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Do you remember before the Internet when there were those paper things with words on pages? People called them books? Well, they still exist and there are some very good ones that are not only interesting but also useful.
ShareDo you remember before the Internet when there were those paper things with words on pages? People called them books? Well, they still exist and there are some very good ones that are not only interesting but also useful.
ShareWhile, for many, traveling is the most amazing thing in the universe, it makes me want to clock myself over the head with a steel suitcase to avoid what I consider the Dark Side of Travel: canceled flights, cranky airport employees fed up with hearing complaints from travelers all day, people reclining their seats back on airplanes thus giving my 6’5″ self only 2.5 inches of breathing room, and of course, babies who save three weeks worth of crying for their airplane-seated audience.
But after 4 straight weeks producing, art directing and writing editorial for HGTVRemodels, I have learned to appreciate a great hotel like nobody’s business. When it comes to hotels, two words come to mind: Dorothy Draper.
Who is that? Well, she is one of the most influential professional decorators of all time. In fact, hotels were her thing.
Dorothy’s Style: Hollywood Regency. Here’s How to Get the Look
After shooting a gorgeous home in San Francisco this past week, I mentioned the similarity of Draper’s aesthetic to said homeowner’s bathroom. This led me to Google the bananas out of Ms. Draper and look up all of her lobbies, most in New York City. What I noticed about her work is its timeless appeal; pretty much any of her hotel interiors could pass as having been completed in 2011. For those of you unfamiliar with the iconic work of Ms. Draper, take a gander below and become a friend of Dorothy.
The stripes? Large scale and high contrast. Very Hollywood. I bet you can name three of four super decorators off the top of your head who’ve done this themselves. And if not, oh well, I can.
How about the super dark colors? Insanely glamorous and packed with high contrast and some elements of masculinity although kinda-sorta overall a femme room, yes?
Super gigantic scaled- moldings! Yes, yes yes! While this may be something many decorators do these days, back then it was totally “OMG, did she really just blow the scale up that large? So edgy, that Draper!”
Got a thing for Dorothy, like I do? Share, friends!
ShareRight now, I’m in San Francisco, a city which I’ve never been to before but have been dreaming of visiting. After a few hours here, my best friend texted me two images she found of our apartment back in the day. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect; it was she and I who’d planned to save up all of our money from waiting tables to come here and check out all the city has to offer. Well, there is something else I would like to offer: advice to my current self to the me that existed in 1997. My design skills back then S-U-C-K-E-D.
Even when I was in college with absolutely zero design experience, I was the go-to person in my social world for all things interior design and or do-it-yourself. Sure, things are different now, especially with 14 years of trial and error under my belt; however, I truly had one of those, “What the hell was I thinking?” moments when I got these two images.
One thing I like: The color blocking and simple dressing up of found-on-the-side-of-the-road-furnishings. A few things I am horrified by: Everything else. Above all, the one thing I took away from this trip down Bad Design Memory Lane is that being a designer or decorator is kinda like having vocal or acting talent; it’s always there, you just need experience and a little bit of training to fine tune it.
Anyone else have any old pictures of their first attempt at decorating and design that, although hysterical now, was something for which to be proud back then?
ShareAbout two years ago, I embarked on a new chapter in my design/media career and started my own editorial site, Decor Demon, which is kinda like a shelter magazine in blog-roll format.
As a result of my work on DecorDemon and a chance meeting with HGTV’s site director, Jillian, I was asked to start designing full-length remodeling projects for a new HGTV site called HGTVRemodels.com.
While I have been in hog heaven writing, designing, producing, directing, prop styling and hosting decorating-based online content here at HGTV, the stuff over on HGTVRemodels is a whole new world. Everything has a remodeling slant, whether it’s floor-and-window update or a total gut job.
Although I have about 12 more projects on my to-do list before the new year, I’ve already got some favorites that are up and live on the front page. They include my own design studio remodel, my former assistant’s texture-packed attic apartment and a stunning library for an Atlanta jewelry designer.
I’ve gotten quite a few emails from friends who’ve been checking out the site daily for renovating ideas. Just like that Kevin Costner movie and its flag football field (that’s the right sport, right?), HGTV has built a beautiful sister site and the people continue to come.
ShareShort and sweet: I am absolutely buried lately between planning a temporary move cross-country to begin pre-production on an HGTV series and wrapping up my own clients in Atlanta. Amidst the short-on-time-ness of it all, I’ve become an avid user of Overstock.com. It may sound silly, but I had no idea that you can actually buy pretty much everything in the world on this site.
As I’ve been sourcing pieces for my own private clients and for HGTV.com makeovers, I’ve found that many of the styles I’m looking for in trade-only showrooms are actually available on Overstock.com at a fraction of the price. Um, yes please. Anyhow, I took note of some of the items I’m using and/or have recently used and am filling y’all in on some great stuff to consider if you’re putting together rooms on super tight budgets or if you wanna splurge on that one statement piece without going custom. Now, if I could only find an Audi A4 Wagon repairman on Overstock.com, I may be one step closer to trekking across the country.
If you can’t afford the Eames rocker, go for the next best thing, Vinnie Cradle Chair in blue. At just under $140, you can’t go wrong with this piece. Think of it as an investment, similar to those Beverly Hills ladies with new, puffy lips but without the plastic surgery or recovery period afterwards.
ShareCongratulations to HGTV featured blogger Brian Patrick Flynn for his High Gloss Magazine feature in the just released July/August issue! Catch up on his inspiring (and often rambunctious) design tips and ideas every Thursday here on Design Happens.
What’s your favorite Brian post? We’d love to hear!
Let us know in the comment area below.
ShareMy internship at HGTV.com is wrapping up, and in mere days, I will be graduating college. While I’m thrilled to be done with school, (term papers, final exams, etc.) I’m also nervous/excited about what lays ahead. As I’m determined to make my parents proud, (and start paying off my student loans) it’s time to launch my career. I couldn’t have asked for better job hunting advice than I received from Erinn Valencich, Brian Patrick Flynn and Michelle Wiebe.
Erinn Valencich :: Brian Patrick Flynn :: Michelle Wiebe
These talented and busy interior designers took time out of their schedules so I could interview them about becoming an interior designer. Huge thank you to them! And I’m sure, like me, you’ll find their advice to be incredibly valuable, whether you’re a recent grad or making a career change to pursue the job of your dreams in this awesome industry.
ShareOkay, so I’m totally not into all this royal wedding mumbo jumbo—like, at all. In fact, I change the channel immediately when I see graphics sporting the words “Kate”, “William” and/or “April 29th”. When asked to write an article about The Royal Wedding and decorating, I struggled to find an angle until I thought about getting inside the oh-so-proper digs and shaking things up a bit by going unconventional. After a few hours googling terms like “modern royal”, “contemporary English” and “cheeseburger sombrero” (hey, why not?), I came across some great spaces and items that, when used correctly, could reinvent royal interiors in a not-so-safe, less expected manner. Or should I say “manor”? Oh bloody play-on-words hell, let’s get to it already.
Ah, the classic handsome English library—overall a sophisticated man’s world. The graphic lines of the wood paneling are just about the only thing in this space that could even remotely have an iota of modern appeal. Hmmm, what would a totally modern, manly-yet-Victorian-inspired library have? Glad you asked, hit “more” please.
More, Please!
ShareSo I have this friend who has a titanic design crush on a particular superdesigner on HGTV, Sarah Richardson. This super smart, super tall friend (whose name I shall not mention) has a lot in common with Ms. Richardson: both started behind the scenes as set decorators before transitioning on to the small screen as hosts, they both run production companies and produce their own content, and they both seem adamant about tailored draperies and upholstery in just about every space. Of all the interiors featured on the network, everything Sarah touches — whether it’s client’s homes on Design Inc. or her own properties on Sarah’s House — looks as though it’s an ElleDECOR cover shot come to life. If you’re unfamiliar with the stunning spaces of Sarah Richardson, allow my friend to serve you up a bowl of eye candy via Ms. Richardson’s HGTV portfolio. Although I’d like to also reveal the identity of my friend, I simply cannot; however, I will give you a hint: I am him.
Sarah’s mixing of prints is often like a master class in both pattern and scale.
ShareA couple of days ago, we ran a post on Facebook.com/HGTV, asking you to vote on your favorite room by our pal Brian Patrick Flynn. You picked Stacy Elgin’s gorgeous home office.
As promised, Brian wrote up his design inspiration + tips for recreating the look. I love #5—it makes me feel better about my catalog addiction.
1. Due to time and budget, I needed to use products I could purchase online that included reasonable or gratis shipping costs. The wallpaper is from Graham Brown, console is from Wisteria and flooring came from Lumber Liquidators.
2. Entire build-out and installation took two weeks.
3. When using bold or busy wallpaper, keep furniture simple and graphic or else it will just be clutter.
4. To keep spaces from looking matchy-matchy, pair different styles together that introduce a mix of shapes and finishes.
5. When designing from catalogs, DO NOT buy everything from the same one, it will look flat. Buy several pieces from different catalogs so the overall look seems more evolved.
How to Mix Patterns. Get HGTV Tips + Shop the One Kings
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