Happy 2013!

May this year bring you much love, growth, good health and prosperity. I'd like to think the best is yet to come as we continue to aspire and inspire! Happy 2013!

Merry Christmas!

I am feeling blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by my family and loved ones. Given the recent events, I am sure that many of you must be feeling the same way too. Continued prayers for those who are working through the grieving process over the loss of a family member or loved one. I hope the support of those around you and the addition of faith will help along your healing journey.

 

Coming together for the holiday is all about the gathering of friends and family. Simple holiday decor is one way to avoid getting stuck in holiday overload.  Try using things that you already have in different ways to spruce up your home this season.  

 

Here are just a few images from my table this Christmas. I will be giving thanks for all the many blessings of faith, good health, family and friends.

 

Silver tree branches used as a centerpiece with a few ornaments to keep it festive.

Some of you already know how much I love a faux fur stole on my wine bottles. These were gifts from close friends with a wonderful sense of humor but mostly a great sense of style.

Silver lined chandelier shades add to the theme.

Beautiful glasses are key when planning to have great spirits to bring in the New Year!

A dashing Santa rings the dinner bell as he hurries along!



We will be curing our sweet tooth by sharing a traditional Spanish Nougat "Turron"...Bueno!

 

Truffles also work really well to satisfy the chocolate lovers.

Ornamental snowflakes hang in the balance from the centerpiece.

I will be thinking of all our loved ones passed as God blesses our table.

My casual chairs felt a little sterile, so I used napkins and buttoned straps to adhere to the chairs giving them a more formal look. I also used pine cuttings and ribbons to dress picture frames that will act as place setting markers.

Simple solutions: These button strappings came with the napkins to hold them together!
Talk about a "no sew" project!

No need to guess what this gathering is all about, this napkin says it all!

SPEND MORE TIME CELEBRATING!

JUST ADD A FEW ORNAMENTAL BEAUTIES!

KEEP IT FESTIVE AND SIMPLE!

I TRULY HOPE THAT YOU SPEND YOU HOLIDAY FILLED WITH LOTS OF LOVE, LAUGHTER AND GODS BLESSING! WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST THIS HOLIDAY AND NEW YEAR!

                                                          -Michelle

TRAD HOME DESIGN Hot Spots release!

Traditional Home Magazine Feature!

When I heard the news that I was going to be included in the "TRADHOME Design Hot spots!" I was over the moon! I loved the idea of sharing one of my favorite Boston shopping destinations with the readers of Traditional Home Magazine!

My friend and "Nest" creator Tamara Matthews Stephenson wanted to know her blogger friends "Go-To Spots" for her fall feature article for Traditional Home Magazine. I was honored and so excited! So I grabbed my camera and headed for the South End of Boston! 

A page from Tamara's feature!
Click on the interactive map stars, from east to west they will take you on a different journey and hot spot with each blogger! My star is located at the most eastern-northern point on page 64.
What place did I chose to share?

I chose Mohr & McPherson for their collected global aesthetic.

I adore this inviting daybed! What a great place to cozy up with a book and your favorite cup of tea. Mohr & McPherson host a treasure chest of great finds in the South End. Beautiful rugs and imported furnishings that will make you swoon...a must stop! 

Thank you Tamara for including me in your feature article! I am so proud of you and wish you a long future with Traditional Home! Many hugs! -Michelle

 

Benjamin Moore's 2013 Color of the year!

Extended Forecast: Mostly Sunny

Like many New Englanders, we can always use a few sunnier bluebird days around here.  Well if we can’t change Mother Nature’s behavior, why not brighten up our homes with Benjamin Moore’s 2013 Color of the Year, lemon sorbet (2019-60). This pastel yellow is very subtle, yet refreshing and stimulating. Like our sun, the color yellow is very warming, uplifting, and cheerful.

To see the true color of the lemon sorbet, I went to the local Benjamin Moore store to get a sample color swatch because I know that my laptop screen probably will not render the color exactly. To experiment with the lemon sorbet, I went on Olioboard to create a 3D living room with this as a wall color. I started to notice that it makes a great ground color when complimented with neutrals and other pastel colors. These neutral tones in the wood furniture and grey sofa ensured that the yellow wall doesn’t over stimulate. I also chose multiple values of blues and subtle violets to complement the pastel yellow to create a split complimentary color scheme. These accent colors were chosen to create a sense of balance and harmony in color temperature and contrast.

As a result, I was very pleased with Benjamin Moore’s lemon sorbet. I found that this color is very dynamic in a very subtle way. For me, it can be used to stimulate a room create a warmer, more cheerful room. For others, it can also be refreshing from the saturated colors of the past.

 

    Written By: Ken Dang Certified Architectural Color Consultant & Intern at Cortizo Interiors.

DESIGNER'S CLUB 342 AT THE BOSTON DESIGN CENTER!

 

Recently I was invited to attend a champagne breakfast held during "The Look" event hosted by Cassandra LaValle, founder of Blog COCO + KELLY celebrating the opening at the Boston Design Centers new and beautiful Designer's Club 342!! Architect Marcus Gleysteen and Sanford builders created a 3500 sq. ft space to accommodate the many designers who use the BDC. The 342 Club can be used for design work and client meetings. The Club has a kitchen area to accommodate catered events as well as a two conference rooms in addition to separate work stations.

 

The 342 is sure to be a prime destination for any designer wanting to conduct business in a space that well represents the trade. It is beautiful and appropriately filled with every amenity, including WiFi. Although a large space, I found it to be warm and inviting.

 I can really appreciate all of the natural light that pours into the space. Void of  windows down the main corridor of the building, this is a wonderful spot to recharge when spending long days sourcing. It is a bonus to have a central place to pause and regroup.

The Lounge area prior to our arrival.

342 filled with Designers and Bloggers attending "The Look" event before viewing trends for 2013!! The Club will be open without membership until November 30, 2012.
For more information on 342 Designer's Club membership contact:
Lauren Young at lyoung@bostondesign.com


More on 2013 trends and "The Look" to come...
 

Boston #InStyleTour A Great Success!

What a night! Excellence in the world of art and design come together to ignite a evening of great conversation and ideas. We started our evening by indulging in a wonderful meal in Boston's, North End at Villa Francesca. Italian epicurean delights filled the room as we engaged with our fellow Designer/Bloggers, sponsors Blanco America and Giovanni Decunto.  In addition, we were introduced to more of what we love about Blanco America by the lovely Christy Emens.

Boston's North End is filled with the finest dining around!

 Let the party begin!


Host Andie Day (L-R)), Christy Emens from Blanco America and Co-host Todd Vendituoli.

 

Having fun with Elizabeth Benedict (B-L) and Andie Day (Top).
 

 The talented Mally Skok (L) and Elizabeth Benedict always put a smile on my face. They inspire me and continuously raise the spirit of any gathering...great ladies!
 

Much laughter and sharing with (L-R) Linda Merrill, Laurie Gorelick, Barbara Elza Hirsch!

NEXT!

 

 

Tupac Shakur

(artist Giovanni Decunto)



Giovanni hosts a fabulous party at his North End gallery!
 

NO WAY!!! I won a Culina Faucet from Blanco America! FANTASTICAMENTE!!
 

Laurie Gorlick dances with Giovanni after winning one of his original works!!! Now that's a reason to dance!

 

Laurie Gorelick, Rebecca Reynolds, Leanne Wood Newman...Love them!!

 
 A night to remember!!


Photos by Sidney Vendituoli

PRESS RELEASE: FIRST #INSTYLETOUR OCTOBER 2, 2012

First #INSTYLETOUR Celebrates Sinks, Art and Tweeps 

 

Twitter-inspired social media gathering attracts national sponsorship, interior design bloggers and original artwork

 

Boston, MA:  What began as a desire to bring regional design bloggers together in real life has morphed into a celebration of inspiration and excellence in art and design for over twenty-five interior designers from the Boston area and beyond.  The two-part event on Tuesday, October 2^nd, sponsored by Blanco America and internationally-acclaimed artist Giovanni DeCunto, is being held at north-end restaurant Villa Franceso then moving to DeCunto’s studio for a special viewing. Highlights of the event will be an interactive presentation from Blanco representatives and a draw for an original piece of Giovanni DeCunto’s art.

 

The idea for this event, labeled with hashtag #instyletour on twitter, was born at a July 2012 tweetup hosted by local interior designer Andie Day and Vermont-based builder- turned-social-media-specialist Todd Vendituoli. “Art, interior design and fashion continue to overlap as today’s technology-infused lifestyle evolves,” explains, Andie Day. “We know that bloggers play an important role in communicating trends to consumers. We wanted to continue to push that envelope by exposing designers to manufacturers with beautiful, functional pieces for the home and unique styles of fine art. We’re excited about our first #instyletour evening.”

 

“Blanco America embraced the concept right away,” adds Vendituoli.  “They see the value in harnessing the power of design blogs and talking about their beautifully-crafted sinks and faucets to such a targeted audience. Exposing their product to an audience so heavily immersed in communicating good design is invaluable.”

 

Day and Vendituoli hope to roll out the #instyletour concept to other design-centric markets such as Miami and San Francisco.  The goal is to provide venues for those who have met via twitter to meet face to face and interact with brands that provide products to the design industry. “Face to face connections are still incredibly important,” says Vendituoil. “We all ‘talk’ virtually all the time, but now we’ll be in the same location learning more about design and art, and making our connections even stronger.”

 

The dinner and Blanco presentation at Villa Francesco, 150 Richmond Street, North Boston is from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Immediately following, guests will move to Giovanni DeCunto’s gallery at 15 Lewis Street, North Boston for the viewing and raffle.

 

Members of the media who wish to attend the first #instyletour night, contact organizer Andie Day at 978-500-8172 or aday@andieday.com. 

 

To obtain Blanco high-resolution product images, contact: Lori Dolnick

ldolnick@frankadvertisingus.com.

 

To obtain high-resolution images of Giovanni DeCunto's artwork and/or bio information, contact Suzanne King at @sk_giovannid@yahoo.com.

 

 

Thinking In Autumn Colors!

 

 Amazing how nature can create such incredible beauty. Vibrant fall colors that captive with such intensity. I have picked just a few Benjamin Moore paint colors that I connect to fall.    

Colors of the vine.

 

via
Just to give you an idea of how rich and sophisticated reds can be.

 

 

A little natural gray at its best!

Exclusive Event Featuring Giovanni Decunto & Blanco!

On October 2, 2012 together Blanco America and the internationally acclaimed artist, Giovanni Decunto will come together for an evening of masterful art and design. The invitation only event will take place in Boston's North End. There 30 select Designers/Bloggers will be privileged to be the first to participate in the #InStyleTour 2012 event! The evening will begin at at well known North End favorite, Restorante Villa-Francesca and conclude at Giovanni Decunto's gallery. It will be hosted by the beautiful and talented award winning Interior Designer, Andie Day.  By her side, Todd Vendituoli of Todd Vendituoli Construction L.L.C and writer of BuildingBlox. Winner of "The Best Blogger" for construction business award for 2012!

STEELART SINK : Discover our award-winning BLANCO STEELART™ portfolio of products. With sleek lines, handcrafted geometric shapes and the incomparable detailing of crisp zero or elegant 10mm radius corners, BLANCO STEELART™ offers a world of design possibilities. Read more...

 

Giovanni Decunto

 

                                          "An outstanding representative of an American artist."

                                                                                    – Rex Scouten,
                                                                                  Curator of the White House                               

Thank You Jessica Gordon Ryan and Freshome!

The talented Jessica Gordon Ryan, of "The Entertaining House" and writer for "Freshome" recently asked me to collaborate with her on a recent Freshome article: 

"10 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Interior Decorator" 

(click here)

 

For the answers visit Freshome to read Jessica's article where we share our thoughts on how investing in a professional can save you time, energy and money.  

 

 

Hyde Park Loft Project Photography by b.photo

 

 

Thank you Jessica and Freshome for allowing me to share my thoughts with your readers!
                                                                            - Michelle

Brizo & Jason Wu LIVE from the runway!

 

FASHION WEEK LIVE from the runway in NYC!!

 

Jason Wu sponsored by Brizo.

 

Watch the latest runway show LIVE TODAY at 1:00 PM EST.

 

 

Go to JasonWuStudio.com to view the show...Enjoy!

 

 

The Jason Wu For Brizo Collection! Smart Technology!

ALL THE BEST TO MY FRIENDS AT BRIZO!