Celebrating Incredible Artistry

Last night I attended a party at the magnificent Waldorf Astoria Chicago hotel to showcase the incredible works of R&B Faux Studio, Inc.  The artists Renata and Bozena create magnificent faux finishes using cool textures, bold colors and great finishes.  Below are some pics of the party as well as some of my favorite boards. Enjoy!

 

 

A larger album will be posted on our facebook page.  Be sure to check it out and "like" our page!

Amazing Pillows Inspired by Nature's Hardest Materials

While looking through all the beautiful images on Houzz, I stumbled upon these cool pillows/ottomans and had to share!  A rock is most certainly an odd inspiration for these soft, wooly pillows.  Maybe that is what makes them so cool?  The natural, organic shapes and neutral colors are perfect with many design styles.  Check out some great images of these fun pillows and ottomans!

 

What was old is new again- Timeless elegance at a Chicago landmark

As I discussed in a recent blog, sometimes the most beautiful aspects of interior design aren't the ones you see straight ahead, but rather, above you.  A beautiful ceiling can be the difference between an average room and a magnificent one.  Take for example, this incredible Chicago landmark.

The Tiffany glass mosaic ceiling was the first iridescent glass dome and remains the largest glass mosaic ceiling in the world at over 6,000 square feet.

Can you guess where this beautiful ceiling is?  It is the Macy's on State Street!  Housed in the former Marshall Field's building, the space has undergone many transformations over the nearly 150 years since it was built, but some of the original beautiful elements remain in tact.  Next time you are browsing through the racks of clothes or grabbing a sandwich at the marketplace, be sure to look up at the beautiful ceiling created in a different era, when shopping was a special and formal experience and stores were filled with grandeur.

"Blown" Away!

I recently returned from a great trip to San Antonio.  While I was there, I saw some incredible sights in the area, including the gorgeous river walk.  Originally built in 1941, this urban oasis sits below street level and is a lush park ground area with beautiful paths, tinkling waterfalls and outdoor art.  It received a major expansion and restoration in the last decade and is now a popular spot for weddings and events as well.

I also toured a wonderful glass blowing studio/shop and got to learn about the process of creating some exquisite glass art pieces.

And the finished products...

I often use art glass in my client's homes and found it absolutely fascinating to watch these artisans create such intricate, beautiful designs out of such delicate materials.  What an art form!

Reaching New Heights with Ceiling Design

I have been working on the office of a client that is currently a simple, rather dull space.  It does have one beautiful architectural detail- the ceiling!  It is amazing the difference a ceiling can make to the overall feel of a room.  If you take a simple room and do a special detailing on the ceiling, like add molding or beams, a wallpaper treatment, or even a cool paint treatment, you instantly turn an average room into something special.

 

As a designer, I am constantly scanning design mags and websites for inspiration and to learn about new products.  I saw these beautiful rooms on Houzz and was impressed by the beauty of the ceilings in these spaces.

I could truly go on all day with more amazing shots of beautifully designed ceilings and the spaces that exist beneath them, but I will leave you with just one more....