For decades, we, as a culture, have been dramatically affected by the trends on the telly.  I have a handful of friends, having been in my early twenties during the peak of Friends, who wanted their apartments to look just like Monica and Rachel’s.  And, I have always longed for a bedroom that looked just like Jeannie’s on I Dream of Jeannie.  Wait, maybe that example is a little different, and a little odd.  But, nonetheless, you catch my drift.  What you see in your favorite characters’ TV interiors can become your newest obsession before you can even talk about your disappointment in the latest plot at the water cooler the next day.

Dallas

The famous Southfork Ranch was built in 1970 but didn’t make its television debut until the second season of Dallas in 1978.  The home’s interiors were very traditional but with an intense late 70’s and early 80’s vernacular, which, quite literally, set the scene aptly for this very 80’s prime time soap.  Sue Ellen’s shoulder pads were totally tubular with the large floral upholstery in Jock’s living room…

…and when Pam woke up from dreaming that Bobby had been dead (this was scandalous for fans, as her dream was an entire season of Dallas), that pastel small print on the walls was just bodacious enough to compliment her fluffy bangs and frilly nightie.

While it may upset you now, at the time, audiences across the states were watching Dallas and wanting Miss Ellie’s interiors.  Julie can recall installing a fabric-draped bed almost exactly like the one in JR’s Suite seen here.

If you thought the biggest deal about Dallas was who shot JR, you are incorrect.  Nobody cares about JR anymore, but Southfork Ranch is still holding tours, concerts and weddings to this day.
The Brady Bunch

Here’s the story…

The first episode of The Brady Bunch enchanted audiences nation-wide in September of 1969 and continued to be a prime time must-see until it’s series finale in March, 1974. In those brief six years, the Bradys’ San Fernando Valley home managed to become arguably the biggest mid-century modern influence on interior design in America.  As a matter of fact, this stairwell alone was responsible for many homes built in that style.

Even though the producers of the show chose the exterior of this home for the outside shots of the Brady place because they said it was just middle class enough, plenty of attention to detail went into the interior set design at Paramount with a focus on “symbolizing California living”.  Mike was an architect, after all, and the family of eight would need to dwell in a structure that was reflective of the talent that Mr. Brady was portrayed as having on the show.

And let’s not forget that Cindy’s entirely pink bedroom with tailored white Cottage furnishings was copied by viewers many times over.

It’s also worth mentioning that the design trends seen in this classic series are loyal to the actual trends at the time.  All of the other television shows we discuss here are interpretations or slight exaggerations.

Will and Grace

Touted as the decade’s most precociously advanced sitcom for its depiction of relationships, Will and Grace achieved more than just broadening the minds of viewers around the globe.  This show also created its own interior fashion décor, which we like to describe as “Millennium Manhattan”.

The style seen in Will and Grace’s New York City apartment can best be described as transitional eclectic with traditional accents.  As a matter of fact, we think that this was the first time we saw “eclectic” done quite this way.  Their pad is hip but not annoyingly trendy, and the palette is vibrant but anchored by neutrals and basics for a uniquely grounded but merry mood.

Grace’s Bedroom

Their apartment is on display at Emerson College Library, donated by the series’ creator, and it is still referenced by designers and fans alike for its interior design.

Cougar Town

What do you get when you cross wicker, a citrus and sand color palette and sea shell fabrics?  The new Floridian home as seen on the popular Cougar Town on ABC, that’s what.

Don’t pretend like you don’t love this show.  I fought it at first, too, but it’s clever, entertaining and relatable.  And, now, some blogs are posting about this show solely for its interior touches.  While the appeal may not be quite as broad as some other television design schemes, if you are living in Florida, you will see that floral print on Jules’ couch popping up all over Boca and the Keys.

We’re coining this décor “Florida Fresh”, combining a youthful ease with tropical colors and prints to yield a pleasant and peaceful ocean-side feel.

So, if you’re a cougar, or you live in Florida, or you just like this style (or all of the aforementioned), we know where you can find tasteful pieces to pull off this look without turning your living space into Jerry Seinfeld’s parents’ place.

Mad Men

This AMC original series has become so popular, in part, due to its set and fashion design.  As a matter of fact, the clothing designer has been asked to create her own line of garments based on the characters’ wardrobes.

The interior design is just as appealing for viewers.  Although not exactly period specific (we’re letting this slide since it’s so fabulous), it’s a brilliant interpretation of sixties mod with a funky blend of glam, Asian and Danish modern.

One character in particular, the suave and dashing Don Daper, has a home that is perfectly reflective of his attitude and appearance.  His television interiors reek of charm and swank.  The sixties sass embodied in the Draper’s living room below is fantastic.

Don and Betty’s Living Room

Gossip Girl

Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford aren’t the only drool-worthy elements in the CW’s Gossip Girl.  The Van Der Woodsens’ Upper East Side pad makes us just as weak in the knees.  This transitional contemporary motif is a brilliant balance of neutral with pops of color that vary in intensity throughout the space.

Gossip Girl has become known for its iconic fashion, and  we believe that the same could be said for set’s interior flare and furnishings.  In both of the primary dwellings, the show’s designer has an acute eye for genius composites of classic and extremely current.

Blair Waldorf’s Bedroom

So there you have some of our impressions of the tube’s power over our visual palates.  As always, please let us know if you have any input of your own or would just like to heckle.

And, to close, we would like to leave you with one of our favorite quotes from Designing Women (and in honor of your summer vacation travels):

Suzanne: Where are our seats?
Julia: I don’t know. If history teaches us anything, mine will be next to a baby who smokes.

For more detail on any of the information provided here, please contact JEIDesign at 512.330.9179 or julie@julieevans.net.

Creativity and Technology

What happens when the technological brain meets the creative brain?  Something really cool, that’s what.  Today’s savvy interior designer is not just abreast of the latest and greatest interior fashions but is also plugging into technological advancements made in industry products and techniques.

If you have never pictured laser-carved wood, paint that turns your walls into a dry-erase board, or a cell phone app that can decorate your walls for you, then you may be delightfully informed by the following reports on the newest applied science in home décor.

From Beams to Beautiful

In the dining room shown here, what may appear to be a basic wood carving adorning the walls is actually the product of a pretty nifty technique that combines an original custom sketch with computer software and lasers, yes lasers, to create an intricate pattern with wood to the most diminutive specification.

Pinecrest, a company based in Minnesota, is revolutionizing wood carving and fretting using the brain child of a group from MIT, CNC machinery, along with their own extraordinary artistry.  Pinecrest enters their own custom design, or a sketch from a client that has been adapted by CAD, into a software program that interprets the art in elaborate detail for machinery that then outputs that exact pattern into the wood with laser technology.

The  creations of Pinecrest have been commissioned by clients such as Oprah Winfrey, the Smithsonian Institute and the U.S. Capitol Building.  We don’t have to tell you how keen this is, do we?

Write on the Walls and Get Away With It

A company called ICI has come up with a product called Idea Paint.  The idea is this:  turn any wall in your home into a veritably limitless space for creativity, communication and self-expression.   Sparing the environment of all of the landfill waste that is a result of the design and discarding of standard dry erase boards, ICI offers an alternative that is environmentally friendly and really neato.

The paint is quick to dry and compatible with any dry erase marker, and if you ever want a change, you can just paint right over it with any other wall paint.  This stuff is perfect for play rooms and offices, but is also a great alternative to the endless post-its and other paper waste that your family may go through on the kitchen fridge.

Great idea, ICI!

See it, Like it, Have it

If you already have an iPhone (and if you don’t,, this could be your day of conversion),  you probably already know about this tiny miracle.  Released last June of 2009, the Benjamin Moore iPhone app allows you to take a picture of anything you see and have it matched to their database of over 3000 colors, instantly generating the name of the color, other colors that are similar, and the closest location of a Benjamin Moore retailer near your location at that moment, using the GPS on your phone.

You can even, then, use the browser on your device to order your selection and set up delivery.  You can now literally be on vacation, love the color of the sea shell that you just stepped on, and have that paint color on order for your powder room all in the same hour.

The app is completely free to download straight to your phone, and is then available any time with just the tap of your finger.

The Periodic Table Gets Even More Awesome

I’m going to cheat on the theme of this article a bit with this one. This compound is only just now emerging in our culture as a greener, stronger, healthier, safer, cleaner alternative to cement, but the truth is that this stuff was being used centuries ago in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring structures and monuments.

Does it ever strike you as odd that large-scale constructions that were built 500 years ago, such as the Great Wall of China, are still standing, but anything erected this century is deemed condemned after a few decades?  Here’s the reason.  Most of those ancient structures were created with the naturally occurring mineral, magnesium oxide.  MgO is not only kinder to the environment in production than concrete, but it is less destructible and actually absorbs carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas behind global warming.

MgO is also being used to replace dry wall, providing a cleaner and safer surface for any interior paint or wall coverings, and it is fire resistant twice the burning time as regular sheetrock and conventional insulation.

Other countries, such as China, are already widely implementing this alternative to concrete and other construction materials.

We’ll see how it is accepted and used here in the coming years.  If all the claims are true, MgO could revolutionize green building.

For more information on any of the products mentioned here, please email Julie@julieevans.net.

Who doesn’t like a good design makeover, right? It’s almost its own industry now, on almost every other design TV program and saturating print and online publications. So, we don’t want to bore you with the typical before and after segment. We’ll demonstrate some of our favorite befores and their corresponding afters, but we selected these because there was an additional design challenge that made each of the following projects a little trickier than the norm. Read on to see how we turned some puzzling projects into delightfully adored designs.

Architectural Ace

A client approached us with a fairly common quandary. They wanted change but without having to box up their lives and truck them to another location. And the change would be significant, since the existing 1970’s scheme had been virtually unchanged since its initial groovy installation. But their original seventies décor wasn’t the only design challenge that would demand some creative negotiation. They also own an impressive collection of Arts and Crafts furniture, as well as textiles and carvings from around the globe, that don’t inherently, as a whole, lend themselves to a cohesive theme. But, these pieces are their most treasured possessions that they insisted should remain the focus of their design scheme. And so they should!

Befores:

A major feat would need to be achieved in the architectural redesign in order for the new look to add movement and a current edge, but while also remaining harmonious with the pieces it would hold. So, the one and only, local architect, David Schiflet, worked some magic with the specifications he was given and completely transformed seventies drab into contemporary fab.

Afters:

Couple’s Compromise

When our next clients met and married, they were also confronted with the obstacle of marrying their styles. His preference, and the existing décor, was dominantly Tuscan with heavy, masculine accents. Hers… not so much. She wished for more life and some glamour without breaking the bank, or her hubby’s attachment to his things.

Befores:

JEI also faced the challenge of working with the existing wall colors, as well as staying within a limited budget, since the couple is considering building a new home in the near future. As with any project that has the attention of both homeowners, there would need to be an interior design mediation, of sorts. The man of the house took a little coaxing and reassurance, while our lady of the home received some guidance to channel her vision. The colors were selected around the gorgeous art that she painted.

As you can see from the end result below, the right placement of color and attention to accessories transformed their home from mildly masculine to upbeat and fresh.

Afters:

For the Love of the Lot

When you need a new look but you’re attached to where you are, not all is lost for a fabulous home makeover. These clients originally designed their interiors around the Virginia Country tastes they brought with them to Texas in the 90’s. But as time passed, they realized that their preferences were evolving. And, since they were in love with their location and lot, they decided to incorporate a style that would be more like the architecture of the home, itself, which is a modern Tuscan theme.

An additional catch: They wanted a design redo with all of the toppings, but they didn’t want to have to leave their home during the process. So, the family team of six, relocated their lives upstairs, limited to the space provided by their media area, using the wet bar there as their kitchen for four months.

After some innovative application of modern to the traditional foundations, and a lot of patience and flexibility from the clients, the once outdated digs became a slick new interpretation of the existing architecture and their family’s personality.

Afters:

From Ranch to Radiant

The traditional Ranch Style home was all the rage in the 60’s. So, it’s not all uncommon to be retained by a client who wants to convert their stuffy, stretched style into something more open and modern. These clients wished to rid their space of the claustrophobic feel of the original scheme and add in color, pizzazz and sophistication, but without losing the flow of the architecture and their favorite artwork.

Before:

The homeowners worked with an architect to open up the space that was already there and implement a gentle transition from the existing frame to allow for a more contemporary energy within. The kitchen, dining and living areas now each work together as compatible counterparts, and the previous stagnant style is only a memory there now. JEI also had the innovative talent of lighting artist, Joe Parham, who designed and crafted the custom fixtures, and the homeowners’ existing furniture and art were seamlessly incorporated into the new scheme.

Afters:

____________________

As you can see from the examples here, almost any design challenge is easily overcome with the right vision and follow-through. If you would like to discuss your own remodel or redo, call the team at JEIDesign at 512.330.9197 or email Julie@julieevans.net.

 

The inspiration for this month’s article is a little off the beaten path.  We know you have already seen numerous posts and publications on must-haves for the New Year.  And, while this composition offers similar information, the source of the skinny is a little something new.

You see, we just recently introduced a bewitching new addition to our inventory.  Global Views has presented their “Fortune Teller” sconce (below), and its beauty stirs all kinds of allure and enchantment in the minds of the designers here.  So, we have decided to look to the crystal ball in this captivating sconce for the future of our industry.

 

Our crystal ball has referenced some inside scoop from revered international interior designer officials, as well as some other savvy soothsayers in the field.  But we also have it on good authority that the crystal ball has forecasted our interior design future by also researching the runway.  You have heard us opine in articles past on the almost infallible predictor that runway fashion is of home décor.  But, maybe now more than ever, we are going to see some pretty literal translations of catwalk cultus to room rage.  At least that’s what the wall-hung clairvoyance is telling us. Â

Â
 

Techno-logical Allure

 

It’s a difficult chore to ignore the omnipresence of technology in our 21^st century lives.  Everywhere you turn, there it is.  Be it your auto’s navigation system or the grocery store check-out line, almost every component of our daily routine is now digital.

But, before your imaginations head directly to Jane Jetson’s Turbo Toaster and floating TV, allow me to explain how we see a contemporary application of technology’s influence on interior design is unfolding.

Today’s interpretation of technology in design is a more subtle approach to translating the lines and colors of industrial science.  Shades of muted silvers and metallic neutrals will be seen with charged shades of copper and platinum.  A “futuristic” flare, only slightly reminiscent of this attempt in the 50’s, will appear in fabrics, such as sturdier weaves that have been brushed with hints of sheen, as well as in layering of diaphanous textiles in mineral hues.
Furniture and hardware will also read of this applied science influence, as seen in the ensemble and the kitchen below.

  

3.1 Philip Lim Spring 2010 Ready to Wear                JEI kitchen project

 

Rustic Revisited

Rustic was all the rage a couple of decades ago, and it’s still an appealing motif in the right space.  But soon, we’ll be exposed to rustic interiors like you have not seen before, with an emphasis on sleeker rural elements.  Accents of chunky wool, tweed and flannel can now accompany cleaner lines and colors.  Even denim, yes denim, is back with the appropriate accompaniment.  And quilted fabrics on walls and accent pillows will marry beautifully with an otherwise non-pastoral ambience.

The color rust, itself, makes a reemergence, as well as does some other saturated neutrals, such as pewter and taupe.  Even teal is on tour again, being balanced by thicker, earthy fabrics and wall coverings.  This motif is also using herringbone and waffle patterns with supple embellishments.

In the fashion statements below, you will find that rustic can be chic.  High style is not just for shimmer and sheen anymore.

  

William Rast Fall 2009 Ready to Wear          JEI living room project 

 

 

The New Natural

The minimalistic “natural” of the last decade has metamorphosed into an organic design that speaks of elegance and a touch of whimsy.  Fabrics are fluid instead of stiff, and colors will be more similar to vegetation that of sand and soil.  Rich, mossy greens can be paired with aqueous crepes, gauze and tulle.  This pure look has matured to romantic. 

Â
 

       

A.F. Vandevorst Spring 2010 Ready to Wear         Conrad Shades (purchase through JEI)

 

 

Southern Style

Nope, not the South you’re thinking.  Think a litter further below the equator.  Today’s Southern is South America.  Specifically Brazil, whose cultural depth is spreading quickly into our fashions industries.  Centuries of music, language, art and cuisine are all numbers in the equation that has yielded Brazil’s design influence.  Spicy colors that “dance” and woven fabrics that are “delicious” combine to create an ambience that combines dry with wet and rustic with fresh.  

Base colors are clay and cactus with chili pepper reds and greens for oomph.  Artisan textiles, such as lace and embroidery appear here, too.

  

 Alexandre Herchcovitch Spring 2010 Ready to Wear   UXUA Casa Hotel in Brazil

 

Back to Basics

History, as well as studies on trends, has shown us that when the economy suffers in our country, fashion, both in attire and interior design, returns to a more traditional persuasion.   It is human nature to wish to revisit memories of the past in times of environmental stress. 

This temperament typically means that we begin to crave again the creature comforts of traditional surroundings.  Thus, this year, our instincts may drive our interior nesting, and we will ditch the contemporary for the comfy.  Even a resurgence of “Contemporary Americana” with a twist will be popping up all over this year.  Remember you heard it here first!

 
Ralph Lauren Blue Label                               Cowtan & Tout Castello fabric



If you would like to chat with someone from the team at JEI about any of the projects discussed here, or concerning other available options, email Julie at Julie@julieevans.net.

But… what to choose? With the options so boundless, the obstacle is no longer finding something that will work, it’s choosing between all the things that will.

So, to ease your angst and set you on the right path for your next bathroom redo, we’ve created our very own Bathroom Décor Compatibility Quiz.

1. When you’re in a relaxing bath, you are thinking:
   1. How do I keep forgetting milk at the grocery store?
   2. Pi equals 3.14159… what?
   3. I wish my faucets were more glamorous.
   4. I need a pedicure.

   If you answered a, b or d, we can’t help you today (check back later for our Calculus and Cosmetics edition). However, if you selected c, we have a most fitting solution. Your bathroom can be glamorous. And not just for your fixtures and accessories. All elements of the wash room can be wham, bam, super glam.

   

   As you can see in this powder room, found in one of our favorite Hill Country Contemporary projects, you can achieve a sophisticated elegance that is perfectly appropriate for a place to preen. The client wanted glamorous but functional, so JEI went to work creating a practical balance that would be tastefully tantalizing.

   

   Using soft sheen and a bit of reflection manipulation, the final product was a success.

2. Upon leaving your washroom after your regular morning routine, you sometimes feel:
   1. That you need another two cups of coffee.
   2. Kind of cooped up and wishing your bathroom could be more like the outdoors.
   3. Still confused by the foreign documentary you watched the night before.
   4. Completely relaxed and rejuvenated, as if you are one with the world and totally Zen.

   If you answered a or c, again, we may not be your go-to for a remedy. (Although, if you’re up late watching contemplative documentaries, you may want to go ahead and brew that extra pot of coffee in the morn.) If you answered d, we would like for you to start giving us advice. But, if you answered b, you’re in luck. Your most suitable bathroom motif may be precisely what we were going for here.

   
   

   In this Hill Country home, it would have been sinful to close off any room from the beauty that naturally grows, but particularly tragic to do so in a room that begs for natural light. Mirrors are placed on the walls to strategically distribute light and the reflections from outside into the room within that we left “open” to receive the compliment. We kept the colors natural, to accentuate the organic elements that pour in, and the tub is placed, of course, for optimal viewing of the tranquil surroundings.

3. When you’re shopping for powder room linens, you try to match them to:
   1. The regal, but soft and sophisticated décor in the ideal bathroom of my dreams.
   2. The fade in the last ones I bought ten years ago.
   3. White. All white so that I can bleach them silly.
   4. I’m supposed to match my towels to something?

   Ok, first and foremost, if you answered d, yes. But we’ll cover that in another article. If you answered a, we’re here to tell you your dreams can come true. Any other answer indicates that you already know what you’re doing, and we’re not here to judge.

   You can design your bathroom to be both resplendent but while maintaining an understated elegance. What was once just a theme for a master bedroom is now making appearances in the bathroom, too. And it’s looking just lovely.

   
   

   In this master bath, we used a stately but soft blue with subtle metallic accents for a rich and graceful ambience.

4. If you live in an older home, your attitude about a bathroom re-do, is something along the lines of:
   1. Not much can be done with an older loo. If it’s not leaking, I’m happy.
   2. It’s my last priority. It can’t be a fabulous room, anyway.
   3. Everything must be gutted to get the look I want.
   4. I think I will just move.

   This was a trick question. The trick being that they are all wrong. Well, d isn’t exactly wrong, but we’ll present you with some other options before you start collecting boxes.

   It’s a common misconception that the WC’s in older homes just have to be accepted as they always have been- probably smaller than you would like and almost definitely awkwardly shaped and with little to no storage or linen space.

   You don’t have to live this way! With enough creativity, the right color, and a good balance of old and new, your quaint ‘n quirky old lavatory can be transformed into a revived room that is stylish and inviting.

   

   In this home, built at the turn of the century in central Austin, the bathroom looks just as dapper and vibrant as the rest of the home now. Using bright colors, and working with the existing flow of the architecture, we created an update that looks fresh but preserves the inherent charm.

   In the image below, another older country home, constructed in the 1870’s, received a complete facelift. But, it was the bathroom that actually drew the most attention and won an award for Design Excellence. You can see that the old-fashioned grace remains, but its allure is undoubtedly current.

   

5. When you think about the words “captivating” and “classy”, you think of:
   1. Rita Hayworth
   2. An Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Super
   3. Much of Oscar Wilde’s prose
   4. Your water closet

   If you answered a, b or c, we agree, but we need to focus, here. If you answered d, we think you might be most compatible with our next featured bathroom design.

   This seductive construct was created around those two words. Featured repeatedly in publications since it was photographed, this room speaks for itself.

   

6. What is the definition of chic?
   1. Attractive and fashionable; stylish and elegant.
   2. The chief of a tribe or family in Islamic countries.
   3. A young chicken.
   4. Where your toddler wants to give you a kiss.

   If you answered b, c or d, no comment. But, if you selected a, we bet you may also find yourself drawn to this bathroom.

   In the design scheme below, JEI combined clean lines and the right amount of color and reflection to create a contemporary look that is still soft and approachable.

   

   

   Eschew the notion that modern need be clinical; even in the bathroom where that may seem an impossible feat. This project demonstrates that you can retain the tranquil atmosphere you want for your bathroom but still read sharp and chic.

   Thank you for completing our Bathroom Compatibility Quiz. If you answered one or more of the questions correctly, you have found your lavatory love match! Even if you didn’t, there’s still a bathroom out there for you. It may seem a daunting task, but with the right guidance and information, we are confident that you’ll find the bathroom design that is right for you!

   We’re happy to help with your search. If you would like to chat with someone from the team at JEI about any of the projects discussed here, or concerning other available options, email Julie at Julie@julieevans.net.

Soft supple satins and exquisite art sightings,
Rugs with rich colors and cloths so inviting,
Sumptuous sofas just fit for a king,
These are a few of our favorite things.

The team at JEI spent more time that they should have discussing, debating, and generally just being giddy over each selection for this special Holiday edition. It was horribly fun. And, since I am just the writer here, I made every effort to lay low and absorb the interior design element deliberation. But, as literary destiny would have it, I also found myself fully engaged and contributing. And, alas, after careful consideration and a pot of coffee, we managed to narrow our preferences down to nine items in five categories.

And so, we present to you… The entire JEIDesign Team’s Favorite Things for your Holidays ‘09.

Luscious Linens

We simply could not choose only one linen product to be crowned our favorite this year. So, with little reluctance, we called it a tie.

If you haven’t been wrapped in a Matouk Towel, you just haven’t pampered yourself properly. Even the most towel-skeptic of our design team can’t say a single thing about these heavenly cloths that is not synonymous with fabulous. They are glorious in texture and weight, they are Egyptian cotton, of course, and they are even remarkably absorbent, to boot. So, if you thought you would have to sacrifice practicality for luxury in your towel cabinet, we’ve just made your day!

This article would be amiss without the inclusion of Sferra’s Grande Hotel Collection Sheets, since every last one of our team here sleeps on them each night. 100% Italian Egyptian Cotton Percale, these Sferra sheets are crisp but ductile and are tailored in double rows of satin stitching. It’s hard to believe these linens are affordable because they feel as if they’ve been custom-made for a luxury hotel. 5 out of 5 design team members agree… You must have these sheets.

Take-out Lunch Location

Since the team at JEI is devoted to quality and meeting deadlines, we often have to have someone run out to pick up a quick lunch so that we don’t lose our working pace. However, we are all also very health conscious (or try to be) and selecting a speedy mid-day meal is not always an easy task.

But we have found just the spot! Since we office in West Lake, there is cafe just down Bee Cave from our studio, Wild Wood Art Cafe, that offers ready-made salads, tamales, baked goods, and so much more that are fresh, packed with nutritious ingredients, and mostly gluten-free! The best part- it is all delicious!

Anomalous Accessories

This Global Views Accent Rug in coral and white is one of our assistant designers’ “most excellent rugs ever.” Its classic lines create compatibility with almost any décor genre, but the contemporary edge and fresh, upbeat color sets a fresh and vogue vibe for your living space. Making it even more fantastic, it’s 100% wool, which means it’s naturally soil-repellant and environmentally peaceful. It is also available in 4 different sizes, up to as large as 9×12.

As with our linens, we could not stop at one item in our accessories category. We love this one, too, because it’s unique but versatile, understated but classy. We find ourselves wanting to use Jan Barboglio’s Ballin Firescreen and fire tools in almost every den or patio with a fireplace. Did you think “rustic” could meet “chic” and not be contradictory? Well, here, not only do they not clash, they are unequivocally clever together. If Coco Chanel had lived in Texas and created a fireplace accessory line… well, you catch our drift.

image of Jan B fire screen at Julie’s home

Felicitous Furniture

The choice for our favorite furniture was a fight to the finish. And, we finished with, again, a two-way tie.

The best Pearson Sofa ever is my very own contribution for the sofa category. Although, Julie deserves more credit for this “favorite thing”, since it was originally her Pearson couch that set the standard for all other sofas that would ever be. She refers to hers as the “healing sofa”, and, despite an occasional attempt to replace said sofa, she inevitably finds herself putting the same 21-year old adored piece back into her living room every time, without fail. (With some updated upholstery now and then, of course.)

Pearson has been known for over fifty years as a producer of fine, custom ordered upholstery furniture. And so, I, too, now spend my evening writing sessions, movie viewing, cat cuddling and midnight snack eating on my very own Pearson sofa. Those of us who own or have ever owned a Pearson know precisely what I’m asserting here. It’s sort of like a secret sofa society. Join us!

Reminiscent of 1940’s French interior Design, this Hickory Chair Secretary is another adamant designer’s top personal pick for case goods. This dapper davenport in Antique Ivory will speak to your inner fashion fiend, saying to you in a sophisticated but coy voice, “my richly toned kingwood and classic-finish interior is surpassed only by my leather-insert desktop and adorable Hepplewhite knobs.” If only all furniture would be so frank about the integrity of its conception and composition.

Adored Art

Our favorite local artist this year is painter, Christopher St. Leger, of Lockhart, Texas. Christopher is known for his manipulation of environments by “washing out further any dangling details.” What he sees in an esoteric metropolitan landscape, he transforms into “urbanscapes”, using both bold and subtle elements, which ironically establish tranquility in chaos.
His works are now available in galleries in Austin at Davis Galleries, as well as in Houston and New York City.

Loved Local Charity

You have heard us go on about Well Aware
before, but nevertheless, we could not leave them out of our list of favorite things! Founded here in Austin in 2006, this group of young, passionate philanthropists have been demanding attention to the struggles of the Maasai in rural Kenya and their dire need for water.

Well Aware captured the attention of local and national media last summer with their (now annual) Shower Strike. JEI was tickled to be a part of this shocking fundraising stunt for such a good and necessary cause.

Relying on the “viral” nature of internet social media, they are making their mark on how fundraising is achieved, and we are proud to be a part of this growing group of inspiring people who give all of their free time to help others in need.

For more about Well Aware, visit their website, www.wellawareworld.org

And, so, the aforementioned, ladies and gentlemen, are our “favorite things” this Holiday Season. We hope you enjoyed our selections and appreciate the fervor with which we present them to you.

If you would like any additional detail on an item mentioned here, please just give us a call and we would be delighted to go one some more…

Happy Haute Holidays!

A client recently came to us with a large request:  “I need a whole new look.”  But with the added stipulations being limited time and a limited budget.   To which we provided a fairly simple solution:   “Let’s change your colors!”

These clients actually represent a growing number of people who are seeking a real change in the mood of their interior atmospheres.  And color just so happens to be the easiest way to accomplish this objective.

But now, what color scheme to choose?  We’ve been so inundated with saturated color and rich pigment in the last few years, that it may be difficult for you to step away from that bucket of Maple Leaf Red.   But you can do it.  And you will be pleasantly surprised.

Without delving too deeply into the philosophy of color, we will say that there are many environmental, as well as psychological, factors that contribute to the responses we have to colors.  We are affected very much by trends and peer opinion, but we are also moved by certain colors that “speak” to how we are feeling within.

And that is why, currently, we are seeing a marked change in the interior color palette.  Since we are more environmental, so is our color.  We are more globally aware, hence so shall our color be.  We want more vibrance in life, well then our color will need more zip, too.

Thusly, we introduce to you, our forecast for color in 2010.

�

Blue
Blue will never go away.  But, variations of this regal color will absolutely come and go.  Those going are the heavy dark casts that were safe for a long time.  Those coming are more liquid, reflecting shades from the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas.  Also, blues that speak softly of plum and lavender will make more appearances in coming months in interior design.

�

This great room incorporates a deep-water blue with accents of warmer hues placed strategically snap from their neutral accompaniments.  As you can see, the room remains soft but is made bold by adept color combinations.  Color is still the key here, but we are not overwhelmed with its intensity.  We’ll leave the overpowering to your

�

Yellow
You’ve most likely already seen the emergence of the new yellow on the fashion runways, and now it’s rapidly finding its way into the hippest homes.  This sunny color is not what it once was.  We are rediscovering the purity and tranquility of freshly appropriate shades of yellow… from soft lemon to daffodil imbued with a hint of lime, you can incorporate this palette into almost any design direction today, and you should.  The ancient Mayan civilization associated the color yellow with “precious” or “ripe”objects.  We think they were onto something.

�

Natural
Not neutral.  These are very different, and we’ll tell you why!  While a neutral palette aims to serve typically as a canvas for accent pieces or other color schemes, natural is a scheme.  Colors that look of stone and natural fiber, like sea grass, are calm and non-confrontational but still delicately distribute chroma throughout the room.  Wood tones are also entering the scene.  Oaky and cherry-infused light browns serve to keep a space earthy while maintaining a punch.

�

�

Red
There’s been a coup in color in the realm of red!  Our old European reds have been overthrown by vibrant Latin hues.   Stop thinking jewels and velvet, and start thinking exotic fruits and tropical flowers.  Our new reds will be enticing and mouthwatering, as opposed to heavy and concentrated.�

Orange

Orange you glad this color is back?  Sorry, we just couldn’t resist.  But, yes, orange will indeed be one of the forerunners in the interior spectrum next year.  But, not just any orange will do.  We are observing a transition from sharp and tangy oranges to more graceful and understated tones.  For a soft but spicy accent, add in touches of pale marigold or summer squash to almost any existing color scheme.

So, as you can see, you have a vast spectrum of hues and tints, colors and casts, pigment and polychromasia to mold and manipulate into a fresh and tantalizing creation.

Have fun!