ARTmonday: Lauren Nelson

The other day I received a nice note from interior designer/stylist/artist Lauren Nelson. She’s recently relocated to Boston from the West Coast. I plan to profile her interior work after we chat, but in the meantime, I thought I’d show you her strong, colorful works of art.

Oaxacan AlleyOaxacan Alley,  screen print on paper, 27″x19″

Muni StopMuni Stop 43, 6,  mixed media on canvas, 24″ x 36″

Alameda Sunday, version 1Alameda Sunday, version 1, screen print on paper, 16″ x 20″

Sunrise Desert RideSunrise Desert Ride, , screen print on paper,  9″ x 12″

Thought You KnewThought You Knew, mixed media on canvas, 25″ x 12″

Intro Series 2Intro Series 2, acrylic on paper, 8″ x 10″ (sold)

Intro Series 3Intro Series 3, acrylic on paper, 8″ x 10″ (sold)

Nude 1Nude 1, charcoal on paper, 18″x24″

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Art, Art Monday

Montage: X-Stools

As I may have mentioned, I’m in the midst of redecorating my bedroom and the room formerly known as the playroom. (Once kids are 8 they don’t need toys anymore, right?) This weekend the floors on our the main level are being refinished. The paint colors are chosen and the main pieces of furniture ordered. There are even a few key accessories waiting patiently to be placed. But I still need a couple of medium-sized items, like side tables and poufs or ottomans. I snagged three microsuede storage cubes at Target for $17.99 last week, in my exact colors (turquoise, violet, chartreuse).  Super cute and totally cheap. (Plus, the Star Wars costumes all fit inside one. Take that Vader.) To accompany the bedroom sofa, I’m debating between two of the same cubes in charcoal, a metallic silver leather pouf, or two X-stools covered in crisp white cotton duck, just like the sofa. An X-stool is incredibly practical  – it’s an extra seat, an ottoman, or topped with a tray, a side table. It’s also one of the earliest forms of furniture. In addition to its versatility and portability, I love its symmetry. It works in pretty much every room, and never fails to look great, and sometimes even pulls together an otherwise faltering space. Have a look at these rooms to see what I mean.

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Photos: Tripod Agency; House Beautiful; Pamplemousse; I On Design; Greg Natale Design; Michael Cebula; Meg Braff; Nate Berkus; Jessica Lagrange Interiors in Traditional Home; Reed Krakoff in Elle Decor; photographer Mark Lund; S.R. Gambrel; Emily Summer Design Associates; Jonathan Adler; Amanda Nisbet; unidentified; photographer Peter Vitale; Moris Moreno Photography; Ken Fulk; Moris Moreno Photography; David Lawrence in House Beautiful; Domino; Kwinter & Co.; Domino; Frank Roop; Scott Currie in Elle Decor; Janine Carendi of Area; Lori Graham; Reed Krakoff; Kara Mann Design; Point Click Home; Walker-Warner Architects; Pamplemousse; Paul Whicheloe; Marshall Watson in House Beautiful; House Beautiful; Todd Romano; Janine Carendi of Area; Billy Joel’s home in Domino; Domino; David Jiminez; Elle Decor; Cookie; Apartment Therapy; Charles de Lisle Workshop; Nicole Hollis.

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Montage, Rooms

Designer Spotlight: Boston Designers’ Favorite Paint Colors

When the editor of Stuff asked me to come up with a theme for a home design-dedicated issue, I immediately said, “Color.” Unfortunately, the whole theme devoted to interiors idea was ditched, but I was able to salvage some of my work by putting together a page with local designers’ colors of the moment in “New Hues: Boston designers reveal their top color picks for fall“. If you decide to try one, I’d love to see it. Or, perhaps you can reveal specific paint colors you’ve had luck with. I’ll tell mine (tomorrow) if you tell yours. Meanwhile, here are the designers’ picks.

Annsley McAleer, Annsley Interiors, Boston

Her style: Traditional but fresh, using upbeat colors and patterns

Her color pick: Green Blue by Farrow & Ball

“I loved this color so much in my guest bedroom that I used it in my daughter’s bedroom, too. It is an intense color imbued with a sense of calm. It looks great with a strong white trim and other blue accents.”

Andrew Terrat, Terrat Elms Interior Design, Boston

His style: Tailored but not too serious

His color pick: Curry by C2 Paint

“This color is bold and vibrant, but also very warm and cozy, making it the perfect shade for a family room.”

Erin Gates, Element Interiors, Jamaica Plain

Her style: A mix of modern and traditional, new and old, high and low

Her color pick: Manchester Tan by Benjamin Moore Historical Colors

“A good neutral is hard to find. This one is fantastic and works anywhere. It is neither too deep nor too light. It reads cool if paired with cooler colors and warm if paired with warmer colors.”

Eric Roseff, Eric Roseff Designs, Boston

His style: Clean and crisp with a graphic sensibility

His color pick: Mahogany by Farrow & Ball

“I’ve used this in a small powder room in a high gloss. The color is rich and sumptuous. The lacquer finish opens up the small space by allowing for wonderful reflections.”
Julieann Covino, Jace Interiors, Cambridge

Her style: Affordable design that incorporates pieces you already own

Her color pick: Brilliant Sea by Behr

“This is my new favorite color. A little goes a long way. I would use this as a pop of color on the frame of a mirror (that I will hopefully find at Brimfield this week!)”

Rachel Reider, Rachel Reider Interiors, West Roxbury

Her style: Engaging interiors in a transitional style

Her color pick: Bordeaux Red by Benjamin Moore

“Try this eggplant shade in a dining room to infuse a cozy feeling. The warm tone would create the perfect atmosphere for a dinner party.”

Urit Chaimovitz, Urit Chaimovitz Design, Watertown

Her style: Classic but fun, with an eye towards the preppy

Her color pick: Bang! by C2 Paint

“Recently, I did a house in which we were able to hide a playhouse for the children under the basement stairs. I used this color for the door, which has a star cutout. It’s very ‘Nantucket red,’ inspired by the fact that that’s where this family spends their summers.”

Kathie Chrisicos, Chrisicos Interiors, Boston

Her style: A sophisticated mix of scales, colors, and styles

Her color pick: Flint by Benjamin Moore Affinity Colors

“I love this deep, dark, rich charcoal from Benjamin Moore’s new eco-friendly line. I’ve used it on a fireplace feature wall as well as at a kitchen desk alcove.”

Shellie Donovan, Shellie Donovan Interiors, Boston

Her style: Multi-textured with a whimsical punch of red, lime, or blue

Her color pick: Elephant’s Breath by Farrow & Ball

“I love Elephant’s Breath not only for its neutral color, but because I love clients’ reaction to its name. The gray really changes in each application, depending on the light. I’ve used it in powder rooms and back splashes, but would use it anywhere.”

Kristen Rivoli, Kristen Rivoli Interior Design, Winchester

Her style: Light, airy, and livable

Her color pick: Glazed Carrot by California Paints

“This is a very versatile color. It is sophisticated when paired with gray, playful when paired with pink or yellow, and vibrant when paired with white. When I use it on walls, I like to paint the doors and frames with it too, sometimes a shade darker or lighter than the wall color. It’s a trick that makes a small room look larger.”

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Designer Spotlight

Deal Alert: Baker Warehouse Sale

Love the furniture collections of Barbara Barry and Thomas Pheasant? Both are by Baker. If you’re in the NYC area, take a road trip out to Jersey for the Baker Warehouse Sale. And you needn’t be a designer to go. Baker is offering consumers a large assortment of furniture and accessories, from case goods and upholstered pieces to pillows, lamps, and linens, at clearance pricing. A delivery company will even be on-site to help set up shipping arrangements (for an additional charge), or you can whisk them away yourself, on the spot, with the help of staff.

The PR gals at Baker were kind enough to send photos of a sampling of items that will be available. And here are the details too.

Where
Metropolitan Warehouse, 2565 Brunswick Avenue, Building J, Linden, NJ
When
Friday, October 9 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.); Saturday, October 10 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.), Sunday, October 11 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.); Monday, October 12 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.).


Baker accepts credit cards, cash or personal check. All sales are final.


Baker-

Top Row: The Laura Kirar Collection Teabox Lacquer Cabinet; The Bill Sofield Collection Tusk Table; The Barbara Barry Collection Modern Lounge Chair. Middle Row: The Thomas Pheasant Collection Banded Bolster Pillow; The Jacques Garcia Collection Lambswool Jacquard Throws; Collector’s Edition Chinoiserie Chest. Bottom Row: The Barbara Barry Collection Upholstered Bed; The Thomas Pheasant Collection Urn Lamp; The Barbara Barry Collection Round End Table.

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Filed under Furniture, Home Accessories, Shopping

Montage: Panton Chairs

It’s been a while since I’ve posted an array of iconic seating. The Panton chair is not only comfortable, versatile, and great looking, it’s reasonably priced.

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Photos: Chandler Inn, Boston; Alan Higgs Architects; Hip House; Apartment Therapy; Jeff Andrews Design; Style Redux; Lili Diallo in Domino; photographer Filip Dujardin; Marie Claire Maison; Living Etc.; Domino; Hand; Living Etc.; Oak Mgt via Desire to Inspire; photographer Simon Watson; stylist Paul Joseph Hopper; photographer Anson Smart; Style Files; photography Studio Paterakis; photographer Gaelle le Boulicaut; photographer Sarah Blee; photographer Filip Dujardin; Wish Magazine; Skona Hem.

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Filed under . REGULAR FEATURES, Montage