta and now we are remaking everything for New York.  Oy vey!   I'll get out today for a little fun this evening though.

Photos in this post by Coco of Nbaynadamas

Read More »

Add Comment

AN animal print, desks, fabric, green desk, home office, House of Windsor, office, study, upholstered walls

BEFORE & AFTER: A DESIGNER'S HOME OFFICE MAKEOVER!

Form and function come together perfectly in an interior designer's gorgeous small home office that features vibrant colors along with great design. (above)
I feel so lucky...today, I am sharing with you a BEFORE & AFTER from sought after New York interior designer Ghislaine Vinas' own weekend house! Ghislaine was kind enough to answer a few questions about this bright and cheery colorful workspace at her country home. Here's what she had to say about the room makeover in her own words.

***
COCO: How did you come up with the color scheme?
GHISLAINE VINAS, GHISLAINE VINAS INTERIOR DESIGN: It's funny because in my own house color schemes seem to evolve. When I am designing or a client it's a more thought out process but for my own house its taken about 4 years for the interiors to come together.
I am on a tighter budget than most of my clients so I often pick up things at sales or flea markets or things that have not worked out for clients. I usually find a place for these pieces. I wont take something I don't like unless its just a temporary filler piece.

COCO: Anything I should know about the space?
GHISLAINE: This space is a part of the living room ...... I should show you a before picture - it would make you laugh. This house was so sad when we bought it....... we made it bright and cheery

BEFORE

Before Ghilsaine put her magical design touch on the living room in her weekend home, the space was covered in outdated wood paneling and beaten up carpeted floors. Needless to say it was dull, drab, dark and depressing. (above)
AFTER

After, WOW! What a difference a great interior designer can make. Ghislaine transformed the wall in her weekend home's living room into a cozy office space that is full of light, bright, stylish and cheery. (above)
GHISLAINE: The chair for example is a Saarinen chair that I had reupholstered for a client's office. There were a few of them but the person sitting at one of the desks really did not like the chair so the client did not want it.... so I adopted it and its found a loving home. The desk is simply marine plywood with white laminate on the top and bottom - I like the cantilevered look. The drawer was from DWR from their warehouse in NJ. It has a scratch on the side that is not visible so we got it for a great price. The art are all pieces that were either given to me by the artist or by Mixed Greens gallery. They send out beautiful little limited editions every year at years end and I am always thrilled. I just love them. One of my favorites is Holly Lynton's self portrait of her mouth pressed up against a glass pain. But the bright purple piece in the corner is by an amazing artist and rug designer and friend Amy Helfand, They are all special pieces that I cherish.



COCO: How much time do you spend using it?
GHISLAINE: I use it more in the winter time since in summer and spring I spend time outside around the pool or on the front porch with my laptop.

COCO: How recently did you finish it?
GHISLAINE: This area was finished about 2 years ago and most of the house was ...... but it's never finished. This area will probably look different in 2 years - things are always evolving.

***
Thank you Ghislaine once again for these fantastic photos, answering my questions and for sharing your designs with me and my readers in general. Love your work!

Readers, please share your thoughts by clicking on the comments link right below.

Hope you have a great day!

xoxo
Coco

Photos in this post by Jaime Vinas

Read More »

Add Comment

AN BEFORE AND AFTER, desks, home office, home remodel, Nbaynadamas, office

STYLISH WRITING IS ON THE WALL AS TWO SMALL DESKS MAKE HOME WORK SEEM SO CHIC!

Photos courtesy Melanie Coddington of Coddington Design

A white Series 7 side chair designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1955 (or a very good knockoff) is perfectly placed in front of this light wood writing desk. A scalloped cornered hutch is lined in green to add a bit of panache to this ultra small workspace. (above)

I like these two small writing desks...simple and elegant with fun twists of style. Modern seating and interesting lines make for wonderful vignettes. Desk areas just nice enough to hand write a sweet thank you note, or to jot down the day's to-do list, or to do a quick browse of your daily design blogs on the internet.

If I had a desk like either of these, I would probably be inspired and write more for this post! :-)



P.S. Love the lucite desk chair with the cut out in the back and the whimsical wiry lamp in the photo directly above...!

P.P.S. Thank you Melanie of Coddington Design in San Francisco for giving me permission to use photos of these lovely spaces you designed!

Read More »

Add Comment

AN desks, Nbaynadamas

A CHARMING NYC FURNITURE BOUTIQUE!

All photos in this post by Coco of Nbaynadamas

A cute burlap upholstered loveseat ($2800)inside the Michele Varian store on Crosby Street in New York.
Way back in August...was in NYC and happened upon Michele Varian, an adorable home furniture boutique in Soho. Very cute and eclectic mix of pieces in this wonderful little shop. In addition to interesting furnishings, there was an array of fantastic glass and mercury glass pendant lights, paper products, enamel dishware and lots and lots of pillows (shop person told us that the silk, velvet and linen pillows were all made at the store's NYC studio).

Anyhoooo...like everything else in my life at this point...I am about two months behind ...and now just putting up this post...but here it is...better late than never...!


Outside the Michele Varian flagship store in New York's Soho area. (above and below)



One of a kind recycled bud glass vases. Green, $250. Brown, $400. (above and below)




Lighting is one of the first things you see when you walk into the store. An lovely display of brass, nickel, glass, mercuray glass and vintage looking pendants all create an alluring light scape. (above and below)




Blue, grey and white enamel and metal plate. (above)






Dishware includes and enticing selection of hot pink and white enamel/metal cups and plates (above)


The pillow is made of silk and features a bright pink ultrasuede bird right in the center ($244). (above)

If you are in Soho, I suggest checking out this cute store! Here's the information.

MICHELE VARIAN
35 Crosby Street
New York, NY 10013
212.226.1076

Read More »

Add Comment

AN antiques, art, cabinets and chests, chairs, couches and sofas, desks, dishware, dressers and armoires, entryway, Nbaynadamas, pillows

VACATION DISPATCH: HARBORING GREAT DESIGN AT A PRIVATE NANTUCKET YACHT CLUB - PART 1!

All photos in this post by Coco of Nbaynadamas

The main formal sitting room in the Clubhouse at the Great Harbor Yacht Club in Nantucket, MA. (above)
Was invited to a fabulous dinner dance at a new private yacht club while on vacation in Nantucket. The Great Harbor Yacht Club - a place for Nantucket residents who love yachting, boating, all things ocean sea related and who love socializing with others with the same inclinations - had its opening party this past weekend. A really lovely event. The club was recently finished and members opened up the doors to guests to celebrate. Quite a party!

During the cocktail hour, I said hello to our hosts and then dashed inside the Clubhouse for a tour...

The main sitting room or reception room was the first that I saw. Decorated to the hilt this club room speaks of all thing beach and nautical. The colors and tones are all subtle in hue...with lots of neutrals, whites and blues used in the decor. The fabrics feel or look like natural linens, cottons and even denims....and lots of wonderful texture in the rich materials used.. A traditional room that did not at all feel stodgy...it feels fresh, comfortable and very elegant all at once.

According to the club's website, the inside of the Clubhouse, it turns out, was conceived and decorated by Boston interior design firm Gauthier/Stacy.

My favorite piece in the room is the striped round ottoman with tassels under the classic secretary (see below). Also love the flowers in the room...orchids and hydrangea - two of my favorites!


Tufted linen upholstered sofa with rolled arms anchors the sitting area.



Four classic armchairs upholstered in a blue denim like fabric provide additional seating and good balance to the space. (above)


A weather vane arrow mounted on a wood block makes for a great coffee table conversation piece. (above)


Two natural linen covered low stools add casual seating and allow for everyone to still have a great view of the fireplace. (above)




Off the to the side of the great room, an old fashioned antique looking roll top writing desk allows for a discreet but polished work area in this club's formal living room. A whimsical striped ottoman with blue and white tassels is nestled underneath and could act as a desk chair. (above)




Beautiful white hydrangea in a white ceramic are an elegant accent on the desk area.(above)

Antique looking Swedish Gustav style chairs are washed in a light blue grey with an upholstered blue and white striped seat. (above)


As a reminder this is a yacht club and boating is the order of the day, this ship in a bottle provides the perfect nautical accessory to the great room. (above)


Cocktail party on the lawn at the Great Harbor Yacht Club overlooking the docks and the Nantucket Harbor. (above)

All photos in this post by Coco of Nbaynadamas

Read More »

Add Comment

AN benches and ottomans, chairs, couches and sofas, desks, living room, Nbaynadamas

SHOP WATCH: FAB FURNITURE PIECES FROM AN ALLURING ATLANTA STORE!

All photos in this post courtesy Pieces Inc.

Exterior Pieces home furnishing and accessories store in Atlanta Georgia's Buckhead. (above)

Can't remember how I discovered it...but one day a few months ago I happened on the website for Atlanta based Pieces A fantastic website featuring vintage and antique furniture and accessories that are all very chic and traditional and have also been freshened up to look bright and new. The website is easy to manage because furniture pieces are organized by color, type and/or material. Looking for something in brown or white or metal or lucite or a sofa or a side table or a chandelier...it is easy to search through the store's stylish selection on the website.

After browsing for about a half an hour on the website, I realized that Pieces is both a website and a store! An actual place with a real personality...a tangible building with a street address and everything (thought bubble: "Like the good old days", she thinks but doesn't dare to utter in hopes no one finds her old fashioned or figures out her age (hint "she" (me) is under 90 but over 25...hmmm....) as she hearkens back to the time before the internet...). I love the internet and the virtual world of home furnishings and all...but I also delight in finding a great store or shop and actually physically browsing through a space...touching, seeing and smelling the sights and sounds...hence the perhaps strangely overly exuberant reaction to Pieces actually being a website and a real furniture store (I should probably be over exuberant about a lot of other things happening in the world during this time...but for today my exuberance is about Pieces being a store...so there...)!

Anyhooo...love the Pieces website so much, I wanted to find out more about this southern store...my Los Angeles place of residence made it a little difficult to actually get to the store...so I decided to turn back to modern technology to investigate a bit further into this shop via the internet. What better way to find out more about a place than to ask...so I asked Pieces store owner Lee Kleinhelter a few questions about her amazing trendsetting store and website.

In today's SHOP WATCH Q&A, Lee tells a bit about the store's background and how she transforms and restores vintage pieces to bring them to life. Here's what Lee has to say:

COCO: How long has Pieces been in business?
LEE: 4.5 years

COCO: Why did you decided to open Pieces?
LEE: I had a design and art history degree, worked for interior designers and loved the industry, but wanted to be more a part of a product. It was all timing and it kind of happened. I didn't spend my life wanting a store, it was more of something that evolved and I love it. Its so much fun to find interesting pieces and update them and bring them back to life.


Inside Pieces furniture store in Atlanta (above)

COCO: Are you the only owner of Pieces?
LEE: Yes, I'm the only owner. I felt there was a need and a lack of interesting furniture available in the retail market. Everything was either very fine antiques or mass produced items that can be found everywhere. Both are great, but wanted to show customers there are other options. Its all about mixing and editing a space and using interesting pieces.

COCO: What is the store's speciality (i.e. antique, vintage, reproduction)?
LEE: The majority of the items at Pieces are vintage. They range from the 40's, lots of the 60's and even 80's. What sets us apart is that these items once we've upholstered them, wired or painted them in some way, makes them one of a kind. It’s a lot more work to find pieces and change each one of them, but it’s also the best part. You wont see them in every store. They are special! I wanted to offer items that are there and ready to go, you can touch them, experience them and take them home. Its not something that is ordered and the next week we'll have five more. When sold, that's it.

COCO: What do you look for in home furnishings that you find for the store?
LEE: I look for interesting lines in a chair or table. Something that could work in lots of spaces and its all about the shape. I really don't worry about age, or where it came from. To me, its about finding things that are unique and functional for people to use. Like the great pair of white end tables we just got in. They are so versatile and could be used in a bedroom, family room or any space.


Front desk inside Pieces in Atlanta (above)

COCO: I love EVERYTHING on your website. What would you say is the store's style...what "style" are you selling to customers?
LEE: I don't want to sell a style or a trend. I think its about seeing things a little differently and more clean. Not be afraid to use color, or mix old pieces with new, but its all about editing. People tells us they are inspired when they walk in. It doesn't take much to change a space. It could be some great pillows that completely change the direction of your space and that's all you need. I believe in flow and that your living space should have some what of a clean concept and then add one fantastic piece here and there.


Pair of White Cane Chairs - $2700 (Carved faux bamboo legs painted white. Cane back. Upholstered in camel colored leather with nailhead trim)(above)


Trellis Pillow - $385 (Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis fabric covered pillow)(above)

White Tufted Sofa - $8200 (Vintage tuxedo style sofa with new white leather upholstery and diamond tufting. Wood base with existing finish. 29H x 79W x 32D) (above)

COCO: What is your favorite item in the store right now and why?
LEE: I have so many favorites. They really all are, since I get attached to so many pieces. I love the white tufted sofa. Its one of those that I almost took home with me, which can be an occupational hazard! Its a really clean line and the tufting on seat and back was worth the expense. Its beautiful and would look great in so many spaces.

COCO: Do you ever have sales? If so, what time of the year?
LEE: We do, but there isn't any particular time of year.

Louis XVI Medallion Armchair - $1942 (French made fauteuil with white finish on wood. Brown upholstered fabric on chair) (above)


Pair of Green Glass Lamps - $2700 (Green reverse painted glass with original gold details. New custom gold paper shade and gold ball finial)(above)

COCO: Your website is awesome...one of the best I've seen out there for home furnishings...how did you come up with the website concept?
LEE: Thank you, the website needs to be great and helpful b/c we do a lot of business with out of state customers that have never been in the store. We really worked with what we have. The design evolved from finding things we wanted to improve from the previous website and how to navigate more efficiently. The technology changes so quickly and we work with someone who has created a website that’s extremely easy for us to edit and use daily. A lot of the design stems from our logos we use in the store is continued in our business cards, stationary and matches. We really wanted people to get a feel of the store even when they can't be there.


Lucite Desk - $4280 (30H x 42W x 24D. Original hardware, lucite sides and lucite pull. Desk surface newly painted white semi gloss inside and outside. One front drawer has three containers in drawer to accommodate smalls supplies)


Pair of Faux Bamboo Side Tables - $2600 (21.5H x 26W x 26D. Faux bamboo legs, base and doors with raised faux bamboo. Newly painted white semi gloss inside & out. Original round loop pulls with new dark finish)

Pair of Geometric Metal Side Chairs - $393 (above)

COCO: What is the best part about owning this store?
LEE: The best part for me is finding great pieces and seeing how great they look when we've changed them, then helping them find a great home!

Pieces Inc. owner Lee Kleinhelter outside her Atlanta store (above)

Well there you have it! Now an official Nbaynadamas favorite.

If you are ever in Atlanta, here is the information for the store:
Pieces
3234-A Roswell Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30305
404.869.2476

Please, if any you are lucky enough to actually go to the Pieces store in Atlanta...write me and tell me what you find! Can't wait to hear.

Thank you Lee for the pictures and the answers! A wonderful store story!!

All photos in this post courtesy of Pieces Inc.

Read More »

Add Comment

AN cabinets and chests, chairs, couches and sofas, desks, Nbaynadamas, pillows, SHOP WATCH

LACQUER, LUCITE AND POLISHED METAL - A DRAMATIC NEW FURNITURE COLLECTION FROM JONATHAN ADLER!

Jonathan Adler - Channing Desk - $1750 (White lacquer and polished nickel with lucite knobs. X base polished nickel legs. Two drawers) (above)

Jonathan Adler named this collection after Bette Davis's character Margot Channing from the cinema classic All About Eve. A dramatic name for a dramatic furniture line. Shiny, gleaming and glistening, this high gloss group is eye-catching, enthralling and engaging...the same characteristics you might want in a good movie.

My favorite of the group is the Channing Desk. I love the lacquer finish and the polished metal x-based legs...reminds me of a drafting table of sorts.

What I like about the buffet and the end table is that they could pretty much be used in any room...perfect for a living room, dining room, bedroom or even a sleek modern family room. The buffet and side table could be Hollywood glam or seem to have even a little Asian inspired feel to them too. Multifaceted furniture!

These pieces all seem to hint to the past while maintaining all of the clean line sensibility of modern furniture design.

The lucite (clear plastic or acrylic) knobs are a wonderful touch.


Jonathan Adler - Channing Buffet - $2500 (white lacquer, lucite knob, polished nickel knob plate and base. Two doors. One side has three drawers on inside) (above)





Jonathan Adler - Channing End Table - $795 (White lacquer, lucite knob, polished nickel knob plate and base.

Read More »

Add Comment

AN cabinets and chests, desks, Nbaynadamas, tables