It's Not Leather - It's Concrete!

Yes, that ottoman may look like leather but it's actually concrete! Mention this to anyone looking at it and they find themselves compelled to touch it before believing you. In some cases, they'll even knock on it before believing. Known for resurrecting the dying art form of high quality concrete faux bois, Richard Taylor of Flat Earth Designs has taken concrete to a whole other level with these pieces.
The zipper and button detail is incredible. I should also mention these pieces are suprisingly comfortable to sit on.
In addition to the ottoman, Richard creates a Barcelona chair in concrete. This one is in a light finish. Couldn't you see these in a chic hotel or backyard garden setting?
Another double-take; this is concrete not alligator.

Just one of the many faux bois planters available.
Eddie Ross chose these mushrooms for the Chicago WOW event - I'm also loving the beautiful console table they're featured on.

Another favorite of mine - the poppy bowl.
I forgot where I saw this but a designer had a placed a huge clamshell like this in a fireplace. Looked stunning.
Pennsylvania finial.
Hypertufa spheres in various sizes. I particularly like this large one on a pedestal.

The Richmond Planter. The finish on this piece, and the one below, is akin to marble.
Rams Swag Pot
Oak leaf urn
This is just one of a number of lions available.
Richard's work is sold wholesale to stores and garden centers throughout the U.S., including select pieces for Anthropologie. (*Although he does sell to the public at the Round Top Antique Shows)

The acorn mirror and frog on a pedestal, along with a number of other pieces, are available from Scentimental Gardens and SG Grand in the Chicago area. (Debra has a great eye and has been carrying Richard's work for a long time.)
Here in DC, I believe Notting Hill Gardens on 815 King Street, Alexandria, VA will be carrying some of Richard's collection in the near future. (no connection to me)

To see more of Richard's work - go here. If you're like me, you'll spend alot of time looking around!

D. Bryant Archie Textiles

A Moroccan honeymoon, an encounter with a souk of Berbers and a dream back in 2005
led to the launch of D. Bryant Archie Textiles in 2008. The back story is as interesting as Bryant, whom I had a chance to meet last week at the DC Design Center's Hall of Fame Showhouse opening.

Nestor Santa-Cruz selected two of her throws to feature in his room. Bryant has designed a luxurious collection that is inspired by indigenous hands of the past – from American Indian to Persian and African artifacts.
Beautiful - I've had a chance to see these up close and the quality is impeccable.

Made in a rural region of Peru, the weaving of these throws and pillows helps support the livelihoods and hand weaving traditions of artisans. Her firm also works with partners who support their education and the education of their children. In addition, the process from sorting the fiber by hand to dying, weaving and cleaning of the final piece is environmentally friendly. This throw is one of my favorites - I love the combination of colors.

In addition to being creative and talented, Bryant is one of the nicest people you'll meet. Isn't it great when talent and friendliness combine! To see more of her textiles, go here. As with Nestor Santa-Cruz, I have a feeling her textiles are going to be very popular with designers.

DC Designer Series: Liz Levin

After looking through the extensive portfolio of DC based designer Liz Levin, it's hard to believe that her firm was launched as recently as 2004. I like Liz's fresh, clean lined approach to design and her comfortable mix of furniture, fabrics and accents. Every room reads liveable - not an accomplishment as easy to achieve as it might sound. Love the simplicity of this foyer and the very interesting carvings on the black bureau.

I love everything about this bright white kitchen, especially the unexpected modern chrome chairs paired with the claw foot table.

Notice the artful combination of patterns here - subtle zig zag on the sofa, plaid drapes, diamond lattice on the settee and curves on the pillows and rug.
There's a great mix of color and styling of chairs at this dining table; armless chairs in a solid and pattern and Wing back chairs anchoring the ends. Doesn't it make for a very confident and cheerful room?

Liz is also an innovator - after the birth of her daughter she realized how challenging it can be to live stylishly, and in response, launched Liz Levin Nesting. Nesting is a unique collection of custom and high performance furnishings. Case in point is the following Nesting design for a client with children and pets.

BEFORE
"The room had a lot to live up to: it needed to be a gallery, a playroom, a cocktail and TV lounge. Before we got started, we confirmed piano lessons were in the room’s future as well." - Liz Levin

AFTER
Beside the fact that the space is beautiful and kid friendly - it looks so much larger! To check out more great interior designs by Liz Levin go here.

(Photography by Angie Seckinger)

Lattice - An Inside Job

The cottage I stayed at in Fredericksburg had a terrific selection of magazines. Loved this piece on lattice used to such a great design effect. This is certainly not the Home Depot version of lattice!


Source: British Home & Garden, September 2007, photography by Bill Batten, Designers Wendy Harrop and Olivia Gregory.

Interior Design for Your Car & Design House Pics

This past week I received an intriguing invitation...to hear Sharon Gauci, Director of Design of General Motor's North America design studio, speak about interior car design, color and trim. For Australian readers you might be interested to know that Sharon was invited to serve on the core judging panel for the 2006 Australian Design Awards. This experience was a personal highlight for Sharon as she was the first female to be part of the core judging panel in 50 years of the award.

I was uncertain about attending but fortunately Annie of Bossy Color sent me an encouraging email. I'm happy that I went as Sharon's presentation was extremely interesting. Thank you! Plus, it was great fun to meet Annie too.

I had never given much thought to the process behind the interior design of cars but it was apparent after hearing Sharon speak that it is both a technical and artistic endeavor. Just as designers in fashion and interior decor forecast the new color and finish trends, so do forward thinking car designers. Each year GM introduces 22 new exterior colors and right now Sharon said they're creating the interior color and finish schemes for 2012! In tightening markets, color can can be a critical factor for a customer' s experience of the car. Let's just say after viewing GM's cocoa color scheme it left me feeling a bit sad for my own car's interior. At least there was a small bright spot - when I returned to my car the "check engine" light didn't turn on again as it had earlier in the week. (Maybe my car sensed my sadness and was trying to show some love?)

A perk of attending the GM event was the opportunity to take pics of The Washington Design Center's Fall 2008 Design House. The theme is Casa Couture and it's open through Dec. 13th.

Gentleman's Retreat by Wayne Breeden of E.Wayne Breeden

Love the detail and personalization this initial brings to the metal table. This is definitely a do-it-yourself possibility.

Entry foyer by Yveette Piaggio of Piaggio's Loft

Kitchen by Todd Martz of Todd Martz Interiors


Study by Pattie Gunter and Tami Hatch, Gunter-Hatch Design Group, LLC

Outside the Design House is a screen with running video featuring interviews with all the designers.



Living Room by Emily Bishop of Emily Bishop Interior Design, Inc.



Dining Room by Michelle Pilon of Michelle Pilon Interiors, Inc.



Bedroom by Michelle Miller of Jenkins Baer Associates


Blogspot why are my pics so small and why can't I enlarge them the way I used to?

Gentleman's Retreat by Wayne Breeden of E.Wayne Breeden


Another close-up of the table initial. Really like this.