Elle Decor's A-Team (Part II)

Last week, we started a new feature, looking at Elle Decor's 2010 "A-List of 25 interior designers." Some are well known to us and some vaguely familiar, but all have distinguished themselves as the best in the industry (at least according to Elle Decor). We thought it would be fun to take a look at these taste makers each Monday - to see how they appeal to our own aesthetic and even find a little Key West in their style if it exists.

Five was a bit overwhelming, so I think we'll go with three this week (click HERE to see last week's Part I).

So here are three more!

Waldo Fernandez

ED (Elle Decor) describes Fernandez' style as "a kind of low key luxury that's not flashy, but immediately recognizable to the cognoscenti. Among his favorite elements are gusty furnishings, beefy linen, natural woods, Windsor chairs, cowhide, woven-rush carpets, hefty braided baskets and almost anything Danish Modern. The results are as easy as they are stylish."



We like his capitalization on natural light, his uncluttered style and his focus on quality pieces.

Steven Gambrel

ED describes Gambrel as "a daring colorist...Pieces wrought in shimmering lacquer, tactile surfaces, and conversation starting antique and vintage furniture mingle with his own signature upholstered creations in rooms that evoke the panache of earlier eras while never ignoring the needs of modern day life.."







We like his rooms with soothing blue color schemes best. We also love his super sleek kitchens and bathrooms.

Suzanne Kasler

ED describes Kasler's rooms as "broadcasting Euro chic crossed with Southern charm and ease, where gilt-wood antiques are energized by contemporary art and concentrated bursts of sharp color."







We didn't pick images that reflect "bursts of color"... but we like her understated elegance, the way she uses chinoiserie furniture accents, and the glamorous livability of her spaces (a very difficult combination).

Okay - three was A LOT more manageable than five! What do you think? We're focusing on what we like about each designer - but what's your take? Is Elle Decor on target so far?




*All images procured directly from the designers' websites.

One Small Change: Kitchen Faucets

If you can't afford to remodel a room or do a major renovation, sometimes one small change can make a world of difference. Each Friday, we will now feature "One Small Change" that will lift your spirits and give a fresh look to your space. Maybe even change your life!

Think about your kitchen faucet...does it annoy you with its inefficiency? Is the sprayer broken or outdated? Is it just plain ugly? Delta Faucets can be purchased online or at any home improvement store, and many are under $200. Just imagine filling your coffee pot each morning with a sleek and elegant faucet like one of these:





There are even faucets that can be turned on just by touching--even with with your elbow if your hands are dirty.


Now that's life changing in our book!





and

Bathroom Redo: The Unveiling!

Remember several weeks back when we posted these pictures?




That would be the new bathroom tile samples and a couple of "before" shots.

Well - it's finally done! (almost)

Here is a visual tour of the process:

















The only thing that's left is the glass panel for the shower (which should have arrived by today - sigh).

This update has been a long time coming and I'm thrilled with the results. Big thanks go to Caroline for her design expertise and work as "foreman" while we were relaxing at our river house in Oregon!

Elle Decor's A-Team (Part I)

Hello! We're back from our little break and ready to get back into blogging.

In fact - I had an idea for a weekly feature that would probably last the rest of the summer...

Now that so many designers have websites featuring their portfolios, it's not very hard to find great images to include in blog posts, add to personal inspiration boards, and generally provide hours of Internet time-suck, I mean, browsing.

Elle Decor's new issue featured their "A-List of 25 interior designers." Some are well known to us and some vaguely familiar, but all have distinguished themselves as the best in the industry (at least according to Elle Decor). We thought it would be fun to take a look at these taste makers each Monday - to see how they appeal to our own aesthetic and even find a little Key West in their style if it exists.

So here are the first five!

Jeffrey Bilhuber

ED (Elle Decor) describes Bilhuber as "consistently offering an all American take on classic decorating, one that emphasizes crisp execution, commonsense comforts and brisk organization."

We like his use sense of whimsy...



...his subtle yet strategic use of color...



...and his devotion to comfort as an integral element to every room:



Murial Brandolini

ED describes Brandolini as "creating high impact environments packed with major-league modern art and exotic hand wrought details, from exuberant embroidered wall coverings, to funky built-ins lacquered to mirror-bright sheen, to elegantly adorned matchstick blinds."

We like her sense of drama...



...and her innovative use of exotic, traditional and modern textiles:




Darryl Carter

ED describes Carter's rooms as "distinctive in their masculine rigor and minimal, yet evocative atmospheres...full of smart neutral fabrics, dark wood furniture...and strong silhouettes, and restrained accessories, often set against walls painted chalk-white."

To be honest - there isn't a whole lot about his aesthetic that reflects ours...but we do appreciate his simple elegance and strong focus on quality pieces:





(And coming from the DC design community ourselves - we applaud the refreshing departure from Federal style and swag window treatments!)

Eric Cohler

ED describes Cohler as having "a unique high-how aesthetic and devising exciting but livable interiors full of color and layered with art and objects...His rooms manage to be both unexpected and supremely comfortable."

We admire his finesse in using black as an unexpected accent color...



...his ability to make traditionally "cool" colors appear warm...



...and his wonderful take on outdoor living (a Key West way of life!)


Robert Couturier

ED describes Couturier's style as "a major mix of the grand and the contemporary: Louis XVI commodes, cutting-edge modern lighting, flamboyant tapestries, knockout works of art, custom-made furniture with an Ottoman air, and dashes of Lesage embroidery."

This was actually a difficult website to browse since the portfolio flowed horizontally and once it started moving it was hard to stop. Or maybe I just wasn't doing it right... Either way - the most obvious trend was that of large, often dramatic spaces. But we were charmed by the sub-scenes within each room. The photos picked out many lovely little scenes or vignettes, each like a little oasis amidst the glamour...a spot to escape for a quiet moment.

We love these two corners with the seashell wall displays:



And this looks like a very peaceful spot to escape with a book:


Is it a coincidence that both of these images first caught our eye AND include a splash of zebra?



A lovely spot to kick of your heels indeed!


Whew! Five was a lot to cover... Maybe I'll try three next time. Until then!




*All images procured directly from the designers' websites.