climbing up the walls

this is called a canapé. a canapé is an 18th century french word for a fancy 3-person upholstered bench with a back, armrests and intricately carved legs, or what we call a sofa in modern times.

a new take on "traditional"

One of the things design gurus are constantly trying to do is explain and, or defend is the term “traditional” as we see it. The word immediately conjures up ideas and images in people’s minds, but not always the ones we think it should—or could.

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showrooms present a new way of looking at the (historically speaking) stuffy word. They claim to be modern, with a traditional spirit. And I love that. "A new take on traditional shapes. Silhouettes with an edge, but never edgy are dressed in a wardrobe of light, white & bright, all bound by a common factor of comfort".

Two thumbs up for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, I like it. "Traditional" has never sounded so refreshing.

Highly Sensitive People

I read about "Highly Sensitive People" today and concluded that this "epidemic" must be prevalent among the design community. It means you are aware of subtleties in your surroundings, a great advantage in many situations. For example, perfecting the look and feel of an interior, ha. It also means you are more easily overwhelmed when you have been out in a highly stimulating environment for too long, bombarded by sights and sounds until you are exhausted. Ask yourself the following questions, maybe you'll reconsider your profession, ha:

  • Are you easily overwhelmed by such things as bright lights, strong smells, coarse fabrics, or sirens nearby?
  • Do you get rattled when you have a lot to do in a short amount of time?
  • Do you make a point of avoiding violent movies and TV shows?
  • Do you make it a high priority to arrange your life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations?
  • Do you notice or enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, or works of art?

obsession de blanc


Everyday I'm immersed in colors, textures, rococo, carvings, gilding, embellishments-- the list goes on. And after a long day of absorbing every pixel of these details my tired little eyes and overwhelmed brain make me want to stare at a white wall & hit "reset", haha. My personal opinion: the whiter, the merrier! There is nothing more tranquil and refreshing than coming home to an "intérieur blanc" or in other words, a blank canvas.

*not for everyone


White environments are awesome because they can make rooms look bigger and more modern, and the furniture, accessories, and in some cases, the view, seem to really pop against their back ground


Ralph Lauren's Jamician Villa. Focus point= the view. I like to call that "living artwork"




My Dream House- before children

My adoration for "old charm" is deeply rooted in my design aesthetic; as a child I was drawn to & mesmerized by "antique" architecture, exposed brick walls, the many paint layers on an old wood door, the discovery of the original hardwood flooring under layers of linoleum or gross shag carpet, etc.

I was on Apartment Therapy today and found my dream loft: (Above) Abandoned Warehouse Space in Brooklyn, New York, designed by Ochs Design. I'm enchanted by the draping fabric bed- and the softness of the fabric in contrast to the raw brick and beams was genius.

(Above) An Amsterdam loft by UXUS Design. An enormous dream closet to the right, masked by the drapery "walls" . . .

planning out the new pad

So . . . I'm making a big move across town, from a spacious 3-bedroom Edwardian flat in the heart of the city to a teensy little studio near the Presidio. I'm ready as ever, anxious and anticipating lot's of "me time" in this new environment.

For this very personal design project I'm totally utilizing my outlets & resources. I looked into the color trends our forecasting friends have chosen for the design industry in 2011. Out of Global Color Research's four different color palettes for 2011, I chose color story 3, based on my love for neutrals and the fun factor of red accents.

"Genteel: Genteel takes us on a journey through a traditional domestic setting where comfort is derived through familiar settings. With a largely neutral palette, drama is evoked through key highlights: carmine, scarlet and gold. A classic mood prevails."


I need to decide on a fun wallpaper for an accent wall that goes well with the color palette, drapery and flooring. Working in the design industry is such a disadvantage sometimes; you're surrounded by endless options but can only choose one! UGH! So I asked friends for help but that ended up making the decision even more difficult. Most chose B & C but my inner design aesthetic chooses either A or D (way more fun). It's an accent wall people! Ha!



The plan-of-attack is to make my studio look spacious- so less decor, clutter confined to storage areas, a clean color palette and most importantly minimal furniture usage.




Favorite spot? My little 1950's kitchen. Its adorable and gets lots of light. I love it so much I also made it my office :)




A "studio-warming" gift from my big sissy, to keep me busy. Thanks Tenaya!




Having no house mates is a little scary but I think I'll be just fine. It's just me and my clutter, gizmos & quirky decorative accents in my new little happy home. Let the Martha Stewart projects begin!

skin & bones



Regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe thrived to establish a new architectural style that could represent modern times, using philosophy as a basis for his work. By studying the great philosophers and thinkers of the past, he improved his own understanding of the character and essential qualities of the modern world he lived in.

Mies was enchanted with the free-flowing inter-connected rooms which encompass their outdoor surroundings. He also found appeal in the use of simple rectilinear & planar forms, clean lines, pure use of color, and the extension of space around & beyond interiors expounded by the Dutch De Stijl group. It is commonly referred to as "skin & bones" architecture.



Farnsworth House (1951), single room weekend retreat in a rural setting southwest of Chicago. Regarded as an iconic masterpiece of modernist architecture. The extensive use of floor-to-ceiling glass exterior "walls" that opened the interior to its natural surroundings was considered radical.

"Nature, too, shall live it's own life. We must beware not to disrupt it with the color of our houses and interior fittings. Yet we should attempt to bring nature, houses, and human beings together into a higher unity. If you view nature through the glass walls of the Farnsworth House, it gains a more profound significance than if viewed from outside. That way more is said about nature- it becomes a part of a larger whole."
-Mies van der Rohe







Winter at Farnsworth House: pricey. The house is not very energy efficient, costing $30,000 to heat and cool around the year.



Flood at Farnsworth House last September

Because the Farnsworth House was constructed approximately 100 feet from the banks of the Fox River, the property experiences high water annually and consequent flooding. Mies designed the house at an elevation he believed would protect it from all but the most severe of high water events.



Even though the Farnsworth House lacks practicality, I admire this project the most of all his endeavors, simply for the aesthetic peak of this experiment with this building type. Also, the house is the fullest expression of modernist ideals that had begun in Europe.

"Less is more"
- Mies van der Rohe


ps. one more object d'mies . . .




The Barcelona chair was exclusively designed for the German Pavilion, for the country's entry for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, hosted by Barcelona, Spain. Inspired by the campaign and folding chairs of ancient times, the chair is & will forever remain the utmost icon of modernism in furnishings. Thanks again, Mies!

hello world

today is the first of many interesting & inspiring people, places & things to come.

i hope you enjoy the adventure ahead.

sarah