I've got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From consistently choosing and painting the wrong paint color, to having THE hardest time finding a simple black curtain panel that I finally had to just have some custom made, to ordering a back-ordered light fixture, to (most recently) finding that, after all of the time, money and emotion that I've invested into making my beloved antique bed work, the new Tempurpedic mattress and box spring which I JUST bought for it will not fit into it, I had pretty much had it! I mean, fer realz, HAD IT! Had it, to the point of not wanting to continue. Had it, to the point of wanting to take a lit match to the carpet and closing the door. Had it, even more than my most trying design clients frustrate the very marrow in my bones- it was even more than that sort of had it!!! Gurl... I was through! So, when last we met, I told you that I needed a minute. I needed a moment to myself, some time to regroup and hopefully find a new inspiration. Not that my vision for the room had been shaken or changed. I still knew (know) what the space needs to be (did you really doubt that- come on, really?) but I just needed a new source of inspiration for my own creative stores from which I could tap positive energies when things get... well, as hairy as things have gotten! Well today I'm proud to report that I've finally found a new source of inspiration. And I'm so happy to say that it comes from one of our favorite vendors, Designer's Guild. As I happened upon their newest catalog and through page after page of delicious gor-jiss-ness, I suddenly felt my inspiration reserves begin to swell. Oh the colors, textures, the brilliant mix of stylistic genres- it was literally, sinfully titillating! What can I say? Some people like porn or exotic dancers... me likes a pretty house! So, since I was so thrilled and excited by all that I saw I decided that you too, needed some aesthetic edification. No, no, don't thank me. That's just me, I'm a giver. Now, sit back, relax and take it all in... enjoy this smorgasbord of style... MMMUWAH!

So on it's own I might have said that this floraly patern was just too too, buuuut mixed with contem- porary shapes and textural punches of color, well now, now it's my number one jam!












Clearly color is import- ant here. But that's not the only lesson to be learned Look at the mix of contem- porary and classic... it's really delight- ful!
















A word of caution though: there IS someth- ing to be said for having a wall large enough to support so much pattern! So be smart!










I just have two word for you: PINK PLAID!






















Feeling, uh, a little blue? UGH!!! I LIVE for this room!!! And you do too, ok?!?! A statem- ment, yes, but so eloqu- ently put!!!










And this one made me shed a tiny tear from the corner of the eyeball of my heart because my soul was smiling so hard when it first gazed upon its sumptuous loveliness!!! Yes, really!















Now go. Off with you! Sashay away... and be inspired.

-J

I've hit the wall...

This is my wall, and gurl(!) Ive hit it! Oh, and btw, love the color doncha?!?!?

well, not literally. I have really delicate bone structure and hitting a wall (any wall) voluntarily would be much too risky an expression of emotion for me to actually engage in. What I'm trying to tell you is that I am frustrated and as a result I'm feeling stumped. Le sigh... and one more, le sigh. Ok, so my room was coming along, but then, all of the sudden, it seems as if EVERYTHING snagged on one problem or another. SERIOUSLY- it's been enough to make me want to just say 'forget it!' and fly on over to Pottery Barn (Ow! That actually hurt my fingers just typing it. Is that normal... hmmm...weird) and say, 'gimme the number 3'! That is how they do it at those stores, right? You know, order by number or combo or something like that? I dunno, point is that I'm FRUSTRATED! (And apparently frustration makes Jonathan a bitchy-boy!) It all started with my beautiful bed (you remember her?). Oh how much I longed for her arrival. I could barely contain myself (yes really! You get excited about your favorite stuff and Ill get excited about mine, thank you very much Judgey Judith!). But then, when at last she finally came, she looked like she had been through a battle. I was crushed... DEVASTATED! Literally, I was almost misty-eyed when I saw her wounds. Hang on... gimme a sec... fewh! Ok, I'm fine. So yes, the shippers had decimated her. SO I sent her off to be repaired. Well if it hasn't been one thing its been another; and here I am nearly a month later and she's still not back!!! And that's just my bed! Then the window coverings were another fiasco all together! Let me just simply say, thank you Marissa over at the Home Depot (yes I did try every independent distributor that I could get a hold of and no, none of them were able to assist me in a timely manner so yes, I was forced to brave the masses and jump into the nightmare of the big HD!) for her patience and consideration- there's a special place in heaven for peoples like you and Ill promise to decorate it fabulously, cuz Lord knows the way this bedroom is going, my frazzled nerves are going to get me there much quicker than you! And the TV mount, let me just tell you- internet purchasing is almost as dangerous as internet dating. I bought what I was assured was exactly what I needed and after I received it, found that no, it was not. But after everything else I decided to just grin and bear it and mount it anyway and then after it was mounted (thanks to the BEST BF EVA!!!) I mounted it crooked! But you know it stayed that way- no way in helicopter that I was about to take it down and start over- ha! And then, today, I found out that the light fixture which I ordered has been placed on back order... AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! ROFL LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LAWD don't send me more patience, just send me some assistance!!! As I said, I have hit the wall! LOLOL!!! So now what a'do? Well I think it's time to step back, take a minute, find some inspiration and then (perhaps a glass of white wine, or four) get back to it. I will prevail! Gimme a sec, I'm going back to the refridg... er, I mean my inspiration box and after a minute Ill get back to it. And so, Ill leave you with that. When you hit your wall, don't give up or give in. Don't settle or compromise. Take a minute, regroup and then get back to it. Trust me, you'll be glad you rehung that TV!

Besos,

J

Sick days...

When I woke up this morning I felt like there were crispy clumps of coal behind each of my eyeballs. The clumps were burning slowly and softly and quietly- but burning nonetheless. They also seemed to be gently pressing into the frontal lobe of my, by this time gradually building with pressure resulting from God only knows what, brain. And then, like a little sibling who doesn't want to be left out of a seemingly exciting adventure, my back began to whimper. At first it was subtle. But by the time Id thrown back the covers of my cozy nest, coaxed Huge and Lu into consciousness and attempted to roll m'self to the mattress' edge, my back let me know that it was not at all happy- and then the rest of my body began to chime in. Uuuuugh... I'm sick. And I HATE being sick. So, while I have pics of the progress made in my room (the curtains are black), and lots of great things to share bout the rest of the space... since I'm sick and unhappy, Ive decided that it's only fair that you should join me in my misery. Yes ma'am, we'll be bellyaching, cold-chills having pals and ride this one out hand in clammy hand, together. No need to thank me, I already know, I really am too generous. And I don't know about you, but when I'm sick and feeling blugh-ly, I always want to plant m'self in bed with a pile of magazines, the TV remote, my laptop and devour article after article featuring pics of inspiring spaces that take me away from my immediate discomfort and cause me to forget about the bags that are inevitably swelling beneath my eyes and the then pleasantly mortifying trip to the drug store to buy hemorrhoid cream with which Ill soothe them back to submission... ahhhh, good times. Well, today, since I'm holding down the fort here in the Shop and unable to hold up, hidden, at home, I cant do as much article devouring as Id like to. BUT I did come across one that definitely washed that day-dream induced glaze over my face. Check this place out! In a word it's just, 'comfortable'. It makes my heart smile and my eyes hum a happy tune. I want to climb into the pictures and curl up on the sofa or into the bed- I just know that Id feel better if I were there. It's wonderful... anyway, look it over and enjoy... and then bring me some chicken soup!

-J








The combination of barely varied hues, create a eye-soothing palette.















Contrast is subtle and consistent. An easy casualness (loose fitting slip covered sofa) is set off by the straight lined sophistication of more contemporary pieces like the glass topped coffee table and round mirror.






















I talk about this with lots of my clients- 'color blocking'. Things don't always have to have pattern or imagery to be visually interesting. Many times leaning on texture instead of print, leads to a more elegant and grown up looking mix.

I want to eat a cheese platter when I look at this shot. Maybe Ill let you have a slice, but THAT'S IT! Anyway, how great does the whole tone on tone work in the kitchen?!?! It is cool and clean without being hard and cold.





So yes, there IS an awful lot goin on in this office. Books and bottles, bags and lams, trays and chotskies... it could all just end up being too too much. But it's not. The cushiness of the beigey-gray-white canvas seems to just absorb any potential for cluttered chaos.
























And here is where I climb off of my stool, into the picture (you know, kinda like that 80's music video for Take On Me- I KNOW, I heart that song too, so so so much...!) and into the bed and my sickness flies out that window above my head! Right?!?!?

BTW: Today's beautiful house was brought to us by the lovely chaps over at House Beautiful... and so it is.

-J

My room is like...

freshly baked cupcakes with unicorn shaped sprinkles and rainbow frosting! Well actually... not quite. BUT it does make me feel JUST as happy! It is coming along swimmingly! Fer REALZ! As we have already discussed, the paint (though not my original concept) is totes fantastic. It's really kinda pathetic that I'm as into it as I am. I mean, I was sitting on the couch in the living room (from where you can see into my bedroom... wha-what do you mean? Ugh! YES, my house is actually THAT small! RUDE.) with JD and we were watching the Oscars and right when the first female to ever win a Best Director Oscar in history won, I piped up with, 'look at how fantastic the color in my room looks in this particular light!!!'. It's all about recognizing the important things, right? Aaaanywho, point being after much trial and error and even though it was not the initial vision for the space, it has grown on me and I have come to love the taupey-grayness of my bedroom. Now, while I have turned my attention to the window coverings, truth be told, I got a bit side tracked this week (I know! SHOCKING, right?!?!?). Since Im so excited, Ima just tell you, I found m'bed! It is ('is' because I already bought it, what can I say, y'snooze y'loose.) an antique Louis XV style lit (mm hmm that's french-ish for 'bed'). And let me just say, j'adore! Now no, it is not anything that I would have expected or previously contemplated buying. It is a darker finish, it is not very worn looking, it is smooth, it's a bit more classic than my usual, er... repertoire (dang! Im a regular Gilles Marini with all the bi-lingual-isms today!) but for the following reasons, I fell in love, had to have, and now, own it:

This is her... sigh... eyelashes batting... isn't she dreamy?

#un (what the heck, lets keep the french-iosity going!): The space is SO VERY small that I needed to select a primary focal point as my solo-statement piece. While a larger space will allow for more points of interest, less voluminous rooms lend themselves better to one primary point of interest- a more contemporary style may have simply 'faded away', especially when integrated with the other more contemporary accents that I already have.
#deux: It is, quite simply, a BEEUTIFUL piece. This particular bed is super-curvy. Its lines are a bit more exaggerated than the usual Lou XV bed. So, for me, it was particularly appealing (I guess being more or a rail-built guy, I was attracted to alla her curves! HA!!!!).
#trois: I found it in an auction and could not beat the price! No literally, I got it for a steal! And when you find great pieces at great prices, you don't sit back, rethink, ask a friend, revisit, pop some jiffy pop, plow the field, measure your space then remeasure, pray for divine guidance, haggle some more... NO! YOU BUY THEM AND ARE THANKFUL THAT YOU WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE FOUND THEM!










Geta load of those gams! Ha cha cha- 4 of 'em and yes, they go all the way up!













Now, fantastic find that it is, it DOES present me with some challenges. For example, it is an antique and as such it may not accommodate a modern standard size mattress. Or, it may need some touching up (and actually, thanks to the gentle touch of my friends at Central Freight Lines, it now requires more than just minor repair work) since it is not necessarily a 'weathered' style, it needs to be maintained more than another, more time-worn antique would. But, in the long run, what I have bought is an investment piece that will stay with me for years (if not forever, passing down to future generation J's)- not some mass produced, big-box corporate crud that will inevitably fall apart when the glue holding together its press-board base wears off (did that sound hateful, oooo, such an ugly color on me, c'est la vie, ha!)! So even with its issues, this is a piece that, I'm sure was a great purchase and I am SO excited to see it incorporated into my new bedroom mix! Now... what about bedding...?









This is her crown... fit for a queen... er... I mean... ha!








But wait a second! Before the bedding, what about the windows!!! No, no. Fear not. I did not forget about the windows all together. I just got momentarily distracted, remember? The windows, I have decided will be flanked with simple, straight, floor to ceiling panels. I will use a simple rod that will not be tipped with a finial but will, instead, turn back in towards the wall and simply end (relax, Ill show you a pic of what I mean as soon as I get it hung up). For now though, the important piece will be selecting the right fabric/color (Oh lord! Here we go again with the color game!) for the panels themselves. And that, will be the project for the coming weeks. Should they be dark (Im even considering charcoals or black. I know, I know, so bold!), or light, heavy or sheer...? It's all so exciting, right? Ok perhaps not as exciting as the impending start of the new season of Glee, but exciting all the same. So, keep it locked- and Ill keep you posted. Holler acha boy!


smooches,
-J

Well color me ANNOYED!

I realize that pics of my newly painted room, with the color in question would have been so wonderful to include in this post... but, like I said, its been a week of insanity, cut me some slack!

This week has been sheer insanity. From homework and midterms (already?!?!), to moving, to finding and securing a new gym membership, to booking cable installation, to coordinating mattress delivery, to other, sundry personal melodramas- selecting a color and getting my new room painted unfortunately fell to the bottom of my priority list. Guuuuurl let me tell you WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS! Suffices to say, so far I have spent nearly 5 days and $500. painting and repainting a space that's only about 80 square feet (and yes, that DOES include the closet space!!!!!!!!!!!!!)!!!!! Now, beyond the fact that being a designer these sorts of things are not supposed to happen to me, here's what makes the situation even MORE appalling- do you know that it is STILL not the right color?!?!?! UUUGGGHHH! And, I wish I could tell you that I was so good as to plan to repaint (yet again) to get that right shade of silvery-gray which I so particularly wanted- but I'ma just level with you, tell the truth and shame the devil. My friend, it is a beautiful shade of taupey-gray and that is exactly what it is going to stay~ HA! Now don't take advantage and follow my very poor example. Just because Jonathan did it does not mean that you may do it. No ma'am. Didn't you mother raise you better than that? Come on now, do as I say not as I do, right? Just listen; the reason I am stopping where I am and accepting the color as is, is that it is a fantastic color and will work for what I have planned, it's just not the color that I originally saw in my mind's eye (aaaaand, I'm so over coordinating my day round being home to let the painter in, or looking at more color chips, or my clothes smelling like wet paint. And.... yes, I am slightly embarrassed that the 'paint-girl' at the paint store knows me by name already; actually, we have plans to hang out and watch old Sex In The City DVDs together, but that'll be another post all together!). The reason I am sharing this most unfortunate and perhaps even a tad-bit professionally humbling experience is two fold. Numero 1) Even great designers make mistakes- what separates the best from the rest is their ability to work around the obstacles. 2) And this is the important one- color selection is not easy, it is as much an art as a science and as such requires time attention and careful consideration. If you don't know what you are doing, are unsure of what you want or a selection that you've made, cant afford to re-paint or fix possible mistakes, or don't have the time to invest into carefully considering and choosing wisely, TAKE MY ADVICE AND STOP WHERE YOU ARE, FIND AND CONSULT WITH AN EXPERT. Though even an expert can make a mistake (see Numero1, above) the combination of your thoughts and feelings with those of an expert drastically reduces the potential for mishap. You are only saving yourself wasted everything (including satisfaction)! So, now that you know what color my love-den (eeew, I even feel creepy seeing those words together) is (a rich taupey-gray with white trim work) let's begin to think about whats next. Ok, who am I kidding, let me tell you what's next, ha! Next, dear one, is window dressing... ooooo!

PS: Someone JUST told me that there is a pretty great article on HGTV.com related to this right now... seriously they are always on m'tail! Anyway, check it out, holla!
http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-tips-for-picking-paint-colors/index.html


-J

My new project!

So, you know how I like, never ramble? And I never, ever prattle, and I wouldn't even think about trailing off on some unfocused tangent- this is where you nod in agreement- right? Well because I am just such a 'to-the-point' sorta fellow, I'm going to get straight to the point by saying... LONG STORY SHORT: I recently boxed up alla my purdy lil'goodies, packed up Huge and Lu and drove my happy hips to a new nest (translation = I moved). Sooooo... this means that I have a bare canvas that is in desperate need of some TLC. Aaaand it is a VERY challenging space (let me just say that the bedroom is more of a bed-cubbyhole, HELLS OF SMALL!)! In fact, it may be quite difficult even for little old moi to take this place from Filthy to Gorgeous. But rest assured - insert trumpet blast here - I shall! Aaaanywho, I have decided that you all would love the opportunity to watch the transformation process from start to finish- bare walls to decked-out halls, if you will. So to begin with, today I am introducing you to my new bedroom. But first a warning. Let's all put on our Positive Polly hats and try to reserve judgments for after, heh? I know it's small & I know it's rough. But, I also know that it can be, in the words of one of my muses, 'this tiny little jewel box.' So come on, lets git on it, shall we?!?!?

1. Yes, I do realize the number of possible jokes that the image of an open, empty closet could imply. Thank you Mr./Mrs. Obvious. But try to look beyond the potential quips for a moment and take in all that I'm working with here! Yyyyyaah, not too much.

2. This window hangs directly opposite the closet. If I stand in the middle of the room and stretch out my arms I could so totally touch both wall at the same time- Fer REAL!


So what in the helicopter am I gonna do?!?!?! Ooooooo, this is where it gets good. Stay tuned...!

Muah!
-J

No, seriously- this her shout-out has beena long time coming.

As I've said before, I'm always being asked, 'where do you guys get this stuff???'. Well, after correcting their query by politely explaining that 'this' is not 'STUFF'- it's a collection of the most deliciously beautiful and stunningly gorgeous treasures in the whole wide world (uh, that IS the short description, thanks!), I go on to share that our assemblage is the result of extensive gathering from varied sources throughout the world. Uh huh, fer real. And then, on the rare occasion that I feel inclined to cut the crap and spill, I might offer the name of one of my incredible sources. Well, today is just sucha day, and you... are in luck! The source that I am about to reveal to you is truly (the) Crème de la Crème. Not only a source for design inspiration, beautiful objects, fresh combinations and thoughtful permutations, BUT these are lovely people. They are the sort that embody the Filthy Gorgeous Lifestyle honestly and sincerely. They are the type that make you feel good- like you've taken a special little something with you even when you didn't buy a thing- and trust me, THAT is rare in my industry! They're not boxed in by trends or fads or facades. Most importantly though, they understand that beauty can be found everywhere and is a delicacy best served raw. Alright, alright already... without much more kissy kissy, ladies and gentles today's inspirational peek at gawr-gisness is provided by, The Tattered House.

Wha... wait... is that... no... I mean, it cant be! Is that a Madonna?!?!??! NO WAY! You mean someone else out there likes religious 'stuff' for its aesthetic appeal and nothing more?!?!?! Hmmm... I guess it's true what they say, great minds think alike (no no I meant like me and The Tattered House both like relig... oh never mind!)- duh!

Holler fer a doller and some vintage bottles... sigh... me loves. This little grouping couldn't get any better even with the addition of a feathered boa and lots of chunky glitter! Well... ok, maybe a toucha sparkle wouldn't hurt... I mean, it never does. BUT the key is that glitter or not, here we can see the appreciation for beauty in even the seemingly ordinary. Don't you just love the pic too?! Of course you do.
















So Ive heard people say that I like to include elements of glamor into my designs. Truth be told, I don't know what they could be talking about. But I do know that I love the combination of the shimmery metallic upholstery with this classic French chair. Its kind of like putting on bright, glossy, red lipstick... not that I know anything about that... I mean... I'm jus sayin.

This picture makes my heart sing about unicorns and rainbows. HA! But seriously, it this not utterly serene. Pure bliss. Cozy, yet cool. I like, I love, I live. Seriously though, it's about the perfect combination of texture, color and style (i.e.: wrought iron backdrop, lace paneling, antique headboard, sumptuous bedding combination...)

So there you have it. And you're welcome. What can I say, I'm in a giving mood... and, well, these guys are just too good to keep under wraps. Now, should YOU be so bold as to desire to see The Tattered House for yerself and experience their talents, here is their contact, make sure to tell 'em Jonathan sent you, ha!

The Tattered House, LLC.
Vintage Living
417 Oak Street
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 772-7700
www.TheTatteredHouse.com

-J