Inspiration IS everywhere.....

It's Inspiration Wednesday!  

I take photos of inspiring things often.  They are almost always something that inspires a design idea.  When a client is starting from "scratch" in a room I will tell them that we need an inspiration idea.  It could be their favorite painting, a hobby or interest, favorite color or animal.  When you are trying to find a "jumping off point" for a room,  look around you.  

Inspiration IS everywhere.

This grate in NYC is so beautiful.  I love the pattern it forms and 

I want to design a fabric with this pattern.

This beautiful lunch I had with my husband reminds me that grouping and grids create beautiful organization and impact.

This photograph of a dolly varden that my son caught inspires a warm grey/fleshy pink/ white color scheme for a room.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlawrencedesign

LIKE J. Lawrence Design on Facebook here.

Color Trends: To trend or not to trend?

It's an Emerald Green 2013

Just in case you have been living under a design world rock:  Emerald Green has been named THE color of 2013

 Color trends have become a design timeline, defining style eras of the past. A color trend emerges,  fashion and interior design worlds take notice, fabrics are produced in massive amounts until all you feel like you can find to cover your new sofa is the current color trend. Department and discount stores then carry home goods in the color trend. Everything from bookends to dog bowls are manufactured and sold until 1 in 5 Americans have the same home color scheme, and we are all sick of it and move on to the next color trend.

Some trends have stuck more than others. Some have stuck so much that we may never be able to a certain combination of colors together again. Walk back in fairly recent history with me to the mid 80's and early 90's. Remember Hunter Green/Burgundy/Navy? Or even as recently as the 2000's with the Aqua/Chocolate trend? All of these are beautiful colors, but will we ever be able to pair these combo's again?

Clients frequently say to me: "I want my home to look classic and not dated in 10 years. How do we achieve this?" One of the main things you avoid are color trends in large amounts. Stick to a classic, neutral palette for your big ticket items and accent with color trends. The color trend images below will show you what I mean.

 Ahhhh.... Hunter Green/Burgundy/Navy. 

                                                           I feel like I should be watching 

The Cosby Show and getting a spiral perm.

 Aqua/Chocolate of the 2000's

This is a gorgeous room, but a huge commitment to the emerald trend.

Here's how to "trend" without a huge commitment.  Accent pillows and accessories.

Great way to color trend!

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlawrencedesign

LIKE J. Lawrence Design on Facebook here.

Mudroom Organization

January is THE month for organization.  Even if you are not prone to organizing any other time of the year,  there is something about a new year that gets folks motivated to start fresh and tidy.  

In my business,  the main design tip I can give you is to get organized and STAY organized.  Just like exercising,  organization is a daily habit.  You can throw as much money you want at a new room or home,  but none of it will matter if it's all a mess in a week.  No one will care that you spent $$$$$$ on a gorgeous new living room if it is covered up with stuff and clutter.  

One area to start and keep organized is your everyday entry area.  Whether you have the luxury of a designated mudroom, or you simply have a section of wall right inside your door, you CAN keep organized.  Keys, phones, backpacks, purses, scarves, hats, gloves, shoes, papers, mail, etc.  Think about what absolutely needs to be in your mudroom before you begin organizing.  Look at photos online from Pinterest, Houzz, or simply Google "mudrooms" to get ideas.  Or hire a professional organizer, interior designer, or decorator in your area to help.  

After you are organized, REMEMBER, you MUST KEEP IT THAT WAY.  Train yourself and your family to put papers, keys, mail, etc in their spot EVERYDAY.  This is a habit that will pay off when you are trying to get out the door in the morning.  

COMMIT TO ORGANIZATION THIS YEAR.  

Your life and your family will thank you for it.

Simple "mud wall".

Lovely closed mudroom storage.

A J. Lawrence Design mudroom.  Luxurious and ORGANIZED.  

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlawrencedesign
LIKE J. Lawrence Design on Facebook here.

Design Tip Thursday

J. Lawrence Design will be blogging info every day of the work week, starting NOW! 

Each day will have it's own theme. 

• Color Me Monday
• Inspiration Tuesday
• Organized Wednesday
• Design Tip Thursday
• Cool Find Friday

Today is Design Tip Thursday! 

  

Our very first design tip is fun with trims. A little trim goes a long way in making a design impact for your room. And THEN, when you pair fabulous trim with a creative application (such as on this pillow),  you achieve MAXIMUM design impact. Be creative with trims on pillows, coverlets, upholstery, drapes, lamp shades, etc. It will design-reward you tenfold.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlawrencedesign

LIKE J. Lawrence Design on Facebook here.

The Perfect Saturday Morning

It's Saturday morning!  Isn't it your favorite day?!  Some people like to sleep, some exercise (ugh!), some like to cook, etc.  Me,  I wake up early and make a big pot of Earl Grey and some breakfast on a silver tray and crawl back into bed and read.  If it's raining,  bonus.  If my kiddos are sleeping late, even better.  This is my rare moment of stopping the everyday madness and finding inspiration in a beautiful breakfast, solitude, and a great book.  


This perfect morning has just occurred:  rain, sleeping children, a great breakfast (on a silver tray of course), and a book about Mr. Albert Hadley.  If you are not familiar with Mr. Hadley,  he was one of the great designers of the 20th century and passed away recently.  The quote that I think best describes his design mantra is, "While he fully understands luxury, the rooms he creates are not about money and expense, they are the essence of understated style and simplicity." (Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer. Adam Lewis)   The other thing that Mr. Hadley talks about in this book is his need for solitude.  His need for a quiet evening with his books or a sketch pad.  Solitude recharges your batteries.  In running, reading, prayer, gardening, etc.  Make time for solitude.  Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.  Inspiration is a result of inspired activity.

Saturday Morning

It's time to get up and deal with kiddos, work, and finding a Mother's Day present for my sweet mom.  But maybe just a little prayer first and one more bite of that yummy breakfast...........


Happy Saturday to all!

Family Dinners

Life is hectic.

I don't know about you, but family dinner time is a monumental feat.  Providing a meal that everyone enjoys and getting it on the table around everyone's schedule is somewhat grueling.  However overwhelming it may seem,  dinner time together is important.  Even if it's sandwiches or takeout,  we need to all sit down and connect.

The New Formal:  Casual and Elegant

Because life is becoming evermore hectic and casual,  the formal dining room is becoming extinct in homes today.  The bare feet casual part of me says, "Yea!"  The traditional part of me cries a little and says "bring back Sunday suppers on Wedgewood plates and Waterford crystal!".  The happy medium is having a place where family and guests can gather for a meal and feel comfortable.  This dining room speaks volumes on casual elegance.  So,  if you are still holding on to only using your dining room for special occasions,  tone down the formality and give it a casual vibe so that you can enjoy it for more than twice a year.  Families:  Come together and eat!!

"Front Door Proud" contest!

If you never thought much about your front door, maybe now is the time.  It is the first impression guests have to your home life.  This NYC front door does its owners proud!  This single door is the reason I say:  "Detail is everything."  If you are "front door proud",  post a pic on the J. Lawrence Design facebook page.  We will vote on the best front door and the winner will receive (1) hour of design consultation FREE!  Contest ends May 15th, 2012.