Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Black.The not-so-new, go-to color!


Black has always been one of my favorite colors. Especially when used in design & decorating. To me it's super chic, sophisticated & sexy. 

Below, I've compiled some of my favorite & (completely inspired by) black 'drenched' images...I can't help but stare.








(Nancy Boszhardt via House Beautiful)

 (Miles Redd)
(Canadian House & Home)





(Above four images: Aerin Lauder's House featured in Elle Decor)

(Ruthie Sommers)

What about you? Would you paint your wall(s) or ceiling a dark ebony color?... you might be pleasantly surprised at how cozy & inviting it actually is!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Chic In Miami: The Viceroy Hotel

While in Florida, I had the pleasure of spending some time at the new Viceroy, in downtown Miami. I was staying on South beach, and hadn't really ventured over the bridge to see what was on the other side. When I got there, I was a little upset that I hadn't gone over sooner. It was so much more...me. It was comfortable, quiet, relaxing, & all around a gorgeous hotel.


At the entrance, statues modeled after the Moai figures of Easter Island.
                                                                                    (image above via: xynntii.com)


This is the one bedroom suite I stayed in. The attention to detail in and around the hotel is so well thought out. Notice the greek key detail on the dining chairs.
(above image via: viceroymiami.com)








      Above: A detail shot of the art work, hung over the headboard.






Cafe Icon at the pool deck. 
(They make a killer latte.)




                                 Cabanas on the 14th floor pool/roof deck. 




 


  
Philippe Stark designed- "outdoor living room".





The standing screens at the roof's edge, feature photos of the developer's & designer's friends.

(images above via: c-monster.net)






Plexiglass hallway leading to the Spa Elevator.


The Spa.
The hotels spa features a spacious 28,000 sq. ft.. Including a 5,000 sq. ft. water lounge, floating library, hot and cold plunge pools, 10 treatment rooms, "party room", movie theater, & organic juice bar. The 2,500 sq. ft. gym features a pilates studio, spin studio, yoga room, personal trainers, & a breathtaking view of Key Biscayne.

 






The "Party Room" at the Spa
The Movie Theater

Every Saturday night the theater features movies from a specific genre. $12 admission includes a gourmet cupcake & popcorn (Champagne available for purchase ;)) 

(above two images via soulofmiami.org)











View out the spa bathroom sitting room. Overlooking Biscayne Bay & the gorgeous Icon Brickell building. I could have sat there forever.

Alas...the pool.
 Relax in the 50 person hot tub (Yes, I said 50), or swim in the longest infinity edge pool in the state of Florida. ...it's SPECTACULAR.





(all images unless otherwise noted theplushpad.blogspot.com)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy Easter!

                                         (Me & The Easter Bunny. Circa. 1987)


I thought about going thru my baby albums, to see what my mom had put in them as far as Easter goes, & I found this. HaHa! It makes me laugh now, but as a kid, me & the Easter Bunny (and Santa & Chuck E.- of Chuck E. Cheese's) were not close friends. Thankfully these days, we're a lot more friendly than we used to be :)

Hope you're all having a wonderful holiday weekend with friends & family!

Happy Easter Everyone!



Friday, April 2, 2010

Cheerful Spaces: The Art of Designing With Color


In honor of the colorful flowers blooming around here, I though I'd delve into the art of designing with color. ...bright color.


For the longest time, I couldn't get this picture out of my head, & I was dead set on this photo being the inspiration for our down stairs powder room (Seriously). I LOVE carrera marble, so I'm almost turned on to any space that has this luxurious stone used in it. And that sink...to-die (more on those later). So, I went to the paint shop, had them mix up just the right color of 'electric purple', got home and decided- "no way". I couldn't do it. When push came to shove, I chickened out. In fear that I wouldn't get as luxurious a look as I saw in the photo. If I didn't have the marble right then & there to do it all in one shot, I wasn't doing it. So for the time being, it's a calming shade of gray. In the future, it'll be wallpaper.
This light (but bright) purple hue gives this space just the right amount of vibrancy; & I love that the wall color ties in perfectly with the flowers on the pillows. It matches, but not it a 'model home' sort of way, especially with the help of those  flanking arm chairs. Violet, tangerine, & lime. I love the mix.                                                                                  (Anne Coyle)

                                                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                     (Moises Esquenazi)

Betsey Burnham's office is really more of a black & white space, but by using small amounts of interchangeable accessories like the flowers, books & pillows (which can easliy be moved from room to room to "restyle" your home without spending a dime), she's made a big impact. Not too much, & not too little....just right.

I've always been attracted to pretty much every color of the rainbow, & even when they're all used in one space. To me, it just makes a room feel happy. And this room, says just that. If you're a lover of books & color, then this might be a fun display solution for you.
                                                                                                                                   (Charlotte Moss)

Lime/Lemon. You'd think putting this color on your walls would look more on the juvenile side, but in this room, it's pure fun & flirty.
Turquoise curtain panels laid against bright white walls. What...a...statement. To keep the look from looking 2 dimensional, bring in some other pops of color to balance out the room. The yellow chippendale chairs do exactly that. This dining room really doesn't have a lot in it but WOW, does it pack a punch!   



                                                                                                                                     (Jonathan Adler)

                                                   
                                     (Shine Home)                                               

               Tone on tone green in the bedroom                      (Kelly Wearstler)
                        makes for a dramatic setting.


 This color combo can be used for pretty much any room in the house. This bedroom looks to be in more of a city setting contrasted with bold black & white, but I could easily see this palette on the walls & ceiling of a bedroom on the breezy coast line. This color scheme is screaming to blend in with natures beauty. Throw down a sea grass rug, hang some extra long sheer white panels, fluff up a  white comforter for the bed & you're in business.  

(above photo via: pittsburghpaints.com)


There is not one thing I dislike about this photo. Black, nickel, light teal, orange & zebra! 
The two seperate panels hung together as one is a brilliant touch. The photo wouldn't be the same without the pair.
 
And last but not least...Miles Redd. A true visionary in the interior design world. A man who's not afraid to lacquer anything, or put a bright splash of color where you wouldn't expect it. I've had this photo for what seems like forever; & maybe because I used to just sit & study it. 
It's rare to pull off such a dark color on the floors, walls & curtains. But with such big windows, and those bright white sofas to bounce around all of that sun light; it's not dark or dreary at all. In fact...it's the exact opposite in my opinion. I would love nothing more than to curl up, in a furry throw blanket with a hot cup of coffee & go thru a giant stack of design reads in this luxurious blue room.