Writing on the Wall

I'm always surfing the net, reading magazines, etc. looking for the latest and most talented designers...Lo and behold I find a duo Ken Leung and Dana Chin of Ken and Dana Design in New York City. Their fashion line, "b-side by ken and dana," offer a funky approach to jewelry design through the use of graffiti and other urban relics. Living in New York City, I'm sure finding this kind of inspiration is not a problem. Inspired by NYC 'art battles' they freestyle a new design each week! Hotness...stars such as Beyonce and Keri Hilson have been spotted wearing b-side pieces.

Check out a few of my faves below...and for those of you who can't get enough of tagging, try one of these home decor elements for instant street cred!


{image credits: All jewelry courtesy of Ken & Dana Designs 1.) Graffiti, Stone, and Chain Earrings 2.) Graffiti Bangle 3.) Geometric Enamel and Graffiti Necklace 4.) Square Graffiti Ring 5.) Graffiti Handcuff Bangle 6.) South 3rd More Light www.weegohome.com 7.) Slash Tag rug www.toyculture.com 8.) Kent More Light www.weegohome.com 9.) MK Louffiti Mirror by Luis Alicandu 10.) SAVE graffiti pillow www.cb2.com}

Tastemaker Tuesday: Phyllis Taylor

Phyllis Taylor
Fashion Designer & Creator of Sika Designs

I'm excited to spotlight this self-taught fashion designer who has made a name for herself in the London fashion circuit and has now crossed the pond with her fabulous vintage-60's & 70's inspired designs. She finds inspiration in her native Ghanaian culture, its colors, and landscape and sources fabrics for her designs from Ghanaian markets. "So much energy and inspiration comes from there! Africa as a source of inspiration often gets overlooked, with all the negativity that goes on – it can affect people’s judgement. I want to begin to change those negative stereotypes of Africa and I think I can make a start by bringing African prints to the forefront of fashion," Taylor explains.

Emerald green and peacock blues, colors that dominate her spring/summer line, are a welcomed change from golds and reds often found in traditional Kente cloth. Her designs offer fresh, contemporary looks with a modern edge. She is definitely one to watch...
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{image credits: Phyllis Taylor's headshot (Henry Wesley),fashion images from Sika Designs website, commentary & layout by Erika Ward for BluLabel Bungalow}

Design Quote of the Week

"Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. There is nothing a little spackling paste, paint or even another picture can’t hide!"
- Cortney Norogratz of Sixx Design


Design Mom Cortney Norogratz is the better half of design firm, Sixx Design. She and her husband Robert turn urban eyesores into profitable and highly sought after real estate. Their design aesthetic is hip, urban, funky, and family friendly. Parents of seven children, I admire their ability to successfully manage their large family while building an iconic design firm. Here are some of my personal favorite photos of their work...More soon, enjoy!

{images courtesy of Sixx Design}

Moving...

I'm such a procrastinator when it comes to packing boxes for a big move...my three crumb-crunchers aren't making it any easier either. Here's a bit of moving day humor that should hold you until I return...Here goes,

When Evan and Ava's parents figured out that their home just wasn't big enough now that the twins had a new baby brother, they decided to move to a larger house. Evan took it all in and then solemnly said, 'It wouldn't do any good. He'd just follow us.'

For those of you who know Evan, if he could compose a sentence well enough this would be exactly something he'd say. A witty toddler, he's probably thinking it...

DIY Project: Hemp Pendant Lamps

Remember yesterday's post of this sophisticated little girl's room?

I couldn't get enough of the ultra modern chandelier. If you were in love as much as I was, then I have news for you. I spotted a DIY project for this pendant light over at CraftyNest and just had to share!Click here for full instructions!

{Project was created by Heika DeHart via CraftyNest}

Tastemaker Tuesday: Serena & Lily

Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter

Founders of Serena and Lily a
children's linens & decor boutique

The duo first met six years ago when Serena Dugan, a decorative painter and textile designer, entered Lily Kanter's Northern California children's boutique with portfolio in hand and hoping to get a few customer referrals. For Kanter, Dugan's work was love at first sight.

Their first line of products was crib bedding which launched 8 months after the company's conception. Serena and Lily success has been widely based on the ability to design baby products that did not look childish, but mesh seamlessly with the homeowner's design aesthetic.

Regarding overall style, Kanter says,"It's okay to make the nursery an extension of you. You have about two years before the kids start to have opinions."

Serena and Lily has also published a nursery design book, entitled Nursery Style. The 139 page book emphasizes the fact that a focal point of a baby's room can be anything from a pretty bumper to travel souvenirs.

{image credits: serena & lily}

Design Quote of the Week

"A person's a person, no matter how small" - Dr. Seuss

In this playroom, a kid could be busy for hours!

I absolutely love this leather platform bed and the oversized plaid chair...the wallpapered map...oh, this kid's room is ivy league status!

Fuchsia and orange accented with a hint of turquoise, a sweet alternative to baby pink! This room will take a toddler into her tween years. You may have a little fashionista on your hands!

Your Little Miss Priss will never leave this frou-frou room...complete with its own little white tuffet!

What a sophisticated little room! Perfect for tea parties with Miss Ava...and the chandelier adds a touch of modern elegance


{image credits: 1.)unknown 2,4,5.)Robyn Karp 3.)HGTV Dream Home}

Fashion Friday: Jason Wu Inspired Home Office

Jason Wu, a former Narciso Rodriguez intern now one of the most talked about young talent, became known to the general public when his dress was worn by First Lady Michelle Obama at her inaugural ball. His designs have an unpretentious elegance and mostly consists of clean, classic lines.

His modest, one-bedroom midtown apartment was featured in New York Magazine (shown below) has a monochromatic gray color palette. Stark and very simply decorated, he adds spots of color as shown in the artwork hung above his living room sofa.




Though his home office was not featured in this article, if I had to guess what it would look like based on the minimalist design of the other rooms then it would look something like this:

Wu, a self-professed perfectionist, forgoes an apartment of grandeur and thinks of his home as a calming little universe where he can savor what's happening now and relax with cooking.

Color Inspiration

I'm always in search of sophisticated and non traditional color palettes for both my personal use and for my clients. While some may shy away from using bold color, others use it with reckless abandon. A safe method of making bold color work in any space is to start with a neutral palette and then inject color using accessories, but who wants to play it safe? As shown below, the owner of this room has really made a commitment to color by purchasing furniture pieces in tangerine and a deep eggplant...stunning. The accessories in this room remain neutral...and I love the duotone curtains.

In the above room, the curtains are a lush lavender while the walls remain a deep neutral hue. The color is strong, but remains tranquil for a bedroom that would make any woman feel like a queen. The featured color palette consists of other complimentary colors that provide a foolproof means to blending this scheme and helping you to make it your own. Creating inspiration boards like the one you see here is a great way to gather ideas and is the perfect springboard when starting a design project. What methods do you use to brainstorm when designing for your space?

Boudoir Inspiration

I'm currently in need of inspiration for a luxurious master bedroom suite decided to dedicate this post to just that...I hope you don't mind taking a look with me. Beware, after viewing this photos, you may take a second look at your own bedroom and decide on mini makeover of your own. Let's get started...

I love the sconces in place of the table lamps...makes for a cleaner nightstand or more room for books!

Is this lavender pillow just gorgeous? I love this one even more!

Isn't the daybed simply exquisite? Perfect for a guest room or sitting room...and I can't ignore the cherry blossom wallpaper. It quietly demands attention, at the same time is subtle and relaxing.

Headboard and crystal chandelier inspired floor lamp...need I say more?

And you thought gray was boring?

Just my style...I could be very comfortable in this elegant, traditional boudoir!

The crystal ball chandelier is surely the icing on the cake...I could just lick my screen!!

(images courtesy of Robyn Karp,House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Amanda Nisbet)

Tastemaker Tuesday: Lili Diallo

Lili Diallo

Prop and Set Stylist
Most noted for her work in Domino Magazine

Since the phase-out of Domino Magazine, I've been hard pressed to find the various talented editors and contributors whom provided me with inspiration and pure decorator bliss within every page. Lili Diallo (pictured right) was the set designer of a few of my favorite features. Since Domino I've found some of her work featured in Living, etc.! Below are a few of my favorite rooms styled by Diallo as I wait patiently for the completion of her new website, enjoy!





I love her decorating philosophy of starting with neutrals and then adding color...excellent design tip for both the design professional and do-it-yourselfers!

Design Quote of the Week

"Even in a formal living room you don't want to be ponderous or gloomy. Eating is really one of your indoor sports. You play three times a day, and its well worthwhile to make the game as pleasant as possible" -Dorothy Draper

Image credits: Living Etc., Canadian House and Home, Metropolitan Home (third & fifth image), Home Magazine, Elle Decor

GQ Inspired Dining Room

I've whipped up a little something for the fellas today...please know that I have not forgotten you. So I hear you're looking to trade your old college dorm furniture for something more polished and sophisticated. A room that signifies the smooth, debonair individual you are today? Look no further than today's mood board inspired by menswear, of course. This Bachelor's Dining Room offers clean lines, neutral tones, and lots of texture. Furnishings I've chosen for this room fit your lifestyle, such as the faux croc bar trays and the puzzle bookcase has been repurposed to serve as an informal china cabinet. Display what you like as long as it exudes the same classic qualities as your larger furniture pieces.

You Sir, have officially been upgraded!

Perhaps you do still live in the dorm, that's no excuse for being lackluster in the style department. Check out these images from the New York Magazine which spotlighted 21-year-old Maximilian Sinsteden’s dorm room. It has been dubbed by the NYM as a space fit for Thurston Howell III (the millionaire from Gilligan's Island in case you've forgotten). I concur!

Dorm Room images courtesy of The New York Post