Today's Classic Design: Timeless Elements with a Twist

Irwin Weiner ASID - Every creative person needs to recharge batteries now and then. The following video completely plugged me in and inspired me ... and I wanted to share it with all our Design2Share readers. Roman & Williams is a NYC architectural and interiors firm, and they're the geniuses behind one of my favorite city spaces, the Ace Hotel (see photos above and below). Their video interview underscores the need for interiors to be timeless, incorporating classical design elements - travel around the world to get a sense of older design elements than we're used to seeing in the States - into something that evokes memory. But add a twist so the work doesn't become a copy.
 

When my clients compliment me on how well their interiors are "aging," I know that the timeless, classical elements we've incorporated into their project help keep their work from dating. Soon, all those granite countertops and no-wires-showing interiors are going to look like relics, while those interiors that have been artfully distressed and classically designed keep on wowing. Watch Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch of Roman & Williams and see what I mean.
 

 
 
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Update on September 1, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.

Walk of Fame Apartment Living in Hollywood

Irwin Weiner ASID - The allure of Old Hollywood royalty beckons us as we invite you on this video tour of the renovated art deco Hudson Apartments of Hollywood, CA. Yes, Charlie Chaplin and other greats really did live here, and we get to take a peek inside. 

Do you like apartment living? We love its convenience - doorman building, lots of nice neighbors, and no upkeep on our part (alright, we have to tidy up after ourselves, but no cutting the grass). The challenge is oftentimes space and how to make the most with the least amount of it, but this video shows a nifty storage solution. Love that rotating closet door with behind-door storage! 

Click to read more ...

Fall Wine Tours & Parties - Coming Up!

With Labor Day coming, it's time to be thinking about the upcoming wine season this fall. Summer is a time for outdoor parties, white wines, BBQs, and delicious snacks. But with fall getting closer, wineries are gearing up to harvest their grapes for the fall wine tours, and you should start thinking about planning as well.

To enjoy great wine doesn't mean a vacation to international wineries in France and Italy. Napa Valley, California is one of the most noted wine regions in the United States - but there are many more wine producing regions in the country worth visiting. The Finger Lakes in upstate New York is another distinguished wine region. (And on and on....)

A great way to try new wines and decide what your preferred wine will be is to take wine tours and go to wine festivals. Here are a few tips.

• For any wine aficionado, a great vacation idea is to visit wineries instead of visiting resorts. For example, on Long Island in New York there are many wineries to visit near the coast. 
• A vacation idea would be to rent a Long Island property, tour a few wineries, and enjoy anupcoming festival like the Long Island Wine Country Annual Harvest Fest Celebration.
• When planning a wine tour, make sure there's a responsible driver for all those who are drinking. 
• A lot of folks trekking to wine country prefer to order a limo or bus service. 
• Do some research on what wineries are nearby and the most popular to visit. Plan to go wine tasting at 3 to 5 wineries for the day and that should suffice. 
• Wine touring doesn't have to be expensive; as a matter of fact, most wineries offer samples of 5 to 8 wines for $5 or less!

Hosting your own wine tasting party is a great way to try new wines from a region and to spend time with family and friends. Host a theme party by either choosing one type of wine served or by choosing different wines produced by the same winery. Depending on the wines chosen, certain types of cheese and chocolates can be paired for an even greater treat. 

Share any other great ways to enjoy the upcoming wine season with us!

Thanks to guest blogger Megan Gates, who is an active blogger and handles communications on behalf of Elliman.com. She provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York City Real Estate, Long Island Rentals, and the latest in architecture, design, and fashion. Follow her on Twitter @ MEGatesDesign.

Design2Share Video Pick: Here's a great basic how-to video from The Cheese Impressario on pairing wine, cheese, and condiments for your next wine tasting party at home.

Click to read more ...

Which New IMM Global Furnishings Do You Love?

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's great for American homeowners and interior designers to see what vendors in the rest of the world are producing in the way of furnishings, home textiles, and accessories. The International Furnishing Show in Cologne, Germany never disappoints when it comes to giving us inspiration and an eye for design trends. The following Lifestyle TV video is excellent; it provides us with many web addresses for vendors - some are old favorites (like Ligne Roset, maker of the Ploum Sofa, above) and many are new discoveries. As the IMM says, "Create. Furnish. Live."

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Update on August 24, 2011 by Design2Share

Super King Size Leather Beds: We just found a great collection of sleek leather bed designs. They add sophistication, whether your bedroom decor is traditional or modern. 

Featured Project: DIY Painted Headboard

Now is the perfect time to think about freshening up your interior space. With a splash of color here and a new piece of furniture there, it's easy to redecorate. Here's a quick, budget-conscious DIY design idea to help get you started.

Paint Your Own Headboard

Chances are if you if you purchased your bed frame as part of a bedroom set, the headboard is already included. If you don't want to put forth the extra cash, especially after paying for a pricey mattress, no problem! Painted headboards are a great way to add a pop of color to your bedroom.

Step 1: Measure the width of the head of your bed and mark it with blue painter's tape from floor to ceiling. Now, choose your color based on your desired color scheme. You obviously don't want it to be the same shade as your walls, but it should complement that color.

Step 2: Once you have your color, paint the wall, staying within the blue painters tape. Once the paint dries, if you choose to do so, you can detail with paint or with some removable wall decals from a company like Blik. For as little as $40, Blik makes easily removable wall decals in fun shapes like bookshelves, chandeliers, birds, etc. If this sounds like too much work, don't worry and leave your wall a solid color.

Step 3: Simply position your bed up against the painted wall, prop up some decorative Euro pillows in coordinating colors and patterns, and you have yourself a headboard. You might want to take this opportunity to invest in a new comforter or duvet in fun, light, spring colors. You'd be surprised at what a little bit of paint and some new bedding can do for your space!

Contemporary vanities and more at Decor Planet for your bathroom needs.