a white christmas

Here it is: the white box challenge.

What do you think of my new studio?  I would call it The Factory (but someone took that one).  Maison de Lise?  That would be cool on my door.  Likely, I go with LTK Interiors.  Suggestions are welcome.

Happy Holidays!
-lise

New Studio!

I signed a lease on a studio space so I have been scrambling to get my office moved in there before Christmas.  It doesn't look like that will happen, but the new year means a new space to call my place of business and that is exciting.  Here are some "before" pics.

 It was an artist's studio, so we removed all her art storage to make way for my materials library.

A wall has been put up as I will be sharing a portion of the space with another designer's storage area.

The place has been sprayed all white and might be done today!  I'll post more pictures once I am moved in.

wonderful wallpaper

We have all been loving wallpaper for a while now.  It's so fun & pretty and a great way to add dimension to a space.  I am admittedly a plain white paint gal when it comes to my spaces, but that is only because I need to work on varying projects where a busy backdrop may interfere with my process.  I love introducing wallpaper to clients.  Right now I am choosing some to present for a dining room.  I can't narrow down all the great options!  Help me edit!

 A beautiful go to is grasscloth.  It adds texture and dimension and in the evening with chandelier & candle light, it shimmers.

 This girly wallpaper has a wonderful combination of shimmer and nature.  It's like dining in a winter wonderland.

 I love a strong trim color with wallpaper.  This has a feminine deco vibe.

 What a great color combo.  I also love the modern and traditional marriage in this room.

 

 I might apply some molding for architectural detail and can add panels of silver leaf paper.

 I've always admired the Hinson speckle & fireworks paper.

 

 It works great in a bathroom.

 

 Neisha Crosland makes great looking organic wallpaper patters.  This one is "Anemone."

 

 "Caterpillar leaf"

 "Zebra"

Madison & Grow has beautiful modern patterns.  I love the idea of a silver ceiling.  This is a great idea for the dining room.

 Their "elizabeth on peacock," made popular when West Elm used it in their catalog shoot.

 "Monique wind in her hair" is a nice subtle option with pretty swirls that look drawn on the wall.

I like this Palm Springs palette and pattern.  It's so citrusy and fresh.

 Beautiful Gracie paper is classic and elegant.  Not right for this project, but needed to throw in a traditional shot.

Love this large scale palm or banana leaf motif.  Groovy.

Taghkanic Studio lamp collection

Available at Remains, architect Alan Wazenberg's lamp collection has a few great options.  
The Galatin table lamp is composed of planes of ceramic finished in a sage glaze.

The Ancram Table lamp has a weathered worn base which would work well in a beach house, farm house or even mountain home.

I love the Copake lamp.  It's petite & is a rustic version of the well loved glass globe lamp from visual comfort.

To view the collection, go to Remains.com

Christian Astuguevielle

While at the design center yesterday, I was so happy to see that Webster & Company has featured the wrapped rope pieces from Holly Hunt by Christian Astuguevieille in their window.  I fell in love with the concept when I saw the pieces first at Holly Hunt in NYC.  Then today's Habitually Chic post was all over it!  Serendipity!

So glad to see the interior of the designers' amazing space on the post.

mario testino at the mfa

 My favorite: Kate.  London, 2006. 

Just went to "In Your Face," the Testino exhibit at the MFA.  Great stuff.  I love to see fashion photography celebrated in Boston.  The show was pretty in-your-face in the scale and close proximity of the images.  It showcased Mario Testino's fabulous ability to capture iconic supermodels, iconic celebrities and create iconic images. Sexy, glamorous, stylish and irreverent images are saturated in color.  Plus he shoots for all the big guns: Vogue, British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, V magazine, not to mention being the official photographer of the Royal Family.  

 Carmen Kass, Los Angeles.  2009

 Jennifer Lopez, Los Angeles. 2004

 Gisele Bundchen, New York, 2004.

Some of the most fun to see are the candids of celebrities at posh events that we all wish we could attend.  He carries multiple cameras at all times & does not use digital.

 Mariah Carey, Donatello Versace, Beyonce Knowles, Milan, 2002.

 Josh Hartnett, New York, 2005.

 

Karlie Kloss, Bao Bao Wan, and Shaolin Monks, Beijing, 2011.

 Sienna Miller, Rome, 2007.

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Los Angeles, 2003.

Looking at his images, it's no wonder his subjects become close with him and ask that he "Testino" them.  Subjects look flawless!