A Touch of Heat: PINK, not Red

As promised, this week we are looking at how to add a touch of heat to a black and white palette. I’m suggesting to think pink!

 

 Hot pink is making inroads, again, into home decor.  Shocking to the eye at first, it soon asserts itself much like the flavor of the pink pepper – when used sparingly – it is warm with a lingering romantic after taste!

The hue is delicious.

                                              Room setting at Phelan’s

 

So, here is a strategy to fire up a  palette without totally burning it up. Here are two more groups of accessories available on our floor.

Think pink.

 

 Add a magenta pillow to your sofa.  Add a fuchsia orchid anywhere.  Add electric-pink stemware to the formal dining table.  Add a handful of pink peppercorns to your Lucite pepper grinder.  Add a touch of heat. 

Show off!

 

 

Be warned: Hot pink is dramatic. It is confidence.  It is ego. It must be controlled. In the era of Hollywood Regency design, this one color demanded a presence of front and center on the set, and yet when used with restraint, never stole the show. It simply added a touch of heat!

NEXT WEEK

If the hue of  hot pink doesn’t add enough heat for your decorating style, stay with me because we will burn it up with lipstick red . . . caliente! 

If you have photos you’d like to share of your successful hot ( pink or red) decorating ideas please send them to me. I’d be pleased to post them.

If you are in a dilema, let me help.

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer / Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

Hollywood Glam – Sparkle and Mirrors

Add some drama:  Today,  three photos – one chest!

Here I am at work shooting a mirrored chest . . .

To continue the exploration of, and the implementation of the popular Hollywood Regency Revival style, this week I roamed through the store with my camera.

 Over the next few weeks I will show effective ways to add drama with a few simple, but utterly beautiful, accessories we have on our floor.

 

 The reflective panache of this  chest screams Hollywood!

Use it in a foyer, in a dining room or a bedroom. 

This is the one.

Place this piece wherever you want a flash of serendipity.

 

 Even though it looks rather plain-Jane, I wanted to include the manufacturer’s photo below.  The entire piece can be seen without our added Hollywood embellishments.

 

Next week I’ll reveal some design secrets concerning what can be done without color – i.e. black and white art. This is at the very heart of glamorous interiors.

If you have been struggling with how to accessorize, especially using a “no color palette”  please drop me a note with your dilemma.  

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

 

 

 

glammmmma – Hollywood Decor 2009

 

Here is the look of a sophisticated bedroom with the flair of

Hollywood Regency. . . Glammmma!

Note the detail of black silk cording which highlights the curvy shape of  the upholstered head board. Smooth. The pillow fabrics have a metallic lustre – not a shine.

 

 

It just looks like shadows in a rococo moonlight!

 The shimmering paisley print, as well as the geometric diamond pattern (in the color of gun metal!) give the room a decidely masculine edge. Most people think the Glam look is exclusively feminine. Not so. Not even close.

Now the bedding reveals itself dressed up in a tidy black and seapearl pin stripe. Nice.

 Even though the setting is elegant, with the look of old Hollywood extravagance, it retains a superb relaxed and snob-free attitude. Achieving this technique is often difficult in interior design. Everything about this bedroom says

 ”Touch me”, rather than saying ”hands off.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollywood Revival look.

The romantic flavor spills into the sitting area. The space was well planned by choosing the sparkling bling of glass, lustred accent pieces, plush fabrics on the sofa, and repetition of monochromatic colors.

 

 The whole idea of injecting Hollywood Glam into our homes is to have fun and to acknowledge the romantic in each of us.  Even so, keep in mind that neither function nor creature comforts, can ever be thrown to the wind. Planning is key.

 Nilly Willy doesn’t live here.

This is the look of handsome leading men

and confident leading ladies.

 An artistic balance of ideas and precise implementation is always the sign of smart interior design.    

These two rooms are on our show room floor.

glammmmma!

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

 

Glamorous Hollywood furniture meets Cedar Rapids

Hollywood Regency Design 

 

 

 

We have listened. We have responded.

 Hollywood meets Cedar Rapids!

 

HOLLYWOOD REGENCY DESIGN

Why have I taken the liberty to run the post below again?

 For one simple reason – it has received the most hits of any of my posts! Actually, TWICE the number to the second runner-up! Interestingly, the second place article is  also of  the  Hollywood genre!

The above photos feature the newest look on Phelan’s showroom floor. Come by and tell us what you think. This look is bold, but more to the point, it is functional, sophisticated in a playful way, and, well - just romantic!

 

Told you so.

This is it  – 100 percent over the top – Hollywood Regency design revival in full bloom. Always opulent and ever eclectic, always theatrical and expectedly daring, this style is not for the faint of heart. Captain Milquetoast does not get a ticket to this show. Sometimes this style is brushed with whimsy and fantasy , like in the abundant use of light fixtures as seen in the photo. But you have to admit, it is dazzling.

From the 1930’s and continuing through the 50’s (now referred to as Mid-century) Regency styling epitomized glamor, wealth, and lavish collections that identified the early Hollywood era. Elements of Lucite, lacquer, chinoiserie, bamboo – painted or natural, mercury glass, wild color schemes, flamboyant feathers, and …

Well, name something glamorous and it was in!

Clean architectural lines were paired with the frill of rococo. And, of course MIRRORS MIRRORS everywhere. Global Views is a company favored by Phelan’s for their wonderful selection of mirrors. At High Point market they introduced an elegant montage of 7 octagonal mirrors, finished in black lacquer and edged in silver, AKA: Regency revival. 

Today the revival is just as bold and as fresh as ever, not to mention terribly interesting! Scroll down to the previous post and you’ll see another interpretation from the swank unrestrained era called Hollywood Regency. 

 

There will be more next week – THE GLAM BEDROOM!

 

Dianne Ross

Inrerior Designer / Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

BLING it on HOME with glass tile!

 

 

 Look at these cabinets with the back-splash done in glass tiles from Daltile. Bling as elegant as a flawless diamond. It begs a second look. These are white iridescent tiles. See the mercury glass pieces on the counter top? Notice the icy crystals on the chandelier?    Bling it on home!

KraftMaid Stock photo

Actually this kitchen does look somewhat like a wedding cake! Not prissy. Not fussy. Not trashy. But rather, it is well thought out, perfectly executed, shimmering BLING.

Tiles have come a long way in the past 5 years, just as the word bling (or phrase Bling Bling) is now formally recognized in the dictionary! It wasn’t there 10 years ago. Originally referring to jewelry only, the word has morphed in definition and direction,  which now includes home accessories.

 ”Hollywood Glam” is part of our everyday vocabulary and everybody wants a little piece of it! Glimmer and shimmer are living among us and they are not going away. They are getting bolder as they mainstream into our decorating schemes. Surprisingly affordable, glass tile and metallic colored ceramics have joined glass block to shimmer in bathrooms and kitchens.

People are drawn to things that sparkle. It’s a part of our nature. It’s pleasing and energizing. Take a trip to Daltile.com and look at the the glorious glass and metallic colors available in ceramic tile.

When it stops snowing – or BECAUSE it is still snowing – stop into our showroom to see  and touch these sparklies for yourself! Then BLING it on home! No one really NEEDS a fabulous diamond, but kitchens and bathrooms are pretty much a part of our daily lives. Why not make them as glamorous as possible?!

More next week on natural stone tile. . . .or would you rather see more about home accessories in the category of BLING? 

Drop me a Blog to make your wishes known.

 

Okay,  I just couldn’t stop myself with this tile! Here is yet another photo of drop-dead-gorgeous iridescent tile. ENJOY!

 

 

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

The Glitzy-Glam Tannenbaum (i.e. Christmas tree)

                               O Tannenbaum O Tannenbaum

The history of our Christmas tree is long and murky. The first worshipped trees were of pagan origins and celebrations. But then, somewhere around the 1600′s came the tannenbaum. Germany gave us the lovely, candle-illuminated, first  Christmas tree.

O Tannenbaum!

Today in most schools the words have been changed again – going back to a more pagan nomenclature – they are now referred to as holiday trees. Seriously?

 Throughout wars and times of peace the holiday (i.e. Christmas) tree has transformed, morphed, progressed, and regressed.

In the 1930′s trees became large and real again. Balls, bells, tinsel, mercury glass, crystal – anything that glistened  – was done en masse. Over the top didn’t exist.

When the 50′s and 60′s introduced us to “less is more”, decorators could not, would not give up the glitz and the bling, no matter how sophisticated and modern they attempted to be. Solution? Make the whole tree out of blinding bright, silver color, aluminum! Now, that had some razz-ma-tazz! And everybody could save face by labeling it as minimalistic.

Today holiday (i.e. Christmas) trees of every creative style abound. Last week I saw Hollywood-Glam trees advertised and they are PINK!  Trees with a theme are apparently going to be with us for a while: Snow Queen trees, Mickey Mouse trees, Victorian trees, Fishing Lure trees, Pokemon trees, Feather trees, etc.

Well, whatever they are called, whatever they are made from, whatever hangs on their boughs, they are one of the best ornaments ever invented! Aromatic fresh or long term fake makes no difference to me. . . You might remember I am the one who loves everything about Christmas? ESPECIALLY if it’s shiny?!

If you scroll to the end there is another photo of a grandchild under an enormous  holiday (i.e. Christmas) tree with me . . . it was taken last year in the lobby of a Texas hotel, as we celebrated my birthday.  

O tannenbaum!

 

 

Merry Christmas Everyone

Dianne Ross

Interior Designer/Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

GLAM IT UP WITH LIGHTING

mmmmm – yummy!

Doesn’t it look like somebody ran a muck with the Ghiradelli hot fudge?!

Here sits a work of art that looks good enough to eat. A smarter move, of course,  would be to plug it in. Turn it on,  then stand back. Gently fold your arms, tilt your head to one side, and just admire it.

Maybe it should be called a GLAM(P)!

(G)LAMP?

Did I just make up a new word?

 Without a doubt this lamp belongs in the Glam category.

      A little naughty. A little nice. Definitively premium.            

 

 Even lamp shades have taken the next step to “up grade” their jewelry! It’s not just fringe anymore – Recently, lighting companies have introduced lamp shades studded with crystals or the shade itself is curvaceous –  mimicking “the little black dress”. Any way you look at it, the unmistakable beauty and the sparkle of GLAMPS is not to be denied.

 

Dianne Ross / Interior Designer

Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

HOLLYWOOD REGENCY DESIGN

 

Told you so.

This is it  – 100 percent over the top – Hollywood Regency design revival in full bloom. Always opulent and ever eclectic, always theatrical and expectedly daring, this style is not for the faint of heart. Captain Milktoast does not get a ticket to this show. Sometimes this style is brushed with whimsy and fantasy , like in the abundant use of light fixtures as seen in the photo. But you have to admit, it is dazzling.

From the 1930′s and continuing through the 50′s (now referred to as Mid-century) Regency styling epitomized glamor, wealth, and lavish collections that identified the early Hollywood era. Elements of Lucite, lacquer, chinoiserie, bamboo – painted or natural, mercury glass, wild color schemes, flamboyant feathers, and …

Well, name something glamorous and it was in!

Clean architectual lines were paired with the frill of rocco. And, of course MIRRORS MIRRORS everywhere. Global Views is a company favored by Phelan’s for their wonderful selection of mirrors. At High Point market they introduced an elegant montage of 7 octagaonal mirrors, finished in black lacquer and edged in silver, AKA: Regency revival. 

Today the revival is just as bold and as fresh as ever, not to mention terribly interesting! Scroll down to the previous post and you’ll see another interpretation from the swank unrestrained era called Hollywood Regency. 

 

Dianne Ross / Interior Designer

Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634

PS  Readers, take a look at my blog “Towel bars suck.”

FURNITURE TREND: Hollywood Regency

 

A Regency revival slogan should be a quote from Mae West,

                                “Too much of a good thing . . . can be wonderful.”

Hollywood Regency never misses an opportunity for the drama of a luxurious, confident environment.

 

 

Dianne Ross / Interior Designer

Phelan’s Interiors

363-9634