Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

I love mirrors, not because I'm vain (although I think a little vanity is healthy), but because they make such an impact in any room you place them.  Mirrors are so versatile, they're the one decorative element in a room that takes up little space but has amazing impact.  A well placed mirror can make a small room seem larger, a dark room brighter, or transform a plain room into something chic and inviting. 

Antique, modern, vintage -- the style or period doesn't matter.  Just use them in every room and see how fabulous they make your home look and feel! 

Here are some of my favorites...

This amazing italian gilded mirror serves to tone down the beautiful zebra wallpaper and bring focus to the gorgeous limestone sink.

The gilded Louis Phillip style of this beautiful mirror is simple in design but packs a big punch!  Paired with country chic elements like distressed metal table, brass candlesticks and painted wood windsor chair, it lends importance and strength to the decor.

Love, love, love the mirror as headboard.  A great way to make a small room look grand and create a focal point to highlight the amazing detail in the mirror.  It's also a great way to create a romantic mood when the lights are low and you get the reflection in the mirror from the crystal chandelier.  

Chic and modern, this distressed mirror adds height and interest to the tablescape and pairs beautifully with the gorgeous blue walls.

Gilded bullseye mirror against laquered black walls.  It doesn't get any better than this...

A masterpiece by Tony Duquette.  Exotic shell encrusted mirror and console with chinoiserie towers.  Super fabulous!

A chic entryway with all the right stuff.  Chocolate walls, bubblegum pink sofa and fabulous gilded starburst mirror.  Gorgeous.

The fabulous gilded starburst mirror brings interest to an otherwise sedate and neutral fireplace. 

Love the symmetry of the two bullseye mirrors over the consoles in a non-traditional dining room.  Very chic and modern.

This is my dream bathroom with antique venetian mirror over wall-to-wall mirror.  A wonderful example of how beautiful a layered mirror look can be.

No discussion of mirrors in decor can be complete without the inclusion of this amazing master bathroom, the piece de resistance by famed designer Miles Redd.  It speaks for itself!

Hope you enjoyed my fantasy tour through mirrorland.  There are so many ways to create amazing rooms with mirrors, so I hope you'll put your own spin on this design element and create something that's a true "reflection" of your style.  Enjoy your week and stay tuned...

I'M TICKLED PINK...

When I was a girl, my favorite candy was bazooka gum.  I loved the deep pink color of the gum and the super sweet taste as I chewed it for all of 5 minutes before the sweetness was gone and all I could do was blow big beautiful pink bubbles that would eventually pop and spread all over my nose.   Later in life, as I grew into a young woman, the closest thing in color to the bubble gum pink I loved was that bottle of pepto bismo I kept in the back of my medicine cabinet for those nights when I ate, drank and enjoyed myself a little too much.  The color pink, and in my case fushia pink, has always been a source of pleasure and fun for me. 

I never considered using pink as a decorative element in any of the homes I've lived in. Just wasn't sure how I'd feel about sitting in a pink room, or being surrounded by pink things, for any length of time. But the more I see the color used in decor, in all its pretty variations, the more I think I'll try it some time. Perhaps I won't do an entire room in pink, but I would definitely do an accent wall or paint some furniture in a deep, rich pink.

Here are some of the fabulous ways designers have used pink to cheer up a space. I hope these bring a little fun to your day...

This is how I'd do pink.  A little hint of pink on the walls with green (my favorite color) as an accent.  I love the chinoiserie cabinet and beautiful green vases against the soft pink walls.  I would leave out the pink rug and stuffed animals, but otherwise, I love this vignette.

A charming way with pink. Love the way they used a very traditional victorian sofa painted white with an updated modern fabric and then paired the different pinks with gilded tables and a gorgeous candelabra floor lamp.  Really chic and fun!

A beautiful sanctuary.  I can image myself waking in this bed with the beatiful light of day shining on my face.  Glorius...

So pretty.  A little Laura Ashley meets Morocco.  Exotic and sophisticated.

I love the bright and brilliant tones of pink in this room.  The black fireplace and wood table help to tone things down and make the room a bit more serious.

Just charming!  Love the fushia wall with the lovely white vanity and stool. 

A room any girlie girl would love...

Another lovely use of pale pink walls.  Works beautifully with the red toile fabric, dark wood furniture and beautiful oriental carpet.  Lots of old world charm.

Fabulous and chic.  Love how the pink sofas pop and against all the neutral tones.  

This is how you do an entry.  That pink above the wainscott is gorgeous and so sophisticated with the black wall brackets, white chair with black and white flamestich upholstery and gold accents.  Definitely a do!

I think I'll try this at my cabin.  The pink walls with that subtle grey on the doors and wainscott gives this room a cozy feel that also sophisticated.  Sort of a feminine lodge look.

Modern and eclectic.  Love the pink chair with the zebra rug and green vases.  A very fun room.

Wow!  Austin Powers meets Jonathan Adler.  I love the colors in this room.   Although it's quite bright, the white walls and floor bring balance to the saturated pallate.   Lots of punch with the fushia, orange, green and red accents.  I'd loose the pink poodles, but I love everything else.

Amazing.  Love the all white furniture, floors and walls and then the pop of color you get from the 

 billowy pink drapes and pink entry and door.  

Modern, earthy, comfortable.  The pink chair brings a little fun to an otherwise neutral pallette.

All this pink has made me thirsty, so I think I'll have a pink drink at this lovely rooftop cafe (that's got a little pink going for it too)...

Have a great week and check out Verdigris' Latest Fabulous Finds at http://www.verdigris.bondandbowery.com/.

Photo credit:  house beautiful, decorpad, tudorks, sunnygoode.

Lady Sings the Blues...

Although being blue is usually associated with being sad, there’s nothing sad about blue as a color in home décor. Blue comes in many shades, and can create different moods depending on the shade you choose. My favorite blues are watery with hints of green, like the Caribbean. These blues instantly make me feel peaceful and calm and fill me with hope. I painted the main room of my shop, Verdigris, a Martha Stewart blue called  Dupioni Silk.  I'm constantly getting compliments from customers because it's so pretty.   It’s the kind of color you’d see on the walls in a French chateau and it looks great with light and dark woods, silver and gold, and antique or modern furnishings.  At home my bedroom is painted Palladian Blue, a Benjamin Moore color.  As much as I like change, I’ll never change this color.  My bedroom is my sanctuary, and this color makes me feel like I'm at a fabulous spa each night.  Just what I need after a long day of battling life’s adventures!

There’s a shade of blue for every mood and taste, so experiment and feel the power of blue -- if not on your walls, then with your accessories and foundation pieces!  Here are some beautiful and inspiring blue rooms.  Definitely try this at home...

Sophisticated, sedate, tranquil....

Love that fabulous old french mirror and daybed against the gorgeous blue/green wall...

The gorgeous deep blue silk pillow and bedcover against crisp white walls and silver accents make this room sophisticated and chic. 

Funky, eclectic and unexpected.  Just how I like it...

Bright torquoise walls and sofa grounded by tufted black slipper chairs, black and white rug, pillows and curtains keep this room from overwhelming the senses.  Daring and fun!

Love, love, love this room.  The unexpected color combination of chartreuse green, deep purple and black against watery blue walls makes this my favorite room.  It's fabulously quirky, eclectic and chic. 

A beautifully put together room with lots of complimentary blue tones that don't overwhelm.  Very warm and comfortable with clean lines and sophisticated touches.

“Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the Deity to be a source of delight”  --  John Ruskin

Have a great week and check out our latest "Fabulous Finds" at http://www.verdigris.bondandbowery.com/.



I'm "green with envy" over these rooms...

I love the color green.  From chartreuse to forest green, there's a hue for everyone.  It's the color of life -- nothing gives me more joy than the appearance of the first green crocus shoots sprouting up from the cool earth signaling springs arrival.  In home decor, green adds energy and warmth to a space.  It pairs well with many colors including navy, yellow, white, orange, purple, peach, lavender, pink and brown -- and you can use dark or light woods and all the metallics, so it's very versatile.  If an entire green room is not your thing, you can still enjoy it by adding some green covered pillows, a green velvet ottoman, or matting your favorite black and white photos or artwork in green with black frames.  

Here are some of my favorite green rooms...

A fabulous use of green as an accent in the sofa pillow border, artwork and rug.  And a gorgeous example of how well green works with metallics -- I want that chrome coffee table!

Amazing green room.  The gorgeous peach silk curtains and white upholstered furniture keep the formal style airy and comfortable. 

I want to live in this room! I love the eclectic style and use of rich patterns and textures that make this room sophisticated and quirky at the same time. 

A beautifully tailored and open room that uses subtle green tones to add interest and warmth.

Wow!  A fantastic punch of green with dark wood furniture, black fireplace mantle and gilded mirror.  I get an immediate rush from looking at this room.  

This is a lively green that pops even more when viewed as part of this fun vignette of colorful ties and artwork.  The white ceiling and wainscotting keep it from being too dark and busy.

You can never go wrong with handpainted wallpaper, but when you do it in a fabulous light olive green like this, you'll never tire of it...

I have an affinity for laquered walls, and I love this olive color.  It's sophisticated and chic and works beautifully with the antique french mahogany and leather chair.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!  The green walls and sofa could easily overwhelm a poorly designed room, but in this room, the use of a mirrored fireplace wall as well as neutral modern tables, a large white-bordered painting, silverleaf mirror and crystal chandelier help to ground the room.  The beautiful red wood floors break up the color and add interest.  An amazing room!

Tangy, quirky, spicy -- that's how I see this room and definitely not for the faint of heart...

One of my all-time favorite green rooms done by Sheila Bridges, one of the most talented interior designers in the industry today.  This is the room I want to create in my own home some day. 

Simply beautiful...

A chic and modern room that's beautiful to look at and comfortable to be in.  Although there's a lot of green in here, the white keeps it clean and open.  Lovely.

de Gournay handpainted wallpaper and orange velvet dining chairs.  There's nothing more to say.

Have a lovely green day...
http://www.verdigris.bondandbowery.com/

The Power of Red...

Happy Valentine’s Day

Not for the faint of heart, red rooms inspire passion and promote appetite. Whether you add a dash of red to spice up a neutral palette or go all out and paint every wall red -- a laquered red wall is to die for -- you’re sure to ignite interest and get conversations going in a red room. 

Here are a few examples of how to do it right…

Love the red wall with black frames and chesterfield settee.  A great way to mix traditional and modern and soften the edges.  The white club chair and midcentury Warren Platner steel case side chair lighten up the feel of the room and add interest.

This is a fabulous room with mesh steel divider and red accents that serve to add some punch to an otherwise neutral palette.  The subtle asian influence creates interest without overwhelming.  Just beautiful...

 Those fabulous red laquered walls speak for themselves! 

A great way to use red without the long-term commitment.  Red drapes along an entire wall.  This room looks rich, luxurious and comfortable. 

 DeGourney wallpaper and shiny red leather.  This is what I want my office to look like!

Chic, modern and tasteful.

A lone red Arne Jacobsen "egg" chair draws the eye into the room and makes it super chic and comfortable.  I just want to lounge in that chair in front of the fireplace all night...

A fresh and tangy palette that keeps the room open and airy...

I love the simplicity of this room.  The midcentury red velvet swivel chair is just what it needs to keep it from looking drab.

A beautiful way to do a traditional library.  The chairs keep it from being too intense.  The flowers make it happy and welcoming.

 The Red Room at the White House.  An appropriate way to end with Red in grand style...

* photo credits: ELLE DECOR, Travel and Design, Peak of Chic