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.

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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.

The beautiful result of a great client relationship

The Designer/Client relationship is, well, a relationship.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  A client enters into a new project with their designer full of hope and possibilities.  It's so exciting!  But,  if a client can not communicate their ideas properly,  relinquish control of the project, or constantly change their minds,  the designer will be unable to produce a cohesive end result.  How can you better guarantee a great design experience and ultimately a fabulous new space?  Know and remember this:  There are elements of design that must be achieved in every project.  There is a design process that must be followed.  A good client is one who allows the designer to follow the process.  

Think about trying the following tips before meeting with your designer for the first time:

 1.  Come in to the project with visuals (photos, magazine clippings, a piece of art that inspires you, a rug etc.)

2.  Have an idea to convey to the designer how you currently live,  and how you want to live in the space, once completed.

3.  Be clear in your communication of what you like and don't like,  and then allow your designer to do their job.

4.  Try not to hover (it's very hard to be creative when there is hovering).    A designer is a designer because they can see the end result before they even begin.  So many clients "get in the way" of a great space because they don't trust the big picture of the designer's vision.  If you have had the confidence to hire them in the first place,  then you have "done your homework" on them and know they are capable.

5.  Allow your designer to see you through the entire project,  don't "stop short" of the end. Every last detail counts in the creating of a fantastic space.

I am just completing a home remodel for a wonderful family who has partnered with me in the design process to produce a beautiful end result.  Everyone is happy and it has been a joy to work with them.   I hope the photos speak for themselves.  Check out the Overton Job!

Here's to a great relationship with your designer and happy decorating!

"The Heart of Life is Good"

Happy Monday!


My  favorite part of the week is Saturday Mornings.  I snuggle up in bed with my daughter,  catch up on all the magazines and info that makes its way into  my life each week,  I sketch ideas for my clients, and generally "regroup".   This morning I shared with my fabulous intern,  Mackenzie,  what grabbed me and inspired me from my Saturday morning ritual.  Michael Boyd summed up in two little sentences what I have been trying to convey to my clients for years with the following quote:


"If you do lots of little short strokes that are humble and correct, the overall impact is enormous. A house doesn't have to be pumped with steroids to impress your friends."
- Michael Boyd
 Architectural Digest
 June 2011


My translation:  Keep the bones of your house timeless and quality and it will be as fresh and relevant in 20 years as it did they day you built it.  Thank you,  Michael!


My BIG inspiration this week is the incredible Iris Apfel.  May I get to be 1/10th as cool as she.  I loved her quote when asked why she thinks she is causing such a stir in fashion and design circles so late in her life:  "I'm giving them permission to be individual again."  (Architectural Digest June 2011)  AMEN!  Mackenzie has put her thoughts down about Ms. Apfel as well as some images that inspire her today.    Thank you,  Ms. Apfel  for inspiring our little design studio!


From Mackenzie:
It is never too late to chase what you love and pursue that love affair with all your heart. Whatever your circumstances, let that passion drive you and motivate you. Along the way, keep your heart humble and grateful. Iris Apfel is an eighty plus year old designer and founder of Old World Weavers. Still at her age, she remains inspired and pursing her passions. She is young at heart, driven, and is welcoming new challenges. She is starting a new jewelry line and  eighty + , she has great taste! I know I have a lot I could learn from her. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/17/fashion/thursdaystyles/17IRIS.html

These design elements are what inspire me and spark the passion I have for great  design:

Photos of Iris Apfel from rathausartprojects.com

All furnishings and photos from Anthropologie.com

The Intertwining Interpretation of an Interior Design Intern

    As luck may have it, I managed to begin my new start, fresh out of university here at J Lawrence design. I am Mackenzie, an adventurous and bold new intern learning the ropes under Jill. She was interested in extra hands around the office as well as a tech savvy assistant.  I'm definitely not anywhere close to Bill Gates or a Microsoft worthy intern but I can facebook and blog like a professional!

     We thought of an idea to get the blog up and going. We wanted to share new projects and showcase what has been going on here at JLD. The blogs to come will be from an interns perspective. The intertwining of a brand new intern to the business of interior design.
It will be day to day inspirations we stumble upon, project challenges, or my personal thoughts throughout my time as an intern. It's definitely no Devil Wears Prada! I happen to enjoy this internship and I am throughly looking forward to growing and learning from my mentor!