Design Blog

Summer Living

2010-06-30T23:03:00.000-07:00

Things I have been meaning to post: Meg Ryan's home located in Martha's Vineyard as featured in Elle Decor. An absolutely beautiful, functional coastal home.

The kitchen is a great mix of antique and new. Comfort and Utility. Whitewash is welcoming in any water side retreat. In planning our celebration this Forth of July weekend, I find myself referring back to these photographs again and again. Great job Meg!

Speaking of mixing old with the new. Our Friends at Beacon Hill in Chicago recently sent me this photograph. Our clients are very intrigued by the crystal cocktail table mixed with traditional upholstery. All of this talk lead to conversations about mixing acrylic furniture with farm tables. How could you go wrong?

Finally, one of our favorite seasonal reads in my house. Carloyne Roehm's Summer Notebook. A workbook of sorts that shouldn't be missed, full of tips and inspiration for the garden, hearth, traditions and home. Take a glance at Amazon.

Beach Style

2010-05-14T21:19:00.000-07:00

The making of the Faconnable Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaign. We can't get enough of it. My Friend Jenny from JJScholl described it best. "What a dreamy way to start a weekend...a laissez fair weekend" Make sure you check out the JJScholl blog as well. http://jjscholl.wordpress.com

For over 42 years, Polo Ralph Lauren built a brand based on quality, integrity and a wholesome American lifestyle. Recently, Ralph Lauren unveiled his newest store on the Boulevard Saint Germain in Paris—one of the Company’s largest and most exquisite stores in the world. This photo encompasses the American Lifestyle in the hart of Paris, the RL patio. Who wouldn't want have dinner in this setting. Just in time for rethinking our outdoor environments.

Most everyone knows I love the beach style. This explains the sand in my living room. The Walter Wicker Exterior furniture line also exemplifies this laid back style. It's comfortable without being messy and would be a great addition to any outdoor setting.

Often outdoor space are lacking accessories. Think of them as a room, they need conversational areas, focal points, lighting, objects of interest, and more than likely, beautiful foliage. I like to place planted urns around, they are easy to maintain and can move in different configurations as needed. This urn is located on the The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Museum property located on Erie Street, right near our shop. It's faux painted and always filled with spectacular seasonal flowers. To learn more about the museum check out http://www.driehausmuseum.org/about/driehaus

Finally, two new additions to our shop that would be a welcoming site alongside any entry. These cast bronze whippets are from a local estate in Chicago. Drop by to say hello, see what's new, you may end up taking them home.

http://www.shellinteriors.com

Trust & Clarity

2010-03-31T20:59:00.000-07:00

We were fortunate enough to run across this palette from Pantone. A combination of blues that evoke qualities of trust and clarity. Introducing fresh greens and rose promises growth and plenty, everything is new and bursting with excitement. Colors that pop with neutral backgrounds of whitewash with metallic accents.

A recent ad from Scalamandre exemplifies this palette in a livable way. Any configuation of mirror either in furnishings or traditional wall placement pulls the metalics together. Check out ABeachCottage on Twitter, or Sarah's blog from Australia. She has a wonderful sence of style that is applicable to the States. She describes herself as, "an advocate for winging it and not worrying about perfection". Sarah loves to combine coastal, cottage and country for her unique Beach Cottage style. The next photo was taken by her; the other is a piece we have in the shop. The mirror was noted in Chicago Home and Garden magazine.

Speaking of the shop, look what I found. A hand painted, equestrian cocktail shaker from the 1930's. It's hard for me to resist bringing this one home. Maybe I can hide it somewhere... a corner? Behind a book?

What about this one? I think it'll do. It's one of my favorite books. Saskia shows you how to bring the beauty of flowers into your own home, providing a wealth of ideas on choosing blooms, selecting vases, composing backdrops and designing your own superb floral creations.

Here's the link: http://www.penguin.com.au/lookinside/spotlight.cfm?SBN=9781920989262

Until next time- headin' to the beach.

I can be found at:

http://www.shellinteriors.com/

formspring.me

2010-03-17T11:42:00.001-07:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/dempsterbeach

Spring in Chicago

2010-03-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

It finally feels like Spring here in Chicago! The Chicago Home and Garden Show is in full swing and the dyeing of the river green for St. Patrick's Day, a Chicago Tradition. A million possibilities this year, what fun to imagine our yards and outdoor spaces in full bloom. The calender is telling me spring is here, the view from my window tells me we will have one more cold spell. Take a look at what we found this week.

More Farrow and Ball: Ringwold wallpaper. Absolutely beautiful. The Karelian cupboard in dove is nice as well. The mix of platinum and gold, vintage and new made a statement. The next two samples have the same qualities, smooth vs. textural.

Interior spaces feel more luxe, warm and sophisticated, with the combination of matte flocked wallpaper on metallic ground by Jane Churchill. The trellis design illustrates both traditional and contemporary depending on the quantity.

Here is another example of texture. From Colefax and Fowler. Damask in bronze. Reminds me of the cut velvet we made back in college.

Silver and Dove Gray walls denote high glamor. Toned down with a mix of surfaces and textures, makes it comfortable. The bedroom designs wonderful with a reclaimed headboard in silver. Bronze lighting, and gold ribbon suspension. An Indian throw provides an accent of non-conformity. A bedroom that would be comfortable for everyone, including the kids and the dog.

Aquatic color and Cobelle

2010-03-05T12:31:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do to relax is paint. In my home, I must admit, usually once a month something needs a touch-up. Then we have seasonal design magazines sporting the newest shades, which usually means time for a color update. This color palette is from one of the best paint company I have found, Farrow and Ball. Check them out, www.farrow-ball.com . It's a pleasure to work with and saturation is outstanding. The company describes it as follows: Subtle, natural colours are starkly contrasted with strong inky blues and combined with the reflective qualities of light, glass and mirrors for a diluted, watery look featuring freshwater tones. Did I mention a blue and white theme?

Reality and fantasy become one, in the artwork of Charles Cobelle. His whimsical view of the world, created in his unique style, is magical. Here are two of our favorites, street scenes in France. The ordinary becomes extraordinary. Capturing the imagination, joyfully interpreting what provokes our senses.

Keeping the theme going, I thought this textile was rather interesting by Victoria Hagan. I see it as a rug design, coordinating with our last Blue and White post. Color is definitely key, texture helps, but color tells the story.

I had to add my favorite chair. Parchment cotton upholstery, dark legs with brass front casters. The perfect size to settle back and enjoy. Ralph Lauren by Henredon, Floor Samples are available in the shop.

Blue and White

2010-03-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

Spring catalogs are rolling in, 45 degrees will hit by the end of the week. We are gearing up for renewal in our homes, our lives and our businesses. Time to freshen up. Here are a couple items I found interesting, It's all about Blue and White, starting with a clean slate. From oversized prints by Duralee to a take on Spectator by Victoria Hagan, with a few more ideas thrown in. I can't wait to get started.

Devambez-Paris Chevalier

2010-02-25T10:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a shot of our last French Print, over sized and beautifully framed. Titled Devambez-Paris Chevalier. It would be perfect in a loft style home, use it as a back drop in the dining room or bar.

We are working with clients today, but I am looking froward to a Blue and White posting late this afternoon. I think we are all looking for a little Spring here in Chicago. Blue and White can kick off the season! We found some incredible images and have great design ideas.

By the way, did you check out Katie Lee on the morning show? It was a segment about being green. She displayed one of our favorite manufactures, Paddy Wax candles. Check out the link, we could all use a little green in our homes. www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6242116n

Quail feathered lamps

2010-02-16T12:11:00.000-08:00

Last time Shell and I were at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago we found feathered wallpaper, actual Quail feathers, by Schumacher. www.fschumacher.com We couldn't stop thinking about it. A few days later we had the opportunity to place these lamps with feathered shades in the store. You can see more at Shellinteriors.com

Antique seltzer bottles

2010-02-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

We recently came across these antique colorful seltzer bottles. I love the faded designs and words and, of course, that they're Argentinian! The ones above could be used as vases for a casual table or just admired for the color. Reminds me of collecting beach glass in the Summer along the shore of Lake Michigan.

2010-02-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Our first blog Post. Be kind, we are still new at this. We will try to keep you up to date and post new and interesting design ideas as often as we can. ( by the way that's me on the left). You can see our work at ShellInteriors.com , or stop by the shop if you would like.

Let's see how it goes.

Michael