April Food Day

As many of you are probably aware, there is a drive underway this April 1st, for bloggers to unite and donate to the organization Feeding America and Food Banks Canada. April Food Day is asking all those who write blogs and those who read them to donate $1.00 in April. One dollar is such a small amount, yet it equates to ten pounds of food, or seven full meals! If you wish, and are able, you may donate any amount. Please help us fight hunger.

Click to Donate to Feeding America / Click to Donate to Food Banks Canada

Visit April Food Day for more details.
Thanks for being a part of April Food Day! Together, all of us can make a difference.

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

DIY Canopy Beds

DIY Canopy Beds

Blakes Hotel London Canopy Bed

Left: Dominio Canopy Bed Right: Anthony Todd Canopy Bed

To achieve the above DIY Canopy Bed treatment - mount curtain rods on the ceiling and hang your choice of draperies

The above drawing is from Blogger Erin at Elements of Style and this is her directions for creating your own Canopy Bed..... "You'll need two drapery rods and a very long length of fabric. If you feel up to it, I like the idea of sewing together a solid on one side and a pattern on the other (for the under side). install one bar right above the head of the bed and one at the foot and run the fabric behind the bed (you can tack it to the wall near the floor so it doesn't move). I think it's a beautiful and cheap way to create a very romantic and dramatic look for your canopy bed." Thanks Erin.

Dominio Canopy Bed Photo by Simon Upton Dominio Canopy Bed Photo by Paul Costello
To achieve this DIY Canopy Bed: Screw 4 small hooks in the four corners of the ceiling above the bed and hang a length fabric.

Fancy up plain mosquito netting for a fun & whimsical canopy bed.
India Hicks photo by Arthur Elgort as seen in Vogue, 1998 via Style Court

Anouska Hempel Design Canopy Bed

 

Anouska Hempel Design Canopy Bed

 

 

Other posts you might be interested in:
White Bedrooms
Chic White Bedrooms
Another White Bedroom

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

Inspiration can be Stranger Than Fiction...

In a recent blog, I talked about how inspiration can be found anywhere. One of my all time favorite movies is Stranger Than Fiction. I love everything about this movie, I could go on and on, but I wont. I will mention, though, my Design Inspiration from this brilliant film.
Dustin Hoffman played the character, Professor Jules Hilbert, trying to help Harold Crick solve the voice in his head and avoid his eminent death. My inspiration from this movie comes from Professor Hilbert's office and his suits. His toned down, tailored suits of robins egg blue mixed with subtle and neutral tones of tans, oatmeal and beige are consistent throughout the movie. Within the four walls of the professor's office contains beautiful gold windows, books to the ceiling and clean lined contemporary furniture in shades of grays that set the stage for each scene. Not to mention his coveted coffee maker that is a for sure accessory in my own office as well.
This is the inspiration for the master bedroom in my own home. If you have not had the opportunity to see this great production, I encourage you to rent it! I will be sure to show you the final product of my inspiration.

Reade more >>

What are you going to do with your week?

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

Earth Hour 2009

This year, Earth Hour 2009 has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth Hour 2009 or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH HOUR 2009 and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour 2009 is aiming to reach more than one billion people in 1000 cities around the world

VOTE EARTH Hour 2009 by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour 2009
8:30PM local time, wherever you live on planet earth. Saturday 28 March 2009
Sign-up to for Earth Hour 2009!!!
Earth Hour 2009 in Canada
Earth Hour 2009 YouTube
Earth Hour 2009 USA
Earth Hour 2009 India





All Art by Belgium Artist Patrick Desmet used with Artist's permission
Bottom Photo Titled: THE LAST FOREST

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

Designer Profile: Tobi Fairley

Since my recent addiction of Blogging, I have found many first class blogs as well as numerous web sites I visit on a regular basis. In my fantastic finds, I introduce my new favorite Interior Designer, Tobi Fairley. This up and coming Designer was just recognized by Traditional Home Magazine as one of the Top 20 Young Designers In America. This great honor is easy to understand once you have the opportunity to peruse her portfolio.

Tobi's use of Bold patterns and colors is marvelous.

Large-scale geometric prints combined with traditional and functional furniture, describes Tobi's luxury residential signature look.

In the past decade, Tobi's high profile and celebrity client projects across the nation have earned her award winning status. Her designs have been published in Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens special publications, and the cover of At Home in Arkansas Magazine.


Since Tobi's gained popularity in the past seven months, she is currently working on product lines for several companies to be introduced in 2010.

Tobi's blog has a great list of her own Daily Reads and Tobi's Blogroll. I encourage you to visit Tobi's website and read her blog weekly. As a new designer, she is inspiring and the opportunity to watch a talented designer blossom before my eyes is exhilarating!

Reade more >>

Ice-Bag Wine Chiller

The Ice-Bag Wine Chiller is a new product that has just hit the North American Market. It is a clear plastic wine tote and chiller that is reusable. It is completely water tight and portable. With it's sleek design and trend-setting appeal the Ice Bag Wine Chiller is an alternative to the ice bucket. And talking about trend setting, this Ice-Bag Wine Cooler has been used at venues such as the Ascot Racetrack, to high profile concerts (Madonna, Elton John, George Michael). How fun to display your wine or champagne in this Ice Bag Wine Chiller. I think that it would be great to use for weddings, special events, or your next party. It is even customizable with your own logo.

For the coolest drinks in town, re-usable Ice-Bag Wine Chiller. My friend Joyce is distributing these. Please contact Joyce for ordering information for Canada, South America, and the Americas here. 

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

Ibiza Interior Design and Architecture

Ibiza. Even the word has magic. One thinks of beautiful Interior Design and Architecture; of nightclubs that open at dawn; of a night life and a daytime so tightly integrated, one can’t see where the one ends and the other begins. One thinks of royal high-jinks and celebrities avoiding the pesky paparazzi and people so beautiful, when the rest of us look at them, it hurts the eyes. Ibiza is an island and town located in the Mediterranean Sea about 80 km off the coast of Spain. A reader of my blog, recently sent me photos of a house in Ibiza that I fell in love with as soon as I set my eyes on it. I posted the picture of the living room painted a beautiful pink in my post: Benjamin Moore Virtual Fan Deck. This house is designed by the German architect ERWIEN WACHTER in the architectural style of Mies van der Rohe. It is a 'secret place' not on the public market and is available for rental for 'friends and friends from friends'. If you are interested Contact MONIKA BORCHERT. Enjoy the pictures.

Ibiza Interior Design and Architecture
I think that this is an amazing design for a front door...and look at the view you have when you enter this home.

Ibiza Interior Design and Architecture
The picture on the right is looking towards the staircase with the front door to the left.

Ibiza Interior Design and Architecture

Ibiza Interior Design and Architecture

Ibiza Interior Design and Architecture

You might be interested in these books on Ibiza Interior Design and Architecture

Related Post: Benjamin Moore Virtual Fan Deck

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design,
architecture, and travel, as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
© 2007-2009 Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

Benjamin Moore Virtual Fan Deck

As this week marks the beginning of Spring and pink is a color I associate with spring as the cherry trees are starting to blossom, I have two favourite Benjamin Moore Paint colors to share with you that are season appropriate: 1. Benjamin Moore Spring Azalea & 2. Benjamin Moore Springtime Bloom. The color Spring Azalea has a little more of a purple cast to it than the Springtime Bloom and is a closer match to the color on the wall of this beautiful room. Benjamin Moore has a neat product on their web-site that you can see color samples on line. This living room is in a house is located on the island of IBIZA and has been designed by the German architect ERWIEN WACHTER in the style of Mies van der Rohe. It is available for rental. If you are interested Contact MONIKA BORCHERT for information. I will be posting more photos of this house, but for now this is just a little teaser. Be sure to check out Benjamin Moore Virtual Fan Deck

Happy Happy Spring


Here is another post on Pink you might be interested in:
Think Pink

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design and travel,
as well as how your surroundings can influence the world around you.
©Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

Stranger Than Fiction

Yesterday I talked about finding inspiration from anywhere. Stranger Than Fiction is my absolute favorite movie. Inspiration for my own bedroom comes from this wonderful movie.

Reade more >>

Miele Limited Edition Chocolate Laundry

A few weeks ago a package arrived in the mail, and to my surprise when I opened it, there was a box of chocolates in shiny brown wrapping tied with a red satin ribbon accompanied by this photo of the new Miele Limited Edition Chocolate Laundry.


This new "Limited Edition" Chocolate Laundry claims a patented honeycomb drum, which is engineered not only to clean clothes better, but also to make clothes last longer by reducing fabric strain and wear. The dryer uses moisture sensors rather than timers.

What a nice way to make a statement. Thank-you Miele for the chocolates and for the Chocolate Laundry.

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT 'in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, modern design and travel,
as well as how our surroundings can influence the world around us.
© Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>

How to CLEAN and CARE for LUCITE

Lucite and acrylic (which is the generic name for this plastic), have become popular materials for
furniture,tables, lamps, hardware, trays etc. It is important to clean and care for lucite properly from
the start as it is a somewhat delicate material. Proper steps should be exercised in cleaning lucite.

Lucite Lamp - My Kitchen

Lucite Phillip Starck Ghost Chairs - Photo Patricia Gray Inc

Lucite Vanity Legs Elle Decor

Lucite cabinet handles / Lucite Tray

Clean lucite with hot soapy water using a soft cloth. The type of polishing cloth you use will make a difference. The ideal cloth is nonabrasive, absorbent, and lint free.
To eliminate any chance of scratching lucite , use only disposable cloths. Reusable cloths can retain abrasive particles, but you won't know for sure until the damage is done.

Do not use sprays such as Windex or Fantastic on lucite.

This kit from from Novus Polish is great to have on hand.

1. Cleans all plastics(lucite) without scratching. Leaves a lustrous shine that resists fogging, repels dust, and eliminates static.
2. Removes fine scratches, haziness and abrasions from most plastics(lucite). Repeated use restores faded and discolored plastics.
3. Removes heavy scratches and abrasions from most acrylic(lucite) surfaces.

The talented Aaron R Thomas designs custom Lucite furniture in Orange County CA, and recommends this Acrylic Furniture Lucite Cleaning and Polishing Kit.
Also check out Maison 21 for other tips. i ♥ lucite- maison21 explains the care and feeding of one of his favorite materials

Patricia Gray writes about 'WHAT'S HOT' in the world of Interior Design, new and emerging trends, the ins' and outs' of Interior Design,
as well as how our surroundings can shape the world around us.
© Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog

Reade more >>