MARIANNE SIMON DESIGN

I had the nicest email in my inbox yesterday from Seattle based designer Marianne Simon. Because she and I share the same name and spelling she sent me a little note saying "hi" and introducing herself. And guess what? Her work is amazing! She is super talented and I'm so happy to have "met" her (isn't it funny how we "meet" people online?)

I wanted to share her great work. It's classic, classy, simple, and sophisticated. Her style reminds me of my bff Darryl Carter.

Enjoy these beautiful images and check out her website and blog!
*all images from Marianne Simon Design

Have a great weekend!

A VINTAGE FLUSHMOUNT + NEW FAV PAINT

I was at my favorite antique store in SLC (Thomson & Burrows for you locals) and saw this beautiful art-decoish flush mount made of wood and painted a beautiful gold color. I had to have it and whomever buys the N Street home is one lucky winner of this light because Jamie and I really want it for ourselves.

This light will be in the dining room of N Street in the coffered ceiling, somewhat like this photo from the House Beautiful kitchen of the year. (the blue color on this ceiling is a little too Las Vegas for me)

You get the idea. It's going to look really nice.

And we just finished painting N Street. I chose Benjamin Moore's Halo (one of the OC colors) and everyone loves it. It's a little green, and a little tan. It's a soothing color that is great for homes looking for a nice warm neutral. I'm going to add this to my list of favorites (with Revere Pewter, Intense White, Gray Owl, and 50 shades of white, of course).

And while we are talking paint colors. Have you checked out my BFF Darryl Carter's paint line with Benjamin Moore? It's AMAZING! I can't wait to use one of his colors on my next project.

I'm loving his Sheridan Gray.

And Grantham Blue

If you have a question about paint color and what to paint your room, don't hesitate to contact us! We love paint consultations!

MY DESIGN BFF - DARRYL CARTER

This is a picture of my best-friend, Darryl Carter. OKAY, he doesn't know he's my best-friend, but I'm pretty sure we would be if we ever met! Or maybe not, but I do LOVE his style. Oh, do I love his style, and let me count the ways...

1) He loves white as much as I do. (take a look at all off his interiors - all white walls!)

2) He has a minimalist approach to design. (I too think less is more)

3) He has a definite American vibe. (I lean more American than anything else)

4) His designs are so classic, meaningful and unique! (you all know how much I believe in meaningful design)

5) He uses a lot of American antiques. (I LOVE a great American antique, but antiques need to be balanced with modern, or the less-is-more approach)

6) He is based out of Washington D.C. and has a very "D.C. style" (My design aesthetic came from loving my grandparents style, which is very D.C., because they lived in Washington D.C.. It's where my Mom was born and raised and where half of my family was born)

Mr. Carter is a self-taught designer who happened to be an attorney before he became one of the great American designers. Because I too am a "self-taught" designer I always love to hear the success stories of other people who did not go to school. 

And now for Darryl Carter's greatest-hits. And Darryl, if you happen by this post, call me! 

all images via pinterest

 Let's start with my long-time favorite...

A lamp on the floor?! Kind of like it in this space.

Love all the white w the black accents.

A very unconventional dining area - so cool.

That zebra chaise is ah-mazing!

Loving all the white + the glass shelves that see through to the kitchen.

Warm whites.

Super cool kitchen - look at that antique table turned into an island!

Beautiful bedroom with more white + black + zebra

Shelving genius + I love the white painted floor.

Antiques in the bathroom + the chevron floor.

Love this classic bathroom

Antiques but in a modern, eclectic set-up.

I'm a sucker for a kilim/antique rug in a kitchen

Wainscot + white + wood

Beautiful designed round table setting

More zebra! And I'm loving the piano decor.

He used the trendy chalk-board idea in a more modern + classy way

Maybe the only thing by BFF is missing is some gold in his designs. Or he could start a new design firm called White + Black next to my design firm White + Gold! What do you think?

Also, as you look at his work you definitely see a lot of repeats (zebra rugs, black accents, traditional sconces, white sofas). As a designer I have this fear of people thinking I'm a one-note designer, but in a way my friend Darryl has a little of that going on and I don't mind it one bit. What do you think? Is it good to have such a definite style that defines you, or is a more creative approach better?