Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts

Friday, January 20, 2012

Inspiration - Purple Friday

Ironically, I am not usually one to talk at length about professional sports or football for that matter (I often have my nose buried in a design magazine while the game plays in the background), but it is indeed an important weekend for Baltimore as the Ravens travel to New England to play Tom Brady and the Patriot's.  I have to admit, I truly am getting excited for the BIG game ahead and that got me thinking about all things purple (aubergine and lavender too!), and inspired this post.  I hope it inspires you to add a little purple to your windows, walls or wedding!

Love it or leave it?  Personally I am fond of mixing it with oranges and pinks but combining it with the bright neon trend would be amazing too (I feel another tablescape brewing).  I will agree, it can be a challenging color to work with, but this weekend it will compliment anything YOU are wearing...

GO RAVENS!
xo,
stephanie

Images 1, Domino, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-8, 9

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Interior Inspiration - B is for...



B.R.I.G.H.T.S!  That's right, I am (believe it or not) loving NEON and can't wait to incorporate this oh-so-fresh trend into one of my designs.  For a few seasons now we have seen colorful pieces walk up and down the runways and recently some of my favorite fashion bloggers have also embraced the trend with neon colored dresses, bright accessories and/or painting their nails a color that screams of fun.  Not only in fashion, but on furniture and fabrics alike, these bright hues definitely make a statement. Paired with creamy pastels like a cotton candy pink (so fun!) or all white walls (wow!), this taste of lemon zest really wets my design whistle.  After all, what better to inspire us during winter's gray days than some playful pop art and living in color?


Think you could live with something this vibrant or do you prefer a seemingly more serene retreat?  I don't know that I am bold enough to commit to this on my walls, but you may see me wearing it sooner rather than later!

Images 1-4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Baltimore BRIDE Spring/Summer 2012 - Concept to Reality


Last week I posted this with a peek inside the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Baltimore Bride.  I am often asked, "How do you come up with a concept for an event or an interior?" or "Where do you find inspiration?" For that reason, I thought I would post the storyboard my team and I created to share with our vendor partners prior to the shoot.  This was the jumping off point for our discussions regarding the tablescape color palette as well as the overall look I was trying to create...a clean, modern gallery feel with layers of detail and florals that would stop you in your tracks. 


So much time and energy goes into a project like this. There are countless creative meetings and oodles of tiny details prepping for our onsite partnership with magazine editors and photographers alike. For this particular shoot, I got the crazy idea to hand paint a large piece of art (my first original piece by the way painted on drywall).  Inspired by Wearstler's wallpaper, I knew the marble backdrop at Baltimore's Tremont Plaza Hotel was going to need a pop of color to create the WOW factor I was looking for.  That being said, I headed to the hardware store for supplies and used Valspar's "Peach Kiss" (2002-2C) for the base color to give a little contrast to our crisp white linen.  I then went to town with large brush strokes of intense color with Valspar's "Autumn Gala" (2004-1A) to create movement.  One of my interns assisted (in the back parking lot of my design studio) with the final touches of gold glitter. The pavement still sparkles in the sunlight and always makes me smile...

* Image by Stacy Zarin
Many thanks again to each of our talented vendor partners including: 

Monday, November 21, 2011

Stephanie Entertains - Floral Centerpiece How To

With Thanksgiving now just days away, I am sure you are beginning to get out your grandmother's china, make a last minute shopping list and prep the table for the big meal.  Stuck on what to put in the center of your spread? Try this...


Step 1:  Select a decorative container and a color palette.  I chose this footed, turquoise piece because I thought it would contrast our color trio of oranges, golds and reds quite nicely...A perfect fit for our Thanksgiving scene. 


Step 2:  Gather your supplies and prep your container. You will need: a piece floral oasis (found at your local craft supplier), floral tape, garden snips and/or a knife, greens, filler flowers and some pretty accent blooms. I suggest placing an inexpensive, plastic container inside the decorative one to protect it from any water damage.  Soak the oasis in water, place the saturated oasis in the disposable container and secure with floral tape.


Step 3:  Fill around the outside of the container with foliage to create a base layer and cover the plastic container. Keep in mind, using a mix of seasonal greens is an inexpensive way to fill your base and you can even gather these goodies in your own back yard.  Here I used oak leaf hydrangea.  It has great color and big leaves.


Step 4:  Place less expensive "filler" flowers (sedum, football mums and abelia shown above) around your container to begin filling in some of the holes.  Don't forget to turn your container around when you are working so you can fill it in from all angles.


Step 5:  Gather pricier blooms (mini calla lilies, mokara orchids, roses and tulips shown here) and continue filling in the holes.  Keep in mind that these are your focal flowers so placing them in clusters throughout the arrangement gives you a great punch of color all over.


Step 6: Now it is time to add your final touches.  Here we added hypericum berries and these gorgeous guinea feathers.  I love their texture and the white polka dots are just so fun!


Step 7:  Step back and E.N.J.O.Y!  Don't forget to continue to hydrate your oasis every day or so to keep your blooms fresh and longer lasting.

On a personal note, a very Happy Thanksgiving to each of you.  Know I am thankful for all of my readers and so grateful to continue to do what I love every day of the year.
xo,
stephanie

Visit our friends locally at: Crimson and Clover Floral Design, Inc., 733 Deepdene Road, Baltimore
There is still time to sign up for their centerpiece class to be held TOMORROW at 6:30 PM.  
Or, REGISTER NOW for their "Holiday Wreath" making classes in early December. 
For more information, visit them online at: crimsonandcloverdesigns.com.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Welcome to the Studio!

In January of this year I took a leap of faith--moving my business out of my apartment and into a studio space in Baltimore. Months before the move, I began collecting pictures of other spaces and places that inspired me (as I have all my clients do before we create a space or party for them) and began the design process.  I selected a honey-colored sisal carpet throughout the space and a neutral color palette of warm grays, cream, and crisp white trim.

Next on my list were the furnishings...a low sofa, ceramic table, chic accessories, and plenty of fashion and design books to help add visual interest and texture to the design.  I knew the final detail was going to be the art and I knew that selecting a "the perfect image" was going to be challenging.

With that being said, I decided to bring in a professional and commission a custom piece, made especially for me -- a reflection of what I love.  I had the pleasure of working with the talented Kristen Scotto Di Frega when I commissioned her for another client project months before and knew she was the perfect person for the job.

Here's a peek at the process and the "design file" I shared with her...

The paint colors I selected were all from Benjamin Moore.


LOVE this room design by the talented Kelly Weartler -- so chic and glamorous.  This picture of Sarah Jessica Parker (one of our very favorite fashion icons) and Chris North was featured in the June 2008 issue of VOGUE and has been hanging in my bedroom for years.  I love the gown, the sofa, the carpet and of course the leading man isn't bad to look at either.



These starburst shapes have always been a favorite of mine as well as these amazing glass chandeliers.  They are a reminder of how much we love a great party. Kristen incorporated them all into the work!


Some of the rough sketches Kristen did...with her eyes closed.




Below is the piece "in progress" in Kristen's studio.  As part of her process, she placed individual hand sanded, hand painted, tiles onto the canvas(s) prior to transferring her sketches using a projector.


Drum roll please...


The finished product, is, in one word...STUNNING! It is an intimate reflection of my style and the things that inspire me.  It now hangs in the design studio sitting room and is the piece that greets guests upon their arrival into our creative work space.  Every day I find some new detail that captivates me, makes me smile, and inspires me to continue creating beautiful things each and every day.  
xo, stephanie

P.S. I am so in love with my painting that I've commissioned Kristen to do another piece, this time for my bedroom. I can hardly wait to see how it turns out! I will keep you posted on the progress...

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Sneak Peek - Baltimore BRIDE Photo Shoot

Yesterday was a very busy day at the Tremont Grand Hotel where we were putting the finishing touches on our "modern gallery-esk ombre inspired" (say that one five times fast) tablescape design for Baltimore BRIDE magazine!  In partnership with Cham City Cakes we created one delicious display that felt fresh and modern. We can't show you too much, but thought you'd enjoy just a taste...






Want to see the CAKE? Yes, you do! Then don't forget to pick up the 
Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Baltimore BRIDE on newsstands in January!  
Many thanks to BRIDE's creative team, our photographer Stacy Zarin, and 
ALL of our vendor partners including: