http://www.wirewax.com/5002280
LISTEN to Martyn……and remember you heard it from me a year ago when we were buying 80’s antique brass before anyone else in our group ;)!
LOVE…LOVE…LOVE Market….stay tuned for those “On Trend” Seminars in May.
Small Group, In Office. $495 for 2 Hours. Book Now – last year we sold out.
Wed May 2nd 12 – 2. The LATEST On Trend from Market. Great for Local Designers who don’t attend Market & the Casual Enthusiast who simply LOVES Design.
xoxo Ann!
Another TREND from our website…ARCHITECTURAL SALVAGE
Why I love this addition to designed spaces…
Patina:
Patinas on metal
Faded paint, chipped stone, signs of love and use thru the ages
Scale: Often over sized, the addition of a large unique piece, especially when mounted gives visual weight to a space
Old Wood Columns, Fantastic!
Affordable: Often found at salvage yards and other recycle locations, these are some of the most affordable and often have incredible detail that would be impossible to duplicate new for the cost. Check out one of our locals: Omega Too http://www.omegatoo.com/beta/
Affordable Elegance...not the least expensive but accessible compared to many Designer Fixtures in Trade Showrooms
Unique: Sometimes there are spectacular pieces, panels from The Plaza Hotel in NYC or Columns from historical buildings in San Francisco that are being re-worked. A phone call to local historical societies can often yield information that leads to contractors who have to carefully recycle these storied pieces…we re-purpose them as art. Worthy of a museum like approach in the home. Picture these as the only antique element in a stark contemporary – set against gloss white and marble – exceptional!
Chinese Panels...Fabulous!
These add instant style and have so much more life in them than the copied and mass-produced by product you will find in today’s mass furniture retailers.
I always hunt for the original.
Wayyyy more fun.
Happy Decorating!
Ann
Today we tackle another item from our old website…FINDS.
Finds….those things that are discarded by others but make our heart sing with possibility…
My first find? An old bentwood chair I found as a child discarded in the garage.
I painted mine white and added a smiling snowman on the seat!
I thought it was beautiful and was convinced I could make a fortune painting chairs like them and selling them. I think I was 6!
My first find as a grown up decorator in my 20’s?
A fabulous mid-century chair, discarded in Beverly Hills…wow…talk about priming the pump…
It was very similar to this...in an alley in Beverly Hills :)!
Why I like finds. They are jewels in the rough. I like them because they remind me that nothing is beyond possibility.
Jewels in the rough...
No matter where you’ve been…no matter what has taken it’s toll on your life…there is always the possibility that someone will find you and see the precious in you…underneath whatever covers the beautiful…I love that sentiment…for people first of course, but those found pieces in my home keep me grounded – they are nuggets of grace in a space spotted with showroom pieces that warm my heart and keep my feet planted squarely on the ground.
Words to live by!
Today we try to tackle those tricky on trend questions…why do they matter at all ;)?!
Remember, yesterday we asked….and answered….
1. What is On Trend Fabric & Why does it matter depends on the Client
2. What is On Trend Fabric & Why does it matter depends on the Industry
3. What is On Trend Fabric & Why does it matter depends on the Economy
Elaborations on those answers…
1. Clients come in all shapes & sizes, ages & stages. Are they risk takers? Do they love the austere? Tradtional? Transitional? Once we narrow the major parameters we can begin to focus in on what will be THEIR particular ‘On Trend”. Why does it matter? Because we are hired to make a fit for the client and THEIR lifestyle. Anyone can order from a pre-ordained catalog – a “Garanimals approach to Decorating”…being ‘On Trend’ means we tap into what the individual Client needs – and doesn’t even know they need. It’s an important discovery. It makes the Design ‘sing’ at the end rather than fall flat.
2. The Industry. What is out there? What does “To the Trade” have to offer? What historical collections are inspiring new innovations in pattern and scale? What is overstock at the Mills? In Europe? What is trading in India right now? How do the rains affect the crops which affects the way natural colors are created for wools? All these things are important considerations when picking on trend fabrics for a client. As we mentioned above, anyone can walk into a Decorating Store and thumb thru swatches. They can find something that will work, I’m sure. But will it excite? Will it add soul to a room? Will it even matter? Think of it this way: are you an original art person or a pre-fab decorator art person….as Designers, we opt for the original art. Anyone can buy a print or a copy. I’d rather fill a room with the emerging artist whose hand has touched the canvas for the same amount off money. No ‘matching required’. We work hard to scour what is out there to inspire our clients.
3. Economy. Always. As things boil around the world we are actually finding clients caring more about quality and what I like to call “Galanos Luxury”. Have you ever worn a Galanos Dress? The construction is impeccable. Nothing is overlooked. We have come out, thankfully, of the consumptive throw away culture over the past few decades with a renewed sense of obligation to be less voracious in our appetites and more refined in our tastes. It translates down the line to the products we find in our Trade Showrooms and Trade Shows around the globe. Less, but made with more. More care. More concern. More attention. More hands on.
Grateful for Sundays,
Ann
As we move away from our old website…today we tackle the TREND page
Item #1: Fabric
I love fabric
Antique Boucle
All kinds. Old, new, contemporary, traditional, ridiculously expensive, common….love it all.
In my aesthetic, fabrics are like people….the differences in them make them work together
"Plaid and Fancy" Custom Crewel in two colorways by Couture Chateau
Each Season, each Market, each Project…Manufacturers & Designers alike ponder which fabrics will hit as on trend and how they can be marketed & sold
——————————————————————————–
How do I determine what is ‘On Trend’ and why does it matter?
Impossible question really. I boil it down to three broad observations to make it somewhat manageable:
1. What is On Trend Fabric & Why does it matter depends on the Client
2. What is On Trend Fabric & Why does it matter depends on the Industry
3. What is On Trend Fabric & Why does it matter depends on the Economy
Amazing Antique Swedish Fabric...the real deal, not a 1950's copy...
Tomorrow we answer these questions….think about it, why do these things matter? What is your response?
Today we begin necessary transition.
Away from the obsolete, toward the relevant.
As many of you know, our web page: www.couturechateau.com, well, is less than.
As I constantly seek the excellent in life and work, this page has been a thorn in my side for three years.
Our resourceful Designer Brian created the site for us on a shoestring and a prayer. He did a fabulous job given what we gave him, so kudos to Brian who worked a miracle with what little we gave him.
A little Couture Chateau History:
Conceived: 1989 (under several non trademarked, non copyrighted names……lesson learned…)
Founded: 1991 (the name and business plan on paper, our first clients actually paying…)
And finally, Incorporated: 2008
When I finally incorporated, this rudimentary site was put up as a place holder. I freely admit my skill set is in Interior Design and Bespoke Product….not….as you will most certainly agree….web design ;)!
As such, over the next two weeks, the elements from our old site will be worked into “On Trend” posts about Design on this Blog.
AND, thankfully, the new website (same address) will post.
Our old site is organized into pages and categories: Home, Trends & Design, Interior Decorating, Furnishings & Fabrics, Contact.
Our new site is simpler, less information, more….well…professional.
As we move to generate the fluid where it belongs: on the Blog, not the Website, we will tackle one of those pages &/or categories.
At the end of these next few weeks, we hope our simpler site married with Twitter, Blog and Facebook Links will keep our enthusiasts engaged. And our Clients proud to be part of the Couture Chateau Family.
Grateful always,
Ann
As our motto says: Live a Custom Life. There is only one you.
Some of my favorite products used in projects:
Check out the Lacanche French Ranges:
I have two in my home, one used just for baking and the other used every day. They are a fabulous company and have a loyal fan base and following. We love our ranges.
Lacanche
Needlepoint Pillows:
Even in the most contemporary spaces, a fabulous down filled needlepoint pillow adds instant collected age and style. These are not inexpensive, but they get better with age and use. Softer with each nap or curled up pug.
Contemporary Needlepoint Pillow
Silver:
New, old…it never goes out of style. Use sterling, silver plate or silver leaf products to add glamour and reflection, especially in smaller spaces.
Silver Pitcher
Gold and Brass:
Yup, brass is back. For me and my long time NYC clients….it never left. Brass is still the main stay in those Paris Salons and European Estates. I love how it presents age and stability with ease. Check out these monogrammed door handles we used in our home. I absolutely love them. They are tempermental – they require constant polish and tightening but that is part of the process for me. Not for everyone, but for some…the peice de resistance!
A Perfect Mocha
Spending a few days in Los Angeles is always great for new design ideas. I typically find them on the West Side, the tried and true Melrose Avenue or down near the Beach.
Exposed Industrial & Rope at Stairway
This time, I found inspiration at a Coffee House in Chino Hills!
LOVE the use of materials. It all works.
Three Adjacent Materials: Penny Tile, Wood and Wood Tile...can you find the wood tile pieces?
Loving the view from the Balcony
Go figure. Wasn’t looking for inspiration, just coffee and a place to sit and work. Found all three!
As mentioned yesterday, our Trend Workshop/Seminars are coming up in February. LA & SF Bay Area.
Below are two videos from this Fall’s High Point Market dealing with some TRENDS. Check them both out. Designer Tobi Fairly is featured in the second video. Great fun. Great design. And you KNOW I love yellow. Yes, our entire office floor is yellow over scaled flowers!
What I like is that these videos give a behind the scenes feel. They do a great job capturing Market & showcasing Industry Leading Designers in a real trade show setting. It is encouraging to all of us!
Check out more…
LOVE love LOVE this product. Actually found out about it from one of my Clients (thanks E!). You have a great eye.