Wednesday, November 30, 2011

DESIGNER CRUSH: Interview with Grant K. Gibson



I've been crushing on this guy for quite some time.  I previously posted about him here & here... I follow his work {not hard to find... he's a regular feature in the likes of Elle Decor & House Beautiful} and I frequent his blog to absorb some of his genius.  Needless to say, I was super excited to steal a few minutes of this busy talents time to chat with us...

House Crush: I knew I wanted to be an interior designer when…
GKG: From the time I was very young.  I was always moving things around in my room.
I think that my parents first knew when I went away to camp one summer and I told them that I wanted all of the walls in my room painted white and the carpet removed to show off the hardwood floors below.

House Crush: If I only had $1,000 to refresh a room, I would…
GKG: Do some painting; buy some throw pillows, a beautiful throw, flowers and candles.
If I had any money left over- a fun trip to a flea market to buy some great accessories.

House Crush: I have a good day when…
GKG: I generally wake up every morning having a pretty good day and positive attitude.
I really am one of those lucky people that actually loves what they do all day.
Making my clients happy and seeing smiles on their faces is the best.

House Crush: When I entertain I always…
GKG: Try to keep it simple.  I used to try to do too many things and have too many people over.  Oh and I would try new recipes too (always test things before you try them out on guests!)  Now, I try to keep it to 6 or 8 people and I try to keep the menu simple so that I don’t have to be stuck in the kitchen all night.  Nothing is worse than not being able to enjoy your guests.  Isn’t that the point of having them over anyway?  I am a perfectionist and I try to make sure that all of my guests are happy.  It's important to ask before they come over if anyone has any food issues.  I am big into making lists to keep me in check for timing- lighting candles, taking a shower, setting the table, etc.

House Crush: My favorite cocktail…
GKG: That’s a tough one. I really love margaritas but also Manhattans.  Then I like a simple white wine.

House Crush: This holiday season, my wardrobe  needs…
GKG: A few new pairs of shoes.  I love shoes.  I am traveling to NYC this week and I plan on getting a few new pairs.  Something that will be nice for parties and work and then maybe something comfortable for the weekend.

House Crush: The biggest decorating no-no…
GKG: Theme rooms.  Not much more to say on that one.

House Crush: I could not live without…
GKG: My two adorable Westies, Campbell and Wallace, great food and wine,  coffee, black sweaters, lots of sleep, traveling and seeing new places, my office staff- who help me make all of the magic happen.

House Crush: My dream client…
GKG: I used to think that a dream client was all about a large blank check and a set of keys and then coming back a few months later and allowing me to do whatever I wanted.
But in all truth, that it not really my dream anymore.
The best client to me is one that we can collaborate together on and create a space that is truly unique to them and what their tastes are.  To me the design process is so much more of a collaboration with a client.  I would telling a lie if I said a nice budget wouldn’t be nice.

House Crush: A trend no one is talking about…
GKG: Hmmm… if I knew that one- I would be a psychic and not an interior designer!


A piece of Grant's fantastic portfolio...







... and a few shots of his gorgeous photography available for purchase {here}...





Now, go get your crush on!

{A huge thank you to Grant for taking the time to chat with us!}


Aerin For The Holidays...

You all remember this classic photo shoot from House & Garden Dec. 2007 issue.  It's an oldie but a goodie and with the new photos of Aerin's Wainscott country home published {proving that the house just gets better & better with age}, I had to share the memory of a bygone setting that is still as chic as ever...







The whole scene just does not get "old".  
Beautiful.  Classic.  Timeless.  

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Get It Done!

This was one of my "just because" gifts... and I'm so thankful for it right now as my "to-do list" is out of control and I'm madly trying to keep up...



So cute, right?!  
{thank you colleen!!!}

Buy one for yourself, your bestie, your "Secret Santa", etc. - Rifle Paper Co.

Paper Finger...

Custom calligraphed address stamps, gift tags & ribbons from Paper Finger... an absolute "cannot go wrong" gift purchase this holiday season...
LOVE!

Purchase/see more: Paper Finger

Monday, November 28, 2011

Velvet Touch...

Beautiful heirloom, artisan albums by Velvet Raptor.  They would be so amazing adorning your coffee table this holiday season or wrapped up as a gift.  Fill them with photos of holiday cards from over the years and give your guests something festive to peruse over cocktail hour...




To purchase: Velvet Raptor

A Different Kind of Burn...

Do you have an old fireplace that doesn't work or never gets used?  Two great options to make it pretty year round... 

Gorgeous "Glass Logs" by Jeff Benroth...
{you can place tea lights underneath to create a pretty glow}

Ceramic "Campfire" logs by Klein Reid...

So pretty you won't miss the crackle & pop of regular burning wood.


Sunday, November 27, 2011

In The Country...

From her Aspen ski chalet to her Wainscott Country Home... who wouldn't want to spend Thanksgiving weekend here...








Aerin Lauder photographed by Claiborne Swanson Frank for Vogue
See more: Vogue.com

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Giving This Season... Thoughtfulness.

My friend Colleen gives the most thoughtful gifts.  She always has.  She's the type of person who gets giddy at the thought of giving... and always goes above and beyond to get gifts that have meaning.  She recently gave me a "just because" gift {LOVE the "just because" gifts... they are some of the most thoughtful gifts to receive} and tied it with the below tag.  "A Token of Friendship"... just because.  She even left the tag blank because she knows how crazy I am for beautiful gift tags, and says to me, "I left it blank so you could use it again for someone else!"  


So, in the spirit of the holiday season and as you are running around crazy trying to check things off your "to buy" list, try giving THOUGHTFULLY... it makes the process of buying, wrapping and giving so much more joyful for everyone.

Happy holiday shopping!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Gobble-Gobble...

{via}

Have a super yummy weekend!

... and good luck to all you "Black Friday" shoppers... you are much braver than I...

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Over The River...

...and through the woods...
... to bed...

{Christiane Lemieux and her kids via The Glow}

Setting The Turkey Table...

I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year but if I were, I'd be pondering all the different ways to make the meal special and pretty.

I could...

Make it glitter...


Make it personal...
{via}

Make it modern...
{via}

Keep it simple but let it glow...
{via}

Throw in some toile...
{via}

A beautiful monogram...
{via}

Feathers...
{via}

Or, pumpkin colored chairs...
{via}

Make it kid friendly...
{via}

Make it myself...
{via}

Or be lucky enough to take it outdoors...
{via}

What's your table going to look like?  

Monday, November 21, 2011

Vintage Brass Birds & Gourds

Have had the spotlight in my kitchen this past month...

After the turkey holiday, the gourds will go but the birds will stay.  They are unique & pretty.  A touch of old scattered amongst my modern and new.

You want?  I spied a few fun options around cyberspace...

1. Vintage Peacock Hooks  2. Vintage brass Bird Vessel  3. Vintage Pair Hollywood Regency Peacocks 4. Pair of vintage brass birds
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