TRADhome...some good reading!

So yesterday I sat down with my IPad on a yucky rainy Sunday and read the 2nd issue of TRADHome, the online version of the paper mag Traditional Home. This mag was just what I needed to bring some sun into my dreary day! Besides the colorful interior shots, they also feature 10 great design apps, and rooms by Melanie Turner (one of my favorite designers). The issue is called the Bloggers issue and TRADhome introduces 10 new TRADhome designers. These designers are inspiring and their rooms are breathtaking. And the feature written on Mona Ross Berman was written by Design Manifest designer and blogger, Naomi Stein. (She nominated Berman for the honor in TRADhome and subsequently was asked to pen the article...very cool for both talented ladies!)
After you read her article, you should go check out her blog Design Manifest. Ok, I've shared enough...now that is looks to be another rainy day here in NY, I might have to go back and re-read the issue of TRADhome...enjoy!

TRADhome Issue

The Secrets to Sofa Shopping

When sofa shopping for clients, I have a little formula I use which narrows down the vast myriad of choices available on the market.

Wisteria Slip Covered Sofa

First, I consider size. Sofas can range from a small size of 77" to a grandiose 100"+. What matters most is how this sofa is going to fit into your space. I strongly suggest measuring the couch that you currently and then considering how that size has worked for you in your home. Is it too big and bulky or is it too small for the space? This will give you a suitable range of what size sofa you should shop for.

Pottery Barn Rowan Sofa at a large 91"

Next, consider features of the seat cushions of the sofa to further whittle down the sofa search. Do you have a preference of one sofa cushion, two sofa cushions or three sofa cushions? If your not sure which cushion suits you best, think about how your sofa is most often used. Do you sprawl across it to watch TV? If so, then one or two cushions might be best for your comfort. Do you entertain and squeeze multiple behinds on your sofa? Then you might prefer three cushions so no one is sitting on a gap. If you do have a preference, be sure to consider this in your search criteria and it will easily eliminate the sofas that won't fit the bill for your lifestyle.

West Elm Blake Sofa Boasts one Seat Cushion

The next feature to consider is the style of back cushions of the sofa. Are you into the loosey-goosey look of a sofa or more a fan of the prim and proper pillows? For a more casual look, you might like a sofa with loose pillows on the back that fall a different way every time and can be manipulated a little more for personal preference. If you prefer everything in order then you should consider a sofa with attached back cushions which require minimal fluffing and always stay where they belong.

Crate and Barrel Tailor Sofa with Loose Cushions

Lastly, get to the bottom of it all by looking at the foot of the sofa. Do you prefer the romantic style of a sofa with a gathered skirt or the structured look of a tuxedo skirted sofa? Or maybe you prefer the lighter look of a sofa with exposed legs where you can get at every dust bunny that might float under your precious piece? Of course, there are varieties of skirts and legs that can drastically change the look of your sofa but if you start thinking about these fine details of a sofa, it will help you find the perfect sofa to fit your taste and lifestyle.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Charlotte Sofa with Exposed Leg

It may seem like a grand undertaking but once you do a little investigating, it will quickly become apparent which is the right sofa for you. Do you have any great sofa success stories you'd like to share? I'm always curious which sofas can stand the test of time!

I Heart Galbraith & Paul

While fabric shopping for a client's ottoman....I fell in love.....big time! I had to share my love affair with Galbraith & Paul EVERYTHING! Their patterns are divine but their colorways are even more amazing. I love one more than the next....but here are my faves:

Wallpaper:

Couldn't you see this on a wall in a girl's nursery? You have to check out the other colorways...always a treat!

Galbraith & Paul Lotus Wallpaper

 Named after my favorite cookie: the Pizzelle and yes, it also comes in a velvet...yum!

Galbraith & Paul Pizzelle Fabric

 And while most of their lines are available to the trade only, they do have a lighting line at Room & Board:

Galbraith & Paul Lighting

I think it is high time I get myself some swatches of these patterns to pin on my board and adore!

Not your Grandma's Wing Chair...or your Grandpa's Recliner

I love when traditional pieces are freshened up and made hip and more mod.....
and that's why I am here to say...thank you Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams because this is not your Grandma's Wing Chair:

Mitchell Gold Bob Williams ASHTON

And thank you to West Elm because this is not your Grandpa's Recliner! I can definitely use this in a family room!

West Elm Sedgwick Recliner

And by the way...they have redone the Granny Rocker, too! Hmmmm, maybe I'll have a nursery project to work on soon (hint to my sister!!)

West Elm Ryder Rocker

Kathryn Ireland: a class act

Some of you may have read my little post about Suzani prints where I talked a little about the background of the pattern and share some examples of some of my faves....high end and low end. If you missed it...check it out here.

Kathryn Ireland

One of the high end examples of Suzani that I included were those amazing fabric prints of the ever-amazing Million Dollar Decorator Kathryn Ireland. I am always in awe of her fearless mixing of patterns and colors...her designs always look effortless. I truly enjoyed watching her on the first season of Million Dollar Decorator on Bravo....from that show I learned that she is a really dedicated designer and hard-worker and hysterically funny! In fact, if I wasn't an interior designer, the second best job would be to be Kathryn Ireland's housekeeper...she is privy to great clothes, great booze and lots of laughs for sure!

Kathryn Ireland

Anyway, I received a package in the mail last week and it came from Kathryn Ireland Studios in CA. I opened the package to find a beautiful box...too pretty to open...in fact, I didn't open it for a few hours because I am a sucker for pretty packaging! When I finally did cave in and open it, there was the most beautiful fragrant candle inside with a hand-written note from Kathryn thanking me for the fabric piece. I almost fell on the floor...ok, I did fall on the floor. My kids had to revive me and kept asking "what is so special about that candle?" Then I explained to them that when you admire and respect someone and their body of work and then they turn around and give you even the littlest acknowledgment, the feeling is just overwhelming. (That was my parental teaching moment...what I really wanted to say was "Shut up people...this shi* is from Kathryn Ireland bitches!!" But I realized that would have been totally inappropriate!)

The beautiful box and the handwritten notecard had pictures of Kathryn's three boys in a sunflower field as yougins' and on the inside..there was a photo of them all grown up.

Here's my little note...which means so much to little old me!

Truth be told, one of the reasons why I didn't pursue Interior Design after studying it at FIT was that the industry (at the time) was full of stuffy, pretentious people...at least that is how it felt. It seemed the better you were, the meaner you had to be. Those times have changed a lot since the HGTV era- design is more accessible so there are a wider variety of people utilizing the services and providing the service...not just the uber wealthy. Anyway, Kathryn Ireland renewed my feeling that you can be a super success, top in your field and still be nice to the little people.

I understand that Kathryn Ireland is not sitting up at night reading my blog, but somehow it came to her attention that I mentioned her and she took the moment or an employee of hers took the moment to recognize that. And for that, she is a class act. Sorry for the long post over a little candle but it meant so much more than just a candle. Plus...it smells RIDICULOUS.....as Kathryn states in the card included "La Castellane...handcrafted fragrance inspired by my Farm in France....basil, verbena with notes of lemon" it is absolutely divine! Thank you, Kathryn...I am infinitely inspired by you!

TV or No TV?

This week I was faced multiple times with the age-old question of where to put the big stinkin' tv. The conversation usually goes like this..."My husband wants a 190" flat screen and to make it the focal point of the room...I don't really want a tv in the room" Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration but whenever I work on a living room or den, the tv is always worth a discussion. I took a virtual trip over to Pinterest to get some inspiration and here are some great ideas.....

Source: homes.ninemsn.com.au via Jamie on Pinterest

Source: 

Source: unplggd.com via Bradley on Pinterest

Source: unplggd.com via Bradley on Pinterest

All pictures via Pinterest....loving these creative ideas! How have you handled your tv situation?

Don't forget to join the Blog Hop til You Drop......find new blogs and get yours out there, too!

Come join us for a link up party: Blog Hop til You Drop!

I'm excited to be co-hosting this weekend's Blog Hop 'til You Drop with Char at Epic Adventures of a Modern Mom! If you don't know Char, she is an uber cool Canadian mom of two toddlers. She blogs about fashion, travel and mommy-hood. Go check her out, link up your blog and socialize! Instructions below...

If you are coming to me from the blog-hop then welcome! My blog is focused around interior design and the mayhem of running my boutique design firm in Westchester, NY. I hope you will follow me here via Google or subscribe via email. I'll be happy to follow back! And drop me a word so I know to follow you back! I love the chance to discover new blogs! Blog-hopping instructions below:

http://1epicmom.com

Hey party people of the blogosphere, welcome to the Weekend Blog Hop till you Drop!

After linking up to the blog hop, I would love for you to join my Pinstagram Party on Pintrest, see details below!!!

Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop to find other blogs we can follow!

1. Follow the hostess, Epic Mom a.k.a Char from The Epic Adventures of a Modern Mom, and show some linky luv to our epic guest host Joanne from Homestyling 101. Be sure to leave a comment so that we can follow you back.

2. Link up your blog so we can all check it out.

3. Please feel free to add any family friendly blog post, Google +, Twitter and Facebook, RSS Feed, You Tube Channel, Pintrest etc. for everyone to follow. This a fun way to get new followers, so go ahead and add the social media channels that you would like us to follow you on, just specify which one it is!

4. Check out some other blogs and if you find some blogs you love, become a follower and leave them an epic comment.

If you are interested in being a guest host, please feel free to contact me at epicmomblog@gmail.com!

Now come on y'all, let's party like it's 2012! And have an awesome weekend as you Blog Hop Till You Drop!

P.S: If you are in love with Pintrest and Instagram as I am, join my Pinstagram Party on Pintrest. To join, leave your Pintrest username in the comment section below and I will add you as a contributor to my Pinstagram Party Board! When you've been added, go on and pin your Instagram photos for everyone on Pintrest to see.

Have a great weekend and it was nice hopping with you! Thanks, Char!