The Skirted Roundtable: Chatting about Million Dollar Decorators

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdMaGL9LuB3Az9s5RvWTfda7CnWg0AfqLzIOyQEErdMJjsNc93MyEpvKyyp6o6nNczRQPaze2fwywG8QtYomsNWjQbVNmAXk1-wyGSgfCSumI7mpLX-DRSkr_m6WSPt8JrNTmk4FO74/s1600/SRT+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mdMaGL9LuB3Az9s5RvWTfda7CnWg0AfqLzIOyQEErdMJjsNc93MyEpvKyyp6o6nNczRQPaze2fwywG8QtYomsNWjQbVNmAXk1-wyGSgfCSumI7mpLX-DRSkr_m6WSPt8JrNTmk4FO74/s640/SRT+header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This week at The Skirted Roundtable, we chatted about <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2011/06/million-dollar-decorators-we-have.html">Million Dollar Decorators. Check it out!</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWHSyJZrTkvC5vrVMLcAsfh_6Dt9rv0LfjKaiZznIzzWUfhhHIkiFiocCLMGX3iOSgsu-zEer8Mtvdv1gPD5jXqp2ZrBiGXd1i9m5slM9wosUizPg13VVqGUi4xSe4cfLUibGvlpd-hM/s1600/mdd+poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWHSyJZrTkvC5vrVMLcAsfh_6Dt9rv0LfjKaiZznIzzWUfhhHIkiFiocCLMGX3iOSgsu-zEer8Mtvdv1gPD5jXqp2ZrBiGXd1i9m5slM9wosUizPg13VVqGUi4xSe4cfLUibGvlpd-hM/s320/mdd+poster.png" width="270" /></a></div><br />Don't forget to join in the fun on Twitter at hashtag #mddbravotv or #milliondollardecorators or #mdd while you're watching! (sorry West Coast!)<br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Skirted Roundtable: Chatting about Million Dollar Decorators

This week at The Skirted Roundtable, we chatted about Million Dollar Decorators. Check it out! Don't forget to join in the fun on Twitte...

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Insider's View: Design on a Dime

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.housingworks.org/p/phpThumb/phpThumb.php?src=/i/page/dod-01.jpg&w=686" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://www.housingworks.org/p/phpThumb/phpThumb.php?src=/i/page/dod-01.jpg&w=686" width="400" /></a></div>As a blogger, one of the most frustrating aspects of being so keyed into the design scene across the country is the fact that there isn't enough time or money to attend all the amazing events that take place. Even though New England isn't far from New York City, it's still not that easy to pop down for an afternoon or evening event and so for many things, I must live vicariously through the eyes of others.  The "Design on a Dime" event was recently in NYC. Put on by <a href="http://www.housingworks.org/events/design-on-a-dime/">Housing Works</a>, which provide services for homeless and low-income New Yorker's living with HIV/AIDS, this is a three day event to raise funds for their mission. Having lost a very dear friend to AIDS twenty-one years ago, this is a cause close to my heart. The highlight of this 3-day event were the 55 room vignettes created by a stellar roster of designers and celebrities. Much of the merchandise showcased in the vignettes is donated and then sold off to raise funds. Having fun while doing good work is a win win for all.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYnaXnIlUu10_mFL7M1sbB06gC2zD7PG_O7NQhyphenhyphen07_zzgihN0Nnrmy-7oXfUCh4pjjNVSXp_Xpooa_C1u8bXcaCrbcpjFJIPjtoT-qROsBb3mIa1ph1XUMIk0vk47TDMx6_Lu8OFHjeyC/s1600/vignette_033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYnaXnIlUu10_mFL7M1sbB06gC2zD7PG_O7NQhyphenhyphen07_zzgihN0Nnrmy-7oXfUCh4pjjNVSXp_Xpooa_C1u8bXcaCrbcpjFJIPjtoT-qROsBb3mIa1ph1XUMIk0vk47TDMx6_Lu8OFHjeyC/s640/vignette_033.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />This was an event that I would have loved to attend, but unfortunately wasn't able to get there.  I was thrilled when participating designer <a href="http://facebook.com/patrickjameshamilton">Patrick J. Hamilton </a>offered to share these beautiful photographs, by <a href="http://jodykivort.com/">Jody Kivort</a>, of his eclectic vignette. He says of his space:<br /><blockquote>The challenge here was getting a lot of sell-able products into a small footprint, but still have it feel realistic as a stylish room, and reflect me as a designer... layers of light, a mix of eras and high/low sources... Plus, I was able to flex my color muscle, since this event calls for a bit of theatricality! The generosity of the vendors was humbling and inspiring. So many people said yes, immediately and unconditionally. The challenge after that was to get it all looking like a designed and polished room... not just a trade show booth!<span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnP9V9dTuFCzQKdhkSzUcIU4b3Izj8PV2BSPWNCa0h3NVKW_pztGGO8GbS-SWTn2EPaTh6vJjp4A1vdBgkgUe9h0izLz9an1XLb22ya3seJmOyL83vu-skkYgSv70J4aYo6yMRDs9Ctfo/s1600/vignette_025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnP9V9dTuFCzQKdhkSzUcIU4b3Izj8PV2BSPWNCa0h3NVKW_pztGGO8GbS-SWTn2EPaTh6vJjp4A1vdBgkgUe9h0izLz9an1XLb22ya3seJmOyL83vu-skkYgSv70J4aYo6yMRDs9Ctfo/s640/vignette_025.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3N9yA5_AkAFOa6wuq0TSC35e53ryR6oFV4ecw8NbmUHXve-sNNC0k-ur8YI6RqJqZ3JPlDylYBC88p5SVo9sd_kTajqmpOu0vpQSPTC_ArilG5-jKWOQ1lyoul6JcF5fsFiZi3EbQMw6/s1600/vignette_057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3N9yA5_AkAFOa6wuq0TSC35e53ryR6oFV4ecw8NbmUHXve-sNNC0k-ur8YI6RqJqZ3JPlDylYBC88p5SVo9sd_kTajqmpOu0vpQSPTC_ArilG5-jKWOQ1lyoul6JcF5fsFiZi3EbQMw6/s640/vignette_057.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDeNXq2ofWIhxc7L0wwqzhYaPoWEvkOL8dJcv0LvpIMfKc-TJYMahmgk1fZ-BcUfrzbxTqcUHmx-buOMCyUBX2Y6RjAdRlKNvfHd7rHLCsjII6DgDUMpBoqc_PPgVuPLX0CkUi-EvsWES/s1600/vignette_069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDeNXq2ofWIhxc7L0wwqzhYaPoWEvkOL8dJcv0LvpIMfKc-TJYMahmgk1fZ-BcUfrzbxTqcUHmx-buOMCyUBX2Y6RjAdRlKNvfHd7rHLCsjII6DgDUMpBoqc_PPgVuPLX0CkUi-EvsWES/s640/vignette_069.jpg" width="558" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRut44SEAa6uR7HJgsrhRcPvH0RqCxiBqzJLBZ2kE0mOkbLUhhdaZ6zNPg4gRng4xZ3S3xqfw4miojVopMV156VfZEeAVKXJJwMOu85ffB-GYxHVaXnBZ4ZI4v5KS0W9YKU3lpbZbGITM/s1600/vignette_075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRut44SEAa6uR7HJgsrhRcPvH0RqCxiBqzJLBZ2kE0mOkbLUhhdaZ6zNPg4gRng4xZ3S3xqfw4miojVopMV156VfZEeAVKXJJwMOu85ffB-GYxHVaXnBZ4ZI4v5KS0W9YKU3lpbZbGITM/s640/vignette_075.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0xTQ3QiWryPOVY59ay-zx1SVpVnMu1oA-KfCrb44JY7pOk22Ku_227_5bmzSSl4jAuX3PORgwl7ftEHOUn3P41_rIFtQtxQNWuy1rH39X8ahalBufLnfP1KTQ4p7q9QO35LXXiB_RrWP/s1600/vignette_092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0xTQ3QiWryPOVY59ay-zx1SVpVnMu1oA-KfCrb44JY7pOk22Ku_227_5bmzSSl4jAuX3PORgwl7ftEHOUn3P41_rIFtQtxQNWuy1rH39X8ahalBufLnfP1KTQ4p7q9QO35LXXiB_RrWP/s640/vignette_092.jpg" width="421" /></a></div>As Patrick stated, the generosity of vendors who donated goods for these vignettes is always inspiring and he wanted to particularly acknowledge <a href="http://www.mgbwhome.com/Default.aspx">Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams</a>, <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/">Wisteria</a>, <a href="http://www.curreycodealers.com/">Currey & Company</a>, <a href="http://www.nibarugs.com/">NIBA Rugs</a> and the <a href="http://www.alphaworkshops.org/">Alpha Workshops</a> for their participation. <br /><br />A few bonus images provided by Larry Ruhl of<a href="http://www.highfallsmercantile.com/"> High Falls Mercantile</a> featuring their vintage inspired vignette. (images courtesy of High Falls Mercantile)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.highfallsmercantile.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/DSC03954-1024x577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://www.highfallsmercantile.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/DSC03954-1024x577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Love the vintage plates and wallpaper covered walls.<br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIlcXy-f2HiaaF_LuGojHNUFVeT0BpTKVMSbXq11i41mks7GvDqbJ7fRwii40bzNYJQYecaNU5sgavcdvjNJxsHOWw0MgZuEm_CBQnHYORjn8gWzZimjj4wf2s3jxokV6R-uWakhxt9CM/s1600/DSC03926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIlcXy-f2HiaaF_LuGojHNUFVeT0BpTKVMSbXq11i41mks7GvDqbJ7fRwii40bzNYJQYecaNU5sgavcdvjNJxsHOWw0MgZuEm_CBQnHYORjn8gWzZimjj4wf2s3jxokV6R-uWakhxt9CM/s640/DSC03926.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5A5xbcs1nswHkT5BD2sFrFsuyy2DpUAzAQxbVT0MYNZVNySRBXCiJTAeK3sDOAc7mePYbQg0KJqH3AqH3YnZZbSRm98wDyH_NFW4fYVwPFpoyBN0DPunydH5w0pHL1HFU34UNbGXcCaw/s1600/DSC03927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5A5xbcs1nswHkT5BD2sFrFsuyy2DpUAzAQxbVT0MYNZVNySRBXCiJTAeK3sDOAc7mePYbQg0KJqH3AqH3YnZZbSRm98wDyH_NFW4fYVwPFpoyBN0DPunydH5w0pHL1HFU34UNbGXcCaw/s640/DSC03927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4RjG7tMgewp82rZRN58IAVcl_E09ywnB1bSISp01WoFOu1hiMU_Zx0ut4-KnfPhxIbbT3BOeJbdIWDubFxtK5JtSMzekOD6i_o_JCztwJW2xDs09edWqOrH3oUbOvpVqOl7RcT8zhHko/s1600/DSC03935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4RjG7tMgewp82rZRN58IAVcl_E09ywnB1bSISp01WoFOu1hiMU_Zx0ut4-KnfPhxIbbT3BOeJbdIWDubFxtK5JtSMzekOD6i_o_JCztwJW2xDs09edWqOrH3oUbOvpVqOl7RcT8zhHko/s640/DSC03935.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>You can read more on High Falls Mercantile's <a href="http://www.highfallsmercantile.com/blog/design-on-a-dime/">blog</a> about their vignette and get links to further coverage and<a href="http://askpatrick.blogspot.com/2011/05/about-design-on-dime-one-room-13-tips.html"> here is Patrick's blog post </a>about how he pulled his space together. Lots of work for a great cause!<br /><br />Thanks Patrick and Larry for sharing!<br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Insider's View: Design on a Dime

As a blogger, one of the most frustrating aspects of being so keyed into the design scene across the country is the fact that there isn'...

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La Belle France at Boutique Belle Escape

<a href="http://www.belleescape.com/" title="Belle Escape Painted Furniture">Belle Escape</a>, a leading online retailer of hand-painted cottage style furniture, recently announced the launch of <a href="http://www.bellemaisonfrancaise.com/" title="French style furniture">Belle Maison Francaise</a> (Belle Maison), a new online store that specializes in stylish French furniture and decor.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/paris_map_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/paris_map_400.jpg" /></a></div><br />“French furniture is experiencing a modern-day renaissance,” says Donna Jensen-Madier, founder of Belle Escape and Belle Maison. “Designer showrooms are filled with gorgeous reproductions of Louis and French Provencal style furniture, featuring classic shapes adorned with finishes and fabrics that appeal to today’s aesthetic sensibilities. Belle Maison makes it easy to find the most in vogue French furniture from designer showrooms right online.”<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/imperial_foyer_table_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/imperial_foyer_table_400.jpg" /></a></div> A revival in French furniture has been noted as one of the <a href="http://belleescape.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/french-reproduction-furniture-is-major-trend-in-2011/" title="Belle Escape Blog Top 2011 Furniture Trends">top 2011 furniture trends</a> by industry experts worldwide. Top interior designers agree.<br /><br />The folks at Belle Escape asked my views on French style in today's interiors. This is what I had to say: “I've always found that French style is consistently popular with design clients because of its timeless classic style, elegant yet comfortable designs and how well these pieces mix with more modern furniture forms.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/Carved%20Three%20Seat%20Bench_400-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/Carved%20Three%20Seat%20Bench_400-01.jpg" /></a></div><br />Belle Maison segments its furnishings by style, including French Chic, Vintage French, Versailles Chic, Old Provence, French Country and Chateau. As a full-service online furniture store, Belle Maison offers custom finish options, special programs for interior decorators, free shipping on furniture shipped within the continental U.S. and personalized consultations.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/">BelleMaisonFrancaise.com</a> <br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

La Belle France at Boutique Belle Escape

Belle Escape , a leading online retailer of hand-painted cottage style furniture, recently announced the launch of Belle Maison Francaise (...

Read more »