Happy 50th Barbie

Jonathan Adler Decorates Barbie's Malibu Dream House

Barbie debuted on March 9, 1959 and I can still remember buying my very first 'Barbie'.  I was 10 years old and I saved my quarter weekly allowance until I had enough to buy her.  I remember looking at the rows of available 'models' until I finally chose one, that I think was to resemble Diana Ross of the Supremes.  She had a black Afro haircut and was wearing a long strapless black sequin gown with a fringe of black tulle on the bottom.  I still have her packed away somewhere.  I spent hours making houses for her from the sleeves of my paper cut-out dolls.  That is probably where my passion for Interior Design started.

     
Barbie's living room

Interior Designer, Jonathan Adler has decked out a real-life 3,500-square-foot pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean to look like the blond doll's outrageous home to celebrate her 50th birthday. He was commissioned by Mattel Inc. to decorate the house for today's party.  The installation took six months of planning and a few weeks to install.

I love what Adler said about having Barbie as a client:
"Barbie was a dream client because she doesn't exist as a person, she exists as fantasy and
is the perfect client because she's always happy and fun and loves everything."

He lined Barbie's bedroom with wall-to-wall pink carpeting emblazoned with her initial. Her closet is filled with 50 pairs of pink peep-toe heels while her kitchen is stocked with cupcake-making ingredients. An in-house museum features 25 vintage Barbie dolls on display. In the garage? A pink Volkswagen New Beetle with a motorized pop-up vanity in the trunk. 

So where's Ken?  "Ken's around, but does she need Ken?" said Adler. "No." 

  
                                                                                                                          The Jonathan Adler edition Barbie

 

 
Images from Barbie Collector

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PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

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My Visit to Palm Springs

I have just returned from a much needed vacation in Palm Springs. The dry, sunny desert climate was a welcome and refreshing relief from the damp and cold winter we have had in Vancouver. I swam every morning in 94 degree mineral spring pools (plural). Where I was staying had 9 pools in total. The benefits of these naturally occurring mineral pools are many and I felt the stress I had accumulated in my body melting away.

This was a view of the palm trees surrounding the pool. I took this picture while I was floating in the pool.

The mountains in the desert have a beauty all their own. Next time I go, I am inspired to paint them. They are the most beautiful in the early morning and just before sunset when the shadows are the strongest and highlight all the contours.

I picked oranges right off the tree. The taste and smell was the best.

The desert flowers were in full bloom.

I will post more this week on some of the highlights of my trip:

• The BEST shopping in Palm Springs
• Drinks at the Viceroy Hotel
• Mid-Century Modern Architecture and the use of Screen Block
• Palm Springs Images and the Colony Palms Hotel
• Visiting the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Badlands
   
  
  

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.
© Patricia Gray Interior Design Blog, 2009

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Fabric Frenzy

A few days ago I received 4 boxes of Wesco Fabrics filled with 58 fabric books. Opening each one and removing the collections books reminded me of my own childhood of opening presents at Christmas time, but much better. The thought of endless fabric combinations for my clients is thrilling. I love the range of textures, weaves, color variations, and patterns. All of this can be confusing and overwhelming, let me help.

While working on a design concept for a specific room, it is important to pick fabrics that match the room. Begin with the style of the room?

Traditional - Eclectic European taste of damask, tapestries, silk, brocades and linen.
Country - French flair of pictorial toile, gingham's, small prints and twill or the English charm of chintz, plaid, tweeds and large floral.
Contemporary - Modern sophistication of bold colors with high contrast, abstract floral and geometric prints.
Coastal - Tropical paradise of raw linen, subtle cotton prints and simple stripes.

Fabric textures and patterns represent different styles, many are the same or “transitional”. Itʼs been said, that we never order banana splits with just one topping, nor would we throw a dinner party only to invite one guest. When working on designs, just one fabric wont do, we have to mix it up. Last time we talked about how color can add energy to any room, fabrics accomplish the same thing. Mixing textures gives more dimension to your design concept. The more textures, patterns and colors mixed together, more fabrics can be incorporated.

When I am choosing fabrics for a client I always look for at least a minimum of three patterns and two solid fabrics. I consider a textured weave with multiple colors a solid, this gives additional depth to the combination. Many textures and patterns can present a casual look to a space. In this case it is easy to blend lustrous silks with cotton/linen blends. I enjoy mixing floral or paisleys with stripes or plaids. Then mixing in solids and small prints to pull the fabric combination together.

Combining the same pattern in different fabrics and colors can be out of the ordinary. For example: the print on the throw pillows is a repeat of the same print on the love seat. A damask fabric covers the love seat and the pillows repeat that pattern in a linen cotton blend with
coordinating tones and a pop of color too.

While contemplating what fabrics to choose for your room, think about it as decorating a Christmas tree. You never want to put one style of bulb in the same color on the tree, you want to provide texture with garland, unique ornaments and a tree topper. This fabric frenzy can be fun while creating a custom designer look of your own.

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My Top 10 New Interior Design Blogs

 

Interior Design Blogs

I am continually amazed at the time spent by talented people sharing their passions with the world around them. It reminds me of a quote by Joseph Campbell that I try to live my life by: "Follow your Bliss." Thank-you all for taking time out of your busy lives and careers to share your Bliss with us in the 'Blogosphere'!

A Schematic Life An Interior Designer from Vancouver 'satisfying her need to make everything about design'.
Brillante Home Decor Discovering trends of Italian Design and writing about Milan.
Design Ties Share their love of all things related to home decor and remodeling.
HD Inspirations Dale is an Interior Designer in Vancouver who explores interesting and new hotel projects and related products.
Meade Design A multidisciplinary design studio in Victoria, BC, Canada that creates interiors and graphics.
Pure Style Home Her design philosophy, "pure style," is based on keeping things simple, beautiful & fun.
Qerat Furniture Designed & Made With Passion in Amman, Jordan.
Renee Finberg Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her BLOG of her Adventures in Design.
Tartanscot The musings of an interior designer/stylist living in San Francisco.
Velvet & Linen English fabrics, French and Swedish antiques inspire her.

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

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Color Your World

As I begin a new decade in my life (turning 40) and embrace my best years yet, I think about living my life to the fullest and to truly enjoy my surroundings. I have always had a passion for color and continually search for new and creative ways to incorporate color into my life and my job.

Color adds energy to any room and can be achieved in a number of ways. Through a splash of paint on a wall, vibrant accessories strategically placed in a room or fabric combinations which create the color story.

Deep, rich colors are luxurious when mixed with brilliant colors of the color wheel. For example, espresso browns paired with pale blues lighten up the spirit or mix it with bold teals to electrify the space. Crisp whites always add contrast and colors pop.

While turning the pages of your favorite magazines, always save the side with color combinations you enjoy. When my clients are embarking on a design concept for their own home, I always assign homework of collecting photos to reinforce their style. The same goes for color. Do you prefer a luxurious lavish look, a calm and tranquil feeling or perhaps purely organic to bring the outdoors in?

Many hours of the week are spent in your own home. Why not fill your rooms with an expression of yourself. Be inspired to live your life to the fullest.

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15 Top Contemporary Staircase Designs

Contemporary or modern stair design can be gloriously simple using clean lines or gracefully curved. Staircases are such an important element in a home as they are usually the first thing that you see when you enter a home and are so frequently used.

Most modern staircase design is meticulously detailed, exposing all the working elements and eschewing trim, moldings, and other decoration. Because this type of stair is meant to be viewed as if it were a piece of sculpture, it looks best in an open space where the entire structure is visible.

I have long had a fascination for staircases. They are one of the most challenging elements I have to deal with in my practice and one of the most expensive to detail correctly. One of my pet peeves is wall to wall carpet on stairs. I prefer to use runners or leave the stairs bare if at all possible. In my last renovation for a client, I removed the carpet on their open staircase and replaced it with 2 inch thick slabs of 100 year old reclaimed Asian teak. The reclaimed teak has a beautiful patina and you see it's solid thickness as you traverse up and down the staircase.

The best reference book I have in my library is Staircase Design. Although it is out of print, there are a few used books available on Amazon. Staircases: Design & Construction and Stairscaping are also noteworthy.

 
This graceful staircase by Armenio Losa (above & below) makes me want to run my hand along the curved hand rail, or slide down it. 

Bo Bedre

 

                                                                                                                 Caldwell Beebe Interiors

The side detailing of this staircase shows off the solid thickness of the treads and risers. David Schefer

 

                                                                                                                 Architectural Stairs Company

David Pontingar Architecture

  

Jennifer Post
 
 

                                                                                                                              Leonie Brown

Living Etc

Living Etc

Magni Design 
 

Renwick above and below

  
  

This is one of my favourite staircases. I love the cantilevered slabs projecting from the rough concrete wall.
Steven Ehrlich


The Blue Fin Restaurant W Times Square Wall Surface Interiors
Interior design Yabu Pushellberg 

PATRICIA GRAY INC is an award winning interior design firm writing about lifestyle and
WHAT'S HOT in the world of interior design, architecture, art and travel.
2011 © Patricia Gray | Interior Design Blog™

Reade more >>