Blog

Did you say Purple and Turquoise for 2010?

I’m loving this color forecast that’s a subject of this blog from 2 savvy designers. I’ve been watching these 2 colors slowly inch their way together since 2008 when we received an order for an 8 piece bedroom set from a customer in Arizona. I remember at the time how I was impressed with the fashion forward color palette selection. Not your typical Arizona sunset hues, but beautiful shades of mauve, periwinkle and orchid with a teal-ish turquoise… something you might expect to see at the trend setting Maison et Objet furniture show in Paris. Take a look at the media cabinet from this collection.                                                                                                                                                         media_cabinet.jpg                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Although we’ve been a magnet for purple lovers for years, the choice for green compliments have always been more in the celadon green family.  But as the shift toward bluish green seeps into our home decorating mindsets, I’ve noticed how requests for turquoise and purple color palettes keep popping up in everything from knobs to finials to desks. A hit color combo that's become the rave for home decor, I'd like to see it stay with us for awhile.

                       rumb_peri_aqua.jpg

By Susan Goldstick Tagged: , , , , , ,

Teacups...Teddy Bears...and Textbooks- Display It!

In the 12 years that we’ve been producing custom painted furniture we’ve had some unusual requests from our customers. This is how our Contessa jewelry armoire was born and how many of our furniture pieces were developed.  But I’m surprised that up until this past year, we have never received any inquires for display cases such as a bookcase or hutch.  Maybe it’s because people associate our designs with our infamous knobs and drawerless cabinets do not come to mind.

But where there’s a will there’s a way as they say. Although open shelving doesn’t provide a spot for a cabinet knob, you can be sure I would find a way to introduce a signature piece to the design.   In both the bookcase and the hutch,  the architecture incorporates a  platform in each corner to house our grandest finials.  Standing 12 inches high, these bejeweled sculptures remind me of little sentries, proudly guarding the contents of the  shelves.                                     bookcase.jpg                                                                                                                                                                             It's 180 degree views for architectural embellishments-- Isabellla finials can be viewed from the front or the side on the Mirage bookcase.

 

But what I especially like about these 2 new furniture pieces is their versatility. Designed to sit atop our Jitterbug desk, the hutch can be adapted to rest on our Bolero dresser and you can move it from the home office to the dining room.  The bookcase can easily be customized in height and width to feel comfortable in any room. And most important, you don't have to feel compelled to fill up the shelves. This bookcase is pretty spectacular.   Let the beautiful colorful  finishes create an aura around your treasures.  Make it special!

hutch_desk.jpg                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Jitterbug Hutch with Merlin finials sits pretty on a desk or dresser.

 

 

By Susan Goldstick Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Designing with Knobs and Pulls -- Get a Scheme Going!

It's easy to see that our knobs and pulls are little works of art. So naturally I like to think of the cabinet door or drawer as the canvas or frame that surrounds it. For a simple or delicate look you can opt for a small knob within a large space or you can be bold and go the dramatic route and use a large knob or pull on a small drawer.  So much depends upon the style of the room or the furniture piece.  Is it formal, casual, playful, colorful?  What kind of attitude or personality are you courting?  There's no doubt that both size and placement of your decorative hardware are key in affecting the look you're trying to achieve.  To give you an idea of some of your options, I've selected some photos of our asymmetrical Eel pulls to show the various ways they'e positioned on cabinets and furniture.  

eel_pulls_kitchen.jpg For balance and symmetry our 4 in. Eel Iris pulls are paired with a right and left curve on these kitchen cabinet doors. Drawers have matching Nu Iris knobs 1.5 in.diameter.


eel_bathroom.jpgIn this bathroom , our 4 in. Eel Lily pulls are placed in the center paneling of the drawers.  Matching Nu Lily knobs 1.5 in. diameter are positioned on the door frame.  Although the colors are subtle, int this case the hardware has a bold effect.  

 

bolero_eels_horizontal.jpg On our Bolero dresser, our 4 in. Eel Lily pulls zig zag down the bank of drawers.  Matching Nu Lily knobs 1.5 in. diameter are placed on the cabinet door moldings.  For extra drama, we selected a contrasting color scheme for the hardware. 

 

bolero_eels_vertical.jpgPlaced vertically on our Bolero dresser, the right and left curve of our 4 in. Eel pulls emphasize and flow with the direction of the artwork.  Once again, choice of contrasting hardware colors is deliberate and effective.  


 

By Susan Goldstick Tagged: , , , ,

Missing Vocabulary

When I think about our times at the NY gift show, I like to recall a common reaction from buyers as they approached our booth.  First there would be the curious  “Ooh what’s this?”  Then I’d watch their eyes scan for the signage where they would see our company name and location.  Then the comment  “Ohhhhh whaddya know, they’re from California”  “Of course”.  So what does this mean?  I’ve had plenty of time to think about it over the years and I’ve come up with a theory.  Obviously designs from the west coast have a recognizable style or look that these buyers identify.  It’s  untraditional, unexpected, over the top and trend setting.  But a good solid finite description seems to be lacking. This brings me to the subject of this post.

I’ve been trying to find the right words to describe our look for awhile. Even the designers, editors, and other professionals, etc , have not pinpointed some choice words to describe our style.  “Funky” tends to be used for lack of a better word  and “whimsical” seems to be the choice word for any indulgent use of color.  We need some new descriptive words in the home furnishing industry.  Yes we have art deco, or  antique, paris flea market, post modern and so forth. But I think we need  a California label, an umbrella that will encompass the uniqueness  that California designers contribute to the mix. We’re obviously not from a particular school of thought or movement.  Could it be the magnificent vistas, plentiful sunshine or proximity to the far east and Mexico that affects our creations?

By Susan Goldstick Tagged: ,

Get Inspired

It's an unexpected place to start my blog, but I have to mention the November newsletter from Wynn resorts.  It focuses upon all the special touches that his team of designers use in creating his fabulous hotels. 
You'll note that right smack in the middle of the newsletter, there's a photo of his top designer's brainchild.  It's a house of cards sculpture, and lo and behold: our knobs and finials are the crowning glory of each playing card column that make up the castle.  There are 2 of these sculptures actually. And they both reside in the luxurious poker room (adjacent to the Ferrari showroom) of the Wynn hotel...pretty swanky digs! 
 
There's nothing too outrageous.  Creative applications of our products have always been a designer challenge and I love to point out the ingenious projects that started with a precious little cabinet  knob.  So I thought this would be the perfect way to begin my blog.  I hope that our customers will join in the fun and share some of their over the top creations and innovations. 
detail_houseofcards.jpg
House of Cards Sculpture at Wynn Resort Las Vegas

 

By Tagged: , ,

Sub Navigation: